25 Years of Disney California Adventure? Looking Back at a Disastrous Past

Disney California Adventure park celebrates 25 Years! I was there shortly after opening. By the time I had my first visit, I had seen the reviews and wasn't sure what the actual experience would be like. But how often do you get to go to a brand new Disney theme park? I had to see it with my own eyes. My very wonderful father in law had worked for Kodak, a longtime sponsor of Disneyland, so he wanted to take our family of six to the new park on his dime. Now fully retired, I didn't want him to waste his money, so I told him I would go check it out myself first. Then, if it was worth the cash, I'd happily let him follow through. Thankfully, he trusted my instincts. My youngest daughter who was almost 15 talked me into taking her. Off we went.

The original souvenir map.

I really wasn't expecting to be as shocked as I was. Could it really be as cheap looking as they say? Certainly, Disney CEO Michael Eisner wouldn't build something on par with Six Flags next to the original and perhaps greatest Magic Kingdom!

Opening the park guide map revealed
a small park with cheap carnival attractions and retread films from Walt Disney World.

The night before, I drove off to the Disneyland Resort as it was now known, to buy my ticket and grab a map. Then I could be getting right at the park's gate before opening. 

One of the most creative parts of the park.

 

Seeing the entrance to the park from the Esplanade, I wasn't sure I got what they were going for. Even if the tile work work beautifully done in places, a cheap knockoff of the Golden Gate Bridge just felt out of place. Going in for a closer look, I was even more confused.

Just inside the gates. 

Disney must have scored huge discounts on corrugated metal.

It was everywhere.

Peeking through the park gates, it just screamed fast and cheap. Very un-Disney. What had they done? This tacky area was the one the suits wanted to show as a preview of what the park would hold? Certainly, the suits had lost their minds. What exactly were they smoking in my Colorado mountains when they planned this park to replace of the originally planned Westcot?

I walked in and hoped for the best.

Yes sir, the stores along the Sunshine Plaza entry street looked "hip and trendy" and just like any other theme park- but not a Disney one. Corrugated steel sides, lots of very loud neon and not a bit of warmth and charm.  Clearly the targeted look was something that would appeal to teens going into Hot Topic. Limited audience at best. It had to get better than this, didn't it?

Unfortunately, what I found for myself was true to what I'd read. The park was a reuse of other Disney attractions from Florida, far too many films, and a heavy dose of pure and simple carnival rides. There were only three noteworthy attractions and a whole bunch of "What the Hell were they thinking?" additions. Certainly, the executives had lost their minds. Certainly, the Imagineering team was embarrassed by the end result, and most certainly, the suits were now taking their guests' loyalty for granted. 

Just ahead of the entry was the golden, gilded sun icon including a very nice fountain around it.  I thought the sculpture to be pleasant, but as the landmark icon for the new park, it fell flat.  

The California Zephr. I really did love this being in the park. 

The main drag was no Main Street U.S.A. It was diminutive at best and quickly led guests into an entry into the park's other areas. The surprise to be found was the rather elegant and old school California Zephyr train. It housed another store (naturally), but it also held a clever coffee shop where they roasted the beans on site. Giving the whole entry area a burnt smell that I found either very intriguing or rather distracting  depending on my mood. But I loved the train itself. I even think Walt Disney would have loved it being in the park. Of course, since this was California Adventure, guests couldn't ride it, they could only walk in and make a purchase.

Then president Paul Pressler filled the park with highly detailed shops that reflected his retail preferences. Restaurants were also well themed and even quite expensive. Somehow, the real stars- the attractions themselves- were bare bones and a secondary experience in his eyes. He'd forgotten exactly why guests went to Disney.

The first fully desert themed land in a Disney park.

Straight ahead was Condor Flats and the park's best and centerpiece attraction Soarin' Over California. 

A rather plain but fitting exterior.

