Disneyland monorails gets a "Cars" face and voice to promote Cars Land

How smart they are at Disneyland marketing office, they always amaze me. No, really, look at their latest idea to promote Cars Land opening: now the three Disneyland monorails have a "Cars" face with mouth and eyes and even a voice that DL guests can hear inside the monorail with a new narration all along the way to and inside Disneyland and back.



Monorails Blue, Orange, and Red have now eyes and mouths, and are three new characters called Mandy, Mona and Manny. magnapurpleboy ha spotted a video on Youtube in which you'll hear the new announcements, here in english, but they also have a spanish version.






Talking about trains Disney Parks released pictures of upcoming Red Car Trolley merchandise, and with the great design of the iconic Red Car Trolley there is for sure some great merchandise products to do with this.



Pictures: copyright Disney

Video: copyright magnapurpleboy

Cars Land TV Spot and Ramone's House of Body Art Video

Disney released on ABC the first Cars Land tv spot. it's a short one showing Mater and Lightning McQueen wondering what is this op secret location!




Also released, an interesting short clip showing the making of the decor inside Ramone’s House of Body Art. disney choose one of he best artist to do it, Chip Foose, world renowned for his designs of customized cars, paint and wheels.




I remind you that Cars Land opens June 15 at Disney California Adventure park, in a month from now!

Picture and videos: copyright Disney

Why Radiator Springs Racer vs Transformers Ride Will be the E-Ticket Match of the Year

Something pretty unique is about to happen in a few weeks from now in South Cal. For the first time two major E-Ticket rides will open almost simultaneously and both rides are so good that i should even talk about them as "E+ Tickets"! The Transformers ride will have its Grand Opening on May 25th at Universal Hollywood while Cars Land Radiator Springs Racer will start on June 15. I had the luck to do recently the Transformers ride in its first version at USS - and in a few seconds i'll let you know all the good i think about it - and although i've never ride Radiator Springs Racer - nobody did except John Lasseter, Bob Iger and WDI Imagineers - i know almost all about it so i think i can also have an opinion or at least some feeling on this highly-awaited ride. And let me tell you that it's gonna be extremely interesting to watch what will happen in two months when both rides will be open as it surely will be "the E-Ticket match of the year".



Soooo, on my left we have the "heavy weight" Radiator Springs Racer, one of the most awaited ride in Disney theme park history, part of Cars Land, a brand new land including two others rides, the creation of a town, and the biggest rock work that WDI Imagineers ever built. And RSC is even two rides in one with an indoor dark ride part and an outside part using more or less the Test Track technology. One of the big asset of Radiator Springs Racer on the Transformers ride will be that your Cars vehicle will move not only in real decor, but inside a world totally recreated. No 3D projections here, all is "real", and WDI Imagineers even created "automatronics" that should make the ride memorable and exhilarating for each fan of the Cars movies - and even those who are not.

You've seen pictures of the huge Radiator Springs mountains and even videos of the vehicles in test mode but you don't know a lot about the dark ride part of the ride. I won't spoil any of its scenes but what i can tell you is that the whole ride is essentially inspired by the first Cars movie and almost all of the characters from it will be in the ride. There is so many clever imagineering ideas in how they create the scenes that you'll be amazed, really. And also, your ride will not be necessarily exactly the same each time you'll ride RSR. And don't ask me why! There is absolutely no doubt that Radiator Springs Racer will be an instant success, and no doubt too that the ride is definitely a E+ Ticket ride, one of these major rides that we see in Disney theme parks only each ten years, or more.



Now, on my right we have the "challenger", the Universal Hollywood Transformers ride. First, let me tell you that i'm not a big fan AT ALL of the Transformers movie. And also, i don't believe one second in any "Transformers mythology". For me these robots are just toys, and that's what they were at the start, and the whole thing for me is just a huge license operation. Which means that when i entered the Transformers ride in its USS version the Transformers mythology which is present in the pre-show didn't had any appeal to me. But the pre-show is so well done this top secret NEST military bunker with plenty of video screens explaining the ride's back story was designed so intelligently that i couldn't stop thinking that those who do care about Transformers are really going to love it. Note that you can see today pictures of the USH version pre-show in Mice Age preview report HERE.





