Disney Infinity: A Park Fan's Review

Disney Infinity will delight you, inspire you, challenge you and cheerfully empty your wallet. Its methods for coaxing you to buy more and more of its world could be considered ruthless, except for one important factor: Like a Disney park, it gives you more than your money's worth.

In that respect, you could easily think of Infinity, the company's toys-come-to-life-in-a-video-game juggernaut, as Disney Parks: The Home Edition. If you laid it out in theme park terms, the experience would look something like this:

The game is stuffed with elements geared specifically toward park fans, from actual park music and vintage sound effects to an impressive Matterhorn complete with a working bobsled rail slide. Epcot fans will love the inclusion of Spaceship Earth, plus the game's introductory sequence that casts you in the role of One Little Spark of inspiration.

Mrs. Incredible parks her Tron Recognizer in Tulgey Wood.

The clever design sends you into a vast, anything-goes "toybox" world where you can combine themes and characters in any way you wish, selecting from hundreds and hundreds of parts to build your own games with your own rules--anything from racetracks and shootouts to pinball machines, obstacle courses and soccer fields. You don't have many parts available at the start, however. To get them, you have to venture from the toybox "hub" into the Playset worlds, which are large, scripted film-specific adventures (Infinity's version of E-Ticket attractions).

Early Morning in the Junkyard

Summer mornings at Disneyland Resort during Extra Magic Hour often come equipped with overcast skies and cool temperatures. Mater's Junkyard takes on a calm, relaxed atmosphere during these moments despite the swirling tractors and Mater's loud, tongue-in-cheek serenades.

The Junkyard Jukebox Stands Outside of Mater's House

It's a perfect time to check out the hundreds of details in the junkyard queue while taking multiple spins on the funniest tractor pull that ever square-danced through Radiator Springs.


Even at 7:00 A.M., these tractors have their dancin' tires on!

As we've mentioned before, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is one of the most enjoyable family thrill rides in any Disney park, and much wilder than it looks from outside the fence. Don't miss this one on your next pass through Carburetor County.

Photos by Lana Whitham

Review: Disney's Official Park Albums Hit iTunes

Today, for the first time ever, Disney's new Official Albums for Disneyland and Walt Disney World are available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon and Disney's own online music store.

The Good News: Most of the tracks are available for individual purchase, so great new selections from both coasts such as "Radiator Springs Racers," "Test Track," "A Suitcase and a Dream" and "Be Our Guest" can be added to fans' playlists without purchasing both entire albums ($19.99 each). This is a great plus for buyers who already own most of the tracks from previous editions of the park CDs.

The Bad News (but we knew this was coming): Longer tracks (and a couple of short ones, such as Pooh) are only available if the entire album is purchased. There's no way iTunes would offer the nearly 20-minute long Fantasyland Dark Ride Suite for $1.29, after all.

Whether you call Disneyland or Walt Disney World your "home" resort, both of these albums are terrific collections of some of the best music ever produced under the Disney banner. There's actually very little duplication between the two albums. Toy Story Midway Mania, for instance, is represented by two completely different tracks on each set.

What follows is a quick overview of the collections. I'm going to assume most of you already own most of the classic tracks. If not, you can't go wrong buying both albums in their entirety.

Cars Land at Night

Welcome back to Disney California Adventure! The sun's down, the neon's lit and the music's playing as we take a nine photo stroll through nighttime Cars Land.

Fillmore's Place, home of black light, folk art, bootleg fuel and fresh fruit.

Outside Mater's Junkyard, looking down Route 66.

Fillmore's Windmill Watchamacallit

Welded together from cast-off oil barrels, this odd, quirky bit of Cars Land kinetic sculpture sits in a quiet corner of Fillmore's yard, just a few yards away from the hippy van's geodesic garage home.

The horizontal windmill might simply represent the aging VW's artistic leanings. I wouldn't be surprised, however, to find it playing a role in the manufacturing of Fillmore's organic, non-petroleum home-brewed fuel.

In the upper right, we can glimpse the top of Grizzly Peak, looking as if it's trying to take one tiny nibble of folk art.

Happy Birthday, Cars Land! Our Radiator Springs Top Ten

One year ago today, Cars Land opened to the public, rocketing Disneyland Resort into one of the most exciting and successful seasons in theme park history. Overnight, the once-ridiculed DCA became an outstanding full-day park and the entire resort began firing on all cylinders like never before.

