Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to Get Spooky as Halloween Time Expands to Disney California Adventure Park

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is almost here! This year, the spooky fun extends throughout the Disneyland Resort, with returning favorites at Disneyland park and new ghostly delights at Disney California Adventure park.

In Cars Land, the residents of Radiator Springs are transforming their little road town into a Haul-O-Ween celebration. Each establishment will be decorated for the season, with Fillmore showing off his Jack-Oil-Lanterns and ghostly folk art, a Spider-Car spinning webs all over Flo’s V8 Café and more. 

Two Cars Land attractions will also transform for the first time ever this Halloween season. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, an all-new spooktacular dance celebration where Luigi and Guido will entertain the cugini (cousins) with Halloween twists on traditional Italian festival songs like the “Terror-antella,” “The Chop Top of Carsoli” and more.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, where guests will whirl around the graveyard to the tune of creepy new songs and fun haunted twists on favorites such as “Monster Truck Smash” and “Welcome to Radiator Screams.”


At Buena Vista Street, a new 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, holding his jack-o’-lantern head up to the sky, will haunt Carthay Circle. Mickey Mouse and his friends bring more Halloween fun to this stylish avenue, donning new costumes, with Mickey Mouse as a bat, Goofy as a ghost, Daisy Duck as a witch and more!

Discover these new experiences along with returning favorites during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, September 15 through October 31!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Tokyo Disneyland Update : No Cars Land for TDL , Major Additions Coming to TDL Fantasyland

May be you remember the Mice Age article posted by Al Lutz last November. In his update, called "Cars Land in Tokyo", Al was revealing that TDL was planning to bring Cars Land at TDL Magic Kingdom but at a cost: "Much of Tokyo’s “Westernland” would need to be repurposed and the Rivers of America section would be removed entirely..." although "...Big Thunder Mountain, the Country Bear Jamboree and the original frontier town buildings would remain at the front of the land, with the Western River Railroad continuing to circle the property. But towards the back of Westernland the entire Rivers of America would be leveled and turned into Cars Land." 

Disney fans reactions were not specially enthusiastic at the idea to see TDL Rivers of America disappearing from Westernland, specially in a park which don't have that much spaces with water, even as Al said if "the Rivers of America takes up a huge amount of space but delivers very little in the way of attraction capacity for that crowded park". And God knows how Tokyo Disneyland can be crowded all year long. So, i suppose that WDI Imagineers had a point on this one when they did in Glendale their presentation to Oriental Land top executives, including OLC President and CEO. As Al noted in his update "additional capacity is a huge selling point for the Japanese executives" and for sure we can't blame them to try to add capacity to Tokyo Disneyland. 

But i have a good news for TDL fans who were furious at the idea to can't sail anymore on Westernland Rivers of America as from what i've been told the project to build Cars Land at TDL has been cancelled. I don't know the precise reasons, but may be TDL execs finally understood that the idea to remove a big part of Westernland was not that good after all, or may be it is because of the cost, or may be it is not possible to build Cars Land for technical reasons. As you may know Tokyo Disneyland was built on landfill, and the weight of Carsland rockwork may have been a cost issue in firming up the ground beneath it. Another reason could be for earthquake regulations, the weight and height of the rockwork might have been a problem in case an earthquake happen...

So, except if TDL execs change their mind, Cars Land won't come to Japan - at least at Tokyo Disneyland. But the story has a good ending as in exchange Tokyo Disneyland envision a major Fantasyland expansion, apparently pretty big in size, similar or almost to WDW New Fantasyland. No news yet on which attractions will be part of it but, as OLC pretty much only copy in TDL what has previously been done in U.S parks and go for cute things the most, the Little Mermaid or Seven Dwarfs coaster rides could come soon at TDL Fantasyland. Though with Mermaid Lagoon next door at TDS it's may be not sure that the Little Mermaid ride will come finally to TDL... 

That said, the big question is: where these Fantasyland additions will be built? Because the problem of the available land remains the same and there is not that much spaces available at TDL. Have a look at the Google Earth screen capture above - click on the picture to enlarge it - as it will help you to understand the problem. The picture shows TDL Fantasyland with Westernland on the right, Toon Town on the bottom left with part of the parking lot, and Autopia and Tomorrowland on the top left. The show buildings in the bottom center are those of It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain.

As you can see there is not a lot of choice. Something is going to be removed to make room for these Fantasyland additions and either it will be Autopia, or it could be Toon Town, or they might take a part of the parking lot behind Toon Town. Although Westernland is close to Fantasyland i can't imagine they will build their new Fantasyland there as it will mean that we'll be back to the previous problem, i.e the disappearing of a big part of Westernland. Removing Autopia would be the logical choice, as Autopia always take a lot of land, but this will mean to reduce Tomorrowland and TDL might be interested to keep this space for a future Star Wars or Marvel lands. Another option would be to take away only a small piece of the Rivers of America near the Haunted Mansion. You could make the river loop smaller and gain some land that way, but it may not be enough. Losing Toontown might also be the easiest fix. Removing Toon Town and Autopia next to it would make available a big piece of land. On the right of Toon Town is a Small World, but i wonder if they would ever get rid of It's a Small World, the ride is almost sacred! So far, i don't have the answer so is suppose that for now all we have to do is to wait for more details about this exciting Fantasyland additions!

