Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
By Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
WeJustGotBack.com
If you've been holding off a trip to Disneyland in anticipation of the big changes at Disney California Adventure, then it's high time to start packing. The new Cars Land area and a classy makeover of Buena Vista Street have injected a feel-good energy that was missing at California Adventure -- until now.
So rev your engines, and hold on for the ride. Here are nine new reasons to visit Disneyland.
Photo Caption: The entrance to Cars Land, modeled after the setting of the Pixar film Cars
You've heard of tearing down a building to create a parking lot? Disney, with the help of Pixar's John Lasseter, transformed a 12-acre parking lot into Cars Land, a real-life rendition of Radiator Springs that seems to have jumped right out of the beloved Disney-Pixar animated films.
As intricately themed and immersive as any land at any Disney theme park, Cars Land overflows with stunning Route 66 iconography and insider winks at the Cars films around every turn. After five years in the making, Cars Land officially opened in mid-June 2012.
Photo Caption: Radiator Springs is the setting for the Cars films -- and a new reason for Disney-Pixar fans to visit Disneyland.
Radiator Springs Racers, the $200-million E-ticket of Cars Land, is Disney at its very best. The ride combines wonderful storytelling, striking animatronics, highly detailed backdrops, and just the right amount of adrenaline.
Photo Caption: Radiator Springs Racers is one of the marquee rides at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.
Mamma mia! Cross a teacup ride with giant beach balls and a thick Italian accent, and you've got Luigi's Flying Tires.
Photo Caption: Luigi's Flying Tires ride at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park
At Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, everyone's favorite tow truck is the driving force behind this gentle scrambler ride.
Photo Caption: Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Cars Land
A brilliant take on the classic Route 66 wigwam motels, the Cozy Cone Motel offers no accommodations -- just light bites (churros, popcorn, ice cream, and a variety of drinks) served up in bright orange traffic cones.
Photo Caption: The Cozy Cone Motel is actually a refreshment stand in Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park.
A meal at Flo's V8 Café offers a sassy juke-box feel and loads of memorabilia from Flo's former singing career with the Motorama Girls. Who knew?
Inspection of the gold records hanging on the walls reveal hits such as "Jeep Date," "Brake it to Me Gently," and "I've Taken a Shine to You."
Photo Caption: Flo's V8 Café has a retro feel at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney's imagineers have come up with an exceptionally fun collection of merchandise for Cars Land, including many exclusive items you won't find online or in other areas of the park. On opening day, these funky tire hats ($24.95 each) were a runaway bestseller.
Photo Caption: Luigi's Flying Tires hats for sale at Cars Land
WeJustGotBack.com
If you've been holding off a trip to Disneyland in anticipation of the big changes at Disney California Adventure, then it's high time to start packing. The new Cars Land area and a classy makeover of Buena Vista Street have injected a feel-good energy that was missing at California Adventure -- until now.
So rev your engines, and hold on for the ride. Here are nine new reasons to visit Disneyland.
Photo Caption: The entrance to Cars Land, modeled after the setting of the Pixar film Cars
As intricately themed and immersive as any land at any Disney theme park, Cars Land overflows with stunning Route 66 iconography and insider winks at the Cars films around every turn. After five years in the making, Cars Land officially opened in mid-June 2012.
Photo Caption: Radiator Springs is the setting for the Cars films -- and a new reason for Disney-Pixar fans to visit Disneyland.
Photo Caption: Radiator Springs Racers is one of the marquee rides at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.
Photo Caption: Luigi's Flying Tires ride at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park
Photo Caption: Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Cars Land
Photo Caption: The Cozy Cone Motel is actually a refreshment stand in Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park.
Inspection of the gold records hanging on the walls reveal hits such as "Jeep Date," "Brake it to Me Gently," and "I've Taken a Shine to You."
Photo Caption: Flo's V8 Café has a retro feel at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park.
Photo Caption: Luigi's Flying Tires hats for sale at Cars Land