In honor of the land that saved an entire park, Mouse Troop happily presents the top ten reasons we find it tough to leave DCA's amazing automotive universe.

1) THE ROCK WORK

Pictures and videos don't do justice to this enormous, amazing fantasy landscape. Although it's all part of Radiator Springs Racers, the rock work of Cars Land is also an attraction in itself--one that can be enjoyed at leisure by all guests. It's certainly the main reason we find it hard to tear ourselves away from the place.

2) RADIATOR SPRINGS RACERS

Currently our favorite ride on the planet, this masterpiece of humor, heart, thrills and joy isn't just a great ride--it completely succeeds at pulling you into the story and making you the main character in a quest to take part in Race Day at Radiator Springs. Absolutely amazing. The Single Rider queue provides a great way to avoid the often two-plus hour waits.

Cars Land Details: The Hidden Pixar SnowGlobe

We're inside Lizzie's Radiator Springs Curios Shop today. It's a crazy little store full of antique decor and whimsical knick knacks. Speaking of knick knacks...if you look in the right place, you'll spot a tribute to one of Pixar's earliest short films.

Check out the line of snow globes atop one of the display cabinets.

Knick the Snowman has found a home in the Cars universe! I guess things didn't go well for him with the fishbowl mermaid...

A Trip Through the Radiator Springs Racers Queue

A couple of weeks ago, we gave you some tips on the Cars Land Rope Drop, where the early morning crowd is escorted in by none other than Lightning McQueen and Mater. Today, we're showing the rest of that little journey, with a near-the-front view of the early morning walk through the Radiator Springs Racers queue. The friendly Cast Member in the lead prevents stampeding.

If you've ever entered a Disney park at rope drop, I'm sure you know the incredibly fun feeling that hits at this exact moment: You're about to take the first ride of your vacation!

All three queues (Standby, FastPass and Single Rider) pass underneath the race course's Rusty Ridge Bridge (build by the Auto Corps of Engineers).

Audio-Animatronic Mater

Through great craftsmanship and clever technology, Radiator Springs Racers pulls off the amazing trick of bringing full-sized automobiles to life. The entire cast is amazing, but Mater is the jolliest and most wildly expressive of the crew.

His believability holds up under close inspecton; In the first encounter, he's right up in your face, chatting happily and driving backwards as he leads you into trouble.

His commentary with Lightning at the ride's end is equally fun; Disney should seriously consider making this duo their official DCA ambassadors.

The audio-animatronics on RS Racers have played a huge role in DCA's turn-around, and they give the ride a heart and soul that the entire park was missing in its early years. It's great to see Disneyland's neighbor finally benefit from some classic E-Ticket magic.

Ordering at Flo's -- The Lure of the Lightning Lunchboxes

A visit to Cars Land isn't complete without a relaxing break at Flo's V8 Cafe to enjoy the knock-out view of Radiator Springs Racers, the excellent food, the music, the backstory and the adjoining Doc Hudson Museum. Before you can rest your feet and drink up the atmosphere, of course, you need to pick up some "fuel." Fortunately, the quick and friendly crew make that chore a pleasure.

A waitress will hand you a menu as you reach the front of the fast-moving queue, and stand ready to answer any questions or make recommendations. You'll soon be directed to the next available register to place your order (I highly recommend the Citrus Turkey.)

The displays certainly help sell a ton of Lightning McQueen lunchbox/meal combos. Though intended for children, it's no surprise that nearly as many adults end up ordering one; They really are great, well-made souvenirs (a head's up to parents: the toy car rolls very, very well; make sure the food packed inside doesn't go flying during a daring off-the-table stunt!) The children's meals (turkey sandwich, roast beef sandwich or Mac and Cheese) are actually very good, considering they play second fiddle to the container.

The milk shakes, represented on the second shelf, are delicious, but I have mixed feelings about the "road gravel" candy floating on top; It's a cute detail, but the topping usually ends up blocking my straw. But, seriously, if that's my biggest problem on vacation, I think I can live with it...

Tips For The Cars Land Rope Drop & Mini-Parade

If you're a Disney Park fan, you're probably familiar with the morning ritual known as the "Rope Drop", where early-bird guests are admitted to the park's entry area, but held at a temporary barrier (the "rope") until the official opening moment.

Today, we're at Disney California Adventure for one of the most well-organized and clever rope-drop variations I've ever encountered: The Cars Land Mini-Parade and Gasoline Hose March! There are a couple of tricks to it you might find helpful on your next visit...

