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.

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.

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...

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!

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.

Friday With the Racers

We're barreling toward the weekend with another shot of my pick for The Most Fun Ride on Earth, Radiator Springs Racers.

I love the cars, the dark ride adventure, the race course, the music, the rockwork...and the fact that all those beautiful cacti are real.

Plus, of all the great rides at Disneyland Resort, this one's the most enjoyable to watch -- and you can watch it from a table at Flo's while eating breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or all three; on a future visit, I hope to spend an entire leisurely day in Radiator Spings, riding, eating, shopping and relaxing while listening to the town's amazing song playlist.

Flo's Brioche French Toast (plus Fish Heads & Crumbs)

It's not the prettiest meal on the planet, but I do love the Brioche French Toast at Flo's V8 Cafe In Cars Land. It really tastes more like dense, warm banana bread, and it's topped with salted caramel sauce and cold bananas. The combination of hot, cold, sweet and salty makes it sort of like the breakfast equivalent of a tin roof sundae...if that makes any sense at all. Have some milk handy before you tackle this super-filling joy brick.

I never noticed before, but the bananas sort of resemble walrus tusks. And, yes, that was the worst segue to a comic strip ever...

Mater Waffles at Flo's

Mickey pancakes will always be a classic, but the Mater Waffles at Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land are my new favorite smiling breakfast food.

They're listed as a kid's menu item, but one glance around at breakfast reveals just as many adults enjoying these crazy little specials-of-the-house, and no wonder; for $5.99 you get waffles, bacon, fruit and a beverage. It's just the right amount of food to get you energized for a day in the parks.

My other favorite breakfasts in Cars Land are Flo's Brioche French Toast (which tastes a lot like banana bread with hot caramel sauce) for $6.99 and the Bacon Scramble bread cone at the Cozy Cone Motel for $5.49. These give you more food for your dollar, but don't include a beverage.

And, of course, neither of those items make you laugh the moment they're set down in front of you. Mater waffles win!

The Things Cars Eat at Flo's V8 Cafe

Mater cruises happily past Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land while commenting on the great food. Flo's, naturally, offers two separate menus -- one for humans and one for Cars. Humans get delicious pork loin, citrus turkey, milk shakes and apple cheddar pie. The citizens of Radiator Springs, on the other hand, might go for the items advertised on the cafe's exterior:

The ever-popular Lugnuts...

 Grease (one of their 4 basic food groups)...

And maybe Dip Sticks for dessert.

I think I'll stick with the Citrus Turkey and Mashed Potatoes. By the way, the photos above reveal the way the central order area of Flo's keeps smoothly changing color at night. It's a charming effect that adds even more magic to the 60's-themed restaurant, our choice for Best Night-Time Relaxation Spot at Disney California Adventure.

Memorabilia at Flo's V8 Cafe: Jeep Date

Before opening a diner in Radiator Springs, Flo performed as the lead singer of the Motorama Girls. The group's album covers can be found in Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land, in a music-themed room facing Radiator Springs Racers. Every single one of these back-story albums features wonderful art and car puns galore. It's tough to pick a favorite, but "Jeep Date" is definitely up there.

Disneyland Annual Passholders Receive a Free Book

Disneyland Annual Passholders have been finding a nice surprise freebie in the mail this week: A Celebration of a Wish Come True, an 80-page 8 1/2 x 11 1/4 souvenir book commemorating the resort's amazing summer of 2012.

Hidden Treasures: Cars Land's Doc Hudson Museum

In Cars Land, most guests walk straight past the white exterior of the Ornament Vally Mechanical Clinic, never guessing there's anything to see inside.

This unassuming structure holds a delightful and low-key attraction: The Doc Hudson Museum. It serves double-duty as extra seating for Flo's V8 Cafe; we don't think Doc would mind.

I'd like a subscription to the Daily Exhaust

The museum's divided into two sections: one celebrating Doc's glorious and all-too-brief racing career, and one devoted to his medical practice, which provides lots of smiles to the eagle-eyed.

For instance, here's a first aid kit with bumper splints, a jar of screws and the world's largest tongue depressors.

Here's a car eye chart. It's enormous. I particularly like lines 6 and 7.

All of these tools of the Doc's trade are positioned over the dining tables, so I do suggest checking out the museum between the meal rushes. There's much more to see than can fit in one post, but I'll end with one of my favorites. It's Doc's business license.

There's been some debate among fans about exactly which state Radiator Springs is in. I think we just got our answer!

To enter the Doc Hudson Museum at Cars Land, enter through Flo's V8 Cafe and head for the right-hand corridor to the adjacent dining area.

