Official Closing Date Announced For Sunshine Plaza

WDWNT on August 27, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

We are reaching another major milestone in the ongoing expansion of Disney California Adventure park. On Monday, August 29, the Sunshine Plaza area will close to allow crews to start the transformation of the current park entry into Buena Vista Street, reminiscent of what Walt Disney encountered when he first arrived in California in the 1920s.

While the shops will close to make way for Buena Vista Street, guests will continue to enter the park through the new Pan-Pacific Auditorium-inspired turnstiles and follow a temporary walkway which will feature renderings of the future Disney California Adventure park and connect the turnstiles with the Condor Flats area. This area will be the temporary entrance and exit for guests during the transformation of the former main entrance stores to Buena Vista Street.

This entry and exit location will remain in place until Buena Vista Street opens in 2012. To see what’s in store when this area opens, take a look at the renderings below, which were shown this past weekend at the Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim.

Rendering of the West Side of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park

The rendering above shows the west side of Buena Vista Street, including the restroom area in the top image.

Rendering of the East Side of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park

The next rendering shows the east side of the street. In the center image you can see the new merchandise location, Elias & Co., rising above the other buildings.

We’ll have more details on the Disney Parks Blog as Buena Vista Street continues to develop at Disney California Adventure park.

Radiator Springs Racers Ready To Hit The Road

WDWNT on August 26, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Radiator Springs Ride Vehicle at the 2011 D23 Expo

In the normal development process of any ride-based attraction at Disney Parks, Imagineers spend weeks and even months testing the ride vehicles. Many of you may have seen one of the first ride vehicles, which was on display at the D23 Expo in Anaheim this past weekend in the Parks & Resorts Pavilion. While it might be a while before you see this or any of the other ride vehicles racing around Ornament Valley, keep checking back with the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates.

The California Zephyr Departs For Western Pacific Railroad Museum

WDWNT on August 9, 2011

From Betsy Sanchez on the Disney Parks Blog:

California Zephyr Train Cab from Disney California Adventure Park

I’m excited to share with you a very special donation that we recently made to Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California.

As part of the expansion of Disney California Adventure park, the main entrance is changing and the cab of the California Zephyr train that most recently served as the location for Bur-r-Bank Ice Cream and Baker’s Field Bakery has been donated to the museum.

California Zephyr Train Cab from Disney California Adventure Park

The train and related artifacts arrived at their new home August 6 and will become part of the museum’s Zephyr Project collection. Plans for a gallery dedicated to sharing the legacy of the California Zephyr are underway.

Visitors to the museum will learn about the history of the famous 1950s passenger train through the donated artifacts, while the recreated locomotive will offer the chance to experience what it was like for engineers to guide the stainless steel Zephyr trains through California’s Feather River canyon.

Fun Facts:

  • The cab once operated as a real locomotive.
  • It is an authentic rendition of the Western Pacific Railroad – one of the three railroads that operated the California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco from 1949 to 1970.
  • It wears the same number as the last locomotive to lead a westbound California Zephyr into Oakland, Calif. on March 20, 1970.
  • The California Zephyr is one of the most celebrated “name trains” of the 1950s and 60s.

Check out the video below to watch as the Zephyr begins to make its way to its new home.

 

The Backstory of Paradise Gardens

WDWNT on August 8, 2011

A fun story from Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

As all our guests know, every Disney Parks experience starts with a story. Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at Disney California Adventure park are no exceptions. These aren’t just places to get fabulous pizzas, pasta and kabobs – they’re part of a story. A story of taking chances, new beginnings and family.

 

Come visit Paradise Garden and experience the story – and the food – for yourself! Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta are now open at Disney California Adventure park.

Minnie’s Fly Girls Coming To Condor Flats

WDWNT on August 3, 2011

An interesting post today on the Disney Auditions Website looking for performers for a new stage show called Minnie’s Fly Girls coming to Condor Flats. Here actual post:

Disney Parks Talent Casting is seeking Female and Male Singer/Actors for Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airlines, a tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and Guest interactive moments, fueled by the adventurous optimism of three bright “stewardesses” (also known as Minnie’s Fly Girls), a witty control tower operator, and our charter airline owner herself — Minnie Mouse! This brand new show will be performed outdoors, at Disney California Adventure® Park.

The show looks like it will consist of four “Fly-Girls,” one “Control Tower Operator” and of course Minnie in a show that will take place in Condor Flats. Now from what it sounds like it will be in front of Fly ‘n’ Buy with the Operator in the tower that is on the roof of that store. The post is listing the show to go into rehearsal this September and premiere some time in October. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as more details surface.