Gotta love a grainy forward facing iPhone picture! I love this little man! He was just so happy to be on vacation and headed back to Disneyland!

My little man just loved meeting his favorite Disney characters! He even showed Pluto his Optimus Prime! Pluto actually took it from him, and gave it a hug and a kiss, which made my son’s day!

I was not able to partake in these sweet treats, but everyone else got something!

Leave it to Tigger to mess with the kiddos! Squishy thought he was hilarious!

A quick snuggle with Eeyore.

Poor Pooh Bear didn’t know what was coming when Squishy tackled him with a kiss!!

Clearly, he was happy to meet these guys!

Next up we headed to take on a few rides, Dumbo, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride were all big hits!  At this time, we took a nice break for lunch, and Squishy fell asleep again.  During this break I got some reading in, and Daddy and Auntie went for some big people rides including Space Mountain and Star Wars!

At this time we switched to the other park, and the first thing my son asked for when he woke up was some Strawberry Ice Cream.  Being we were right in front of Clarabelle’s Ice Cream Parlor we had to stop and enjoy a cold treat!  He was pretty excited about his ice cream….

However, when Auntie came back from the gift shop with the soundtrack to Cars Land (yes, it has it’s very own soundtrack!), my son took that excitement to a whole new level!!  I love this face!

We stopped to get a family picture in our matching shirts!  Day 3’s matching shirts were brought to you by the letter T!  Daddy was in Tigger, Squishy in Toy Story, and Mommy in Tinkerbell!

Squish was pretty insistent that I take his picture by this car, what can I say? The boy loves cars!

Of course we had to head back over to Cars Land! All my little man wanted to do there was ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree over and over.  Since the line was so short, why not! I think he rode it four times in a row!

The sun was starting to set on our day!  Time to get a picnic dinner before heading over to the World of Color.  We were actually able to pre-order our dinner which included a fast pass in the price of the meal!

Squishy enjoyed some Daddy shoulder time before the show started.  It was pretty crowded, so if you do World of Color make sure you get your fast pass for the best seats!

We loved having the park hopper pass for the third day of our trip.  It made it very easy to catch the rides we had missed in the parks the day before, and spend a great half day in each park.  World of Color is certainly the best way to end a day at Disney California Adventure!

Catch up on our trip!

Disneyland Day 1, Disney California Adventure (Day 2)

So without further explanation – here is our Day 2 in photos!

He doesn’t even know Cars Land is where we are headed yet, but he is ready to go! I swear the daily shuttle bus ride was just as exciting to him!

We’ve arrived, and he thrilled!  Day 2 matching shirts were for our son’s love of Mater of course!

We had planned to head directly to the radiator racers as we knew the line gets longer with each moment the park was open, but there was no passing by Mater!  He was SO excited to meet him, he didn’t even know what to do with himself!

We finally got in line for the radiator racers, and I was glad we did! We waited just over 1.5 hours (fast passes sold out SUPER fast!).  But thankfully there is plenty to look at while waiting in line!

After a thrilling ride and a first place finish, we made a pit stop and saw that Lightning was out greeting his fans! Of course my little fan had to say hi too! He was a little less shy, but still just as speechless meeting McQueen!

After meeting McQueen, the hubs took Squish on Luigi’s flying tires. I was a little heavy on my feet from our last line, so I sat that ride out.  However, he told me all about it as soon as they got off! I couldn’t resist having Squishy try on a Luigi’s tires hat! He thought it was SO funny!

Next up was Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree!  Time to ride some Tractors!  This was hands down my son’s favorite ride.  He loved the music, the jokes, and the ride had him in hysterics the whole time!

He liked it so much we rode it twice in a row!

Of course he had to meet the tractor’s too!

To say he loved Cars Land would pretty much be the understatement of the century.  He kept asking when the movie was going to start!

After some lunch it was clearly time to  get some rest.  The previous day he didn’t nap at all, and while he had a smile on his face the whole time you could tell at the end of the day it was a bit overwhelming.  So this time I planned ahead and told him he needed a few minutes of quiet time to “refuel his tanks for the next rides”, and put the Buggy Shady over the stroller.  He as out within 5 minutes.  He slept long enough for my Hubs and his sister to ride Tower of Terror, the roller coaster, and a water ride!  I found a nice bench in the shade and pulled out the iPad to catch up on my reading!

