Cars Land - 3/3 - TouringPlans.com Blog

7 a.m., seconds before rope from in Cars Land for Early Entry. (All photos by Seth Kubersky)

The new Cars Land attractions are barely three weeks old, but their popularity has already pushed the Disneyland Resort in general, and the Disney California Adventure park in particular, to record levels of attendance. The old conventional wisdom was that the sparsely-attended second gate didn’t require the same assiduous planning as its older sibling to enjoy in a single day. But at least until the Cars Land hoopla dies down — which we don’t expect to happen any time this summer — you’ll need an efficient itinerary to absorb all the relaunched park has to offer.

The 2013 edition of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland will soon be winging its way to the presses, packed with our brand-new optimized touring plans for tackling Disney California Adventure’s latest additions. Unfortunately, it will arrive on store shelves too late to help those of you planning to visit within the next few months. Therefore, in honor of the recently-passed Independence Day holdiay, we wave the flag of freedom from frustration, and offer you this “survival guide” to liberating yourself from the long lines in Cars Land.

As always, our number one advice is “Arrive early, arrive early, arrive early!” For the foreseeable future, as far as Cars Land is concerned, you’ll want to add at least two more “arrive earlies” to that mantra. Much of your touring strategy depends on whether you are eligible for one of the park’s Early Entry programs.

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Flo’s V8 Cafe (menu)

Tom Bricker says:

“Flo’s V8 Cafe serves comfort food. We really enjoyed the New York strip loin!”

• Quality: Good-Excellent
• Value: B+
• Portion: Medium-Large

Selections

French toast, chicken tamales, pork loin, New York strip loin, vegetarian shepherd’s pie, and fruit pies

Comments

Cars Land’s largest eatery serves classic American diner food with a creative Southwestern flair. Breakfast selections feature chicken and egg tamales and caramel banana french toast. Signature lunch and dinner choices include a vegetarian Boca casserole, New York strip loin, and citrus turkey breast, with “ugly crust” apple-cheddar and cherry pies for desert. Memorabilia from proprietor Flo’s past as a famous Motown singer is featured in the décor.

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Cars Land

Tom Bricker says:

“Overall, Cars Land was money very well spent. It will be a huge draw for Disneyland Resort for years to come.”

Cars Land is the crowning capstone on DCA’s transformation, and the first major “land” in an American Disney theme park devoted solely to a single film franchise. Tucked in the park’s southeast corner on 12 acres of repurposed parking lot, Cars Land’s main entrance is across from the Golden Vine Winery, though there are secondary gateways in a bug’s land and Pacific Wharf. A massive mountainous backdrop topped with 125-foot-high peaks patterned after 1959 Cadillac Pinnacle tail fins — known as the Cadillac Range — cradles Ornament Valley, home to a screen-accurate re-creation of Radiator Springs. That’s the sleepy single-stoplight town along Route 66 populated by Pixar’s anthropomorphized automobiles.

Along its main drag, in addition to three rides, you find eateries themed to the film’s minor characters such as Fillmore’s Taste-In, serving fruit drinks and snacks; Cozy Cone Motel, with chili, ice cream, and popcorn, all served in conical containers; and Flo’s V8 Cafe, serving creative takes on classic comfort food with a Southwestern twist for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Souvenir shops include Radiator Springs Curios, Ramone’s House of Body Art, and Sarge’s Supply Hut.

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Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Our Rating: 3 Stars

Tom Bricker says:

“Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is my third-favorite ride in Cars Land, but it’s still very solid — hilarious and fun for what it is.”

• What it is: Midway-type whip ride.
• Scope and scale: Minor attraction.
• When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open.
• Special Comments: Must be 32″ tall to ride.
• Duration of ride: About 90 seconds.
• Average wait time per 100 people ahead of you: 8 minutes.
• Loading speed: Slow

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Luigi’s Flying Tires

Our Rating: 3 stars

Tom Bricker says:

“My second favorite ride in Cars Land was Luigi’s Flying Tires. You’ll want to ride this alone and pay attention to your balance, or you won’t move much. I flew around the area while others barely moved.”

