Showing posts with label disney california adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney california adventure. Show all posts
July 2, 2026
Universal Kids Resort: Universal Creative Builds Its Own Disney California Adventure 1.0
May 17, 2026
Soarin' Across America Attraction Poster #2
April 28, 2026
Disney's Country Bears and Pixar's Cars Take Over Colorado
Count this Colorado man very surprised to see Disney characters in Audio-Animatronic form outside of one of the theme parks. And not just a Country Bear Musical Jamboree bear but a "Car" as well! They both had as much motion and expression in their eyes as any of the characters in the parks. Surprising? Absolutely! Where was this whole thing? We were in Scheels Sporting Goods store in Colorado Springs, Colorado- and this was their shooting gallery. Just goes to show Disney inspiration is everywhere!
February 8, 2026
25 Years of Disney California Adventure? Looking Back at a Disastrous Past
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.
a small park with cheap carnival attractions and retread films from Walt Disney World.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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Want more Disney California Adventure? Here you go!
(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. Concept art and maps copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
January 13, 2026
Coco Boat Ride Area Expanded for Disney California Adventure
Disney CEO in the making Josh D'Amaro spoke about the Coco boat attraction for Disney California Adventure as one that would take its inspiration from Disneyland's classic Pirates of the Caribbean. That's a great piece of marketing fluff! What part of this could actually be real? We know there's severe space limitations in California, but Fantasyland is filled with them, and look how beautiful that area is!
So, what are those great Disney Imagineers actually up to? What will they build?
Imagine if you will an entire land dedicated to the part of California that was influenced by the beautiful culture of Mexico. Its art, its architecture, its food, its music. Now imagine it all as an area of expansion for Disney California Adventure. It could be the equivalent of New Orleans Square in Disneyland.
What do I wish they would build? An indoor restaurant and an Epcot-ish mini Mexico pavilion with perpetual nighttime.
Directly above is the official concept art for the Coco expansion. At the very top of this post is a piece I created with the help of several AI engines. One of the major differences between the two is my inclusion of a restaurant on the banks of the lagoon's boat ride. Think classic Blue Bayou in California's New Orleans Square or even the San Angel Restaurante at Epcot's Mexico pavilion. The Gran Fiesta Tour may be the attraction there, but the true calling card draw is the waterside dining under a beautiful moonlit sky. Something like this will probably not happen as space is severely limited back in that corner of the park. But I wish it would. Don't you?
But let's imagine even more! How about making the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta area into an extension of the Coco themed area? At the very top of this article is the new Los Amigos Plaza Restaurante. The elaborate courtyard is shown above.
Last but not least, let's re-Imagine Goofy's Sky Skool as The Three Caballeros Sky School, adding to attractions themed to this expanded land in the park. The new colors of the flight tower and the beautiful new arch lend a bit of flare to the surroundings. As far the ride itself, it's time to enclose a part of it and add in the three friends in Audio-Animatronic form. Donald Duck, and friends Panchito and Jose Carioca could sing and serenade us away from danger. Or so we think! It could be a total upgrade from what's there now and without too much work.
The little sister park next to Walt Disney's original castle park needs something this spectacular and this charming! The suits seem to have lost their way when it comes to making this park feel richly cohesive. Cars Land is a no contest smash, but the rest of the additions since have seriously been lacking, at least in my opinion. Not one single addition since 2012 has become a must-see for me, even though I love the film Big Hero 6. Will a Coco attraction do the trick to make me come back? Yes, maybe, but the ride and expansion had better be good! And an indoor restaurant will certainly affect my opinion on it, and a fully rethemed area would only make it better!
(Official concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
December 11, 2025
The Beauty of Disney's Westcot at Night
The long lost Disney Imagineering project that should have been built in place of Disney California Adventure. They call it Westcot. A new version of EPCOT Center improved upon by learning from mistakes from the past. It has always seemed that the Imagineers were at their most creative point when they were forced to deal with Disneyland's space limitations. Obvious case in point: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Both attractions benefit from the restrictions they had to work around. Such would have been the case with Westcot. By design, the nations of World Showcase would have the be grouped into continents and the Future World pavilions reorganized into more effective layouts. This AI created image shows what could have been.
November 12, 2025
The Beauty of Disney's Westcot at Night
The long lost Disney Imagineering project that should have been built in place of Disney California Adventure. They call it Westcot. A new version of EPCOT Center improved upon by learning from mistakes from the past. It has always seemed that the Imagineers were at their most creative point when they were forced to deal with Disneyland's space limitations. Obvious case in point: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Both attractions benefit from the restrictions they had to work around. Such would have been the case with Westcot. By design, the nations of World Showcase would have the be grouped into continents and the Future World pavilions reorganized into more effective layouts. This AI created image shows what could have been.
