Disneyland Resort (DL, DLR, DCA) Discussion Thread

[drewelap]

^^^ Well what do ya know? If they build/add something new, people come!

 

[BelizeIt]

I'm glad Disney has had some success at DCA with their night time shows. (World of Color/ElecTRONica)

 

World of Color is a nice addition, but I really enjoyed the ElecTRONica. I'm glad they have decided to extend it through the summer.

 

With the new additions opening in May/June (Mermaid/Goofy Sky School) this park will only continue to improve. When summer 2012 arrives, and Car Land opens, they will hopefully move on from the talk that this park was built on the cheap. (This being the park that should have been constructed a decade ago)

 

If Cars Land is successful, they have further plans to enhance other areas of the park as well. (Though personally I'd rather see Disneyland get a E-Ticket attraction, since they haven't had one since I believe 1996???)

 

Anyhow, things are headed in the right direction. The West-coast parks will only continue to grow in popularity.

[DBJ]

The only recent misfire at DCA is that eyesore underneath Screamin. A lush park it is not. Probably best if they just seal that area off from the public forever until a new ride or retail location is ready to go in that spot. Although with the stunning Carsland, I expect most people will not even notice it.

 

DL does have a 'new' E-tcket. Star Tours 2. I actually kind of wish they would refresh all the films in the parks - Soarin, Bugs, Muppets. I agree though it would be nice to see a completely new ride experience built there in the near future.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^Here we go again with this damn park. Its temporary, it will go away eventually and a new attraction will take its place. Id rather they put a bunch of trees and try to hide what it used to be then just put up a wall through the area or leave it the way it was. What they did is the best thing that could have happened for a temporary area.

[BelizeIt]

^^Personally I wouldn't consider the revamped Star Tours a 'New' E-Ticket attraction. This is a previous existing E-Ticket with a updated version of the video being shown. Just like retracking Space Mountain, or rehashing the Subs really isn't a new E-Ticket attraction.

 

The last major E-Ticket that Disneyland added I believe was Indiana Jones. (Way back in the nineties)

 

But I guess the executives at Disney see no reason to add anything to Disneyland, since it is a hugely profitable cash cow on its own.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

^They will add more soon. As in, the next major project should be at Disneyland which DCA takes a bit of a break from all the building.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

But I guess the executives at Disney see no reason to add anything to Disneyland, since it is a hugely profitable cash cow on its own.

"Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world." Walt Disney

[BelizeIt]

^I always liked that quote from Walt Disney. Lets hope that the current group of executives keeps his dream alive.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

True. Walt's vision seems to be getting under way with the recent refurbs, updates, and new installations at both parks.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Ive skipped a week or two of park updates, cause things have slowed down. And now that enough has changed, heres todays update!

The front entrance is moving along at a great speed!

Now that the shape is starting to emerge, you an see that we do have a different design then Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

The Carthay Circle Theater has its major steel erected, and the crane has been removed from the site.

Now just the tiny bits need to go up. The tower will still be getting taller.

Walls have popped up at the entrance of Hollywood Pictures Backlot to continue adding the trolley tracks. As well, the sign for the land has been removed. Apparently the elephants are next to go.

Lots of progress going on inside the Mermaid building. Interior queue lights can be seen here.

And the parade light towers are going in as well.

Mermaids queue off the left side of the building is getting painted and planted.

Twisty trees!

Souvenir 66 is starting to turn into Seaside Souvenirs.

Goofy's Sky School's water tower is getting paint! Ooooo, lets sit and watch it dry!

Do you think it looks better? I do think it does, but Id like to see what they really have planned for that corner.

Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is scooting alont too, it really does look a thousand times better then the old restaurant.

Goofy's Sky School had a big blue wall added with a second punch through for the coaster (the original on the left and the new second one on the right with the new wall)

This whole area is looking great! With the new little stage in the center, the new covered seating along the parade route, and the new themed eateries. Its going to be a great place to relax and enjoy your food and snacks.

Cars Land rock work from the parade route. Its really looking amazing! Its hard to believe that this is man made and not natural!!

Mainly roof progress going on here...but if you look to the right just a bit more....

there is an ass-plosion of activity. Luigi's Flying Tires has some details starting to emerge on the ride itself and the queue/store. The rock arch is getting finished up with its base, a backstage gate is being constructed, and the back half of Flo's V8 Cafe is finishing up with its shape!

Massive and amazing. They are almost done with the concrete on the Cadillac Range.

Still exposed on the backside.

And here is what the back of the Cadillac Range. Have a fun Egg Day!

