Grand Opening DCA Hours of Operations

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

Since Disney Parks Blog readers are among the most loyal Disney Parks fans, we wanted to give you this special heads-up. If you are planning to join us at Disney California Adventure park when it reopens on Friday, June 15, please remember the following:

  • Disney California Adventure park opens at 9 a.m. on June 15; Disneyland park opens at 8 a.m. on June 15.
  • The early arrival queue will open to guests on Disneyland Resort property at 11 p.m. on June 14.
  • Parking will be available in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, and standard parking rates will apply.
  • A select amount of wristbands will be distributed to guests who are waiting in line to maintain the order of arrival. All guests in line will be able to leave the line to use the restroom, purchase food or beverages, and return or retrieve items from their vehicles/hotel rooms until 6 a.m. on June 15.
  • Portions of the early arrival queue will be located beyond the guest screening checkpoints, beyond which certain items will not be permitted. Be sure to check the list of prohibited items here.
  • Restrooms and ticket booths will be available to guests in the queue.
  • The following Downtown Disney District locations will offer extended operating hours on June 14-15:

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog tonight, Wednesday, June 13, at 8 p.m. PT for a LIVE webcast of the Cars Land Media Event! And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for complete coverage of all events this week at Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Video: An In-Depth Look at Radiator Springs Racers

 

Cars Land last night held its grand opening ceremony for media and invited guests and all the attractions and food locations were open. We will have videos of all new attractions and locations in Cars Land up within the next few days. First video we have is a full ride through of Radiator Springs Racers including a full walk through of the queue, the two variations of the car “alteration” scene, and two angles of the thrilling race to the finish line.

 

Cars Land at Night

From Paul Hiffmeyer of Disney Parks Blog:

As construction wraps up in Cars Land, parts of the land gradually become “ready for their close-up.” And that’s when we can get to work on taking photos of what this amazing place will actually look like when it welcomes its first Disney California Adventure park guests on June 15.

Last month, I was able to share some of the first photos of Cars Land as it will be seen once the sun goes down, and today I’m pleased to be able to share a few more to help tell the whole story out in Radiator Springs.

So, cue the “Sh-Boom” song and let’s have a look!

Flo’s V8 Cafe is simply irresistible. And Ramone’s House of Body Art adds even more color to every shot. You won’t believe your eyes (or your lens!).

As pleased as I am with how these shots turned out, I have to tell you, nothing compares with actually standing on Route 66 surrounded by this beautiful neon with that incredible mountain range in the distance. And one piece of advice: Bring your camera!

Tim Alcoser’s 5/22/12 DLR Photo Report

Lots of cool stuff happening at the Resort today. We start with Carsland. I was able to catch a live commercial recording of the upcoming Carsland Commercial that will be hitting a local TV station near you soon! I wonder if they were all background actors? They watered down the roadway to make it look more dark for the cameras. There was everything from toddlers in strollers to old couples strolling Route 66. There are also new updates to the Mad T Party. I have to admit, it is looking fairly decent, and Disney has some creative people working on the sets. Moving over to Disneyland, you will see even more Memorial Day decorations, especially on Main Street USA. I take a stroll by Disney-Pixar’s Brave Merida Meet and Greet. Although Merida had packed up and went home for the night, you can see the entire set. They were also testing the new bobsled cars on the Mattehorn today. Also, there are some new pictures of the Monorail and a few extra pics of Pixie Hollow and The Teacups. Enjoy:

Take a good look.  This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

Take a good look. This scene is coming to a Disney Resort Carsland Commercial on a TV Station Channel near you!

A few remaining columns from Epcot’s World of Motion in the backlot

Interesting...plastic?...uhh...furniture?

Interesting…plastic? Ummm… furniture?

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright.

I hope the lanterns are lit up bright

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The inside of one of the lanterns.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

The teacup seems to simply be another space for a band member.

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

Is this where Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the bouncers) are going to stand?

A scrim was placed over Carnation Cafe as it nears completion

The Brave meet and greet with Merida opened up

The area has been decorated quite a bit

Can you spot the new Matterhorn Coaster cars?

Can you spot the new Matterhorn boblseds?

A shot of the new Monorail updates!  Can you guess what the name of this one is?

A shot of one of the new Cars monorails! Can you guess what the name of this one is?

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue light!

The waterfalls now are basked in a brilliant blue LED light!

Thanks for reading!

McQueen & Mater visit Cars Land

From Paul Hiffmeyer of Disney Parks Blog:

Continuing my Cars Land road trip with Lightning and Mater, I caught up with them over by Radiator Springs Racers. This stretch of road has one of the best views of Ornament Valley – and it’s a great place to set a spell and watch some racing.

Then I caught up with Mater outside Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree where I think he had hoped to find a hidden Mickey, but apparently he never saw one. Oh well. Keep looking, Mater.

