Jamie Nakagiri’s 12/31/10 NYE DLR Photo Report
Jamie Nakagiri was at Disneyland for New Years and has some photos to share of the festivities and the crowds.
Short lines for New Years
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DCA Rings In The New Year With a Bang!!
Happy New Year Everybody!! To celebrate the new year, DCA held a “Fountains and Fireworks” show utilizing the World of Color fountains AND fireworks launched from the lagoon and backstage to create quite a sight to see…
Conner Purzycki’s 12/27/10 DCA Photo Report
I was at The Disneyland Resort yesterday to celebrate my birthday which coincidentally was on one of the busiest days of the year. So I stuck to DCA for the day, which was also very crowded.
Line to get into California Adventure around 9:20
More Details Emerge For DCA Entrance Makeover
From the LA Times:
An intense, 16-month construction project designed to transform the Disney California Adventure entryway from a nondescript strip mall into a circa-1920s Los Angeles streetscape will begin in earnest Jan. 4.
As part of an ongoing, $1.1 billion makeover, the sweeping and extensive reimagineering will wall off 4 acres of the main entrance between the C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters, Sunshine Plaza, Grizzly Peak and Hollywood Studios Backlot. The remade entryway, dubbed Buena Vista Street, will be designed to evoke the era when a young Walt Disney first arrived in Los Angeles.
After the winter holiday season ends, construction walls will go up around the iconic C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters Jan. 4 so that crews can turn the plaza area into Streamline Moderne turnstiles modeled after the former Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles.
DCA Expansion, Phase 2?
The LA Times posted an interesting story about a possible second phase to DCA’s major overhaul.
As Disney California Adventure reaches the midway point of a $1.1-billion expansion, I’d like to take a speculative look at what Walt Disney Imagineering might have in mind for Phase 2 of the massive renovation project. DCA’s extreme makeover was necessitated by the on-the-cheap, off-the-shelf nature of the nearly decade-old theme park that even Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger now calls “mediocre.” Phase 1, which began in 2008, fixes about a third of the flawed park. What I’m interested in looking at here are the possibilities for the other two-thirds. What follows is a land-by-land compilation of possible attractions and thematic changes for Phase 2: Most of the proposed plans that have come to light remain firmly in the “what if” stage. In some cases, Disney announced and then postponed attractions. In other instances, the ideas have filtered out into the online community. In all circumstances, Disney remains officially mum, guarding future projects as closely held secrets. Quite naturally, any sequel to the wholesale reimagineering of DCA remains contingent on the success of Phase 1, which wraps up in 2012. So far, the crowds have responded positively to the uptick in quality (Toy Story Midway Mania dark ride), spectacle (“World of Color” water show) and attention to detail (Silly Symphony Swings wave swing). And the best is yet to come. Crews have broken ground on Phase 1 projects that demonstrate Disney’s commitment (the $100-million Voyage of the Little Mermaid dark ride), ambition (the 12-acre Cars Land) and heritage (Buena Vista Street entry plaza). Mouse watchers believe if Phase 1 continues to pay dividends, Iger will pony up more money for Phase 2 starting in 2013. The operative word here is “if.” So far nothing has been announced for Phase 2, but Imagineers have been busy dusting off old plans and dreaming up new ideas for the re-emergent Anaheim theme park. As any Disney fan knows, these “blue sky” proposals can change repeatedly over the course of development – and many never see the light of day.
Date Set for CALIFORNIA Letters Removal
From the Disney Parks Blog:
As we look forward to 2011, we are excited to share that we are making great progress on the expansion of Disney California Adventure park. The year 2010 has been very exciting. In June, we made a big splash with “World of Color,” the nighttime spectacular that is wowing guests every night. On October 29, we reached an exciting milestone with Cars Land with the topping out of the Cadillac Mountain range – about 125 feet in the air. And, many of you have seen The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Goofy’s Sky School coming to life along the parade route. Both are scheduled to open in 2011 along with new restaurants and shops as we finish the entire Paradise Pier expansion.
Now, as we move toward a new year, expansion continues. In January, our efforts move to the front of the park.
On Jan. 4, we will begin making way for a new entrance modeled after the legendary Pan-Pacific Auditorium. This means, the “CALIFORNIA” letters will be removed, and we plan to save these icons for possible future use. Now’s the time to get your photos!
As this work continues, we are making adjustments to the Disney California Adventure Main Entrance area, including relocation of some Guest service areas. We’ll keep you informed about those here on the Disney Parks Blog as soon as we have specific dates and locations.
Also on Jan. 4, we will begin the transformation of the Sunshine Plaza area into Buena Vista Street inside the Main Entrance. When complete, it will represent Hollywood as it was when Walt Disney arrived on the west coast in the 1920s.
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates as the expansion continues.
Conner Purzycki’s 12/5/10 DLR Photo Report
I was at Disneyland yesterday to once again enjoy the parks in the rain and take advantage of small crowds. Despite the rain, I still was able to catch some newsworthy photos to share.
Starting in DCA, new signs pointing your way around the work walls in Sunshine Plaza
Max Guggenheim’s 11/26/10 DLR Photo Report
DLNT Photographer Max Guggenheim was at The Disneyland Resort last Friday to see Disney Channel Rocks! He also captured some newsworthy photos to share.
Christmas is in the air, even in Mickey & Friends
Conner Purzycki’s 11/20/10 DLR Photo Report
I was at The Disneyland Resort yesterday to take advantage of the small lines and small crowds due to the rain. Captured some newsworthy photos to share…
Starting off in DCA
New “World of Color” Prix Fixe Lunch Menu at Wine Country Trattoria
From the Disney Parks Blog:
Beginning Nov. 26, Wine Country Trattoria will offer a “World of Color” prix fixe menu for lunch, which also includes reserved viewing for Disney’s “World of Color.” Reservations may be made by calling 714-781-DINE.
Take a look at the menu below. It looks fantastic to me!
Starters
- Salad: Arugula, Fennel, Red Onion, Spiced Walnuts, and Goat Cheese with a Fig-Balsamic Dressing OR
- Chef’s Soup Selection
Entrees
- Tuscan Salad with Grilled Shrimp or Chicken – Blend of Romaine and Radicchio, Red and Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Celery, Green Beans, Cannellini Beans and Roasted Peppers tossed in Creamy Italian Dressing
- Lasagna Rustica – Served with House-Made Bolognese
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Herbed Chicken Breast, Arugula, Caramelized Onions, Provolone, and Walnut-Porcini Aioli on Toasted Ciabatta with a Green Salad
- Broccolini Aglio Olio – Campanelle Pasta lightly tossed with Spinach, Arugula, Tomatoes, Garlic, Chili Flakes, and Olive Oil
Desserts
- Trattoria Tiramisu
- Mini Fruit Crostada
- Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Fruit
- Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse with Lemon Cream
The price for the prix fixe lunch is $29.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 9.
You can also get more details about our other dining options for “World of Color,” including picnic boxes and prix fixe dinners in our earlier post. We’ve updated the post with the latest information.