California Adventure: Cars Land

 

 

One thing that is clear is that I did not take enough pictures, because the look of Cars Land is amazing. I did not appreciate it enough, because I had not seen the movie. I thought it looked cool, but about a week after we got back they had Cars on television, and just from seeing a few minutes, wow! They did a great job.

There are only three rides, but they are all pretty good.

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree: This is almost another teacup ride, but with a twist. The part that goes around is a little tractor, but you ride in an attached trailer which is on wheels. So, the tractor is spinning, and you are kind of following it but are also swinging side to side, kind of like skaters playing crack the whip. It was really fun.

Luigi's Flying Tires: This is apparently similar to a flying saucer ride they had in Tomorrowland back in the 60's. You sit in the middle, but the outer ring inflates after everyone is seated. There is some delicacy to this mechanism, so they keep reminding you not to step on the outer part of the tire. Once you are inflated, you control your movements by leaning side to side. You do bump into other tires, but because your movement is sideways, there's a different feel to it than bumper cars. Also,  you may have in mind to go to one spot, but other tires can get in your way.

I decided a good goal would be to circle the entire lot once, and was able to do so with a few detours.

Radiator Springs Racers: I know I may overuse the word "amazing" sometimes, but seriously, this ride is really cool. It also has pretty long lines, so you may want to consider Fast Passes or separating into Single Riders. We just did the regular line, and it was actually one of the few where you sit in groups of three instead of two, so we were actually sitting together.

You start out with two cars cruising along together, taking a leisurely ride through Ornament Valley and Radiator Springs. That's one good ride on its own, but suddenly you are sneaking up on sleeping tractors, and racing to get out of trouble in the field. You do encounter a police car here. Without getting into too much trouble, the two cars split up and  you make your way through a car shop where you are painted and primed for your big race, and the second ride begins.

Now you start going fast, and you are racing the car that was your companion. I wouldn't say it gets up to a roller coaster type road, but where so many rides are either calmly looking at scenes from movies or getting more into the thrills of fast motion, this one gives you both. I applaud the ambition and the execution.

We got snacks from Fillmore's Taste-In, which had healthier snacks like fruit cups and hummus cups. (This is where I had my pickle.) Flo's V-8 Cafe looked promising, but was really crowded. We were there Thursday afternoon, when the President's Day traffic was starting to increase. You could also get snacks like churros and popcorn at the Cozy Cone Motel. Even if you do not get food there, you need to see them. It is like stepping into the movie.

It's a good little land.