I had though ahead enough to park us next to a ride in case the little man woke up while Daddy was still on his ride.  After a quick snack he was ready for Neptune’s Merry Go Round!  He thought it was pretty silly to ride a seal!

Once Daddy returned we headed over to Toy Story Mania.  While in line I got a tweet from @DCAToday congratulating my son on his first place finish on Radiator Racers.  They had personalized a picture of a piston cup just for him!  Talk about making his day!  Love Disney and all the little magical touches they create for their fans!

Squishy thought it was funny to put the 3D glasses on his hat.  I did too!  I have to tell you – I had a blast on Toy Story Mania.  I rode with my hubs and kicked his butt in the game!  Gotta love a little friendly competition!  My son rode with his Auntie and had a blast pointing out all his favorite Toy Story characters.

Next up we hit the Ferris Wheel… this proved to be a fatal mistake for me, as we got one of the rocking cars.  Motion sickness and pregnancy do not go hand in hand.  So after riding the Ferris Wheel, we let Squishy pick out one more ride.  He picked the Zephyrs.  Check out that smile on his face!  Afterwards we headed home and enjoyed a nice dinner just outside our hotel.

Stay tuned for Day 3 of our trip where we hit up both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in one day, and Day 4 for Mickey’s Halloween Party!

Disclosure: Disney Media/PR provided me with 1 day park passes for Disney California Adventure in order to share my trip with my readers. All thoughts, opinions, and pictures are my own. 

I can not believe in a less than two months from today my family and I will be taking our first real vacation!  At the end of October we will be spending 1 full week in Anaheim, and 4 days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure!  We will be there just in time for the Halloween season!

The Happiest Place on Earth gets a bit spookier as Halloween Time returns to Disneyland Resort this fall.  The season runs from Friday, September 14th through Halloween, Monday October 31st!  During this time Disneyland will be filled with Halloween fun including Disney villains, Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes and Mickey’s Halloween Party. There will also be special exhibits during this season!

My husband and I traveled to Disneyland before we were married and happened to be during this spooky season so we know we are in for a very special treat. I loved the Haunted Holiday Mansion the last time we were there!

Jack Skellington also returns to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring back Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland.  Transformed to a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas tradition, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the Tim Burton film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design.

I imagine this is the time of year all the Disney villains count down to as well!  Halloween season is a time to celebrate the villain!  Villains will be gathered and plotting Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland.  But be on the lookout for other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.

My son is going to be floored when we take him to a very special event!  At Mickey’s Halloween Party my family and I will get to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat at Disneyland. What’s really exciting is while we can arrive three hours prior to the start of Mickey’s bash and hang out with the rest of the Disneyland guests, but then Mickey’s party goes private!  They will actually close the park down to only ticket holders for this special event!

Highlights of Mickey’s Halloween Party include:

• The special opportunity to play in Disneyland for up to three hours before the party starts; check www.Disneyland.com/Halloween for party hours.
• Fun treat stations offering both candy and healthy treats
• The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of  Mickey’s Halloween Party)
• ”Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade, performed twice nightly
• Dance parties, where guests will “boo-gie” to lively music
• An opportunity for everyone in the family to attend the park in costumes
• Photo locations with some popular Disney and Pixar Pals, and Disney Villains
• Favorite Disneyland rides and attractions, plus Halloween-themed attractions Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
• Parking for one standard-size vehicle

Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are $54* for select nights when purchased in advance, while tickets purchased on the event days and selected nights are $64.  All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Monday, Oct. 29, and Halloween Night, Wednesday, Oct. 31, are $69.

There are so many other fun activities for families during this event including an open exhibit to see Disney California Adventure Park The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition. This exhibit will feature sketches, props, sets and puppets from Tim Burton’s new animated film, “Frankenweenie” from Sept. 14 through Nov. 5, and it includes a sneak peek of the movie.

I am certain my husband will take advantage of our son’s naps to head over to the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror where a “supernatural” event happened on Halloween evening, 1939, forever haunting the building.

Additional events that my son is sure to attend include:

• Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is transformed for the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. Guests will see more than 300 pumpkins ­­- none of them the same.
• Visitors to Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Round in Frontierland will find ranch animals, pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters.
• Meeting Disney characters will be lots of fun as Disney villains gather to plot Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.

