Casey Jr's Incredicoasting Teacups in Toon Town

Another ride I haven't been on in some years is the Casey Jr Circus Train. 

The Casey Jr. Circus Train at Disneyland is a charming little ride that feels like stepping into a classic Disney animated short—complete with whimsical music, pastel-colored circus cars, and the general vibe that life would be better if we all just traveled by mini-train. Inspired by the beloved train from Dumbo, this attraction is perfect for those who enjoy a leisurely jaunt around Fantasyland while pretending they’re part of a magical traveling circus. It’s one of those rides that’s as cute as it is nostalgic, giving you all the warm fuzzy feelings of childhood without any of the actual circus-related chaos (no clowns or elephant mishaps here, thankfully).

As you approach the ride, you’re greeted by the sight of Casey Jr., the plucky little locomotive with a can-do attitude and a face that’s just a little too excited about pulling a train full of circus animals up a hill. “I think I can! I think I can!” echoes in your head as you prepare to board one of the most delightful rides in the park. The brightly painted circus cars come in various shapes and sizes—some open-air, others resembling animal cages or grand circus carriages. Each car is more adorable than the last, and yes, you might actually argue with your friends or family over which one to sit in because they’re all equally fun.

Once aboard, you’re off on a gentle journey through the picturesque hills and valleys of Storybook Land, passing by miniature versions of iconic Disney castles, villages, and waterways. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the storybook world next door—only you’re riding in a train that’s about the size of a really determined toy. The whole ride is infused with that old-school Disney magic, where everything seems just a little more vibrant and everything’s accompanied by an upbeat, circus-inspired soundtrack.

The train chugs along at a leisurely pace, which means you have plenty of time to take in the sights. You’ll pass by charming little scenes from classic Disney tales like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. It’s like someone shrunk down Fantasyland into bite-sized pieces and scattered them around just for you to ooh and aah at while you enjoy the ride. The best part? You don’t have to worry about getting too close to any fire-breathing dragons or evil queens—this is all about the fun, fairy tale bits.

Now, here’s the kicker: the climb. Casey Jr., in all his adorable, animated glory, has one job, and that’s to pull this train up a hill that, to be honest, isn’t all that steep. But somehow, with the music swelling dramatically, it feels like you’re scaling the Matterhorn. As you ascend, Casey Jr. gives it his all, and you can practically hear him thinking, “I think I can, I think I can!” Even though this is probably the least intense “thrill” ride you’ll ever experience, you can’t help but root for the little guy as he pulls your carriages to the top.

And what goes up must come down, of course! As you reach the top of the hill, there’s a brief moment of excitement as the train picks up a bit of speed and you glide back down. Sure, it’s not exactly a roller coaster, but when you’re sitting in a tiny circus cage being pulled by the world’s most enthusiastic train, it’s just the right amount of thrill to make you grin from ear to ear.

The Casey Jr. Circus Train is pure Disneyland charm. It’s a simple, sweet, and utterly delightful ride that takes you on a quick tour of Fantasyland with a sprinkle of circus magic. There are no high-speed chases or scary drops—just a lovable little train doing its best to show you a good time. It’s perfect for kids, nostalgic adults, and anyone who appreciates a ride that’s more about the whimsy than the wow factor.

So, if you’re ready to hop aboard and let Casey Jr. take you on a charming journey through a miniature fairy tale land, climb into one of those adorable circus cars and get ready for the cutest train ride of your life. Just remember to cheer Casey on as he tackles that hill—after all, the little engine that could can always use a little encouragement!

Now, because I said in the title of this post there would be more than just Casey Jr's train, here are some pics of the Incredicoaster, the Teacups, and Toon Town:

Now for the long story:

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

After the epic journey through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the families decided it was time for something a little more… calming. As they strolled over to Critter Country, Scot announced, “It’s time for a ride of a different kind of adventure: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”

“I could use a break after all that lightsaber action,” Kevin admitted, wiping his brow dramatically.

The ride’s queue was short (as expected), and before they knew it, they were boarding those iconic honey pots. The kids, still full of energy, piled in with the parents, while Steve rolled his eyes and said, “Okay, let’s see how fast we can go through Hundred Acre Wood.”

As the ride started, the honey pot glided through scenes of Pooh dreaming about honey. Gage pointed at the animatronic Pooh. “Why does Pooh look like he’s about to OD on honey?”

“He’s obsessed,” Zac said, shaking his head. “Pooh’s got a problem. Someone should stage an intervention.”

Julene smiled, “I mean, have you tasted honey? Can’t blame the guy.”

As they moved into the part of the ride with Tigger bouncing around, Brandon grabbed the safety bar. “If this pot starts bouncing like Tigger, I’m out.”

“No worries,” Jeff said, grinning. “It’s Disney—there’s not a single fast thing about this ride.”

Everyone giggled, but as the ride moved toward the Heffalumps and Woozles section, Zac leaned over to Roman. “I forgot about this part! It’s like Winnie the Pooh had a weird dream after eating too much honey.”

“Too much honey?” Roman quipped. “More like too many churros!”

As the honey pot gently glided to the end of the ride, Lissa sighed, “That was surprisingly… relaxing.”

“Yeah,” Gage replied. “A little too relaxing. Where’s the action? Where’s the plot twist?”

“Winnie the Pooh is the plot twist,” Kevin said, deadpan. “Who knew we’d spend 5 minutes watching a bear dream about snacks?”