Nothing to See Here...

[Sherry E]

Hello, Michele, Bret, Laurie and Marie!!

And a big, big welcome to Minnie Sue Oz, who I don't think has posted in my TR before (but she has posted in the Christmas thread and Halloween thread)! Thank you for joining in!

Michele - I hope you enjoy the podcast!

Bret - Yes, we were there. We were in Cars Land when you arrived, so we never crossed paths!

Laurie - You have a lot to look forward to on your next DLR trip! I think you'll like the 2 new lands!

Marie - The TR title has only temporarily changed. It will go back to "Aunt Betty" when I am done with Cars Land!


Well, let's get crackin' on the photos, shall we? I'm just going to start whipping them out as fast as this computer will allow me to (meaning I will probably have to reboot 100 times in between rounds!).

Long story, short - Liza/funatdisney and I just decided to attend the Cars Land/Buena Vista Street preview a few days ago. I wanted to do the very first one open to non-Disney employees, and that was the 8 a.m.-1 p.m. slot for June 9th. It was only going to be a 4 hour preview, so I knew I had to hit the ground running and start snapping photos like a madwoman.

Doing the preview was an excellent idea, as the crowds were not oppressive. Sure, there were lots of excited people waiting to see all the new, wonderful stuff, but there was plenty of room to walk around and see things without people pushing and shoving.

I really have not even looked at the photos I took. I figure I will just look at them as I post them here!

While waiting in line to get into DCA, I amused myself by snapping photos of my surroundings....

And...finally, we are let inside!!! We were put in a holding area, facing this beautiful sight:

The lovely new fountain...

We'll get back to Buena Vista Street later...have to race to Cars Land! I am making my way through the Pacific Wharf area to get to Cars Land... Here's the new Ghirardelli ice cream/chocolate place (which we will also come back to later)...

​

Next up...my very first look at Cars Land!!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on...


Finally, I arrived at Cars Land. Liza and I had split up to conquer all aspects of the new lands, so her Cars Land/Buena Vista Street experience was probably a bit different from mine.

I have to tell you - I was not sure what to expect of this land. I have never been huge fan of "Cars" - not in the way I am a huge fan of the "Toy Story" movies - and I didn't know if a whole land devoted to this movie would hold any interest for me, or for women in general.

Fortunately, I was quick to discover that Cars Land is chock full of the wonderful Disney details (and humor) we have all come to love and expect. They did it right.

Almost instantly, when you walk into Cars Land, you are struck by the rock work and how well the whole thing was put together. This was my very first sight of Cars Land (below). Everyone around me either gasped or commented aloud, saying things such as "Oh wow..." I think we were all a little speechless. I soon realized that any doubts I had about liking this land would be cast aside, as I felt the corners of my mouth curling up to form the biggest smile. I was excited. I was thrilled to see a new land. I was happy that it looked like it was going to exceed my expectations on many levels. And I was anxious to start exploring!

Hey! Get out of my shot!

Thank you!

Instantly, the whimsical, pun-filled nature of the land becomes evident as you pass these roadside signs...

These are the Radiator Springs Racers!

(By the way, I'm not posting these in the way the phrases should be put together - I am just posting them in order of when I took the pictures, so you can get an idea of how I didn't know where to look first! You can see how my attention span was all over the place! When we are all done with this, I will go back and piece together the sentences on the signs for you!!)

Vroom vroom!

​

More from Radiator Springs and Route 66 when I return!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on with Cars Land...

Once you enter the main hub of the town of Radiator Springs, you are instantly hit with the urge to tap your feet and bop along to the assorted car, motor & driving-related songs blasting from speakers. Songs such as "Route 66," "Mustang Sally" and "Freeway of Love" - to name only a few - instantly set the stage and the theme. You feel as if you have stepped not only into the desert, but have also gone a bit back into time - to the 1950's or 1960's. The various retro props and materials used only enhance that feeling.

You'll notice that everything in this land is deliberately made to look rusty, dusty, worn and weathered...

This is on the pavement!

A trashcan!

More from Radiator Springs coming up!!! Woo hoo! We're on a roll!









​

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on...

Why do I have a feeling that this tower of tires will be decorated in colored lights for the holiday season?

​

Well, I think we're making good progress, aren't we? Lots of photos posted so far! And there is much, much more from Cars Land - and Buena Vista Street, and even Disneyland - to come!

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on...

This is actually a PhotoPass spot with Mater, but you can't really tell from this angle! And yes, he does 'talk' to people!

Look who's crusin' down the street! Yes, he is driving along!

Lots more to come!!! Stay tuned!





​

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on...

Bathrooms! For some reason I could get to the sign on the men's door, but not the women's door!

This CM literally stands in the entrance to Sarge's and waves his flags while shimmying around, for probably hours on end. I asked him if his arms ever get tired, and he said something about it being the Happiest Place on Earth, so no one gets tired...or something similar.