A Cars Land Song List Update

We'd sure love to hear some actual Motorama Girls music, but until Pixar, the Imagineers and Jenifer Lewis decide to create these tunes in the studio, we'll just have to make do with the wonderful selection of Motown hits playing in Flo's V8 Cafe.

A lot of Mouse Troop readers have been checking out our Cars Land Song List; it's good to know there are so many Cars music fans out there!

We just realized that, when we updated the stand-alone page for our list, we neglected to add the new songs to the original archived post. That's been fixed; both links now carry the same updated list of Cars Land Songs.

If you've visited Radiator Springs recently and enjoyed any tunes we haven't noted yet, please drop us a comment, and we'll add the information. The internet certainly has turned out to be an info cornucopia for Disney park fans!

Cars Land Song List *Updated*

The internet's a great place to find out others share your Disney hobbies -- for instance, creating playlists of songs you enjoy at the Disney Resorts. At Mouse Troop, we're thoroughly enjoying the sounds of Cars Land, and we're compiling a list of music we've heard there. The official Music of Cars Land CD got us off to a great start, but there's much, much more to the soundscape of DCA's newest territory.

So here's our ongoing project to list as many Cars Land tracks as we can, and indicate if they're available on CD or iTunes. Any input you can give us to complete this list would be greatly appreciated! *Update* There are a lot of terrific and dedicated Disney music fans out there, and this list could not be as robust as it is without information gathered by Anonymous friends as well as monorail91, pixilated and RocketRodsXPR. UPDATE 12/10/12  A thanks to reader Jesse, who just identified three Ramblin' Lou songs from the RSR queue. UPDATE 3/5/2013 We weren't simply eating at Flo's on our most recent DCA trip -- we were taking notes! We've added over a dozen tracks to our Flo's V8 Cafe list and added La Bamba to Ramone's. UPDATE 7/7/13 A big thanks to Heather D., who just identified nearly a dozen additional songs for the RSR queue list!

So, as Mater sings at his Junkyard Jamboree, "Scatter n' scoot n' away we go!"


FROM RADIATOR SPRINGS RACERS:

Radiator Springs Racers Full Attraction (Available on The Music of Cars Land and iTunes)
Behind the Clouds - Brad Paisley (Available on Cars soundtrack)
Low Rider (Espanol Fantasmo Mix) - War (Available on The Music of Cars Land)

FROM THE RADIATOR SPRINGS RACERS QUEUE:

Riding in My Car (Car Car Song) - Woody Guthrie (Available on The Music of Cars Land)
Auto-Conga - Xavier Cugat (iTunes)
Hot Rod Blues - Ramblin' Lou (iTunes)
In My Merry Oldsmobile - Bix Beiderbeck (iTunes)
Listen to the Rhythm of the Range - Gene Autry (iTunes)
Roly Poly - Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys (iTunes)
Henry's Made a Lady Out of Lizzie - Beth Challis (iTunes)
No Parking Here - Jimmy Littlejohn (iTunes)
The Little Ford Rambled Right Along - Billy Murray (iTunes)
The Automobile Song - Ramblin' Lou (iTunes)
Model T Baby - Ramblin' Lou (iTunes)
My Ford Sedan - Fiddlin' John Carson (iTunes)
Crazy 'Cause I Love You - Tex Williams (iTunes)
The Automobile Song - Luke McDaniel (iTunes)
I'm a Truck Driving Man - Red Simpson (iTunes)
Dig That Hot Rod = Paul Westmoreland (iTunes)
The Chevrolet Six - Frank Hutchison (iTunes)
Hot Rod Baby - Dick Reinhart (iTunes)
Hello, I'm a Truck - Red Simpson (iTunes)
Truck Driver Blues - Red Simpson (iTunes)
Runaway Truck - Red Simpson
Wildwood Flower - The Carter Family (iTunes)
I'm Wild About Horns On Automobiles, That Go Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta - Billy Hays & his Orchestra with vocal by Pete Moore (CD: Four-Four Rhythm: Victor Territory Bands 1928-1931: Volume 1: Available through Amazon)


FROM ROUTE 66:

