Even after reading the reviews, I still didn't expect it to be this good!
The tracks are fun and sometimes challenging, and the AI actually tries to knock you off the road and get other power-ups. The story was pathetic, yes, but the game has a lot more to offer than just that. There are all sorts of different kinds of racing to do and more stuff to unlock, and then there is still multiplayer! Sadly, so far none of my friends have been convinced to buy it. Multiplayer allows for actually using different cars other than Herbie, and you can't use them in single player.
The graphics are incredible, even rivaling MK DS. The graphics on the cars are even more amazing. There's not much more to say, other than they are amazing.
The music does leave a little to be desired, but only in the repetitiveness.
My final opinion: Get the game! Don't worry about it being a disney game, after Cars and then this, Disney interactive is finally making good games!
(The only thing that bugs me is the scream power-up, which requires you to scream as loud as you can to get higher boost. Every time someone comes into the room and asks why I'm yelling. Now I just usually waste that power-up.)