And then it was time to get aboard EVAC, the ride vehicle, supposedly an Autobot transformer robot. As you know the Transformers ride use the same amazing technology that Universal used on the Spiderman ride, but improved. And - oh my God - "improved" is not a word strong enough to describe how amazingly good this ride is. Not only they indeed improved the 3D projections and the screens are even bigger too but you can feel that it was done with intelligence and that they were really decided to get the best from the technology. Wait until Optimus Prime tell you these simple words "Follow me!" and how you'll be amazed to watch your vehicle moving at high speed inside the city to escape the Decepticons. Of course it's all an optical illusion and your vehicle don't really move, but it's so well done that you'll really think that you're inside the screen, inside the city. Same when you'll be sucked into a whirling vortex generated by Devastator, another Decepticon created by several robots. Or when a F-15 fighter jet Decepticon will fling EVAC through the air, sending your vehicle crashing into a building - amazing, really! And i could go on and on as almost each scene of the ride - which includes not only 3D projections but also real decors and special effects - was done with intelligence - i mean, you can feel the intelligence behind it. And, good news, as Screamscape revealed last friday the Universal Hollywood Transformers version "will use Dolby 3D, the same incredible 3D system we first saw used on Star Tours last year, and which Universal also just put to use on the upgraded Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure last month". In two words, the ride will be even better than the version which opened at USS last fall. Lucky Angelinos!

Considering that Radiator Springs Racer will be part of a whole new land and not a ride "only" as Transformers will be the match may seem unequal and that's may be the reason why the smart guys at Universal are opening Transformers three weeks before Cars Land opening - well, actually it might be even a month and a half before as it seems that soft-opening might start at USH at the end of April. Obviously Universal wants to create the buzz on their ride and count on all South Cal theme parks fans word of mouth to make a success out of Transformers. Honestly, as i've said, the ride is so good that people who will do the ride will probably, just like i did, have only one desire when they'll go out: to go back and ride Transformers again. And the same will happen for Radiator Springs Racer ! So, who will "win" this E-Ticket match of the year? Personally i think there will be no winner, the two rides are so good and so different that both will be a different and tremendously enjoyable experience. Depending of the kind of "world" you prefer you may prefer one or another, but one thing is sure: i strongly recommend you to ride both of them, as both will worth the price of admission!

Pictures: copyright Disney, Universal Studios

Sneak Peek Onboard Video of Radiator Springs Racer

Disney Parks has released the first onboard video of Radiator Springs Racer! Cool down, you won't see all the ride but just a few seconds of the ride when the vehicle is racing outside. Still, this quick sneak peek "of what to expect inside the mountain range" looks pretty cool!




They've also released another interesting video showing the recording by song writer and composer Bruno Coon and the band “Billy Hill and the Hillbillies” of one song that will be heard as background music throughout the town of Radiator Springs in Cars Land. Sounds good!






I remind you that you still can order a collector copy of the DLP book. the final price now applies but we're doing a FREE SHIPPING for each order placed before April 31st ! So, go ahead and place your pre-order now for a collector's edition copy while you can get this special offer on this wonderful book!! To know how to order and send your payment please go HERE. Paypal or bank wire transfer payments are welcome.




Picture and videos: copyright Disney

New Imagineering Video: Cars Land Neon Signs

New Cars Land Imagineering video, this time talking about the great neon signs that will illuminate Cars Land at night!



Picture and video: copyright Disney

New Imagineering Videos about Disney California Adventure expansion and WDW Fantasyland "Be Our Guest" Restaurant

Disney Parks just released two new Imagineering videos, and they will show you more about DCA expansion as well as the "Be Our Guest" restaurant inside the new Fantasyland at WDW. Let's begin by DCA which had the visit of Bob Iger and Tom Staggs who've tested all the new rides at Cars Land. Bob Iger also confirmed that the opening day of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre will be June 15th - as revealed by Al Lutz some weeks ago - and that DCA will be entirely closed on June 14th for the media preview and to make the final preparations for the grand opening.



