Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park opens today. If you're headed there, this video from the Disney Parks Blog tells you what to expect: https://youtu.be/XhKR2g222-I The clip also provides a good overview of of Buena Vista Street. Its retro look probably will draw interest from roadies as well.
A visit with Bill Shea and his gas-station museum
A few films about Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Ill., have made it to the Internet over the years. But this one by Josh Hester is the best I've seen: Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum from Josh Hester on Vimeo. The thing that makes this film different is it concentrates more on … Continue reading A visit with Bill Shea and his gas-station museum
Sounds like they’re warming to it
A story in the Contra Costa Times about the nearly finished Pacific Electric Trail bridge over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga says residents are "mixed" about its look. But the trail and the bridge are so darned good, it seems like they're getting over their misgivings. Rancho Cucamonga resident Holly Hostetler, who walks … Continue reading Sounds like they’re warming to it
Pontiac now gives tours with mobile devices
The tourism department of Pontiac, Ill., has always seemed forward-thinking. Continuing that trend, it has created a Mobile Device Tour for smartphones and tablet computers. From the news release: The mobile device tour provides additional information on many of Pontiac’s most popular tourist attractions and can be accessed by visitors through the use of a … Continue reading Pontiac now gives tours with mobile devices
Cars Land lifts the curtain
Although Cars Land at Disney California Adventure won't open to the public until Friday, the theme park threw an invitation-only gala on Wednesday evening. The clip above from CBS Los Angeles gets you started. Also, the Los Angeles Times reported in its review: Like opening the door to Oz, walking into Cars Land at DisneyCalifornia Adventure is like … Continue reading Cars Land lifts the curtain
Galena’s new downtown
I meant to post this a while ago, but this is what downtown Galena, Kan., and its Route 66 corridor looks like: The streetscape makeover was covered by grants, and accentuates its Route 66 heritage. Renee Charles, one of the original 4 Women on the Route in Galena, says people who hadn't been in Galena … Continue reading Galena’s new downtown
Life could be a dream
Kudos to the folks at Mouse Planet for this enjoyable recent video of the neon signs at Cars Land being turned on as night begins to fall. https://youtu.be/J1UqXI43zWs Music is "Sh-Boom" by The Chords -- the same used in the neon-lighting scene in the 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars." You can compare: https://youtu.be/gNb2lJSMrWw Cars Land opens … Continue reading Life could be a dream
Litchfield museum going up fast
On June 7, City of Litchfield Tourism in Litchfield, Ill., emailed a news release about the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Museum being built in town. This news had already been reported here and other news outlets. However, I didn't know how far along the museum construction had proceeded until I received this photo Monday: … Continue reading Litchfield museum going up fast
A play-by-play of Cars Land
John Lasseter, director of the Disney-Pixar film "Cars," gives sportscaster Brent Musburger a quick tour of Cars Land, which opens Friday. https://youtu.be/qC9aOGjC8UI And a few hours later, this overview of Cars Land showed up on YouTube. It's the most detailed look I've seen by far. Essential viewing: https://youtu.be/e-4lxg01nAo And here's a point-of-view video of the … Continue reading A play-by-play of Cars Land
Two Oklahoma acts will play show for Route 66 art project
Rockabilly artist J.D. McPherson and punk-rock band Broncho will play shows Wednesday night at the historic Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa to raise money for Public Arts Project 66, which seeks to add public art along Route 66 in Oklahoma. More about the art project can be found here: https://youtu.be/nP2Eg4gcOik The show also will serve as … Continue reading Two Oklahoma acts will play show for Route 66 art project