The Disney•Pixar film “Cars” has a special meaning to me; it was the first movie my son saw in a theater. Despite the fact he was quite young at the time, he enjoyed it (though the part with Frank was a little scary…for me). I’m looking forward to seeing “Cars 2” with my son on June 24 (two words – Finn McMissile!). Yet I won’t have to wait that long to experience “Cars,” especially with the Downtown Disney Car Masters Weekend coming up on May 13-15. The weekend event sounds awesome (I used to attend car shows with my father while growing up in Columbus, Ohio). To celebrate this special Pixar-filled weekend, we made arrangements to release select “Cars 2” merchandise ahead of the national street date. I have a special look at several new items coming that weekend.
There will be three new youth shirts with original artwork created for Disney Parks. I love the bold, colorful graphics on the shirts! It looks like I’ve found what my son will be wearing next.
We will also release new pins including “two-on-a-card” pins featuring Finn (my favorite) with Holley Shiftwell and Professor Z with Acer. A mystery pin set is scheduled for release that weekend, too. Each set will contain two randomly selected pins from the 10-pin collection. I selected my favorite five pins for the image above.
There are some items that I am unfortunately unable to show yet – the new die-cast toy cars. Cody Hampton, Associate Developer for Toys and Games, shared some details of these new items.
“The new die-cast toys were created by Mattel and expand upon the ‘Cars’ universe with new characters,” explained Cody. “There will be 16 individual cars for the initial release. Each car will retail for $6.95. We are also introducing six different two-car sets and each contains an ‘exclusive vehicle’ found only in the set.”
While I can’t show the newest die-cast cars, I can show Mater and Lightning McQueen from the new “Cars in the Parks” line. This art program places characters from “Cars” at Disney Parks, and they inspired a recently released Disney ear hat featuring Tow Mater sporting a Goofy hat (to which I fully expect to see being worn during the Car Masters Weekend).
These select merchandise items will be found at D Street and DisneyQuest Emporium located at Downtown Disney West Side starting May 13. Select items will also be carried at Once Upon a Toy and World of Disney located in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.
While I am doubtful I will find an actual Finn McMissile car during the weekend (I’m in the market for a new automobile), I hope to see you at the finish line.
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Steven-
I can’t wait to ride Radiator Springs Racers either!
Cars Land can’t open fast enough for me! 🙂
What events will actually take place at Downtown Disney this weekend? And do you know what area in DDT? I would love more information!
@Jennifer – Well, there is a lot going on this weekend at Downtown Disney. The action is mostly focused on the WestSide. Here is a brief outline of things to see and do. It’s taken from a press release so it won’t sound like me – lol!!
– Hang out with Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile celebrating the release of Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2! Take part in all sorts of fun Cars activities including a video kiosk, e-photo
opportunities and games with the life-sized cars.
– On Saturday and Sunday, join some of history’s classic cars during the Downtown Disney Car Masters Weekend featuring Muscle Car Network’s best of show vehicles along the promenade. Best of show and runner up awards will be given throughout the weekend.
– See Richard Petty’s racecar featured inside RIDEMAKERZ, and “Test drive” and purchase new Cars 2 RIDEMAKERZ models.
– Watch the original “Cars” movie and catch a glimpse of the new Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 movie trailer on the big screen all weekend long at AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres.
– Be the first to purchase Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 merchandise available early at Downtown Disney May 13 – 15.
– Enjoy caricature and tattoo artists, food and beverage and entertainment.
I’ll be getting my pins and shirts. Can’t wait for Cars2!
Will the items also be released at Disneyland Resort?
@Jimmy – Oh my yes! The focus of the article was “geared” [ha!] toward the upcoming car show at Downtown Disney in Florida(did I mention I can’t wait!?). But these items will be release at Disneyland Resort as well. Some of the Cars in the Park merchandise should be in stores now at Disneyland Resort, while the “Cars 2” merchandise is coming the week of May 16.
And just wait till you see the merchandise for Cars Land coming in 2012. This video isn’t that merchandise but it’s still cool and I can’t wait to take a ride! – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/radiator-springs-racers-is-on-track-to-star-at-cars-land/
But that’s another story for my fellow author Michelle Harker. 🙂
Looks great!
I loved Cars and I’m really looking forward to Cars 2.
I really like the Lightning McQueen and Mater die-cast vehicles. Will there be a die-cast Cars Monorail like the one that’s featured on some of the Cars packaging?
I LOVE the Cars movie and will definitely be seeing Cars 2 in theaters! I have a couple of questions about the “Cars in the Parks” line.
The Mater and Lightning McQueen cars in their park atTIRE, are they a new line of Disney Parks Exclusive diecast? If so, are they made by Mattel? Are they metal diecast or are they more of a plastic/PVC type car? How many will there be in the series? And will there be any exclusive to Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
Just curious as I am very big into collecting Disney diecast cars.
@Katie & Michael – There are currently three “Cars in the Park” die-cast cars. The one not pictured is Pirate Mater (he’s awesome!). They were made by Mattel exclusively for Disney Parks. I spoke with Brad who said there are no plans to expand that line right now as it is something new we are trying.
I can’t wait to see this merchandise! My kids and HUSBAND love cars!!!! We are highly anticipating the release!!! Thanks for the notice!
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