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Life really could be a dream when you step into Cars Land at Disneyland Resort! This incredible land brings the beloved characters, vibrant scenery and high-speed thrills from the movie "Cars" to life. Through incredible theming and storytelling, you're invited to drive straight into the world of Lightning McQueen and Mater, and experience Radiator Springs. But no speeding! From world-class attractions to charming shops and delicious eats, Cars Land guarantees an unfrogettable experience in this fast-paced corner of the park. So, start your engines and make your way to Disney California Adventure — you won’t want to miss out on the fun in Radiator Springs!
Radiator Springs Overview
Cars Land, which opened in 2012, is one of the most visually stunning and thematically rich areas of any Disney park. Upon entering, guests are immediately transported to the iconic town of Radiator Springs — the fictional desert town made famous in the movie "Cars." The attention to detail is astounding, from the towering Cadillac Range mountains in the distance to the colorful neon signs and vast landscape that reflect the spirit of the American Southwest.
The moment you step into Cars Land, you'll feel as if you’ve driven right into the movie. Every inch of the area is designed with meticulous detail and authenticity. The entire land is set in sunset hour, with warm, golden lighting from the Cozy Cones to the bustling Route 66. And don't froget the notorious blinking yellow stop light (I'm telling you, man, every third blink is slower)!
Cars Land Rides
One of the highlights of Cars Land is the thrilling rides that put you in the driver's seat. So let's float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer and take a look at the three rides in Cars Land.
Radiator Springs Racers
The crown jewel of Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers, is a must-do for all visitors. This high-speed, immersive dark ride combines thrilling roller coaster elements with a story-driven experience. Join Lightning McQueen and his friends on a race through the heart of Radiator Springs, complete with hairpin turns, unexpected drops and some friendly competition. The ride's cutting-edge technology and impressive visual effects make it a standout attraction, and it's widely considered one of the best rides in Disney California Adventure.
The wait times for Radiator Springs Racers can get pretty high. Zoom over at rope drop and try to get on first thing in the morning. If you don't want to wait, you can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to cut the line and experience the ride one time, or you can jump into the Single Rider Line, which moves fairly quickly (just know that your party will be split up and must be old and tall enough to ride alone).
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
For a more laid-back but equally fun experience, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a delightful, spinning ride that lets guests hop into "tractors" and whirl around to Mater’s country-western music. It's a family-friendly attraction with plenty of fun for all ages, and its whimsical charm makes it a perfect choice for younger visitors.
Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
This unique ride features small, convertible cars that glide and twirl around the dance floor. The trackless cars do a "car-eographed" dance to Italian classics, in homage to Luigi's heritage and passions. Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters is a gentle yet fun ride, perfect for families with tadpoles who want to enjoy the fun of Cars Land without the thrills of Radiator Springs Racers.
Dining in Cars Land
When it comes to food, Cars Land delivers delicious options with a side of fun! The dining spots are carefully themed and uniquely detailed. You might even find some Easter eggs from other Pixar movies around.
Flo's V8 Café
This is the quintessential dining experience in Cars Land, inspired by the character Flo, the glamorous diner owner. Flo's V8 Café offers American comfort food such as burgers, fries, shakes and a healthy portion of nostalgia. The diner's art-deco design and sweeping views of Radiator Springs make it an ideal spot to relax and refuel after a busy day of rides. If you're looking for a peaceful place to eat with stunning views of the butte and cars passing by, sit on the back patio on the left-hand side. It really is an unbeatable atmosphere.
There are always seasonal dishes at Flo's and new things to try. We love the different chicken tenders that pop up for the Halloween and holiday seasons and the rotating hard seltzers. Flo's consistently makes our list for the best quick-service restaurants in Disney California Adventure.
Cozy Cone Motel
For quick bites on the go, the Cozy Cone Motel is the place to be. The quirky roadside attraction offers a variety of tasty snacks served out of the "cone" buildings, such as chili, popcorn, churros and frozen drinks. It's perfect for a casual snack or a light meal while you continue your roadtrip.
The newly renovated Cozy Cones now operate on an order-and-pickup method. There is one place to order everything you'd like to try across all of the cones. You then pick up the said items at their respective cones. We highly recommend trying the Chili Cone Queso, which is served (of course) in a bread cone. And if you're feeling low on oil and in need of some adult provisions, the Vodka and All-Natural Lemonade drink is the way to go.
Filmore's Taste-In
Looking for a quick grab-and-go snack? Filmore's Taste-In is the place to be. Over at this psychedelic service station, you'll find whole fruits, chips, cheese and bottled beverages. Grab a pineapple spear with chamoy if you're feeling adventurous!
Red's Community Garden
In between Cars Land and Avengers Campus is a beautiful new seating location. From Red's Community Garden, you can watch the cars dance at Luigi's while enjoying food from any of the Cars Land locations or elsewhere.