This light can be found at what I was secretly calling "The Hippie Stand"...

​

We are not even remotely close to being done, so hunker down and get comfy. We've got a looooong way to go!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Oh my word...............I don't think I have oohed and ahhed so much in such a short space of time! Your photo's are simply amazing Sherry and you were so right about the attention to detail........simply spectacular


I am so so glad you got to do this and share with us all.

Can't wait for the rest!!!

Oh, and thanks so much for the warm welcome!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing on...

Another trashcan!

​

Okay, I'm going to come back and post the last 10 or 11 photos in my Album #1 from yesterday (6/9/12). And then, tomorrow, we will start on Album #2!! As I told you, it's going to be a looooong ride through Cars Land, etc., so we won't be wrapping up for a while yet.

 

[Sherry E]

Minnie Sue Oz -

Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I'm very glad I got to do this as well. Even though I greatly prefer my Halloween and Christmas time trips to DLR over (almost) Summer trips, there was no way I could miss out on a chance to see 2 new lands ahead of the general public!

And again, thank you for joining me here as I plow through these photos. I am discovering what I took photos of as I post them here! I didn't look at them twice after I took them, so this is really my first time seeing them.

Yes, the details are really amazing, and very thorough. There's almost no corner of Cars Land that is left without some sort of cute joke or clever something-or-other.


Okay, so continuing on....these are the last few photos from the first album. Tomorrow morning I will move on to Album #2....

And look who is driving through town again! That Mater gets around!

I don't know what this picture was supposed to be, but obviously I missed the mark...

And, finally...Mater's, um, backside...which is a perfect way to 'end' tonight's installment of photos and end Album #1!!!

​

I don't really know what's in Album #2 since I have not looked at anything after taking the photos yesterday, but I can guarantee that whatever it is involves Cars Land!! I will see you all again tomorrow - please join me then for more photo fun from Radiator Springs!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Oh Sherry, these are wonderful....especially for those of us too far away to take advantage of the previews & such!! I didn't know you were going to one....but I'm sure glad you did because I know you will get me all sorts of pictures to drool over!!! I just love that Disney doesn't miss any details.....it's like stepping right into the movie and being transported to this tiny town.

Looking forward to the next set of pics!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

WOW!!!! I'm speachless....Good think I'm typing.

The attention to detail is astounding. I think I could spend days here just looking at the details. The cool retro signs, the trash cans, the themed rest room signs, the great flowers. I think one could explore for days.

I think it's great you were able to do the preview and spend a nice spot of time exploring. It makes me SOOooo homesick for DL. I've got to convince the men folk we NEED to go to DL next year.....

Can't wait for more!

 

[mariezp]

What a wonderful update! Everything looks fantastic. I cannot hardly wait until I get my chance to be walking through Radiator Springs. You took a wonderful assortment of photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh Sherry, these are wonderful....especially for those of us too far away to take advantage of the previews & such!! I didn't know you were going to one....but I'm sure glad you did because I know you will get me all sorts of pictures to drool over!!! I just love that Disney doesn't miss any details.....it's like stepping right into the movie and being transported to this tiny town.

Looking forward to the next set of pics!!!

Thank you so much, Laurie! Being an avid shutterbug yourself, I know you can appreciate a lot of photos!

Some folks don't want to see anything from the new lands yet, so that they will be surprised when they get there. I completely understand that - but you may not get back to DL until the Diva trip next year, and surely there will be Cars Land/Buena Vista Street photos all over the place by that time. So I suppose, in your case, it's good to just see whatever is out there now!

I actually took more photos in my 9 or 9.5 hours on Saturday than I did during the entire December 2011 holiday trip!! (which is very unlike me, in case there is anyone lurking out there who doesn't know how I am about going photo-crazy) That's how thrown off I was in December by my out-of-state friends being in town and then getting sick at DLR. I was not on my game! If I had been in my usual frenzied holiday picture mode, I would have done so much more during those 5 days in December.

In any case, yes, I think you will really enjoy both Cars Land and Buena Vista Street! Cars Land is so full of details and funny signs and things like that, while BVS is very elegant and classy and the details are very suited to that kind of style and decor. The costumes for BVS are just wonderful.

I can picture Cars Land getting both Halloween and Christmas decorations (if Disney is smart and plunks down the $$ for such a thing), and Buena Vista Street is perfect for a holiday makeover.

Liza and I both agreed that Cars Land and Buena Vista Street really help to round out DCA and make it seem more 'full' now, if that makes sense. I was also saying to Michele that, in the past, DCA seemed to have more reality-based lands (Condor Flats, Pacific Wharf, etc.) and not much in the way of fantasy-based lands (like A Bug's Land). Cars Land definitely fills that gap a bit by providing a good dose of fantasy and fun, while Buena Vista Street is like Main Street in that it definitely makes you feel as if you have stepped into a bygone era.

