PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland & California Adventure 2/1/16 (Kylo Ren Arrives, Refurbs, Star Wars Construction, ETC.)

Disneyland Reporter Tim Alcoser visited the Disneyland Resort this past weekend and has some newsworthy photos from around the parks to share with us today, so let’s take a look:

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Autopia is closed for refurbishment as Honda will now be the sponsor

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“it’s a small world” is currently closed to remove the holiday overlay

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Big Thunder Trail is now closed to accommodate Star Wars construction

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BUT YOU CAN PIN TRADE!!!

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Looking at the path from the other end near Big Thunder Mountain

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Construction workers wasting no time getting to work

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The docked Mark Twain

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Haunted Mansion is back open

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While the Jungle Cruise is closed, guests can attend skipper school

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Even though it was advertised for February, Kylo Ren started greeting guests at Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

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The Zootopia Sneak Peek is now open in the “it’s tough to be a bug” theater at DCA

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You can hear Imagineers actively testing Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, so it should open very soon

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Tim got a unique view of Paint the Night from the Train Station, so we thought it might be cool to share some pics from that spot
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Mardi Gras decor up in New Orleans Square

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Goodnight Disneyland

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 2/12/16 (AP Days, Rollickin’ Roadsters, Refurbishments, ETC.)

Disneyland Reporter Tim Alcoser visited the two parks this week and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around the Happiest Place on Earth:

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Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort

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AP days are ongoing throughout the month

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The Diamond Celebration continues through September

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Annual passholders could get this map and button set during the Main Street and Mickey Mouse days

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“it’s a small world” has returned

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More people were trying to ride the Jolly Trolley than when it actually functioned…

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Tim caught the Soundsational daytime parade, now in its 5th year

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The Autopia refurbishment rolls on as Honda is set to become the sponsor

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The last of the Tomorrowland 1998 paint scheme is being erased as blues and whites are applied

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Tuppence a bag…

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Tim spotted some activity towards the back of the Rivers of America

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Looks like they may be surveying the area before they start bulldozing for Star Wars land

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Attraction posters now adorn some walls around the river

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This sign is particularly interesting as it has been altered to say the Disneyland Railroad. Could elements of the old mine train be coming to the new path of the Disneyland Railroad?

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The Hungry Bear Restaurant remains open through the construction

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Tim attended one of the AP Days screenings at the Opera House, which included free popcorn and water

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Some work being done to the ticket booths outside of the parks

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Moving back to DCA, testing continues on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

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We expect the attraction to open any day now

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Back to Disneyland, where the Haunted Mansion is running FastPass service again

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While World of Color- Celebrate! is not the best version of the show to date, it is very photogenic

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Goodnight!

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 1/18/16 (Star Wars Construction, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Opens Soon, etc.)

Disneyland Reporter Tim Alcoser brings us back to the Disneyland Resort for the latest news, as well as our return across the Esplanade to California Adventure in this new photo report:

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It’s a beautiful evening at Disneyland!

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Paint the Night is a wonderful re-imagining of the old Electrical Parade, hopefully soon on the way to Walt Disney World

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Tim was nice enough to take video of the Paint the Night Parade for us, be sure to watch if you haven’t checked this out yet:

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Tim also checked out the stationary experience for the Disneyland Railroad at Main Street Station

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Here guests can check out the E.P. Ripley and take a peek inside the Lilly Belle

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While it is sad that it is closed, how often can you do this?

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The engineers are also available to talk too, making this something really special for those of us who are real park fanatics

Tim also took a video of the Main Street Station stationary experience to share with us today:

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The Rivers of America remain quiet, awaiting Star Wars construction at the back end of the area

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The Mark Twain is docked, but should be home to a new experience soon

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If you’ll be dining at the Hungry Bear over the next two years, you’ll have an interesting view of things…

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What I mean is you will be staring at a tarp with trees on it

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Haunted Mansion Holiday is coming down quick this year, so don’t expect to see any maintenance performed on the much-maligned normal version of the ride

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Moving over to DCA…

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PIXAR Play Parade is still running

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The Aladdin musical closed last week, the FROZEN musical will start in the Summer

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This is still a thing…

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The Flying Tires replacement, Rollicking’ Roadsters should open very soon

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Don’t expect much from this attraction, it’s essentially the Aquatopia ride from DisneySea on dry land

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The new Moonliner Rocket statue has been released already at Disneyland

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Goodnight California Adventure!

