Towering Tinkertoys

As we've mentioned before, the Pixar Play Parade at DCA is one of the most charming day parades Disney's ever produced. Today we've got a look at the Tinkertoys man, strutting happily with the assistance of two very courageous cast members stuck in the goofiest costumes on Earth.

Talk about team players; Give these guys a raise!

Like many elements in this parade, this scene makes the crowd smile with its clever, unpretentious way of focusing on the pure fun of childhood toys. It's one of DCA's most pleasant surprises--Just watch out for the water spray from his fingers!

Photos by Lana Whitham

Heimlich in Hollywood Land

Everyone's favorite ravenous caterpillar winds his way (in several pieces) along Hollywood Blvd. during the Pixar Play Parade at DCA. This parade never fails to make me grin as it passes by. It's impressive and filled with ingenious costume and puppetry concepts, yet manages to feel completely casual, light-on-its-feet and unpretentious.

By the way, that's DCA's best shop in the background: Off the Page. Filled with Disney art prints, cels, books and collectibles, it also gives you a chance to commission a personalized character sketch from an on-duty Disney artist. You could request a drawing of anything from Mufasa to Mickey to...well, how about Heimlich?

Flik's Flyers in A Bug's Land

DCA features several great ways to fly, carrying guests skyward on everything from virtual hang-gliders to the nerve-jangling swinging gondolas of Mickey's Fun Wheel. For pure strangeness and wonderment, though, I can't pick a more delightful DCA aircraft than the airborne juice boxes and take-out containers of Flik's Flyers.

As with Dumbo and The Mad Tea Party, here's another case of incredible theming transforming a basic carnival ride into something amazing. Although A Bug's Land is aimed toward families with small children, this ride manages to catch the attention of many an adult party heading through en route to Cars Land. Seriously, who wouldn't want to cruise the heavens in an egg roll box?

Photo by Lana Whitham

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...

Mouse Troop's Twisted-Up Disney Character Quiz

We've got a quiz for you today, and all it requires is a familiarity with Disney and Pixar's major animated films.

The catch? You must identify each character based on their relation to other characters. Example: Minnie's boyfriend's dog. Answer: Pluto. Of course, that's way too easy.

Thirty characters await identification! Good luck! Answers and Score ratings at the end. Oh--and beware of multiple possibilities that can lead to a dead end. For instance, there are two different Pixar sheriffs, and Mowgli has more than one friend. There is only one correct answer for each clue chain.

By the way, it's okay to Google the character's name if you know what you're looking for! Here we go!

THE TWISTED-UP DISNEY CHARACTER QUIZ

1) Andy's sheriff's buddy's enemy

2) LeFou's hero's fixation's father's horse

3) Jessica's husband's savior's brother

4) Goofy's son's best-friend's father

5) Jacques's friend's savior's boyfriend's father's underling's saboteur's cat's slayer

A DCA Moment: Slinky Dog

This is why the parks rule: There simply aren't enough giant, good-humored, stretchy pull-toy canine hind legs high-fiving people in the real world.

Bullseye Stallion Stampede

Bullseye is one of my very favorite Pixar characters, so I was happy to see him awarded an appropriate DCA mini-attraction of his own in 2009.

Soon after Toy Story Midway Mania opened on Paradise Pier in 2008, the area's midway games underwent a major theme change to add some desperately-needed character elements. The Bullseye Stallion Stampede is one of those games where a prize is awarded each time, and your odds of winning depend on how many other players take part. Rolling a ball into holes on the playing field sends your little 2-D horse advancing across the race track.

The best scenario for this game is for one or two parents to compete alongside their child with no other players present, guaranteeing a plush prize for a reasonable cost. Although "real" world carny games are notoriously stacked against the player, this family-friendly twist can actually be a good entertainment/souvenir deal when all participants are in the same touring group.

Three Gulls With Big Ambitions

One of the best elements of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage isn't seen or heard by its riders at all. Three Seagulls from the film, perched on a bouy, cry, "Mine! Mine!" every time a submarine passes by.

The birds, many yards from shore, are not immediately obvious to most guests walking by the lagoon. Fans of the film, however, immediately catch the familiar call drifting faintly on the breeze, and stop to investigate.

You've got to love a bird who dreams big.

Review: Toy Story: Smash It! for iPhone and Android

In another bid to prove they're serious about gaming, Disney has released Toy Story: Smash It!, a polished, enjoyable mobile game that's easy to play but challenging to complete.

The Founder of Radiator Springs

This familiar town landmark, the Stanley statue, guards the Radiator Springs Courthouse (which also houses the Fire Station and Sheriff's Office) in Cars Land.

In Cars lore, Stanley founded the town of Radiator Springs as an expansion of his thriving tourist rest stop, Stanley's Oasis. The Oasis, now a ghost town, can be toured in the standby line for Radiator Springs Racers.

Stanley's not only a town legend, but also the departed husband of Lizzie, the absent-minded Model T who runs the Curio shop. Their wedding photo can be found somewhere in Cars Land, but most folks have to "wait" a bit to discover it...

The Lone Traffic Light of Radiator Springs

Cars Land may be mobbed with odd creatures called "humans," these days, but Radiator Springs remains true to its roots as a one-traffic-light town. The light hangs right where it belongs, at the intersection of Route 66 and Cross Street, leisurely blinking its yellow caution signal.

It's also a detection device for revealing the true fans in the crowd. They're the ones, when seeing Cars Land for the first time, who notice the signal and stop in their tracks to count the blinks. And then they smile, for just as hippy van Filmore observes in Cars, "every third blink is slower."

