Disneyland brings Cars Land to Pasadena, in a 2013 Rose Parade float

January 1, 2013, 11:38 AM · Happy New Year 2013 from Pasadena!

We're sitting at the corner of Orange Grove and Pasadena boulevards on New Year's morning, watching the 124th annual Rose Parade, which includes this year's float from the Disneyland Resort -- a 125-foot-long floral recreation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure (and, if rumors prove true, coming soon to Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida -- we'll just ignore the existence of the severely abridged version at the Walt Disney Studios in Paris).

The Rose Parade float depicts the town of Radiator Springs, along with all three Cars Land attractions

But since it's a theme park ride, something has to go terribly wrong. In a flash of fireworks, the float "breaks down."

Fortunately, Cars Land is home to a certain tow truck, who drives up to give the float a jump, and save the day.

Lightning McQueen and Sally ride at the front of the float

Here's Sally, from the other side.

Here's Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

And Luigi's Flying Tires, followed by dancing waiters and waitresses from Flo's V8 Cafe

It's flowers depicting car parts depicting flowers!

Radiator Springs Racers brings up the rear of the float. The only thing missing? The two-hour-plus queue of visitors, of course.

Here's another view of the entire float. Click for a larger view.

And Mater and friend, bringing up the rear.

Here's a video of the float going by - I was sitting in the "TV bleachers" located across the street from the TV cameras at turn on the corner of Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards. Unfortunately, the sun came out just as the Cars Land float approached, so I was shooting into the sun.

This year's Rose Parade theme was "Oh, the Places You'll Go."

So, yes, Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat made an appearance, for you Universal Islands of Adventure fans:

As did Thing 1 and Thing 2 and a certain fish in a pot:

Happy New Year, theme park fans!

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Of course, the Rose Parade leads up to the annual Rose Bowl Game, which this year features Wisconsin versus Stanford.

The uh, somewhat infamous Stanford Band behaved themselves for the TV cameras, though it made the turn at Colorado Boulevard in its own, distinct way:

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Earlier, the people at Disney released a couple of videos documenting the construction and decoration of the Cars Land float:

Remember, every surface of a Rose Parade float must be covered in flowers or other organic material. That creates a huge last-minute rush to decorate these floats, as participants need to ensure all that flora will be fresh on New Year's morning.

Here's what the crew from Cars Land was wearing (from the Tournament of Roses' press release): "[Lightning] McQueen will be covered in red carnation petals, strawflower and seaweed. Sally will be covered in cut statice, lunaria and clover seed. The tractors will be covered in a variety of seeds, mums, seaweed and black beans. The animated signs will be decorated in a variety of seeds, strawflowers, mums and marigolds. The mountains and rocks throughout the float will be covered in lentils, clover seed, mums and strawflowers. Throughout the deck of the float will be live pinon trees, cactus, succulents and a variety of grasses. There will be thousands of roses, carnations and gerberas spread throughout the float."

P.S. Disney's other big event today is the opening of entries for Disney's 2013 sweepstakes - one Disney vacation given away every day in January.

Replies (5)

Daniel Etcheberry

January 1, 2013 at 10:30 AM · Cars Land's float is really nice; Disney was able to recreate that land in a small space. The Mater part was a nice touch, but they are not able to move his mouth like they do for the ride.