Max Guggenheim 5/26/12 DLR Photo Report

Max gets some shots of the progress on Matterhorn, Buena Vista Street, and Cars Land. We also get to see the new Mad T Party Merchandise, stunning shots of Carthay Circle Theatre & the new fountain. As we near DCA’s summer openings things are wrapping up.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Still working on the Blue Ribbon Bakery.

The Penny Arcade is looking beautiful.

Loving the Americana decorations along Main Street!

The Shooting Gallery has reopened.

Amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do.

Weathervane atop Village Haus.

More Fantasyland weathervanes.

Above Peter Pan’s Flight.

Will they be taking the turnstiles out for good? Or are these a new set coming in???

Bright colors on the ride vehicles.

New LED menus at Tomorrowland Terrace

Work has begun in Carnation Gardens

Some of the progress on Buena Vista Street.

Oswald’s Gas Station

The front of Five & Dime coming along nicely.

Looking down Buena Vista Street towards the Carthay Circle Theatre.

The bridge looks great!

Loving the tile benches.

The walls around the Carthay Circle Theater and around the Carthay Circle Fountain recently came down

The front of the Fiddler, Fifer, and Pratical Cafe

The Carthay Circle Theatre is finally open and it looks amazing! Plus the fountain adds a bit of old Hollywoodland charm.

Side of FFP and Clarabell’s

Looking a little more right

No statue yet

This is beautiful tile.

Opening is just around the corner, looks like there is still plenty of work to do.

Hard to believe there was ever an elephant atop those red pillars.

Mad T Party merchandise.

The Mad T Party “soft opened” last Saturday

Um… psychedelic furniture?

All the change in the back here yet the Bountiful Valley Farms truck remains

Let’s head back down the street

Detail in Hollywoodland.

Beautiful tile on the Carthay Circle

A merchandise cart with a whole bunch of new DCA goodies

Junkyard Jamboree is testing daily now with cast members

Looks done

Soon, these postcards will be gone

Side of Cars Land facing Pacific Wharf

Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory opens on June 5th

Trees planted on the pathway from Pacific Wharf to Cars Land

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree!

One more look at Buena Vista Street

LaBrea Bakery fresh new look is open for business.

Thanks for reading!

Character Updates in DCA

From Shawn Slater of the Disney Parks Blog:

When it’s officially reopened on June 15, Disney California Adventure park will feature even more Disney than ever before, with our famous cast of characters making special appearances in delightful new entertainment offerings.

Down on Buena Vista Street, it’s the 1920s and 1930s, and you may run into those young upstarts, Chip ‘n’ Dale, who are looking pretty snazzy in spiffy period outfits. Goofy’s got a plaid suit that’s the “cat’s pajamas,” while a new fella named Mickey Mouse has just arrived in town, hoping to make his dreams come true just like his pal, Walt Disney. He might even join the Red Car News Boys for a song and get discovered in the process.

In Hollywood Land, you can kick it Disney-style as “Dancin’ with Disney” takes over Stage 17, inviting you to join some of your favorite characters in a fun-filled, interactive party. From 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. each day this summer, you can step inside for music videos, trivia and surprise character appearances. You never know who might show up!

Over at Paradise Park, the inimitable Goofy becomes maestro extraordinaire, as he dons his topcoat and tails to lead an invisible orchestra during several daily mini-concerts. As he conducts, the fountains of Paradise Bay begin to “dance” to the music, providing dramatic – and often comic – interpretations of the compositions.

Of course, on a visit to the all-new Cars Land, you may just cross paths with two of Radiator Springs’ most famous residents, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Throughout the day, these best pals will be driving through town to the Cozy Cone Motel to make a few new friends.

With all this, plus the return of the Pixar Play Parade and continuing favorites like “Phineas & Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party,” “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” and Wilderness Explorers Dug and Russell at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Disney California Adventure park is shaping up to be a Disney character fan’s paradise!

“The Radiator Springs Historical Society’s Museum of the History of Radiator Springs” Coming To The Blue Sky Cellar

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

“The
On June 8, the Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure park will host a brand-new exhibit: The Radiator Springs Historical Society’s Museum of the History of Radiator Springs. This is your chance to learn all about the history of Radiator Springs as we get ready for the arrival of its famous residents in Cars Land on June 15!

