Disney’s Cars Land opens on June 15, 2012 at Disney California Adventures and hundreds of people camped out on Thursday night just to be the first people into the new theme park.
As part of a five-year expansion of the Anaheim, California theme park, Disney poured an estimated $1.1 billion dollars into the new 12-acre Cars Land.
Cars Land, which features animatronic characters, themed restaurants, shops and three rides including the Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Flying Tires.
Cars Land’s best ride is Radiator Springs Racers says Tony Hicks of MercuryNews. “The concept is simple: Get into your race car, encounter a few of Radiator Springs’ more colorful characters while going to town to get some new tires, then blast off against another car, racing around the mountains above town, screaming all the way. It combines thrill and concept the way Splash Mountain does – only you don’t get your hair wet.”
Along with Cars Land opening on June 15, other changes at Disneyland will be revealed too. Including the addition of Buena Vista Street, the new entrance to the theme park and a nostalgic look at Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s, when Walt Disney arrived after getting off a train from Kansas City with a suitcase and $40.
Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said they expect Cars Land to be popular, “We know that in Southern California and particularly in Orange County, we have a lot of annual passholders who have been anticipating this for five years, just like we have.”
Unfortunate part, ticket prices to Disneyland will go up due to all the new expansions. Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider says, “Ticket prices are up because Disney expects this (remodeled California Adventure) to be wildly popular. Demand will justify the higher price.”
Also, traffic will be crazy during Cars Land opening weekend. The transportation authority is urging residents to use public transit to avoid the thick traffic that is expected on the 5, 57 and 91 freeways in the Anaheim area. Not only is it Cars Land opening, but other events will be taking place in Orange County.
Ted Nguyen, a spokesman for the Orange County Transportation Authority says, “With all these different events happening all weekend long, and with their tight proximity to each other, there are going to be impacts. Anyone traveling to Anaheim for these events should plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get there. People understand that they’re living in Southern California, and traffic is always an issue.”
Cars Land at Disney California Adventure
Guests will feel as if they have stepped into the town of Radiator Springs as they enjoy three family attractions showcasing characters and settings from the movie, plus “Cars”-themed dining and shopping locations such as Flo’s V8 Café, Ramone’s House of Body Art and Radiator Springs Curios.
One of the largest and most elaborate attractions ever created for a Disney park, Radiator Springs Racers is a twisting, turning, high-speed adventure through Ornament Valley and the town of Radiator Springs. Luigi’s Flying Tires invites guests to glide on air aboard special tires, whirling around with their pals. At Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, guests will whip around behind a baby tractor and enjoy tunes from a giant jukebox built from Mater’s most prized possessions.
