Look Out Disney California Here We Come

The Countdown Has Started

A new point of entry

Tomorrow June 15, 2012 the makeover of the old California Adventure will be open to the public.  The rethemeing of the park and the addition of Cars Land will be an exciting time.  No one will be thinking back to that first opening day on February 8, 2001.  Everyone will be looking at all the shiny new aspects of the park.  However, if you are going there this weekend, I would like to show you some of the things you won't see.  These sights have disappeared.  Some will not be missed but some will. So as you walk through these gates remember the the tings that went before.

As we look in retrospect, we find that some things lived side by side.  The California landmark roundup included a stylized replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The element served as a bridge for the Disneyland Monorail which serves as a transportation mode to shuttle to and from the Disneyland Hotel.  Therefore, last summer when the new DCA was literally unwrapped behind it the Golden Gate Bridge still stood.  I remember sitting under it last July for the shade on a warm afternoon.

Two competing dreams

The bridge was a big part of the entrance.  The area in front of the turnstiles of DCA and Disneyland is called the Esplanade.  As you approached the old California Adventure there were a series of large letters that spelled C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A.  They were great for  photos.  I always had my son stand by the A because his name starts with the letter A and my daughter by the letter C.  You guessed it her name starts with C.  Also the letters changed for the Christmas holiday.  

Give me an A

Not just an F but the World's Largest Tile Mural

No that's not my son 

The bridge itself served for Christmas decorations. 

Wow! A large crowd by old DCA standards

Oh By Gosh By Golly, It's Time For Mistletoe and Holly

Don't Forget to unplug the lights, Honey

When you crossed under the bridge, you entered Sunshine Plaza.  This was an area filled with places to stop and shop.  This was strategic for picking up those souvenirs before leaving.  Most people just rushed by these shops.  When I wasn't on a diet, the candy counter was Heaven.  There were shops to appeal to every age.  There was a toy store where kids could plead, whine, and promise anything if they could have that toy or game.  Moms, dads and grandparents gleefully purchasing those items to see the wonder in their children's eyes.  There was an emporium type store that sold shirts, key chains, and other California Adventure items.  I'm sure you'll still be able buy these items, but those shops are gone.

Fill that Mr. Potato Head with his angry eyes

Nonna can we have those toys?

Get me to the Candy Counter for some English Toffee

The largest postcard

Then you would walk across the plaza and take in the wave fountain that gave Sunshine Plaza its name.  The songs about California wafting in the air.  Songs like the Four Preps 26 Miles about Santa Catalina, Scott McKenzie's If You Are Going to San Fransisco, or the Beach Boys' California Girls.  Then, before you was the large metal Sun sculpture over the fountain.  Let's face it, we Californians are proud of our sunny days.

In the words of Randy Newman, "I Love LA (We Love It)

Restaurants will be gone.  Yes they have added a new Club 33 member only restaurant called "1901".  However, many non la dee da restaurants are gone. Yes, they have replaced some but if you were looking for that place you once ate, it will be gone.  

The first to go

Don't remind us of your corporate synergy

My favorite place to eat

How can you miss with this much fried food

Grab a couple burritos and ride California Screamin'

There's always pizza

I still miss the fries

Some places will still be there however some will have undergone cosmetic changes.  Restaurants, entire areas, and attractions will have had a make over.  The is especially true for the San Fransisco area.  The Palace of Fine Arts morphed into Ariel's Adventure.  The California Immigrant Mural too was removed for the Little Mermaid.  On Paradise Pier, the Orange Stinger has become the Silly Symphony attraction.  The poor Muscle Beach shout out, the Maliboomer is only a foundation.  The Bell X-1 breaking though the front wall of Taste Pilots Grill will have flown off. 

I still think eveyone should see the 22 minute movie 

Now the Palace of Lost Arts

Orange Stinger and the Maliboomer

Chuck Yeager is frowning

There are things that will not be missed.  When is a White Elephant a gigantic Pink Dinosaur?  Well it was the ugliest gaudy result of Group Think.  Trying to out do the tackiest roadside Route 66 curio shop, the Sunglass Shack. When they tore that one down they should have raffled off ten wackes with an 8lb sledge hammer to anyone who wanted to see that thing razed.  The money could have gone to charity.

Grab the hammer and give it 40 wackes

Luckily, Route 66 has been portrayed elegantly in the movie Cars.  Now, Cars Land will be open and we will all celebrate the newest additions but let's not forget that whenever we gain something we lose something.  But memories and photos are not lost. 

Cars Land is Waiting for us Just Behind this Wall

We will welcome the Disney Universe Cars Land.  We long to get to know you better. So let's go explore this new land together, let me know what you think.