According to Sally Carerra, president of the Radiator Springs Historical Society, “The items in this museum have been kindly donated by dear friends and neighbors, the residents of Radiator Springs.” So be sure to stop by Blue Sky Cellar for your Radiator Springs history lesson before you motor around the corner to Cars Land!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for the latest on the expansion of Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Get Your Cars Land And Buena Vista Street Opening Day Merchandise On June 15th

From Michelle Harker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Can you feel the excitement in the air? I know I can! Buena Vista Street, Cars Land, Mad T Party and of course, our all new merchandise locations … The big day is almost here! For those of you amazing Disney Parks fans out there wondering if there will be any limited-edition commemorative merchandise available as part of this historic Disney milestone … well, you can bank on it! Here’s your first look at some of the key collections and special merchandise offerings debuting June 15 at the Disney Animation Building in Disney California Adventure park.

Special Merchandise Offerings Debuting June 15 at Disney California Adventure Park
Created specifically for the Grand Reopening, this retro-inspired graphic, with its tonal color, captures the magnificent additions and classic icons of Disney California Adventure park. You’ll find this art on a selection of items including tees, a hat, tote, watch, tumbler and coins.

Tip: Keep an eye out for a special Greetings From Radiator Springs postal cancellation postcard. A quick pick to commemorate the day.

If pins and Vinylmation are what you are after, then this is the place to go. There are approximately 17 different pin items available, most limited editions, including a jumbo pin, sculpture, framed set and a limited-release mystery set. Three Vinylmation will also debut including the limited-edition 9-inch Buena Vista Street and 9-inch Radiator Springs Racers and the limited-release 3-inch Red Car Trolley Grand Opening.

Special Merchandise Offerings Debuting June 15 at Disney California Adventure ParkSpecial Merchandise Offerings Debuting June 15 at Disney California Adventure ParkSpecial Merchandise Offerings Debuting June 15 at Disney California Adventure Park
Passholders, take note, there’s special merchandise just for you, too. Themed to Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, you’ll find tees, a fleece, pins and commemorative coins, along with a specially created Storytellers tile.

For a complete look at all of these items, check out this special Merchandise Catalog.

So how does it work?

  • Items featured in the Merchandise Catalog will be available at the Animation Building (a special one-day shopping venue) on June 15. Operating hours will vary.
  • The catalog, along with the location, is broken up into “Zones” including Commemorative Dated Collection, Annual Passholder Collection, Pins and Vinylmation. So once you’re inside the venue, pick and choose which area you want to go to first!

For more details be sure to visit www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.

 

Landmarks of Cars Land

From Disneyland News:

Fun Facts: Cars Land Re-creates Radiator Springs with Familiar Landmarks for Disney California Adventure Park Guests

It’s like stepping right into the “Cars” movie!  Route 66 leads guests at Disney California Adventure Park into Cars Land, a fully detailed, immersive re-creation of Radiator Springs, the setting for the hit Disney●Pixar animated film “Cars.” Guests will be awed by the panoramic vistas of Ornament Valley, experience the thrills of three new attractions and even get to interact with some of their favorite fuel-driven friends.

The debut of Cars Land marks the completion of a five-year expansion at Disney California Adventure, bringing more characters, more adventures and more Disney magic into the park, both day and night.

Get your kicks in Radiator Springs

  • The re-creation of Radiator Springs captures the authentic feel of Route 66 with three-dimensional versions of familiar landmarks from the film, including Cadillac Mountain Range in Ornament ValleyLuigi’s Casa Della Tires and Flo’s V8 Café.
  • Only in Radiator Springs do guests learn dance moves like the Overdrive, the Reverse and the Hairpin Turn, all part of the fun at “DJ’s Dance and Drive,” one element of the Route 66 entertainment. DJ spins auto favorites such as “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Car Wash.”
  • When night falls in Radiator Springs, 16 neon signs in bright, luminous colors light the way along Route 66.
  • Signs help tell the story in Radiator Springs, adding humor and life to the town’s four-wheeled residents.
  • The “car-acters” of Cars Land welcome guests at three new attractions:Radiator Springs Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Flying Tires.
  • The historic Route 66 runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 in Cars Land is approximately 525 feet long and 23 feet wide, rich with inspiration from the actual American highway.
  • Cars Land also treats guests to food and merchandise locations inspired by the Radiator Springs landmarks in the film: Flo’s V8 Café, Fillmore’s Taste-In, Cozy Cone Motel, Radiator Springs Curios, Sarge’s Surplus Hut and Ramone’s House of Body Art.
  • The fun of the “Cars” theme extends even to the menus of the Radiator Springs roadside restaurants. Flo’s V8 Café serves old-fashioned, breakfast dishes and home-style rotisserie classics for lunch and dinner, including such specialties as a breakfast chicken tamale with scrambled eggs, entrees such as the Veggie-Tater Bake and house-made Pie-O-Rama pies including strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry-peach and apple-cheddar. At Cozy Cone Motel, each food item is a different “cone-coction,” such as “Pop-cone” and “Chile Cone Queso.”

