| The Toon Studio expansion project was first
confirmed in January 2005, followed by the confirmation of Cars Race Rally
as its second new attraction in the months which followed.
Construction didn’t begin until early 2006, however, but rapid progress was
soon made. This page aims to chart the key construction
milestones of this brand new Imagineering project… Pre-Construction
2002 to Early 2006 The corner plot of Animation Courtyard sits
empty. February 2006
10th February 2006 Land is cleared and prepared. The
Mickey’s Trailer character location is moved to Production Courtyard. June 2006
10th June 2006 Exactly 1 year to go until grand opening.
Construction fences move outwards to cover the full area of the new Toon
Studio attractions and the Flying Carpets planting enhancements. August 2006
19th August 2006 Foundations are dug for the two pairs of
turntables and temporarily lined with tarpaulin for protection before
concrete is laid. Existing surrounding tarmac on the Animation
Courtyard side is trimmed back to its new dimensions and curved style. September 2006
9th September 2006 The lower sections of the turntable foundations
are poured and cast in concrete, whilst new curbs are added to the bordering
path opposite Animagique and the first sandy grey flooring is poured around
the front of the ride plateau. At the far end of the construction
site, the first concrete walls are cast for the Radiator Springs-themed
queue building. October 2006
5th October 2006 The queue building races ahead, with the
circular entrance section taking shape and the bare fa�ades of the three
storefronts cast and constructed in concrete.
15th October 2006 The concrete foundations and plateau for the
ride system and turntables is completed, with the edges showing where the
ride platforms will sit in place. Land around the area is dug out to
provide the miniaturized movie set “canyon” effect of the 1 metre height
difference.
16th October 2006 The concrete form of the queue building
progresses further, whilst land is prepared for the outdoor “backstage”
sections and the slope down towards the ride area. The first steel
structure appears for the canopy and Flo’s V8 Caf� section.
21st October 2006 As diagonal steel supports for the roof of
Flo’s V8 Caf� appear, a breeze block wall wraps around the ride area to
provide a retaining wall for landscaping and the core foundations and
support for the rocky desert themeing to come. November 2006
1st November 2006 A steel roof structure is now in place at Flo’s
V8 Caf�.
4th November 2006 Work continues on the ride foundations,
including those for the automatic safety gates and operating system, whilst
the brick wall is prepared for its upcoming themeing. Studio Tram Tour
gives a closer look at the queue buildings under construction, whilst the
short Autumn days show Toon Studio under nightfall.
7th November 2006 Before the addition of more trees and movement
of the fences, Flying Carpets Over Agrabah gives a clear view across to both
the ride platform and the Radiator Springs queue building. The
entrance is the largest opening, higher than the ground around it to allow
for the final layer of coloured flooring to be poured. December 2006
30th December 2006 Window frames and more features are added to
the queue building, red ochre rockwork surrounds the ride area, more
foundations for the boarding area and ride platform are prepared, the
Willy’s Butte rock formation is completed and the first bushy conifer trees
are added! February 2007
3rd February 2007 More details appear on the Radiator Springs
storefronts, such as the tires of Casa Della Tires, whilst scaffolding
surrounds the V8 Caf� canopy and Willy’s Butte rock. The main control
booth has been added and preparations are underway to install the ride
system itself.
20th February 2007 All 12 of the Cars vehicles are installed
along with their turntable platforms. After several days of fitting,
they are covered with protective plastic tarps. More details have been
added to the brown pillars of Flo’s V8 Caf�, which has now gained a bright
turquoise roof. Extra plants, such as the well-established tree in the
first photo, have also been added. March 2007
5th March 2007 Installation work continues on the ride area
as a collection of large wooden poles appear, surrounding the canyon area.
A look over the construction wall reveals the installed control booth and
the outdoor queue/boarding area (after the initial two corridors inside the
buildings themselves), which has now received a metal roof and gutters,
paths and queue barriers. The circular entrance building has also been
decorated with its first magnolia tiles. For more construction photos and all the
latest updates, see the Photos Magiques Construction Gallery. | 
