Changes at Disney's California Adventure

Last week I blogged about some exciting changes going on at the Disneyland Hotel. Actually, there are changes happening all around the Disneyland Resort, and some of the biggest changes are happening at Disney's California Adventure. Disney wants to give DCA more family ride experiences, a greater immersive experience and more connections to beloved Disney characters (like with the Toy Story ride and Ariel's Undersea Adventure ride).

Last month I got a chance to speak with two Disney executives about some of those changes: Mary Niven, Vice President at Disney California Adventure Park and Guest Services at the Disneyland Resort, and Bob Weis, Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering and Portfolio Creative Leader for the expansion of Disney California Adventure.

This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I wasted no chance to ask the question that was burning in my mind (and no doubt in many other Disneyland fans' minds): What happened to those giant "C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A" letters in front of the park?

(Remember those letters? They were still around in September 2010, the last time we took the kids to Disneyland, and as always, they enjoyed posing with the letters. I also added a follow-up question: Can I buy the "N"?)

Fortunately for everyone, Mary and Bob assured me that the letters are in storage, safe and sound. Unfortunately for me, the "N" is not for sale, nor are any of the other letters; they were removed to make way for the new DCA entrance they are constructing. Mary and Bob told me they are definitely aware of the emotional attachment that many people have for those letters, so they're not going to throw them away, but they're still thinking about where to put them.

One of the biggest changes happening is the construction of the new Cars Land, which is scheduled to open sometime in 2012. Kathy Mangum, Executive Producer and Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Kevin Rafferty, Senior Concept Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering, told me it's going to be amazing: 12 acres of pure Radiator Springs fun. Eleven of those twelve acres are pure expansion; they're using the old parking lot in the rear, so DCA is about to get a whole lot bigger! Cars Land is going to resemble radiator springs, complete with Flo's V8 cafe and a great view of the mountains, just like you see in the Cars movies.




I can't wait to get back to Disney's California Adventure once all these changes are complete!

Disclosure: I received a media invitation to attend the opening of Star Tours and other events. Transportation, lodging and park tickets were provided by Disneyland Resort Public Relations. The views and opinions expressed here are my own..