To celebrate the release of Cars 2 in theaters last summer, life size versions of the cars were at Downtown Disney. I was able to take the kiddos before everyone else could see them and they fell in love with Lightning McQueen. One of the Disney photographers snapped this photo and it actually went out in all of their press releases about the event. Yup, my kids are famous.
For those of you that don't know what Thanksgiving Thursday is, it is the one time during the week where you stop and basically count your blessings. Even if you've had one of those weeks, I promise you can find at least one thing to be thankful for, no matter how big or small.
This week I am thankful for:
Scott who took another week of split days off so we could all go to an event on Saturday. I'm pretty sure he just really wants to see this movie and we were the added bonus ;)
Aaron who has asked to go to Chicago every single day this week. The requirements to go to Chicago, if you ask him, are his Buzz shoes, his pack pack (backpack) and the blue airplane. If it were only that easy!
Jill and the outfit combination's she comes up with when she's playing dress up. Oh, and she says Peter Pan with a British accent, it's amazing.
Family you can call no matter what and who will take your kids for an hour so you and your husband can go eat ice cream in peace.
A sister who sends the kiddos treats (which have now been dubbed Tay Tay Treats) when she sends you the awesome raffle prize you won.
A chance to see Cars 2 on Saturday. I'm pretty sure Aaron is going to lose his mind...Scott too for that matter.
Starbucks coffee being on sale last week and having a coupon to stack with the sale. Sooooo good!
Jenn only smashing the hood of her car and that it wasn't anything more serious.
That our dog was not in the backyard the same time the cottonmouth was.
That we weren't in the backyard the same time the cottonmouth was.
Yesterday we took Aaron back to RIDEMAKERZ at Downtown Disney since he loved the store so much when we went for the Car Masters Weekend on Friday. RIDEMAKERZ is a fun and immersive car building and customizing experience for the whole family with over 649 million ways to customize your favorite radio-control car or “RIDE.” This modern day car concept takes America’s love of cars and the massive car customizing movement to the next level. Its distinctive combination of real and online activities provides choice, unleashes creativity, encourages collaboration, fosters confidence and instills a sense of community. To help celebrate the release of Cars 2 they have an entire line of cars from the film for you to customize.
Here's how the experience (and trust me, it's an experience) works:
Customizers who visit RIDEMAKERZ, either online or at a physical SHOP, enter a dream car-customization world where they can find all the parts they need to personalize their car. There are so many body styles, engines, parts and decals that each Customizer will emerge with a RIDE that is unique. The journey toward making a dream car begins with:
CHOOZE Customizers pick from nearly 70 body and paint styles. Models come in a variety of eye-popping colors and designs, along with stock treadz and wheelz and most have soundz and working headlights and taillights. Then it’s time to pick a chassis – either Street or Monster.
MOTORIZE Now it’s time to choose Free-Wheel or Radio-Control.
MOBILIZE Here Customizers select wheelz and treadz, and then build their RIDEZ in the RZ Pit Challenge, a timed and age-handicapped race against the clock.
CUSTOMIZE Customizers can add specialty lights, spoilers, side pipes, hood scoops, blown engines, roll bars, decals and much more.
CRUIZE Customizers load their RIDEZ into the RZ CRUIZECASE and head out for a spin.
RIDEZ are priced from $18 to $38, depending on body and paint scheme selected. Radio remote-control can be added for an additional $25 and custom accessories range in price from $2 for grille guards, spoilers and hood scoops to $15 for a deluxe “muscle kit” that includes a blow engine, spoiler, side pipes, muffler tips and roof vent. RIDEZ measure 10 to 12 inches long, about the size of a football, and range from approximately 1:14 to 1:20 scale.
Aaron was beyond excited when we told him he could pick out whichever car he wanted. He picked out the new Lightning McQueen, which happens to be the only one that has lights. Next we went to pick out which sound we wanted, and then we went to pick out the wheels. Aaron dug right into the wheels and found some awesome red ones. Then he picked out the rims from the huge wall. Next we got the street chassis and remote control motor. Finally, we headed to the pits to create the car.
I have to say creating the car was the coolest part. The crew member allowed Aaron to do all of the work, or at least all of the work that he wanted to do. There is nothing better than watching your child's eyes light up as they are doing this. I think his blurred face says it all, no?
This was definitely one of the coolest experiences we've ever had. Aaron is still smiling ear to ear ! A huge thank you to the people at RIDEMAKERZ for making this such an amazing experience and for allowing us the opportunity to make a car!
The kids and I got to check out a preview of the Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. The weekend runs from May 13-15, 2011 from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm on the West Side. Here are the events for the weekend:
* Muscle cars will line the Downtown Disney promenade alongside the largest life-sized, radio-controlled replica cars ever built--which bring their big-screen "car-acter" counterparts to life for fans to meet face to face.
* Pixar Animation Studios' "Cars" Franchise Guardian and resident car expert, Jay Ward, has been tapped to judge the Classic Car show which takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
* NASCAR fans can get a peek at Richard Petty's racecar on display inside RIDEMAKERZ at Downtown Disney.
* The family-friendly weekend will feature special Disney-Pixar "Cars 2" merchandise --including new RIDEMAKERZ models -- and bonus entertainment.
* The 2006 Disney-Pixar "Cars" film returns to the big screen with a limited engagement viewing at AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres throughout the weekend. Moviegoers can even catch a glimpse of the new movie trailer from "Cars 2," which gets the "green flag" on June 24, 2011, presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX 3D® in select theaters.
We got to see some of the muscle cars that will be on display this weekend, and let me tell you, they are awesome! Aaron was definitely a fan of the Fabulous Hudson Hornet and I could have crawled into the Bonneville for sure.
Our next stop was RIDEMAKERZ which is this great area where you can make your own remote control cars. They just came out with a line of cars for Cars 2, check them out:
We are definitely going back to let Aaron make a car, he was in love with them. Also inside RIDEMAKERZ you will find Richard Petty's racecar (he is actually the voice of The King in the first cars movie). I was convinced Jill was going to climb in a la Bo Duke at one point. I figured as long as she didn't slide across the hood we would be ok, right?
After we checked out the cars we made our way to the event area, which is located between Wolfgang Puck and Bongo's (both crazy delicious restaurants). There are tents set up with different activities, games and contests. Also located in this area are the Cars replicas. I pretty much thought Aaron's head was going to explode when he saw these, and then they turned them on and he pretty much couldn't form a sentence. First up was Mater:
He is exactly like he is in the movie, down to all of the dents. I overheard Jay Ward say that he has a new dent, which you will see in the new movie.
Each location is set up so e-photos can be taken of you and your family with your favorite car.
The newest car is Finn McMissile:
He's a sleek spy car and if you notice, his grill is split so it looks like he has a mustache. Finally, we got to see Lightning McQueen himself. He has a different paint job for this film and I have to tell you it's awesome!
Jill full on gave Lightning a hug and Aaron was just mesmerized. He spent most of the time checking out the wheels and every little detail about the car. I was lucky I was able to get this photo of us:
The kids had a blast and it was pretty hard getting them away from the area when it was time to head home.
I also got a preview of some of the new merchandise for Cars 2. This is a new outfit for the Duffy bear, it's not out in stores yet, but look how cute:
I had to crop out Jill's hand in this photo, she was trying to take the bear, I think she thought it was for her.
If you're local be sure to head over to Downtown Disney's West Side all weekend from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm to check out all of the activities including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities, games and giveaways. You can also enter the "Agents on a Mission" sweepstakes, which features 18,000 prizes, including a new car.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this morning possible! You made my three year olds day, ok and their Dad's too....and maybe mine ;)
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