Don’t forget to check out the amazing fall offers for Disneyland Resorts!  This is the great way to get a deal for your family trip this Halloween Season!

Please note: The after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event* which has become an annual highlight of Halloween for trick-or-treating families, will take place in Disneyland Park on 11 special Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights: Sept. 28 and Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12, 15, 19, 23, 26, 29 and 31. Tickets are on sale now for the general public, with information at www.Disneyland.com/Halloween.

Sources: All media and information provided by Disneyland News.

Disclosure:  I did receive family passes for Disneyland for my upcoming trip in October. However, I was not asked or required to post this information. I love Disneyland and all they have to offer!

Last week I shared about Mickey’s Halloween Party happening at Disneyland.  Today, I wanted to share a super amazing opportunity to win a Disneyland Family Vacation for FOUR during Disneyland’s Spooktacular Halloween season!

Hurry! This contest ends October 7th!!

Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes:

Enter the Frankenweenie Monstrous Sweepstakes for a chance to win a spooktacular vacation for four to experience all the fun of Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort. Plus, don’t miss The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibit only at the newly expanded Disney California Adventure Park, where you can get an up-close look at the amazing world of Frankenweenie through sets, puppets, props and more. And for a limited time Guests will be treated to a special 4D extended preview of the film at the Muppets Vision 3D Theater before Frankenweenie comes to theaters in 3D October 5th.

Visit www.disney.com/frankenweeniesweeps to enter the Monstrous sweepstakes and you could win Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort for some frightfully family-friendly fun!

Dates:

August 23 – October 7, 2012

Entries:

Online: www.disney.com/frankenweeniesweeps

Mobile – Text EDGAR to DISNEY (347639*) to enter for a chance to win.

*Msg and data rates may apply. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Prizing:

One (1) Grand Prize – A 4 day/3 night vacation for four to Disneyland® Resort and Disney California Adventure Park to experience the world of Tim Burton and Frankenweenie during Halloween Time.

Five (5) First Prizes – An Autographed Frankenweenie movie poster!

Okay, I’m off to enter!!  Good Luck!

“Like” FRANKENWEENIE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Frankenweenie

FRANKENWEENIE arrives in theatres everywhere on October 5^th!

There are only 15 more days until the launch of Halloween Season at Disneyland!  That’s right! The Happiest Place on Earth is getting a whole lot spookier!  In a little less than two months my family will be hanging out with Mickey Mouse for the Halloween Party at Disneyland!

I haven’t yet told our son that he will be trick or treating with Mickey, because he still doesn’t understand the concept of waiting, and I’m already too excited to listen to “Are we going to see Mickey today?” for the next 40+ days!

If you haven’t already heard, you’re invited too!!

Mickey will be having a special Halloween private bash for all his favorite fans!

You can already start buying your tickets!

Mickey’s Halloween Party is a private-party celebration held for 11 special nights in October at Disneyland park, offering adults and children a chance to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat at the Resort. Highlights include new surprises in “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade, performed twice nightly.

Stay tuned to Our Knight Life for more details about all the Disneyland fun during the Halloween Season!

All media and information provided by Disneyland News.

If you think that once the sun sets on Disney California Adventure it is time to settle into the comfort of your Disney Resort Hotel, you are going to miss one of the coolest experiences you can have at the parks!

Disney California Adventure at night is beyond amazing, and not just for kids either!  Both parents and children will be wowed by all that DCA has to offer it’s guests once the sun sets!

My suggestion is to start in Cars Land.

Just like in the movie Cars, every night at dusk, a switch is flipped and Cars Land becomes a neon treat!  Complete with “Sh-boom” playing on the loud speakers for all guests to enjoy.

This is a treat your children will never forget, and the neon is sure to impress kids of all ages!

Next it is time to move on to the Mad T Party!

If you are brave enough to venture down the rabbit hole, you will find yourself in a world inspired by Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland! Here you will find lots of fun music including a live band, dancing, interactive games, and creative treats and drinks!  It is truly a night life full of entertainment!

(Photo Credit: Disneyland News and Media)

You really feel like you have stepped into an alternative land where Alice, Mad Hatter, and more will entertain you for hours!

