Radiator Springs Racers

 This review, like several I'm going to be doing in the next few weeks is about two years overdue, but I have followers who haven't been out to California since the opening of Cars Land, and have wanted to see pictures, so I'm obliging.

When you approach Radiator Springs Racers, you immediately look at the sign.  This was taken back when the stand-by was always about two hours long.  Mr. Diva and I usually road the single rider line because we didn't care if we sat together.  That was about 40 minutes usually.

It's a great ride and the queue, as you will see is fun and engaging and full of little details.  We just rarely make it back to wait in the line unless someone is with us who hasn't gotten to ride it before.

 Here I'm going to share some of the signs and details along the queue. They are cute and expand upon the story of the origin of Radiator Springs and its founder, Stanley. Signs like this, claiming the restorative benefits of Radiator Spring water are found throughout the queue.

 Right away you are introduced to Radiator Spring in this advertisement, claiming it is Nature's Coolant.

 A foreshadowing of the Radiator Cap building.

 Another reference to the oasis known as Radiator Spring.

 Another foreshadowing of the bottle house to be found later in the queue.

 These are funny to me. Refreshingest, LOL!  And the junior high teacher in me giggled at Stanley always has GAS. 

 This is the 1947 Rusty Ridge Bridge, built by the Auto Corps of Engineers.

 This is a Radiator Cap.

 And here it is, Stanley's Oasis featuring the world famous Radiator Spring. People started throwing coins in it right away, which drives me insane.  Seriously!  But, I was told by a plaid that when Disneyland cleans out the wishing well and other fountains around the resort that the money from the coins is donated to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. So as much as it drives me crazy, keep chucking those coins in people! CHLA does great work!

 I love this side with the fender and wheel.

 Hahaha!  Seriously, you have to love all the little details.  

They must have had a blast thinking this stuff up!

 Here is a sign with the background story: On this site in the summer of 1909 Stanley, exploring out west, overheated as his radiator water boiled away. Coasting into the shade, he happened upon a life-saving natural spring. Upon this most fortunate discovery, Stanley founded the first settlement in Ornament Valley, and in honor of the oasis, christened it Radiator Springs.

 Here it is, flowing with life-saving, restorative water.

 Like many places with natural springs, in the early 1900's, it was often thought that natural spring waters were able to cure ailments and resorts grew up around those springs.  Well, from the claims above, it looks like the same thing happened with The Mysterious and Miraculous World Famous Radiator Spring.  Nature's own fixer elixer! 

• Removes Rust
• Stops Leaks 
• Eliminates Squeaks & Rattles
• Relieves Red-Hot Radiators
• Restores Dull Paint to the Original Luster
• Turns Back the Odometer
• Heals Hoses
• Cures Road Rash
• Soothes Irritated Brake Pads

 Free! Filler Up!

 This building houses Stanley's Cap n Tap. 

Carburetor County's Captstone of Caps.

If we don't have your cap, It's FREE! (hahahahahaha!)

Hate to Heat and Run? Idle on in!

All Hubcap Work: No Tires, No Fender Skirt, NO Service!

 Stanley's Cap n Tap after 5pm?  Stop in for a night CAP!

YES! Boats, We even have your CAPSIZE!

 A little blurry, but here are some of the many caps available at Stanley's Cap n Tap.

 That's quite a promise!

 We Are CERTIFIABLE.  (hahahahaha!)

 This building is full of signs.  Sister Diva is pointing out this Illinois license plate that says Land of Lincoln, because Lincoln is my favorite president.

 Aunt Diva and Momma Diva stopped for a pick by Radiator Springs Route 66 Sign.

 Stanley and Lizzie's Wedding picture in front of the Radiator Springs Court House, where the Stanley Statue now stands.

 There are more than 70 different species of desert plants in the 12 acres of Cars Land.  These cacti are spectacular.

 After the radiator caps and signs, you enter the House of Bottles. 

This world famous structure is made from genuine oil bottles save after being consumed by Route 66 travelers visiting Stanley's Oasis. Stacked upwards from end, to end, these bottles would tower past the tallest in on the Cadillac Mountain Range and reach to almost one hundred and twenty six-thousandths the distance to the moon. 

 Oil bottles are embedded in the walls.

 As the light hits the north/west side of the building, the bottles light up.  Such a cool effect!

  Through the window of the House of Bottles, you can see Ornament Valley's namesake.

 And just as you exit, you get a glimpse of Radiator Falls in the distance.

 Sister Diva and I trying to get a selfie before the ride. This was before I got my iPhone, so we were doing this with a camera.

 And here we go!

 Radiator Falls

 

After the Dark Ride portion, through Radiator Springs, Luigi and Guido cheer you on 

as you race another car through Ornament Valley.

