Cars Land originally opened in 2012 at Disney California Adventure and is the literal theme park version of Radiator Springs from the Disney and Pixar movie series, Cars. The land features three attractions, three quick-service dining locations, three gift shops, two character meet-and-greet opportunities, and about a million photo ops.
With so much to experience at Cars Land, it can be easy to miss some of the details and must-do’s. We can always guarantee a great time in Cars Land but here are five tips to maximize your visit and ensure you experience all the charm of this extremely immersive land.
Cars Land at a Glance
- 3 Attractions – Radiator Springs Roadsters (Lightning Lane available to purchase), Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- 3 Quick-Service Restaurants – Flo’s V8 Café, Filmore’s Taste-In, and the Cozy Cone Motel
- 3 Gift Shops – Sarge’s Surplus Hut, Ramone’s House of Body Art, and the Radiator Springs Curio Shop
- 2 Character Meet and Greet Opportunities – Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater in front of the Cozy Cone Motel
1. Try the Single Rider Line for Radiator Springs Racers
Radiator Springs Racers is Cars Land’s premier attraction, as it puts you directly into the story of Cars with all your favorite characters and a thrilling race to the finish line. This family-friendly attraction does have a height requirement of 42″, but don’t worry; there are other Cars Land attractions you should NOT miss.
Radiator Springs Racers offers individual Lightning Lane access for purchase, which averages around $20 per person. The attraction also offers a single rider line, which not only costs you $0 but is often a quicker wait than Lightning Lane. Since Radiator Springs Racers often has a posted wait time of an hour or more (even at park opening) you’ll want to have a strategy for getting to experience it. Each Radiator Springs Racers ride vehicle seats six guests (three guests in two rows), so there is a chance of being in the same ride vehicle even as a single rider.
All that to say, don’t let the long line or expense of Lightning Lane be the reason you don’t experience this one-of-a-kind Disney attraction! Try the Single Rider option next time you visit.
2. Don’t Skip Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree or Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Both Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters offer shorter wait times, no Lightning Lane, and a minimum height requirement of only 32″. More importantly, they are both so much fun that you can’t help but smile the entire time. Both attractions offer their own unique soundtracks and even a holiday overlay for both Halloween and Christmas. Just like the rest of Cars Land, the theming is SO over the top. You are literally walking through both Mater’s Junk Yard and Luigi’s Casa Della Tires straight from Cars.
If you’re thinking Mater’s and Luigi’s are just for kids, I promise you’ll be surprised just how much fun you have and how both attractions truly round out the immersive experience of Cars Land.
3. Get a Cone
It wouldn’t be Radiator Springs without the Cozy Cone Motel and aside from all the details in Sally’s office and photo ops outside the cones, there are unique food and drink options for everyone!
There are five Cozy Cones to enjoy snacks from – churros, chili cone queso, frozen cone-coctions, and the popcorn scoop. While some of these options might seem basic, there are unique items at each cone. For example there is always a seasonal churro and flavored popcorn like dill pickle or sour cream and chive. The frozen cone-coctions offers California craft beer and specialty cocktails perfect for the adults before getting in a long line for Radiator Springs Racers.
You absolutely MUST stop by my favorite cone, the “chili cone queso.” There are two options for bread cones on the menu – the Chili Cone Queso (beef chili, cheddar cheese, and corn chops served in a bread cone) or the Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese (creamy mac ‘n’ cheese mixed with roasted bacon and served in a bread cone). The Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese cone is my go-to Cars Land snack. It has the perfect smoky flavor from the bacon plus the consistency of the cheddar mac and cheese is perfect. The best part is it’s a walkable, filling treat perfect for eating on the go to your next attraction.
4. Don’t Miss Nighttime in Cars Land
Cars Land truly comes to life at night with the vibrant neon that gives the land a completely new feel. This is a great time to find a bench and enjoy a treat from the Cozy Cone. One of my must-do’s every trip to California Adventure is to watch the neon come on at sunset in Cars Land. Just like in the movie Cars, the neon slowly starts to come on with the song “Sh-Boom” playing in the background. If you stand at the intersection of the street near Flo’s V8 Café and Luigi’s Casa Della Tires, cast members hand out racing flags to little ones to parade around the street during the song. You won’t find the time of this magical moment listed in the Disneyland app so be sure to check the sunset time and ask a Cars Land cast member.
5. Slow Down and Soak in the Details
Cars Land is so special in how it feels exactly like you’re stepping foot into the “cutest little town in Carburetor County.” In addition to replicas of familiar places like Ornament Valley, Flo’s V8 Café, and the Cozy Cone Motel, you can also find countless details that help bring this Route 66 road-side town come to life.
Speaking of Route 66, there’s plenty of Route 66 signage and even souvenirs for purchase inside the Radiator Springs Curio Shop. If you’ve visited Route 66 before, you know exactly where Radiator Springs gets its inspiration. In fact, some of the buildings in Radiator Springs are almost replicas of real towns in Arizona like Williams and Seligman.
Ramone’s House of Body Art gift shop features airbrush hood art in the front windows, and each car hood has a “Hidden Mickey.” These are definitely more advanced Hidden Mickeys, so be sure to test your entire group on how many you can find!
Sarge’s Surplus Hut gift shop has a Mattel model of Radiator Springs exactly from the movie and even lights up at night just like Cars Land does.
In addition to an impressive level of detail, Cars Land also completely transforms for “Haul-O-Ween” and for “Seasons Speeding’s.” Decorations include seasonal movie posters outside the “Carburetor County Tractor Feed and Farm Truck Association Hall” as an advertisement for fictional drive-in movies.
Cars Land is one of the best additions to any Disney Park and adds to the charm and detail of the “Disneyland difference.” Whatever you decide to do in Cars Land, be sure to allow enough time to truly appreciate it.
And to get a better look and feel for all of Cars Land, be sure to watch the DIS Unlimited’s Cars Land | A Walk in the Park at Disney California Adventure!
