Disney opens Cars Land

CREATED Jun. 24, 2012

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  • Tina Patel got to check out the new theme park expansion in California. Video by ktnv.com

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Disney's California Adventure opened Cars Land this month, an expansion of the theme park based on the movie "Cars."

Disney and Pixar have been working on the new attractions for five years, trying to bring the fictional town of Radiator Springs to life.
 
"Last night, we were following a little boy who was with his father and he leaned in and said 'is this where they filmed the movie?" says the film's director, John Lasseter.  "We tried to be so authentic."
 
Even so, Lasseter is surprised at the way people have embraced the characters he helped create. He says it's not just the fans, but Disney imagineers too.

"This has never happened in any Disney park," he says.  "A single land this big, with this many rides and restaurants and shops, devoted to one story."


Liz Gazzano, who helped develop the centerpiece attraction of the new land, the Radiators Springs Racers, says it's because the story of cars has it all.. family, friendship, and fun.
 
"When I started all this, I wasn't a theme park person," she says.  "But this is something that's bringing out fun and joy in people, and that's a pretty great thing."

Cars Land is part of a one billion dollar expansion of Disney's California Adventure.  Part of that price tag is being passed on to customers. A one day pass to the park has gone up to $87, a park hopper which also gets you into Disneyland is now $125.