Hello there Tegan! Your trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth" is coming up so soon, how exciting!
My son loved the movie
Cars when he was younger, I think I've seen it 100 times! From the moment you step onto Route 66 as you enter
Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park, you'll feel automatically transported to Radiator Springs, it's so magical.
You can definitely still
meet Lightning McQueen or Mater in front of the Cozy Cone Motel at certain times during the day. Currently, there could be adjusted hours during Halloween Time, but according to the calendar, it looks like they will be back visiting with Guests throughout the entire day during your trip dates.
There aren't always set times of when they will appear, so I recommend checking the
Disneyland app during your trip! Open up the app, and tap the location icon in the bottom navigation bar. Then select "Characters" from the top navigation drop down list, and you can see which characters are appearing at that time. If there is a Cast Member in front of the Cozy Cone Motel, I always like to ask them if they know what time Lightning McQueen or Mater will be making an appearance.
While you're already in Cars Land, I highly recommend their dining options, whether it's a Chili Cone Queso from Cozy Cone 3 at the
Cozy Cone Motel, or the delicious Ramone's Low and Slow Club from Flo's V8 Cafe. If you sit outside around the corner at
Flo's V8 Cafe, you also get a spectacular view of seeing the Radiator Springs Racers cars race by while you eat! I also suggest hanging out on Route 66 right before sunset, and you'll get to witness the magic moment of the neon lights in Cars Land turn on, just like in the movie!
I hope your little Mouseketeer gets to meet his friends from Radiator Springs during your visit, Tegan! I'm happy to provide any other tips or recommendations, so don't hesitate to
follow-up with me directly before your trip.
Have a magical day, Ka-Chow!
Melissa