On June 5, I attended a special media preview of Cars Land. My information, photos and opinions had to be kept under wraps until today, June 13. The days between my preview and today were tough. I was bursting at the seams wanting to share all I had seen and experienced, while at the same time I was perplexed as to what I would post first. Believe it or not, I had already written several other posts before this one and then came to the realization that this was to be the clear choice as to what everyone wants to read first–a Radiator Springs Racers review!
I first started working with Disneyland before I even started this blog–back when I had all of my information about Disneyland on a Google site–a little more than four years ago. Since then, I have been to countless media events in which I’ve heard presentations, seen models and interviewed imagineers about what to expect with Radiator Springs Racers, which is undoubtedly the most anticipated Disney attraction since Indiana Jones. After so many presentations and the like, I had already seen Radiator Springs Racers in my mind’s eye. I had visualized it from what had been described and felt like I had already been on it.
Knowing as much about it as I did, I was wondering if it would meet or exceed my expectations when I boarded the attraction for my first trip around Ornament Valley. I am happy to report that it both met and exceeded my expectations. Meeting expectations may not sound like such a great thing, but hear me out on that one. Because I knew so much about the attraction going into it, I was overjoyed with indeed every element, twist and turn was exactly as I had been told…down to the very smallest details. When someone describes something to you as grand as a large theme park attraction, you never expect it to be exactly what they have said or what you imagined, and Radiator Springs delivered.
Guests board their car for their journey down Route 66 just as it is depicted in Cars. And when I say exact, I mean exact. Children who may be getting to “that age” will be awe struck and convinced that the characters are very, very real. Without giving to much away, guests enjoy a leisurely drive throughout Radiator Springs…that is until they receive a new set of wheels at Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or paint job from Ramone and then they are off to race another car full of enchanted guests through Ornament Valley for the prized Piston Cup.
The race through Ornament Valley is a stark difference from the carefree drive through Radiator Springs. The cars speed through the attraction at roller coaster-type speeds offering high-thrill fun and excitement. Now truth be told, I don’t exactly do so well on roller coasters and I did feel a bit queezy while on the attraction, but I’m a lightweight and would say this attraction is similar to the Matterhorn or Big Thunder Mountain on the “thrill-o-meter.” 
Radiator Springs Racers exceeded my expectations when it comes to it’s attention to detail, the beautiful rock work and the realism in the characters. It offers kids the opportunity to see their favorite pals and older guests the thrills they adore in Disney theme park attractions.
On Thursday, I’ll be taking my family on Radiator Springs Racers for the first time, and I cannot wait for their reactions and to share them with you!
Radiator Springs Racers (RSR) Fun Facts:
- RSR is a FASTPASS attraction. Although a distribtion site has been built next to the attraction, that site will be closed in the beginning to alleviate congestion and FASTPASSES will be distributed near the entrance of Cars Land.
- RSR has a height requirement of 40 inches. Keep in mind that if your child does NOT like roller coasters, this may not be the attraction for him or her.
- The steepest degree of banking on the track is 45 degrees.
- The six-passenger ride vehicles come in two different style convertabiles in eight different colors and feature a male or female face with different details in the eyes and lips. Each car’s gender is determined by color.
- The wait for RSR is going to be crazy long, but on the bright side, there’s plenty of cool artifacts from the Mother Road to look at and take pictures of!
- RSR covers six acres and is by far the largest attraction by acreage at the Disneyland Resort.
- Special needs guests who need extra time boarding attractions will benefit from an amazing new feature! At RSR, the entire car can be pulled from the track and then put back on when the guest is settled.
Want to know all about the rock work in Radiator Springs? On Friday, I’ll be featuring a post all about the Cadillac Mountain Range!
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