Credit: Resorts GalReady to take your kids on their first rollercoaster? The Barnstormer Starring the Great Goofini at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is the best bet for a smooth first ride!
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow for a Disney vacation will take solace in this smooth, very short junior coaster with no flips, inversions, or scary themes. The Great Goofini guides families with children visiting Walt Disney World Resort to a fun attraction that will have you coming back for more!
History of the Barnstormer
Mickey’s Birthdayland originally occupied the area where Storybook Circus now sits and contained a petting zoo called Grandma Duck’s Petting Farm. Here, Disney Park Guests could visit Minnie Moo, the cow with a hidden mickey on her side, and several other cute animals. In 1996, the zoo was moved to Fort Wilderness and The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm broke ground.
The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm appeared to be an airplane school taught by Goofy (much like the existing theme at Disney California Adventure, where the sister coaster sits). “The story behind this ride included Guests flying in Goofy’s homemade biplane as it swooped, twisted, and turned. It then went full speed into a barn. Inside the barn were three Audio-Animatronic chickens from Epcot’s former World of Motion attraction.” In 2011, as the New Fantasyland Expansion began, the coaster was closed and reopened with The Great Goofini them, befitting the new Circus storyline.
On the back of The Barnstormer entrance sign, one can find a set of red-painted scrambled letters that, when put together, spell out “Wiseacre Farm” as a tribute to the original version of the ride.
It’s just “Plane” fun! Walt Disney World’s website describes this junior coaster as,
Make your way to an open-air barn where Goofy—known as The Great Goofini—performs his world-famous aerial stunt show. Climb aboard a wacky stunt plane and hold on tight as you take to the skies above Fantasyland.
A Staggering Series of Stupendous Stunts: Ascend to the top of a wooden observation tower. Then, brace yourself as you swoop through the busy barnyard, darting and soaring before “landing” safely during the grand finale.
It’s a goofy good time for kids—and aspiring pilots of all ages!
What’s really fun is for kiddos to look around at the queue and find Goofy’s belongings, and notice that Pete has not been taking care of this area! Underpants patch an awning, and Goofy’s failures to shoot himself from a cannon leave a smoky haze in line! It’s a lot of fun to see!
Location of the Barnstormer
Storybook Circus, within the Enchanted Forest portion of Fantasyland, offers families a chance to have fun in a historically American way. The circus has been set up in the forest, and you’re invited to see all the fun things it has to offer! Come see the amazing flying elephant, Pete’s silly sideshow with the fab five on full display with enchantments, wonders, and feats of strength. Taste popcorn while you dance in the spray of Casey Junior (who brought the team to town), and lastly, take a spin on The Great Goofini’s flying contraption.
When entering Magic Kingdom, Head straight down Main Street, U.S.A., and break to the right of Cinderella Castle. Stay right around the Mad Tea Party, and pass through the gates of the “land.” Keep right, and you’ll run smack into the queue line for The Barnstormer!
Best time to visit the Barnstormer
The Barnstormer with The Great Goofini typically has a shorter line than many other attractions, but because of its high appeal with smaller children, the line has been known to grow during peak traffic times.
The best time of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort can vary, as it seems there are truly no steady “downtimes” anymore, but during the school year when most of the country does not have a school-break seems to tamper the crowds a bit. This can be an even better time to bring your preschooler or smaller child for a trip to Goofy’s biplane.
If this attraction is high on your must-do list, try to visit it in the morning or during meal times. The queue line can move slowly only because most of the round trip will be loading and unloading the two trains that run on the course.
Planning a visit to the Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a Genie+ eligible ride, with a Lightning Lane entrance at the queue. While the line can easily hit 20 minutes, this is oftentimes a breaking point for potential return riders (and older Guests) that do not feel the same thrill from the attraction as a younger Disney Guest would. The line doesn’t often exceed 20-30 minutes for this reason. The ride itself, once loaded, is just about 50 seconds long.
Try to split your party into pairs, as the ride vehicle is a biplane that sits Guests two-by-two. Each car holds two people, and the entire train will seat 16 riders at one time. If you use a wheelchair or ECV, you must transfer into the ride vehicle for a secure ride. Service Animals are not permitted. If it is thundering, lightning, or heavy rain in the Park, this attraction will close for safety.
For those looking to really see what The Barnstormer has to offer, a POV (point of view) video can help anxious little ones plan their visit. Plenty of videos are available, but this one of the land, queue, and ride is particularly helpful for those looking to research their choices.