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.

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.

Top Five Favorite Safety Spiels

Who says safety can't be fun? In addition to informational signage, most Disney attractions feature audio warnings to discourage riders from doing incredibly stupid things such as standing up and/or sticking their legs out of a moving vehicle.

Fortunately, Disney injects a lot of character and humor into their audio safety spiels. Some, such as "Hang on to them hats and glasses" and "The spirits will materialize only if you remain quietly seated" have become classics. I'm not including those most famous lines on this list; Consider them forever enshrined in the Great Ride Warnings Hall of Fame.

Although four of these five come from my "home" parks (Disneyland & DCA), the top prize goes to a Walt Disney World ride I haven't even experienced yet! I have Internet Radio and YouTube to thank for my exposure to the joys of WDW attraction audio!

Here we go! Oh--and be sure to remain seated and...well, you know the drill...

TOP FIVE FAVORITE SAFETY SPIELS!

5) Snow White's Scary Adventures as spoken by the Wicked Witch:

"Looking for Snow White, Deary? Then SIT STILL!"

4) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as spoken by Ratty:

"Welcome to Toad Hall! To be sure of a safe and glorious drive in your motorcar, remain firmly seated with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside. Watch your children--and do try to drive more carefully than Toad."

3) Radiator Springs Racers as spoken by Sheriff over the car radio:

"All right. You be sure to remain seated with your seat belt buckled! Don't make me come after you. Sheriff out."

2) California Screamin' as spoken by The Barker

"Second thoughts? TOO LATE! Head back! Face forward! And hold on like ya mean it! And away you go in five, four, three, two, ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And, here we are: My current favorite ride safety audio:

Video by wdwfacts1

1) TriceraTop Spin as spoken by Chester:

"Hey, spinners! It's Chester here, reminding you for your safety ta stay seated with that seatbelt fastened good n' tight as you spin. Whilst yer spinning, keep your hands, arms, feet and legs inside--and be sure to watch your children."

It's the "whilst yer spinning" part that busts me up and crowns this as number one. I haven't been to Dino-Rama in person yet, and I had mixed feelings about the area's concept--until I heard this awesome performance that tells me all I need to know about the land's backstory in one simple, great delivery of a safety warning. Suddenly, I really, really like Chester and Hester. Dino-Rama has become a must-see for me.

What are your current favorites? Do you find the ever-present safety spiels annoying, or is Disney doing a good job of working the warnings into the story?

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.

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.

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 a Jeep Could Love

Sarge the Army Jeep lives a down-to-basics, no-nonsense lifestyle, and that's reflected by the exterior of his combination home/business in Radiator Springs, Sarge's Surplus Hut. Modeled after a WWII-era quonset hut, the weathered and rust-stained dwelling truly looks as if it's been sitting in Cars Land for decades.

Inside the shop, things get a bit more whimsical. It seems Sarge has realized that human customers are more inclined to choose die-cast miniatures and plush Maters over his usual stock of military surplus. If you look around while toy shopping, however, you might notice some stashed-away items from his store's original inventory, including an enormous pair of night-vision goggles.

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.

Lizzie's Curio Shop in Radiator Springs

It's the only shop owned by a Model T Ford, and at night it glows with a perfect blend of tackiness and beauty. Radiator Springs Curios, one of the three gift shops in Cars Land, offers an eclectic mix of merchandise, much as its exterior might suggest.

Fans of the movie can just stand in the street a moment and stare at the amazingly accurate details all over the front. My favorite element -- and it's a feature found all over Cars Land -- is the car-sized front entry.

A Quiet Spot Near Radiator Springs Racers

I love this little park beside the entry and exit to Radiator Springs Racers. It's a great spot for non-riders to wait for their families to return from the adventure, or for anyone to just unwind and listen to the happy screams of riders zipping around the base of Radiator Cap Rock.

Nearby, the Single-Rider and Fastpass queues wind through the landscaping before heading under the bridge to Stanley's Oasis. In the background, two racers head for the camelbacks during a test run (on this early morning visit the ride opening was delayed a few minutes).

The little rest zone is perfectly placed just between the normal crowd flow in and out of the ride, so you can usually count on finding an unoccupied bench while relaxing...or gearing up to take another spin on the Racers (remember...Single Rider Line)!

Mater Takes a Break

Mater exits the Cozy Cone and heads out to look for groundhogs...or maybe he's just rumbling backstage to take a break.

Without a doubt, the frequent comings and goings of Mater and Lightning add a huge amount of extra atmosphere and fun to Cars Land. Red the Fire Engine and DJ the boombox car are currently the only other full-size vehicles who drive along the streets (both of 'em) of Radiator Springs.

I hope future plans for Cars Land include having more of the citizens show up to greet the crowds. Seeing Sheriff, Doc, Sally, Filmore, Sarge, Ramone, Flo, Luigi, or Lizzie show up randomly would be fantastic. Of course, it would make it even more difficult for fans to tear themselves away from Radiator Springs to see the rest of DCA!

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.

Hands Up for Radiator Springs Racers

That woman in green has the right idea; no place else at Disneyland Resort is as suited to arm-raising and joyful cheering as Radiator Springs Racers.

It's good for camera-raising, too! In fact, that's one factor the resort previously lacked: a good hands-in-the-air ride. California Screamin' would be perfect, but the shoulder harnesses limit your range. Space Mountain? Too dark. Big Thunder? Too smooshy. Splash Mountain's final drop is good, but brief. Small World? That just gets you funny looks.

No, what Radiator Springs Racers finally brought to the equation is a good, solid run of multiple dips, gentle air-time, and a chance to throw your digits skyward and yell like crazy -- and it's contagious!

 Sometimes, without saying a word, you can get the whole carload to join in before the finish line!