California Adventure changes
 

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock (or just don't care that much about California's 'other' Disney park, lol), Disney has been making some major changes to Disney California Adventure. While some of these changes have already been unveiled (e.g. World of Color, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Goofy's Sky School), there are two major additions on the way: Buena Vista Street and Cars Land. I personally am looking forward to seeing these ideas come to life - Buena Vista Street will give the park a more appropriate entrance than it had before (while paying respect to Walt and Los Angeles during the 1920's), and there are a number of new innovations we'll see with Cars Land. I think a lot of mistakes were made with the initial design of DCA and I'm optimistic that these two new areas will help. The other day I caught a glimpse of the top of the (darkened) Carthay Circle Theater, and I can visualize how it will look all lit up - I think it will look very nice. There are other Disney fan sites which follow the progress very closely (check out MiceChat.com), and I know any info we'd post here would pale in comparison. But Disney is surely going to be advertising more and more about the grand opening (which is slated for June, if I understand correctly). So I thought we could keep a thread going for those who come across any interesting summaries about the changes/opening or have any questions about these areas.

Here is one article that was posted today on Disney.com: http://disney.go.com/disneyinsider/i...ReadMore__Extl

Cool!! Maybe I will get to see some of this in October when we go out there for the cruise!! :)

I can't wait to see this! Now to figure out how to "do" the park!

And do you know if the Ghirardelli shop will be open this summer?

I am so excited for the new changes!! But not excited for the crowds it will bring. lol. I love DCA because it is always pretty empty =)

I am also VERY excited for the Earl of Sandwich to open at DTD too!!

I agree about the crowds... It's going to be a mess back in Cars Land!

Yeah I just read about the Earl of Sandwich. I loved eating there (FL) in November - it's a shame they are taking out the bookstore though. I'm glad I was able to get the book I wanted last week.

http://media.disneywebcontent.com/DT...A_DL-4c521.jpg

The official opening day is June 15th. Make sure you don't plan to go to DCA on June 14th as it will be closed to the public "To accommodate a media preview and make final preparations"

I just saw a very nice preview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG6bnsty02s

Looks like things are coming to life just as they designed them. I look forward to seeing these new areas and attractions!

If Cars Land is going to be anything like the Toy Story Land in Hong Kong, I'm really excited. They did such a great job with that. It's been AGES since we've been to the parks in CA. Hopefully when we do go back, it'll be after the mass hysteria.

We are all scheduled to go for the opening. I think that it will be a circus since the DL hotels are all sold out.

We are very excited

Anyone else going??

Has anyone heard what the "plan" is for the 15th? When we booked our hotel, she made it sound like we would want to go through the front gate early due to the festivities.

Just got back from the Grand Opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista and DCA! It was a mad-house, but of couse, Disney handled it well.
People started standing in line at 11 pm last night and the gates were not scheduled to open until 9 this morning.
The line was LONG, but it actually went quick. They ended up opening 30 minutes early and were able to snag Fast Passes for Radiator Springs Racers for later this afternoon. I have never seen so many executives and Cast Members. They stood down the pathway and all said "Hello", "We're Glad You're Here", "Welcome", etc
We looked around, checked out the shops, and then ate at Flo's V8 Cafe. They're French Toast was amazing with Caramel sauce drizzed and banana on top.
The regular lines are really long, but everyone was having a great time and just going with the flow. I should know more later.
We took a picture with Red the Fire Engine - sometimes he squirts you. All the cars actually drive down the streets. Red drives to the rescue, Mater went down the street. Mater & Lightning talk to you while you are posing with them.
The Animation Studio was taken over with shopping. All of the Limited Release/Park Opening stuff was in there. They had quite a few neat items up for offering.
We are going back here in a little bit after we are rested and hope to ride some of the rides and grab a Soda "Cone".