As they say, the pickings were slim, but the attraction was (and may still be) the best in the park. At the time, it was the new park's only true "E" Ticket. The Imagineers selected the perfect scenery to represent California, and the ride mechanism couldn't fit the attraction any better. I have to admit I got a little misty eyed flying over the state I grew up in. Nostalgia of a different kind than Disney is normally known for. As far as Disneyland's younger sister park went, it was mostly downhill from there.

GRR, somedays brr...

Moving on and with it warming up a bit, I was ready for a ride on Grizzly River Run. With a beautiful setting, I was expecting another true headliner, but without the expected but never delivered Audio-Animatronics, it's a solid "D Ticket" at best. 

Still a Disney girl deep down.

Tons better than Animal Kingdom's Kali River Rapids, though. A more complete and lengthier experience. 

One of my favorite photographs of the park at opening.

This section of the park is one of its most beautiful areas. It also is the one with the views from the overpriced Grand Californian Resort. As a day visitor, there's still geysers, waterfalls, dense forests and hidden paths to explore.  We then headed into what looked like San Francisco. What a misfire and an insult to the very beautiful city it's supposed to represent.

What the small walkway led to is the worst land in any Disney park ever: "Paradise" Pier.

Was this Disney or did I stumble into some alternate universe?

Just as certainly as the suits had forgotten what a Disney park was all about, the Imagineers had to be sorely embarrassed by what they were allowed to build. Barry Braverman was over the project. The great Tim Delaney, who had done such incredible work for EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris was put in charge of the new park's carnival themed land, so he had to make the best of a bad decision. Fortunately, the faux wooden coaster that defined the land, California Screamin', was a hit due to his great engineering. To make matters even worse, they were placed front and center to promote their work in Disney promotional pieces. 

New lows in Imagineering design!

There seemed to be a sale on vinyl as well.

What I found for myself was true to what I'd read. The park was a reuse of other Disney attractions from Florida, far too many films, and a heavy dose of pure and simple carnival rides. There were only three noteworthy attractions and a whole bunch of "What the Hell were they thinking?" additions. Certainly, the executives had lost their minds. Certainly, the Imagineering team was embarrassed by the end result, and most certainly, the suits were now taking their guests' loyalty for granted. 

Aside from a wide range of flat rides, there was a row of cheap looking carnival games and the park's greater thrill ride, California Screamin'. And what a great, smooth, coaster it is! It's not really unthemed because of where it is placed, but it did take me awhile to get used to everything being exposed. (For the record, the move to Incredicoaster was a downgrade in the overall experience.)

 

A "love letter" to California's farmers.

This structure is now in Paradise Gardens.

(This photo is from a later trip. 

Notice the new theming based on A Bug's Life

 and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background.)

We liked the look of Pacific Wharf, but we were surprised to find it really was just a well themed food court, albeit one with great food. A bakery and tortilla tour masquerading as attractions? Laughable. 

Tile representation of Northern California. 

Next up was The Golden State, the area of the park that was to most strongly represent the culture of California. The main attraction was Golden Dreams, a look at its history. This was another place where the budget for the park was cut, and it is very obvious to anyone paying attention. The presentation was originally to elements similar to the American Adventure at Epcot, but instead ended up being a glorified film. It wasn't a bad show, but without the Audio-Animatronics to ground it, the attraction certainly wasn't even close to repeatable. In addition, if you're not a fan of actress Whoopi Goldberg, you probably won't like she plays the main character. 

Nor will you like that Whoopi appears in not one but two attractions at California Adventure. Where? The Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Retread films, a great animation pavilion, 

a strange stage show, and the worst attraction ever built.

 

Superstar Limo is the strangest attraction to ever be built at a Disney park. It represented everything wrong with California Adventure. Imagine running into Hollywood celebrities with distorted faces while you try to reach a premier where you end up being the star that is celebrated. Whoopi is there as is Tim Allen, Jackie Chan, Cher, Drew Carey and a long list of mainly B list types. It's snarky and full of industry inside jokes if you're part of the messed up Hollywood scene. Thankfully, the attraction was short-lived due to the fact it became the laughing stock of themed attractions as did the newest Disney park itself.

