Welcome to those of you joining me from "Pursuing The Magic". I am the 5th stop on our Magical Blogorail.
This week, what many of us have often lovingly referred to as "the other Park" at the Disneyland Resort celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 8.
Also this week, because of its anniversary, much has been written about The Park and its history, much of which has painted it in a rather ambivalent light. Personal feelings aside, there's no escaping the fact that to a large degree, DCA for a very long time failed to live up to its potential or its Disneyana. If I'm honest with myself, there was a time when I went into "the other Park" when I was ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of Disneyland Park, because I knew there would be less people and crowds in DCA. History has shown that The Park showed slumping numbers (humanly and monetarily) for quite some time. There's simply no getting around that.
But a couple of years ago something very noticeable began happening. The crowds began pouring in again. People began talking with excitement about the "new" things that The Park was going to be having. Rumors abounded, construction began to crop up in place to place and some of the "old" non-Disney attractions began slyly disappearing. I really started noticing and feeling the influx when Whoopi Goldberg's Golden Dreams was suddenly closed and signs began appearing for a new show in Paradise Pier called World of Color. I'm sure it began well before that in reality, but it's one of the first times I remember actually saying to myself, "The Park sure is crowded today!", as I was walking through the Pier.
Fast forward a couple of years to this point in time, and the transformation of Disney California Adventure is well beyond the "in full swing" point. There is construction, closures, walls and any manner of other work going on all around The Park, and has been for some time. People are waiting with bated breath to see just what the next couple of years will bring. People are truly anxious for the changes, and seem genuinely excited about them all. One need look no further than the Blue Sky Cellar building inside The Park, one of the most popular places inside The Park (where concept art and designs for the changes abound), to see that.
The Disney Parks Blog posted this video in early 2010 highlighting many of the changes coming to The Park, and let's be honest, have done it in a much better way than I ever could. So take a few minutes, sit back and enjoy many of the sights and sounds which will be coming to DCA, and we'll meet back here after for a few final thoughts:
Fast forward a couple of years to this point in time, and the transformation of Disney California Adventure is well beyond the "in full swing" point. There is construction, closures, walls and any manner of other work going on all around The Park, and has been for some time. People are waiting with bated breath to see just what the next couple of years will bring. People are truly anxious for the changes, and seem genuinely excited about them all. One need look no further than the Blue Sky Cellar building inside The Park, one of the most popular places inside The Park (where concept art and designs for the changes abound), to see that.
The Disney Parks Blog posted this video in early 2010 highlighting many of the changes coming to The Park, and let's be honest, have done it in a much better way than I ever could. So take a few minutes, sit back and enjoy many of the sights and sounds which will be coming to DCA, and we'll meet back here after for a few final thoughts:
So now that you've seen some of the changes that have come, and are coming, to "the other Park", what are some of the ones we're most looking forward to? We're glad you asked!
#5 - Food!
We have, in very recent times, become huge fans of the food service venues while at The Parks. We'd be lying, however, if we said we felt that the restaurants at DCA were even in the same ballpark as our favorites at Disneyland Park. Don't get us wrong, the food's not bad, but when we eat, we at at Walt's Original. We're very excited to see what new dining options DCA will have available, and we're hoping that they'll push us into eating here more and more as time goes on.
#4 - The Entrance/Buena Vista Street
Yes, we'll miss the iconic huge letters which spelled out CALIFORNIA in front of The Park, the murals, and the Golden Gate Bridge and all, but between a new entrance (very reminiscent of The World's Hollywood Studios entrance), the Red Car Trolley, Carthay Circle Theater, and a vision of Hollywood as Walt must have seen it, we're super excited to get a crack at the new area. If done right, we think it will be absolutely amazing!
#3 - The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Classic Disney Animation. New Dark Attraction Ride. Fantastic Disney music. Mermaids, Flounders, and Sebastians, oh my! We're really looking forward to this one. Continue to pray for us that we'll get invited to a Cast Member preview.
