A look at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure

One moment, you’re walking along the street with Grizzly Peak Mountain on your right, and the next, you’re staring at the main street of a life-sized Radiator Springs, teeming with life.

If you’re a Cars fan, this scene at Cars Land will send your heart palpitating. Even if you’re only a semi-fan like me, the view is still a sight to behold. Stepping into Radiator Springs is like walking into the giant set of the Cars movie, and you’ll be drawn to enter, all wide-eyed and mouth agape.

Here’s a short look at Cars Land. There are currently two major attractions- the more exciting and biggest being the Radiator Spring Racers. You get to race in a car around the desert landscape of Ornament Valley. Throughout the ride, you’ll face some obstacles (almost a head-on collision with Mack and near misses with other cars), and narrowly escape a speeding train. There a few more hurdles along the way, but I won’t go on any further, except that the race is made kid-friendly, so don’t expect a high-octane type of racing. Because Cars Land is relatively new, the crowds here can get pretty crazy sometimes, if you wanna save some time, opt for the Single Riders Queue. I did and it saved me one hour’s waiting time. The downside is, since the cars seats two, you might not be able to ride with your partner if you’re with company.

The other attraction, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, should be a hit with the kids. You hop on a trailer pulled by a baby tractor that looks like Mater and whip around to music, circling tanks in a field. Doesn’t do much for adults but I’ve seen kids squeal with delight. It does help that the whole place is Mater-themed.

There was a third attraction- Luigi’s Flying Tires, an upgrade of Flying Saucers. This attraction is closed since February this year and is targeted to re-open only in 2016 with new ride vehicles and system and renamed Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadster.

The retail shops and food outlets are all themed according to places in Cars. The Cozy Cone Motel from the movie is transformed into a snack shack, serving up the likes of “chili cone queso”, “route” beer floats and flavored popcorn, all served in cones. The little ones love them, almost every other kid I meet in my path is holding onto a cone of some sorts. In front of the motel, Lightning Mcqueen and Mater make occasional appearances and are always a hit with the little ones, patiently lining up in snaking queues to take a picture with them.

 

 

I had my dinner at Flo’s V8 Café. It serves your typical American cuisine, but what drew me in was how accurately they replicate the movie version of the café into a life-size one. I especially loved how the café lit up at night.

The best bit about Cars Land is how it comes alive at night. Bright neon lights shine brightly in an explosion of colors against the night sky, giving me a whole other experience compared to my trip here in daytime.

My advice is to visit Cars Land during the day; take the Radiator Spring Racers and explore the main street to soak in the bustling atmosphere of Radiator Springs. Every half an hour or so, you’ll see a life-size Lightning McQueen and Mater rumbling by after their photo opp duty at Crazy Cone Motel, so always keep your cameras ready.

Explore the rest of the park, and be back at nightfall to gawk at the illuminated Radiator Springs.  I intentionally planned my route in California Adventure Park such that I visit the land once in the day to take in the full impact of the small desert town and return at night. The park opens till late so you’d have time to linger here if you want. You can even take Radiator Spring Racers once at night again, if there isn’t much of a crowd.

For me, the beauty of Cars Land is how it completely mimics its animated movie version down to the tiniest details. Every part of the land here, from the signs to shops to the streets is just like Radiator Springs, creating a fully immersive atmosphere. I liked how the places draws me deep in, and for that few precious hours, my reality is suspended and a make-believe land comes alive.