• What it is: Bumper cars meets human air hockey.
• Scope and scale: Minor attraction.
• When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open.
• Special Comments: Must be 32″ tall to ride.
• Duration of ride: About 2 1/2 minutes.
• Average wait time per 100 people ahead of you: 12 minutes.
• Loading speed: Very Slow

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All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

Radiator Springs Racers (FASTPASS)

Our Rating: 5 stars

Tom Bricker says:

“Aside from ‘sacred classics,’ Radiator Springs Racers is the best Disney attraction ever, in my opinion. I was in absolute awe!”

• What it is: Automotive dark ride with high-speed thrills.
• Scope and scale: Superheadliner.
• When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open or use FASTPASS.
• Special comments: Must be 40″ tall to ride; switching-off option provided; Not to be missed.
• Duration of ride: About 4 minutes
• Average wait time per 100 people ahead of you: 3 1/2 minutes
• Loading speed: Moderate–fast

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Welcome to the June 2012 edition of “This Month at Disneyland Resort,” your “CliffsNotes” guide to everything imminent at the Anaheim attractions. Better buckle up tight, because we are about to accelerate into the most momentous month at Disneyland since the turn of the millennium.

According to a count by the Orange County Register, 18 new “entertainment offerings” will be open within the next few weeks. So if you haven’t already booked your summer visit to Disneyland, you may want to consider holding off until autumn, since the resort is about to embark on what may be its busiest few months in memory.

All photos copyright Disney.

Crowd Calendar

Kiss that last relatively crowd-free month goodbye. As the June 15 relaunch of Disney California Adventure approaches, attendance is expected to intensify right up to the start of summer break, and stay stratospheric all season.

Quietest Day: Tuesday, June 12, will be the last “slow” day before the Cars Land crowds descend, with the resort at 5 out of 10 overall, and Disneyland Park predicted at only 3.1 (though it is a Grad Night).

Busiest Day: Because DCA will be closed on June 14, Disneyland will be at peak capacity on that day. After June 15, crowds will remain high at DCA and moderate at Disneyland, peaking on June 30.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• The entire Disney California Adventure park will be closed to the public all day on June 14 for press events, and to prepare for the grand opening the next day.
• A dedication ceremony will be held at the entrance to DCA on June 15 prior to its 9am opening. Thereafter, a daily “rope drop” ceremony will be held each morning.
• Grad Nights continue at both parks on June 1, 6-8, 12-14 (Disneyland on on 14th), 19, 21, and 22.
• Sneak Preview events at DCA will be held on June 9 and 10 for Passholders, Club 33 members, and D23 members purchasing special tickets.
• Annual Passholders can register now online for two early entries (one for each park) on select days between June 18 and September 13.
• Disneyland Resort introduces Extra Magic Hours on June 18, allowing Disneyland Resort hotel guests early entry into both parks on alternate days. The existing Magic Morning Hours program will continue to operate alongside Extra Magic Hours for purchasers of “bonus” parkhopper tickets.

Openings, Closings and Refurbishments

Disneyland Park

• Main Street U.S.A.’s Carnation Cafe reopens on June 13 with expanded seating and a refreshed menu.
• The Matterhorn Boblseds return to operation on June 15 following a lengthy refurbishment. Alpine climbers ascending the mountain will also return to the entertainment schedule.
• The Voices of Liberty, an Anaheim offshoot of Epcot’s a capella Americana act, begins daily performances in the Main Street Opera House (a.k.a. Mr. Lincoln’s lobby) on June 15.
• The special summer edition of The Magic, The Memories, and You that debuted on May 25th will continue to run on it’s a small world all month long.
• Billy Hill & The Hillbillies will relocate to the Festival stage behind Big Thunder Ranch for the summer season. The Laughing Stock Co. will perform inside the Golden Horseshoe.

