Happy 15th Birthday to Disney California Adventure: A Look Back by Lisa Stiglic
An opening day cast member reflects back and brings us up-to-date.
Read it here!
Happy 15th Birthday to Disney California Adventure: A Look Back by Lisa Stiglic
An opening day cast member reflects back and brings us up-to-date.
Read it here!
We love how DCA has changed over the years. When it first opened, we had friends who went there and really didn't like it. We went in 2006 and the only part of the park that we liked was the new Tower of Terror (which wasn't/isn't as good as it's WDW counterpart), and Bug's Land. What? Bug's Land??? Yip. We liked it because it fit what Disney Parks was all about...the theming.
After that trip, we took 5 trips to WDW before returned in 2013. It was on that trip that we began to love DLR...because DCA was finally a "real" park. After two subsequent long trips to Anaheim, and even an AP year filled with many little trips, we can say that DCA has helped make DLR into a resort that keeps me from traveling across the country to Disneyland's big sister. Here's hoping that it continues to grow and become even better.
Working for Disney. No, no. Working (in a Modesto office) for (the money to take a trip to) Disney (World/Land)
WDW Trips: June 2002, Feb 2004, Dec 2006, Dec 2008, Jan 2010, Feb 2011, Dec 2012
Disneyland Trips: Feb 2006, Nov 2013, Nov 2014, Feb, March, June 2015 (x2), Nov 2015
What I remember most from the first year?
• "The Power of Blast!" in the Hyperion Theater
A drum-and-bugle corp dance troupe. -- I thought to myself, "They have taken the concept of 'the all-American band' and put it on steroids!" -- A very 21st century format.
"It is, it is, a glorious thing, to be a Pirate King."
-- Gilbert & Sullivan, "Pirates of Penzance, or, The Slave of Duty"
I remember that. Really enjoyed iOriginally Posted by potzbie
I first visited DCA in December 2004. I had an absolute blast! I had wanted to eat at the Soap Opera Bistro on the General Hospital set, but the restaurant was already gone. I stayed at the GCH and was upgraded to a theme park view room. Absolutely wonderful. Especially enjoyed discovering what would become two of my favorite DL watering holes......the Cove Bar and Hearthstone Lounge. Last visited in October 2013 and found the park as enchanting as ever with the addition of Carsland. Loved dining at Carthay Circle and Napa Rose. Can't wait to go back!
John
I have seen both the original and the current version of DCA and I have to say I love the new DCA way better than the old. It does have a Disney feel even though it is not DL. I look at Mermaid as fitting in with the Paradise Pier theme. MK has a much better queue with Prince Eric's castle. Buena Vista Street, Cars Land and now the whole Grizzly Peak area stand out as the best parts of the park to me. Soarin's recent change made a great area even better with the national park theme. Some people still complain about Paradise Pier but I think it has a bit of charm even though it did not fit into my list of favorites. Happy Birthday DCA!
I do miss the ice cream shop inside the train prop, I always thought it was one of the better themed items they had. Wish they had kept it somehow...
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