 

What did we see that we liked in this weird little park? Well, Eureka was truly a great parade. Puppets, performers on trampolines and roller skates and pogo sticks, made it a high energy presentation we really enjoyed. Almost Epcot like. Well almost. Only the oh-so-trendy theme song revealed what the park really wanted to be, and frankly, that was something that we just did not like. The Animation area was very well done, but a great mid-level attraction is not enough. I particularly enjoyed the Seasons of the Vine film. 

My daughter's assessment proved how well she understood the art of Imagineering: "It's like they forgot what made Disneyland great in the first place!" I could not have said it any better.

DCA 1.0 was a dinosaur soon to be extinct.

Dinosaur Jack's Glasses of Distinction, actually.

We left the park after about 4 hours, and even that included a leisurely lunch. We went to Guests Services to explain our disappointment in paying a full price for a cheapened experience. We were not expecting what happened next. Without us asking, we were offered tickets to Disneyland free of charge for the rest of the day. We jumped on it. I'd find out later this was the standard offer for other guests expressing their displeasure. 

We went home after visiting Disneyland, so thankful that the original and best Imagineers had designed the place under Walt's leadership. My father in law was glad I had him hold off, saving him time and money.

My daughter and I told our tales of California Adventure, but it led to a surprise: My ten year old son was now certain he had to visit the park!

WHAT??

 
What a difference a few days and a few years can make. 

As a ten year old boy, his thoughts on the park were vastly different. Very different likes and perspective than his sister. In fact, he loved the place. LOVED it.

We got there about a half hour before opening. At the time the gates opened, we were ready to go. Beginning our day with Soarin', it was a huge hit, and it still was with me. Then, time for a snack. Really, just coffee for me, and you can guess where we went. That beautiful little train was calling me. Next up was It's Tough to Be a Bug. Another hit. It seemed like it didn't fit the park in my mind, but for my son, it was just a fun film. No winery and no Seasons film because the thrills of Paradise Pier lured him in. On to the carnival! All the rides there were just taken in excitedly as part of the vibe. A huge serving of soft swirl ice cream was a must. The now long gone cement dinosaur was cool, very cool in fact. Even the quirky and cheap Mulholland Madness was something he loved. I still thought this part of the park was an ugly waste, but I didn't say so. He was having a great day already.

Grizzly River Run meant two rides in a row and one later that night. Riding in the evening is a whole different, much better experience. We spent some time at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, but we left as he was quickly bored. Lunch was darned good at the Lucky Fortune Cookery.  He even found the Tortilla factory fun. Who doesn't love fresh and hot little cakes of goodness?

From climbing the C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters at the front of the park gates, to getting drenched on Grizzly, to three rides on Screamin' in a row- the last one without me (thank God!) and just about all we did in between, it was very different experience with my son.  

Through his eyes, Eureka was a great parade. From flying cream pies in Muppets to more Bugs, each 3D film made him laugh. Superstar Limo, however, was not his favorite or even funny in his mind, proving even a ten year old can have good taste!

Pluto makes the day fun!

There it was! I had an enlightened thought. California Adventure was a "Ten Year Old Boy Park". He didn't want or care for great theming, layers of detail, or sophistication. He didn't miss the animatronics. He didn't miss the love put into designing the place. He just wanted to have fun. Although I could have just taken him to Knott's Berry Farm, I started to see the park through his eyes. My perspective on the park remained it was far from Disney's best work- perhaps its worst (that was until I saw Walt Disney Studios Paris for myself- but in spite of its shortcomings, we had a great time together. 

It was just what the suits were hoping would happen, but this didn't mean everyone would come. The numbers were dismal, and change was on the horizon even after a couple of high profile additions.

What do I think of the park 25 years later? The addition of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street are fantastic and worthy of the Imagineering name. Since that, the place has unfortunately gone back to its old ways.