October 20, 2025
Soarin' Across America Attraction Poster is Here
Soarin' Across America
I did not see this coming at all- even if I knew something had to be in the plans! But what a great way to celebrate 250 years of the United States of America. Yes, Soarin' Across America, a brand new excursion celebrating the States is coming to Epcot and Disney California Adventure. Shades of the classic Disneyland Tomorrowland attraction, America the Beautiful but brought into the new century. Way to go, Disney!
October 12, 2025
The Original Opening Day California Adventure Attraction Posters
The premier of DCA 2.0 in 2012 brought Disney fans a new slew of attraction posters. But did you ever see the ones designed for the opening day of Disney's California Adventure? Here they are! Do you remember Condor Flats, the Golden State, and Paradise Pier?
Nowhere in the park was the theme of California more convincing than in the collective area known as the Golden State. With Grizzly Peak as the park's centerpiece, guests were drawn into separate areas celebrating the state's key experiences with unique attractions fans were sure to love... like agriculture and bugs. I kid you not. The desert themed Condor Flats honored the realm of aviation. In the later re-imagining of the land, desert gave way to the forests of California since Cars Land made the original desert area redundant. Soarin' Over California survived, at least seasonally.
One of the park's most disdained lands was Paradise Pier, a seaside carnival that never belonged in a Disney park. Cheap, tacky, and plain ugly, the lone star attraction was California Screamin', now the lesser Incredicoaster. There was a season of time when the San Diego themed overlay to the land actually made it more attractive. But now, it's Pixar Pier, an even tackier overlay than the original mess.
If you'd like to see the next set of attraction posters for this park, you can take a look here.
June 18, 2025
Club Disney? Yes, It WAS Built- and the Unbuilt DisneyQuest
Back when the Westcot theme park (look here) was to be added to California- in the 1990s - before the suits decided the park was to be replaced buy the MUCH more financially safer and very inexpensive Disney's California Adventure, a West Coast version of the indoor gaming playground was all set up to happen. We've all heard the story before and we'll hear it again- plans change, budgets are reallocated, and priorities shift. It happened here.
This project is not to be confused with Club Disney, the young family focused indoor entertainment center for those with kids 10 and under. One opened in Lone Tree, Colorado, just a few miles from our home. When we visited, it was a combination indoor play area and Chuck E. Cheese and Dave and Busters... enjoyable, charming, expensive, and not worth more than two hours of your time. But it was "Disney", so for this family far from both California and Florida, it was a nice little diversion.
This new venture was long before Disney's Celebrity Sports Center from the 1960s that lasted until the early 1990s in Denver. (Yes, I had been inside exactly once. It was little more than a run down bowling alley by then. Not even sure who owned it.)
For now, both these are a piece of history. Will the ideas be resurrected again? Probably not, but you never know what could happen as the company and the U.S. economy changes over and over and over again.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
April 17, 2025
Sprinkling a Bit of Coco at Disneyland
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
November 26, 2024
How to Make Muppets Courtyard Better- and a Monsters Inc Land? Yes, Please!
Make a good thing even better? Does this ever happen at Walt Disney World? It arguably does at Disneyland as it is "Walt's park" and the locally based Imagineers have a responsibility to look after his dream- and fans demand it. Sometimes the fans have better ideas than the suits. This time, I think I do have some great ideas, so read on.
After our April 2024 visit, we left Disney's Hollywood Studios and were very disappointed in our day there. It was easily our least favorite theme park of the six we visited- including Universal Studios Florida. The biggest of the big "E ticket" draw attractions were two hour waits- no thank you. The theater shows were old. The restaurants we wanted to eat at were booked. Shopping seemed the same everywhere in the park except at Galaxy's Edge. I thought I wouldn't go back for several years (and yes, we did see Muppet*Vision 3D). Monsters Inc. Land will bring me back. It's two great movies filled with lovable characters.
I say, move the soon to be replaced Mike & Sully to the Rescue from Disney California Adventure and give the littles a dark ride with no height restriction. None at all in a park that needs it badly. But build that door coaster! Bring Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor from the Magic Kingdom. New shops and restaurants. Character meet and greets. It all could be a powerful draw.
Quite the attraction poster!
Where does all this leave the Jim Henson's Muppets? In pretty good shape, actually, with some forward thinking and a little investment.
They're already taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Move the 3D show to the theater next door, replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy. Add back in the Miss Piggy Fountain to a park that needs more water features. Bring in the old Kermit statue that sits atop the former A&M Records lot in Hollywood. It's up for sale, so do it now.
Change can be a win-win if the Imagineers can bet creative with the financial backing of the suits. But that backing, my friends, is a BIG if.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Epcot photo copyright Mark Taft.)
