Theme Parks Summer 2012: Universal's Transformers vs Disney's Cars Land!

                                 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD VS. DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

SUMMER  2012

Hey Sasaki Time fans! It's time to discuss who will win the theme park battle next year between two Southern Californian theme parks Titans! In one corner, Universal Studios introducing Transformers: The Ride and in the other corner, Disney California Adventure with Cars Land! No matter the outcome, the winner will be us, the theme park ride junkies! Let's take a look at the contenders, starting with Universal Studios Transformers: The Ride!

Universal Studios Hollywood Transformers: The Ride

When this was announced in October 2008, I know a lot of fanboys and girls that couldn't believe that a Transformers attraction was finally going to be built!

In April 2010, both Backdraft and and the Special Effects Stages closed to make way for this new attaraction. Speculation is that it will utilize the ride system that is being used on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando. If you haven't seen The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction take a look at the behind the scenes video below:

Pretty amazing right? Can you imagine how Transformers will be when you combine this technology with audio-animatronic figures? Universal is already calling this the greatest attraction ever built and this comes after their incredible Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction. Universal has said that the Transformers: The Ride queue is 30 minutes of story to immerse you into what is happening before you get onto the attraction. Let's take a look at some of the conceptual artwork for the queue below:

Transformers: The Ride is expected to open in Spring of 2012.

Disney California Adventure Cars Land:

As part of a massive $1.3 billion makeover, is Cars Land, a 12 acre new land to Disney California Adventure. This brings an end to the "extreme theme park makeover" as I like to call it.

Cars Land brings the town of Radiator Springs from the movie Cars and Cars 2 to life. You will find all the stores and restaurants that you love and three brand new attractions.  The attractions are Luigi's Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard Jamnboree, and Radiator Springs Racers.

Take a look at the concept art for Luigi's Flying tires:

Here is Mater's Junkyard Jamboree:

This is one of the vehicle's for Mater's:

The grand mega E-ticket is Radiator Springs Racers:

Here I am standing in front of one of the ride vehicles for Radiator Springs Racers!

Here is some ride testing video of Radiator Springs Racers:

Take a look at some of the construction of Cars Land:

I cannot wait to turn on this high bank!

This is going to become Flo's V8 Cafe!

Remember The Cozy Cone Motel? Well this will actually be a snack stand and each cone will serve a different snack. One may serve pop"cone" for instance!

Check out Cadillac Range!

Cars Land is expected to open in Summer 2012.

It will be an epic summer for theme park fans! I cannot wait to ride all the new attractions and check out the new areas!  Who do you think will have the best new attraction of 2012? Tell me which new attraction are you looking forward to!

Disney California Adventure construction update! October 7, 2011

Hi there Sasaki Time fans! I know that many of you are Disney fans like I am and I wanted to share with you the construction progress of Disney California Adventure! As many of you know, on October 17, 2007, The Walt Disney Company announced a multi-year, $1.1 billion expansion plan for Disney's California Adventure Park to be completed next summer!
 
So, let's take a look at some of the current construction happening at Disney California Adventure:

The Carthay Circle sign just went up at one of the stops for the Red Trolley vehicles that will take Guests from the entrance of the park to the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

The Carthay Circle Theatre itself is coming along splendidly. This will be the "castle" of the park if you will. It replaces the Sunshine Plaza and the hubcap of the sun. This view is from the monorail with the entrance of the park behind you. The new entrance way will be called Buena Vista Street and as you can see all the shops that once were there will be getting a complete makeover.

This is the mountain range known as Cadillac Range for the new land called Carsland. The range not only blocks out the views of outside the park but also houses the show building for the largest attraction that Disney has ever built, Radiator Springs Racers!This 6 acre attraction puts you in a vehicle that takes you through Radiator Springs and you get to see all of your favorite characters and then finish with a thrilling race outside in the desert!

I also couldn't help but include two beauty shots featuring the Carthay Circle Theatre.

Look for more photos in the future as we get closer to the opening of Buena Vista Street and Carsland in the summer of 20102!

What's Coming to Disney California Adventure in 2012

As many of you know, I am a huge Disney fan and of course a huge fan of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! 2011 has already seem some amazing things happen to the Resort as whole and next year will be the end of the "extreme themepark makeover" as I like to call it!

I, for one, am looking forward to Buena Vista Street and of course to Carsland!

Here is the Imagineering panel on Buena Vista Street from the D23 Expo this year:

Also coming next year is the highly anticipated Carsland straight from the movie Cars! Here is the Imagineering Panel from the D23 Expo this year:

Such exciting growth and development in Disney California Adventure! Walt's dream is alive and well! Can't wait to see what the Imagineers are dreaming up for Disneyland!