Riding on the Red Car Trolley?

[PinkBudgie]

Last July we went for a week and I wanted to ride the Trolley but just never got to it. Everytime we passed the stop by the park entrance, it seemed very crowded and was confusing about where the line actually ended. I'd like to try again this November. Any suggestions on when and where to get on? I would think the middle stop would be the worst because probably very few people get off there. How long did you wait to ride?

 

[mybestieismickey]

DH and I picked it up at the middle stop (I think? We got on board across from Carthay Circle Theater) there was no one waiting and the CMs were glad for a couple more passengers. The trolley was pretty empty and only got emptier when we stopped at the Animation Building. Of course the time may have had something to do with it. It was probably 9, 9:15 am maybe.

 

[tinkerbelt]

We've always been able to hop right on and off, even on crowded days. The easiest place to find the line is the stop near the DCA entrance. Try for early morning or later in the evening. You'll probably have bigger crowds in the middle of the day.

 

[ArchOwl]

Rode it all the way to Tower of Terror and back on our last trip. We did have to wait a bit to board at the DCA entrance, but it wasn't that bad, maybe 5 minutes or so. There were way fewer people trying to get on at the Tower of Terror stop, so perhaps try it catching it there.

They do make you disembark at the Tower of Terror if there are people in line there. Then you are free to join the line and return to the trolley if you boarded at the entrance. Do keep in mind that when the do the show with the trolley (the newsboys one), it may interrupt the flow of the trolleys. Best to ask before boarding. They said we were the last trolley to go before they shut down the tracks for the show. That wouldn't have been a big deal except I was on an ECV for a broken ankle and had left it at the main entrance station!

I got the feeling they were still getting used to the traffic flow in DCA. We were on the tracks when the Five and Dime vehicle came from the opposite direction. Apparently, this was not supposed to happen and there was some "discussion" between the trolley CM and the Five and Dime CMs. They squeezed past us, but the trolley CM was upset about it. But it has got to be the most traffic DCA has seen in ages!

The trolleys were a fun ride and they explain the history of the trolleys and how Walt could have used them back in the day. We enjoyed riding and then when we stopped in Kingswell's, they have a black and white photo of the real trolleys that we enjoyed looking at. Have fun!

 

[Susie63]

Is there a map of the route for the RTC?

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Is there a map of the route for the RTC?

No, it's very straightforward. Starts at Cathay, goes straight down the street in Hollywoodland, curves toward ToT, then stops right by ToT. It is fun but I've run into bad luck trying to get on it. There are only 20 seats so you can get stuck waiting. It's something you ride for the sake of riding it, not for its transportation value, since you can always walk faster

 

[tinkerbelt]

It starts at the DCA entrance, then goes to Cathay, and then to ToT.

 

[ArchOwl]

Is there a map of the route for the RTC?

Yes, here is the link to the Disney Parks Blog and their map: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/10/red-car-trolley-at-disney-california-adventure-park-will-be-a-ride-back-in-time/

There is actually another stop at Hollywood Land in addition to the main entrance, Carthay, and Tower of Terror.

 

[Susie63]

Thanks. Looking forward to travelling back in time

 

[cgh]

We tried several times to ride in August and never were able to. It was sooo bizarre. One time, it was stopped at the animation building (at a designated spot, as it appeared). I asked about boarding, and they said we couldn't There were a couple people on it but plenty of room. Literally, 2 guests. They explained they had to wait for the trolley to come the other way. I asked if we could just get on to look around and they said no.

It was very frustrating.

We tried another time too, but I forget what the problem was-maybe we just missed it? Just odd.

 

[Camonkeygirl]

Last week, my DH and I got on next to the TOT. We had about a 10 minute wait, as they could not leave until the Newsboys were finished, and moving. When we started to move, we had an unplanned stop in front of the Animation Building. This is the only area where they put in two sets of track, as a bypass, but it is not a stop to get on and off. The trolley then continues to Carthay Circle, where there is a stop, and then we hopped off at the entrance to the park, as we were heading over to Disneyland.

DH is a train lover, and enjoyed the ride and history lesson that we got while on the trolley.

 

[kevdo]

This is not a good mode of transportation if speed if you main priority, since walking is always faster. But it's still kind of fun - especially if you like Disneygeeky cast members who can tell you all kinds of fun facts along the way.

I do think the trolley adds a great kinetic energy to BVS and Hollywoodland. Just wish they'd get the two cars in sync better so there would be less waiting while the other car loads, etc. It also seems like they could pack some other people in there - the thing doesn't move very fast so I think it would be okay to let people stand like they do in buses in real life.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Yeah, I just wanted to ride it just for fun but it seemed like a long time to wait and the line seemed to be more a crowd of people. I'll try again this time. I wanted to hear what they said while on it.

Once when we were waiting in line for RSR FPs we saw the trolley with Chip and Dale on it and a few guests. Don't know how they got chosen to be there.

 

[cmwade77]

The stop in the middle is indeed the hardest. If you look at the line though, there are clear entrances to the line at both ends (the one in the middle isn't as clear where the line begins and ends).

As for crowded, each trolley can hold up to 24 people (I think this is the right number) and one wheelchair, since they usually run two cars at one time, the wait is usually not that bad.

Personally though, I like to get in before rope drop and take the first trolley car ride, it leaves a bit before rope drop and you are disembarking at the Rope Drop, putting you just a bit ahead of everyone else to get to Carsland by walking through Bugsland.

Now, you should keep in mind that it does not run during the parade or when the Newboys show is running (or about 5-10 minutes before each). After the last Newsboys show, the Trolleys will then run continuously until park closing.

 

[PinkBudgie]

The stop in the middle is indeed the hardest. If you look at the line though, there are clear entrances to the line at both ends (the one in the middle isn't as clear where the line begins and ends).

As for crowded, each trolley can hold up to 24 people (I think this is the right number) and one wheelchair, since they usually run two cars at one time, the wait is usually not that bad.

Personally though, I like to get in before rope drop and take the first trolley car ride, it leaves a bit before rope drop and you are disembarking at the Rope Drop, putting you just a bit ahead of everyone else to get to Carsland by walking through Bugsland.

Now, you should keep in mind that it does not run during the parade or when the Newboys show is running (or about 5-10 minutes before each). After the last Newsboys show, the Trolleys will then run continuously until park closing.

Thanks for the good info. The line at the park entrance looked confusing to me because there were people sitting all around the place and I didn't know if they were in line or just stopping to sit for a minute. Maybe I'll try in the evening.