I remember going to see Cars in the cinema. Sure, I was 11 at the time so its not an amazing feat that I can remember it, but I still think it counts for something that I remember it so well.

A lot of people really don’t seem to like Cars, and I don’t really get it. I mean, I guess it was aimed a lot more at boys, and maybe the storyline isn’t Pixar’s finest, but what still amazes me to this day is how, now almost 10 years old, the animation is flawless; the reflection of light off the cars, the feel of the speed and the depth of the surroundings, to me its all just seamless.

Disneyland opened Cars Land in its California Adventure park in 2012, and when I discovered its beauty through various Instagram accounts, I became more and more amazed by it, and so it was probably my most anticipated part of our visit in January. I was not disappointed..

It is 100% accurate

The road is set out exactly how it is in the film. In fact, Disney are so confident in this that if you visit Sarge’s, there is actually a model Radiator Springs, and I bet you can’t spot any discrepancies!

The Cozy Cone Motel

The film really doesn’t go into too much detail about the Cozy Cone other than its exterior, which Imagineers got down to the cone water feature on the front lawn and the car bulb flowers, but they even went above and beyond on the interiors! Well, each surrounding cone is a food kiosk, but the reception building is laid out just as you’d expect at any motel, complete with postcards and cone-y (get it, corny, cone-y.. Please laugh) souvenirs.

The cars really drive and really talk

Not only can you meet the stars of the films, but they actually drive through the streets and interact – with guests as well as each other! You can meet Lightning McQueen, Mater, and more on rotation outside the Cozy Cone Motel.

The third flash is longer

If you’ve seen the film, you’ll know that as a solitary town, the traffic light is on a constant amber warning flash, and hippy van Fillmore has a theory that the third flash is always longer. Well, I can vouch for that!

Radiator Springs Racers is flawless

The big-ticket ride of the land, Racers is very similar to WDW’s Test Track. Board a car through the beautiful canyons before you visit the town itself, complete with the most perfect audio-animatronic characters – their words and actions are just as if you stepped into the film! After you’ve driven through the town and cow-tipped with Mater, you might get your tyres done at Luigi’s or a paint spray at Ramone’s before lining up with another car of guests and racing back through the Springs to a photo-finish. I’m not sure I’m doing it justice, but its just wow.

There’s some AMAZING food on offer

This is a Bacon Mac’n’Cheese Bread Cone. I’m just gonna leave this here..

The lights are just magical

You know how Sally feels about the return of the neons in the film? YOU FEEL IT. The lights turn on at dusk every day, and the darker the sky gets, the more beautiful the street does. It really just brings the road to life, just as it does in the film. Also, just as there are a few minor imperfections in the film’s neons, you’ll find them in Cars Land.

Ok, I could go on and on and share photo after photo (which I probably will on Instagram), but whether you’re a Cars fan or not I’d happily bet you’d still be amazed by it!

What do you think?