First off, be sure to arrive early -- crazy early. The goal is to be near the front of one of the many entry lines before the park opens. After the morning greeting from the cast and a click through the turnstyle...

Move as quickly as possible (without running) down Buena Vista Street. There is a massive crowd flowing in behind you at this moment...

Continue around the right side of the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Don't look back!

You'll arrive at the "rope" (just below our view, here) and halt momentarily. The Cars Land entrance waits up ahead. You just might see Lightning McQueen and Mater driving about, getting into place for the Hose March (not Disney's official name for the event).

Unlike at Disneyland, where the rope-drop crowd splits off in different directions between three or four big attractions, almost every single person behind you is heading for Radiator Springs Racers. No worries: Prepare for a really clever bit of crowd control by the DCA cast.

One Rock, Two Checkpoints

Willy's Butte, one of the most recognizable rock formations in the Cars Universe, marks two important story moments both in the film and on Radiator Springs Racers.

In the movie, it's the site of two character life-changing scenes for rookie Lightning McQueen and veteran racer Doc Hudson.

On the ride, it visually bookends the first and last acts of the adventure, first appearing to riders as a remote landmark silhouetted against the sky, then later looming over the race's climactic banked turn. Between those two moments, guests have changed from curious sightseers to honorary citizens of Radiator Springs--and from relaxed spectators to whooping, adrenaline-pumped competitors.

There are many, many reasons the ride succeeds so well, and this awesome rock plays a silent but important role as the journey's lighthouse and cornerstone.

The Disneyland Ad Slogan Quiz

Park advertising slogans play a huge part in launching a new ride or event. Some of Disneyland's event-related catch phrases have been more memorable than others, but they're usually quite fun.

As a child, I first noticed the park ads during my family's annual road trip to Anaheim in 1969. I looked out the car window and saw, standing alongside Highway 101, a painting of a large, ominous-looking house accompanied by the words, "The Haunted Mansion is Waiting For You." We were still about three hours from the park, but I'd already started imagining what kind of ghosts we'd encounter.

Here's a quick list of my favorite Disneyland advertising "tag lines" that have appeared on billboards, newspaper ads and television commercials. How many of these catchy little phrases--some very recent, some from years ago--do you remember? Can you identify the event they accompanied? Answers after the next picture.

1) Get Ready to be Floored!

2) The Only Way Out is a Long Way Down.

3) What's Gotten Into the Matterhorn?

4) Resurfacing June 11.

5) Drop In If You Dare.

6) Wish Upon a Brighter Star.

7) Glowing...Glowing...Gone.

8) The Happiest Place on Earth Just Got Happier!

And here's a tough one, as it was directed at the Southern California locals in a huge full-page ad in the L.A. Times back in the 1980's:

9) THE WAIT IS OVER!

The Lived-In Look of Cars Land

Cars Land possesses the uncanny ability to make you forget you're in a theme park -- even though you're surrounded by talking automobiles in a fantasy setting from an animated film. Much of that effect lies in the small touches -- the gritty little details that make fantasy seem real.

DJ's Dance N' Drive is Starting to Grow on Me

There are a lot of characters I'd like to see making life-size outdoor appearances in Radiator Springs along with Lightning McQueen, Mater and Red. Any of the other citizens -- Doc, Sheriff, Sally, Flo, Ramone, Sarge, Filmore or Lizzie -- would be great.

DJ, the obnoxious boom box on wheels, would have been my last choice. He was a jerk in the film, although he got his comeuppance in the closing credits after Sheriff caught him.

He begins his ten minute show by insulting the little town, which prompts several waitresses and service station attendants to confront him and -- through song and dance -- prove that Radiator Springs really can party. In the end, DJ admits he was wrong. Everybody dance!

At first, I hated the way the show disrupts Cars Land's mellow atmosphere. Over repeat visits, however, I must admit that the talented, lively cast and the fun choice of music (including Dancing in the Streets, Car Wash, Life is a Highway, and Rock This Town) really do bring extra smiles and energy to the crowd.

Actually, maybe it's appropriate that DJ appears in Cars Land; In the film, his cruel and dangerous prank was the plot device that sent McQueen into Radiator Springs in the first place.

I guess one could say that, in Cars history, DJ unwittingly saved Radiator Springs from oblivion. But don't tell him that; He's quite full of himself enough as it is.

