Disneyland Revealed: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Cars Land

Hi Everyone!

Today’s post is about one of my favorite travel destinations…Disney California Adventure! More specifically, I want to laser focus on it’s current most popular region, Cars Land. This section of California Adventure is modeled after the world of Cars, a Pixar movie series of 3 installments (Cars 1-3.)  In Cars Land there are three rides/attractions (Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters,) three food establishments, live entertainment, and other various amenities. I want to briefly go over the history, current status, and future of Cars Land. After that, I will cover (nearly) every inch of Cars Land, with my own pictures and my best advice.

 

 

History

Cars Land officially broke ground July 8th, 2009 following the massive success of the Cars franchise, and opened to the public June 15th, 2012. It was built on the Timon parking lot, next to Bug’s Land and Paradise Pier. Originally Luigi’s Flying Tires was one of the 3 rides, but due to complaints and minor injuries, it closed down in February 2015 only to be replaced a year later by Luigi’s Rollickin’ Tires on March 7th, 2016. Radiator Springs Racers was clearly the star of the show, costing $200 million to create, which makes it the most expensive ride of the Disney Parks.

 

 

Current Status

Currently, Cars Land is a huge draw for tourists, helping to balance out park attendance between Disney California Adventure and Disneyland. The average wait time to it’s biggest draw, Radiator Springs Racers, is 86 minutes. But I have seen wait times reach 120 and even 180 minutes on a busy day!

 

 

Future Plans

There are talks of a possible Cars 4 movie to be released in 2021. This movie could reasonably bring some changes to Cars Land, such as a possible new ride and an increase in popularity/wait times. Between September 7th and October 31st, Cars Land will be given a Halloween makeover. All the rides will have a spooky kid-friendly twist with Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becoming Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becoming Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, and Radiator Springs Racers transforming into Radiator Screams.

Attractions

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

This is a spinning ride which resembles tow trucks participating in a square dance. In order to ride, participants must be at least 32 inches or 81 centimeters tall. This is a good ride to try if you don’t wish to wait very long, as wait times are generally pretty low. It reminds me of the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland (Disneyland), and 2-3 people can fit in each car.

 

 

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

This is the newest ride in Cars Land, opening in 2016 after it replaced Luigi’s Flying Tires. The ride embraces Italian culture as you ride in your car, participating in traditional Italian dances. It happens to be the first ride in Disneyland to utilize a trackless system. For now, the wait time for Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters slightly exceeds Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree because it is fairly newer.

 

 

Radiator Springs Racers

Consistently one of the busiest rides of the Disneyland Resorts, Radiator Springs Racers is no stranger to an extremely long line. This ride actually reaches speeds of about 40 miles per hour but it feels like it goes even faster than that. Each car can hold 6 passengers. Half of the ride is moderately slow, as you ride by Stanley’s Oasis, Ornament Valley, and Radiator Springs, until you get to a fork in the road. At that point, you will head to Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art. Lastly, you will race next to the car next to you at top speeds until one car beats the other at the finish line. (I always win 🙂 )

 

 

Characters

Officially, there are no live characters for a meet and greet. But in one of the official photo spots, Cars Land Character Experience, you can take pictures with car models of Mater and Lightning McQueen. Soooooo close enough!

 

Dining

Fillmore’s Taste-In

For the health nuts among us, this place is for you. I love this area, with it’s unique psychedelic style and beautiful colors. Fillmore’s Taste-In offers Assorted Whole Fruits, Assorted Chips, Pickles, Mini Babybel® Cheese 6-Pack, and Assorted Bottled Beverages. The prices range from $3.19 to $5.99. Full Menu Here

 

 

Cozy Cone Motel

The Cozy Cone Motel is all about puns. You can choose from Ice Cream Cones, Cone-Coctions, and Popcone amongst other tasty snack stations. The giant cones are very eye -catching! I appreciate the abundance of food stations in one spot because it tends to spread the crowd out. The wait times for food are pretty low because of this. The prices range from $2.99 to $11.99.   Full Menu Here

 

 

Flo’s V8 Cafe

This is the place to go if you want more of a genuine meal. There are breakfast plate offerings, shakes, and tasty desserts. Flo’s v8 Cafe is the only place in Cars Land where you can buy an alcoholic beverage, such as a Red Sangria or a Victory Prima Pilsner. What I particularly appreciate about Flo’s V8 Cafe is the menu offerings which are sensitive to those with food allergies such as Gluten, Wheat, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Tree Nut, and Soy. Full Menu Here

 

 

Photo Pass

I love Photo Pass! If you want to preserve your memories with the help of a professional photographer, you need to get Photo Pass. In Cars Land, there are 3 official spots where a Disneyland photographer will take your photo. They can take it with your phone/camera, or you can have them take your photo with theirs. The photo will appear on you Disneyland app usually within 30 minutes. If you purchase a Fast Pass, photos are included in that price. 