 The race is fun, not scary at all.  Thoroughly enjoyable!

 Your race ends at Tail Light Caverns. Home of the World Famous Stalac-Lights (seen below)

 The World Famous Stalac-Lights

 You get a little congratulations from Mater and Lightening as you prepare to exit your race car.

I always look forward to a Lincoln Continental Breakfast at the Comfy Caverns Motor Court.

And that is a look at Radiator Springs Racers, with most of the Dark Ride portion left out.  It is difficult to get good pictures, although I have gotten a few mediocre ones on my phone.

Here is a you tube POV video of the ride made by The DIS, for you to enjoy until you get a chance to visit Cars Land yourself.

Flo's V-8 in Carsland

My long overdue "review" of Flo's V-8 in Cars Land.  We have eaten here several times and it is pretty good.  Not anything I ever crave, but for the most part it's good, moderately priced, and best of all you can eat along Ornament Valley if you sit out on the back patio.  There is a lot more seating inside and outside of Flo's than you might think at first glance. There are quite a few tables next to each gas pump in front, as shown in this picture.

 When you enter, there are some different types of fuel on display in a rotunda area.

You can peruse some menus as you wait to que-up in the ordering lines.

 

 They have some desserts on display as well as the specialty kids meal cards and such for you to see as you wait to order.

Flo's originally served breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, but they have stopped serving breakfast, which I think is a crying shame!  It was fantastic to sit out along Ornament Valley and eat breakfast in the morning.  Like being transported to another realm.

They currently serve lunch and dinner and I believe the menu is basically the same for both.
This is the May 2014 Menu from All Ears. I'll post a few of the items below.

Because it is in DCA, wine and beer are available for purchase.

 While you are waiting they have these (they don't work) table top jukeboxes with titles of Motorama Girl songs.  It is entertaining to read through them as you wait.  Sometimes it's a fairly lengthy wait.

 Another thing to do as you wait is to take in all the detail.  You know, Disney is about the details.  Look at these custom light fixtures.  Mr. Diva is an electrician so we always notice the lighting.

This is my favorite place to eat at Flo's.  Especially breakfast.  I wish they would bring back breakfast!

This is an outside view of the Motorama Girls room.  There are quite a few tables for seating inside there.  I'll have pictures of the inside later on.

Our first meal at Flo's we tried the Citrus Turkey Breast - with Roasted Corn Medley, Mashed Potatoes, and Old Fashioned Turkey Gravy. $11.99
It was all tasty, but for this picky eater, I didn't like all the stuff in the corn medley. I would have just liked corn.

Pork Loin - with Vegetarian Baked Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce. $11.99
Mr. Diva enjoyed this, but the BBQ sauce was a little much for me.

 Mater's Tulsa Tea - Gold Peak Sweet Green Iced Tea Topped with Tropical Fruit Foam. $3.59
Not bad.  Not too sweet.  Cars Land is into the foam on stuff.

 Wine by the Glass    Fess Parker Riesling - $6.00

I do not like wine.  Mr. Diva usually doesn't either but we decided to get this because, well, FESS PARKER!  Enough said.  Mr. Diva got a stomach ache, I drank most of it.  It actually was one of the best tasting wines I've had.  It was sweet.

We went back at night with the whole Diva family later in July and had a few different things on the menu.  Also, at night the neon really shines!

 Again with the light fixtures....We are always looking up!

 This one is in the Motorama Girls Room

The wall of the Motoroama Girls Room introduces you to all of them, Flo, Laverne, Sheila, and Ronda.  I love the giant rearview mirror!  They have some gold albums displayed around the room.

 This is their album Back to my Routes

.

 And their album Jeep Date

Veggie Tater Bake - Roasted Vegetables, Soy Crumbles, Bulgur Wheat, and Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes topped with Cheddar Cheese. Served with peas and carrots. $10.99

Sister Diva ordered this and it was disgusting!  I would stay far away from this one.

Roast Beef - with Home-Style Beef Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Baked Beans. $12.49
Just like the porkloin and turkey, it was good.

Mama Diva opted for the Children's dinner: Turkey Sandwich - $6.99. All meals served with fruit, vegetables, and choice of Low-fat Milk, Low-fat Chocolate Milk, Juice Box, or Small Dasani Water
(Soda Available Upon Request)
She liked it and from the looks of it, this is something I would order for sure.

Aunt Diva got the children's Roast Beef Sandwich - $6.99.  She liked it and thought it was just the right portion.

And we decided we couldn't leave without trying a yummy Chocolate Flo's Classic Shake - topped with "Road Gravel". $4.29.

So if you find yourself in Carsland and wanting a little more than something in a cone to eat, head in to Flo's and get fueled up!