#2 - World of Color
Okay, so we know this one is technically already a part of the expansion, but that makes it no less noteworthy. When we first found out about World of Color, our own personal anticipation was sky high. And since its opening, make no mistake about it, the show has been a huge success and increased numbers into The Park. When I first saw the show, I walked away saying, and I quote: "That took every other Park show I've ever seen, threw it on the ground, and stomped on its neck." A little violent, perhaps, but I assume my point is well taken. The combination of water, lights, laser, film and projection are an absolutely amazing experience. It just may be a reason to make a trip to Disney California Adventure all by itself.
#1 - Cars Land
At this point very few people don't know about Cars Land. Much like it was said in the video, the jewel of the entire expansion project lands solidly in Radiator Springs. No-one that we talk to with about the expansion isn't looking forward to this one. We're most excited about Luigi's Flying Tires (based off of Disneyland Park's old Flying Saucer attraction), and of course, Radiator Springs Racers, a fast-paced car ride through Radiator Springs based on Walt Disney World's popular Test Track attraction. If this section of DCA is able to match the amount of enthusiasm people currently have for it, we're really set to experience something special here.
The stakes are high. People's expectations are high. But if the early returns are any indication, Disney California Adventure may in fact become a "Disney" Park after all.
#5 - Food!
We have, in very recent times, become huge fans of the food service venues while at The Parks. We'd be lying, however, if we said we felt that the restaurants at DCA were even in the same ballpark as our favorites at Disneyland Park. Don't get us wrong, the food's not bad, but when we eat, we at at Walt's Original. We're very excited to see what new dining options DCA will have available, and we're hoping that they'll push us into eating here more and more as time goes on.
#4 - The Entrance/Buena Vista Street
Yes, we'll miss the iconic huge letters which spelled out CALIFORNIA in front of The Park, the murals, and the Golden Gate Bridge and all, but between a new entrance (very reminiscent of The World's Hollywood Studios entrance), the Red Car Trolley, Carthay Circle Theater, and a vision of Hollywood as Walt must have seen it, we're super excited to get a crack at the new area. If done right, we think it will be absolutely amazing!
#3 - The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Classic Disney Animation. New Dark Attraction Ride. Fantastic Disney music. Mermaids, Flounders, and Sebastians, oh my! We're really looking forward to this one. Continue to pray for us that we'll get invited to a Cast Member preview.
#2 - World of Color
Okay, so we know this one is technically already a part of the expansion, but that makes it no less noteworthy. When we first found out about World of Color, our own personal anticipation was sky high. And since its opening, make no mistake about it, the show has been a huge success and increased numbers into The Park. When I first saw the show, I walked away saying, and I quote: "That took every other Park show I've ever seen, threw it on the ground, and stomped on its neck." A little violent, perhaps, but I assume my point is well taken. The combination of water, lights, laser, film and projection are an absolutely amazing experience. It just may be a reason to make a trip to Disney California Adventure all by itself.
#1 - Cars Land
At this point very few people don't know about Cars Land. Much like it was said in the video, the jewel of the entire expansion project lands solidly in Radiator Springs. No-one that we talk to with about the expansion isn't looking forward to this one. We're most excited about Luigi's Flying Tires (based off of Disneyland Park's old Flying Saucer attraction), and of course, Radiator Springs Racers, a fast-paced car ride through Radiator Springs based on Walt Disney World's popular Test Track attraction. If this section of DCA is able to match the amount of enthusiasm people currently have for it, we're really set to experience something special here.
The stakes are high. People's expectations are high. But if the early returns are any indication, Disney California Adventure may in fact become a "Disney" Park after all.
Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is "Crystal and Bryan's Disney Blog".
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ Cooking with Mickey
2nd Stop ~ Meet the Magic
3rd Stop ~ Growing Up Disney
4th Stop ~ Pursuing the Magic
5th Stop ~ Days in the Park
6th Stop ~ Crystal and Bryan’'s Disney Blog
Final Stop ~ Disney Babies Blog
3 comments:
I'm really looking forward to the addtion of the Little Mermaid attraction. My girls' are huge Ariel fans and I think this will become one of their favorite attractions!
No doubt! Thanks, Beth. :)
Thanks, Beth. The times, they are a changing... :)
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