Luigi's Flying Tires

Luigi's Flying Tires was an attraction at Disney California Adventure park, located within the Cars Land area. It opened on June 15, 2012, and was inspired by the Disney-Pixar film Cars. The ride was designed and manufactured by Walt Disney Imagineering and featured hovercraft-like vehicles that floated on a cushion of air, similar to a giant air hockey table.

Concept and Design

The concept of Luigi's Flying Tires was a nod to an earlier Disneyland attraction, the Flying Saucers, which operated from 1961 to 1966. The ride involved guests floating and bouncing around a large arena on tire-themed vehicles. The vehicles were controlled by shifting body weight, allowing guests to move in different directions.

Operation

Guests entered the ride through Luigi's Casa Della Tires, which was elaborately themed to match the Cars movie setting. The ride itself consisted of a large, rectangular area filled with multiple air vents that created a cushion of air strong enough to lift the tire vehicles slightly off the ground. Riders could lean in various directions to move and bump into other tires.

Closure and Replacement

Luigi's Flying Tires closed on February 16, 2015, after less than three years of operation. The attraction faced several challenges, including operational complexities and lower-than-expected guest satisfaction scores. It was replaced by Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, which opened in March 2016. The new ride retained the Italian theme of Luigi's Casa Della Tires but introduced a trackless dance floor where cars move in choreographed patterns.

Legacy

Despite its short lifespan, Luigi's Flying Tires was memorable for its unique ride system and its connection to the beloved Cars franchise. It remains a part of Disney California Adventure's history and reflects the ongoing evolution of theme park attractions to meet guest expectations and technological advancements.