So now that the cat is out of the bag, lets take a look at the future of DCA, which perhaps should change its name to Walt Disney's California Adventure since his journey in California seems to be the new theme. The Sunshine Plaza will be renamed Walt Disney Plaza will feature an interactive version of "The Walt Disney Story" which will be housed in a show building themed to the Carthay Circle Theater where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had its premiere in 1937. In the spirit of the Main Street vehicles, Red Cars will travel up and down the gateway to add a dynamic energy that will be complemented by new shopping, dinning, and entertainment.
Cars Land will be a 12 acre addition that features three new attractions including Radiator Springs Racers whose concept art we first saw in last year's annual report. Cars Land will also feature two family attractions featuring Luigi and Mater(voiced by Larry the Cable Guy who is ironically from Orlando). Cars is going to try and be a long-term franchise for Disney, so this decision seems like a no-brainer.
The Hollywood Pictures Backlot got its first makeover with the opening of Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue last year. The area will continue to be enhanced with a new Playhouse Disney show. Also interesting is that the area will be used for special ticketed events with animation directors. It looks like next month's Snow White event is just the start.
The Golden State will be enhanced with new dinning and food festivals. The goal is to make this area a local favorite where California's rich cultural diversity will inspire constantly changing food experiences that make DCA a destination.
Paradise Pier will feature the long gestating Little Mermaid dark ride and of course the new nighttime show, Disney's World of Color. This salute to animation will have seating for 9,000 which will also be used for concerts and film premieres. All of this is in addition to the previously announced Toy Story Mania! attraction.
As a Disney dweeb, I am excited to visit the preview center that will open in the Bay Area section of the park (the location that used to be Luminaria central and the Xcade). I can't help but feel like I took a time machine back to 1990 and am launching a new Disney decade.
There are some themes that echo throughout the announcment. Giving the park a connection to Walt, celebrating animation, and cultural events. I think this might be a winning combo. The park needs to appeal to locals in a way Walt Disney World theme parks do not. By focusing on concepts locals are enthusiastic about, they will be connected to the park and will return for festivals, concerts, and screenings. You just have to look at the excitment generated by the addition of the Toy Story Zoetrope to the Animation Building to see how the unthinkable might happen. Locals might support DCA.
I have supported DCA for a long time, but I have acknowleged its problems and was excited when Bob first teased that changes were on the way two years ago. It sounds like they are taking the park in to a new exciting direction while not throwing out the baby with the bath water. I hope when the work gets underway, everyone will be able to look at the park with new eyes. It will never be Disneyland, nothing ever will be; but DCA will be a place we will be able to enjoy without feeling guilty.
Of course these plans are just the beginning. There will continue to be announcments about DCA, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World in the coming months and years. I love these "Disney Decade" type anouncments. It creates an excitment, which The Year of a Million Dreams could not.
Thanks Bob, this is going to be fun.