Disney Re-Introduces DCA
Product: Disney's California Adventure
After a less-than-stellar opening to Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) in 2001, Disney is taking another stab at launching its second California-based park. On June 15, Disney opened the gates to the re-imagined DCA park to enthusiastic guests, some of which camped out for a chance to be one of the park's first guests. The newly transformed park, which took 5 years to re-develop, places a greater emphasis on all things California, but with the usual Disney twist – something the original design was missing. The new park includes Buena Vista Street, a re-developed central park area, and the brand-new 12-acre Cars Land, based on Pixar's Cars franchise.
Cars Land literally brings guests into Radiator Springs, allowing them to walk through a meticulously crafted recreation of the dusty Route 66 town seen in the movies. Familiar locations include Flo's V8 Café, the Cozy Cone Motel, Sarge's Surplus Hut and Ramone's House of Body Art. The area also plays host to three attractions: Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Flying Tires and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Radiator Springs Racers, which features a ride system similar to Epcot's Test Track, serves as a headline attraction for the park, taking guests through a fast-paced thrill ride through the Cadillac Mountain Range and other landmarks from the movies. Luigi's offers a bumper-car style ride. After strapping in, guest's tire vehicles gently hover on a cushion of air (think a giant air hockey table). Guests can then steer the floating tires around the ride area. In Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, guests are pulled by baby tractors during a music-filled square dance around the junkyard.
Buena Vista Street, the park's main entrance gate, is inspired by 1920's Los Angeles Pacific Electric Red Card Line and takes guests past the ominous Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The area's two key landmarks are the "Storytellers" statues, an image of a young Walt Disney (along with Mickey Mouse) just arriving for his own California adventure, and the Carthay Circle Theatre. The theatre is designed to reflect the theatre where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937. The theatre houses a new restuarant and lounge, complete with historic photographs and exhibits. The re-launched sections of DCA join the park's existing attractions, which include Toy Story Mania, The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure, and the nighttime water and lights show, World of Color.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Game Vortex's Review of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Collection Game Vortex's Review of Cars Game Vortex's Review of Cars 2
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