Opened: October 1, 1996
Location: Mickey’s Toontown Fair
Extra Magic Hours: No
FASTPASS: No
Type: Roller coaster
Similar To: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Requirements: Must be 35” or taller to ride
Scary Factor: Low. The Barnstormer has a top speed of 20 miles per hours and a maximum height of about 30 feet, making it the tamest roller coaster at Disney World. It’s designed specifically for the younger set and they should have a good idea if they want to ride it by watching the ride a few times.
What to Expect: Riders board roller coaster cars themed like Goofy’s crop-dusting airplane. The seats are fairly compact, but should have enough room for an adult and one or two children, depending on size. Taller guests, especially those with back or neck problems, may want to skip because the back of the car is very short and lacks proper support for anyone over four or five feet tall. If your kids are okay riding alone then you may just want to watch. The track is fairly tame with only minor drops and a couple moderately tight turns. Be aware that although the queue features some quirky props, it’s directly in the sun and can be almost unbearable in the summer months. Also, the ride lasts only 59 seconds. About half of that time is spent on the initial lift and the slowdown back to the loading area, making the Barnstormer the shortest ride at Disney World.
When To Go: You’re looking at long lines in the sun if you can’t visit early in the morning or late in the evening. If this is a “must-do” for your group then you’ll want to be here as soon as Toontown opens or in the final two hours of operation.
Expect to Wait: The Barnstormer is slow loading and has an extremely limited capacity due to the compact cars and the fact that the short track means only two trains can operate. Expect long waits, usually in the 30 minute range by lunch and 45+ minute range in the afternoon.
Length: Less than one minute. Seriously.
Rating: 5/10
Fantasyland Expansion: While it’s still unclear what exactly the new Fantasyland will look like, it appears as though the Barnstormer will be a part of it. Goofy’s signature roller coaster is expected to close in the fall of 2010 and be rethemed in some way so it can be opened near Dumbo’s circus tent. Finally, two of the slowest loading rides at the Magic Kingdom will unite under one roof.
Commentary: This is a tough one to rate with just one number. The ride has an agonizingly slow, brutally hot queue area and is less than one minute long. It is a fun minute though, especially for youngsters. The Barnstormer may also provide the courage kids need to ride some of Disney World’s more intense attractions, so you may want to visit this and Thunder Mountain early on in your vacation If you’re a group of adults then I would skip this one because of the uncomfortable seats and short duration, unless you can ride it with less than a 10 minute wait and don’t have anywhere else to be.