Route 66 - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
V-8 Ford Blues - Mose Allison (iTunes)
Hot Rod Man - Tex Rubinowitz (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
Little Forty Ford - Leon Smith (iTunes)
Road Runner - Bo Diddley (iTunes)
409 - The Quads (Amazon mp3)
Let's Go for a Ride - The Collegians (iTunes)
Welcome to Radiator Springs - Joe Louis Walker (The Music of Cars Land)
Ride on Josephine - George Thorogood & the Destroyers (iTunes)
Big Green Car - Jimmy Carroll (iTunes)
Hot Rod Is Her Name - Tom Tall & Ginny Wright (iTunes)
Automobiles - The Spaniels (iTunes)
Ford V-8 - Honey Boy Allen (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett (iTunes)
Maybellene - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
Coupe de Ville Baby - Vernon Green & The Medallions (iTunes)
Hot Rod - The Collins Kids (iTunes)
Led Sled - Denny Freeman (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
Cruisin' - Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
No Particular Place to Go - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
Bring My Cadillac Back - Baker Knight & The Knightmares (iTunes)
Key to the Highway - Little Walter (iTunes)
Hot Rod Queen - Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics (iTunes)
Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (iTunes)
Draggin' - Curtis Gordon (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
One Piece at a Time - Johnny Cash (iTunes)
Stand on It - Mel McDaniel (iTunes)
Built for Speed - Stray Cats (iTunes)
Fastest Short in Town - Robert A. Irvine & The Kentucky Colonels (iTunes)
Rocking Little Roadster - Fred Mollin & The Blue Sea Band, featuring Gunnar Nelson (iTunes)
Hot Rod Lincoln - Johnny Bond (iTunes)
Twin Pipes and Pin Stripes - Sammy Masters (iTunes)
You Can't Catch Me - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
Spinout - Elvis Presley (iTunes)
My Mustang Ford - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
The Phantom Dragster - The Bobby Fuller Four (iTunes)
Flat Tire - The Del Vikings (iTunes)
Black and White Thunderbird - Fred Mollin & The Blue Sea Band (iTunes)
My Old Car - Fred Mollin & The Blue Sea Band, featuring Johnny Neel - (iTunes)
Pink Cadillac - Sammy Masters & His Rocking Rhythms (iTunes)
My White Convertible - The Hall Brothers (iTunes)
Loud Mufflers - Robert Williams and The Groovers (iTunes)
Six Days on the Road - Dave Dudley (iTunes)
Hotrod Gang - Stray Cats (Hot Rods & Custom Classics)
Pontiac Blues - Sonny Boy Williamson (iTunes)
Green Onions - Booker T. & The MG's (iTunes)
Freeway of Love - Aretha Franklin (iTunes)
Radiator Rock - Joe Louis Walker (The Music of Cars Land)
Ride on Josephine - Bo Diddley (iTunes)
Wheels - The Flying Burrito Brothers (iTunes)
V-8 Ford Boogie - Eleven Hundred Springs (iTunes)
Go Champs Go - The Champs (iTunes)
Dear Dad - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
Hot Rod Susie - The Manin Brothers (iTunes)
I Want to Be Your Driver - Chuck Berry (iTunes)
Mustang Sally & GTO - John Lee Hooker (iTunes)
From a Buick 6 - Bob Dylan (iTunes)
Cadillac - Bo Diddley (iTunes)
Hot Rodder's Lament - Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics (iTunes)
Hardtop Race - George Stogner (iTunes)
Slow Down "GTO" - Joe Louis Walker (iTunes)
King of the Road - Roger Miller (iTunes)
Peroxide Blonde and a Hopped Up Model Ford - Jumpin' Gene Simmons (iTunes)
I've Been Everywhere - Hank Snow (iTunes)
Push Button Automobile - Vernon Green & The Medallions (iTunes)
Motor Head Baby - Johnny "Guitar" Watson (iTunes)
Look at That Cadillac - Stray Cats (iTunes)
Sh-Boom - The Chords (iTunes) *Special event song played only once a night

FROM MATER'S JUNKYARD JAMBOREE:

Junkyard Jamboree - Larry the Cable Guy  (The Music of Cars Land)
Big Bull Dozer - Larry the Cable Guy (The Music of Cars Land)
Tow Mater (The One You Want To Call) - Larry the Cable Guy (The Music of Cars Land)
Mater's Square Dance - Larry the Cable Guy (The Music of Cars Land)
Let's Go Drivin' - Larry the Cable Guy (The Music of Cars Land)
Welcome to Radiator Springs - Larry the Cable Guy (iTunes)
Radiator Rock - Larry the Cable Guy
Welcome to Radiator Springs (blooper version) - Larry the Cable Guy

FROM FLO'S V8 CAFE:

