50th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disneyland Resort Donates Lightning McQueen Power Wheels to Local Nonprofits

posted on July 6th, 2012 by Kevin Rafferty, Jr., Communications Specialist, Disneyland Resort


Children at 10 local nonprofit organizations are saying “Ka-Chow!” thanks to the donation of 30 Lightning McQueen Power Wheels from the Disneyland Resort! You may remember the vehicles from a recent Cars Land video we shared here on the Disney Parks Blog.

Disneyland Resort Donates Lightning McQueen Power Wheels to Local Nonprofits

The donation is bringing daily fun and excitement to children at CHOC Children’s (Children’s Hospital of Orange County), Anaheim Family YMCA, and the Orange County Ronald McDonald House, to name a few. The donated vehicles feature race car sounds, phrases from the Disney•Pixar “Cars” films, and even power lock brakes! Check them out in this remix version of the original video.

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Blue Sky Cellar: Imagineering Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 27th, 2012 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, Disneyland Resort


From time to time, we’ve shared clips of some of the videos that have played in Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure park. Some Disney Parks Blog readers have asked us to post the videos in their entirety, so today I’m excited to be able to feature two videos that have been featured recently in the preview center that has displayed the concepts from Walt Disney Imagineering throughout the expansion of the park.

Up first is a beautiful feature on the creative process behind the design and construction of Cars Land, in which you hear from Imagineers themselves on the inspiration, emotion and rewards of building such an immersive experience for guests. Grab a tissue!

I’ll be back later today with another complete Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar video for you to enjoy.

For more Disney California Adventure park news, see the posts below:

Beyond Sodas: Snazzy New Sips in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 22nd, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer


“Guests want options other than water and soft drinks,” says Jeannie Villarreal-Bissell, Disneyland Resort Beverage Manager. “They want something fun and unique – something they may not be able to create themselves – and it needs to be yummy!”

Cue the Disney beverage experts. And Walt Disney Imagineering to come up with clever names.

Cars Land offers six fun, new non-alcoholic sips themed to the hit film, “Cars.” For example, at the Cozy Cone Motel, Cone #1 features “Ramone’s Pear of Dice Soda” made with desert pear and mojito flavorings and Sprite. Remember Ramone in the movie, the lowrider who owns Ramone’s House of Body Art? Also at Cone #1, there’s regular and cinnamon-spiced hot cocoa.

“Fillmore’s

At Cone #2, check out the “route” beer floats. Cone #3 serves “Fillmore’s Fuelin’ Groovy Ades,” an all-natural lemonade with wild berry foam, or pomegranate limeade with lemon-lime foam. Fillmore is the resident hippie bus who owns an organic fuel shop in the movie.

“Red’s

Cone #4 serves Red’s Apple Freeze, made with 100% frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow and passion fruit-mango foam (delicious!). Red is the retro red fire truck in the movie, thus the “toasted marshmallow.”

Cone #5 offers Doc’s Wild Grape Tonic, with Sprite, wild grape syrup and wild berry foam topping. We loved Doc Hudson, the 1951 Hudson Hornet and town doctor in “Cars.”

“Mater's

At Flo’s V8 Café, you can try Mater’s Tulsa Tea, sweet green tea topped with passion fruit mango foam. Or a shake – chocolate, vanilla and or strawberry – topped off with “road gravel” (crunchy candies).

“Cozy

The 16-ounce drinks are $3.29 to $4.29, and available in a souvenir glass for an extra charge. (The Cozy Cone souvenir cups are pretty darn cute – shaped like a traffic cone.)

Which one will you try first?

For more Disney California Adventure park news, see the posts below:

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Race on Over for the ‘Car Show at Disneyland’ Pin Collection

posted on June 21st, 2012 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort


For those of you who are making the “Road Trip to California” next week for the pin release and signing, and for those of you who weren’t able to hitch a ride…here’s your first look at the next set of pins, set to release August 17. Themed to “A Car Show at Disneyland,” this collection of pins will range from characters like Tinker Bell, Oswald, Jessica Rabbit, Dumbo, Woody, Buzz, Sulley and the Yeti, to an array of pins idolizing hood ornaments, trophies and keys.
Pins from the New ‘Car Show at Disneyland’ Collection

I asked Disney Design Group artists Ron Cohee and Mike Sullivan for their thoughts on this new collection and here’s what they had to say:

“As a big Pixar fan, I really enjoyed working on these pins,” says Ron. “The pins are based on the scenes shown at the drive-in theater during the end credits of the film ‘Cars,’ where snippets of classics tell a different tale like ‘Toy Car Story,’ ‘A Bug’s Life,’ and ‘Monster Trucks, Inc.’ In this automotive universe, the Buzz Lightyear car is a Space Ranger Lunar Rover, Flik is – as you know – a ‘Bug’ and the Yeti is, of course, an abominable snowplow.”
Sketches for the ‘Car Show at Disneyland’ Pin Collection

Mike went on to share that it was their extensive research of different styles of cars that led to the designs. “I wanted each car to tie back to its owner. For example, Mickey’s car is a double ‘M,’ while Minnie’s car is based off the shape of her shoes. But it was when I was doing the illustration for the car show pin set,” says Mike, “that I decided I wanted to crank things up a notch, so I incorporated the iconic cars from the classic Disney and Pixar films with theme park attractions. A few that we consider trophy-worthy are Cruella’s Roadster, the Mayor-mobile from ‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the Incredimobile, among others.”
The ‘Car Show at Disneyland’ Pin Collection

There are about 15 pins in all, and while I can’t show you all of them, we will have the entire collection posted on www.DisneyPins.com. For those of you joining us at Disneyland Trading Night on June 29 at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, keep your eyes peeled for a look under the hood at more of these pins scheduled to release this summer.

