Disneyland revs up for Cars Land

— -- It's expansion time again at Disneyland in California. Disney announced plans this week for a major, multiyear upgrade to the newer of the resort's two parks, Disney's California Adventure, including the creation of a 12-acre "land" inspired by the Disney/Pixar film Cars. Cars Land, as it will be called, will include a major Cars-themed thrill ride and two lesser family-friendly rides.

Disney also will beef up other areas of the 6-year-old park with the addition of rides themed to the movies Toy Story and The Little Mermaid, a new "nighttime spectacular" water and lighting show, a new entryway and other improvements. The announcement follows Disney's groundbreaking last month for a 250-room expansion of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

The small footprint of Disney's California Adventure when it opened in 2001 drew criticism from Disney die-hards, but Disneyland president Ed Grier says the park has been a success. "This expansion builds on a commitment we made more than a decade ago to create and grow the Anaheim resort area as a world-class tourist destination," he says.

No word on when everything opens.