Cars Land ... Do they post the Neon Ceremony Time?

[ValpoCory]

I will be going in January, and I don't want to miss the Neon turn on ceremony at Cars Land. In fact, I'd like to just sort of "nonchalantly" have my kids show up a minute or two before the ceremony starts. Do they post the time anywhere. If so, where? If not, is the time predictable (30 minutes after sunset, etc.) or is it random depending on whenever a CM thinks it's time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

A CM told us it is usually about 5 minutes past sunset. Check for the sunset time on the dates of your visit (many hotels post it along with the weather on a page at the front desk), then go from there. We tested this a few times and found it to be a fairly accurate way to be on Rte. 66 in time for the lighting.

 

[momrek06]

OP, I have the "Highlights" for DCA (the Highlights are available at the turnstiles when you enter the Park where you get the DCA brochure) ..... on the back cover it states the following ......

"Cars Land Lighting"
Each evening as night falls over Cars Land, don't miss a special moment show casing the beautiful neon lights and views of Radiator Springs. Excellent viewing is available all along Route 66 at dusk.

So while DCA does not give you the exact time ..... right now it's just about 7pm. Obviously, it will be earlier come January.

HTH!

 

[bumbershoot]

No they don't. And the problem with judging by sunset or dusk is that when you're in a theme park with "mountains" and things all around you, you can't totally tell when "official" sunset starts, or when it's officially dusk.

A CM told us an exact time when asked. Thankfully I ran out of things to do in the meantime, and DS and I were there rather early (we're talking 20+ minutes, if I recall correctly). We walked in and boom, it started. If I'd been a couple minutes early, or on time for what the CM said, we would have missed it entirely.

And it still certainly seemed like daytime walking through DCA to CL at that time; looking at the sky, I would have expected it to be later that they started.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Latest score:

Times trying to catch the lights turning on: 3
Times they have turned on before I am there: 3

Lights: 3
Dreams: 0

Clearly what I think is dusk and what IS dusk is NOT the same.

Next time, those lights are MINE!

- Dreams

 

[theluckyrabbit]

@Bumbershoot:
That's interesting. Our CM looked it up for us and gave us the time. He did suggest that we arrive 5-10 minutes early, just to be safe. His time was accurate enough for us. But you are right that they seem to start the lighting before it gets fully dark. Maybe for safety reasons?
If you see the lighting on a Saturday evening, look for the swing dancers around Flo's. We've seen them wander over from the dance floor in DtD just for the Sh'boom song -- really fun to watch!

 

[mrswh]

When we were there over Labor Day weekend, the lighting was about 10 minutes after the official sunset. But - there is no set time, so it could be anywhere right around sunset. CMs do not know what the exact time is.

Also, the "ceremony" isn't really a ceremony. I was waiting for the "ceremony," and standing right next to Flo's, turned around to snap a few photos of the rock formations over RSR. I turned back around and the lights were on. Soooo . . . I'm not sure that nonchalant is the way to go. Apparently you really have to be paying attention.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Also, the "ceremony" isn't really a ceremony. I was waiting for the "ceremony," and standing right next to Flo's, turned around to snap a few photos of the rock formations over RSR. I turned back around and the lights were on. Soooo . . . I'm not sure that nonchalant is the way to go. Apparently you really have to be paying attention.

You're right that there is no formal ceremony or announcement, but it really isn't hard to miss. (The Cadillac Range really is beautiful, so I can understand how you got distracted!)
The "sign" for the lighting is that the lights on Rte. 66 dim/go dark, the Sh'boom song ("Life Could Be A Dream") comes on, then the neon lights start lighting up from the courthouse on down the street toward the Cars Land entrance. It only lasts a few minutes (basically, the length of the song).
There is not an exact time each night for this (it's not like Flag Retreat at DL, for example), but if you plan to be in CL about 10 minutes before and up to 10 or so minutes after sunset, you should hit the time just right. We usually use that time to get ice cream (Cozy Cones or Ghirardelli), find a spot on Rte. 66, and enjoy our treats and the lovely scenery while waiting.

 

[ValpoCory]

You're right that there is no formal ceremony or announcement, but it really isn't hard to miss. (The Cadillac Range really is beautiful, so I can understand how you got distracted!)
The "sign" for the lighting is that the lights on Rte. 66 dim/go dark, the Sh'boom song ("Life Could Be A Dream") comes on, then the neon lights start lighting up from the courthouse on down the street toward the Cars Land entrance. It only lasts a few minutes (basically, the length of the song).
There is not an exact time each night for this (it's not like Flag Retreat at DL, for example), but if you plan to be in CL about 10 minutes before and up to 10 or so minutes after sunset, you should hit the time just right. We usually use that time to get ice cream (Cozy Cones or Ghirardelli), find a spot on Rte. 66, and enjoy our treats and the lovely scenery while waiting.

