Radiator Springs
A $200 million slot car ride featuring a randomized race through Ornament Valley.
Radiator Springs Racers is a high-speed slot car attraction located within Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. Themed to Pixar's 2006 film "Cars," this ride cost over $200 million, though it is not the most expensive single attraction ever built at the Disneyland Resort—that distinction belongs to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Opening to the public on June 15, 2012, the attraction quickly drew massive crowds, with wait times reaching up to six hours and lines stretching toward Paradise Pier.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Cars
- Origin
- Cars (2006)
- Owner
- The Walt Disney Company
- Years
- 2006–present
- Films
- Cars film series: / Cars (2006) / Cars 2 (2011) / Cars 3 (2017) / Planes spin-off series: / Planes (2013) / Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
- Animated Series
- Cars Toons (2008–2014) / Cars on the Road (2022) / Cars: Lightning Racers (2027)
- Soundtracks
- Cars (2006) / Cars 2 (2011) / Cars 3 (2017)
- Music
- "Real Gone" / "Our Town" / "Ride"
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The attraction's history began with concept art in the Walt Disney Company's 2006 annual report, followed by an official announcement on October 17, 2007. Construction started in late 2009 and concluded two and a half years later. On June 11, 2010, Imagineer Kathy Mangum presented the storyline at a "What's Next?" event. Ride testing commenced in early 2012, leading to soft openings that spring. The ride officially opened on June 15, 2012. In terms of plot, guests travel through Ornament Valley before entering a dark ride sequence involving near-misses with Audio-animatronic vehicles like Mack, Mia, Tia, and Van. After being chased by Frank the combine harvester, guests meet Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera. The track then leads to both Luigi's Casa Della Tires for a tire change and Ramone's House of Body Art for fresh paint—these scenes are visited sequentially before the race, not as a split choice.
Reader's Guide
Guests enter via an archway near the Radiator Springs courthouse, passing beneath two bridges into Stanley's Oasis. After winding through early town buildings, they board at the Comfy Caverns Motor Court. The ride features a dark section with Audio-animatronics before splitting into two paths: Luigi's Casa Della Tires on the left or Ramone's House of Body Art on the right. Both converge to meet Doc Hudson, who acts as the crew chief. The race segment reaches 40 mph (64 km/h) through outdoor rock formations. An on-ride photo is taken during a short drop down a sloped bank. The winner is determined randomly, with one vehicle finishing slightly ahead. Afterward, vehicles enter Taillight Caverns where Lightning and Mater offer congratulations before merging back to the station. An incident occurred on May 24, 2022, when a vehicle emitted black smoke near the finish line, causing a temporary closure.
Did You Know?
- Radiator Springs Racers accounts for about 18% of the entire $1.1 billion cost of the Disney California Adventure expansion.
- When it opened on June 15, 2012, wait times reached up to six hours with lines bypassing Cars Land toward Paradise Pier.
- On May 24, 2022, a ride vehicle emitted black smoke near the load/unload area, leading to a temporary closure for safety checks.
- The race outcome is randomized, ensuring one of the two racing vehicles always finishes slightly earlier than the other.
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