I was just kind of secretly/quietly considering doing the paid AP preview when I didn't get selected for the free preview. Liza was able to go too, so it worked out! Every now and then I like to pull a surprise trip out of my hat, though it is infrequent! I'm so glad I did the preview - there were lots of people, but there was plenty of room to walk around, see things and not feel trapped in huge crowds. After June 15th, I'm not sure what the crowds will be like, but it will be much busier than it was 2 days ago!

There will be lots more coming today!! We've only scratched the surface!

WOW!!!! I'm speachless....Good think I'm typing.

The attention to detail is astounding. I think I could spend days here just looking at the details. The cool retro signs, the trash cans, the themed rest room signs, the great flowers. I think one could explore for days.

I think it's great you were able to do the preview and spend a nice spot of time exploring. It makes me SOOooo homesick for DL. I've got to convince the men folk we NEED to go to DL next year.....

Can't wait for more!

Hi, TK! I'm happy you're enjoying everything so far! I've got so much more to post.

As many photos as I took, there was really so much more I could have done in Cars Land (for example, I didn't try any of the food in CL yet). And I definitely, definitely could have conquered more territory on Buena Vista Street.

But I did the best I could in the time I had, and I even made it over to Disneyland for a very brief round of photos!! Plus, I ate a yummy sundae at Ghirardelli and I got to see Jessica/Belle Ella for a while, which was nice (she works at DCA now, so she lives nearby and can pop over to see people on her off days).

I think Liza and I both really enjoyed the 2 new lands in different ways - we split up to cover more ground, so her whole experience with CL and BVS may have been different than mine. I wonder if the same things caught our eyes when we were taking pictures!

The attention to detail is really very astounding, as you said. From the cracks in the ground to the oil stains; the chrome and copper; the retro gas station and neon signs; the clever Cars puns all over the place - it's really thorough! Just walking into the land and seeing the extensive work on the (faux) red rocks kind of takes you aback for a moment!

Where is deejdigsdis in all of this? Deej...where arrrrrrrrreeeee yooooooouuuuu? New photos to be seen!!!

There will be much more coming today!

What a wonderful update! Everything looks fantastic. I cannot hardly wait until I get my chance to be walking through Radiator Springs. You took a wonderful assortment of photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Thank you so much, Marie!

It really is all fantastic. I think Disney did a really good job with this expansion/re-imagining!

I think you will enjoy both Cars Land and Buena Vista Street - each land is totally unique and 180 degrees different from the other one, but they are both wonderful in their own ways!

There are more photos coming up, so don't stray too far away!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am so excited for you that you went to the preview on Saturday with Liza. It would have been nice if we crossed paths at the preview. When you exited CL, what exit did you and Liza took. I was at the ABL entrance to CL while the other one was at Pacific Wharf.

I am just relaxing in the hotel after a nice morning at the parks. I am enjoying all of your pics from your preview on Saturday. I am still trying to load all my pics from Saturday afternoon preview. There is pics from last night and that was even better then the afternoon. I believe around 8pm, CL started to light up just like in the movie with the "Life is a Dream" music playing during that time. I have videotaped at that time so I will have to remember to upload it to youtube.

As expected that you got even the littlest details in your pics at CL.

Glad that you had a great time at the preview and can't wait to see more. I should be thinking of going back to the DLR while I am here in SoCal.

 

[Chereya]

Thanks so much for posting all these pics Sherry! I follow your Halloween thread and saw the post there to see the new pics here! I can't wait to show my kids the new Cars Land pics after school! My middle son just looooves Cars and he'll be super excited! Our next trip in the works will be our first that's not during Halloween time April 2013!

 

[I'm mikey]

Wonderful pics Sherry, loving all the little detail pics.

 

[Disluvney]

Hi Sherry,

Joining you from the Halloween Thread (thanks for plugging the your Cars Land Mania thread). Great photos! Love them

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Fantastic photos! I can't wait to see it all in October!

 

[Sherry E]

I am so excited for you that you went to the preview on Saturday with Liza. It would have been nice if we crossed paths at the preview. When you exited CL, what exit did you and Liza took. I was at the ABL entrance to CL while the other one was at Pacific Wharf.

I am just relaxing in the hotel after a nice morning at the parks. I am enjoying all of your pics from your preview on Saturday. I am still trying to load all my pics from Saturday afternoon preview. There is pics from last night and that was even better then the afternoon. I believe around 8pm, CL started to light up just like in the movie with the "Life is a Dream" music playing during that time. I have videotaped at that time so I will have to remember to upload it to youtube.

As expected that you got even the littlest details in your pics at CL.

