First Review: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Our Rating: 3 Stars

Tom Bricker says:

“Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is my third-favorite ride in Cars Land, but it’s still very solid — hilarious and fun for what it is.”

• What it is: Midway-type whip ride.
• Scope and scale: Minor attraction.
• When to go: The first 30 minutes the park is open.
• Special Comments: Must be 32″ tall to ride.
• Duration of ride: About 90 seconds.
• Average wait time per 100 people ahead of you: 8 minutes.
• Loading speed: Slow

Description And Comments

On the outskirts of town sits the junkyard home of Mater, the redneck tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. In his yard sit 22 baby tractors, each towing an open-air two-seater trailer. While Mater’s voice emerges from an oversized junk jukebox singing one of 9 specially-composed square-dancing tunes, the tractors travel in overlapping figure-8 patterns along interlocking turntables. The vehicles are transferred from one revolving turntable to another, creating near-miss moments much like Francis’ Ladybug Boogie. The difference is that Mater’s trailers swing freely from side to side, creating a centripetal snapping sensation similar to vintage whip carnival rides.

Touring Tips

Mater is the breakout hit character of the Cars franchise, and his namesake ride is visually attractive but slow-loading. Expect long lines from shortly after park opening. Near the entrance are some interactive musical instruments, sure to delight kids and deafen adults.

All eyes in the theme park industry turn this week to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where the grand re-opening of Disney California Adventure is being celebrated in the high style befitting the finish line of a billion-dollar makeover marathon. Before this massive expansion officially opens to the public on June 15, invited media and paying sneak-preview participants will have already had an opportunity to experience the new attractions of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and naturally the TouringPlans.com team is there on the scene. Touring Plans’ official photographer Tom Bricker, Unofficial Guide to Disneyland co-author Seth Kubersky, and new Touring Plans researcher Guy Selga, Jr. will all be on-property this week, documenting every detail to your touring advantage. Over the next few days, please check back on the blog for our hot-off-the-press first reviews direct from DCA, edited versions of which will appear in the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide.

All photos by Tom Bricker.