June 1986 – February 1996, April 2009 – January 2016 LOCATION Frontierland – When entering from New Orleans Square, guests would follow the path along the Rivers of America, toward Fantasyland. They would find Big Thunder Ranch just after Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. BACKGROUND Big Thunder Ranch was the best post 70’s representation of Frontierland’s original […] Read more…
February 2001 – June 2016 LOCATION Grizzly Peak – When entering from Buena Vista Street, you would see Soarin’ Over California on the right, just past the restaurant patio. The current version of this attraction is Soarin’ Over the World, located in the same spot. BACKGROUND Soarin’ has been on Imagineering’s radar since 1996. The original […] Read more…
May 2004 – January 2017 LOCATION Hollywood Land – When entering from Buena Vista Street, guests followed the main path past the Hyperion Theater. They saw the Tower of Terror at the end of the street, looming over the rest of California Adventure. BACKGROUND Based on the television series The Twilight Zone, the Tower of Terror […] Read more…
June 2012 – March 2015 BACKGROUND Before California Adventure’s major expansion and refurbishment, the park had a huge land known as “Golden State”. But when the park’s transformation was complete, Golden State broke off into three separate lands: Grizzly Peak, Pacific Wharf, and Condor Flats. Based on the mid 20th century Mojave Desert, Condor Flats […] Read more…
February 2001 – January 2018 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Cross the bridge to the right of Pacific Wharf, and follow the main path along the bay – you’d see the entrance to California Screamin’ on your left, just before the King Triton Carousel. BACKGROUND When Imagineers were planning the boardwalk, a roller coaster was a […] Read more…
February 2001 – January 2018 BACKGROUND When California Adventure was first conceptualized, Imagineers envisioned a pier similar to those found all over the coast of California. Originally, Paradise Pier resembled a seaside amusement park, but from 2008-2009, Imagineers refurbished and expanded the land. The new theme was reminiscent of a 1920’s Victorian boardwalk, with new […] Read more…
June 2012 – August 2023 BACKGROUND When California Adventure first opened in 2001, Pacific Wharf was technically part of Paradise Pier, although it was very similar to how it appears now. As the park expanded and Paradise Pier was renovated, Pacific Wharf began to take on an identity of its own. By 2007, when California […] Read more…
November 1962 – September 2021 LOCATION Adventureland – when entering from Main Street USA, you would find the treehouse at the end of Adventureland, just before the walkway to New Orleans Square. BACKGROUND Tarzan’s Treehouse was a self-guided walkthrough high above Adventureland. The original structure, back when the treehouse was “Swiss Family Robinson” themed, was […] Read more…
November 1988 – November 2024 BACKGROUND In the beginning, this area wasn’t Critter Country at all – the space was an extension of Frontierland called Indian Village, and housed Native American shows and attractions, including dances and canoeing. But the land wasn’t very popular among park guests, and Disney soon turned back to the drawing board […] Read more…