Glad that you had a great time at the preview and can't wait to see more. I should be thinking of going back to the DLR while I am here in SoCal.

Bret -

Thank you! I did have a great time at the preview - and even though we had to pay for it, wouldn't you say it was a very good idea to do the preview? I was afraid I would regret spending the money, but I think it was a great way to go. It was not too crowded. There was lots of room to move around and get to the little tucked away areas for photos. We could actually see the details in everything, whereas on a crowded day in the middle of Summer that might not be the case.

Liza and I split up in CL so we could each go off and take photos. She exited CL and went to BVS before I did. I'm not sure which way she left CL, but I left through the Pacific Wharf exit. Then we went to eat at Taste Pilots Grill, we looked around on Buena Vista Street a bit more, we went to Ghirardelli for sundaes and finally we briefly met up with Jessica/Belle Ella. Then Liza had to go over to Disneyland and get a pin or something, so I wandered around a bit in DL. Finally we went home.

I saw the pictures you have posted so far - I love the RSR pictures. That was one area I did not get into, because I didn't go on the ride. Liza did go on it, however. She really liked it.

I can totally imagine that Cars Land at night is a whole different experience from what it is in the daytime. When all the neon is lit up, it must look really great. Actually, I would bet that BVS at night is really pretty. We should have stayed one more hour in DL on Saturday, and we probably could have caught the lights going on in BVS!

Thanks so much for posting all these pics Sherry! I follow your Halloween thread and saw the post there to see the new pics here! I can't wait to show my kids the new Cars Land pics after school! My middle son just looooves Cars and he'll be super excited! Our next trip in the works will be our first that's not during Halloween time April 2013!

Chereya -

Hello and welcome! I'm glad someone saw the post in the Halloween Thread. I know we're all waiting on those pesky Mickey's Halloween Party tickets to go on sale, so I wasn't sure if anyone was paying attention to anything else! But I figured that Cars Land and Buena Vista Street were important enough news items that I should mention it!

If your son loves Cars, he will looooove Cars Land. I'm not even a big "Cars" fan in the way that I am a fan of other Pixar movies, but I think this land is so well done and soooo detailed (like I would want every land in a Disney park to be) that I can overlook the fact that I am not that excited by the movie and still enjoy it. It's a fun land, no question about it - there are a lot of fun things to see; some of the food looks interesting (even though I didn't eat any of it yet); the music blasting from the speakers really sets the tone; and there is some cool merchandise in both Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street.

Wonderful pics Sherry, loving all the little detail pics.

Thank you, I'm mikey! Good to see you over here! I tend to hone in small details on lands and window displays and things like that. So Cars Land is the perfect place to find a lot of them!

Hi Sherry,

Joining you from the Halloween Thread (thanks for plugging the your Cars Land Mania thread). Great photos! Love them

Hello, Disluvney!

Welcome! Thank you so much. Yay - another person who caught the reference in the Halloween thread! I wonder what happened to my Christmas thread peeps?

There will be more photos coming. I have Album #2 open right now, and will begin with that.

Fantastic photos! I can't wait to see it all in October!

Thank you, Shannon - and welcome! I am just about to start posting another bunch of pictures.

I really hope that DCA gets back into the Halloween spirit now that all the work is done. But even if it doesn't, you'll still have 2 new wonderful lands to see during your October trip!!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay - time to start making my way through Album #2!

Again, as I mentioned yesterday about Album #1, I haven't really looked at these photos since I took them on Saturday, so I don't know exactly what I took pictures of and how good or bad the photos are.

What I do know is that a few of my favorite things in Cars Land have not come up yet. One of the things I love is Mater's Petting Zoo, and you've already seen that. But there are a couple of other little details and special touches that I am anxious to show you!

So here we go, back to Radiator Springs...

I'm not sure if this flower bed will grow out and become fuller over time, or if it is intended to look sort of 'thin,' as a flower bed in the desert might look. There are so many deliberately weathered and worn details around this land that it's hard to tell!...

Okay, these roadside signs are among my favorite little touches - a great way to connect the Cars to the Bugs!

Lightning was moving through town, but I was so fixated on the Bug's Land signs that I didn't notice him until a CM came over to me and asked me to move to the other side of the road to get out of Lightning's way (I guess they have to clear one side of the road when these vehicles move along). The problem was, because Lightning was fast approaching, the CM wanted me to run out in front of Lightning to get to the other side, which didn't seem to be the most responsible way to go about it. The car was coming along - just a few feet away - and he'd rather I ran out front of it and across the road than just stay where I was! Odd...

This is the Luigi's Flying Tires ride - notice the flags and umbrellas surrounding this ride are the colors of Italy....

Back at the tower of tires again...I tell you, it is just asking for Christmas lights to be strung on it!

​

Back with more in a second....lots more to plow through!