Radiator Springs

I really enjoy the Pixar/Disney movie Cars, and if you haven’t seen it, I recommend you do. One awesome thing about being a parent these days is that kid movies are made just as much for parents as for the kids.

When I was growing up, my mom was firmly opposed to all “cartoons,” as she called them. Any animated TV show or movie was dumb in her mind and she refused to watch any of them with us, and generally would not give us permission to even see an animated movie at a theatre, believing them to be devoid of any educational benefit to kids, and certainly not capable of providing entertainment to an adult. When Tara was a toddler, it was with a big show of tolerance that Mom begrudgingly allowed herself to be coaxed into watching Toy Story with us. Mom was surprised to find herself caught up in the story, announcing at the end that it was better than she had expected.

So, it’s along those lines that I recommend the movie Cars. If you haven’t been watching animated movies for the last 15 years, you are in for a treat!

If you have seen the movie, you might be able to imagine our delight at finding in Disney California Adventure park a re-creation of the little city of Radiator Springs, on an abandoned section of Route 66, and thus trapped back in time a little, as the modern world has been slow to influence the town and it’s citizens.

A coworker told me to make sure to see it at night, and he was absolutely right!

Cozy Cone motel hosts a cafe. You can see the shadow of Mater there in front of the office. — Cozy Cone motel hosts a cafe in the back. You can see the shadow of Mater there in front of the office.

Luigi's tire shop looks exactly like it does in the movie, including the leaning town of tires. — Luigi’s tire shop looks exactly like it does in the movie, including the leaning tower of tires.

Miguel with the monument to Stanley, the town's founder — Miguel with the monument to Stanley, the town’s founder

So much realism makes it easy to lose oneself into make-believe.

Flo's Cafe welcomed all hungry visitors — Flo’s Cafe welcomed all hungry visitors

Here is Flo's in the daylight — Here is Flo’s in the daylight

Attention the detail included uniforms that suited each section of the park.

I couldn't get enough of the neon — I couldn’t get enough of the neon signs that lit up the main street.

All buildings — Buildings in town all matched the theme.

The entrance to Luigi’s Flying Tires was through the tire store.

We rode our giant tires like pucks on an air hockey table.

Radiator Springs Racers was one of our favourite rides.

Cave paintings of old cars inside the Radiator Springs Racers ride.

View of Radiator Springs from the Ferris wheel at Paradise Pier.

5 thoughts on “Radiator Springs”

I love the Disney/Pixar films as well. I try not to miss any of them. I must admit though Cars isn’t a favorite.

Crystal M. Trulove says:

April 9, 2014 at 8:03 am

I’m glad you’re a Disney/Pixar fan too! Which ones are favourites? I am crazy about Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. and not so excited about Wall-E or Brave. Up is absolutely wonderful.

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1. appletonavenue says:
  
  April 9, 2014 at 2:11 pm
  
  I agree with your choices. Though I liked Wall-E tremendously. I missed up, but I plan to watch it one day. They are all so well done. Well scripted. And fun!

Wow, they really made a neat theme park there. I haven’t seen cars but I’ve love cartoons and will still watch the odd Bugs Bunny to feel like a kid again. He was my favourite as a kid but now it’d even be hard to choose. We’ve seen most of the Pixar’s and many of the Disney features too. I’m sorry your mom saw them as a waste of time, I guess you can make up for it now by enjoying them with your own family.

Crystal M. Trulove says:

April 14, 2014 at 7:12 pm

Kids will find a way to see cartoons, and we did! So no great loss, but I admit I do love them today. My daughter is developing her own artistic skills at animating, so look how far things have come already.

You are right, it is a neat theme park. I can see why it has earned such a reputation.

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