Peeking under the hood at latest Disney attraction
Cas Land to open on June 15
Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and now what’s this behind the tall fence — Cars Land?
Disneyland is at it again, creating a new five-hectare “land” and it’s all based on the fictitious animated town of Radiator Springs from the hit Disney/pixar movie Cars. The land opens to the public June 15, but details about what’s behind the fence is being kept hush-hush.
I met with Greg Wilzbach, a senior concept design director from the Walt Disney Imagineering to pry some information out of him. But like the rest of the people coming in and out of the locked door leading into the construction zone, he was as tight-lipped as a parent hiding Christmas presents.
But it’s hard to conceal outcrops shaped like Cadillac fins that thrust skyward from a man-made range of “Utah-esque” mountains. The realism of the rock is astounding.
Expect to find hood ornaments, tires and, of course, famous stylings of radiators woven into the stratigraphy.
It appears that California Adventure, the sister park built in what used to be the parking lot at Disneyland is finishing a five-year long facelift. It still celebrates everything great about California, but will now embrace the car culture as well.
It was hard to peek over the fence while standing on a bench to see exactly what Wilzbach was trying to not show me but here is what I pried out of him.
There will be three attractions to draw visitors down Route 66 into Radiator Springs. Luigi’s Flying Tires are mini hovercraft vehicles that pay homage to the flying saucer ride that had trouble getting off the ground in the early years. Then there is Mater’s Tractor Pull, which looks designed for small children. Wilzbach assures with a giggle that all ages will enjoy the “crack-the-whip-”style thrill.
Finally there is the much anticipated Radiator Springs Racers, in which two cars head out on the track to race each other through the badlands, around hoodoos and down Route 66 in a twisting high-speed adventure.
The food offered in Cars Land will not be truck stop greasy spoon specials but have its own corny spin on old favourites. The stores are modelled after those tacky roadside attractions that seem to have gone out of style.
The main entrance to California Adven- ture is undergoing a huge restoration as well to embrace the 1920s era of California. What’s happening there is also kept “under the hood” but Wilzbach suggests there will be red San Francisco trolleys moving guests along a refurbished Buena Vista Street. The fences will come down on June 15 with a newer, improved version of California Adventure. Will it be worth the wait? Like waiting for a new model of a favourite car, this will be one for the road.