The Perfect Cars Land Dinner

After trying nearly every menu item in Cars Land over the past few visits, I've definitely got a favorite recommendation: Flo's Citrus Turkey Breast with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Corn. To make it extra fantastic, add Red's Apple Feeze as the drink.

Yes, I know Red's Apple Freeze is only sold at the Cozy Cones, so this does involve going to the Cones first and then crossing Route 66 to Flo's V8 Cafe. But that Apple Freeze is mighty refreshing while you're waiting to order!

Flo's V8 Cafe gets our vote for the resort's best combination of great food, quick service  and reasonable prices. The place also features plenty of seating, great views of Radiator Springs Racers, and a non-stop playlist of 60's Motown Girl Group hits. Instant happiness!

Ride Breakdown Fun: Stuck in Doc Hudson's Garage

On a complex ride such as Radiator Springs Racers, occasional stalls and shut-downs are inevitable -- particularly during the first year of operation. In the two dozen rides we've taken on Racers, we've experienced two temporary shut-downs. This time it happened in a favorite location, Doc Hudson's garage, where the delay helped us discover something new about the ride...

At this point of the adventure, the track has split into two lanes. We've just emerged from Ramone's House of Body Art while our opponents have come out of Luigi's Casa della Tires. We got our gruff pep talk from Doc, moved forward a few feet...and then we came to a halt for the unscheduled "intermission" alongside the town's respected judge/physician/retired racing champ.

Doc Hudson is one of the most amazing audioanimatronics on the ride. Until this moment, I'd never turned to look back from this angle.

Looking forward...

...the starting line waits just a few yards away! Here, I'd like to point out a wonderful detail of this ride: During these situations, your car continues to make idling and engine-revving sounds as if it's just as impatient to get underway as you are!

Looking back to the right, I noticed for the first time that the two halves of the garage are themed to whichever shop you've emerged from. We came from Ramone's, so this side is filled with paint samples, stencils and artwork. It's got the rough, hands-on look of someone who likes to create and experiment.

Looking across to the other side, we can see it's themed to Luigi's tire shop and is neat as a pin, in keeping with Luigi's personality.

Lightning Takes the Scenic Route

Every single time I see Lightning or Mater driving through Cars Land (chatting with passerby), I'm once again amazed by how casual, unhurried and natural it all looks. The Imagineers have, somehow, taken the movie's message (slow down, relax and look around) and brought that very atmosphere to life in their re-creation of Radiator Spings.

The simple decision to have the cars drive through the land to reach their meet and greet spot (at the Cozy Cone) turns their trek into an indispensable part of the big picture. It's so much better than having them simply burst onto the scene via a nearby gate.

Breakfast at Flo's V8 Cafe

I just returned from a fantastic two day trip to Disneyland Resort. I already aired my only complaint yesterday (the Oz promo bumping out MuppetVision). Everything else was E tickets and smiles.

One thing really hit home during this trip for my whole group: Cars Land remains incredible and lovable even after the novelty wears off. It remains the most jaw-dropping, mind-blowing creation we've ever seen in a theme park. The land holds up to repeat visits and -- less than a year after its debute -- it feels like it's always been there. It's almost impossible now to imagine DCA without it.

It's also impossible to imagine a morning in DCA without two or three trips on Radiator Springs Racers (the Single Rider Line is your friend!) and then breakfast at Flo's.

We've looked at the Mater Waffles before, but this time I went for the good old American Breakfast.

It's basic, simple and delicious. The potatoes turned out to be the star of the plate -- spicy with a rich salsa flavor.

The food, however, is only half the reason that Flo's is our favorite place in the whole resort. The other half is the location, for breakfast is twice as much fun when...

...this is the view out the window.

The Kind of Home that Annoys a Jeep

Yesterday we had a shot of Sarge's Surplus Hut, so it's only fair that we give equal time to the domicile of the neighbor Sarge loves to argue with, Fillmore the Hippy Van.

Fillmore's Taste-In is probably the least-visited home in Cars Land, mainly because there's not much to do there except purchase fruit and bottled liquids. Personal appearances by Fillmore and Sarge could turned this into a must-visit property.

Still, it's a kick at night with its swirly psychedelic lighting. Back in the 70's, I owned a little gizmo called the Fantastic Plastic Light Machine (as did nearly every other teen in the U.S.), which would instantly flood one's room with a similar color scheme. Where's my Dark Side of the Moon LP?