Zootopia Preview Coming to Hollywood Studios, California Adventure; New Trailer Released

Guests at Disney Parks here in the U.S. will soon be getting an exclusive preview of Walt Disney Pictures latest animated release, Zootopia, in theaters March 4th. At Disney California Adventure Park, the “Zootopia” preview will be presented at the Bug’s Life Theater with special in-theater effects. Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at clips from the film as the end film of the One Man’s Dream attraction.

The Zootopia preview at Walt Disney World was expected to take home in the Magic Eye Theater at Epcot, but it appears the new Disney and PIXAR Short Film Festival will be a more permanent offering than we expected.

Today, Walt Disney Animation Studios has released a brand new trailer for their upcoming animated film as well:

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and co-directed by Jared Bush, opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

PHOTOS: Disneyland Releasing Special Souvenir Food & Drink Items for 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

An inside source has sent us some internal images promoting the special food and beverage souvenir items coming to Disneyland Resort when the Diamond Celebration kicks off later this month:

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Diamond glow cubes that will be available with select beverages

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32oz sipper artwork, available only on 5/22

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Artwork for souvenir mugs

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Specialty popcorn buckets

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Plastic stein, Dinoco cup for Cars Land, and popcorn bucket art

Which ones do you NEED to own?

VIDEO & REVIEW: “World of Color – Celebrate!” Debuts at Disney California Adventure

If you thought World of Color was impressive in 2010, the technical wizards at WDI will blow you away again with the new “World of Color – Celebrate!”. However, they seemingly got caught up in the new technology and forgot what kind of show they were making.

Let’s start with the good: new lightning, laser, fountain, and smoke effects make the show brand new again and set the stage for future shows that can do things that the 2010 infrastructure never could. The bad: the show is horribly disjointed and breaks away from any sense of the theme advertised at several points.

The show is meant to celebrate Walt Disney and is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and Mickey Mouse. The theme is perfectly executed in the early segments featuring Mickey Mouse and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but collapses when a montage of Disney Animation starts to nondescript music and no actual dialogue from the films. The touching montages of the former show aren’t replicated here, although there are some sure-to-be-emotional moments where we see Walt talking about his creations or a lovely look at Disneyland through the years. But overall, the show is stopped dead in its tracks for a random Frozen musical number or a clip show of Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer moments. It just doesn’t make sense and it isn’t intended to just be a trip through movie moments like the old show. The theme of the show essentially changes several time, and by the end it is hard to tell if we are celebrating the achievements of Walt Disney or Bob Iger and John Lasseter.

In the end it feels like they got ten minutes into the show and realized they only half a show to cover another 70 years of Disney legacy. It also seems there may have been some demands from management to include larger segments with contemporary characters and upcoming films.

Regardless, the future looks bright for the Paradise Pier lagoon with all of the new tricks the show has up its sleeves, but for now, we will have to live with the slightly shorter and more disjointed “World of Color – Celebrate!”.

See video of the show from the Dis:

BREAKING: Disneyland Will Test FastPass+ System This Summer, Hong Kong Launching in 2016

For those who felt FastPass+ and MyMagic+ were failing at Walt Disney World, you may want to start re-thinking your theories.

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As most of the major bugs in the system have been worked out over the last few months, it seems Disney is ready to launch the system globally. The Disneyland Resort in California will be conducting their very first tests for FastPass+ in August 2015. Hong Kong Disneyland will officially launch their system with the opening of the Iron Man Experience in 2016.

FastPass+ takes the FastPass ticketing system into the digital age, removing the paper FastPass distribution points at attractions with a system guests can use to book a FastPass online, in an app, or at one of several designated kiosks within the parks and have it linked to their ticket/MagicBand. Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland still use the original FastPass system currently.

PHOTOS: Comprehensive Shopping Guide to Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

There are over 500 new items for sale at the Disneyland Resort as part of the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, so we thought it would be smart to make a post showing you all of the items currently available during this once-in-a-lifetime event:

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BALLOONS!!!

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Yes, they are selling big diamonds…

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The leather jacket retails for $395.00

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Shoe ornament

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Pin bag

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Precious Moments statue

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Lenox tea cup and saucer

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Jumbo pin

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The back of the t-shirt has the opening dates of every current attraction

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So… what are you buying?

 

PHOTOS BY ALLIE DANE

Disneyland Releases Tons of New Details on 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration; Merchandise, Food, Entertainment, & More!

