With two sequels, various short films, and a Disney+ series, Disney and Pixar’s 2006 film Cars has an enduring legacy. Along with that legacy comes a wide fan base spanning twenty-somethings like me to car-obsessed youngsters like my four-year-old nephew. Our families are planning a Walt Disney World vacation together, and this shared love of Cars got me thinking: what are the Disney World must-dos for Cars fanatics? Read below to find out what Disney World has to offer fans of Cars and cars alike.
Art of Animation
Walt Disney World’s newest value resort is also its best. Celebrating the artistry behind hand-drawn and computer-animated films, this resort features rooms and courtyards based on four Disney and Pixar films: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and, you guessed it, Cars. I’ve stayed in Cars family suite before and highly recommend it, but you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the Cars-themed courtyard! As someone who has never visited Cars Land in California, Art of Animation is the closest I’ve come to walking down Radiator Springs. Walk down Route 66 past well-maintained statues of Doc Hudson, Filmore, Mater, and more. Toward the end of the courtyard, you’ll find the Cozy Cone swimming pool (reserved for resort guests) and a beautiful recreation of the Wheel Well Inn – along with life-sized statues of McQueen and Sally themselves.
Test Track
The remainder of this guide is geared toward the car-obsessed in addition to Cars fans due to the overlap between the two. (Just ask my nephew, who loves anything with an engine.) At the top of this list is the Test Track ride at EPCOT. This immersive, interactive experience involves designing and riding a test car. A series of tests on the vehicle’s safety and responsiveness capabilities is followed by a thrilling 65 mph run on the test track. After the ride, guests can design a commercial for their car, take a photo-op, or test their car again on a virtual course.
Tomorrowland Speedway
Located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, the Tomorrowland Speedway allows guests 32 inches or over to drive a gas-powered car through a mini motorway. The smell of gas and the loud engines makes this a no-go for me, but my nephew can’t get enough of it. Plus, kiddos can get their own “driver’s license” after riding!
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
If you’re in Hollywood Studios and find yourself in need of a pit stop, I recommend the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. Guests sit in booths placed within vehicles at an old-fashioned drive-in theater while retro sci-fi clips play on the screen. Car-lovers are sure to enjoy this immersive experience, even with the notable lack of Lightning McQueen. Ka-chow!
And for Cars fans, the road ahead is only getting better. With Piston Peak, a brand-new Cars-themed land, revving up for Magic Kingdom, there’s even more to look forward to on future trips. If this guide feels exciting now, just wait until Lightning McQueen and friends have a whole new place to call home.