When I take my family back to the park in October, I plan on letting our son see Cars Land light up, then sending him and his Aunt back to the hotel to rest and eat dinner.  My husband and I hope to dine at Carthay Circle Restaurant and attend the Mad T Party.  While this party is fun for all ages, I just thought it would make a great date night for my husband and I!

End your evening with Disney’s World Of Color!

At this point I hope to have our son join us again for THE most amazing light show I have ever seen in my entire life.  World of Color is almost beyond words amazing!

Now you can purchase special interactive Mickey Ears that are programed to be part of the show!  Only, no one told us that when we were given them to see at the special grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure!  To not only watch the show, but to see how everyone was a part of the show was something I will never forget, and you shouldn’t miss!

Imagine all you will miss if you head back to your hotel early! Disney California Adventure Park is certainly not to be missed once the sun goes down!

Disclosure:  Disney Public Relations provided me with my travel expenses and accommodations to cover the Disney California Adventures Grand Re-Opening, Cars Land, and Buena Vista Street as a member of the media. No compensation was given to write these posts. I love Disney, and Disney California Adventure!

The Grand Re-Opening Ceremony for Disney California Adventure was to celebrate the amazing changes to the park in the past five years.  Walking in park goers will immediately notice one of the biggest changes as the step foot onto Buena Vista Street and into 1920s/30s!

Buena Vista Street welcomes guests to a very specific “Disney California Adventure,” the adventure of a young Walt Disney stepping off the train from Kansas City and into 1920s Los Angeles, the beginning of a wonderful, inspirational period of his life. The dynamic themed environment transports guests to another era, along this boulevard of dreams. – Disneyland News Blog

From the vintage themed shops and restaurants to the shows happening daily on Buena Vista Street there is much to do and see! To make sure you get the most out of your trip into the the past, I am sharing all Buena Vista Street and Disney California has to offer it’s visitors!

Entertainment

First things first, You just stepped back into time, make sure you keep your eyes open! Buena Vista Street is crawling with fun citizen’s who live, work and play on Buena Vista Street!  Don’t be afraid to stop and talk with them! They are lots of fun and full of interesting tidbits!

Make sure you keep an eye out for the Red Car Trolley!  Inspired by the transportation that use to serve Southern California, Disney California Adventure guests can hop aboard and take a ride down Buena Vista Street and through Hollywood Land!

Sara from Mom Endeavors and I posing in front of the Red Car Trolley! Both of us sporting baby bumps!

In addition to the Red Car Trolley and the Citizen’s of Buena Vista Street, you are sure to spot several of your favorite Disney Characters! Dressed to the nines in their Hollywood designs, keep your eyes open for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and even Chip and Dale!

Just be sure you don’t forget to stop by and say “HI!” to Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse!! Tell Mickey he needs to get those under-roos back in his suitcase!

Now that you have walked the streets and met the characters, there are a few shows you should make sure you take your family to see!

Five ‘N’ Dime

This show is interactive and lots of fun! Kids will love to participate in these “hepcats” invite all to sing and dance along!  The jazz music show from the 1920s/30s era instantly brings a smile to your face!  You can find them in Carthay Circle at various scheduled times during the day! (Check with the information desk for times!)

Red Car News Boys

Singing, Dancing, and Selling Newspapers, these young men make a fun show indeed! They have so much energy and enthusiasm you can’t help but question if you are actually in the 1920s!  They sang Seize the Day I must admit I got a bit teary eyed! Yep, a huge Walt Disney Studios Newsies fan here! You can find them on Buena Vista Street at various scheduled times during the day! (Check with the information desk for times!)

Dining on Buena Vista Street

I know spending the day on Buena Vista Street will build up quite an appetite! Don’t worry, Disney California Adventure has that covered!  Unfortunately, I was not able to enjoy any of the amazing restaurants during my time at Disney California Adventure, but I can NOT wait to go back with my family.  I am hoping to take my husband to Carthay Circle Lounge while my sister in law stays with the toddler. Thanks to the Disneyland News Blog for the following dining/restaurant descriptions!

Carthay Circle Restaurant Upstairs at Carthay Circle Theatre is the Carthay Circle Restaurant, one of the premiere dining locations at the Disneyland Resort, with a menu of hors d’oeuvres, salads, soups, California specialty entrees and desserts. Downstairs is the Carthay Circle Lounge, which serves appetizers, wine, craft beer and specialty drinks.

