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Moms Panel Monday: Start Your Engines at Disney California Adventure Park!

It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago, Disney Parks Moms Panelist Amanda Ficili and I were at Disneyland Resort filming a commercial in the not-yet-opened Cars Land. As we walked down the vacant Route 66 that morning, we were beyond giddy with excitement. In just a few days, the grand opening was planned and we were running on all pistons. Not far from that spot, Courtney Bautista was also giddy in anticipation for the park that would thrill her then 2-year-old moto-tot Mason.
“Disney

What a difference a year makes! Courtney’s dreams came true and she became our third Disney Parks Moms Panelist representing the Disneyland Resort. Now that Mason is turning three this summer, Courtney and her family have made it a must to visit Cars Land whenever they can.
“Disney

“From the moment we entered Cars Land, it was like stepping into the town of Radiator Springs. The look on Mason’s star-struck face when he spotted his favorite characters, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, was one I’ll never forget.”

Cars Land has become one of Courtney and Mason’s favorite places to visit at the Disneyland Resort, but for Courtney, it’s the snack fare that gets her motor revving.

“Every time we are there, the Disney foodie in me has to grab one of the tasty ‘cone-coctions‘ from the Cozy Cone Motel. My favorite? The dill pickle flavored popcorn.”

Courtney says the evenings are a great time to visit. “Cars Land is especially stunning at night. The countless colorful neon lights and the Cadillac Mountain Range in Ornament Valley truly look like the skyline of a bygone era. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the six peaks of the mountain range represent Cadillac tail fins from 1957-1962!”

What is your favorite blast from the past at Cars Land?

Comments

  • Working here and being a huge Disney fan for years means I can take ‘magic’ for granted. When I walked into Cars Land I was so impressed and that is saying a lot for a Disney Princess.

    Diane, Jackie and Becky you forgot to tell me your favorite retro thing from Cars Land!!!

    L

  • Hi Laura

    We visited Cars Land opening weekend & have so many fantastic memories! It was our honeymoon & we brought our son (who was 2 1/2 at the time) to meet his favourite race car! We live n Perth Australia so because we can not go to Disney regularly we have tried to re create radiator springs in my sons bedroom! Using a photo of cars land which was on our disney photo pass cd we have turned it into wall paper for his feature wall – it looks fantastic!! His room is full of all things cars including his piston cup & maters tractor toy which we purchased in Sarges surplus hut!! We are now saving to visit again hopefully 2015 – we are expecting a baby girl this may so very excited to visit the fantastic parks again with our cars mad son & a little princess!!

    Cars land truly is such a magical place & would recommend a visit to everyone! The neon lights at night were amazing & love looking at our very own radiator springs at home thanks to the amazing disney photographers!

    Can not wait until our next visit!!

    Becky

  • Hi Laura,
    I loved this Mom’s Panel Post, I find it very inspirational. Courtney and Mason look so happy in the pics, I can’t wait to visit Cars Land with my family. It will be our first time so I will need a lot of advice from them. I also can’t wait for my dream to come true and be part of the Mom’s Panel too 🙂

    Have a magical Day !!

    Mouse Fan Diane

  • Hi Laura,

    That is a true dream come true for Courtney, how ecstatic she must be! What a wealth of planning advice she must have being a native of California and being able to visit Disneyland Resort so often.

    I look forward to reading Courtney’s advice over at the Disney Parks Moms Panel and I too, also look forward to applying once again when the application process opens up in September.

    I am very excited about my dream of someday having a spot on the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Thank you for this inspirational post! My engines are revved for September and I’m so ready!

    Best regards,
    Jacqueline (Jackie)

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