Carsland Neon Lighting

[SA mom]

FYI: Every evening in Carsland, they light the neons like in the movie with the song and everything. It is really neat. They time it around dusk and the last week of June they did it every night at 8:05pm.

 

[Fantasmik]

Thanks! Do you mean that they all just come on around dusk, or is there an actual lighting event?

 

[SA mom]

They start the Sha-boom song (Life Could Be a Dream) and the neons start turning on, one at a time. It is pretty special. People danced in the street and started cruising.

 

[jeanigor]

Thanks! Do you mean that they all just come on around dusk, or is there an actual lighting event?

It wasn't announced. And if it were less crowded and you weren't paying attention to what was going on, you probably wouldn't notice. You would just think it was natural that all the stuff lit up, because it was getting dark. Tip of the hat to subtle magic and grand detail.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks for letting us know. My kids love that song when it comes on in the movie, and I think being there for that would be a really magical moment for them (and me).

 

[KSDisneyDad]

How do you find out what time the lighting "ceremony" is if it's not announced?

We will be there this winter when it gets dark much earlier and we are looking forward to seeing the Neon.

 

[jeanigor]

How do you find out what time the lighting "ceremony" is if it's not announced?

We will be there this winter when it gets dark much earlier and we are looking forward to seeing the Neon.

We were told (because we knew it would happen, so we asked) 5 minutes after official sundown.

 

[pixiewings71]

Thank You!!!

 

[kayleigh83]

This sounds SO special! I looked it up and you can find sunset times here:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=783

I'm so excited, this actually works perfectly with the RideMax plans I've done up for our trip... on our second night there (on my boyfriend's birthday) we'll be in DCA right around 8 pm (sunset that day is 7:58) so I'm planning to head over there to see this!

 

[keahgirl8]

I will have to check that out! I've got be honest...I might cry!

 

[2boysmom1998]

Thanks for sharing. I wish I would have known that, we were there about a week ago and I would have loved to have seen that. Well, maybe next time. They should make that known to everyone.

 

[SA mom]

One of the photopass photographers told us about it and gave us hints on other great photo ops. Ask the cast members in the area because it changes.

 

[Paulakoala]

Its listed in the daily schedule.

 

[DisneytheKid]

FYI: Every evening in Carsland, they light the neons like in the movie with the song and everything. It is really neat. They time it around dusk and the last week of June they did it every night at 8:05pm.

Cool good to know!

 

[2boysmom1998]

Its listed in the daily schedule.

I didn't get a daily schedule this year w/ my map like I usually do. I didn't even think to pick one up. My fault.

 

[jessicaerv]

Oh, I truly love those special, magical Disney touches. I can't wait to see this next time I'm at DCA. My DD (2) and my favorite part of Cars is when the lights turn on and Sha-Boom starts playing. We sit together transfixed and watch with delight and wonder. And every time when Lightning is carted away, her trance breaks and she says "Now they turn the lights off..." with a tinge of sadness and regret. She is such an emoter!!

I will make a special detour just to watch this with her in October.

 

[kayleigh83]

^ So cute! I'd surprise her and not tell her it's going to happen, just let her see it begin! Imagine how excited she'll be!

 

[Leshaface]

Had to look it up on Youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP8wAFVEUcs

So excited! This is my favorite part of the movie and I always sing this song. So glad that they added this little ceremony into Cars Land!

 

[DLRfan31]

So what time should we be sure to be in CL to see the lighting ceremony?

We will be there mid October.

 

[GrandBob]

So what time should we be sure to be in CL to see the lighting ceremony?

We will be there mid October.

There was another thread on this topic, which pointed out that they do this right at the official sunset time. This surprises many people, because it's still very light out at sunset -- sunset is long before dusk.

Anyway, if you go here:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=783&month=10&year=2012&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

you can look up your dates and figure it out. It looks like, for middle of October, sunset is right around 6:15. I'd get there by 6:00 to be sure.

-Bob