(Photo Credit)

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café is a diner-style, quick-service restaurant serving soups, salads, sandwiches and beverages, including Starbucks coffee. Guests enjoy a pleasant view of Carthay Circle from the picture window. The café name references the names of the Three Little Pigs in the award-winning Silly Symphonies cartoon.

Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream is a soda fountain and ice cream shop whose name might have inspired the name of one of Mickey Mouse’s friends, Clarabelle Cow.

(I know one little man in my life who will be more than happy to devour an entire Red Car Trolley Sundae and two parents who will be more than willing to help him!)

(Photo Credit)

Mortimer’s Market offers whole and cut fruits, bottled water, juices and soft drinks. (Mortimer is the name Walt Disney originally gave his new creation in 1928; he later changed it to Mickey.)

Shopping on Buena Vista Street

I don’t know about you, but after eating I love to go shopping!  Nothing like working off a delicious meal by spending some money! There is absolutely NO shortage of shops on Buena Vista Street! If you can’t find something you love here you are not looking hard enough! There really is something for everyone!

I found plenty at Elias & Co. to take home to my family and something for myself as well!!

• Oswald’s
• Big Top Toys
• Elias & Co.
• Los Feliz Five & Dime
• Kingswell Camera Shop
• Trolley Treats
• Atwater Ink & Paint
• Julius Katz & Sons

So are you ready to head back to the 1920s/30s?

Start planning your trip to Disney California Adventure and spend a day on Buena Vista Street!

When your done, head on over to Cars Land for some more family fun to be had!

Disclosure:  Disney Public Relations provided me with my travel expenses and accommodations to cover the Disney California Adventures Grand Re-Opening, Cars Land, and Buena Vista Street as a member of the media. No compensation was given to write these posts. I love Disney, and Disney California Adventure! I would shout my love of this place to the world if I could! Oh wait, I just did!!

After a 5 year re-imagination of Disney’s California Adventure Park, Cars Land is finally open to the public!

Let’s take a tour through Cars Land so your family can know what to expect when planning your next trip!

The moment you step foot into Cars Land you are instantly transported to Route 66 and the set of Cars!

Welcome to Radiator Springs!

Rides

There are 3 fun and exciting rides for kids and adults alike in Cars Land!

• Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (height requirement 32”)

  

  This is really a ride for everyone! It make look like it is made for little kids, but I can tell you it was my favorite ride in Cars Land! I rode by myself and seriously can’t remember laughing that hard in a long time!  Think of a square dance done in tractor trailers! With Mater serenading you the whole time, you are sure to enjoy! I can’t wait to take my husband and son! I have a feeling we will be riding this one more than once on our trip back!

•  Radiator Racers (height requirement 40″)
  
  The Disney imagineers truly out did themselves on this ride! From the moment you step in line, every detail is well thought out, and there to entertain as you make your way to the starting gates of Radiator Racers! Don’t let the line for this ride detour you!  It is worth every second you stand in line!
  This ride is whimsical and gets your adrenaline going all at the same time! Drive through Ornament Valley and then race your fellow riders as you enjoy this well worth the wait ride! Did you know that 280,000 Square feet of rock-work in Cars Land, making Ornament Valley mountain range the largest rock-work created in a domestic Disney theme park!   Don’t forget to smile at the end so you can take home a fun Radiator Racers souvenir!

• Luigi’s Flying Tires (height requirement 32”)
  
  Watching this ride doesn’t do it justice! In face it isn’t until you are sitting a top the giant tire that you begin to understand that you are in for a real treat!  AS I rode this I couldn’t help but think I was a top a giant air hockey table and I was the puck!  In fact air hockey meets bumper cars is a great way to describe this ride.  Plus the more you are involved in making yourself more the more fun you will have!  Watch out for the giant flying beach balls!! This ride tends to have a long wait, but you are sure to enjoy all the decorations and little touches Luigi’s Tire shop has will you wait in line!

Food

There are 3 main places to stop and fill your family’s fuel tanks!

