#ThrowbackThursday: Disney California Adventure Construction From the Ground Up

Disney California Adventure (or Disney's California Adventure as it was originally known) was Disney's first theme park built in the Internet error. Its construction was chronicled from day one on this and many other websites. Today we're kicking off our series celebrating DCA's 15th anniversary on February 8th with a #ThrowbackThursday looks at the construction of the park.The pictures cover the park, Downtown Disney and the Grand Californian Hotel

Looking back it's amazing to think how much of this is no longer there. The Maliboomer is gone. The ears on California Screamin' are gone. The Orange Singer is completely different. The California Zephyr train, which I got a picture of while it was on the way to the park, is gone. It was a lot of fun to go through these pictures and remember the park that way.

This article originally ran on DCA's first anniversary in 2002. The dates shown are the dates we originally presented the photos on our website which was always within a few days of when they were taken.

Disney's California Adventure Entrance Mural - East

Disney's California Adventure Entrance - West

Disney's California Adventure Entrance Mural - East

Golden Zephyr being delivered to DCA

Disney's California Adventure Entrance Mural - East

Construction on Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Disney's California Adventure Entrance

Golden Gate Bridge prepared for paint

Reflective material added to Entrance Mural

Golden Gate Bridge Painted

Golden Gate Bridge painted, scaffolding removed. Scaffolding appears alongside the mural.

Oversized letters will form California

DCA's Entrance

DCA's Entrance Mural Eastside

Continued work on DCA's Entrance Mural

DCA's Entrance Mural

November 15, 2000

DCA's main entrance

Grizzly Peak

Mulholland Madness

Mulholland Madness' Very Special Test Pilot

Mulholland Madness

Orange Stinger

Orange Stinger's exterior peel pieces are added.

Orange Stinger

Orange Stinger's bee shaped seats make their brief appearance.

Orange Stinger continues to receive portions of orange peel exterior.

Orange Stinger has a leafy top.

Orange Stinger Testing

Orange Stinger at Night

Bees added to the handicapped access to Orange Stinger

Orange Stinger's Main Entrance

Closer view of the bee swings

Orange Stinger

California Screamin'

California Screamin's Purple Train Testing

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney Station

Future home of AMC Theaters, ESPNZone and other Downtown Disney Shops

Future home of the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney

ESPNZone, AMC Theaters and Rainforest Cafe

AMC Theater, LEGO Store and Downtown Disney Monorail Station

Downtown Disney

ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe and AMC Theater

AMC Theaters

The Disneyland Hotel's transformation continues as the Bonita tower receives a new coat of paint.

AMC Theaters

Downtown Disney

ESPNZone

Downtown Disney

Grand Californian Hotel Concept Art on display on construction wall

Grand Californian Hotel Entrance

Grand Californian Hotel Convention Center

Grand Californian Hotel Main Building

Grand Californian Convention Center

Grand Californian Hotel. The large blue crane is in the future location of the pool.

Grand Californian Hotel

Grand Californian Convention Center as viewed from the Downtown Disney station

Grand Californian Hotel Main Building

Grand Californian Hotel Pool Area

Grand Californian Hotel Main Wing

Grand California Hotel Main Wing

Grand Californian Hotel Convention Center

Grand Californian Hotel

Grand Californian Hotel Main Wing

Grand Californian Hotel Convention Center

Grand Californian Hotel Main Wing

Grand Californian Convention Center

Grand California Main Wing

Grand Californian Convention Center

Grand Californian Main Entrance

Grand Californian Driveway and Entrance

Grand Californian Pool

Grand Californian Hotel Main Entrance

Grand Californian Pool

Grand Californian Main Wing

Grand Californian Hotel Overview