February 8, 2001 – Disneyland’s California Adventure Opens
Nightime view of California Adventure in Anaheim, California
“Discover the Disney stories and characters you love in ways you’ve never imagined!”
Opening February 8, 2001, Disneyland’s California Adventure is a theme park in Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California. It was part of a group of changes in Disneyland, and consists of the districts Hollywood Pictures Backlot, The Golden State, “a bug’s land,” Cars Land, and Paradise Pier.
The announcement of California Adventure claimed that it would be a 55-acre park with three districts: one focused on the glitz of old Hollywood, one focused on the nature of California, and one would have a boardwalk feel to it. These lands would later become Hollywood Pictures Backlot, The Golden State, and Paradise Pier, respectively. The success of the Pixar films allowed the building of “a bug’s land” and Cars Land, as well as adding them to other aspects of the park. The early announcement also included Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and the Disneyland Center, which is a themed retail, dining, and entertainment complex. It was planned to be built in the parking lot of Disneyland.
Paradise Pier, including the roller coaster California Screamin'. Image taken from the Disneyland Park Blog
There are many magical attractions in the California Adventure Park. In the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, guests can get a fright at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, have a slapstick adventure with the Muppets at Muppet*Vision 3D, or converse with 150-year-old turtle at Turtle Talk with Crush, from Finding Nemo. Paradise Pier boasts the California Screamin’ rollercoaster, as well as Toy Story Mania!, a 4D midway ride. The Golden State lets guests explore the landscape of California with the Soarin’ Over California Ride, but also gives adults a taste of California wineries with Wine Country Trattoria. “a bug’s land,” based on the hit Pixar film A Bug’s Life, allows younger guests to get a taste of what it’s like to be a bug, and they are able to view the 3D film It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Cars Land is a new 12-acre land that will open in 2012, and will feature locations that were in the Pixar film Cars, including Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
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