Disney unveils new facts about Cars Land
By SARAH TULLY / The Orange County Register
Disney's Cars Land is meant to give visitors a feel of walking right into Radiator Springs, the town in the "Cars" movies.
And Disney is adding a lot of touches to bring the new 12-acre land to life when it officially opens June 15 at Disney California Adventure. Preview days for annual passholders, Disney fan club members and other guests will be held the weekend before.
When you walk into Route 66, you feel like youve stepped into this movie, but its real, said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure.
Last week, Disney gave a group of about 30 writers a sneak peek into Cars Land, including a food sampling at Flo's V8 Cafe. Disney officials also revealed some new details at a showcase and during interviews.
Here are some features of Cars Land:
During the summer, Disney California Adventure will begin opening early at the same time as
Disneyland, usually at 8 a.m. Early entrance into Cars Land will be allowed for some visitors.
The Mater and Lightning McQueen characters will move and talk, unlike the static cars that now are staged in Disney California Adventure. Mater and Lightning McQueen mostly will be based at the Cozy Cone Motel, but also will travel down Route 66.
Fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers, the largest ride, will be available outside Cars Land by It's Tough to Be a Bug theater.
Radiator Springs Racers will have 23 full-size, animatronic figures from the first "Cars" movie. The height requirement is 42 inches.
A neon lighting, including the illumination of the mountain range, will be held each night.
A popcorn bucket shaped like Lightning McQueen and a drink cup shaped like a Cozy Cone Motel will be sold at the motel food stands.
Flo's V8 Cafe is based on MidPoint Cafe in Texas, famous for its "ugly crust" pies.
Flo's has retro light fixtures, 1950s music and juke boxes by the cash registers. Checkered flags line the windows. Artwork includes mechanic licenses and a diagram of a healthy combustion chamber.
Flos has retro decor, including a starburst-like light fixture surrounded by fading pink and blue lights at the entrance. Jukeboxes sit by cash registers. Artwork includes mechanic licenses and a diagram of a healthy combustion chamber...