[Sir Clinksalot]

Hearing that CM previews for Star Tours are May 15, 9a-1p, 16th, 17th & 19th 4p-8p and Little Mermaid May 21 & 22, 10a-2p & 4p-8p, 20 & 23-25, 4p-8p.

 

Will be at the park on the 15th, may have to get in touch with some of my CM friends.

[gisco]

Looks like a trip down this summer is in order to check out a couple of new rides and the progress on everything else!

[Sidra]

Spent a couple of really cold days at the Disneyland Resort April 8th and 9th. Had a great time despite the crazy weather and unusually cold temperatures. Took this video of my 'ride warrior' kiddo screaming in terror on Mickey's Fun Wheel. This same kid thinks X2 is the best thing since sliced bread and laughs at people who are afraid to ride it.

 

 

[coasterfreak101]

^I'm 19 years old and that's EXACTLY what I'm like with X2 and Mickey's NOT-Fun Wheel!

[Nrthwnd]

^^

Honestly, you never know what'll pull somebody's....fright trigger, hmm?

Till it happens of course.

 

Even after she's been on X-2, lol!

Then again, there is that surge of wind

whipping through your wheel car there...

Wild.

 

 

Love the new pix of Goofy's Sky School, CF11.

Showing what they should of done with the thing

the first time around. It may turn out to be a

"sleeper hit" when it and Mermaid opens up in a

month or so. I like it, for what they've re-done with it.

 

And then, as you say - there's that Future Attraction

in the corner there, too.

[JuanSe_Colombia]

Spent a couple of really cold days at the Disneyland Resort April 8th and 9th. Had a great time despite the crazy weather and unusually cold temperatures. Took this video of my 'ride warrior' kiddo screaming in terror on Mickey's Fun Wheel. This same kid thinks X2 is the best thing since sliced bread and laughs at people who are afraid to ride it.

 

 

 

I can ride any coaster but, I would be terrified too on a ferris wheel don't know why.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

We love time lapse footage around here! It shows how much progress we’re making! In this time lapse you’ll see the façade of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in various stages of construction. You’ll notice at the beginning of the video – over to the right of the screen – the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda, originally the entrance to the former “Golden Dreams” attraction. Walt Disney Imagineers incorporated it into the new architecture. As the video progresses, you’ll see King Triton placed atop the arch, surrounded by relief carvings of six of Ariel’s six older sisters: Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella and Alana. The architecture is modeled after buildings found on boardwalks at the turn of the century, and was created using new digital 3D technology. Enjoy!

Disney Parks Blog

[COASTER FREAK 11]

From the Disney Parks Blog

New Menu Items Coming Soon to New Disney California Adventure Park Restaurants

posted on May 5th, 2011 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

 

As Erin Glover reported earlier today, two new quick-service spots debut July 1 at Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure park. These new restaurants will be side-by-side, with 900 shared seats. Open for lunch and dinner, both will feature healthful options throughout the day. Here’s what you’ll find on the menus:

At Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, on-stage kitchens will turn out flatbreads, pastas and freshly tossed salads. Flatbreads run the gamut from a traditional cheese or pepperoni to a Portobello mushroom and spinach flatbread with pesto, artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta-salata and Pecorino Romano (two fancy cheeses).

 

 

Pasta fans can dig into classic spaghetti and meatballs, pasta tossed with chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, or five-cheese ravioli with pesto and toasted pine nuts. Hearty salads include a chicken Caesar; Mediterranean chef salad with provolone, salami, capocollo, fresh mozzarella, cured ham, roasted peppers, olives and greens in a red wine vinaigrette; and a field greens salad with Craisins dried cranberries, raisins, caramelized pecans and a basil vinaigrette.

 

 

Next door, Paradise Garden Grill has a healthful Mediterranean spin with a variety of skewers and kabobs – lemon-oregano chicken, Mediterranean, grilled steak or veggie and tofu served with rice pilaf, cucumber salad and grilled pita, with your choice of sauces to make it your own: Moroccan chili tomato, chimichurri, tandoori-spiced yogurt and tzatziki (a yogurt-cucumber-garlic sauce). A classic Greek salad with grilled pita also is on the menu. For kids, there’s a grilled chicken skewer or a beef kabob, both served with choice of sauce.

What’s your preference?

 

 

 

I'm really excited that the resort is finally making a lot of improvements in their food they offer to the guests. They are getting away from the standard plain burger and fries ideas and really leaning toward some cool new things.

