#Disneyland60....Today In Disneyland History....September 7, 2011

Finishing Touches Put on Carthay Circle

September 7, 2011

On September 7, 2011, Walt Disney Imagineering put the finishing touches on the new Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure Park with its crowning feature – a cupola modeled after the one which sat atop the real theatre which was the site of the 1937 world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  

In June 2012, a fanciful larger-scale replica of the theater building was finally opened in the Buena Vista Street section of Disney California Adventure Park. Although this replica is larger than a version that opened as the "Once Upon a Time" gift shop on the Sunset Boulevard section in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, it is still slightly smaller than the 1926 original, and has a modified exterior footprint and interior floor plan. While there is no actual theatre inside, the building houses the "Carthay Circle Lounge" on the first floor, and both the "Carthay Circle Restaurant" and the members-only "Club 1901" on the second floor. The restaurant is located on a circular plaza known as Carthay Circle on the new Buena Vista Street giving the impression that the theater is named for its location on a circular plaza. Also, the original's signature circular floor plan is absent from the replica building, and the circular parapet is squared off from the outside. Carthay Circle Restaurant occupies the second floor of a detailed reproduction of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre. 

The decor reflects the romance and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including references to the accomplishments of Walt Disney and his original animators. See Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels—the only animated art ever to hang in Walt Disney’s home—and charming pastoral scenes from the movie painted on the vaulted ceiling of the main dining room. Advance reservations for dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant are highly recommended. For booking, please check availability and make your reservations online, or call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 up to 60 days prior to your visit. Reservations can also be made in person on a limited basis, subject to availability.  Better yet, take advantage of the World of Color Dining Package which includes a 3 course prix fix meal as well as seats in the preferred viewing area for the nightly spectacular World of Color.  Whether stopping in for a relaxing break in the Lounge, or enjoying one of the best meals Disneyland has to offer, don’t miss Carthay Circle Restaurant.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.  

#Disneyland60....Today In Disneyland History....September 6, 2010

Maliboomer Takes Last Blast

September 6, 2010

On September 6, 2010, Visitors took their final “blast” in Disney California Adventure Park’s the Maliboomer attraction. Plans were to begin removing the ride which Disney has long planned to demolish the following day. It was decided that the thrill ride, with the tag line “It’s A Blast” shot riders up 180 feet, would no longer fit with the theme of the Paradise Pier area, which would soon take on an early 1900s feel as part of a massive redesign of Disney California Adventure Park. 

One of the opening day attractions of the Park, The Maliboomer was an  an S&S Power "Space Shot" attraction, which meant that it launched guests from the bottom of the tower instead of slowly lifting them to the top and dropping them from there. The ride was pneumatically powered, with three connected towers, each with its own independent ride system. It also contained "Scream Shields", used to block the screams from reaching residents near the ride.

The concept of the Maliboomer came from a space-themed version of the popular "high striker" attraction on many boardwalks and carnivals. The concept was that men test their strength by hitting a mallet and ringing the bell, impressing their dates and winning them large stuffed animals. The attraction's name also hinted at this theme, since it alludes to the beach town of Malibu, California.

As part of the park's multi-year, $1.1 billion expansion, the Maliboomer was originally planned to be remodeled, but it was later announced that the ride would not survive the park's expansion. The ride's last operating day was September 6, 2010 and the dismantling of the attraction began shortly afterwards.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.......August 24, 2002

First Ever ABC Primetime Preview Weekend

August 24, 2002

On August 24, 2002 Disney's California Adventure played host to the first ever "ABC Primetime Preview Weekend." The 2-day event inaugurated the new ABC-TV fall line-up.  This brand new event featured the shows and stars of ABC. Lucky Disney California Adventure guests were invited to screen episodes of then upcoming ABC Primetime series including “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter”, “Less Than Perfect” among others. One of the many highlights for guests was "announced" as part of a mock red carpet arrival complete with camera flash bulbs as they entered the Golden Dreams Theater, which now houses The Little Mermaid- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.