Disney California Adventure

• The Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop & Soda Fountain opens inside the former Mission Tortilla Factory on June 7.
• The entire park will be closed to the public on June 14 for private press events and preparations.
• The Buena Vista Street and Cars Land areas, and all their attendant attractions, eateries, and amenities, officially open on June 15. That includes the Red Trolley Car vehicles, Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi’s Flying Tires.
• Along with the new rides, live shows in the new lands include Red Car News Boys, the Five and Dime jazz group, and improvisational Citizens on Buena Vista Street; and a DJ car and squirting fire truck in Cars Land, along with interactive character photo-ops.
• A wealth of other new entertainment options also open on June 15, including daytime fountain shows with Conductor Goofy and Dancin’ with Disney interactive dance party in the seldom-used Stage 17.
• Beginning June 15, Hollywood Pictures Backlot will be rechristened Hollywood Land, and the former “Golden State” land will officially be divided into Grizzly Peak, Pacific Wharf, and Condor Flats on park maps.
• The Mad T Party, already in “soft opening,” officially begins on June 15.
• A Brave-themed segement will be temporarily be added to nightly showings of World of Color beginning June 15, replacing part of the Pirates of the Caribbean portion.
• The Pixar Play Parade returns to daily performances starting June 15 after a lengthy absence with some slightly revamped floats.
• The Carthay Circle Restaurant opens June 15 on Buena Vista Street, including the Carthay Circle Lounge and the members-only 1901 Club.

Downtown Disney

• The UVA Bar and LEGO store have both recently reopened after refurbishment.
• The WonderGround art gallery opens on June 9 in the former Island Charters space.
• Earl of Sandwich will open on a yet-unannounced day in June, replacing Compass Books.

Be sure to visit us daily during the DCA grand relaunch week for on-the-scene reports from the Touring Plans team!

Welcome to the latest weekly installment of Last Week at Disneyland, TouringPlans.com‘s regular round-up of recent events and operations in and around the Anaheim resort. This column is your weekly refresher of what’s new at the Happiest Place on Earth.

In addition to Disneyland.com and the Official Disney Parks Blog, much of the following news and photography comes courtesy of our friends at MousePlanet and MiceAge. Visit those sites for more images and up-to-the-minute updates.

Crowd Calendar

Attendance was seasonably slow at the resort this week, but look for crowds to build as Memorial Day approaches.

• Quietest Days: Resort attendance was lowest on May 7-10 (Predicted 2 out of 10, Actual 2).
• Busiest Days: Resort attendance was highest on May 6 (Predicted 4 out of 10, Actual 6) and May 12 (Predicted 5 out of 10, Actual 6)

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Resort Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Reservations are now being accepted for special after-hours Annual Passholder parties being held on May 14, 15, 21, and 22 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fantasmic!
• You still have until amay 24 to enter the sweepstakes for Annual Passholders to win a preview visit to Cars Land and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure on June 11.
• The episode of Modern Family that was shot at Disneyland on Leap Day was broadcast on ABC on May 9. During the show, a new commercial for Cars Land at DCA debuted.
• On May 11, Disney Legend Alice Davis was honored with a window on Main Street (next to her husband Marc’s) in recognition of her costume design work on it’s a small world, Pirates of the Carribbean, and other classic attractions.

Opening, Closures, and Refurbishments

Disneyland

• The Carnation Plaza Gardens closed forever on April 30, to be transformed into the Princess Fantasy Faire in 2013. Saturday swing dancing has been relocated to Downtown Disney in the interim.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds remained closed for a major overhaul until June 15. Disney announced that the mountain climbers will return to the peak when in reopens, and released a video highlighting the new paint and “snow” being applied.
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition is closed now through May 25.
• The Enchanted Tiki Room was closed May 7-10.
• Cultivating the Magic, a new 2-hour guided tour of the Disneyland Resort’s horticultural delights, is now being offered on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings.

