- “Ka'Chow!”
- ―Catchphrase
Montgomery "Lightning" McQueen is protagonist of the Cars franchise (2006-present). He is a famous race car who learns there is more to life than just racing and winning following a brief but life-changing stay in the remote town of Radiator Springs he was stranded in after getting lost on the way to California. He would later decide to live there.
History[]
Appearances[]
Cars Land[]
Lightning appears in Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure, as a "drive-around" character, and regularly stops outside the Cozy Cone Motel's office. He originally appeared in his World Grand Prix paint job from Cars 2, but was changed to his Cars 3 design in 2017. In addition, Lightning would also "talk" to the guests and interact with them every few moments. Beginning in 2018, throughout the Halloween season, Lightning dresses as a superhero.
During safety protocols in the park due to COVID-19, Lightning does not drive around and remains stationary next to the Stanley statue in front of the Radiator Springs courthouse.
Radiator Springs Racers[]
An audio-animatronic version of Lightning appears in the ride Radiator Springs Racers, first with Sally Carrera as they greet the riders while heading into either Luigi's or Ramone's, and again at the end of the ride with Mater. He appears in his original Rust-eze paint job.
Disney's Hollywood Studios[]
Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy[]
In Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Lightning appears as the titular main protagonist in his animatronic form to offer guests advice on how to become a racer and employs the use of the driving simulators from Cars 3. When Chick Hicks hacks into the simulator, McQueen challenges him to a virtual race to settle their unfinished business.
At the end Lightning defeats Chick with that flip Doc and Cruz maded against their rivals, later Miss Fritter appeared on screen and told Chick that she's friends with Lightning as well and told him that no one messes with Lighting, Chick was defeated by Miss Fritter pushing him away. After Chick disappeared, Lightning apologized to the audience and the lesson went in a different way, but tells them that Chick reminded him that in the end, racing isn't all about speed, flash, and crossing alongside you.
He is seen in the Paint the Night Parade and Hong Kong Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure with Mack and DJ, and was seen with Mater in the Pixar Play Parade before it moved to Disneyland in 2018 for Pixar Fest. It is unknown whether or not he’ll return to the parade in the future.
A statue of Lightning can be seen alongside one of Sally outside the entry to the Cars-themed building at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show[]
Lightning replaced the role of Herbie the Love Bug in this attraction, appearing midway through to fight villainous cars from Cars 2.