In the Pacific Wharf guests were invited to watch a brief promotional video about ABC and answers some questions. Following the survey's completion, they were given a special entrance pass into selected attractions. Also located at this station were postcards featuring the various ABC shows which could be sent to family and friends for no additional cost .The Pacific Wharf Stage was host to the "Happy Hour" Trivia Challenge where participants competed for a prize given out by surprise celebrity visitors.

Actors from each of the ABC-TV Fall shows were available to the media for a very brief question and answer session by the Golden Vine Winery. They also participated in a question and answer session for the public in the Golden State Amphitheater which lasted about 30 minutes. The Parade of Stars motorcade gave excited fans a chance to see their favorites as it journeyed from the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, now Hollywood Land, and traveled along the Disney California Adventure Park Performance Corridor. Each segment of the route had a separate ABC affiliate hosting. Celebrities were equipped with a microphone and were able to speak briefly as they passed each area.

The most popular element of the first ABC Primetime Preview Weekend was the then popular show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” held in the Hyperion Theater, home of the Aladdin – a musical spectacular.  Many guests waited from park open or even earlier to secure seats for this event which performed once each day of the weekend to a packed theater.

The weekend events were concluded each night with a performance by stand-up comedian George Lopez and a Blues concert by Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts.  Be sure to check out this year’s ABC Fall TV lineup which broadcasts into homes beginning September 21. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history. 

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.....August 6, 1961

Flying Saucers Open in Tomorrowland

August 6, 1961

On August 6, 1961 one of my all time favorite attractions, The Flying Saucers opened in Disneyland's Tomorrowland.  The ride actually allowed guests to board their own personal flying saucers. The saucers flew several inches off of the 16,000 square foot arena floor on a cushion of air, similar to how an air hockey game works. Once in flight, the Flying Saucers were very much like bumper cars with guests ramming each other with their saucers.

At the beginning of the ride, saucers were subjected to a high volume of low-pressure air directed underneath them by means of a grid of circular valves. As the saucers floated and moved above the field, the valves would open and close in response to their proximity. As guests shifted their weight in any direction by leaning, the saucer movement would respond.  If the weight was centered, the saucer would begin to "hop" up and down as the air randomly escaped around the plenum. All that was required to regain control was for the guest to lean in any direction.

The ride consisted of two sets of saucers (approximately 14 each) on a semi-circular field and a mechanical boom that would sweep the arc of the field and corral one set of saucers in the loading area. As the boom moved, it would free the other set of saucers (with their new riders) from their loading area to roam the field while the other set was unloaded and loaded in-turn.  Sadly, the ride was expensive to operate, maintenance was intensive, and it did not fit the normal Disneyland "guest flow" in that a relatively small number of riders were able to participate on any given day. After only five years of flight, when the transition to the New Tomorrowland took place, the Flying Saucers did not survive. When New Tomorrowland opened in 1967, the space that The Flying Saucers had once occupied had been transformed into the Tomorrowland Stage.

On June 15, 2012, a new ride using similar technology opened in Cars Land inside Disneyland's sister park, Disney California Adventure. This ride is named Luigi's Flying Tires, and is themed on Luigi's Tire Shop from the film Cars This version holds two or three passengers per ride vehicle instead of one.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history, 

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History......August 2, 1995

Disney Executives Meet To Discuss New Anaheim Based Park

August 2, 1995

On August 2, 1995, in Aspen, Colorado, 36 Disney executives gathered together for the first of 3 days to brainstorm ideas for a second Anaheim-based theme park to be built next to Disneyland. The concept of a theme park dedicated to California, then called California Adventure, arose from this meeting, following the cancellation of the WestCOT project, a west coast version of what was then known as EPCOT Center, Construction of the park began in 1998, and was completed by early 2001. Originally the concept behind the 72-acre park was to make California into a theme park, hoping to create "precise reproductions of California landmarks, charming streets and gorgeous landscaping that stimulates the state's forests and farmlands" and celebrate the California dream. It was intended to appeal to adults while Disneyland was intended to appeal to children.  Sadly the initial concept garnered less than stellar reviews, with ironically, one of the major criticisms from guests in its first year were the lack of attractions appealing to children and the lack of a nighttime show or parade to keep visitors from leaving at nightfall. Within the first year of operation, Disney's Electrical Parade and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!  were brought to the park, and several of its original rides and attractions were closed.  In October 2002 the Flik's Fun Fair area opened, which added attractions for children.May 2004  brought the newest E –Ticket Ride Twilight Zone Tower of Terror  where guests were to drop in.  

