To appreciate Cars Land

[JanetRose]

Is watching the movie Cars enough? Or does one need to also watch Cars 2?

 

[BecBennett]

I haven't seen carsland yet, but I would imagine just the one movie would be plenty.

I'm pretty sure there are probably other attractions throughout DLR and WDW where I haven't seen the movie, but still appreciate the attraction.

 

[Priory]

Cars 1 is fine. I believe the land is supposed to take place between the films. In fact I don't think there are any references to Cars 2 except maybe in Mater's queue.

 

[sonnyjane]

Blasphemy I know, but I haven't seen either Cars movie and still liked Carsland

 

[Eeee-va]

I believe there was a Mater short about the founding of Radiator Springs that might also be helpful...last I heard they were playing it in the Blue Sky Cellar, but I might just shell out the money to buy it digitally so I don't have to waste park time viewing it.

 

[Mel522]

I don't think either movie is necessary. You may not know who the characters are, or their history, but that isn't going to stop anyone from enjoying the rides and the scenery.

How many people that love Splash Mountain have actually seen Song of the South? You don't need to see the movie to enjoy the ride it inspires.

 

[sonnyjane]

How many people that love Splash Mountain have actually seen Song of the South? You don't need to see the movie to enjoy the ride it inspires.

Ooh good example!

 

[Buddyex]

the original Cars was set in Radiator springs and carsland is directly taken from locations seen in the movie, personally I think you'd get a lot more out of Carsland if you'd seen the movie, especially all the little touches that they've faithfully reproduced, especially on RSR. Cars 2 is set mostly on the international racing circuit primarily in Japan and Europe and doesn't really necessary have much to do with Carsland.

personally it's always struck me as strange that the original CARS was one of PIXAR's least succesful films at the box office but seems to have been their most successful merchandise/toy wise which seems to have been the driving force for the Sequel and Carsland at DCA

 

[Blue32]

Cars 2 was has been the only Pixar movie not worth watching IMO. I think alot of people feel this way. Cars was a pretty good movie and a movie all my family enjoys. It will be on the list to watch again before we arrive in November!

 

[T0rrent]

Cars 2 was has been the only Pixar movie not worth watching IMO. I think alot of people feel this way. Cars was a pretty good movie and a movie all my family enjoys. It will be on the list to watch again before we arrive in November!

I know i'm in the minority but I enjoyed Cars 2. Yes, it wasn't nearly as good as Cars but Pixar has really set the bar so high that any lower quality movie even if it's decent is pretty much considered a flop. I'd recommend watching it, just keep the expectations low.

 

[marcemc]

It is such a fun movie! Maybe you don't need to watch the movie to understand or like Carsland, but you will definitely appreciate the little details.

 

[DLRfan31]

I think if you watch Cars 1 you will definitely have fun going to Carsland and thinking WOW thats just like in the movie!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy CL without seeing either of the movies, but if you do, it will enhance it, kinda like reading a book and then watching the film. if they stick to the story, of course, and Carsland certainly did. You'll watch the movie, go to CL and see Radiator Springs and be in it and think OH YEAH! Flo's! Cozy Cone Motel! and on and on. Disney did a fab job with CL and cars is a very cute movie. Cars 2 I started to watch and only made it through about 10 minutes.

 

[ManusDei]

I know i'm in the minority but I enjoyed Cars 2. Yes, it wasn't nearly as good as Cars but Pixar has really set the bar so high that any lower quality movie even if it's decent is pretty much considered a flop. I'd recommend watching it, just keep the expectations low.

I'm with you, though it's probably because I'm a huge Pixar fan .

OP, as others have said, you don't *have* to watch Cars 1 to enjoy Cars Land but you will enjoy it more if you did. Cars Land is indeed set between the two films so you won't miss much by skipping Cars 2, at most, just a few sign references in Luigi's Flying Tires queue. But hey, if you have the time, Cars 2 is still a fun movie anyway

For SUPER full enjoyment of Cars Land , I do recommend watching two more things, if you have the time and means to watch them.

The first is the Cars Toon - Mater's Tall Tales shorts. They're a series of shorts in which Mater describes to Lightning the various different outrageous adventures he's had. All of them (except the most recent two) are referenced in Mater's Junkyard Jamboree across a big wall next to the queue. I get a kick out of that every time

The second thing, again if you have the time (you most definitely will have the means), is the latest of these shorts, Time Travel Mater. It is shown every few min in Blue Sky Cellar and it tells the tale of the founding of Radiator Springs. The stuff in there will be referenced on Radiator Springs Racers, and I'd recommend this one the most just because it's already there for you, and you'll recognize the stuff from it immediately.

Have fun in Cars Land!

 

[disneychrista]

Watching Cars will give you an appreciation for Carsland. My understanding is that Carsland is set between the original movie and Cars 2, so you will not need to watch Car 2.

But you can still enjoy rides and attractions without watching the movies. I doubt that most children have seen Wind & the Willows but still enjoy Mr. Toad. Or as was mentioned above, you can't even watch Song of the South (without much work) as it is not released in the US and won't likely ever be, yet Splash Mountain is still very popular.

 

[igomezkailua]

For some reason I was a little disappointed with Cars 2, I thought it was to cliche and unoriginal. I'm going to DL this month, and have to watch Cars, before we go up.. We just watched Wall-E last night, to bad the only reference is in WOC.

 

[pinksand]

I'm sure you'll enjoy CL without seeing either of the movies, but if you do, it will enhance it, kinda like reading a book and then watching the film.

I first saw Carsland when it opened in June. I hadn't seen the movie since it was in the theater, and I liked Carsland, but when we watched the first movie again and then went back to the park, it made a real difference. It really does feel like you're IN the movie. The theme is so elaborate, with great attention to detail and that had much more resonance to me with the film fresh in my mind.

Bottom line: I think you get a lot more out of Carsland if you watch the first movie before you go. Plus, it makes for some fun prep for your Disney trip!

 

[julieheyer]

I'm sure it'll still be fun even w/o the movie. But the first movie is full of the scenery whereas the second one isn't. I liked the 2nd one well enough, but the first one is more iconic and relevant for CL.

We own most of the Disney movies , so on our 6 hour drive to CA in Nov. we'll be doing 3 Disney movies . Planning to watch Cars, Toy Story (not sure which one, maybe the original ) and maybe Mickeys Very Merry Christmas medly? That's a good combo one to get us all psyched up for the Holiday decor. Not 100%, so ill probably bring a few other ones (Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Monsters Inc) just in case. Dh and I even enjoy listening to them from the front seat .

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't think either movie is necessary. You may not know who the characters are, or their history, but that isn't going to stop anyone from enjoying the rides and the scenery.

How many people that love Splash Mountain have actually seen Song of the South? You don't need to see the movie to enjoy the ride it inspires.

Well, my family has. We have the DVD and SotS is one of my favorite Disney movies. But my girls did love it before they saw the movie, it just makes more sense now.

I think Cars is fine though, I don't think you must watch Cars 2 to enjoy Carsland.

 

[Porturican]

Blasphemy I know, but I haven't seen either Cars movie and still liked Carsland

Me too! but i luv luv luvvvv carsland!