When are they changing California Adventure?

[ericafny]

On this week's podcast there was a comment made about Disney changing California Adventure and I was wondering if anyone knew when these changes are going to happen. I am TRYING to save for a trip out there for April and I don't want to go if there will be a lot of rehabs going on.

 

[tinkbutt]

there are several changes being made over the next couple of years!

there are dates out where 2012 is the open date for one project I don't think there is a set date?!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

They've already started to close attractions, like Golden Dreams and soon, the Sun Wheel, to start work. Everything is happening in phases. Some attractions are slated for 2010, like Radiator Springs. Little Mermaid's dates don't seem to be set completely, yet.

As someone who is in that park every few weeks or so, it will be fun to watch the changes, as they plan on keeping the park up and running!

 

[Diskneenut]

I go to DL and California Adventure almost once a month. I haven't heard of any changes. I am curious about what will be going on there. I was just there last month and I will be going again in October. I havent seen any thing that was closed.

 

[ericafny]

They've already started to close attractions, like Golden Dreams and soon, the Sun Wheel, to start work. Everything is happening in phases. Some attractions are slated for 2010, like Radiator Springs. Little Mermaid's dates don't seem to be set completely, yet.

Are they getting rid of the Sun Wheel completely? Is it worth it for me to go in April or should I wait? The Sun Wheel looks fun - its very similar to the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

As I understand, the Sun Wheel is being rethemed to something like Mickey's Fun Wheel, with a Mickey head in place of the current sun.

There's a GREAT thread on another disney website listing current/scheduled/planned changes to DCA, with starting and projected finishing dates for each new attraction, along with some of the artistic renderings. I can't remember the website (it's on my other computer). I KNOW I found it through the Disneyland forum here on disboards

 

[tinkbutt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsmQPwxiP8

here is something for ya explaining it!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I go to DL and California Adventure almost once a month. I haven't heard of any changes. I am curious about what will be going on there. I was just there last month and I will be going again in October. I havent seen any thing that was closed.

Golden Dreams closed on Sept 7. It'll take them a while to get things prepped for any demolition that needs to begin for The Lilttle Mermaid - the new attraction going in that location.

They are also setting up a preview center of the changes in the old Seasons of the Vine movie building.

The Sun Wheel was already supposd to close, but has been delayed. I think once that closure happens and they put the Mickey Face up, then you will really start seeing the changes to the Paradise Pier area. After that - the Orange will be gone from the Orange Stinger and it's Mickey theming will take place. Don't forget that they are planning to revamp the lagoon for a new light show, so there will be lots of "improvement walls" up for that, too.

I think by next April, it will be neat to see some progress on the changes. Of course, we won't see all the Radiator Springs progress except from up on the Sun Wheel - it is taking place behind an already large wall - in the backtage area they used once for hosting the "X-Games".

 

[ericafny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsmQPwxiP8

here is something for ya explaining it!

Thanks Katie! That was really helpful and gave me a good idea of when they plan on doing the construction and taking things down.

I think we will still aim to go in April (pending me saving the money..) but I will be sad knowing I never got to see California Adventure in its original state...oh well..

 

[Diskneenut]

Thanks for the video......Loved it!!!!!!!!!

 

[brocklesnar69]

Any idea when the CA overhaul will be finished? Do you really think it'll all be done by 2012?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Definitely. There might be a month or two delay, but there is a lot of stuff going on. A rehab this big requires they meet their deadlines. They have new changes going now to the Disneyland Hotel Pool area and surrounding central area that are set to be done for the DCA park "re-dedication" in 2012. With the Silly Symphony Swings now open, World of Color opening Friday, and definite progress being made on the trolley track being laid and the Little Mermaid Ride, it's coming! You can only see the Cars Land progress from the top of Mickey's Fun Wheel - which has also been open for quite a while (this is an older thread...)

DCA gets more exciting every day!

 

[brocklesnar69]

Definitely. There might be a month or two delay, but there is a lot of stuff going on. A rehab this big requires they meet their deadlines. They have new changes going now to the Disneyland Hotel Pool area and surrounding central area that are set to be done for the DCA park "re-dedication" in 2012. With the Silly Symphony Swings now open, World of Color opening Friday, and definite progress being made on the trolley track being laid and the Little Mermaid Ride, it's coming! You can only see the Cars Land progress from the top of Mickey's Fun Wheel - which has also been open for quite a while (this is an older thread...)

DCA gets more exciting every day!

How long to you think it'll be before they completely re-tool the entrance? From what I remember hearing, they were going to turn in into a more 30's-ish looking thing based on Walt's childhood or something like that. I can't wait to see that.

And then I wonder when they plan on taking down the "CALIFORNIA" letters out in front of the park?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

The entrance is one of the last currently active areas of the park (in my prediction) to be done. To do this, they will need to revamp the current cast service access area to the right of the main entrance (ie: those Big Dang Security Gates right before the first World of Disney entrance) to allow for admissions. This puts people into the park just between Soarin and the end of the Grand Californian Hotel. They installed the track for the trolley into the Hollywood Backlot already, but can't do anything with it until they can rip up the main street.

If they leave this construction until the end, it will be the visual, anticipatory cookie that the park is finally becoming completed. Only makes good business sense to revamp it last. You already have the draws like WoC, Little Mermaid, and the revamped Paradise Pier installed to support a temporary ugly front.

My guess is that Mullholland Madness may be one of the next things to be done. We'll see. They just installed new exhibits in the Blue Sky Center. Tom is seeing it this morning and will likely give updates in the blog.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The new exhibits in the Blue Sky Cellar are 90% The Little Mermaid. There are a few drawings of Goofy's Sky School, but Ariel is in charge.

Downloading photos now.