Cars Land After a Decade: How Are We Feeling?

[el_super]

Anyways, how do you feel about Cars Land after nearly a decade?

Meh. Pretty much the same I felt when they announced it. I get that people like it, and it certainly has it's fair moments, but I still really feel that the attraction is reliant on the appeal of the characters, and Cars is just not my favorite movie. Unlike some of the other mythical IP-based lands built recently, Cars Land is also the one that most closely resembles an actual place that you can go to. The mountains and cliffs, while maybe a little exaggerated, have direct analogues to places here on earth (and ironically not in California). What has always felt a little off about the placemaking, was trying to convey the sense of an isolated desert location, in a theme park space that is meant to be comfortable (or at least hospitable). It's weird in a sense, the trees and vegetation really don't feel like they belong. When you've gone to these places and parks out in the desert, and your brain starts to see some of the connections, the illusion is broken by the pieces that don't match. So yeah overall I think it was a weird choice for a theme park land.

It still seems to be doing alright for itself though, and people still seem to think that West Coast Test Track is the greatest attraction since Rocket Rods so ... your mileage may vary.

 

[el_super]

This I did not know. I’m trying to think of a space in which it could have gone and I can’t think of one, assuming the current version of what’s there now (with the Flying Tires) were still in the plans when Cars Land was announced.

That weird empty space on the north side of Luigi's:

 

[Californian Elitist]

Northeast of Flying Tires. I think it was just parking space? It was pushed back to the mythic “Phase II”

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Thank you for sharing this.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It still seems to be doing alright for itself though, and people still seem to think that West Coast Test Track is the greatest attraction since Rocket Rods so

I think it’s better than anything Disney has built in the USA since Everest. And the fact that the major effects still work means I think it’s better than Everest so that means I think it’s the best since Florida’s tower.

Just my personal scale of course.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Meh. Pretty much the same I felt when they announced it. I get that people like it, and it certainly has it's fair moments, but I still really feel that the attraction is reliant on the appeal of the characters, and Cars is just not my favorite movie. Unlike some of the other mythical IP-based lands built recently, Cars Land is also the one that most closely resembles an actual place that you can go to. The mountains and cliffs, while maybe a little exaggerated, have direct analogues to places here on earth (and ironically not in California). What has always felt a little off about the placemaking, was trying to convey the sense of an isolated desert location, in a theme park space that is meant to be comfortable (or at least hospitable). It's weird in a sense, the trees and vegetation really don't feel like they belong. When you've gone to these places and parks out in the desert, and your brain starts to see some of the connections, the illusion is broken by the pieces that don't match. So yeah overall I think it was a weird choice for a theme park land.

It still seems to be doing alright for itself though, and people still seem to think that West Coast Test Track is the greatest attraction since Rocket Rods so ... your mileage may vary.

Since 1998, what has Disney built that surpasses RSR, in your opinion?

 

[DanielBB8]

I enjoyed Cars Movie, but I felt it was 30 minutes too long. It hit it out of the ballpark with characterizations and locations. Thus, it was the perfect movie to translate to a theme park. So I'm not going to knock it for the theme park land. It is impressive from the grand rockwork to the rides. All 3 rides are perfect companions. I always go on the 3 rides with the sad exception of Luigi's, which is down more often than working. They seemed to have largely fixed the reliability. Carsland is the anchor that holds together DCA. It ties together Grizzly Peak and Pacific Wharf. The weakest land is now Hollywood Pictures Backlot that has to go.

 

[DanielBB8]

Since 1998, what has Disney built that surpasses RSR, in your opinion?

You have to go to Tokyo DisneySeas.

 

[Old Mouseketeer]

That stretch of walkway between Flo's and RSR on the way to Pacific Wharf is by far one of the best quiet spots in the resort. They couldn't have designed it any better, a rarity for modern Imagineering.

Totally agree. That is a grand vista. I used to bring first timers to Cars Land in from Pacific Wharf through the archway for that great reveal.

 

[Californian Elitist]

You have to go to Tokyo DisneySeas.
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I should have been specific and mentioned DLR only.

 

[el_super]

Since 1998, what has Disney built that surpasses RSR, in your opinion?

In scope and scale or in personal preference? Rise of the Resistance and even Millennium Falcon I feel are better attractions in the scope and scale category. Both are far more ambitious than Racers. Personally my must-do list at DCA would include Soarin and even Mission Breakout before I considered waiting in line for Racers. It's not necessarily a bad ride, but I don't think it's worth the 100+ minute waits it usually has (or had). But again, I don't like the Cars movie so much.

I also think it's a little weird that you wait so long for the ride, to go inside and see a recreation of the town outside of the ride. Seems so strangely redundant.

 

[lazyboy97o]

That stretch of walkway between Flo's and RSR on the way to Pacific Wharf is by far one of the best quiet spots in the resort. They couldn't have designed it any better, a rarity for modern Imagineering.

