After a several-year absence from the famous New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, Disneyland Resort returns with a spectacular float celebrating its new Cars Land expansion.
Measuring in at over 125 feet long, the float is constructed in two parts. The first half leads with a floral depiction of the big Cars Land sign, and then goes on to show ride vehicles from Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Flying Tires.
Bradley Kaye, Senior Designer with Disney Creative Entertainment, spoke on how all the designs were carefully scrutinized to be as true and detailed as possible to the actual structures, given the limitations inherent in floral construction.
As an example, while the Flo’s V8 Cafe sign is actually teal-colored, that shade fails to appear in Nature. The resulting green compromise was signed-off on by Pixar who worked in conjunction with Disney to make the float a good representation of the land.
Up top, Lightning McQueen and Sally will be racing through Radiator Springs. McQueen is covered with the components of some 2,000 carnations.
Meanwhile in the back half, platforms will be present for entertainers to perform amidst a recreation of the Radiator Springs mountain range complete with iconic rockwork.
Actual cacti from Cars Land will be placed on the float, and every surface will be decorated, including the myriad of hubcaps.
Up top, Guido and Luigi cheer on miniature cars racing around the Radiator Springs Racers track.
On hand to help out was René Torrico, 2012 Disneyland Ambassador
…and Social Media and Print Manager, Erin Glover.
Finally, Randy Wojcik, Senior Show Director of Disney Creative Entertainment, was kind enough to say a few words for us on his experience developing the float.
This year’s Rose Parade is scheduled to run at 8AM, January 1, 2013 in Pasadena. The theme is “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” and clearly one of those places for the next year should be Cars Land.
Happy New Year everyone!
Absolutely beautiful!