Let's take a look back at all the additions to Disney California Adventure with this first Imagineering video.




Next video is all about the "Be Our Guest" restaurant which will be located under Beast Castle at WDW New Fantasyland. "WDI Senior Concept Designer Ted Robledo presents the finishing touches on one of the restaurant major elements, i.e a massive mural that will serve as the restaurant’s backdrop. In the video Ted shows how WDI combined digital technology with traditional artistry to create a sweeping landscape that gives guests the feeling that they really are walking into a part of the film."




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

Blue Sky Cellar WDI Road to Cars Land Video !

The Blue Sky Cellar at Disney's California Adventure reopened last week with a brand new "Road to Cars Land" exhibit, showing plenty of new artwork, models, etc...AND a 12 minutes movie in which WDI Imagineers tell you more about Cars Land creation! For those of you who, just like me, don't live in South Cal, here is the full movie shown in the exhibit!




I remind you that you can find the three Cars Land attraction posters in my previous article HERE


Taking about Imagineering, the DLP book is being reprint this week! I remind you that the pre-order period for the DLP book is ending soon and that you still can order a collector copy with a 20% discount on the book final price. So, go ahead and place your pre-order now for a collector's edition copy while you can get this special offer on this wonderful book!! To know how to order and send your payment please go HERE. Paypal or bank wire transfer payments are welcome.




Picture and video: copyright Disney

Cars Land Shops Artwork

Disney Parks has released three renderings showing the shops in the upcoming and highly awaited Cars Land. Above, the concept-art for the Radiator Springs Curios shop where you will find "must-haves pins and Vinylmation themed to all things “Cars,” or antenna toppers, window clings, license plate frames and magnets".

Below the artwork for the Ramone’s House of Body Art: "The Champion Custom Speed Shop collection is sure to meet your need for speed with signature pin-stripe style and laid-back look which appears on a variety of shirts for work and play, hats and accessory items."



Last but not least, the barracks of Sarge’s Surplus Hut where you’ll find "a broad selection of offerings featuring Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater and other classic “Cars” characters."



Meanwhile they did something pretty funny at DCA, i.e they've buried in Buena Vista Plaza a time capsule containing items specific to the park which will be opened by Disneyland Resort cast members only in 2037. They did this to mark the construction of Buena Vista Street and as you will see on the video there will be lot of goodies inside the time capsule for the DLR cast members in 2037!




Artwork and video: copyright Disney

“The Road to Cars Land” Opens Feb 29 at DCA Blue Sky Cellar

We sure love WDI attraction posters, don't we? So when Disney released two days ago the three attraction posters designed for the Cars Land attractions i knew i had to post them, and here they are below. They were released to announce a big update coming to Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure. From February 29 “The Road to Cars Land” "will be a sneak preview of the plans for Cars Land, featuring a model of the land, maquettes of some of the new ride vehicles, and sketches and early concept art".








AND, for those who have missed it, here is the video released last week showing a behind-the-scenes look "at how some of the world’s best rockwork artisans are creating Ornament Valley – the mountain range that serves as the backdrop to Radiator Springs in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. They’ve been working on it for about two years and the process is fascinating to watch".




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

Disney's California Adventure Animated Map

Disney Parks released recently a video of the DCA animated map that guests can see at Blue Sky Cellar. It's a pretty cool one with lot of elements - the monorail, cars in Cars Land, fountains of WOC, etc... - moving on the map and i suggest you to watch it full screen to explore this cool animated map in details.




Talking about DCA they also released yesterday in an article about upcoming DCA merchandise a visual of the new Cars Land pin's. What is interesting in the picture is that the pin's shows for the first time the new attraction posters for each Cars Land attraction. Click on the picture below to enlarge it.



They also released last month a funny ad that you may have missed and this one was done to advertise the "Wild for 3 Pass for FL Residents" which allows entrance for 3 theme parks for $99, one theme Ppark per day. Have a look, it was filmed in the Jungle Cruise and it's a cool ad.




