Originally Posted By dagobert I just read a very interesting article about the relationship betwenn TWDC and the German company Siemens. It seems Siemens provided Disney with technology for Cars Land. All the motors, navigation systems and neon signs are from Siemens. The relationship started seven years ago with TSMM. Siemens is also part of other Disney themepark projects around the globe. The article is in German: <a href="http://www.pnn.de/wirtschaft/656814/" target="_blank">http://www.pnn.de/wirtschaft/656814/</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I translated the article using Google Chrome. Very interesting. Siemens was involved in the development of TSMM.
Originally Posted By 9oldmen Siemens also currently sponsors EPCOT's "Spaceship Earth", and I think is represented in Innoventions.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney We visited cars land yesterday and I have some thoughts. First, the theming looks great. I like how the different styles of buildings represent the characters from Cars. Weird that the area was smaller than I thought it would be based on pictures I saw. We enjoyed the RSR, although I admit I like Test Track better. I did really like the theming and story line behind RSR, but the "thrill" part was far too short for my taste -- and for the length of time we stood in line! We didn't ride either of the other rides because we didn't have time to stand in those lines, but I have to say the Luigi's flying tire ride looks like an addition to Yesterland waiting to happen. People looked like they were having fun beaning other people in the face with the giant beach balls, but that's about all they were doing. The Mater ride looked fun; we'll have to catch that on our next trip. I felt kind of "meh" about the addition overall. I wonder why they felt the need to have 3 shops. It would have been great if they had used one of the buildings for something other than more merchandise; an interactive area would have worked wonderfully in the body paint shop. They could have put computers in there where kids (and kids at heart) could design their own car body style and paint job. Or think of the books in the Beast's library where you can answer questions and your answers tell you what character you are. Something along that line would have worked to let you know which Cars character you are, or even what type/color of car you are in general. An interactive experience with the Cars characters might have been cool too. Any of that would have been more fun than yet another shop, IMO.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Also, we ate at Flo's V8 because dh wanted to. DH liked his beef, I shared the pork with dd. The mashed potatoes and cole slaw were pretty good, but I'm not a big meat person. If I weren't sharing I would have gotten the veg option. Has anyone had that? It was good, but I prefer the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta or Pacific Wharf Cafe.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Sorry, I had another thought. I really liked the theming at the Flo's V8 restaurant. Wouldn't it be fun if, after all this initial craziness dies down, they make it a preferred seating restaurant where you can sit outside and order over a speaker and the servers wears roller skates to bring you your food!?
Originally Posted By DlandDug I've had the Veggie Tater Casserole at Flo's three times now. I find it just that good. It's like a Shepherd's Pie, but made without ground beef.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Thats too bad that RSR isnt as thrilling as TT. I find the thrill park of TT to be too short, so RSR must be pretty short.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney I've heard from others that they like RSR better because of the theming. In fact, I spoke with a CM at DL who had been on both and liked RSR better. It's just my personal opinion. I did like it, just wished it was longer. Next time I go I'll have to try the Veg Tater Casserole.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I've heard from others that they like RSR better because of the theming. In fact, I spoke with a CM at DL who had been on both and liked RSR better. It's just my personal opinion. I did like it, just wished it was longer." I like RSR much better because of the theming. The indoor part of Test Track is only mildly interesting. The "thrill section" of RSR may be shorter, but it's got a little more variety.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I think the whole hidden Mickey thing may have peaked - I kinda hope so, since if you have them everywhere, it loses whatever charm it might have had.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I'm curious: do you need to get a special single-rider pass, as you do at Screamin' or Splash, or is there a sort of permanent single-rider queue you can just jump into?
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...RSR must be pretty short.<< It didn't seem all that short to me. I am not a fan of Test Track, although I can understand why it is popular. The major difference is that Test Track is essentially a thrill ride with a very inconsequential "story," and Radiator Springs Racers is a story-telling attraction with a thrilling finale.
Originally Posted By DlandDug There are hidden Mickeys in Cars Land. People may have started posting photos. Certainly they are around in social media. There is a well themed single rider line for RSR. You just walk right up at the entrance and go to the left.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby I found RSR far superior to Test Track. The indoor/story portion of RSR is pretty great, where in TT the indoor portion is merely a building where your vehicle queues for the high-speed portion IMO. The indoor portion of RSR has great re-rideability. TT's has zero for me. I also found the high-speed portion of RSR to be much better than TT's. There is more variety in the outdoor track layout with RSR. You don't go as fast, but with TT you simply go straight out and straight back while waiting to hit top speed. In RSR the entire outdoor portion was varied and enjoyable. Although the bunny hills gave less air time than I expected, the final head-chopper drop is pretty fun. TT has nothing comparable.
Originally Posted By Manfried Radiator Springs Racers and Test Track are two different attractions in different settings. Same type of technology but vastly different story lines. One is a cartoon, one is about how cars are tested. I think both work extremely well.
