Sneak Peek: Disneyland’s ‘Cars Land’ Float for 2013 Rose Parade

We are just under a week from the New Year and — with it — the 124th annual Rose Parade held on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. This year’s theme is taken from the Dr. Seuss classic, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and Disneyland Resort hopes to transport the parade’s millions of viewers to Cars Land, it’s newest addition at the Disney California Adventure theme park.

The Disney float, dubbed ‘Destination: Cars Land,’ showcases the landmarks of Cars Land in a colorful re-creation of the roadside town of Radiator Springs. Shaped like the state of California, the 125-foot long float — the longest in this year’s parade — features flowing water, smoke-puffing baby tractors and 45 animated parts, including replicas of Lightning McQueen and Sally as they relive their fun-spirited road race from the first Cars movie. Mater, the tow truck, follows along behind the float.

Here’s a breakdown of what viewers may spot aboard the 125-foot long, 35-foot tall float:

• At the front of the float, is a postcard-style ‘Welcome to Cars Land’ sign, flanked by a trio of baby tractors emitting puffs of smoke while their eyes move in a playful manner.
• Further ‘up the road’ are likenesses of Lightning McQueen and Sally, moving forward and backward as if jockeying for race position.
• The main buildings of Radiator Springs are marked by spinning signs for the town’s landmarks,  including the Cozy Cone Motel and Flo’s V-8 Cafe.
• Guests aboard the float will ride vehicles from two Cars Land attractions: a tractor from Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and a bouncing tire from Luigi’s Flying Tires.
• The iconic Radiator Springs mountain range, a Cars Land landmark, is re-created on the float, with characters Luigi and Guido perched on the rocks.
• The mountain range is home to a miniature version of the popular Radiator Springs Racers attraction, complete with small-scale race cars zooming across the landscape.
• High above everything, Barney Stormin’ the airplane tows a banner that reads: ‘The Happiest Place on Earth Just Got Happier.’

Via Twitter, volunteer @BigD923 recently shared some of the following images of the float as it is being assembled (in two parts) and decorated:

[View with PicLens]

The parade steps off at 8 am PST on Tuesday, January 1, in Pasadena and will be broadcast live on ABC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA (Tribune), NBC, RFD-TV and Univision. The Parade is also seen in more than 220 international territories and countries.