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My favorite place at the Disneyland Resort is Cars Land in California Adventure Park. While in Disneyland for the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I learned some fun facts about Cars Land and had to share them with you!
5 Fun Facts About Cars Land in Disneyland Resort
In 2008, when Cars Land was just a twinkle in the eye of Imagineers, a Concept Team toured Route 66 with a historian (who happens to be the voice of Sheriff in Cars) while taking notes about the “must have” landmarks for Cars Land.
Every. single. thing. in Cars Land–from the buildings to the signs to the benches–was inspired by something seen on Route 66. The one exception is all of the beautiful trees you see. Imagineers understood that in the sometimes hot California sun, their guests could get uncomfortable. They decided that it was more important to add trees to the Cars Land than to stick 100% to the concept from Route 66.
Two of the most impressive landmarks that were replicated for Cars Land are Cadillac Ranch and the Cozy Cone Motel!
Cadillac Ranch
Here you can see the Route 66 attraction for Cadillac Ranch and then below you can see how they worked it into the landscape of this crazy impressive park. Cars land is so much fun but the sheer scale of the place is overwhelming if you think about it!
Cozy Cone Motel
The Cozy Cone Motel came from the attraction shown below! It turned out so cute and fun and it’s perfectly on theme for this adorable cars themed park…obviously!
At nearly 300,000 sq. ft., the mountain range is the largest rock construction in any domestic Disney theme park and stands 125 feet at its highest peak (the 1959 Cadillac). The six peaks of the mountain range represent Cadillac tail fins from 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962.
The car-acters of Radiator Springs include Lightening McQueen, Mater, and Red the Fire Truck. Did you know that Red will “sing” Happy Birthday to you if you tell him it’s your special day?
Radiator Springs Racers is the most popular ride in Cars Land. Actually, it’s the most popular ride in all of California Adventure! The line for Fast Passes begins the minute the park opens, and Fast Passes are usually gone by mid-morning. The average wait (as of today) is 120 minutes.
Radiator Springs Racers Facts:
Radiator springs is such a fun and exciting spot in Cars Land than you have to have some special facts just about the radiator springs racers! If you are headed to Cars Land then no doubt this awesome ride will be on your to do list.
I have all the details you are longing for AND if you read further down I’m offering my pro tips on how to avoid super long wait times so that you and your crew can get through the line and to the fun part…FAST!
- top speed is 40 mph
- can be compared to the Test Track ride at Walt Disney World
- you’ll never know who will win the race–a random car is chosen each time!
- after tractor-tipping, if your car re-enters town and turns left, you’ll receive a tire change at Luigi’s Casa Della Tires! Yay for flying tires!
- if your vehicle turns right, you’ll receive a coat of paint at Ramone’s House of Body Art (my favorite part!)
Some of my personal tips about Cars Land? Ok, ok–I’ll share.
The soft-serve ice cream at the Cozy Cone Motel is my favorite treat in Cars Land. The line is usually a little longer at this cone, but it’s worth it!
If you’re dying to ride Radiator Springs Racers, but don’t want to wait for 2 hours, split up your group and get in the single rider line. You’ll stay together throughout the wait, and then be split up for the ride at the last minute. The wait time for single riders is usually 35-45 minutes.
The most under-rated ride in California Adventure (in my opinion) is Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Go on… ride it!
Are you looking for more Disney content?
Here are some other Disney posts that I think you will love. I’m also sharing some other posts about Cars Land. You won’t want to miss out on all this great info if you are planning a Disney or California Adventure trip in the future. There is so much to see and do, if you only have a short time in the parks you have to plan ahead!
- So Much To Experience During Summer Of Heroes At Disneyland Resort
- Where to get a Margarita at Walt Disney World
- Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park
- Disneyland Hacks from a Pro
- Fun Time at Disneyland and California Adventure
- Cars Halloween Party Ideas | Cars 3 BluRay Release
- Trunk or Treat | Cars Land Halloween Shirt
So tell me… what’s your favorite thing about Cars Land?
This post is not sponsored. I have been the guest of Disney parks several times in the last few years and am sharing my favorites with you.
My favorite thing besides the racers is the Red Freeze drink and pretzel bites with cheese at the Cozy Cone! It’s a fantastic combination!
Love Cars Land, especially at night with all the neon lit up :)
Love this post. Have to send to my 13 year old daughter as Cars is her favorite movie franchise. We are headed to Disney World for the the twelvth plus time in November and made it to Disneyland a year before it opened (we are in St. Louis).
So wonderful to have Fast Pass but what a great suggestion to split up to manage the wait quickly.
Hope you had a wonderful experience, Becca. Sharing.
My favorite part is on Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree when Mater gives his instructions in Spanish and says, “Por Favor”. Classic! You must listen for it!
Cars is my favorite :)
My kids would go absolutely crazy to visit Cars Land. I thought the cars in the ground were cool looking.
On our most recent trip we made a bee line for Racers as soon as it opened. The line que started way back at Sarge’s but we made it on in 30 mins. That’s about as close to walking on as you can get. We chose a morning that did not have Magic Hours and got there 30 minutes early so we could be inside at rope drop. We never go for the fast pass, they’re always gone so fast, plus we like to jump right in. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is so fun! Totally under appreciated but that is great news for those that know. Love Cars Land! Happy travels!
Mater’s junkyard is my favorite! It’s so fun and totally unexpected :)
My favorite part? Um… Everything? Haha. I love the FEEL of Cars Land. The nostalgic warmth. Neon lights, food, the characters driving around… Plus, I LOVE the red rock. I live in Utah, walking into Cars Land is like visiting the southern part of Utah.
We’re from Australia, so my son (17) had never been to Disneyland. Cars Land was beautiful at night. My favourite part was seeing my son so excited at the prospect of meeting Lighting McQueen. He ran to get in line. He’s totally beaming with excitement in the photo. (And judging by the staff, he wasn’t the first big boy to get his photo taken.)