Thanks all for the reports. Right before the Sh'boom song starts, does Lightning's voice come on and say "Is it getting dark out?" and then repeat the question?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks all for the reports. Right before the Sh'boom song starts, does Lightning's voice come on and say "Is it getting dark out?" and then repeat the question?

There is no announcement for the lighting, either by Lightning or anyone else. The CL loop will be playing as usual, then the loop will stop, the lights will dim/go out, and.... "Life could be a dream, life could be a dream..."! Ta Da!

 

[kayleigh83]

When we went in July I used this site to find the official sunset time. It seemed like this is what they used too, because after the time listed for the evening we made sure to be there, it was only 5-10 mins later that the neon ceremony started.

 

[pixiewings71]

There is literally NO warning or announcement of any kind, DD16 and I waited for a while just to be sure we caught it. I think we waited about 20 minutes. CMs we asked said they didn't know a time but rather it happened at dusk and it would be best for us to just stand and wait, so we did. Glad we did too, it was so cute. DD and I stood in the middle of Rte 66 and sang and danced while the lights came up.

 

[elaw]

There is literally NO warning or announcement of any kind, ... I waited for a while just to be sure we caught it. I think we waited about 20 minutes.

This has been my experience as well ... CL is nice enough that we dont mind just hanging out for a while .... you can always look for the painted hidden mickeys in the hoods located in the display windows of Ramones to keep yourself occupied in the meantime.

 

[ValpoCory]

There is no announcement for the lighting, either by Lightning or anyone else. The CL loop will be playing as usual, then the loop will stop, the lights will dim/go out, and.... "Life could be a dream, life could be a dream..."! Ta Da!

That's too bad. The back and forth between Lightning and Lizzie in the movie is very cute, and in my opinion would serve as a 10 second attention gathering technique to get everyone looking.

 

[pixiewings71]

This has been my experience as well ... CL is nice enough that we dont mind just hanging out for a while .... you can always look for the painted hidden mickeys in the hoods located in the display windows of Ramones to keep yourself occupied in the meantime.

Did you find them all? There was one we had problems with but we eventually found it, at least we think we did. LOL We waited down at the far end of the street, by Mater, we would have been OK had we waited up by Sarge's though. And I just got the biggest craving for some Dill Pickle Popcorn and a Grape drink from the last cone......*sigh* LOL

 

[theluckyrabbit]

That's too bad. The back and forth between Lightning and Lizzie in the movie is very cute, and in my opinion would serve as a 10 second attention gathering technique to get everyone looking.

I don't get the impression that Disney wants this lighting to be a big, formal deal. That's why there is no announcement or set time each day. Part of the fun for many people is being caught off guard by something cool. Hearing the "oohs" and "aaahs" rolling down Rte. 66 as the lights go on is really fun. Cars Land is not a large area, and Rte. 66 can get very congested. My guess is that Disney doesn't want to encourage people to park it (so to speak) and block the pathway for what is a very cute, cool, but short event.

Hope you enjoy it when you see it in January!

 

[disneychrista]

I looked at this on YouTube and is seemed very quick, like 30 seconds from first light to complete. Not something that I would go out of my way to be there for.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I looked at this on YouTube and is seemed very quick, like 30 seconds from first light to complete. Not something that I would go out of my way to be there for.

A lot of people don't even notice it. But for people who are into vintage cars and neon, not to mention into "Cars," it is a really fun moment. The Imagineers have captured that moment from Cars and brought it to life. Short, but cool!

 

[elaw]

Did you find them all? There was one we had problems with but we eventually found it, at least we think we did. LOL We waited down at the far end of the street, by Mater, we would have been OK had we waited up by Sarge's though. And I just got the biggest craving for some Dill Pickle Popcorn and a Grape drink from the last cone......*sigh* LOL

Yep ... finally got it .... had to confirm with the CM behind the counter in side the store. i took pics of all of them just to be sure.

 

[ValpoCory]

A lot of people don't even notice it. But for people who are into vintage cars and neon, not to mention into "Cars," it is a really fun moment. The Imagineers have captured that moment from Cars and brought it to life. Short, but cool!

Yep. We can't wait for this.