Cars Land Preview!

We entered in the a lottery to preview Cars Land a few days early... We had four people enter and I won! But you could select up to six people to come with (if they had season passes) so we all got to go anyways!

We were allotted the 1-5pm time slot, so we hung in Disney for the first half of the day, and went over to Disney California for the second half. After a bit of confusion we realized they had put the wrong color wristbands on us (how were we supposed to know blue was morning and green was afternoon? We had to go get things straightened out, but we were able to get in line before our time slot.

They had us enter in the area between the restaurants in the Pacific Warf area (the food area with the Mexican restaurant, the Asian restaurant, and the bread-bowl place- side note they have added a Ghirardelli Chocolate store in this area!) As far as "entering Cars Land" this will be a side entrance, but it is an awesome way to go! Here are pics as you walk through this area:

I mean wow. Not only does it perfectly mimic the movie, but this desert area is so expansive it feel like you just stepped into the movie and can't even see the rest of Disney. It was quite the entrance!

We walked up and right there was Luigi's Tires! I think that some of the stores along the main road are in a different order than the movie, but everything looks so authentic you don't notice. Luigi's happens to look exactly like the movie. It is also one of the three new rides in Cars Land. It is a bumper car ride with a twist. It is a hover tire ride. Picture a tire shaped hockey puck on an air hockey table. Then throw in 3.5 ft beach balls. Right. Everyone starts out with a beach ball in their hands, and then when the cars start hovering you can throw your beach ball. (I keep typing breach ball.. labor on the mind i guess :)
  

No I didn't go on that ride.
Let me explain.

We went with Jeff and Shelly from Brian's work. They are some of our new hang out buddies and have a love/obsession with Disney that is equal to ours. This is our second trip to Disneyland together.
Jeff, Shelly and Brian wanted to make sure they got to ride the Radiator Springs Racers ride. There was only a 30 min wait when we got in, so they ran off (and took the camera with them) to go do that before exploring the rest of the land.

 Then the ride broke down. (Which is of course why they have preview days.)

But they stuck it out (nearly 2 hours) and were practically first on the ride after that! Preggo girls are not allowed, neither are short little boys, so Brad and I didn't go. But Brian raves that I will LOVE this ride! If I have time I'll post his movie later. But the cars inside are lifelike to the movie- with moving mouths, expressive eyes, and those unique cartoon "car movements" they have. It is similar to Test Track in Disney World, but this one ends with a race through the desert. Brian's car won.

In the mean time, Brad and I explored the rest of the land. But I only had my cell phone. So a toddler, a stroller and one hand to take pics didn't work out well. So I only have a few.

There are a variety of treats at the Cozy Cone, including drinks that come in "cone cups." The actual ones are cooler, with a built in handle and Cars Land sticker. It may be a $10 pop, but you will have a lifelong desk ornament boasting the awesomeness of Cars Land!

Other fun features were the Cars themselves! Mater and Lightning McQueen take turns driving out in front of the Cozy Cone for visits! They don't have the fully animitronic mouths, but their eyes move, they have hydraulics that make them bounce up and down, and they talk to you. Mostly they say funny lines from the movie, they don't say stuff like, "Hi giant pregnant girl in purple." Just, "Howdy there!" so yea. Brad LOVED meeting them.
We met Lightning first, there was no one around and we just walked up. But then Lightning started revving his engine and going up and down so Brad was a bit nervous at first. Hence no pic. But as soon as Lightning start talked Brad thought he was awesome and since no one was around he walked up and could touch him and take some pics with the disney pass. I'll have to find those pics sometime.

Then we went on Mater's junkyard jamboree, which is a souped up spinney ride.

The tractors are static, but the wagons swing around as the ride circles. It is a bit unique in that you don't actually go in a circle. You go along the outer edge of three circles and your wagon swings around as you exchange circles and change direction. Complicated mechanics, but really fun.

This was the first ride ever Brad was really nervous to go on. But as soon as we starting swaying around he was squealing with delight at every turn. The bonus about this ride is that it can hold A TON of people at once. We walked on this ride. After grand opening I bet all the rides will be crazy, so this line will move the quickest out of all three rides. It is worth going on a few times, for kids, it is pretty thrilling! It is pretty thrilling for highly preggo girls too and the older ladies across from us. It really swings your around!

After that we just walked around and visited each store. Eventually we gave up on ever eating with the rest of our party and went to Flo's V8 Cafe. I got a milkshake- very tasty.

 Brad got the kid's mac n cheese meal... pretty much cafeteria quality. Not really a surprise from Disney. Brian later reported his meal was of equal quality. But really, none of Disney's food is super great. Don't get me wrong, it is better than other amusement park foods, but still, not super great.

After our time was up we went to visit the new entrance to California Disney- Buena Vista Street!

It is very nice! Good shopping - finally- lockers, a trolley, and a breakfast/lunch place with a Starbucks and ice cream!


Lovin the new additions to California Disney!