January 1993 – March 2022 LOCATION Mickey’s Toontown – After crossing under the bridge and into Toontown, guests would follow the main path to the left. You’d find Gadget’s Go Coaster at the end of the main walkway, just after Donald’s Boat. BACKGROUND When Mickey’s Toontown debuted in 1993, Gadget’s Go Coaster was the land’s only operating […] Read more…
July 2011 – present LOCATION Paradise Park – Follow the pier on the side farthest from Pacific Wharf, near the Golden Zephyr and Goofy’s Sky School. You’ll find Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta on the right, behind the covered seating area. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick service Seating – covered outdoor patio Reservations – no Entertainment – […] Read more…
ANTICIPATING THE BIG DAY Source: Name Tag Museum Walt Disney began envisioning Disneyland when he visited amusement parks with his daughters in the 1930’s and 40’s. He noticed that those parks catered primarily to children, and imagined a park that would be as entertaining for adults as it would be for their kids. When he […] Read more…
THE RESORT WELCOMES A SECOND PARK In the beginning, Disney used the area now occupied by California Adventure as massive parking space for Disneyland. But as Disney World in Florida grew into multiple parks and became increasingly popular, Disney wanted to repeat this set up in California. So in 1991, Disney announced plans to launch […] Read more…
NEED FOR CHANGE Though California Adventure was a massively anticipated addition to the Disneyland Resort, its initial design and premise did not resonate with guests. The absence of Disney charm and characters combined with the lack of rides for children left guests unimpressed and disinterested in leaving the Disneyland section of the resort. After a […] Read more…
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether or not your kids (or you!) are ready for some of the bigger rides. On the one hand, you don’t want anyone to miss out, but it’s also no fun to be petrified of the happiest place on earth. The following is a list of the Disneyland Resort’s more intimidating […] Read more…
July 1966 – present LOCATION New Orleans Square – Follow the main path toward the Haunted Mansion and you’ll find the French Market on the left, just after Café Orleans. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick service Seating – outdoor enclosed patio Reservations – no Entertainment – live music throughout the day Menu Diners looking for […] Read more…
June 2012 – present BACKGROUND The original entrance to California Adventure was not Buena Vista Street, but a central walkway called Sunshine Plaza. But the plaza was largely empty, had no unified theme, and was often overlooked by park guests, so when California Adventure went through its major refurbishment, this area was completely redone. Today, […] Read more…
July 1955 – present LOCATION Adventureland – When entering from Main Street USA, you’ll find the Jungle Cruise on the left, just after Aladdin’s Oasis. If you enter Adventureland from New Orleans Square, you’ll find the Jungle Cruise on the right, across from the trading post gift shop. BACKGROUND When Walt Disney and his Imagineers […] Read more…
June 2012 – present LOCATION Cars Land – When entering from Buena Vista Street, you will see Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree on the left, across from Fillmore’s Taste In. BACKGROUND Like the rest of Cars Land, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree opened in 2012 as part of California Adventure’s first major expansion. The Junkyard closely resembles Mater’s stomping […] Read more…
June 1971 – present LOCATION Frontierland – When entering from Main Street USA, you’ll find the River Belle Terrace on your left, just as the path opens up to New Orleans Square. If you’re arriving from New Orleans Square, you’ll see the River Belle Terrace patio on the waterfront, across from the entrance to Pirates of […] Read more…
Summer 1977 – July 2024 LOCATION Critter Country – When entering from New Orleans Square, you’d find the Hungry Bear Restaurant on the right, just as the main path veered left toward Winnie the Pooh. EXPERIENCE Service Type – quick service Seating – outdoors, two different patio levels Reservations – no Entertainment – none The Hungry […] Read more…
June 2012 – present LOCATION San Fransokyo Square – When you cross the bridge to the central dining area in the square, you’ll find Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop on the left, beyond the Lucky Fortune Cookery. If you enter from the main drag of the land, you’ll also see Ghiradelli on the left, […] Read more…
March 2015 – present LOCATION Grizzly Peak – When entering from Buena Vista Street, you will see the Smokejumpers Grill on the right, just before Soarin’ Around The World. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick service Seating – indoor and outdoor, adjacent patio with seating Reservations – no Entertainment – none Menu Hungry pilots in search […] Read more…