Just like last time, these pins will be part of an online wristband opportunity. The entry period is July 25 – August 8, so don’t miss out. Those selected will have the opportunity to purchase the pins on the morning of August 17 at Disney’s Pin Traders. Tip: On August 17, Ron and Mike will be on hand for a special appearance and signing from 9-11 a.m. at Disney’s Pin Traders, and they will appear again later that evening from 7-10 p.m. as part of Trading Night at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

So get in gear and remember to sign up!

Check out these posts for more news about Disney pin trading:

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Cars Land Red Carpet and Opening Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 14th, 2012 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, Disneyland Resort


Last night, we were joined by lots of special guests for the Cars Land red carpet and opening celebration. Take a look back in the video below – featuring celebrities on the red carpet, a look at the opening celebration and more! The Disney Parks Blog was there, too, tweeting live – so check out Twitter.com/Disneyland for answers to some of the questions you wanted us to ask on the red carpet. And check out Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook for photos from the red carpet and opening celebration last night.

Read more news from Disney California Adventure park in the posts below:

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Racing to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 13th, 2012 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, Disneyland Resort


Ladies and gentlemen (not to mention boys and girls) – start your engines! We’re just hours away from the Cars Land Grand Opening ceremony, and it looks like some of our guests are already on their way!

When will you be racing into Cars Land?

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog Wednesday, June 13, at 8 p.m. PT for a LIVE webcast of the Cars Land Media Event! And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for complete coverage of all events this week at Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Read up on the latest Cars Land news in the posts below:

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From the Ground Up at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 12th, 2012 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations


It’s been nearly three years since the groundbreaking of Cars Land on that hot July day back in 2009. This video shows a time-lapse of Cars Land from the ground to nearly finished. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how close we are to opening! Enjoy!

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog Wednesday, June 13, at 8 p.m. PT for a LIVE webcast of the Cars Land Media Event! And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for complete coverage of all events this week at Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Check out these posts as we “gear up” for the opening of Cars Land:

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From ‘Cars’ to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 12th, 2012 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations


I highly recommend watching the Disney•Pixar film “Cars” before you visit Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. It will refresh your memory of all the charming details of Radiator Springs, from the blinking light in the middle of town to Luigi’s Leaning Tower of Tires outside his shop. Watching it in 2D will do two things: 1) remind you of how lifelike Pixar animators made Radiator Springs look through animation, and 2) enhance your appreciation of how Imagineers made Radiator Springs a reality. Watch this video and you’ll see what I mean.

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog Wednesday, June 13, at 8 p.m. PT for a LIVE webcast of the Cars Land Media Event! And keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for complete coverage of all events this week at Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Check out these posts as we “gear up” for the opening of Cars Land:

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Moms Panel Monday: Amanda & Laura Visit Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on June 11th, 2012 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort


This weekend, I put on my big sunglasses, my pink fedora and channeled my inner Nora Ephron and headed to Hollywood to be a director! Well, not exactly Hollywood, but to Disneyland Resort to a film shoot at the soon-to-be-opened Cars Land! Disneyland Mom Amanda Ficili and I spent the weekend filming some fun segments for the Disney Channel. Also making her TV debut was Amanda’s adorable daughter, Princess Bella. Yes, that’s her real name and she works it!

Disneyland Resort Mom Amanda Ficili and her Daughter Bella Visit Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

Amanda and I also were able to spend the day with her co-star, Cole Pendery, “Disney 365″ star and member of the up-and-coming band, “IM5.” Both Amanda and I kept telling his mom that he was the sweetest, most well-raised young man we had ever met. There is no doubt that in the near future, his poster will be on my daughter’s wall.

Since the filming took place in Cars Land, we got an early sneak peak into one of Disney California Adventure park’s newest and most exciting lands! I won’t spoil all the secrets, but everything there exceeded my expectations. I even got to take a ride on the new Radiator Springs Racers attraction, a dream come true for me. A fast race car, a pink dress, high heels and the sunshine of the West Coast. That’s California dreamin’ my way!

Cars Land opens to the public this week. Let me know if you loved it as much as we did!

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We’re Getting Geared Up for Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park! What Are Your Questions for the Cast of ‘Cars’?

posted on June 11th, 2012 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, Disneyland Resort


Ka-chow! Just a few more days until Cars Land opens at Disney California Adventure park! We’ll be celebrating big, starting the evening of Wednesday, June 13. Join us here on the Disney Parks Blog and on Twitter at @Disneyland for live coverage starting at 6 p.m. Pacific time.

We’ll also be tweeting LIVE from the red carpet at the Cars Land Grand Opening Ceremony Wednesday evening! Do you have any questions for the cast of “Cars”? Let me know in the comments and I’ll try to get them answered – follow along on Twitter @Disneyland to see your questions answered by the voice talent from “Cars”!

In the meantime, check out the latest Cars Land spot and get ready to be floored!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney California Adventure park on Facebook, and follow @Disneyland on Twitter for the latest on the expansion of Disney California Adventure park! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtags #CarsLand, #BuenaVistaStreet, #MadTParty and #JustGotHappier.

Get more of the latest Cars Land news in the posts below:

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