[jedimaster1227]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/paradise-pier-transformation-to-be-complete-july-1/

 

The sun is shining and the temperature is rising – summertime is coming to Disneyland Resort! What better way to spend a summer day than with a waterside stroll? That’s why we’re thrilled to let you know that on July 1, the transformation of Paradise Pier will be complete at Disney California Adventure park.

 

Disney Soundsational Summer kicks off June 3 with the opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Star Tours and “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade,” and the completion of Paradise Pier will continue our celebration of new attractions and experiences at Disneyland Resort.

 

Coming in for a landing on Paradise Pier will be Goofy’s Sky School, a Wild Mouse-style roller coaster which carries Guests through a flying lesson from Goofy. Last summer, we showed you this video in which Goofy dreams of opening his own flight school – and on July 1, his dream will come true!

 

Also, two new dining locations and one returning favorite will add to the excitement: Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill. Pam Brandon will be sharing details on these new restaurants here on the Disney Parks Blog later today.

 

And Disneyland corn dog fans will be happy to know that the popular Corn Dog Castle will also make its return on July 1.

 

http://d23.disney.go.com/articles/050211_NF_FS_SnapshotsFromUnderTheSea.html

 

D23's Heather Ikei reveals additional photos from her pre-opening visit to The Little Mermaid — Ariel's Undersea Adventure with the animators — Andreas Deja, Mark Henn, and Glen Keane — who first made the film a part of our world.

 

I've spent a fair amount of time in the expansive lobby of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. It's my haven and resting point at the resort, a place to break away during a day of running from one attraction to another during a visit to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. And it's also my pick for an ideal space for meeting co-workers as we prepare for a day in the parks.

 

On this very special trip, I have the honor of meeting with the creative masters behind one of my favorite Disney films — The Little Mermaid — in the hotel lobby. Glen Keane and Mark Henn, both the supervising animators behind Ariel, and Andreas Deja, the supervising animator of King Triton, are gathered there. When I meet them they are chatting together as old friends. And after working together on The Little Mermaid more than 20 years ago and now getting to see their characters all come to life as a Disney park attraction, they have plenty to talk about. Since The Little Mermaid, the three animators' work can be seen just about everywhere, from films such as Aladdin and Tarzan to Tangled and the upcoming Winnie The Pooh.

 

After our introductions and a conversation about the traffic congestion on the 5 freeway from Burbank to Anaheim, we make our way into Disney California Adventure and wait outside the construction walls of The Little Mermaid — Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Even before we step into the construction space, the animators are already in awe by the architecture of the building. "King Triton!" Andreas yells, as he points to the large Triton statue that is centered on the attraction's arched entrance. A few minutes later, Larry Nikolai, show designer and creative director, Walt Disney Imagineering, donning Imagineering's signature hardhat and vest, pops his head out of one of the construction walls and motions for us to go inside. We're about to go fathoms below and into an under-the-sea world in the making.

 

You can the read about the whole attraction walk-through with the animators in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three, written by Tim O'Day. Below are some additional photos that did not make it into the spring issue.

 

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2011/05/05/disney-sets-opening-date-for-restaurant-complex/77295/

 

Disney California Adventure is postponing the debut of its updated roller coaster, Goofy’s Sky School, until July 1. The ride will open alongside a new restaurant and shopping complex, which will mark the completion of a major section of the park’s $1-billion renovation project.

 

The redecorated Paradise Pier area is set to be ready in time for the Fourth of July weekend, the company announced Thursday on the Disney Parks blog. Click on the photo, right, to see construction photos and artists’ renderings of what the pier will look like when it is done.

 

About two weeks ago, Disney announced that the Goofy’s Sky School ride would debut June 3, along with other new attractions for the summer season. But officials have since determined that the ride needs more work, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman. “Goofy needs a little more flight training,” McClintock said.

 

Crews have been working since October on the transformation of Goofy’s Sky School, which used to be Mulholland Madness. Disney is giving the roller coaster a new theme, based on the 1940 cartoon, “Goofy’s Glider.”

 

When the complex opens, the Paradise Pier makeover will be complete, turning it into an area that looks like a 1920s beach-side play land.

 

Disney began the five-year expansion project when it built Toy Story Mania, which opened in summer 2008. Since then, crews have transformed rides with Disney themes, removed one thrill attraction, gutted restaurants and changed the look of the area, including the removal of Dinosaur Jack’s Sunglass Shack. Last summer, the “World of Color” show opened in the bay in the middle of Paradise Pier.

 

On June 3, Disney plans to officially debut The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure ride.

 

The new restaurant-shop complex will include:

 

• Paradise Garden Grill, which will go in the former space of Burger Invasion. The restaurant closed last summer.
  
• Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, sitting where Pizza Oom Mow Mow used to be. The pizza place also shut down last year.
  
• Corn Dog Castle, which closed in 2009, will re-open in the same spot.
  
• Seaside Souvenirs, which used to be Souvenir 66. The store also closed for renovations in 2009.

 

The five-year California Adventure makeover is set to be completed next year.

Ethan Reed, senior show animator, gives master Disney animators Glen Keane, Mark Henn, and Andreas Deja a first glimpse at the "Kiss the Girl" scene in the The Little Mermaid — Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Ethan worked countless hours on getting the movements between Prince Eric and Ariel just right.

Imagineer Larry Nikolai guides animators Andreas, Mark, and Glen through the still-under-construction attraction.

Andreas, Mark, and Glen in awe with how beautifully the Imagineering team translated their carefully crafted and beloved animations into an immersive attraction.

Glen, Mark and Andreas share stories about the production of the animated feature with the Imagineering team.

Mark Henn holds one of the Imagineer's early renderings of the attraction.

Glen Keane is all smiles during the behind the scenes tour of the attraction. He looks forward to taking his granddaughter on the ride as soon as it opens.

Andreas meets an old friend, shouting, "He's alive!" Andreas was the lead animator of King Triton and was thrilled to see the character come to life off the screen and paper.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

From the Disney Parks Blog

 

“The Little Mermaid” Animators Tour The Little Mermaid~Ariel’s Undersea Adventure Attraction at Disney California Adventure Park

posted on May 10th, 2011 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations

 

I know “The Little Mermaid” fans have been eagerly awaiting the opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. I’ve been waiting since I first saw the movie back in 1989! There are three other people who’ve also been hoping that someday a Little Mermaid attraction would open at Disney Parks: legendary Disney animators Glen Keane, Mark Henn and Andreas Deja. These three talented men are some of the creative minds behind all those lovable characters in the movie.

Recently, Walt Disney Imagineers Larry Nikolai and Chris Crump gave the animators a tour of the new attraction. I was lucky enough to also be on this tour, along with a crew from D23 magazine. You can read their extensive article in this month’s issue and here.

In this video you get to see a rare Disney moment: animators seeing their work come to life in a Disney Parks attraction. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And remember, The Little Mermaid~Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

 

[COASTER FREAK 11]

From the Disney Parks Blog

 

New Disney California Adventure Updates Coming to Blue Sky Cellar

posted on May 16th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print

 

On Friday, we gave you a look at the progress of the expansion at Disney California Adventure park, and this week there are even more updates coming to the Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

 

 

Starting May 18, additions will include a new aerial view of the park, above. In this photo, you can see the incredible progress being made in Cars Land (bottom right) as well as the soon-to-be complete Paradise Pier (bottom left). At the top, you can also see the park’s new entrance taking shape.

 

Also set to debut this week at Blue Sky Cellar are new attraction posters for The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Goofy’s Sky School and Grizzly River Run. Designed in the style of the traditional Disney theme park attraction posters, these three are sure to become instant classics.

I’m sure many of you are anxious to add these to your attraction poster collection, along with previously released images for California Screamin’, Mickey’s Fun Wheel and Silly Symphony Swings, so look for many of these attraction posters and much more when they become available in Spring 2012.

There is so much to see at Blue Sky Cellar, from models and artist renderings to concept drawings and more, all crafted by Walt Disney Imagineers.

Which changes at Disney California Adventure park are you most excited about?

[6flagsbrad]

Nice posters! Visited the park yesterday for a ride on Midway Mania, and noticed they have a majority of the new billboards up on Sky School. They look great, can't wait to see Paradise Pier finished.

[6flagsbrad]

Sorry for double-posting, there's an update from Disneygeek that was up on Screamscape.

Mermaid walls are down, Sky School testing, and progress on Cars land and the food court.

 

http://www.disneygeek.com/updates/update.php?update_date=2011_05_20

Scroll down to the bottom where is says "Enough with the words...On to the pictures."

[Sir Clinksalot]

The park will be having AP preview days for Little Mermaid on May 31 and June 1st. No email needed, just show up with your AP!!!

[simon8899]

Was there yesterday. Nice experience: Short waits for a single rider like me and not so many foreign tourists blocking the rides like over in Disneyland. Ride-Operations for a US park very swift. Highlights: California Screamin and Tower of Terror.