In addition to the giveaways and new character costumes announced earlier today, the Disneyland Resort continues to roll-out new information of the 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration beginning May 22nd. Here’s what we have learned so far today:

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  • New details on the “Paint the Night” parade:

Tinker Bell leads the procession in a magical, musical overture, closely followed by a float reminiscent of the giant bass drum that led the “Main Street Electrical Parade.” Lightning McQueen races in with his buddy Mack Truck, who makes a hefty impression at 54-feet long, covered from headlights to tail pipe in gleaming light. Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” glide through the night in a shimmering palace of ice and snow, the tallest float in the new parade. Guests also will be delighted to see Cinderella, Rapunzel and beloved characters from tales such as “Monsters, Inc.,”  “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Toy Story,” with Mickey and his pals creating a breathtaking grand finale.

  • New details on the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular:

Guests will be surrounded by the worlds of timeless Disney tales, from the tips of their toes to the sky high above, thanks to the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and surprising special effects. One minute they will be standing on Main Street, U.S.A., and the next they could be stampeding across Simba’s Pride Lands, dancing with King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” traveling “Under the Sea” with the Little Mermaid, flying over London with Peter Pan, dripping in honey with Pooh in a whimsical dream of heffalumps and woozles, or quivering as Queen Elsa brings a glimmering blanket of snow over Disneyland.

Similar to Tinker Bell, Dumbo, and Zero, Nemo from the Disney-Pixar animated film “Finding Nemo,” Nemo will swim through the skies above Sleeping Beauty Castle in this new show, as the Matterhorn is transformed into the fiery peak of Mt. Wannahockaloogie.

  • For the new nighttime spectaculars, Disneyland will roll out new “Made with Magic” merchandise that glows with the show. Among the new items will be a souvenir sipper, new design ear hats & magic wands, and the paintbrush that debuted with the Paint the night Parade at Hong Kong Disneyland.
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The “Made with Magic” paintbrush available in hong Kong, allowing guests to paint performer costumes during the nighttime parade

  • Changes are coming to some already existing Disneyland entertainment come May 22nd:

During the Diamond Celebration, guests will be invited to become part of the musical magic, singing, dancing and marching along with resort performers such as the Disneyland Band, Dapper Dans, Red Car News Boys, Straw Hatters and Five & Dime. The after-dark “Mad T Party” will return to Disney California Adventure as a dazzling new “Diamond Mad T Party,” featuring sparkling new decor, interactive fun, dancing and delectable food and drink.

Guests may join a daily Diamond March-Along up Main Street, U.S.A., with the Disneyland Band and Disney characters in their sparkling, new Diamond Celebration costumes. The cavalcade concludes with a Diamond Sing-Along at Town Square in Disneyland Park. Also on Main Street, U.S.A., the Dapper Dans quartet will invite guests to join Diamond Sing-Alongs, while the Straw Hatters band will encourage Diamond Dance-Alongs.

Guests may Dream-Along with Mickey Mouse and the Red Car News Boys, as Mickey shares a whole new song about his vision for the Happiest Place on Earth. When the Five & Dime arrive on Buena Vista Street, guests will be immersed in a joyous Dance-Along with Dime, Goofy and the boys.

Mad T Party returns to Disney California Adventure beginning May 22, as guests are invited down the rabbit hole to experience the Diamond Mad T Party, a nighttime entertainment party inspired by Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” motion picture. The Mad T Party main stage will feature a live band, performing contemporary and classic rock favorites as well as newly mashed-up Disney tunes given a rare Mad T Party twist. When the band isn’t onstage, the White Rabbit DJ takes over and plays the latest, hottest dance tunes.

Also for Mad T Party, the Hottest Deck in Town dance crew will perform their high-energy show with a new look at a new location, the Hollywood Backlot Stage. Diamond Mad T Party guests will also play interactive games, take photos or just chill out with a cold drink from the Drink Me Bar or Chiller truck. A new photo location combines the fantastical spirit of the Mad T Party with a tribute to Disney’s past.

  • Over 500 new merchandise items are being introduced for the celebration:

Headwear will include a Diamond Celebration ear hat, Minnie Mouse rhinestone-embellished headband, and youth and adult baseball hats. Also being introduced from the Diamond Collection is a crystal-encrusted Minnie Mouse headband and Mickey Mouse ear hat.

Home Décor items will include frames, snow globes, mugs, a dinner plate, dessert plate, trivet, napkin, drinkware and bottle topper, as well as a beach towel, throws and pillow.

Toys will include an array of plush, a fashion doll, a Diamond Celebration truck hauler, train set, playing cards, puzzles, Sleeping Beauty Castle playset and more.

