Today I worked at Sarge’s in Cars Land. My least favorite of the three stores but after working there four times in the last five days (and a few times before that) it is finally starting to grow on me. On and off since the park re-opened we have had Cars Land buttons that say things like “Princess Diamondsomethingorother” (okay, maybe not that exactly) and something about a Hybrid car… point being there are 6 buttons of different colors with different little sayings. I think the purple one says “Dizzy U-Turn”.
Everyone wants these things (Who wouldn’t? They’re free!) and lately we’ve taken to asking trivia questions to the guest before they can receive theirs. Which everyone seems to really enjoy. Playing games like this with guests is just the best.
Everyone had their own formula on asking questions. Some cast members ask only Cars Land questions, some people ask questions to big groups and make them raise their hands. Personally, I liked to ask each guest what their favorite Disney movie is and then make a question based around that. I did this for SIX HOURS today (every time I tried to get on register or stand at the other door or guest service or do anything else I just got totally blocked by another cast member… so much for a “rotation”. Not that I minded doing what I was doing but people really do HOLD their positions when they find one they like (in Cars Land) and I wish we just used CDS for assignments there /rant.)
Anyway, after six hours I came to make some discoveries. The most popular movies for adult women or men? Lady and the Tramp and Mary Poppins. The most popular movie among girls ages 2 - 40? The Little Mermaid. The most popular movies among boys ages 20 - 40? Cars or Toy Story. And sure, these are generalizations and I got plenty of other answers, but the pattern was still VERY clear.
However, no pattern was more clear than the one for boys ages 2 - 20. The most popular movie, by far, was… BRAVE! How incredibly exciting! They just knew EVERYTHING about the movie. They never got stumped. More than once I would ask “What was the name of Merida’s horse?” and the boy would enthusiastically answer “ANGUS!” while their sister would look totally confused and respond that she didn’t even know the horse had a name. I just loved how much they adored the movie and all the wonderful things they told me about it. “I loved the scene with Merida and her mom at the river” or “my favorite part was when she was having her fun day”.
I had such a blast today talking with the guests and learning all about their lives and experiences. I even had plenty of guests ask me trivia questions (and I think I did fairly okay)!
Well, it’s time for bed now. Good night, guys! :)
Disney California Adventure: Radiator Springs Racers Sneak Peek
Crazy stoked for this.
These posters are popping out all around backstage at the disneyland resort. It’s a few days off cause I took it a while ago. These are getting everyone so pumped, I really do feel like they should be on display for guest as well.
Its been years in the making, but the date for the official opening of Cars Land has been set for June 15, 2012! Ride testing is already taking place to make sure everything is ready for the big day. Over at the Blue Sky Cellar Preview Center, they have changed their displays to focus on Cars Land just in case you’re like me and just can’t wait that long!
Inside the center, they have plenty of concept art and blueprints to look at so you can follow the Imagineers’ creative process from the very beginning. It makes it that more special when you see it completed, which is why I love visiting this place!
There is also a scale model of Cars Land at the center of the room, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of how massive this expansion is. The main attraction, Radiator Springs Racers, takes up half of Cars Land!
While you’re there, make sure to take time to watch the video that plays in the theater. Its much longer than any other video I’ve seen them play there, but it’s well worth it. John Lasseter and his team talk about their journey into making Cars Land a reality. At the opposite end of the theater is the shovel that was used for breaking ground, signed by the team.
As of now, there is no word of any early previews for Passholders yet, but if they have one and I get selected, you can bet I will have pictures for you all. Until then, June 15 is circled on my calendar! See you all at the Parks!
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Tommy
*Planning a stay near the Disneyland Resort? Make the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel at Disneyland your home base for RETRO FAMILY FUN! Visit our website for the famous MATTERCAM, videos, and more information on this piece of Anaheim history!
Very excited! Wont lie, wish it was Toy Story Land but oh well! Cars is probably my least favorite of Pixar’s movies but I am still excited and I know this will be a lot of fun! :D