July 9, 2024
Saturday Night at the Disneyland Hotel
What it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer panache. The Disneyland Hotel may not be the biggest or the most prestigious resort ever found at a Disney themed resort, but it has a style than none can match: It's the only one that celebrates the history of what came before it.
To put a replica of the old Disneyland sign at the pool and then use a monorail themed prop as a slide is genius. In the hotel lobby, guests find a giant tea cup just waiting to be taken for a spin as a photograph. Not to be outdone, down the path, Trader Sams bar is filled with all things tiki with more than a nod to the first attraction to feature Audio-Animatronics- Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
The entrance to Downtown Disney is at the edge of the property, and just beyond are the two theme parks, including what may be the most beloved one in all the world. Walt's park. The one that started it all. And that is something no other park can lay claim to!
(And Happy Birthday to the real photographer in our family!)
May 25, 2024
No Laughing Matter: Introducing Disney’s California Adventure!
Disney California Adventure has quite the history. It was the laughing stock of the theme park industry when it opened in 2001, especially compared to the jaw dropping beauty of Tokyo Disneysea which opened a few months later. Yet, Anaheim's second park looked like an absolute Imagineering masterpiece when placed up against the Walt Disney Studios Paris park.
I was there opening year, and the park was an unmitigated disaster. It was so bad and so against everything Walt Disney stood for, that I walked out just a couple of hours later and asked for a refund. Instead, I took the offer to get into Disneyland for the rest of the day. I was not alone. Word of mouth spread quickly. The park built on the cheap by then CEO Michael Eisner was a disaster. The press had a field day.
The very ugly concept art for a very ugly park.
The quickly announced budget version of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror open in 2004, but it wasn't enough to bring in the crowds or give it an authentic Disney park feel.
On October 17, 2007 new CEO Robert Iger announced a total redesign of the park and to thunderous response. It was a "brand withdrawal" in his words- not up to par with what a Disney park should be.
The project took many years. It brought the amazing Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers, the brand new entry Buena Vista Street, an evening show on the lagoon World of Color, and a new dark ride based on The Little Mermaid. When the last stage opened in 2012, the crowds responded favorably and attendance went way, way up.
To be honest, I've had zero desire to visit California Adventure since I've seen Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Nothing they have added/subtracted at the park has been a draw. And frankly, more Marvel won't do it for me.
There's been many changes and additions since, some good, some bad, and some very bad. A Bug's Land gave way to Avengers Campus, while Paradise Pier became Pixar Pier. the rustic and attraction free Pacific Wharf (bakery tour and sourdough bread exhibit aside) became Big Hero 6's San Fransokyo. You judge for yourself whether these were great moves or not.
The little park that was the step child in Anaheim has a fascinating story to tell- and when you look through the concept art, you can see it was all Bargain Basement Imagineering at its finest. (Worst?)
Follow the full story by reading at the series below. Look at the tons of concept art and evaluate it all. You'll be shocked at the park's awful design and beginning compared to what it is now. Will the D23 in August help the park go forward or backward? We shall see.
Various other articles on the park:
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
February 12, 2024
California Adventure Had a Birthday?
The public outcry for building a cheap and cheap looking park next to Walt Disney's personal masterpiece next door was heard- and mostly ignored for years. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Bugs Land made minimal impact. Finally, CEO Robert Iger admitted it was a "Brand withdrawl", and new plans were put into place to give it Disney quality.
When the new DCA opened, things looked promising. A sparkling new Buena Vista Street and an incredible Cars Land made things look as it the Imagineers were given the go ahead to dream big. The results brought in the crowds.
Then, things turned around, and the park became a dumping ground of mismatched changes.
Nowadays, does anyone notice or care that Robert Iger no longer talks about "Brand withdrawal"? He should. It's happening every day at the company we all love.
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The history of DCA is fascinating! Explore it all through the concept art created for the park. Start here at Bargain Basement Imagineering. Then go onto Imagineering a New Dream- this is when things get a lot better! It's all part of a multi-part exploration of the park through the years.
July 12, 2023
Disney's International Village of Friendship
When it came to just about everything surrounding EPCOT Center, the second theme park at Walt Disney World, the business side quickly realized the impact of developing more of those 40 plus thousand acres. A new theme park would drive the need for more places to stay for all those tourists- and room rentals are BIG money makers. (It's one reason that Luau Cove at the Polynesian Village Resort is giving way to yet another Disney Vacation Club location.)
