Category: Disney California Adventure

At first glance, the opening of Disney California Adventure Park’s newest ride, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, may not seem like a groundbreaking event, and certainly not an “American Ride Revolution.” It is, after all, the successor of the under-performing Luigi’s Flying Tires – a ride that, in the eyes of the public, just wouldn’t float.

“Roadsters” may appear to be a mere bagatelle: a mid-level carnival caper. But the carefree, dancing, cartoonish Italian cars belie a powerful digital program, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. Disney Parks, and likely to control much of the next generation of theme park attractions.

As you can see from the pictures and videos, the ride operates without a track. Instead, a system akin to GPS (but not actually GPS), positions the little Italian cars as they dance, spin, and do-si-doe to unheard and unseen instructions as if by… um, fiat. The vehicles make their moves across a mostly featureless concrete surface, on the former footprint of a ride that once used beach balls to distract guests from its inaction.

Trackless ride systems do exist in offshore Disney Parks, including Pooh’s Honey Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, Aquatopia at Tokyo DisneySea, Ratatouille at Walt Disney Studios Paris, and Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. Pooh’s Honey Hunt, a traditional dark-ride with ride vehicles that also can’t resist a chance to dance, was the first, debuting over a dozen years ago.

Possibly as interesting as the high-tech choreography, is the charging system that keeps the ride rollicking through long operational days. The final dance move is where cars take turns positioning over a nondescript round metal plate, where they nest, plug in, and remain for the roughly two minute unload/load cycle. This short respite is apparently all they need to get through a few sets. (Editor’s note:  Although speculation on the Internet has hypothesized an induction charging system (like that used at Universe of Energy), this charging system is most definitely not induction.  Careful observation reveals the contact points that make an electrical connection while the cars are stationary.)

The result is a pleasant family attraction akin to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. A suitable supporting player to the headlining Radiator Springs Racers on the Cars Land slate.

Bothans relate that the becoming Star Wars areas at Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios will use similar trackless tech in a “chase ride” featuring the First Order and the Resistance.

It’s back! The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival begins April 1, taking place for the first time since the expansion of the park began several years ago.

This month-long festival, taking place during weekends in April, will celebrate some of the best of delicious California cuisine. A distinguishing feature will be new Festival Marketplaces, where guests can sip and savor delicious flavors from throughout the state of California. The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will also include culinary demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs and informative seminars.

Disney will have more information to share soon, including how you can reserve your seat at the premium experiences taking place during the festival. Mark your calendar now for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, weekends beginning April 1 at Disney California Adventure park, ending May 1st, 2016.

Alice Through the Looking Glass is hitting theaters soon, but for some reason the Mad T Party at Disney California Adventure is ending 2 months before the release of the new film.

The Mad T Party replaced ElecTRONica in 2011 in the Hollywood Land section of the park and has run intermittently over the last 5 years. The event is shutting down to make way for the month-long Food and Wine Festival announced earlier today, which will likely use some of the empty soundstage buildings and other venues in that section of the park.

No new party-type-event is expected to replace Mad T Party this Summer and this will be the first time such an event has not been held in the park since Glow Fest premiered in the summer of 2010.

The Mad T Party will come to a close at Disney California Adventure park on March 30, 2016. The Rabbit Hole will be open on weekends through March 13 and nightly March 18-30.

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will open at Disney California Adventure on March 7th, 2016!

In this all-new attraction, Luigi will turn the tire storage yard behind his Casa Della Tires into a dance floor. Cars Land guests will be able to ride along with Luigi’s cousins as they move and spin to upbeat Italian music, performing the traditional dances of their hometown village.

Each dancing car will have its own high-spirited personality and signature dance moves, with 18 different ride profiles and the ability of each car to switch between several of the different ride profiles during each and every song. The attraction marks a major milestone for the Disneyland Resort as it is their very first trackless ride system.

Check out this video of the attraction in action as Imagineering talks more about what this new ride is capable of:

In just one month, Disney California Adventure park will be transforming for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, taking place weekends during the month of April. Today, Disney released info on chef demonstrations, seminars, celebrity chef appearances and more.

Culinary Demonstrations featuring some of the best chefs in the industry, including some of your favorites from the Disneyland Resort, will take place on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land. Don’t miss your chance to learn a new technique during these 30-minute complimentary presentations. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early.

Conducted in the relaxing setting of the Sonoma Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery, Beverage Seminars are fun and informative; sure to quench your thirst for knowledge about wine, beer and spirits. The 45-minute seminars include up to 3 tastings. Cost is $15 per person plus tax.

Stage 17 in Hollywood Land will be host to the Celebrity Kitchen. See some of the biggest names of the culinary world, including superstar chefs Guy Fieri, Graham Elliot, Claudia Sandoval, Robert Irvine and Disneyland Resort Signature Dining Chef Andrew Sutton, as they share tips, treasured recipes and behind-the-scenes-stories while they show you how to create their personal favorite dishes. An autograph signing will follow each chef appearance. Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Special Tip: Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders have the opportunity to enjoy a special Celebrity Kitchen VIP Experience, which includes premium seating, priority access for the autograph session, plus a special gift. Cost is $149 plus tax and gratuity.

Beyond the Kitchen: Lifestyle Seminars celebrate springtime in beautiful California. Held in Hollywood Land, these seminars are an opportunity to learn more about exciting topics including gardening, horticulture and health & wellness.

Reservations for Beverage Seminars and Celebrity Kitchen experiences can be made by clicking here.