• Fillmore’s Taste In
  Leave it to Fillmore to make sure your family get’s the best and healthiest snacks possible! From fruit to pickles this is a great option for healthy snacks!  Plus you can stay hydrated with water and juice as well!
• Cozy Cone Motel
  If you are looking for fun theme food this is the place to stop and eat!  The cone-themed food will not only make you smile it is sure to be a tasty treat! From chili in a cone, to dill pickle popcorn, churro bites, ice cream, to pretzels, there is no shortage of fun cars themed snacks.  I recommend trying Doc’s Grape Tonic drink as well!  It’s like grape soda, but not quite as sweet!  You can even get your beverages served in a fun road cone!
  
• Flo’s V8 Cafe
  If you are craving more of a meal Flo’s is the spot for you!  Step back into time with Flo’s and enjoy the Route 66 diner experience! Flo’s V8 Café has home-style food sure to satisfy all!
  Whether you go with roasted turkey plate with gravy and potatoes, to an incredible veggie-tater bake made with bugler wheat and soy crumbles, or even the lighter salad with roasted turkey, you are sure to leave with a happy and full tank!
  For kids I was super impressed with the portion sizing and the sides offered along with the meal! It was a balanced meal that I would be happy to serve in my own home!  You can see below that Mac&Cheese came with apple slices, grapes, and green beans with carrots!
  Don’t forget dessert! The hand made mini pies are just divine!!  Trust me you will eat them with a smile on your face!
  

Bathrooms

I had to make sure to include this hear because as a mother of a newly potty trained youngster knowing where the bathrooms are is important!  Plus it isn’t hard to blame anyone for waiting until the last minute to go to the bathroom here!  There is simply just too much fun to be had!  The bathrooms are tucked in the back just past Sarge’s Surplus Hut and just before Flo’s V8 Café on the right side of road if you are facing Ornament Valley.  They even have 2 family bathrooms!  You will also find the water fountains just outside the bathrooms which is perfect timing to fill up those water bottles so you stay hydrated!

Merchandise

There are also 3 places to pick up some great Cars Land souvenirs to take home with you!  Each place may care some of the same items, but each shop has it’s own unique set up and it’s own unique merchandise.  Make sure to let your little one’s know that if they are picking out a souvenir it is worth checking out all three shops to get exactly what your child (or you) will love for years to come!

• Radiator Springs Curios
• Sarge’s Surplus Hut
• Ramone’s House of Body Art

Night time at Cars Land

You may think if you spend the day at Cars Land you have seen it all…  To skip visiting Cars Land at night would be a huge mistake!  The neon light up is a sight to see!  It instantly changes the entire feel of Cars Land and should not be missed!

Cars Characters!

Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for some pretty fun Cars Land characters!  I can’t wait until my son meets Mater!  Both Mater and McQueen will be greeting guests daily just outside the Cozy Cone Motel on Route 66, and Red can be found just across from Luigi’s Flying Tires!

So what are you waiting for?

What or Who are you most excited to see at Cars Land?

Disclosure:  Disney Public Relations provided me with my travel expenses and accommodations to cover the Disney California Adventures Grand Re-Opening, Cars Land, and Buena Vista Street as a member of the media. No compensation was given to write these posts. I love Disney, all my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Special Thanks to MomEndeavors for picture of Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and DisneyMentor for the fabulous Radiator Racers Video!

Last Wednesday evening I was given an incredible opportunity to be on the Red Carpet for the star studded premiere and Grand Opening Celebration of Cars Land!

Cars Land opened to the public on June 15th after over 5 years in the making!  I was thrilled to be hanging out with not only Family bloggers, but also Latina bloggers and Travel bloggers as we took to the red carpet grabbing interviews, pictures, and of course live tweeting from the event!

Media frenzy #carsland @disneyland instagr.am/p/L1dk4FlSOD/

— Emily Knight (@FamilyNLifeLV) June 14, 2012

I stinking love Brad Paisley! #carslandinstagr.am/p/L1iJfQFSAv/

— Emily Knight (@FamilyNLifeLV) June 14, 2012

It was so great to see how many of the stars were excited to stop and talk with the Family bloggers!  We were a hot stop spot on the red carpet!

Starting with Brad Paisley who was the first to stop and chat with us, the stars kept on coming!  I personally was most excited to meet and talk to the stars behind the voices of the cars including, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, and (my favorite) John Ratzenberger.  Many of the stars from Modern Family were at the red carpet event, as well as the voice of Phineas, and the stars of Shake It Up!

Nolan Gould “Modern Family”

Andy Garcia and his son!

