California Adventure is 14 years-old today

[Californian Elitist]

I've had homework all day, but I have some time to finally create this thread.

Disney California Adventure, previously known as Disney's California Adventure, turns 14 years old today, and wow, has it come a long way.

California Adventure was originally supposed to be WestCOT, a California version of the well-known Disney theme park, EPCOT, in Florida. Life happened, and WestCOT was trashed. Someone decided it would be a good idea to create a theme park based on California and its landmarks, in California, and California Adventure was born. Debuting on February 8, 2001 on Disneyland's old parking lot, the park was met with intense criticism, scorn, and even hate from faithful Disneyland-goers (I was one of them). The park wasn't all bad. It did give us Soarin' Over California. Guests didn't like the redundancy of the park and it's tacky and cheap look and offerings. Disney's plan to create a successful second theme park to help even out Disneyland's crowds failed, but that would change come 2012.

In 2007, Disney announced a major makeover plan for California Adventure that included a new nighttime show, a new entrance, new attractions, new Disney theming for old attractions, and new lands, shops, and eateries. Five years later in 2012, Disney debuted Disney California Adventure, also known as DCA 2.0. The park has received more attention from guests than ever, fans have flocked to and praised its gem, Cars Land, and the park's attendance has grown. DCA is not perfect and it could definitely use more work, but it is more worthy of sitting across from its legendary sibling, Disneyland.

Happy 14th Birthday, DCA! Here's to hoping the park continues to receive more work and dedication in the future.

Future site of California Adventure:

Concept art (I must say, I really miss those letters):

Early concept art of the entrance:

The building of the park:



Ads:

The map:

Buena Vista Street:

World of Color:

Cars Land:

A re-skin:

 

[Tom]

Very nice write-up! I've only experienced DCA 2.0 - twice in 2013 - and it currently ranks 3rd among US Disney parks for me: WDW MK, Disneyland then DCA.

 

[westie]

I was there on opening day. I remember how un-crowded it was and that we could walk arround with our arms outstetched and not even touch anyone. This is a picture of my daughter Michelle on the now defunct Orange Stinger. This photo was also in the defunct Disney Magazine. lol good times!

 

[Disneysea05]

^ the bumble bee seats! I remember people kept hitting their knees on them when the ride came to a stop. Those were gone by my second visit.

 

[Mickey81]

Awesome info. After many trips to WDW, we are finally going to hit Disneyland and California Adventure the end of this year. Can't wait.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Awesome info. After many trips to WDW, we are finally going to hit Disneyland and California Adventure the end of this year. Can't wait.

Just in time for the 60th anniversary.

 

[Mickey81]

Yup, that's one of the reasons we finally are doing it. We've talked about it for a while, but the 60th was enough to get us to book it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yup, that's one of the reasons we finally are doing it. We've talked about it for a while, but the 60th was enough to get us to book it.

Make sure to check out our DL 60th thread and Tips for WDW vets thread.

 

[Mickey81]

I've been following along, before I joined. I've already come across some great info , from some of the very knowledgeable Disneyland fans like yourself. I've encountered some subtle differences just in the booking experience.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Concept art (I must say, I really miss those letters):

I do too. Those were awesome.

That's really my only criticism of new DCA. Entrance resembles DHS too much. It's fine, but something more distinct would have been better. I liked the letters. I miss them.

I must say that I am glad I got to experience DCA 1 and DCA 2. When I went in 2009, it was just making the transition, so Maliboomer was still there, and there was still Orange Stingers, but Mickey's Funwheel had replaced the Sun Wheel and TSM had made an entrance. They were putting in World of Color. Kind of a transitional phase. I thought then that it wasn't a bad park, in fact I rather enjoyed it (and I did think it was a better idea than WestCot), though we did end up spending more time in DL. Then I came back in 2013, and it was so much better. Can't wait to go back; we're thinking either 2016 or 2017.

I've had homework all day, but I have some time to finally create this thread

Ah, homework. Homework is like this never ending vicious cycle. There is always more that can be done; it just depends on if you feel like doing it. And then you get to the end of the semester, and you see an end in sight, and you still did not read every page that you could have or put as much effort into practice problems that you might have.

That is the end of the homework rant.

Glad you got the thread up; it's interesting.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Oh, before and after with the swings

Orange Stinger. Made a buzzing sound as you swung around

Silly Symphony Swings (though technically the musci and scenes are from The Band Concert, not the Silly Symphony shorts)

Easier to enjoy the view from Silly Symphony swings.

And Mailboomer with Orange Stinger in the foreground

Got to experience Maliboomer twice. Man, that thing was thrilling.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I still have that Disney Magazine issue somewhere in a box. When I first saw it in March 2001 I thought the park looked like a neat place to visit. Little did I know just how underwhelming it was in reality.

When I finally visited in Feb 2012 it was a great park to spend time in thanks to the improvements made since opening day.

Some ideas from the original concept, like the Soap Opera Bistro, are actually interesting. Too bad Golden Dreams wasn't built to its intended American Adventure-like format.

 

[Disneysea05]

I remember when the Orange Stinger had orange scent sprayed into the air. That was fun.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

I've only experienced DCA 2.0 - twice in 2013 - and it currently ranks 3rd among US Disney parks for me: WDW MK, Disneyland then DCA.

Happy belated Bday from me too.

The funny thing for me is if you would've told me that DCA would be arguably the 2nd best Disney US park for me in 2001... I would've slapped you for saying it.

DL>EPCOT (still love being in the place and dream of the Center) = DCA>MK>AK>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>DHS

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I must admit I liked DCA before the makeover when I went in 2007 and I like it even more now since it has been remade. But I too miss the California letters out front. I also thought the zephyr train was kind of cool, I think it was located near the front of the park and had an ice cream shop in it.

 

[Dubman]

Some circa 2004 pictures.... Sooooo much has changed.. Can't wait to visit again!

 

[Dubman]

Couple more...

 

[Disneysea05]

Three trees sure have grown in around Grizzly Peak.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I never experienced the old DCA. However, post-redo DCA has been fun.

 

[Figments Friend]

I was fortunate ( or unfortunate... ) to visit DCAs first incarnation in May of 2007.
It was easy to fully understand the criticisms some Theme Park fans had for it after that first visit.
I was not expecting too much, but wanted to go and see this strange excuse for a Theme Park for myself.
Very much underwhelming and a crime the ticket price was the same as Walt*s Kingdom across the way!

General impression i came away with after just a few hours of walking around was that it felt very *empty* - Very little to do and see unless you went there to just shop and eat.
Being a 30+ year WDW Vet worked against me at DCA 1.0, as most of the Attractions were clones of things i had already experienced many times at DHS.
The whole Park just seemed a messy jumble assembled under a loose California theme that screamed *DHS Wannabe*.
DHS , i should mention, is my least favorite Park of the six Disney properties i have been to.
So yeah, i was not a big fan of DCA.

I*m still not a big fan of the Park, but i will say this -
DCA today is FAR better then what little was there previously.
The difference in it*s appearance, attitude, and offerings between 2007 and today is indeed much better.
I can enjoy my few hours there now when i visit DLR.

It still has a long way to go but what has been added so far is a definite improvement.
A few more unique additions and a few more quality Attractions added to the lineup and it just might make a fan out of me yet.

Lots of possible potential there to make something bigger and better.
Here*s hoping the Company invests more into it both creatively and financially.