Video: copyright Disney

Cars Land Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Recording Session

Disney Parks has put on line a new video related to Cars Land attraction Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. During the attraction guests will hear Mater’s favorite songs and of course they will be sung by the one doing Mater's voice, Larry the Cable Guy.

The Disney Parks video below shows the recording by WDI Imagineers of a voice-over session of Larry the Cable Guy singing seven original songs for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree as a well as new images of the ride in test mode!




Video: copyright Disney

First Composite Cars Land Picture !

Disney has released a first picture of Cars Land Radiator Springs Racer, a composite picture that is, meaning that there is a lot of photoshoping on it! That said the picture looks great and will remind to those of you who may have forgotten that two cars will race side by side during the last part of the ride. Click on it to see it in larger size!

Picture: copyright Disney

Disney launch new Cars Land site - High-Res WDI Artwork

Cars Land will open this summer at Disney's California Adventure and Disney launched a new Cars Land site yesterday. You won't learn or see anything more than what you already know but, even if we already know them, the site provide some Cars Land artwork in big size and in better quality than ever, so click on each pic below to see them in big size!

Among them, the Cars Land map and bird eye view of the land...





A great night view of Radiators Springs main street...



Mater's Junkyard Jamboree....





Luigi's Flying Tires



Radiators Springs Racer...










There is also a short video with interesting shots on the Cars Land model...







All this looks great and i think you should put in your bookmarks this new Cars Land site as more pictures will probably appear on it in a near future!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Cars Land Update : John Lasseter Tests Luigi's Flying Tires

After the Mater Junkyard Jamboree ride video posted recently, Disney has posted today another video this time showing the Luigi Flying Tires ride with no one else than John Lasseter testing it!

As you know, the ride is inspired by the technology of the famous Disneyland Flying Saucers who had so many problems in the 1960's. I've been confirmed that this time it should work fine, and it looks working fine on the video below!




Picture and video: copyright Disney

New Cars Toon " Air Mater " - Full Version, and in 3D !

If just like me you like Mater, you'll be happy to know that you will find in the Cars 2 Blu-Ray edition just released in the U.S and Canada the new Cars Toon called "Air Mater" - as well as the Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” and other features like a John Lasseter Commentary or "The Nuts and Bolts of Cars Land" which should interest theme park fans.



But if you live outside the U.S you may have to wait a bit more before the dvd - blu-ray release. So, i find for you on Youtube the full video of Air Mater, and in 3D please! If you have at home a red and blue 3D glasses it's time to put them on your nose!




If you prefer 2D, here is a non-3D version which will work fine also on mobile devices.




And, talking about Pixar, as you know John Lasseter has now his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but have you seen a video of the ceremony? If not, here is two videos, the second one showing John Lasseter's full recipient speech.







Air Mater video: copyright Disney - Pixar

Win 20 invitations for Paris Cars 2 special screening, with John Lasseter !

Edited 7/13: The Cars 2 Paris screening contest is now over and the ten lucky winners are:

Fabien Demeulenaere 
 
Violaine Paquel 
 
Julien Petitnicolas
 
Teddy Ransay
 
Thomas Schelkens
 
Léonard Meyer 
 
eddy oppl 
 
Ladislav Kral
 
Yariv
 
Robin Broos

All of them will be contacted by Disney press agent Julien Guillermin who asked me to remind to the winners that the screening will be July 21st at 8pm at the UGC CINE CITE LES HALLES theatre, in Paris. Winners must arrive 30 minutes before screening time, i.e at 7.30pm.

The right answers to the four questions were:
Question 1:
Tokyo, London, Paris, Porto Corsa

Question 2:
Finn McMissile

Question 3:
Francesco Bernoulli

Question 4:
Tom Morris

Thanks to all who have participated in this contest, and hope you all will enjoy Cars 2!

------------------------------------------------------
Please note that this article is both in english and in french. For the french version please scroll down.

Notez que cet article est à la fois en français et en anglais. Vous trouverez la version française ci-dessous, aprés la version anglaise.

