Disneyland: One Man's Dream- The Official Expansion of DCA

Before we went through all the new attractions that were removed and/or added to Disneyland's struggling sister park. Now that new management was introduced to Disneyland, it was time for Disneyland to get the sister park it always deserved. One that was richly themed and has the layers Disneyland had. One that was a full day park. One that was not tacky or ugly, but was beautiful.

On October 17, 2007, something momentous occured. The Walt Disney Company announced a $1.1 Billion Expansion to DCA. It would be done in sections over the course of a few years, with final construction ending in 2012 before a second phase would begin. Though these new additions were coming, let's take a look at 2 new attractions that were not included in the budget, but helped set the tone for the retheme.

Toy Story Midway Mania is one of the most technoloically sophisticated rides WDI has ever come up with. In it, you ride through the 3D world of Toy Story playing classic Midway games with a few twists in them. Rig tosses, pie throws, dart throws, and more are found in this ride. It is a lot of fun and quite addicting. The ride holds a lot of people per hour, so the line moves quickly. Even so, it's not uncommon to wait over 45 minutes for the ride.

Outside the attraction, Mr. Potatohead serves as the Boardwalk Barker who entices people to visit the ride. He is one of the most technolically advanced Audio-Animatronics created.

While this is all nice, it's really the outside of the attraction that sets the mood for the new Paradise Pier. Paradise Pier will now be have a Victorian theme and feature rides themed to classic Disney shorts. The Sun Wheel is now Mickey's Fun Wheel and the Games of the Boardwalks are now themed to classic shorts. In the not-so-distant future, the Pier Shops will also get Victorian theming, as well as the new Garden Grill that will replace Pizza Omm Mow Mow and Burger Invasion. The Orange Stinger will be replaced Silly Symphony Swings and Mullholland Madness will be replaced by Goofy's Sky School. (More info will be found in Future Updates).










World of Color also was approved before the massive expansion. The show will celebrate the music and magic of Disney's Animated movies, ranging from classics all the way up until today. Currently, the fountains are under construction and so is the viewing area that will accomadate about 9000 people. While this continues, the Paradise Bay is recieving extensive beautification, with more rock work, lighthouses, and ornaments. (More info will be found in future updates).


A brand new attraction will also replace Golden Dreams. The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Adventure will take guests into Ariel's Undersea Adventures (lol) and showcase all the songs from the movie. It is being compared to Haunted Mansion and will feature the Omnimover system. It's set to open in 2011. The ride will be set in a lavish Victorian-esque Aqaurium. (More info will be found in future updates).


As we move away from the peir, we head into the next big thing to open: Buena Street. Buena Vista Street will replace Sunshine Plaza and will be themed to 1920s LA, just as Walt Disney Would have seen it when he stepped of the train. The shops will be rethemed and the Redcars will be added, as well as streets, curbs, and sidewalks. Also to be added is Carthay Circle Theater which will be one of the park icons. (More info will be found in future updates).







We also have Carsland. I did an extensive report on Carsland months agom but I'll do a short rehash here. Carsland will celebrate California's love affair with ars and celebrate not only Route 66, but CA's desert landscapes. The land is themed around Radiator Springs, the town from Cars and will feature 3 new rides. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree will be an "outdoor" swinging darkride, meaning it will be lavishly themed like a darkride but be outdoors. Luigi's Roamin Tires will be the 1960s Flying Saucers of Tomorrowland with better technology making for a better ride and less matinence problems. The highlight of this land will be Radiator Springs Racers, which will not only take people on a tour of the town, but will feature 2 Cars racing against each other. It's going to be one hell of a ride. (More info will be found in future updates).



The Grizzly Peak Area will also get some additions, like animals to Grizzly River Run and possibly a Mine-Train type train ride that goes around the area. Soarin' wll also be rethemed from a desert area to a mountain area. (More info will be found in future updates).

Hollywood Pictures Backlot will also recieve real facades and not the fake ones it has now. It will also be themed to 1930 Hollywood, and recieve the name "Hollywoodland" as homage to what Hollywood was first named. (More info to come in future updates).


In just a few years, Disney's California Adventure will become the second gate Disneyland always deserved. Better late then never, right? And what better way to see this then at the Bluesky Cellar? Every few months, new artwork and models will be added into the cellar where CMs will be happy to answer questions about the projects. Expect the next change out to occur after World of Color opens and to be focised more on The Little Mermaid and the attractions around there.

Disneyland Update and News- CARSLAND!!!

Hello everybody! I know this is an unscheduled post, but I can't keep this in any longer. As you may know, my Disneyland Update and News columns don't come until the first Tuesday of each month, but I have been sitting on this for way too long. Plus, next week I'd like to start talking about Paradise Pier construction and retheming, and show you pictures of the process. So, let's get started on the biggest thing to hit The Disneyland Resort since 2001: Carsland.
(Please note that all concept art in this update is owned by Disney and is subject to change).

