Disneyland Resort’s second park, California Adventure, opened ten years ago this week – to lackluster reviews and lukewarm attendance.  It rained for weeks.  And then 9/11 happened, and a nation was plunged into fear and mourning.
In retrospect, many factors contributed to California Adventure’s mediocrity.  The original ideas were scaled back before they were ever built.  Rides were purchased “off the shelf” – they could have been in any Six Flags or King’s Island across the country.  There was no “Disney” in this Disney.  And people noticed.  And complained.
Little by little, in …

Guests of Disney’s California Adventure will have an opportunity to view some upcoming magic, as Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar opened a new exhibit today.
Fans will get a first chance glance at “The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure,” the next significant attraction slated for opening at the newly renovated park.  In addition to new models and concept drawings, guests can see:

an artist’s rendering of the hand-painted mural that will cover the wall adjacent to the loading area, which will be 86-feet long;
a scaled model of Ursula from the …

The New Year’s Day crowds were massive, as the Block Party Bash made its final run through the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday.
The interactive, 35-minute parade features lots of familiar faces from Disney Pixar films, like Toy Story and The Incredibles.  It opened in the park in the spring of 2008 after a successful three-year run at Disney’s California Adventure.  Always a particularly high-energy affair, apparently, today’s performance was no exception, as performers seemed to take it to the next level.
Fans of the parade got into the act as well, holding up signs bidding …

Beginning November 26, Disneyland Resort guests who would like to view World of Color without the fuss of fighting the crowds will have a new option.  Dinner packages for World of Color have been so popular that the resort is now offering a lunch package.
The prix fixe package allows guests to reserve a spot for viewing the popular nighttime water spectacular by booking a table at one of their favorite restaurants.
Wine Country Trattoria and Ariel’s already featured the dinner packages, but starting this Friday, guests may also book a prix fixe …

Three new characters have been spotted in Anaheim’s Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. OCWeekly is reporting that Princess Rapunzel and Flynn Rider made their debut at Disneyland on Friday. Meanwhile Duffy the Disney Bear debuted at Disney’s California Adventure earlier this week.
While Rapunzel will not debut for more than a month, the characters are out working in the park helping to promote the upcoming animated film. Guests can do the usual meet and greet activities, including getting pictures with the characters and of course signatures. The film …

On September 15 & 16 Disneyland annual passholders have a unique opportunity to see the popular “World of Color” show in Disney’s California Adventure during a special ‘after park hours.’ The nighttime water spectacular will still take place at 8:15 p.m. for all park guests on both nights but a 9:15 p.m. show has been added to accommodate annual passholders only.
Fastpasses to get into the special showing can be obtained starting at 5 p.m. at the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS location. Passholders must be present in the park prior …

It’s no secret that Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort is undergoing a huge makeover but fans who frequent ‘DCA’ are getting a final taste of the original park as crew members slowly start dismantling many of the park’s icons. Say goodbye to the large glimmer-catching sunburst structure in Sunshine Plaza & the beautiful mosaic tiles that lined the entrance to the park. Making way for a new design, these original elements are set to be dismantled this week.
Soon to come, a 1920s style entry plaza reminiscent of …

Yesterday DisZine brought you an early peek at what’s going on in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World as preparations for fall & Halloween begin. Over on the west coast Disneyland is also getting ready for the spookiest season by announcing some attraction enhancements & special events just for Halloween. Starting on September 17 guests will have some chilling options to celebrate the season.
Halloween decor is just the tip of the candy apple at Disneyland! Some of the Halloween highlights are going to be an enhanced version of Space …

“Disney Channel Rocks” is going to be a high-energy live rock concert blasting popular music from various Disney Channel hit shows. Be prepared to sing, dance, & rock your socks off when the show debuts on October 22 at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and in California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort. Disney has been holding auditions for the show; looking for talented youths with pop-rock, rap, and soulful R&B sounds which gives us a clue as to the variety of music guests will enjoy in the …

In an attempt to streamline the popular stroller rental service at Disneyland four new self-service kiosks have been added on the Esplanade; in addition to the staffed wheelchair & stroller rental counter. The new kiosks will allow guests to skip long lines & use their credit card to reserve strollers for up to six days. Located right outside the Disneyland Park entrance the kiosks will give guests the option to complete their transaction in either English or Spanish.
Heather Hust Rivera, Manager of Print and Social Media for the Disneyland Resort …