Disney Gives Shut Down Attraction to New Owner, Permanately Gone

One of Disney California Adventure’s most recognizable rides is hitting the tracks again… but not in the way you’d expect!

The Red Car Trolley — yes, that vintage-style beauty that used to roll down Buena Vista Street — has officially been handed off by Disney. And no, it’s not headed to a museum or rotting away backstage somewhere. It’s got a brand-new home, and it’s kinda perfect.

Bye-Bye, Buena Vista

ICYMI: Disney pulled the plug on the Red Car Trolley attraction for good on February 8, 2025. Why? Because the Avengers Campus expansion is taking over, and the barn that stored those iconic red cars is getting the Marvel makeover. RIP, trolley barn.

Since the shutdown, one of the two trolley cars, Vehicle 717, has been parked near the front of Disney California Adventure as a cute photo op. But what about the other one?

Say Hello to Vehicle 623’s New Crib

Vehicle 623 just scored a one-way ticket to the Garner Holt Foundation, a non-profit tied to one of the biggest names in animatronics and special effects: Garner Holt himself. The dude’s a legend in theme park circles and has worked with Disney more times than we can count.

According to a Facebook post from the Foundation:

“Straight from the tracks of Buena Vista Street and into the future of inspiring innovation—the iconic Red Car Trolley has found a new home at the Garner Holt Foundation!

Thanks to this generous donation from our friends at the Disneyland Resort, this piece of theme park history can continue to inspire the next generation of dreamers and doers to discover potential careers in STEM and STEAM.

Let’s keep moving forward down the tracks to the future for aspiring designers, engineers, and other visionaries who participate in Garner Holt Foundation events and keep the wheels of imagination turning!”

Trolley’s Got Range — From Ride to Role Model

Now, instead of carrying theme park guests, the Red Car Trolley is helping kids get hyped about careers in science, tech, engineering, art, and math (aka STEAM). Seriously, it’s part of Garner Holt Foundation’s hands-on learning programs — which include career camps, workshops, and events designed to inspire the next generation of imagineers.

And here’s the kicker: this foundation and Disney go way back.

The Holt-Disney Bromance Is Real

Let’s take a sec to appreciate this partnership. Holt’s company — Garner Holt Productions — is behind some of Disney’s wildest animatronics, like:

• The Jack Skellington figure from Haunted Mansion Holiday (Disney’s first time outsourcing an animatronic!)

• The Maleficent dragon from Fantasmic! that first torched the night in 2009

• And a whole lineup of Radiator Springs Racers animatronics in Cars Land

Basically, if it moves and makes your jaw drop at a Disney park, there’s a solid chance Garner Holt had a hand in it.

What’s Next for the Red Car?

While its sister trolley chills at DCA as a glorified selfie spot, Vehicle 623’s career is far from over. This piece of Disney history is now revving up a whole new generation of dreamers — from robotics nerds to future theme park designers.

So yeah, it’s no longer rolling down Main Street… but it is still making magic. 💫

Thoughts? Miss the Red Car Trolley? Think it should’ve stayed in the parks? Hit the comments and let us know!