It's such a small detail, but one that simply could not be left out. Without that extra hold on the third blink, it would just be an ordinary traffic signal. With the quirk, it becomes a modest little beacon letting you know that, yes, you really have arrived in Radiator Springs.

Skylanders Meets Vinylmation in Disney Infinity. Oh, My Aching Wallet.

Disney just announced an upcoming product likely to drain Disney fan bank accounts around the globe. Get ready for Disney Infinity, a cross-platform game world that combines the figurines-beaming-down-into-a-video-game concept of the mega-hit Skylanders with the collectible Disney hook of Vinylmation.

Junkyard Jamboree Spins Its Tale in Book Form

While Christmas shopping the other day, the last thing I expected to find hundreds of miles from Disneyland Resort was a souvenir of Disney California Adventure.

But there it was in the book section of the local Target store. At first glance, Mater and the Little Tractors looks like any other Cars-themed beginning reader book, but it soon becomes clear that the book tells the backstory of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land.

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!

Monsters, Inc. at DCA

Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue is an odd duck of a ride, but a fun experience. Its arrival at Disney California Adventure transformed the site of a short-lived, terrible, embarrassing opening day attraction (Superstar Limo) into a likable retelling of the Pixar film, Monster's, Inc.

As much a patch-job as an original attraction, the Monsters, Inc. dark ride inherited Superstar Limo's vehicles, track layout and flat cutout-style entry facade. Although the stylized front succeeds in helping guests find the ride in its tucked-back corner of DCA's Hollywood Land, I'm not a fan of the "temporary" vibe it creates. If future plans for this area of the park include keeping Monsters, Inc., I hope the Imagineers come up with a different approach for the exterior.

The logical transformation of the old limousines into Monstropolis taxi cabs resulted in a unique quirk for the resort: DCA and Disneyland each now have their own taxi-themed dark ride. Unlike Roger Rabbit's spinning, crazy whirl through a blacklight Toontown noir, however, the Monsters, Inc. dark ride is a slower, gentler journey through a fairly straightfoward narrative, following blue collar monsters Mike and Sulley as they try to return human toddler Boo to her bedroom closet's door. The on-ride "dangers" are very mild, and the film's scariest-looking character, Mr. Waternoose, isn't included at all.

As far as I know, it's also the only Disney dark ride that takes you through a factory restroom, resulting in a true "What the..." moment.

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.

Mater & the Tower of Terror

Our favorite tow truck heads for the Twilight Zone!

Mater, fresh from a half hour of meetin' n' greetin', rumbles out of Cars Land along Cross Street under the watchful eye of his bodyguard entourage. He looks like he's aiming for a ride on Tower of Terror.

Actually, he'll soon take a right turn backstage. Although Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen usually enter and exit Cars Land by driving past Radiator Springs Racers, that ride's overflow queue can turn the road into a tight squeeze for automoblies. On those busiest days, the car celebs vamoose along this less-congested detour.

Cozy Cone's Consistent Kookiness

The best thing about Cars Land's Cozy Cone Motel (besides the food) is just how crazily far the sight gag is taken. If the food stands themselves had been the only cone-shaped elements, the place would have been merely cute. But the theme keeps going...and going...through the entire courtyard and beyond.

It's fun to take family and friends into this life-size hidden-picture puzzle for the first time (everyone seems to want to try the Chili Cone Queso) and watch their reaction as they focus on the unfolding layers of cone detail. They tend to say things like, "I...don't...believe...this..." Usually it's accompanied by a big smile. It helps if they like the color orange.

Considering the huge popularity of the Cone Drinking Cups, I wouldn't be surprised if Disney eventually adds a (cone-shaped) souvenir stand to the grounds, offering more (cone-shaped) wares. Personally, I'd love to buy one of those planters near the windows.

Luigi's Flying Tires: Better Without the Beach Balls?

We're standing on the Cross Street side of Luigi's Flying Tires, watching one of the ride's last nights operating with the beach balls. The cheerful Italian Flag-colored bonking spheres were recently removed, reportedly to help accelerate the load times.

Although I loved the added color, I won't miss the beach toys; they distracted nearly every rider into treating the ride like a goofy dodgeball game. Battle-crazed guests tend to ignore the most wondrous part of the whole experience: you're flying!

Okay -- technically, you're hovering...or floating...but it's still amazing. Some online critics feel this mellow non-thrill ride's not worth waiting in line for, but I disagree. Luigi's Flying Tires gives you a chance to pilot your own private hovercraft. When you get your tire scooting across the floor, it feels like surfing on air -- and I can't get that sensation from any other ride on Earth. It's a true one-of-a-kind, magical experience.

A Bug's Land at Night

There's one area of Disney California Adventure I visit least: Flik's Fun Fair in A Bug's Land. Originally created to solve the early DCA's lack of attractions suitable for small children, it contains a handful of nicely-themed kiddy rides.

Most DCA visitors use Flik's Fun Fair for one purpose: it's a shortcut between Tower of Terror and Cars Land. Speaking of Cars Land, I often wonder if Flik's Fun Fair should be leveled to make room for more Cars adventures...perhaps a Finn McMissile coaster?

But then...I walk through the insect world at night...

Have you tried this? Stroll slowly through Fliks' Fun Fair after dark, when the place is more quiet. Listen to the sound of chirping crickets and stare up at the beautifully lit giant clovers and  grass blades towering overhead. It's amazing, beautiful and relaxing.

Then I think of Disneyland's Storybook Land, another beautiful area many adults ignore -- and one I love dearly. I'd hate to see its two wonderful rides (Casey Jr. and the Canal Boats) replaced.

A Bug's Land does contain some true Disney magic. Just remember, as you're hurrying between Radiator Springs and Hollywood Land, to stop for a moment as you enter the clover forest. Look up and enjoy.