Stop in the Name of Love - The Supremes  (Available on The Music of Cars Land)
I Hear a Symphony - The Supremes (iTunes)
Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (iTunes)
Dancing in the Street - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (iTunes)
Tell Him - The Exciters (iTunes)
He's So Fine - The Chiffons (iTunes)
Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals (iTunes)
Take Me in Your Arms - Kim Weston - (iTunes)
Chapel of Love -  The Dixie Cups (iTunes)
Nowhere to Run - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (iTunes)
Mama Said - The Shirelles (iTunes)
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes (iTunes)
Sweet Talking Guy - The Chiffons (iTunes)
And Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals (iTunes)
One Fine Day - The Chiffons (iTunes)
Baby Love - Diana Ross and the Supremes (iTunes)
He Was Really Saying Something - The Velvelettes (iTunes)
Don't Let Him Shop Around - Debbie Dean (iTunes)
Come See About Me - Dianna Ross and the Supremes (iTunes)
Back in My Arms Again - Diana Ross and the Supremes (iTunes)
Sailor Boy - The Chiffons (iTunes)
Respect - Aretha Franklin (iTunes)
The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) - Betty Everett (iTunes)
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass (iTunes)

FROM RAMONE'S HOUSE OF BODY ART:

Low Rider (Espanol Fantasmo Mix) - War (iTunes)
Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (iTunes)
Why Can't We Be Friends - War (iTunes)
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens - (iTunes)

FROM LUIGI'S FLYING TIRES:

Eh Cumpari - Julius La Rosa (iTunes)
Luigi - Louis Prima (iTunes)
La Strada Del Bosco - Claudio Villa
Che Cosse` L'amor - Vinicio Capossela (iTunes)
Funiculi Funicula - Various - From the album "24 Exitos - 10 Grandes Artistas Paris - Italia" (iTunes)
Arrivederci, Roma - Mario Lanza (iTunes)
Tie, Ti, Tie Ta - Claudio Villa
Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno (iTunes)
Carina - Nicola Arigliano (iTunes)
Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney (The Music of Cars Land)
La Donna è Mobile (Rigoletto) - Orchestra Italiana
That's Amore (That's Love) - Dean Martin (iTunes)
Papa Loves Mambo – Perry Como (iTunes)
Forget Domani - Perry Como
O Sole Mio - Various - From the album "24 Exitos - 10 Grandes Artistas Paris - Italia" (iTunes)
Soldi, Soldi, Soldi - Sophia Loren (iTunes)
Juke Box - Fred Buscaglione (iTunes)

Flo's V8 Cafe - Our New Favorite Spot at Disneyland Resort

From the Blue Bayou to the quiet far side of Tom Sawyer Island, we have a lot of favorite spots to relax and enjoy the scenery at Disneyland resort. Until recently, they all resided in Disneyland Park itself. Since June 15, however, Disney California Adventure has claimed the top honors with Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land.

It offers a whimsical 50's atmosphere, terrific food, and a wonderful staff. The music is great fun, whether you're listening to the indoor playlist of Motown hits or the outdoor Route 66 tunes. Inside and out, the place is packed with clever details relating to Flo's showbiz past (and Doc Hudson's two-sided career if you head into the next-door seating area).

Flo's handles large crowds very well with smart, friendly service; even long lines move quickly.

Best of all, if you grab a table on the Radiator Springs Racers side of the cafe, you'll  be treated to an incredible view of the ride, with the desert landscape and mountain range spreading out before you...and towering above you. Mater and Lightning McQueen drive past frequently as they head to and from their meet-and-greet location at the Cozy Cone Motel. Everyone around you is in a great mood. It's immersive, magical and very, very relaxing.

Although you can order excellent milk shakes, you'll find no burgers, hot dogs or fries; Flo's offers delicious comfort food based around the kind of diner fare you might find on the real Route 66. We're talking Barbecued Pork Loin with Coca-Cola sauce. Citrus Turkey and Mashed Potatoes. New York Strip Loin. Amazing Veggie Tater Bakes. Apple Chedar Pie. Seriously, just thinking about the food at Flo's makes me want to drop everything and head to DCA for dinner!

The children's meals at Flo's are well designed, with a choice of Mac and Cheese or sandwich (turkey or roast beef), plus fruit and beverage (milk, juice or water). The optional Lightning McQueen lunch boxes are awesome, and cause many adults to order the kids' meals for themselves!

Speaking of Children's meals, the child's' waffles at breakfast (stamped with Mater and Flo portraits) are a big hit with all ages, though adults might also enjoy the Brioche French Toast or Chicken Tamales.

The breakfasts at Flor's taste fine, but lunch and dinner are much, much better. We can't choose a favorite between the NY Strip Loin and the Pork Loin; both are fantastic. You can pick two of six side orders; all taste great, but don't miss the excellent mashed potatoes

When you visit Cars Land, be sure to unwind and spend some time at Flo's. It may end up being one of your favorite spots as well.