This week (tomorrow, in fact) marks the 10th anniversary of the Disney California Adventure park. While the second gate at the Disneyland Resort has had its share of detractors over the years, it's certainly coming into its own now with the current redevelopment. This week, in celebration of Disney California Adventure, we'll take a look at some of the details and stories, past and present, of this unique Disney Park.
For starters, let's take a look back at some of the previous articles on Disney California Adventure featured on the DisneyShawn blog:
Californy or Bust - Explore the original entrance of the park and its life-size picture postcard design.
All the World's a Stage - Visit Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and be sure to also check out Fun with Graphics for a look at some of the signs and wordplay in that section of the park.
The Story and History of Grizzly Peak - See how details flesh out the story of the Golden State area.
Paradise by the Shore - Stroll the boardwalk of Paradise Pier, inspired by the classic oceanfront amusement parks of California. While you're at it, stick around for sundown and Nostalgia by Night, when Paradise Pier really comes to light... uh, life!
WONDERFUL collection of posts!!!! Thanks for all this great info on DCA.
ReplyDeleteYou are a really cool person! I am interested in EVERYTHING Disney! Can you help? Books? Sites(other than this)???
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, uh... Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy the site. For more of this kind of Disney info, I recommend the Imagineering Field Guide series of books. Also good are Designing Disney by John Hench, the three books by Jason Surrell (Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Mountain Range), and the two books entitled Imagineering (A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real/Making More Magic Real). Online can be a bit trickier, since many bloggers simply repeat stories they've heard or read without knowing the accuracy of the information. Among those who do a particularly fine job at research and detail are Lou Mongello (WDWRadio.com), Jack Spence (AllEars.net) and Werner Weiss (Yesterland.com).
I am the anonymous! I am 11 I live in MI I have gone to WDW lots because of my mom's side living there. i look up to you people because of your imagination levels Disney has a special place in my life. I like many are very upset that Toontown has closed(WITH NO CELEBRATION!)And I am wondering are they going to remake that & move it somewhere else it would suck if they didn't!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS A BUNCH FOR THE TIPS!!!!XD
but seriously, are they going to remake Toontown fair??(Sadly, while knowing lots about Disney, I am clueless at the same time.
ReplyDelete=-(
Amanda, as you'll discover the more you learn about Disney, the parks are constantly changing. Sometimes, those changes mean the removal of elements, but it's often to make way for the addition of something even better.
ReplyDeleteWith the closing of Mickey's Toontown Fair, Mickey Mouse will find a new home on Main St in the Town Square Theater, but his and Minnie's country houses will not return. You can still visit their real homes, however, at Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland.
Do you get to keep an element of Toontown fair like when you were working on Who wants to be a Millionaire- Play it? If you do, show me a pic!!! (Mickey Ears :=-)
ReplyDeleteNo. It wasn't my project, and there were probably plenty of others (including WDI and Archives) putting in claims. I do have an old Mickey's Birthdayland sign, though, that used to hang in the train station. I also have a sign from the exit of the Hall of Fame tent, from back before it was converted to the princess/fairies look.
ReplyDeleteWhere are these archives you speak of? I'd LOVE to see it!!!!Thanks so much for answering my endless questoins, but this will probably be the last!
ReplyDeleteIt's no problem at all. In fact, any time you have a question, feel free to email me using the contact information in my blog profile. I'll do my best to answer.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the Walt Disney Archives is located in the Frank G. Wells building on the Walt Disney Studio lot in Burbank, CA. The Archives are generally closed to the public, but select pieces have been put on display at some of the D23 fan events. You can also subscribe to the "Armchair Archivists" series, available on YouTube or as a free download in the iTunes store.
Hey,thanks! This is really helping with planning! As of now we are probably going end of August, would that be a good time to go or is it too crowded? As an Imagineer, what have you designed or suggested? What is your favorite Disney Resort? What is your favorite Disney character? And mostly, DO YOU LIKE WDW OR DL BETTER??? Again, thanks a lot for the help!!!!!
ReplyDelete(By the way DL means Disneyland and WDW is Walt Disney World if that helps.):=-D
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I'll be happy to answer your questions. Please write to me at my contact email (disneyshawn@mac.com), so I can respond outside of the comments section for this article.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Shawn