Pictures: copyright Disney, Google Earth

A Closer Look at Radiator Springs Racer Cars Maintenance

Disney Parks has put online an interesting short video showing the maintenance of Radiator Springs Racer cars. Joe Shanahan, who helps maintain the ride vehicles will tell you more about his role as an electrician for the attraction... and how the cars gets their needed electricity for the ride.





Picture and video: copyright Disney

New & Beautiful Disney California Adventure Web Site

With all these attractions openings all around the world i almost missed this and i'm glad that i finally didn't as the new website specially designed for the re-opening of Disney California Adventure is simply beautiful!

And not only the visuals are gorgeous but the 3D effect done with a new technique in websites design is extremely cool. Basically, it looks like each image has multiple layers which are "moving" when you scroll down. You can have a look at the visuals below with the screen captures but of course you won't have the multi-plans effect that you have on the DCA website HERE ...on which i strongly suggest you to jump as in addition to all this you also have cool slide shows for each DCA section.





















Pictures: copyright Disney

WDI Imagineers Stories about Cars Land

There's nothing better than listening WDI Imagineers explaining their work, and when these are the one who built Cars Land you'll understand why you must not miss this 12 minutes video below!




Talking about Cars Land, Imagineer Tom Morris was the Creative Director on Radiator Springs Racer and on this next video from Inside the Magic you're invited to join him on Radiator Springs Racer while Tom gives a great commentary about the ride!




Tom did another and interesting video for GamerTV in which he depicts the creative process of Cars Land.




Finally, those who've been at DCA since its reopening may have notice that Disney California Adventure have a new "Welcome" spiel, and it sounds pretty good as you will hear in this video filmed by Mint Crocodile.




One more thing: you may have noticed that the DCA slide show header is no longer there. What happened is that the slide show file was apparently too "heavy" for Photobucket - because it was over 10 megas - and so they removed it!! If i find a way to put it back you can be sure that i will do it, and will let you know!

Videos: copyright Disney, Inside the Magic, Mint crocodile

Radiator Springs Racer 3D Video !

Guess what, Sharp Productions had the ( good? ) idea to filmed the Radiator Springs Racer ride and to film it in 3D! So, what about watching the ride of the decade in 3D? I guess it's time to find back your 3D glasses again! As i don't have any where i am right now i can judge how good the 3D is, so please let me know in the comments!




Video: copyright Sharp Productions

Another kind of "Cars Land" open at Walt Disney World !

We've spent almost the whole last week with video reviews of the awaited Cars Land and may be you thought that "that was it with Cars, let's talk about something else". Well, not really, as another kind of Cars "land" - if i can say - just opened at Walt Disney World! Yesterday, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opened its "Cars" wing and brings “Cars” to life with 480 new family suites and a fully themed wing and pool.

Sure, this Cars wing theming doesn't have the splendor of DCA Cars Land and its stunning Ornament Valley but i think they did a pretty good job as you will see on the pictures and videos below - and the swimming pool looks great!



The Cozy Cone Motel anchors the “Cars” courtyard with its orange cone-shaped cabanas inviting guests to kick back and relax at the pool - which looks great - near Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sarge and other characters from the popular film.











Let's have a look inside the themed rooms...





And now, let's do a traveling inside the new wing, thanks to PopSong1 who did the two great videos below.







Video: copyright PopSong1

Pictures: copyright Disney

Cars Land Officially Open ! Day and Night High-Res Videos

Cars Land is officially opening today and i have some beautifully filmed Mega HD videos for you who will show you the land "just like if you were there". The videos shot by SoCalAdventureHD1 are filmed so smoothly that sometime i thought he used a steadycam!

But let's begin first by this cool Cars Land TV Ad which include some nice piece of animation by Pixar.




Cars Land entrance is literally jaw-dropping when guests suddenly discover Ornament Valley mountains...




The videos i posted some days ago of Radiator Springs Racers were really good but the quality of the image on these two, showing the two versions, is so "crystal clear" that you'll be able to see amazing details of the ride.







Same with this new video of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree...




...and this new one of Luigi's Flying Tires.





SoCalAdventureHD1 also filmed the great Flo's V8 Café Restaurant and you're gonna discover the stunning view on Ornament Valley that the restaurant guests have while they are eating. Definitely the place to eat when you are in Cars Land!



Right in front of Flo's V8 is the Cozy Cone Motel Snack Stand which looks pretty cool too!




When night comes the Cars Land Neon Lighting moment is a wow and not to be missed as you will see on this Mouse Planet video.




Want to see how great Radiator Springs Racer looks at night? Here is two great videos, the first one by Da Mouse.com...




...and the second one by Theme Park Review.




I also updated my previous Cars Land and Buena Vista Street with new videos that you may haven't seen yet. Check them HERE, HERE and HERE.

