Imagine Space Mountain with a 20-minute wait. How about queuing up for Indiana Jones for only a mere 15 minutes? Disneyland aficionados may have noticed the decrease in attraction wait times as a result of the grand unveiling of the much-hyped Cars Land, which opened on June 15, 2012. Now, you may be thinking... how is Disney California Adventure's Cars Land even related to Disneyland? The answer dwells in the valleys of Radiator Springs -- time to fuel up with a tank of gas and race on.
Cars Land is California Adventure Park's newest themed land and the proud home to three newborn attractions, three restaurants and a coterie of shops. Pixar devotees may rejoice in euphoria as Cars Land derives inspiration straight from the 2006 Disney and Pixar animated flick, Cars. Whether you are sleuthing for a slight adrenaline rush or prefer the comforts of a peacefully paced ride, Cars Land offers a menu of Disney-enhanced options to choose from. For those who are fervent fans of Walt Disney World's Test Track attraction, Cars Land's Radiator Spring Racers attraction is the West Coast equivalent of this adventurous ride, but with a Pixar essence. Guests embark into their ride vehicle and speed down sloping hills and edgy turns, all with a picturesque view of the realm of Radiator Springs. Other attraction siblings include Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, where guests hop onto the back of Mater's truck vehicle and are rotated in a spiral motion, and Luigi's Flying Tires, where guests enjoy seats in giant tires as they float around on a platform, with giant beach balls (Yes, that's right, feel free to soak up the freedom and throw around a beach ball or two!).
Disney food connoisseurs will be ecstatic to dine on Cars Land's meal conjurations. Sample the appetizing creations of Route 66 at Flo's V-8 Café, a quick service restaurant doling out diner-like options. Whether one is craving for turkey, strip loin or even the delectable Veggie Tater Bake (a fusion of vegetables and soy baked to perfection), Flo's will have a dish for everyone. "Radiator" pasta salad, roasted corn medley and cole slaw are just a few of Flo's side dishes. However, one of the most unique aspects of Flo's V-8 Café is the menu of sweet desires -- step right up and savor the first bite of Flo's Pie-O-Ramas, from the classic apple cheddar to chocolate mud. Thirst-quenchers come in the milkshake flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. If a lunch at Flo's is not on the schedule, sojourn over to the Cozy Cone Motel, where guests can consume popcorn, churro bites and breakfast egg scrambles straight from ice cream or bread cones.
I know what you are still thinking. How is Cars Land affecting the crowd levels at the beloved Land of the Big Cheese, otherwise known as Disneyland? Disney California Adventure Park has experienced a significant surge in attendance numbers due to the opening of Cars Land, diverting attention away from Disneyland. While you may be clocking in a three-hour wait for Radiator Spring Racers, you could also be accumulating a 15-minute wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over at Disneyland. Will you be driving along the route to discover Cars Land or basking in the peace at Disneyland?