 

Cars Land Entrance

You can take a picture in front of the Cars Land sign that greets visitors as they arrive.

 

Cars Land Character Experience

Here, you can take a picture with Mater or Lightning McQueen! They frequently switch places throughout the day.

 

 

Route 66

At the start of Cars Land, you can a picture in the middle of the road with Route 66 as your backdrop.

 

 

Events/Live Entertainment

Dj’s Dance ‘n Drive

This is a daily dance party that happens in the middle of the road, Route 66, near Radiator Springs Racers. It features a colorful, animated car and women in 50’s/carhop-style dress and wigs, leading kids while they enjoy an impromptu oldies dance party. You can catch show times several times a day, usually in the afternoon.

 

 

Shops

Sarge’s Surplus Hut

Here, you can buy Cars apparel and merchandise. It happens to be a replica of the Sarge’s Hut seen in the Cars movie, and you can use your Annual Pass Discount here.

 

 

Radiator Springs Curios

Here you will find a big selection of Route 66 merchandise and various vintage-looking trinkets. From the outside, it looks like the type of charming place you would find on a long Southwestern road trip in the middle of nowhere. In the front, you will find an old-fashioned cooler with drinks inside. This store is modeled after the same shop owned by Lizzie, portrayed in the Cars movies. Annual Pass Discounts are available here.

 

 

Ramone’s House of Body Art

This building looks amazing lit up in neon lights, so it is worth visiting at night. Here, you will find a rockabilly vibe where you can purchase art and clothing. The inside reminds me of a car shop, if Disney did oil changes. Annual Pass Discounts are available here.

 

 

MaxPass

Love Disneyland Parks but hate the lines? I think we all do. MaxPass takes the stress out of waiting in line and allows you to plan your trip (somewhat) in advance. For $10 a day or $75 a year (if you already have an annual pass), you can not only take advantage of PhotoPass as previously mentioned, but you can skip to the front of the line with a FastPass. (FastPass+PhotoPass = MaxPass) For more information, click here.

Radiator Springs Racers

 

 

Scenic Photo Spot

Pictures do not do this site justice! Disneyland has deemed this location as a Disney Picture Spot but there is no official photographer here (just you!) It is located near Radiator Springs Racers.

Radiator Springs Picture Spot

 

Single Rider

If you don’t mind riding alone, Radiator Springs Racers allows you the option to ride by yourself. This is a strategic move if you want to save a lot of time from waiting in line, and you don’t mind riding with a stranger.

 

Radiator Springs Racers

 

Wifi

The following places provide free wifi!

Radiator Springs Racers

Flo’s V8 Cafe

Sarge’s Surplus Hut

 

Rider Switch 

According to Disneyland’s official website, Rider Switch is a, “…handy feature allows adult Guests to take turns waiting with youngsters or Guests unable to ride. If a Guest doesn’t meet the boarding requirements or doesn’t wish to experience a particular attraction, it’s not a problem for family and friends who do! With Rider Switch, one adult or supervising Guest (14 years or older) can wait with non-riders while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. Then, they simply switch roles to allow the supervising Guest to experience the attraction without waiting in the regular queue again.” Source

 

Radiator Springs Racers

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

 

The following are additional amenities that you can find in Cars Land for your convenience. 

ATM

Flo’s V8 Cafe

 

Restrooms/Companion Restrooms

Flo’s V8 Cafe Restrooms

 

Portable Phone Charging

Ramone’s House of Body Art

 

Mobile Food Ordering

Flo’s V8 Cafe

 

AED

Flo’s V8 Cafe

 

Drinking Fountain

Flo’s V8 Cafe

 

Guest Relations

Cars Land Kiosk

 

Services For Guests With Disabilities

Cars Land Kiosk

 

Helpful Links

• http://attractionsmagazine.com/halloween-disneyland-resort-2018/
• https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1651339/will-pixar-ever-do-cars-4
• https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/radiator-springs-racers/
• https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/07/today-in-disney-history-cars-land-groundbreaking/
• http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-disneyland-ride-wait-time/
• https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/rider-switch/

 

 

Have you ever been to Cars Land, or do you plan on going? Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

***PIN IT***