The Car Land concept art looks like it would have been a perfectly decent theme park land, and I’m sure we would have been happy with it if it had been built.
But it wouldn’t have captured what I like best (and anecdotally what many people like best) about the Carsland we got: The detailed recreation of Radiator Springs.
It’s interesting - I’m trying to think of an other IP that has as specific a location and that still approximates the size of a practical themed land. If I can find something comparable to Radiator Springs then I can make an analogy.
Hogwarts/Hogsmede is almost in the same ballpark, but the park version compresses a 10-20 square miles or so into a dozen acres. More importantly, while we have a rough expectation of where Hogwarts castle is in relation to Hogsmede, even the most dedicated Potter fans don’t know the locations of which stores are where in Hogsmede.
Star Wars’ most iconic locations are its vehicles (the insides of which its fans know MANY details) and its distinct “worn universe” vibe/style. There’s no particular 14 acres in the Star Wars movies that lend themselves perfectly to 14 acres of Star Wars Land. So a new town was invented, in the right style, with the right vehicles “visiting.”
The best example I can think of to use as my analogy is Back to the Future’s Hill Valley. Much like Radiator Springs in Cars, that town was practically another character in the movie. Like Lightning McQueen inched his way past each establishment as he hauled Bessie, Marty and Doc spend time (rimshot!) at or near the establishments in and around Courthouse Square. Even casual fans of both franchises have a pretty good handle on what goes where in their respective towns.
Now, my analogy...
Carsland, as ultimately built, is like if they built Hill Valley for a Back to the Future Land. And just like I get tickled pink seeing Filmore's right by Sarges, right by Doc Hudson’s, guests visiting Hill Valley would enjoy the malt shop, the Texaco, the movie theater, all where they’re supposed to be.
(Caveat - I don’t know which time period they’d go with for this hypothetical Hill Valley. Either the 50’s or the Future, but pick one and go with it.). The big E ticket would be inside the courthouse of course. But the real magic of this land would lie in the recreation of this town we had only known from a movie. (For the moment imagine it doesn't exist at the Universal backlot.)
Car Land, on the other hand, seems like it would be analogous to a “Time Travel Land”. See, broader theme! Not weighed down by a single IP with a limited shelf life of popularity! You’d still have your big, terrific E ticket inside the iconic Hill Valley Courthouse. And maybe the malt shop too, but what’s this where the Hill Valley movie theater should be? Bill and Ted’s San Dimas High School?! And next to that, parked on the sidewalk? Why the Doctor’s TARDIS of course (making an uncharacteristic visit outside of the UK). And look, see those scorch marks on the pavement? A Terminator must have appeared there!
All well and good for 20th century theme park design. But we’ve gotten better than that, in my opinion. I don’t want to see Goofy in a convertible going on a road trip while still within eye-shot of Lighting McQueen, anymore than I want to see San Dimas High next to the Hill Valley Courthouse.
In that Car Land concept art, I see Luigi’s, but what’s this big block of buildings right across from there? That’s not what should be across the street from the Casa Della Tires. It may be a swell attraction about mid century California car culture, but its placement is screwing up the illusion of actually being at Luigi’s. My brain will try to make explanations (Maybe this is a new franchise location for Casa Della Tires? Luigi’s West Coast campus?) and maybe the typical guest wouldn’t care.
Why make a generic “Marty’s” 50s diner (ironic name, in light of my Back to the Future analogy) when by building Flo’s instead, you still got a 50’s diner but you can ALSO make fans of the Cars movie happy?
Why break into pieces a fan fav fictional town that was practically served up for you on a plate, ready-made by the movie makers, and already perfectly designed for theme park use AND still be pretty darn near screen accurate? Why destroy the immersive illusion of one specific story only to tell a broader catch-all story with a diluted illusion and with contradictory story elements?
Just to be more “creative”?
--End Rant--