I'm not all that interested now. As a theme park fan, I will keep tabs on the place, but it will not get my hard earned money. I haven't returned since 2018. My daughter returned once in 2011. The last group of family that went- including my son who visited when he was ten- all else first timers in 2022, decided the park was not worth the money and not at all close to Disney quality.

Will I go back soon? Only if Coco is great! Otherwise, not until Pandora shows up- and even then, I might delay a visit.
 -----

Want more Disney California Adventure? Here you go!

Bargain Basement Imagineering - 1.0

Bargain Basement Imagineering  - 1.5

Bargain Basement Imagineering (or Back to the Drawing Boards)

Imagineering A New Dream- DCA  2.0 - The 2017 Announcement & Reimagining

California Adventure's Cool Retro Attraction Posters

20 Years of DCA: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Disney's Real California Adventure: The Challenge and the Reputation at Stake

Ten Years of Disney California Adventure

A California Adventure Christmas- and More Dirty Secrets of Disneyland 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. Concept art and maps copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

California Adventure's Return to Excellence and It's "Bargain Basement Imagineering" at Opening

While some Disney fans like me think California Adventure has become a misguided mess (Pixar Pier and the like), others who were around at opening of the park in 2001- me included- know its not nearly the disaster now as it was then. When the announcement of a full re-envisioning was announced, anxiously awaited Imagineering to bring a bit of class to the park with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. Yet, after a great rebirth, it seemed the park had mostly lost its way. In fact, I haven't even seen Avengers Campus or San Fransokyo because I just don't care. And count me in as one who loves Big Hero 6!

Those of us that still appreciate old school high quality projects are awaiting a sparkling new Coco boat ride, perhaps a greatly themed Pandora, and maybe even new additions to Avengers Campus. Will these balance out the cheap makeovers the park has been given since its amazing rebirth in 2012? Here's hoping! 

Let's look back on what was actually built come opening day. Why? First, it will help us appreciate the transformation and put it all in perspective- even if more recent decisions have made some of us question what the suits were thinking.  

As you'll see by looking at the concepts for the park version 1.0, the painters brush can be unintentionally (or intentionally) deceiving! Secondly, due to the cost-cutting measures of the leadership of the time, it reminds us what poor foundations the Imagineers are stuck working with while they continue trying to expand this greatly improved park. So, join me now as we go back in time to the opening of California Adventure through the artist's lens...



As we look at concept art from the first incarnation of California Adventure, let's compare what we saw in the preview center versus what the park really looked like to an opening day guest. Many visitors, myself included, expressed displeasure at what was found at this new park. So did the media and for a good reason.


Let's begin with the park entrance. The tile murals flanking the sides are really well done. The CALIFORNIA letters are a unique touch and both together clearly communicate this is not Disneyland. It's not a bad design, there's just no follow through. When the Disney advertising experts have to create a fictionalized version of the entrance for promotional purposes, this should be the first clue that the park has some serious problems and design flaws.

It is what we encounter once walking past the turnstiles that shouts "bargain basement" design. Looking right through the gates brings a very ordinary looking area, nothing to entice a visitor who is considering a day at this park.

The Sunshine Plaza reigns as the ugliest and least original park entrance area in Disney's history. Yes, this includes the even less imaginative Walt Disney Studios in Paris! Framed by an out of place replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, the environment matches a low budget outlet mall, appropriately setting the stage for what is found in most of the park.

The Sun fountain is an interesting structure, but it really belongs in an open garden at a hotel, in the midst of a walkway from the parking area or just someplace else. Not large enough in scale to impress, not a fitting centerpiece for the park. In some ways, it is appropriate. This is big and flashy with a contemporary edge- but it lacks substance.

Moving on, let's head to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. At first glance, it is a pretty Disneyesque area, a more playful version of the main drag at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The centerpiece, and clearly the highlight at opening, is Disney Animation.

