Disney's California Adventure
New Map
Lands (clockwise on map)
Opening Day
Buena Vista Street
A bug's Land
Valley of the Sand
Gold Rush
Pacific Bay
Redwood Creek
For this, Disney's California Adventure -- the emphasis of theme and design is in the title...adventure. Guests who enter DCA are not here to see the top most famous icons of the Golden State...they're here to venture into time-pieces of California history and lore, to explore the caverns of national parks, to walk through the dry desert landscapes, to travel back in time to turn of the century Bay area cable cars or 1930s Hollywood movie stars.
The issue with DCA was not only its budget restraints, but moreover, too much of an emphasis on things that most of the guests to the park can see for real if they travel by car 30 minutes to 6 hours within their own state.
Nevertheless, some real locations are used, but not as duplications, but as inspirations for new Disney stories to be told.
Buena Vista Street
Step onto an old fashioned 1930s 'Main Street' of Hollywood where all the stars and lights are on you as you gaze ahead at one of the icons of the park, the Carthay Circle Theater. The 2012 update (in the real world) did an excellent job immersing guests into the visceral world of Buena Vista Street and in this renovation we will be keeping many of those intricate details and designs, such as the red trolley cars, but also with a few tweaks.
Which may be shocking at first, Superstar Limo makes a reappearance in this renovated park, but not in the sense of its original incarnation. In this version, it will be akin to Disneyland's Great Movie Ride, with guests being chased by paparazzi and boarding stretch limos that take them on set and into some of the classic scenes from old movies as they are being filmed. With incredible animatronics and set pieces, this dark ride is one of its kind. In addition, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror looms ominously at the end of Vine Street, as guests travel up the haunted hotel and are dropped at random 13 floors down into the boundless realm of the Twilight Zone.
As a transition piece between lands is the Hyperion Theater stage show, which originally housed a production of Tarzan musical, and in subsequent years , it can be changed out to various other productions (perhaps a place to include the inevitable push by executives to have IPs involved in the park....an original Inside Out musical could be a possiblity, or some sort of stage production similar to Cranium Command.
Attractions
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - E-Ticket
Superstar Limo - D-Ticket
Hyperion Theater - C-Ticket
Trolleys - B-Ticket
Restaurants/Shops
Carthay Circle - Table-Service
Hollywood and Vine - Table-Service
Paparazzi Parlour - Quick Service
Stars Abound - Gift-Shop
The Dark Room - Gift-Shop
Hollywood Hotel Gifts - Attraction Gift-Shop
A Bug's Land
Opening in 2001, DCA does need some sort of kid-friendly area to go along with the more mature vibe overall of the theme park, and fresh off of a successful run in 1998, and the successful show it's tough to be a bug in Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom on opening day of 1998, something nature filled but also 'critter country' esque would be essential in this version of DCA.
Attractions
it's tough to be a bug - C-Ticket
Heimlich's Choo Choo Train - B-Ticket
Flick's Flyers - B-Ticket
Restaurants/Shops
Circus Snacks - Quick Service
Dot's - Shop
Valley of the Sand
Inspired by the barren landscape known as Death Valley, one of the most unique national parks in the world, travel to a desert and those treacherous canyons and meet an explorer Marchel Dewild, who is on an adventure to explore a secret cave hidden beneath the dry earth. On his quest, you board drills that travel deep into the earth's crust and land at the surface of an underground society that quickly turns on you. You know realize they chose this environment due to its isolation from humanity. The drill turns into a mini-coaster and you escape 'Death' Valley.
Attractions
Desert Oasis - E-Ticket
Cantina Walk-Through - B-Ticket
Gold Rush
In the late 1800s a Gold Rush struck California causing many to make the trek out west to hunt for their riches. However, some local inhabitants of the town of Friendly Hills, didn't like the newfound rush for the treasure, and began to strike back at those who were ruining the natural landscape. Journey on this edutainment filled raft attraction through a northwestern mountain range of California on Pine Creek River Rafts
Attractions
Pine Creek River Rafts - D-Ticket
Walking-Trails - B-Ticket
Restaurants/Shops
Miner's Inn - Table Service
Ol' Reliable - Quick Service Bar
General Store - Shop
Wanderer's Corner - Shop
Pacific Bay
Themed around the Bay area at the height of its golden age, travel vast areas of the golden state to a time of decadence and a bit of mystery. Travel through an inauspicious manor - in the Winchester Manor dark ride attraction, which will eventually go on to inspire Mystic Manor and tie into the S.E.A. mythology. In addition, you can at fish by the sea, munch on snacks, or ride the cable car.
Attractions
Winchester Manor - E-ticket
Cable Cars - B-Ticket
Restaurants/Shops
The Golden State of Mind - Table Service
Fisherman's Reef - Quick Service
Isle Wharf - Quick Service
Bay Area Boutiques - Shop
Candy Car - Shop
Food Trucks - Shop
Redwood Creek
With access from Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa - Redwood Creek is special in its ties to the adjacent resort, and also for its eclectic variety of excellent attractions. From the unique Soarin' Over California Experience, the circular river run attraction called Grizzly Rapids Run, to the Redwood Challenge Walking Trail and to the major icon of the park - Nature's Wonderland, with a thrilling zipline flying roller coaster in and out of the mountainous terrain of northern California and the Redwood trees.
Attractions
Zipline Thrill - E-Ticket
Grizzley Rapids Run - D-Ticket
Soarin' Over California - D-Ticket
First in Flight Spinner - C-Ticket
Redwood Creek Trail - B-Ticket
Skytram to the top of Nature's Wonderland - B-Ticket
Restaurants/Shops
Bear Crossing - Table Service
Timber River - Table Service
Explorer Tavern - Quick Service
Adventure Post - Shop
Rocky Road - Shop
Expansions
Up - 2011
Redwood Creek - An adventurous kiddie coaster following Russel through the Redwood Forest with Kevin and Doug.
Cars - 2012
Addition to Valley of the Sand - Ornament Valley brings about Radiator Springs - a town on the edge of Route 66, a famous California highway
Coco - 2019
New Land - Inspired by California's Mexican roots and cultural unity.