In the case of cast members having to be international students to create the realistic culture for World Showcase, Disney also had to provide appealing lodging to create a sense of community. Enter International Village, an ambitious, first of its kind campus and living center. Cast members recruited from all over the world would live together in peace and harmony in a welcoming and attractive complex. New friendships would foster greater understanding about the world around us. What a loft goal! But that's what EPCOT Center was all about- making our world a better place. Does the Company care anymore about that? I guess a case could be made both prop and con. But that is a discussion for another day.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
March 16, 2023
California Adventure One Day Itinerary 2023
Disney California Adventure is no longer the laughing stock of the theme park industry. After 20 years, it is slowly becoming a full day park that is easily on par with Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. Just do a park by park comparison, and you'll find the red-headed stepchild of the US parks now can hold its own!
It's got a distinct feel unique among all Disney worlds, and just like the third Disney park in Florida, the strengths are as obvious as the weaknesses. The biggest detriment is that this theme park is footsteps away from the most attraction filled Disney park on the planet: Walt Disney's original, Disneyland.
If you choose this park for your Southern California day, a little planning will help you see as much as possible. So, save time and see it all by following the suggested plan of attack.
1. Get there at the gate about half an hour before opening time.
Explore the beautiful Buena Vista Street, but keep an eye on the time.
Explore the beautiful Buena Vista Street, but keep an eye on the time.
You don't want to miss the rope drop, so veer toward the left.
2. Walk straight down past Carthay Circle Theater and past Avengers Campus to Cars Land entrance. Walk straight down street to the very end and a slight turn to Radiator Springs Racers. Ride this first. If you’re using Genie+, get a reservation first and then walk in the regular standby line. You’ll really want to ride this twice. Longest line in the park all day long. Riding once during the day and once at night is optimal.
Your best breakfast bet for your entire crew.
3. Have breakfast at Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land. (When you exit the ride, turn left at the first street and it’s on the right past the gas station.) Sit on the patio, and you'll have a hearty breakfast with great views of Radiator Springs Racers and the Cadillac Mountain range. (If you walk past it until the end of Cars Land, walk just outside it under the tunnel and turn around. It’s a super impressive view of Cars Land. Really amazing.)
MOST IMPORTANT CARS LAND TIP: Come back at night right before sunset and watch then town's neon turn on. Explore the land once again. Trust me, this is as good as it gets! This is atmospheric California Adventure at its best. If you must choose one over the other, this walking tour experience is an equally beautiful choice with the World of Color nighttime show. You can't go wrong with either one.
4. After breakfast, go out and turn left back on the side street. Stay on it past Luigi’s Rollicking Roadsters on the right and keep walking until you reach Avengers Campus. (Ride Luigi’s and Maters Junkyard Jamboree when you’ve done everything else. They are fun, but they are carnival type rides.) Every shop in Cars Land has exclusive and cool merchandise you can't get outside the park. Avengers Campus does as well.
5. Try to get on WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure or book a reservation for it. If you can’t get on that, go to Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout (the old Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). If you've ridden Tower of Terror in the past, you'll be surprised how much this feels like an entirely new ride with a whole new vibe. Then, go back and do the ride you missed.
You’ve now done the three longest wait times and most popular rides in the park. Not that there won't be lines for the others, but you've conquered the most sought after attractions.
6. Look at the showtimes for the Spider Man robotic ("Stuntronic" in Disney speak.)
7. Watch for Super Hero character meet and greets. Usually Spider- Man, Captain America, Black Panther etc. and a lot of Disney+ "stars" that come out for limited engagements to promote their new series.
There’s also old California Adventure favorites: Soaring Over California, Grizzly River Rapids (Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom only wishes it were this good), and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (Grizzly Peak area), the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Mania and the carnival rides (all in Pixar Pier), and the Little Mermaid ride is nearby; also check out the Monsters Inc ride, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and the Animation exhibits (Hollywood Land).
Hungry? From opening day in 2001, one of California Adventure's trademarks has been its great abundance of excellent places to dine. Here's some fun options for you to try:
Have lunch at Pym’s Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus. (The food is shrunk or enlarged, depending on what is the normal look of an item.) If you want to splurge, you can, but even the most casual spots have generally terrific and tasty things to consume.
If you're at the park at the right time of year, the numerous booths at the California Food and Wine Festival are an option. There's not as many as at the Epcot festivals, but that is an advantage. It's a much easier decision.
The food booths on the Wharf are some of my favorite spots to eat as well as get some great entertainment by groups such as the Grammy Award winning Mariachi Divas. (By this Summer, it will be the Port of SanFransokyo including a character meet and greet with Baymax.)
Starbucks is inside Fiddler Fifer and Practical Café at the end of Buena Vista Street right by the entrance to Grizzly Peak.
There’s also a Ghiradelli’s ice cream soda fountain in the Wharf area.
There you have it. A time-saving and fun-filled day where you get the best of Anaheim's second Disney park. Is it an equal to Disney Hollywood Studios? Which park would you choose?
(Most photos copyright Mark Taft.)
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