Brad Paisley

Jenifer Lewis (aka Flo from Cars)

John Ratzenberger (aka Mack from Cars and Cars 2)

Brad Garrett and Larry the Cable Guy

Larry the Cable Guy (aka Mater)

Rico Rodriguez “Modern Family”

Vincent Martella (aka voice of Phineas) “Phineas and Ferb”

Bella Thorne and Zendaya from “Shake It Up”

Even the elite Disney executives showed up to celebrate and officially open Cars Land!  They were excited to see so many Family bloggers on the red carpet to share the excitement with their readers!

Robert Iger – Chairman and CEO The Walt Disney Co.

Tom Staggs – Chairman Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Meg Crofton Disney President of Operations

Sara from MomEndeavors and I!

After the red carpet event we were treated to a fun pre-show for the Grand Opening of Cars Land including music, and an pretty fun speech by John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney & Pixar Animation Studio). You could really feel his passion for his work in how he spoke about the growth of Cars Land.

From upper left to right Tom Staggs and John Lasseter with Katherine Helmond (aka Lizzie from Cars), Cheech Marin (Ramone from Cars), Bonnie Hunt (Sally from Cars), and Randy Newman.

Finally the time had come, and after a lot of confetti, fireworks, and more I was among the very first people to step foot into and explore Cars Land walking right down Route 66.

I can’t wait to share all the amazing details and features this new Disney California Adventure land has to offer!

What celebrity would you have been most excited to see at the premiere?  For me it was a toss up between John Ratzenberger, Brad Paisley, and Randy Newman!

Disclosure:  Disney Public Relations provided me with my travel expenses and accommodations to cover the Disney California Adventures Grand Re-Opening, Cars Land, and Buena Vista Street as a member of the media. No compensation was given to write these posts. I love Disney, all my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

If Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, then Disney California Adventure is where adventures come to life!  That is right! The happiest place on earth just got happier!

This week I am heading to California to spend several days at Disney California Adventure Park getting an early look at the two new adventures theme parks including Cars Land, and Buena Vista Street!  The expansion started in 2007 and on June 15th it will officially open it’s doors and be complete!  To see the expansion in numbers check out this impressive list of all the amazing number that went into the Disney California Adventure!

Being the mother of a son who is OBSESSED with the Cars movies, I can’t wait to see Cars Land!  From all accounts Cars Land promises to be “One of the largest and most elaborate attractions ever created for Disney park.”  Radiator Springs Racers winds through downtown Radiator Springs and Ornament valley in a high speed fun ride!

Flo’s V8 Cafe is lighting up the night and filling up your stomach!  Flo’s V8 Cafe will be serving up house-made, single-serving pies include strawberry-rhubarb, apple-cheddar, chocolate mud, blueberry-peach and cherry, created by Disneyland Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet.

And let’s not forget the two stars of Cars Land!  You and your family can meet Mater and Lightening McQueen! McQueen and Mater will be greeting park guests daily outside the Cozy Cone Motel on Route 66.

I am sure I am barely even scrapping the surface on all there is to do at Cars Land!  Make sure you come back after my visit to learn more about what will be at the park for your little and big “Cars” fans alike to enjoy!

I am also really excited to see the opening of Buena Vista Street, Carthay Circle Theater, and the Red Car Trolley.  I imagine that it will be a bit like stepping into Disney of a time long ago.  Inspired by the transportation system that once ran in Southern California, The Red Car Trolly will be able to take park guests along Buena Vista Street and though Hollywood Land.

Not to be missed will be the Carthay Circle Theater.  This will serve as the premiere dining location in Disney California Adventure!!  How cool is that!  I am sure it will be a culinary delight!

Finally I am really looking forward to checking out the nightly entertainment of the Mad T Party!  It is being touted as “a party like no other in Hollywood Land, a new nighttime experience where up is down and everything is wonderfully off-kilter!”

Follow my trip June 13-June 15th on Twitter using Hashtags – #CarsLand #JustGotHappier #BuenaVistaStreet and #MadTParty

Make sure you like or follow these accounts to be part of the exciting events and happiness that is Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park!

Facebook.com/DisneyParksBlog AND Facebook.com/Disneyland

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Photos courtesy of Disneyland Resort Public Relations

Information courtesy Disneyland’s Press Releases and Scott Brinegar/Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland