Disney's California Adventure
Encyclopedia
Disney California Adventure, or simply California Adventure, is a theme park in Anaheim, California
, adjacent to Disneyland Park
and part of the larger Disneyland Resort
. It opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney's California Adventure Park. The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
division of the Walt Disney Company. On May 28, 2010, it was announced through the official Disney Parks Blog that Disney's California Adventure Park would be renamed to its current title.
This 55 acres (22.3 ha) theme park, built during former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner
's 'Disney Decade', was constructed as part of a major expansion that transformed the Disneyland area and its hotels into the Disneyland Resort
and consists of five areas: Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Pictures Backlot
, The Golden State, A Bug's Land
,and Paradise Pier
. Each area is meant to resemble various aspects of California
, its culture and landmarks.
In 2010, the park attracted approximately 6.28 million guests, making it the 11th-most visited theme park in the world, its highest ever attendance total for a calendar year.
, a west coast iteration of Epcot
, in place of the existing Disneyland main parking lot, but due to various reasons the project was canceled in 1995, which led to the idea of Disney's California Adventure (DCA), a park to celebrate and pay tribute to California, providing a similar experience to stepping inside a California postcard. DCA was part of the plan to expand the one park property and convert it into a greater, multi-day vacation resort destination which would be able to appeal to a greater audience - similar to Walt Disney World resort.
The construction of DCA began in 1998, as part of the Disneyland Resort
expansion project which included the new theme park, the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, Downtown Disney
, and the renovation of the Disneyland Hotel
and the Paradise Pier Hotel
, and was completed in 2001. DCA occupies the site of the former parking lot for 5,000 vehicles, and parking is now provided in the multi-level "Mickey and Friends" parking structure, giving space for more than 10,000 vehicles.
Sunshine Plaza served as the main entrance into the park. It was designed to evoke the sensation of stepping into a California postcard. After guests passed the giant California letters, and through the turnstiles,they walked under a mock-up of San Francisco Bay's Golden Gate Bridge
, which disguised a portion of the resort's monorail track. Flanking both ends of the faux Golden Gate Bridge were two massive muralsthat depicted various landmarks of and the vast mountain ranges in California. After passing under the bridge, guests reached the main area of Sunshine Plaza that served as an access hub to the park's Hollywood Pictures Backlot
and Golden State. Rising over Sunshine Plaza, a large metal sunburst and surrounding fountain reflect solar rays into the surrounding area. Sunshine Plaza was also home to a replica of the California Zephyr
, which houses the plaza's two counter service restaurants: Baker's Field Bakery and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream. The plaza is also home to two of the park's biggest souvenir shops, Greetings from California and Engine Ears Toys.
and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
. The land's attractions, such as California Screamin’, resemble the classic amusement park rides found at many boardwalks. Toy Story Midway Mania!
is an interactive 3D attraction inspired by classic midway games.
Mickey's Fun Wheel
(formerly the Sun Wheel) is a 160 feet (48.8 m)-tall Ferris wheel overlooking Paradise Bay, a large body of water that dominates the Paradise Pier area. A hydrotechnic show, World of Color performs nightly out on Paradise Bay and showcases a vignette culminated from numerous Disney and Pixar films.
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, adjacent to Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
and part of the larger Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
. It opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney's California Adventure Park. The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the segment of The Walt Disney Company that conceives, builds, and manages the company's theme parks and holiday resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises...
division of the Walt Disney Company. On May 28, 2010, it was announced through the official Disney Parks Blog that Disney's California Adventure Park would be renamed to its current title.
This 55 acres (22.3 ha) theme park, built during former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner
Michael Eisner
Michael Dammann Eisner is an American businessman. He was the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005.-Early life:...
's 'Disney Decade', was constructed as part of a major expansion that transformed the Disneyland area and its hotels into the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
and consists of five areas: Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Hollywood Pictures Backlot is a themed land at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based as a backlot of a Hollywood studio and has attractions themed to this concept. Hollywood Pictures Backlot opened with the park in 2001...
, The Golden State, A Bug's Land
A bug's land
"A Bug's Land" is a section of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based on the Disney·Pixar film "A Bug's Life"...
,and Paradise Pier
Paradise Pier
Paradise Pier is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure, Disneyland's sister park, which are all part of the Disneyland Resort. Its appearance is based on that of Vicotian boardwalks that were once found along the coast of California. Despite its name and the presence of a nearby manmade...
. Each area is meant to resemble various aspects of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, its culture and landmarks.
In 2010, the park attracted approximately 6.28 million guests, making it the 11th-most visited theme park in the world, its highest ever attendance total for a calendar year.
Dedication
Concept and construction
In 1991, Disney announced the plan to build a second gate in Anaheim, WestCOTWestCOT
WestCOT was a planned theme park that was to have been built by The Walt Disney Company in Anaheim, California, United States. The park was intended to be a west coast version of EPCOT Center, a park devoted to international science and knowledge at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and was to...
, a west coast iteration of Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
, in place of the existing Disneyland main parking lot, but due to various reasons the project was canceled in 1995, which led to the idea of Disney's California Adventure (DCA), a park to celebrate and pay tribute to California, providing a similar experience to stepping inside a California postcard. DCA was part of the plan to expand the one park property and convert it into a greater, multi-day vacation resort destination which would be able to appeal to a greater audience - similar to Walt Disney World resort.
The construction of DCA began in 1998, as part of the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
expansion project which included the new theme park, the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is the name of two outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes located at two Disney resorts:* Downtown Disney , at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida...
, and the renovation of the Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland Hotel may refer to any of the following properties and/or licensees of The Walt Disney Company:* Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, USA, the original property to bear the moniker....
and the Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is a resort hotel located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, owned by The Walt Disney Company and operated through its Parks and Resorts division. The hotel was originally built and owned by Japan-based Tokyu Group, and opened in 1984 as the Emerald of...
, and was completed in 2001. DCA occupies the site of the former parking lot for 5,000 vehicles, and parking is now provided in the multi-level "Mickey and Friends" parking structure, giving space for more than 10,000 vehicles.
Timeline
- 1991: The Walt Disney Company annouces plans to build WestCOTWestCOTWestCOT was a planned theme park that was to have been built by The Walt Disney Company in Anaheim, California, United States. The park was intended to be a west coast version of EPCOT Center, a park devoted to international science and knowledge at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and was to...
. - 1995: WestCOT plans are scrapped and Disney instead announces plans for a California-themed park.
- 1998: Construction begins on Disney's California Adventure
- February 8, 2001: Disney's California Adventure opens to the public.
- 2002: A Bug's LandA bug's land"A Bug's Land" is a section of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based on the Disney·Pixar film "A Bug's Life"...
opens as the first new themed area since the park's inception, with new attractions including; Flik's Flyers and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train. - May 5, 2004: The Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorThe Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, more commonly known as Tower of Terror, is a drop tower thrill ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios , Disney California Adventure Park, Tokyo DisneySea and Walt Disney Studios Park . It is based upon the television show The Twilight Zone...
opens as the second version of the attraction. - July 15, 2005: Turtle Talk with CrushTurtle Talk with CrushTurtle Talk with Crush is an interactive attraction that has appeared at several of the Disney theme parks. It first opened on November 16, 2004 at "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" pavilion at Epcot, and was duplicated at Disney California Adventure in July 2005. The attraction was open in Hong Kong...
opens. - January 23, 2006: Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is a dark ride attraction at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California...
opens in Hollywood Pictures BacklotHollywood Pictures BacklotHollywood Pictures Backlot is a themed land at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based as a backlot of a Hollywood studio and has attractions themed to this concept. Hollywood Pictures Backlot opened with the park in 2001... - October 17, 2007: The Walt Disney Company announces a multi-year, $1.1 billion expansion plan for Disney's California Adventure. The plan includes modifications to Paradise PierParadise PierParadise Pier is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure, Disneyland's sister park, which are all part of the Disneyland Resort. Its appearance is based on that of Vicotian boardwalks that were once found along the coast of California. Despite its name and the presence of a nearby manmade...
, Golden StateGolden StateGolden State may refer to:* California, a U.S. state known as "The Golden State"* Golden State , by Bush* Golden State , an indie rock band* Golden State Baptist College, in Santa Clara, California...
and Hollywood Pictures BacklotHollywood Pictures BacklotHollywood Pictures Backlot is a themed land at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based as a backlot of a Hollywood studio and has attractions themed to this concept. Hollywood Pictures Backlot opened with the park in 2001...
and new areas; Buena Vista StreetBuena Vista StreetFormerly known as Walt Disney Plaza, Buena Vista Street is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort . The central plaza represents Los Angeles in the 1920s, when Walt Disney first arrived in Los Angeles....
and Cars LandCars LandCars Land is a new themed land at Disney California Adventure Park that is currently under construction. This land will be built as part of the $1.1 billion expansion plan for Disney California Adventure Park on the former Timon Parking Lot behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and A Bug's...
. - June 17, 2008: Toy Story Midway Mania!Toy Story Midway Mania!Toy Story Midway Mania! is an interactive 4-D theme park attraction, currently located at two Disney theme parks: Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and inspired by...
opens in Paradise Park - October 14, 2008: The Sun Wheel attraction is re-themed and re-named Mickey's Fun Wheel.
- October 20, 2008: Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky CellarWalt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky CellarWalt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar opened October 20, 2008, replacing the old Seasons of the Vine Theater at Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California....
opens, replacing Seasons of the Vine Theater.
- 2010: Construction on Buena Vista StreetBuena Vista StreetFormerly known as Walt Disney Plaza, Buena Vista Street is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort . The central plaza represents Los Angeles in the 1920s, when Walt Disney first arrived in Los Angeles....
and Cars LandCars LandCars Land is a new themed land at Disney California Adventure Park that is currently under construction. This land will be built as part of the $1.1 billion expansion plan for Disney California Adventure Park on the former Timon Parking Lot behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and A Bug's...
begins. - May 28, 2010: Disney's California Adventure Park is renamed as Disney California Adventure Park
- June 11, 2010: Silly Symphony SwingsSilly Symphony SwingsSilly Symphony Swings is a "wave swinger" attraction in Paradise Pier, at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in California. Themed to Disney's The Band Concert conductor Mickey Mouse conducts the attraction from high atop, synchronized with the music...
opens, replacing the Orange Stinger - June 11, 2010: World of Color debuts at Paradise Pier.
- September 7, 2010: MaliboomerMaliboomerThe Maliboomer was an attraction at the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was an S&S Power "Space Shot" attraction, which meant that it launched guests from the bottom of the tower instead of slowly lifting them to the top and...
closes and is subsequently removed. - June 3, 2011: Ariel's Undersea Adventure opens.
- July 1, 2011: Goofy's Sky SchoolGoofy's Sky SchoolGoofy's Sky School is a steel wild mouse roller coaster at the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. The ride is based on Disney's animated cartoon "Goofy's Glider". The attraction is a retheme of Mulholland Madness which closed in October 2010...
opens, replacing the former Mulholland Madness. - July 15, 2011: Pan-Pacific AuditoriumPan-Pacific AuditoriumThe Pan-Pacific Auditorium was a landmark structure in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California which once stood at 7600 West Beverly Boulevard near the site of Gilmore Field, an early Los Angeles baseball venue predating Dodger Stadium...
gate entrance opens as a near-duplicate of the entrance at Disney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s... - July 20, 2011: De-construction on the Golden Gate monorail bridge begins as part of the transformation into the Glendale–Hyperion Bridge.
- August 2011: California ZephyrCalifornia ZephyrThe California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
is removed from Sunshine Plaza and donated to the Western Pacific Railroad MuseumWestern Pacific Railroad MuseumThe Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California, formerly known as the Portola Railroad Museum before , is a heritage railroad that preserves and operates historic American railroad equipment. The museum's mission is to preserve the history of the Western Pacific Railroad and is...
. - August 29,2011: Sunshine Plaza closes to make way for Buena Vista StreetBuena Vista StreetFormerly known as Walt Disney Plaza, Buena Vista Street is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort . The central plaza represents Los Angeles in the 1920s, when Walt Disney first arrived in Los Angeles....
Sunshine Plaza
Sunshine Plaza is now closed for demolition, guests are being re-routed through a temporary entrance corridor located behind the Soarin' Over California attraction, and into Condor Flats due to Buena Vista Street construction.Sunshine Plaza served as the main entrance into the park. It was designed to evoke the sensation of stepping into a California postcard. After guests passed the giant California letters, and through the turnstiles,they walked under a mock-up of San Francisco Bay's Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
, which disguised a portion of the resort's monorail track. Flanking both ends of the faux Golden Gate Bridge were two massive muralsthat depicted various landmarks of and the vast mountain ranges in California. After passing under the bridge, guests reached the main area of Sunshine Plaza that served as an access hub to the park's Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Hollywood Pictures Backlot is a themed land at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based as a backlot of a Hollywood studio and has attractions themed to this concept. Hollywood Pictures Backlot opened with the park in 2001...
and Golden State. Rising over Sunshine Plaza, a large metal sunburst and surrounding fountain reflect solar rays into the surrounding area. Sunshine Plaza was also home to a replica of the California Zephyr
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
, which houses the plaza's two counter service restaurants: Baker's Field Bakery and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream. The plaza is also home to two of the park's biggest souvenir shops, Greetings from California and Engine Ears Toys.
Paradise Pier
Paradise Pier is themed after a Victorian-era California boardwalk, based on popular coastal boardwalks such as the Santa Monica PierSanta Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier located at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California and is a prominent, 100-year-old landmark.-Pacific Park:...
and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.- Overview :...
. The land's attractions, such as California Screamin’, resemble the classic amusement park rides found at many boardwalks. Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania! is an interactive 4-D theme park attraction, currently located at two Disney theme parks: Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and inspired by...
is an interactive 3D attraction inspired by classic midway games.
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel is a tall Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The ride was inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Both attractions feature swinging and stationary gondolas while Mickey's Fun...
(formerly the Sun Wheel) is a 160 feet (48.8 m)-tall Ferris wheel overlooking Paradise Bay, a large body of water that dominates the Paradise Pier area. A hydrotechnic show, World of Color performs nightly out on Paradise Bay and showcases a vignette culminated from numerous Disney and Pixar films.