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Radiator Springs is officially open for visitation on June 15. That’s the date that Disneyland’s newest park, Cars Land, is open to the public. The official Disney Parks blog has been posting a lot of pictures from Cars Land lately, but what I’ve actually found most informative about the forthcoming park is its own website.
I want to refer to Cars Land as Radiator Springs because that’s basically what it is: guests walk right down Route 66 into the small town and they can visit all the shops and residences of the cars that live there. Swing by Fillmore’s Taste-In to see all of the latest flavors of organic fuels. At Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, sit in a cart pulled by a baby tractor and strap in for a ride as the cars dance to music played by Mater.
If you’d like a souvenir, purchase your official Radiator Springs gear from the military motor himself, Sarge, or go to the Radiator Springs Curios or Ramone’s House of Body Art. If you’re hungry, head over to the Cozy Cone Motel take a rest and refuel with Sally’s patented cone-themed snacks, or check out Flo’s Cafe for some grilled goodies.
Once you’re refreshed and ready for more fun check out Luigi’s Flying Tires. Stand on a 9-foot-wide tire cushion and float off the ground, then learn how to drive your new vehicle. All of the tires rest on a floor covered in air vents, which really do lift the tire just the littlest bit off the ground. So far this is definitely the ride I’d want to try at Cars Land, and the first attraction that’s even made me interested in this particular themed area.
Finally, head out to Radiator Springs Racers, the one attraction I’ve profiled before. The ride, run by Lightning McQueen himself, lets guests pile into their favorite character from Radiator Springs and race around the town, up and down hills, and around crazy elevated curves.
Every character’s got a little corner at Radiator Springs – except for Doc Hudson. Though don’t be surprised if you see him somewhere around the park. That brings me to my main question about Cars Land: how exactly do meet-and-greets work here? Disney’s always been able to put cast members into elaborate costumes to delight guests, but I don’t really see how that would work for a character that’s a car. Will there be stationary versions of Lightning McQueen and Mater? Or will they be animatronic, capable of some movement and recorded speech?
I suppose Disneyland wants to keep up some of the mystery surrounding Cars Land before it opens. It wouldn’t be fun if they let out all of the secrets before people could come to visit. But not to worry: not long now until fans of “Cars” can take an adventure to Radiator Springs.
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Honoring Alice Davis: Legendary Disney Costume Designer
*(This image by Orange Steeler is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