I believe that is the work of Tom Morris, who’s work is throughout the land without credit.

 

[el_super]

You have to go to Tokyo DisneySeas.

I'm not really one for superfluously aggrandizing Tokyo Disney Sea, but their version of Rocket Rods / Test Track really is the best one.

 

[Californian Elitist]

In scope and scale or in personal preference? Rise of the Resistance and even Millennium Falcon I feel are better attractions in the scope and scale category. Both are far more ambitious than Racers. Personally my must-do list at DCA would include Soarin and even Mission Breakout before I considered waiting in line for Racers. It's not necessarily a bad ride, but I don't think it's worth the 100+ minute waits it usually has (or had). But again, I don't like the Cars movie so much.

I also think it's a little weird that you wait so long for the ride, to go inside and see a recreation of the town outside of the ride. Seems so strangely redundant.

Personal preference.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

In scope and scale or in personal preference? Rise of the Resistance and even Millennium Falcon I feel are better attractions in the scope and scale category. Both are far more ambitious than Racers. Personally my must-do list at DCA would include Soarin and even Mission Breakout before I considered waiting in line for Racers. It's not necessarily a bad ride, but I don't think it's worth the 100+ minute waits it usually has (or had). But again, I don't like the Cars movie so much.

I also think it's a little weird that you wait so long for the ride, to go inside and see a recreation of the town outside of the ride. Seems so strangely redundant.

That's a good thought for another thread!
I'd say, #1 Radiator Springs Racers, #2 Soarin', #3 Grizzly River Run, #4 Incredicoaster, #5 Mission Breakout. But that's just me. It is sad that there are not many "D Ticket" type attractions in the park. (Not many "E"s either, but that's another thread again! )

 

[el_super]

Personal preference.

Soarin. Personally the California version over the world version. I liked that it was original to DCA (for a long time), had the original score and showcased places I had actually been to in a real way. Back in the real old days when you only had to wait 15-20 minutes, it was fantastic.

 

[BubbaisSleep]

I'm not a fan of the Cars movies and I've only see the first two movies once each. That being said, I love Carsland just as much as when it opened. Carsland just carries a lot of charm that seems to be missing in certain areas of DCA & the land just feels very Disney. When I exit the ride I'm always really thrilled, happy, & smiling. I also really enjoy how they decorate the land for Halloween & Christmas.

I also get very excited to eat at Flo's for breakfast at least once every trip. Usually we'll enter Carsland through the pier side as there is no better way to enter Carsland & we'll eat our breakfast in either the dinning room or the outdoor area that faces the RSR depending on the weather. Great spot to take everything in, listen to some oldies, watch the cars race by & eat some great breakfast.

 

[J4546]

ive never seen the cars movies and dont care about them, but the cars land is great imo. A def positive addition to a struggling at the time park. RSR is an amazing e-ticket ride and the no other park has anything like it ( test track is similar i suppose) the other 2 rides ive never been on, but theyre cool small rides for kids. the road cone food place is awesome, the stores are ok, i dont really care too much about stores (with a few exceptions) But the land really shines at night though with its beautiful neon ambience. And the giant rock wall in the distance really helps with the immersion. Also I like all 3 entrance/exit points whether you enter from the hub or the quiet pier pathway its a great vibe. I cant wait to see how the new avengers campus pathway feels when transitioning between lands.

 

[DLR92]

Meh. Pretty much the same I felt when they announced it. I get that people like it, and it certainly has it's fair moments, but I still really feel that the attraction is reliant on the appeal of the characters, and Cars is just not my favorite movie. Unlike some of the other mythical IP-based lands built recently, Cars Land is also the one that most closely resembles an actual place that you can go to. The mountains and cliffs, while maybe a little exaggerated, have direct analogues to places here on earth (and ironically not in California). What has always felt a little off about the placemaking, was trying to convey the sense of an isolated desert location, in a theme park space that is meant to be comfortable (or at least hospitable). It's weird in a sense, the trees and vegetation really don't feel like they belong. When you've gone to these places and parks out in the desert, and your brain starts to see some of the connections, the illusion is broken by the pieces that don't match. So yeah overall I think it was a weird choice for a theme park land.

It still seems to be doing alright for itself though, and people still seem to think that West Coast Test Track is the greatest attraction since Rocket Rods so ... your mileage may vary.

I have felt the very same about the land. I don’t fee like in California. Geography I felt Carsland is Arizona and mix of other southwestern state deserts not of California.

 

[Californian Elitist]

California has canyons and deserts that look similar to Cars Land.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Disney really should've considered an Incredibles Palm Springs inspired area to replace Bug's Land and have had a Marvel cityscape replace Paradise Pier which would've made the sights of the Anaheim cityscape actually make some sense and given them a good opportunity to turn Paradise Pier Hotel into "Avengers Tower" or something similar.