By 2007, Disney realized that the park was still not working and that something major needed to be done. Bob Iger said "Any time you do something mediocre with your brand, that's a withdrawal. California Adventure was a brand withdrawal." Iger briefly considered combining California Adventure and Disneyland Park into one large park, but the price would have cost as much as completely remodeling California Adventure. On October 17, 2007, The Walt Disney Company announced a multi-year, $1.1 billion redesign and expansion plan for Disney's California Adventure Park (against its initial $600 million price to build). Each district was reimagined to transform the park to an idealized version of the state, exploring specific time periods and historic settings. The project began in December 2007 and was completed in stages. Toy Story Midway Mania! opened on Paradise Pier in June 2008, in space formerly occupied by a store and restaurants. 

World of Color, a nighttime water and lights show on Paradise Bay, opened in June 2010. The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure  opened on the site formerly occupied by the Golden Dreams Theater in June 2011.  The most drastic changes to the park included a complete overhaul of the main entrance, Sunshine Plaza, and Paradise Pier, as well as an expansion into the last of the parking area originally designated as future growth space. The main entrance and Sunshine Plaza were turned from a "giant postcard" spoof of California into Buena Vista Street. A representation of Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney moved there in the 1920s.  Paradise Pier was turned from the boardwalks of California into a Victorian seaside amusement park of the 1920s, and some of the areas rides now focusing Disney characters. 

The final transformation came with the addition of Cars Land, an area that simulates Radiator Springs from Disney· Pixar's Cars film franchise, was added to the southeast portion of the park, and includes three new rides including the wildly popular Radiator Springs Racers.  Construction was completed in 2012 and the park was "re-dedicated" on June 14, 2012.The Park received a modified name, Disney California Adventure.  Today Disney California Adventure Park has 8 exciting lands to explore bringing the magic of Disney and Pixar stories and characters to life through amazing attractions, entertainment and dining. It truly has something for every member of your family. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history. 

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop " Disney Attractions" - #DisneySide #GetHappier

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS:

Disney Attractions!

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park

 Special Thanks goes out to Deb from Focused on the Magic for

hosting the weekly blog hop!

New Disney California Story Guided Tour at Disney California Adventure Park

Several weeks ago, I shared with our friends over at the Adult Side of Disney about a brand new tour here at the Happiest Place On Earth. Beginning July 17, visitors to Disney’s California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort will have the opportunity to explore the history of California in the early 1900’s  on the "Disney California Story Guided Tour". This newly created 3 hour tour will allow guests to get up close and personal as they explore California’s vibrant history, learn first hand how it influenced and shaped the dreams of a young Walt Disney, as well as be able to learn more about the tales behind the iconic attractions and landmarks that bring Buena Vista Street and California Adventure Park to life.   For the first time, guests will truly be able to travel back in time and get a glimpse into of a California back in the 1920’s and 1930’s just as Walt Disney once did.

The highlight of this tour includes an exclusive look into the members-only 1901 Lounge, two popular Disney California Adventure park attractions*, a special experience at Animation Academy, plus private lunch and a collectible pin.

Other information that will help you when planning for your Disney California Story Guided Tour:

·       Tour is offered daily at 10 a.m. and is approximately three hours long.

·       Theme park admission for Disney California Adventure Park is required to attend the tour.

·       Check-in is located at the Chamber of Commerce, just inside the entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.

·       Attractions and entertainment are subject to availability and may change without notice.

·        Tour Pricing:  $109 per Guest for ages 3+

To find out about a special discount for Disney Rewards Visa and AAA card holders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disneyland Resort Annual Passport holders) call 714-781-TOUR (8687). Also, be sure to check out the other Disneyland Resort Guided Tours at Disneyland.com/Tours.

Isn’t it time you went to Disneyland, or back to Disneyland?