Carsland: An Overview

Here's what Disney has to say about it in the Blue Sky Cellar:
"Blending the legendary adventure and excitement of Route 66, California's love of Cars, and Walt Disney's legacy if innovative storytelling, Carland recreates the memorable town of Radiator Springs Disney*Pixar's animated film Cars. Route 66 was once the only auto route connecting Chicago to sunny LA. It represented the freedom of the open road, the migration west, and the dream of a brighter tomorrow in the Golden State for thousands of new arrivals in CA. That dream revs back to life in Carsland."

This is what Carsland is supposed to look like. The buildings will house stores and restaurants. Filmore's will be a natural shake stand. I'm guessing like a Jamba Juice and a place to probably sell fruit.The Cozy Cones will be fast food locations. Corn dogs and such. Flo's V-8 Cafe sounded like a buffeteria style place but I'm not sure. Kevin did say they were going to tell more of Flo's back story in there. She was once a singer in an all girls group, etc. Lizzy's would be the souvenir shop. 3 rides are currently planned for the area. They are Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Luigi's Roamin' Tires, and the big E-Ticket, Radiator Spring Racers.

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

I don't have too much info about this ride. All I know is that it's being considered "an outdoor darkride" due to it's lush themeing. As mater sings, you swing around the junkyard and avoid hitting stuff. I'm trying to get more info on this.

Luigi's Roamin' Tires

I'm really looking forward to this ride. Anyone remeber the Flying Saucers at Disneyland in the 60s? We'll they're being redone and rethemed to flying tires. It sounds really cool, and looks it too! More pics below:


Radiaotr Springs Racers: The Crown Jewel of Carsland

Here's the plot:
While Cars Land will be 12 acres, RSR will be 6 acres of it.

The back story for the ride is Stanley, who is a Stanley Streamer, was crossing the desert and almost ran out of water when he stumbled upon an oasis (springs). After filling up he was so thankful he decided to stay and help other travelers and eventually Radiator Springs grew (get the name now).

SO, the queue will begin at Stanley's Oasis. The concept art shown had lots of water, splashy play area, etc BUT Kevin Rafferty said they went another direction...but the queue is still in Stanley's Oasis. He also said the ride happens in three acts.

ACT I
Once aboard the car (which he said would have eyes), the Sheriff comes on the radio and gives you the safety spiel and indicates you will be heading for the race and off you go for a nice leisurely drive through Ornament Valley on the way to the race. You enter a tunnel (dark ride portion) and suddenly you are running straight into Mac with his horn blaring and you swerve out of the way careening toward those two tourist cars who move out of the way...quickly you approach a railroad crossing and you see the light of the oncoming train and hear it yet you pass over the tracks quickly flying past the billboard where the sheriff is waiting. He tells you to slow down or you'll blow a tire and that won't help you win the race. He then tells Mater to escort you to the race.

Mater enters driving backwards talking to you. Of course, being Mater, he's more interested in taking you tractor tipping. So next you are honking loudly at the tractors, they tip, and of course Frank, the harvester, is after you. You speed away to get away from Frank.
ACT II
Slowing down the pace, you enter Radiator Springs (Still inside the show building) and immediately encounter Lizzy and Red (Lizzy may say something or be sleeping and Red will be watering flowers), drive by Flo's V-8 Cafe with Filmore and Sarge who say something that plays off the Hippie and Military dichotomy, eventually encountering Sally and McQueen who appear in a forced perspective set and tell you one of two things. Either you need new tires or you need a new paint job. If tires is your narrative, you continue into Luigi's where Luigi tells you Guido will give you new tires. The car lifts up and is dropped down as the tires are changed. Meanwhile, the car behind you gets the new paint narrative. So into Ramone's you go to be sprayed with new paint. It sounded like a water spray to me but I'm not sure. Then both cars leave their shops and Sheriff appears to tell you the starting line is just ahead.

ACT III
At the starting line is the first time you see the other car. Luigi does his "One for the money" countdown, Guido waves the flag and you are off. You exit the show building for the high speed race which you can see on the concept art. Kevin did mention there would be geysers and other effects on this portion of the ride. Doc does talk to you on the radio on this portion because he is your crew chief.

NOW the new part, on the last straight away both cars will dip down underground and enter "Tail light caverns." The art makes these cave formations look Carlsbad Caverns with huge 1950's Cadillac tail fin lights hanging from the ceiling and sticking up from the floor. (They originally planned for spark plugs but John Lasseter suggested tail lights). At the end of the caverns you encounter Mater, McQueen, and Sally where they reveal that they are all winners because they made some new friends. The winner of the race is randomized and so are elements of the race. And back to the unload area you go.


Ok, I know it's a long update and there's a lot to take in. Still, I should be back either next Tuesday or the Tuesday after that to bring you more info. Untill then, this is PirateGuy 815 with the Disneyland News!