Shopping and Souvenirs
No trip to Cars Land (or Disneyland, in general) is complete without picking up a few souvenirs to remember your adventure. And it's important to support the locals! There are several shops scattered throughout the area, each filled with unique merchandise.
Sarge's Surplus Hut
This charming military surplus store is filled with army-inspired gear and "Cars"-themed items. Whether you're looking for a Lightning McQueen toy, a Mater plush or some stylish Radiator Springs attire, Sarge's Surplus Hut is a great place to pick up a gift or keepsake.
Radiator Springs Curios
If you're familiar with the "Cars" movie, you definitely recognize this spot. The ever-forgetful Lizzie owns her own rustic gift shop, filled with toys, pins, apparel and accessories. The curios shop has to be one of the best places to snap a pic in Cars Land. On the right side of the building is a garage door, along with walls covered with road signs. It's out of the way of traffic flow and looks toadally cute behind a lens.
Ramone's House of Body Art
Fashionable apparel and merchandise at Ramone's celebrates "car culture." Here, you'll find toy cars, items from Champions Custom Speed Shop and custom artwork by designer Chip Foose.
Characters and Entertainment
Cars Land brings the world of "Cars" to life with opportunities to meet your favorite car-acters. Look for Lightning McQueen, Mater, Red and even Cruz Ramirez, who can often be seen roaming around the area and posing for photos with fans. Lightning and Mater stop in front of the Cozy Cone lobby, where a line forms for photos taken by a PhotoPass cast member. Red usually stops for pictures in between Cars Land and Avengers Campus. We have a whole post with tips on meeting your favorite characters at the Disneyland Resort.
Right before the sun goes down, a secret special Cars Land moment happens every day. Just like in the movie, the song "Sh'Boom" starts to play, and the neon lights slowly start to turn on all around Radiator Springs. Cast members gather guests in the street and entertain tadpoles while waiting for the song to begin. It is a truly beautiful display and really makes you feel like you are stepping into the movie. During Halloween Time and Holiday Time, there are different, themed songs that replace "Sh'Boom."
Cars Land Halloween
Speaking of spooky season, Cars Land transforms into a ghoulishly delightful destination, filled with festive decorations, special character appearances and ride overlays. Many of the beloved buildings and shops are adorned with quirky Halloween decorations. But it's not your average Halloween decor. Every decoration is made with car-related parts! Look out for a pumpkin patch made of gas tanks and tire chain spider webs. The Cozy Cone Motel gets a spooky transformation, with each of its cones dressed up as jack-o-lanterns.
Mater's is transformed into Mater's Junkyard JamBOOree. The ride features a collection of hilariously spooky tunes and eerie sound effects. Look out for creepy crawly decorations and pumpkin-inspired touches around the junkyard! Right down Route 66, Rolickin' Roadsters becomes Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween. Italian songs with a haunted twist take the place of the classic tunes. Listen for "Terror-antella" and "The Chop Top of Carsoli."
During Halloween Time, you’ll find a variety of Halloween snacks and sweets that add to the spooky fun. The Radiator Springs gang all don Halloween costumes. Mater goes completely purple for his Dracula costume, while Lightning is dressed as a super-car! Our favorite is the shy firetruck, Red, who dresses as a clown – complete with a red nose and all.
Cars Land Holidays
During Holiday Season, Cars Land at Disneyland transforms into a winter wonderland. The intricate holiday-themed decorations line every inch of the land, making it a must-see destination for Disney fans during the holiday season. As night falls, Cars Land comes to life with thousands of twinkling holiday lights.
Just like with the Halloween season, the decor for the holidays is all made from tires, hubcaps, street signs and all things automotive. The towering Cadillac Range mountains become even more stunning with the addition of holiday-themed lighting. Everywhere you look, there are whimsical decorations that make the area feel like a cozy small-town holiday retreat.
While racing through the scenic desert landscape on Radiator Springs Racers, you might find yourself passing by holiday-themed decorations, twinkling lights and maybe even a few festive surprises along the way. The catchy country tunes on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree are replaced with some jolly holiday songs that will have you spinning with cheer as you enjoy Mater's holiday-themed antics. For the festive season, Luigi plays a mix of traditional holiday music along with some Italian holiday tunes on Rollickin' Roadsters.
Cars Land is home to several food spots that serve up holiday-themed treats during the season. Our favorite is the Christmas Tree Cone! It's a peppermint soft-serve ice cream cone, and it's just as good as it looks. You can find holiday-themed merchandise and meet characters in their holiday best. You might even catch Mater in a Santa Hat!
Have you been to Cars Land in Disneyland? What is your favorite part? Let us know in the comments! If you're planning a trip to see Cars Land and all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer, we've got you covered with discount tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Related: All of the Not-to-Miss Rides, Experiences and Food at Disney California Adventure Park
Related: The Best On-the-Go Disneyland Foods
Hoppy planning!