Frankly, this is one impressive showcase! Beyond the park's signature flight simulator attraction, this gem is filled with the kind of care in execution that should have been found all over the park. The Animation Courtyard has an impressive layout that dazzles, and The Sorcerer's Workshop, including Beast's Library, feels like a walk-thru dark ride, drawing guests in further and further inside. It's easy to spend an hour here just watching the transformation in the library. Well done, Imagineers! In a nod to the Studios old working animation area, The Animation Academy truly provides a fun and informative demonstration of the art of the wonderful and ageless 2-D process. (Below is altogether different concept for Disney Animation.)

Beyond this great little attraction is where the troubles begin. Wandering around the rest of this land, guests discover raw steel and bland walls lie behind the great looking storefronts. Even the seemingly impressive Hyperion Theater is really just one great optical illusion. Just a big box but one with state-of-the-art facilities inside. However, it is a facility with no lobby and no restrooms!

Nearby, the past its prime MuppetVision 3D show is found. Not too thrilling an idea or presentation. It's a quick retread from Florida to save some cash- and an attempt by Disney to relaunch a very tired but admittedly once charming franchise.

The worst of the (Back) lot, however, is the only dark ride found here in 2001. In one of the oddest moves ever for a Disney park, the Imagineers designed and built the strange Superstar Limo attraction. The building housing the ride is at once quirky and likable to some degree, but the experience inside is just plain bizarre. Hosted by an on-screen agent who seems like someone you'd never let your children be alone with, the limo ride takes you through a tongue in cheek and trendy Hollywood filled with animatronics of "B" list celebrities from the Disney Studio. It quickly became the laughing stock of the theme park industry and a symbol of everything wrong with California Adventure. Less than a year from its premier, this ride quickly disappeared forever.

In a bit of poor planning, the Backlot's main street becomes a dead end, so let's cross back over to Condor Flats, a recreation of a California desert airfield.

Condor Flats effectively marks the entrance to The Golden State district, the portion of the park that truly strengthens the California theme. The airstrip is a small area to be sure, but it houses the park's signature attraction, Soarin' Over California. All the quibbles of the queue and its minimal theming aside, this film experience is the emotional heart of the park. Californians are rightfully proud of their state and its stunning diversity of landscapes. The photography is exhilarating, the musical score heightens the mood, and the ride mechanism impresses to thrilling results. It is the single standout attraction in the park. This crowd pleaser should not have been duplicated at any other resort. Period.

The true icon of this park, and one that for the first time is positioned to please hotel guests instead of park visitors, is Grizzly Peak. No expense was spared in creating an authentic and beautiful mountain environment. The rockwork created by the Imagineers ranks with the best of their efforts, including Big Thunder Mountain and the younger Expedition Everest. The landscaping is superb. The network of waterfalls, winding paths and viewing areas makes this part of the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area the most beautiful location of the entire Disneyland Resort. 
(Below is an amazing piece of artwork. Like the others, makes sure you click for a larger image.)

The setting for the Grizzly River Run is spectacular and "E" ticket worthy. However obvious short cuts have been taken with this attraction, starting with the design of the watercraft. The promotional poster below shows a whitewater excursion with an authentically styled raft. Somewhere between concept and execution, the attraction ended up with standard theme park fare circular rafts. Certainly the same company that could imagine and engineer leading edge ride systems for other attractions could find a way to build an authentic raft that was safe while providing the desired thrills!

Further cost-cutting took place by the exclusion of animatronic animals. Every other nature-based attraction designed by Disney uses them to good effect. From slow moving rides like The Jungle River Cruise to the high speed adventures of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there is simply no excuse for their absence except budgetary restraints. It's still a very fun attraction with terrific views of the park (and the less than beautiful city of Anaheim), but it could be so much more than it is.

Guests quickly noticed a trend in this new era Disney park: there may have been discounting on the attraction detail, but no expenses were lost when it came to the shops! California Adventure has some Disneyland quality shopping areas, and the Rushin' River Outfitters (below) is no exception.

Continuing a trend that began with Disneyland itself, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is a new take on the original park's Tom Sawyer's Island. Both provide plenty of fun as well as an area where younger visitors can run free. It is a nicely themed playground but not much more.