Revving through Cars Land and Ornament Valley

  • Cars Land construction began in July 2009.
  • The impressive Cadillac Mountain Range in Ornament Valley stands approximately 125 feet tall at its highest peak, the Pinnacle.
  • The peaks of the mountain range, from left to right, represent Cadillac tail fins from 1957, 1958, 1959 (the Pinnacle), 1960, 1961 and 1962.
  • At nearly 300,000 square feet, the mountain range is the largest rockwork construction in any domestic Disney theme park.
  • More than 4,000 tons of steel were used to erect the mountain range and Radiator Springs Racers attraction.
  • The team of Walt Disney Imagineers devoted more than 28,000 hours to designing the structural system for the rockwork and Radiator Springs Racers show building.

The Attractions of Cars Land

Radiator Springs Racers: A leisurely, scenic tour of Ornament Valley turns into an all-out race for the Piston Cup as guests race side-by-side through the mountain range, around Willy’s Butte and past the plunging waterfall, Radiator Falls – all familiar sights to fans of the movie.

  • The ride vehicles come in eight colors, each with its own personality.
  • Each six-passenger convertible features a male or female face, with different details in the eyes and lips. The gender of a car is determined by color.
  • Guests board cars for a scenic road trip, meandering through the countryside and the town of Radiator Springs. After a stop at Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art, guests and their cars get some final racing tips from Doc Hudson.
  • When the race begins, racers split onto parallel tracks, zooming nose-to-nose through the desert landscape. Part of the thrills: Guests will never know who is going to win.
  • New to Radiator Springs is Taillight Caverns, which Disney Imagineers conceived as a stunning finish to the dramatic race.
  • The attraction covers nearly six acres – the largest attraction by acreage at the Disneyland Resort.
  • The “Cars” movie composer, Jonathan Sacks, composed the attraction score.
  • Each vehicle will travel approximately 36,000 miles per year.
  • This is a Disney FASTPASS attraction.
  • Minimum height requirement:  40 inches

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree: Everyone’s favorite tow truck, Mater, has corralled a herd of runaway baby tractors in his junkyard. Guests are invited to an old-fashioned “tow-si-do” in Mater’s salvage yard as they ride trailers hitched to the baby tractors.

  • Larry the Cable Guy (the voice of Mater from “Cars”) recorded seven original songs for the attraction, backed by favorite Disneyland park performers Billy Hill & the Hillbillies.
  • Mater’s songs are played on his own special jukebox, made of rusty oil drums, hubcaps, car hoods, horns, mufflers and other auto parts he has collected along the road.
  • None of the 22 tractors in Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree are the same. Like the individual cows in a herd, the tractors all have different markings, mouths and eye colors. They have one thing in common: They all love to dance.
  • The baby tractors are new characters inspired by the movie and created especially for Cars Land.
  • License plates on the baby tractors have letters that represent initials and birthdays of key contributors to the Cars Land project from Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios.
  • Minimum height requirement:  32 inches

Luigi’s Flying Tires: At Luigi’s Casa Della Tires, “Cars” characters Luigi and Guido play host to a “Festival of the Flying Tires.” When the music starts, tires float and dance in the grand tradition of a celebration that first started in Luigi’s hometown of Carsoli, Italy.

  • Guests board vehicles that look like oversized Fettuccini-brand tires, accommodating up to two adults and one child, or one adult and two children.
  • Luigi gives a countdown “Uno for the money, due for the show, tre to get ready and quattro to go!” and drops the flag for the “Festival of the Flying Tires.”
  • Gliding along, guests shift their body weight to guide the direction of the vehicle, bumping into other tires as they float across Luigi’s 8,000-square-foot Italian garden and tire storage yard.
  • Guests may work as a team to guide their tire and, for extra fun, try to catch one of the inflatable balls scattered throughout the attraction.
  • It takes 6,714 air vents to keep the tires floating ever so slightly above the ground – approximately two inches.
  • The voice of award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub, who voiced Luigi in the movie, is heard throughout the attraction.
  • Nostalgic Disneyland fans will recognize the attraction as a descendant of the Flying Saucers attraction, which operated in Tomorrowland from 1961 to 1966.
  • Minimum height requirement:  32 inches

Meet the Residents of Radiator Springs

  • Lightning McQueen and Mater, residents of Radiator Springs and best friends always, settle in at the Cozy Cone Motel to meet guests and pose for photos. Other “car-acters” are featured in the shops, restaurants and attractions.
  • Red the Fire Truck enlists young guests to help him water the flowers and clean up the town of Radiator Springs. Red makes sure that everything – and everybody – gets wet in some fun, interactive water play.
  • DJ’s Dance Party, as seen in “Cars,” features DJ the rolling boom box with a mischievous personality and built-in CD changer.  He and his team of dancers coast down the boulevard, creating a rollicking dance party wherever they go.