Open and limited edition pins, trading accessories, boxed pin sets and framed pin sets will be available.

Collectors also will be interested in limited release, limited edition and crystal embellished Vinylmation.

Art & Collectibles will include notable brands such as Precious Moments, Lenox, Highland Mint and Arribas Bros. Over the course of the celebration, fans will find artwork by Dave Avanzino, Disney Design Group (Costa Alavezos, Tyler Dumas, Susan Foy, Caley Hicks, Alex Maher, Randy Noble), Liana Hee, Ink & Paint artists, Brian Jowers, Lisa Keene, Jerrod Maruyama, Kurt Raymond, Tim Rogerson, SHAG, Javier Soto and The Thomas Kinkade Studios and Gregg Visintainer, among others.

  • It of course wouldn’t be a party without some new food and beverage offerings:

The Disneyland Resort is filled with a variety of popular dining options. For the Diamond Celebration, some new specialties will join the classic favorites, served in colorful Diamond Celebration souvenir containers.

Special Diamond Celebration Cupcakes will be found at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café (lemon flavored) in Disneyland and the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café (orange flavored) in Disney California Adventure.

Appropriately sparkling for the Diamond Celebration, a Pomegranate Silver Sparkler, topped with lemon-lime foam and garnished with silver flakes, will be served at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland.

At the Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disney California Adventure, a special Lucky Fortune Tea will feature mango, pineapple and passion fruit flavoring.

Exotic new Diamond Celebration beverages will also be available at Disneyland Resort hotel locations: a Longboard Lemonade at the PCH Grill in Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and a Wild Raspberry Rapids Lemonade at White Water Snacks in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Diamond Celebration Crisped Rice Treats, Caramel Corn and Cotton Candy will be available at select locations in the parks.

All of these newly announced items come in addition to already revealed offerings such World of Color – Celebrate!, the Hatbox Ghost returning to the Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds enhancements, Peter Pan’s flight enhancements, Soarin’ enhancements, and the decorative overlays of the park icons.

PHOTOS: Smokejumper’s Grill, First Piece of New Grizzly Peak Airfield, Opens in California Adventure

Hope springs eternal on the first day of spring at Disney California Adventure, where a tribute to daredevil airmen who flew planes to the edge of space gives way to a thematic accolade to those brave souls who choose to jump out.

Even though the rest of the area isn’t open yet, Smokejumpers Grill (which opened today) previews the backstory of the area, while serving up a steaming plate of real and created fire jumper lore, adding some Disney nature collateral to the menu… all along with burgers and fries.

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A fairly servicable quick service menu with kid meals, beer and wine

Today, the Disneyland Resort began to remedy old perceptions with the opening of the first phase of a re-imagined Grizzly Peak Airfield “land” at Disney California Adventure. The rest of the one-attraction-area is expected to reopen in May. Work going on in the Soarin’ Over California attraction in this area has been described as technical, part of a process to return the show to a state of the art presentation. There are no changes expected in the “Soarin'” attraction outside of crystal-clear digital projections. At least yet.

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Concept art depicting the reimagined area. © Disney

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A “letter” pinned to one of the bulletin boards serves up a back story for the Smokejumpers Grill.

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Two theatrical posters from Walt Disney True-Life Adventures hang in the new restaurant. Is Grizzly Peak the “King of the Wild Frontier” now?

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This area of the park will benefit the Park by offering some “plebeian food” in a location near its “hub.” While the upscale Carthay Circle Restaurant was added during the “Great Revision” in 2012, several other food opportunities were lost. Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream, Baker’s Field Bakery, and the Soup Opera Bistro all near the Park’s center, were stuttered before the grand re-design. The near-by Fiddler Fifer and Practical Cafe also dumped soup and sandwiches from its menu shortly after opening.

The change to Grizzly Peak Airfield will create a more cohesive “story” as guests figuratively leave “Los Angeles” and head for the hills rather than the dessert. But as tales of the high-desert daredevil airmen go the way of the flightless Dodo, we also say goodbye to an attempt to tell a real California story. The previous area theme, Condor Flats, nodded to the test pilots who chased, then broke the sound barrier in the nascent race to space. However, this homage to one of California’s great “reach for the stars” moments, didn’t prove to have the “Right Stuff” for the Theme Park’s guests.

Seemingly this now little known stop on the road to space was not fully understood by the general public, or perhaps it was the underwhelming utilitarian airfield setting that failed to stir park-goers imaginations. Regardless, Grizzly Peak Airfield is a welcome change of scenery for the park.

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