Disney’s Luigi ride a beloved retread

Disney’s California Adventure Reimagined: Seventh in a series

The coolest Disneyland ride I never rode is returning to California Adventure.

The short-lived Flying Saucers moved from Tomorrowland to Yesterland in 1966, the year before I was born. When the ride wasn’t broken down — a major reason for its extinction — the futuristic bumper cars floated on a cushion of air like Space Age hovercraft.

As part of Disney’s $1.1-billion makeover of California Adventure, the levitating bumper cars will return as Luigi’s Roamin’ Tires in the new 12-acre Cars Land set to open in summer 2012. Luigi, as you may recall, was the excitable 1959 Fiat 500 who ran the tire shop in the animated movie “Cars.”

Instead of piloting a flying saucer, riders in the new Luigi C-ticket will steer a big-rig truck tire through tilting towers of retreads. Visitors will queue through Casa Della Tires shop where Luigi’s forklift assistant, Guido, will be busy at work.

Near the main entrance to the ride, a play area will feature a tire jungle gym, slide and kid-sized cars.

To follow the progress of all the improvements, check out MiceChat’s Project Tracker.

You can find all the blog entries in the California Adventure Reimagined series on the theme park page.

— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photos: Disney]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 10:54 pm by Brady MacDonald and is filed under Disney's California Adventure, Disneyland, Family & Kids, San Diego, Theme Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.