The limited number of attractions and cutbacks aside, this region of California Adventure provides the immersive environment that Disney guests are accustomed to finding at the parks. If only the rest of the small park had this much charm and care taken with it! The glaring shortcomings are only heightened when we enter into the San Francisco area, one far removed from the Golden Gate Bridge we found at the park entrance.

This tiny little sliver of San Francisco houses only restrooms, leaving guests who expected an elegant area such as New Orleans Square in a state of shock. In place of a fully realized cityscape, we find Golden Dreams, the film tribute to the history of the state. Originally envisioned as Circle of Hands, it was intended to be a heartwarming multimedia presentation of the brave men and women who settled and worked the land. Budget cuts again derailed the project. We are now left with a small scale but warm and politically correct vision of history. Unintentionally, this show is also one of the best arguments for Disney to stop using its a film stars as part of their attractions.


As we move around the bend, the beautiful Golden Vine Winery comes into view. Of course, so does the Pacific Wharf food court, Bountiful Valley Farm, and the surprising Paradise Pier.

The winery area charms guests with a sophistication not found elsewhere. Of course, like Napa Valley itself, we find a couple of pricy restaurants among the park's vineyard. Attractions? Oh yes, Seasons of the Vine is here- yet another film, this one highlighting the process of the art of winemaking from field to table. It is a slice of Epcot Center, an undiscovered gem. The music and photography perfectly capturing the area.

Across the way on this side of the bay is the Pacific Wharf. What could have been a wonderful setting for some California themed Disney attractions is reduced to mostly a food court with a couple of bakery tours using short films to tell the manufacturing story. The educational aspects of the park are important, however, they needed to be balanced out with traditional Disney attractions to justify the full ticket price.

Butting up to the Wharf is Bountiful Valley Farm, showcasing the agricultural impact of the state. Aside from yet another film, this one a clone of an additional 3D attraction from Florida, guests to the area are left without much to do except viewing tractors and watching a quite unimaginative fountain. In the age of "bargain basement" Imagineering, it's Disney storytelling at it's sorry best.

Controversial. Cheap and tacky. Off the shelf. Not what Walt would have wanted. Paradise Pier is all these things and more. And less. Much, much less.

Once guests had experienced the limited number of attractions in the other areas and the truly good live entertainment to be found, many headed toward Paradise Pier hoping to round out their day at Disney's recreation of a seaside amusement area.

The California Screamin' coaster stands tall over the area, and it is a roller coaster ride very worthy of a Disney park. Unfortunately, it is just a coaster- no great theming to be found here. No journey to outer space, no wildest ride in the wilderness, just an exposed track reaching for the sky. It is fun, day or night, but there are no Disney touches to be found except the giant glaring Mickey head. In this new fangled park, big, loud and obvious has mostly replaced the charming nuances of designers from earlier generations.

The rest of Paradise Pier is fleshed out with carnival games, kiddie attractions, swing rides, and an impressive Ferris Wheel. There's truly nothing magical or Disney here, yet the advertising department thought this was one of the best areas to show to promote the new park. What were they thinking? The public was not fooled, and the executives at Disney were left with an embarrassment on their hands.

Which brings us back full circle to the Blue Sky Cellar, housed in the old Seasons of the Vine building. Yes, it seems Disney is seriously trying to redeem itself by re-Imagineering the park. Starting with the areas that guests complained about the most, the makeover has started. The entrance to the park will be reworked. The Hollywood Backlot will get more improvements. The Pier will be a challenge but will still be a carnival. Plans even exist for a wonderful new land and a couple of great attractions worthy of the Disney of old. Will we see them? Will the proposed changes turn California Adventure from dud to star?

What can we learn from the "Bargain Basement Imagineering"? Concept art can be deceiving, and budgets can be reduced.  Disney has learned some important lessons from trying to fool us as they did in 2001. Now, after some serious recent disasters, they are going back to the basics of good design and Imagineering quality we saw in 2012... and I, for one, can't wait to see what lies ahead in the future! It may even make me return to the park once again. 

(All art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)