Videos: copyright Disney, Mouse Planet, Da Mouse, Theme Park Review and SoCalAdventureHD1 whom i congratulate a lot for the quality of their videos!

Photo: Andy Castro from Mice Chat

Radiator Springs Racers - Full Ride HD Videos - Luigi's Tire Shop or Ramone's Paint Shop Versions

I knew it was coming soon, but i didn't thought that we would have a video of the full ride of Radiators Springs Racer available on Youtube before June 15! Not only the videos are excellent HD quality but danmcneely even filmed the both "versions" of the ride - as there is a moment in the ride where your vehicle is going either in Luigi's Tire Shop or Ramone's Paint Shop!

No need to say that if you're living in SoCal and intend to rush to Cars Land in the next weeks it'll be a very bad idea to watch these videos as it is a huge spoiler. Same for those of you living in others States in the U.S or anywhere in the world and who are planning to come to DCA in the next months: don't look at the videos!

That said, now that you're warned, i let you make your choice and all i can say about Radiator Springs Racer is: Oh my God, what a ride! It's a perfect ride, really, the theming is incredible, the audio-animatronics cars are amazing, everything is so damn' perfect, it's a true E-Ticket! Congrats to all WDI Imagineers who worked on Radiator Springs Racer!

Now, for those of you who can't wait to discover the Cars characters audio-animatronics without seeing the whole ride the video below should be perfect.




Here is the full ride video now with, first, the version with the car going inside Luigi's Tire Shop.




And here is the one with the car going inside Ramone's Paint Shop.




Here is a third video filmed by disney1218, its quality is a bit less than the two others but still interesting as you'll see a bit more of the boarding room and other decor elements.




In fact, each ride vehicle on Radiator Springs Racers is a moving mini-theater that delivers a show to the guests as they travel through the attraction. And - as with any theatrical experience - dialogue, music and sound effects play a key role in telling the story. In this next video released by Disney, Joe Herrington, Principal Media Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, reveals how he's helped design, record, edit and install a compelling audio track for the attraction.



Videos: copyright danmcneely, disney1218

Picture: copyright Disney

Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racer Preview - High-res Pictures !

"That's it, folks!", as Mater would say, Disneyland has released a huge set of high-res pictures of Cars Land and this include never seen before pics of scenes of the indoor part of Radiator Springs Racer, located in a huge show building which, as Al Lutz has said in his update last tuesday, "has rooms on a scale of the Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones, if not quite the giant scale of Pirates of the Caribbean". All the pics released are below and i warn you that there WILL be spoilers ahead, so if you plan to ride Radiator Springs Racer anytime soon it might be a good idea to avoid some of the pictures.

That said, there we go for a pictorial preview of Cars Land and the first attraction on the left when you will enter the land is Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.



According to those who were there last week-end for the special preview held "for Imagineers, their friends and family, and any of Imagineering’s favored contractors" this one seems to be a real good surprise, if not the "sleeper hit" of the land. Again, read Al Lutz review for more details about the ride.









The next ride, always located on the left will be Luigi’s Flying Tires. Reviews are a bit mix about this one but i still like the idea of a rebirth of the famous Disneyland Flying Saucers, this time with a different theming and most of all an improved technology that should work better than the one used 50 years ago!





On the other side of the street, or so, you will find the entrance of Radiator Springs Racer, a E-Ticket of such a scale that you see one like this in Disney theme parks only each 20 years!





The first thing that will stun you is of course the fantastic scenery of Ornament Valley but also the amazing work that WDI landscapers Imagineers have done with "over 400 trees and thousands of cacti and plants that have been incorporated into the landscape". Every fan think about Cars Land in terms of rides but let me tell you that what will stun you first will be the beauty and the perfection of the theming, and not only the decors, of course, but also the vegetation theming which, again, is "over the top".









Once you've board your vehicle the car will ascend the mountain and past the waterfall before going down inside a cavern and the indoor part of the ride.



Note: I will not reveal the story line and specially what's happening during the indoor part of this amazing E-Ticket, but the pictures below have been put in the order of appearance during the ride. Of course, Disneyland didn't released pictures of each scene of the ride and there is a LOT of others scenes of Radiator Springs Racer that you won't see here, so don't worry, there will be much more to see starting June 15 when Radiator Springs Racer will open!













It's time to go out of the show building for the awaited race!





The ending through Taillight Caverns is, according to Al Lutz, best viewed at night, and for sure it will be a good idea to do or re-do again the ride after sunset...



...specially when you see the gorgeous lighting of Ornament Valley at dark.









Disney also released a short video showing a big part of Cars Land - but not the indoor part of Radiator springs Racer - have a look!




On this next Disney video you'll see the race between the two cars filmed during the tests by WDI Imagineers.




And as we are in Radiator Springs, one more for the road! How did the real Radiator Springs come to be? Mater knows and tell you in "Time Travel Mater" a preview for a new Mater Tall Tales which will premiere on ABC, June 16!




And here is the end of this Cars Land pictorial preview! Who will be at Cars Land for its grand opening on June 15? Let us know in the comments!

Pictures and video: copyright Disney



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