Disney California Adventure

• The Cove Bar attached to Ariel’s Grotto is closed through June 1.
• Goofy’s Sky School was scheduled for a brief refurbishment May 7-17.
• Buena Vista Street and Cars Land remain under construction until June 15, though some soft-openings may possible late in the month.
• Preparations are underway for the Mad T Party, this summer’s replacement for the ElecTRONica weekend dance parties. New details were released about the live band that will perform pop hits during the event.
• New details were announced about upcoming food offerings at DCA’s Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.
• Reservations are now being accepted for the fine dining restaurant in Carthay Circle Theatre, which includes reserved World of Color viewing.

Downtown Disney

• The former home of Island Charter is now transforming into the WonderGround art gallery which will open on June 9.
• The former Compass Books is now being renovated into an Earl of Sandwich outlet (no opening date announced yet).

Welcome to the first weekly installment of Last Week at Disneyland, TouringPlans.com‘s regular round-up of recent events and operations in and around the Anaheim resort. This column will be your weekly refresher of what’s new at the Happiest Place on Earth.

In addition to Disneyland.com and the Official Disney Parks Blog, much of the following news and photography comes courtesy of our friends at MousePlanet and MiceAge. Visit those sites for more images and up-to-the-minute updates.

Crowd Calendar

Attendance was seasonably slow at the resort this week, but look for crowds to build as Memorial Day approaches.

• Quietest Days: Resort attendance was lowest on May 3 (Predicted 1 out of 10, Actual 2).
• Busiest Days: Resort attendance was highest on April 29 (Predicted 6 out of 10, Actual 5).

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Disneyland celebrated Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with a special menu at Tortilla Joe’s in Downtown Disney.
• Reservations are now being accepted for special after-hours Annual Passholder parties being held on May 14, 15, 21, and 22 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fantasmic!
• A sweepstakes was announced for Annual Passholders to win a preview visit to Cars Land and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure on June 11.
• ABC Television announced that the episode of Modern Family that was shot at Disneyland on Leap Day will be broadcast on May 9.
• New membership spots in the ultra-exclusive Club 33 are available, in case you have a stack of spare $10,000 bills lying around. New members will be able to visit 1901, the new private lounge being built inside the Carthay Circle Theatre at DCA.

Opening, Closures, and Refurbishments

Disneyland

• The candy store, Penny Arcade, and Gibson Girl ice cream parlor on Main Street, USA, reopened on May 2 following a major refurbishment. The makeover is getting high marks from early visitors, excepting the removal of the glass elephant and several vintage arcade machines. Carnation Cafe remains closed until June 2.
• The Carnation Plaza Gardens closed forever on April 30, to be transformed into the Princess Fantasy Faire in 2013. Saturday swing dancing will be relocated to Downtown Disney in the interim.
• Frontierland Festival Arena stage is now home to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, with characters and crafts Friday-Sunday. This is also where school musical groups perform now that Plaza Gardens is gone.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds remained closed for a major overhaul until June 15.
• Indiana Jones Adventure was closed for a quick refurb on May 1-2.
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition is closed now through May 25.

Disney California Adventure

• Ariel’s Grotto restaurant is closed through May 3, and the attached Cove Bar is closed through June 1.
• Ariel’s Undersea Adventure was closed April 30 to May 4 to install new hair on the “Under the Sea” Ariel animatronic and replace CGI projections with new hand-drawn animation. The changes will also appear in the WDW version of the ride, opening this winter.
• Soarin’ Over California closed unexpectedly on May 3 after guests at Epcot’s version of the ride managed to slip out of their restraints. The ride reopened on May 4, and safety procedures are being reevaluated.
• Buena Vista Street and Cars Land remain under construction until June 15, though some soft-openings are possible later in the month.
• Preparations are underway for the Mad T Party, this summer’s replacement for the ElecTRONica weekend dance parties. The new Alice in Wonderland-inspired event will feature themed midway arcade games.

Downtown Disney

• The large LEGO Imagination store reopened on May 1 after a major refurbishment. The temporary LEGO store in the former home of Island Charter is now transforming into the WonderGround art gallery which will open on June 9.