Cars Land – Page 3

A Junkyard Jamboree

I was not expecting to love Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree half as much as I did. Fortunately for us, a good friend gave us the tip of all three sitting together. Let me tell you, those little tractor’s can sure dance. I have no idea how the Imagineers did it, but you swing back and forth all over the junkyard, transferring partners and trying to keep your laugh at a tolerable volume for the people brave enough to ride with you. Or at least with me. When we were making our way out of Cars Land for the evening, I noticed the tractors finally at rest from a long, joyful day.

Luigi’s Casa Della Tires

Cars Land, Disney California Adventure

The one ride we didn’t make it on last Saturday was Luigi’s Flying Tires. I can’t wait to go back and try my hand at gliding on air while pegging fellow park goers with beach balls. Until then I’m left with the magical neon glow of Cars Land burned into my memory like rubber from tires spun on asphalt. I think one of my favorite neon signs would have to be this one from Luigi’s. Every time I see it I hear Guido saying “pit stop!”

The Glow at Flo’s

Cars Land, Disney California Adventure

I was a bit of a skeptic back when I first heard there was a whole land being built for Cars. I had seen the movie once but hadn’t connected with it at the time. I grew up right off of Route 66 between Victorville and Barstow with a pretty poor outlook of my hometown and its surroundings. That’s not to say that I didn’t love the old buildings along the road, the unique people, the rusty signs, I did. But I grew up feeling it was inferior and almost ashamed to answer the question, “Where are you from?”

The announcement of Cars Land piqued my interest and I sat back down to watch the movie. The second go round was a different experience entirely. I found myself deeply moved with some sort of approval to appreciate the beauty and stories I grew up immersed in. In some way it made me feel more whole, more free.

Yesterday we stepped into Cars Land for the first time. Almost ninety minutes from where I grew up, I felt like I was home. There is an authenticity to this place that cannot verbally be conveyed, it has to be experienced. It’s impossible to miss the love that has gone into this new land. I didn’t want to leave and was more than content to spend most of the day there. To everyone who had a part to play in this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. In Cars Land life really is a dream.