New CARS Land at DCA

[JanetRose]

Where did they find the room to build the new land? thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

It used to be the Timon parking lot.

 

[AndreeaScott]

The park has been undergoing a significant redesign lately, with the addition of Buena Vista Street, designed to resemble the Hollywood streets that Walt Disney would have walked through in the 1920s. Additionally, “Cars Land” is being added, a new section of the park meant to transport you to the world of Cars.

As someone who just returned from a trip to Disney World in Orlando, I cannot wait to visit California Adventure in person. Nobody does theme parks better than Disney. There is a certain magical feeling at the Disney parks that other theme parks simply cannot recreate.

 

[Huff]

All of the area currently occupied by California Adventure, Grand Californian, Downtown Disney and the esplanade between the two parks was a huge parking lot. When DCA, GF and DTD were built they took over most of that parking area and the Mickey & Friends parking garage was built to take its place. When DCA opened a small portion of the old lot was still available. This section was the old lots Mickey, Minnie and Sleepy sections but was renamed the Timon lot when DCA opened.

Tower of Terror was built on a portion of the Timon lot. Carsland is being built on the last remaining portion of Timon.

Yesterlands website has some photos of the old lot. I used to love arriving early to Disneyland and parking right up against the ticket windows.

http://www.yesterland.com/parkinglot.html

 

[CamoMama]

I have a photo of my mom and sisters and me in that parking lot, circa 1982. Those were the days. I don't know how I got that picture and none from the actual park, but I'll bet Mom has them in an album somewhere. Gonna have to raid her pictures next time I go visit.

 

[DisneylandForever]

I have a photo of my mom and sisters and me in that parking lot, circa 1982. Those were the days.

Oh how I miss that parking lot! It's funny to say that out loud, after all it was just a place to park your car, lol. But there was a really cool feeling being able to see Disneyland from where you parked, and the anticipation as you got closer and closer!

In 1985 for DL's 30th they were doing some promo I guess where they gave away cars, because there was a canopy and several brand new cars in the parking lot. I remember specifically taking a picture next to my then-favorite car, a Corvette. If I can find that pic I will have to scan and post it.

 

[HydroGuy]

For those who do not know, there is a momento to the old parking lot inside the Indy ride up above the camera in the queue area when you are watching the safety video. It is an Eyeore sign from the old lot up there I think left in place from where it was a few decades ago.

 

[Jessica_of_FL]

For those who do not know, there is a momento to the old parking lot inside the Indy ride up above the camera in the queue area when you are watching the safety video. It is an Eyeore sign from the old lot up there I think left in place from where it was a few decades ago.

I lived 15 minutes from DL until I was 9 (1993) and my parents and I went to DL ALL. THE. TIME. I remember being so happy when we parked in Eeyore or Flower. It was like winning the lottery for the day, lol.

~~~~~~~

Because we lived so close, we often went for only an hour or two. And before I started school, Mom and I went all the time during the week.

Once, Mom and I went to spend a morning in Fantasyland. We parked in the lot and our spot was one of the ones in front of a light-post. When we were ready to leave, we went out to the car, but we were stuck! The lanes were stacked two cars per lane, and we were blocked in. I can't remember what the outcome was - but I remember being there forever that day!

Another time, my parents and I went on a busy weekend day, the lot was packed. Ready to leave, we could not find the car! We searched and searched. Finally, security had to take my Dad around row by row. So funny.

 

[KCmike]

Is there any room left in either DL or DCA for further expansion? I thought I heard in DL they might be using an area behind the Rivers of America or where they take care of the animals from the petting zoo?

 

[scion5220]

I miss that parking lot, too! You really don't ARRIVE at Disneyland with the same feeling anymore as you did when you saw that sign and the parking lot.

Once a friend and I went there just for a few hours to Christmas shop and we could NOT remember where we were parked when we came out. We were loaded down with bags and wandering around aimlessly when a security guard in a truck took pity on us and picked us up and drove us around until we spotted the car.

 

[skiingfast]

Is there any room left in either DL or DCA for further expansion? I thought I heard in DL they might be using an area behind the Rivers of America or where they take care of the animals from the petting zoo?

There is a lot of room for single small attractions and large attractions/land in and around both DCA and DL. I doubt with this huge project wrapping up there is any large expansion on its heels.

Only about 2/3 to 3/4 of the Timon lot is developed. The other section houses adminstative offices and cast parking. It was also used to be the staging area for building CL.

 

[HydroGuy]

Is there any room left in either DL or DCA for further expansion? I thought I heard in DL they might be using an area behind the Rivers of America or where they take care of the animals from the petting zoo?

At DL, the areas discussed for expansion are the Big Thunder Ranch area to which you refer, the FantasyLand Gardens area (I think it is called that) between IASW and Matterhorn - used to be the MotorBoat Cruise ride - I remember it , and the Innoventions area.

At DCA, since they just did a major expansion oif area aith CL I have no idea what mroe they could do. I doubt they would for a long time even if they could.

 

[CamoMama]

Oh how I miss that parking lot! It's funny to say that out loud, after all it was just a place to park your car, lol. But there was a really cool feeling being able to see Disneyland from where you parked, and the anticipation as you got closer and closer!

In 1985 for DL's 30th they were doing some promo I guess where they gave away cars, because there was a canopy and several brand new cars in the parking lot. I remember specifically taking a picture next to my then-favorite car, a Corvette. If I can find that pic I will have to scan and post it.

Here it is, a blast from the past, I cannot get over the clothes and my sister's hair every time I look at it. I believe that's the Disneyland Hotel in the background, when it was the only one, and consisted of just one building. Not an incredibly interesting picture, but it really is nostalgic for me. I'm the smallest one in the picture, I want to say I was somewhere around 5 years old, so that would put the date somewhere in the ballpark of 1979-81.

 

[DizMe]

Love that shot, CamoMama!! BTW--I like your bubble

Hey, you're not too far from me!

 

[DisneylandForever]

Here it is, a blast from the past, I cannot get over the clothes and my sister's hair every time I look at it.

Ha ha, that's great!

I believe that's the Disneyland Hotel in the background, when it was the only one, and consisted of just one building.

You're partially right. That is of course the Disneyland Hotel, Sierra Tower. But the 2nd tower was added in the early 70's and the 3rd tower, the late 70's ('79, I believe).

Now I've got to find my pic and post it!

 

[CamoMama]

Love that shot, CamoMama!! BTW--I like your bubble

Hey, you're not too far from me!

Hey! I do my National Guard drilling there, I'm with the 649. I get down there once a month and stay at the Oxford, sometimes we head out in the evening to the Grad or the Crazy Horse. I love Chico!

 

[CamoMama]

Ha ha, that's great!



You're partially right. That is of course the Disneyland Hotel, Sierra Tower. But the 2nd tower was added in the early 70's and the 3rd tower, the late 70's ('79, I believe).

Now I've got to find my pic and post it!

Neat! I don't remember seeing any more than one tower on those trips, but then again I was pretty young and all I really cared about were the rides and the lollipops the size of my head.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

When is the new Carsland scheduled to open?

 

[skiingfast]

When is the new Carsland scheduled to open?

June 15th.
Cars Land information.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2749991

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Thanks