Cars 2 will be released late July in France and Disney is organizing July 21 in Paris a special screening at 8pm at the UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles theatre. John Lasseter will be there in person and will answer to the audience questions!

Here is a contest to win 20 seats (ten invitations for two people) and this contest is open to everyone who will be in Paris on July 21st, you don't need to be french to participate.

It's very simple: answer to the four questions below, including the subsidiary question, and send me an email with your answers as well as your name and email adress at: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr

Question 1: What are the names of the four cities outside the United States in which there is a World Grand Prix race in Cars 2?

Question 2: What is the name of the British secret service car voiced by Michael Caine (in the english version of Cars 2)?

Question 3: What is the name of the italian car voiced by John Turturro (in the english version of Cars 2)?

Subsidiary Question: What is the name of the WDI Imagineer show designer of Cars Land that will open in 2012 at Disney's California Adventure? Is it:

1: Tony Baxter
2: Tom Morris
3: Joe Rhode
4: Chris Tietz

(I know, this one is a tough question)

Good luck, and send me your answers at: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr as soon as possible!



Version Française:

Disney organise à Paris une projection spéciale de Cars 2 le 21 Juillet au cinéma UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles à 20h en présence de John Lasseter qui répondra ausx questions du public!

Disney and more vous propose de gagner 20 invitations pour cette projection mémorable (dix invitations pour deux personnes). Pour gagner répondez aux quatre questions ci-dessous, inclus la question subsidiaire et envoyez vos réponses par email avec votre nom et adresse email à: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr

Le concours est ouvert à toute personne qui aura la possibilité d'ètre là, à Paris, le 21 Juillet, donc vous n'avez pas besoin d'ètre obligatoirement français.

Question 1: Quel est le nom des quatre villes hors des Etats Unis ou se déroulent les courses dans Cars 2?

Question 2: Quel est le nom de la voiture qui est un agent des services secrets britanniques et dont Michael Caine fait la voix dans la version originale anglaise?

Question 3: Quel est le nome de la voiture de course italienne dont John Turturro fait la voix dans la version originale anglaise?

Pour les questions 2 et 3 ci-dessus le nom demandé est celui de la voiture dans la version originale anglaise.

Question Subsidiaire: Quel est le nom de l'Imagineer show-designer de Cars Land qui ouvrira en 2012 à Disney's California Adventure? Est-ce:

1: Tony Baxter
2: Tom Morris
3: Joe Rhode
4: Chris Tietz

Bonne chance à tous, et merci de m'envoyer vos réponses au plus tot à: lawrence55@wanadoo.fr

Picture: © 2011 Disney – Pixar

Cars Land Virtual Drive-Through Video

Want to pre-visualize DCA's awaited Cars Land? Thanks to this video released by Imagineering, you'll be able to have a better idea of where will be what in DCA's major expansion, opening summer 2012. Virtual visualization helps a lot WDI Imagineers to have a clear view of their future creation, specially when it's a big land like this one.

Also, make sure to check the Cars Land high-res map below before you watch the video, it will help you to localize everything.






Pictures and video: copyright Disney



Click HERE for direct access to the TDS Wallpapers HD iTunes page or READ my article first HERE.

Cars Land Summer 2012 Opening Date Confirmed

Disney spokesman John McClintock has confirmed that Cars Land, will open at Disney's California Adventure in Summer 2012. We all knew that it was going to open next year but not exactly when. Now we know, and it will be in "Summer 2012", the exact date will of course depends of all the ride tests that WDI will do on each Cars Land attractions.

The Orange County Register did the picture above which will tell you precisely what will be what in the awaited 12-acres DCA addition and you can read more on their site HERE.

Talking about "Cars", Pixar announced that italian legendary actress Sophia Loren will voiced Mama Topolino - on the right on the picture below - when the character will speak in italian - Vanessa Redgrave will do the voice in the english version.



And, last but not least, Pixar also released this new Cars 2 clip called "Tokyo Party"!




Cars Land Picture: copyright Orange County Register

Cars Picture and Video: copyright Disney - Pixar