The Disastrous History of Disney’s California Adventure - Part 2

Exploring the Troubled History of Disney’s California Adventure. A deep dive into the experiences of the park when it first opened in 2001, as well as its disastrous reception and how Disney then tried to fix their floundering new theme park.

SOURCES:

VIDEOS USED:

Disneyland Resort Vacation Planner

The Imagineering Story: Hit or Miss

The Imagineering Story: Petrified

Elvis: That’s The Way It Is

[samueld]

I know how much the internet hates the Cars franchise, but you can’t deny that the theming in Radiator Springs is incredible

[YourWaywardDestiny]

20 years later, and I still can't believe "We'll put a scaled back replica of California in California!" was their genius move. Even at ten years old, I thought that was stupid.

[suedenim]

The shots of the Drew Carey Show cast politely smiling and pretending to be entertained by a Superstar Limo ride that clearly just baffles them bring me great joy.

[JCBro-ygvd]

The original California Adventure is a cautionary tale of what happens when money takes priority over creativity.

[Linkbrawler]

Showing Seinfeld being uncomfortable about a huge age gap is hilariously ironic

[BzzzyBeeStreams]

"Oh nO, ThE wOrLd EnDs At ThE gAtE!"
This has always stuck out to me as a very creepy window into the "real" lives of Disney characters. Thanks for including this bit of surreal marketing!

[Kool_Kow]

Disney’s California Adventure: the park that cost more to remodel than it did to build

[wstine]

Disney's California Adventure: Michael Eisner's Mid-Life Crisis Theme Park.

[zachmiller]

The park's transformation is so extensive and fascinating you could honestly make a whole 3rd episode based on the content covered in the last 3 minutes of this video.

[neveroddoreven]

1:01 For some reason, I absolutely love the idea that Disney characters can never leave, and that means the world to them is only and will forever be Disneyland.

[redfive]

Video starts: “Oh no the world ends at the gate.”
Me: *THIS IS WHERE THE FUN BEGINS!*

[TheDigitalApple]

I wonder which Disney executive was so hungry that they put almost 10 restaurants in each land in California Adventure!

[Brendon_not_that_anyone_cares]

i miss the tortilla factory. they used to give entire packets of fresh tortillas on your birthday instead of just the one at the end of the tour. it was great

[thetntraider]

3:55 You can thank my dad for the entrance of the Animation Pavilion, as he was the one who set up the screens and projections you see, so you saying that it’s one of the best experiences at the theme park at the time makes me smile. :)

[JasonRBeing]

1:00 
Snow White: "Oh No, The World Ends At The Gate"
Now, that has a new meaning

[notchuckproductions]

15:45 the sound of the crying baby being in the only archival recording of Steps in time is perfect

[fossefan]

Not only did the Soap Bistro have recreations of the sets, but according to a TV Guide column from '01, the wait staff was supposed to be able to catch you up with what was happening (since in theory you're not watching TV while on vacation) *and* be knowledgeable on the shows' history. I have to imagine that level of commitment went out the window FAST.

[natengland]

They missed out on not calling that restaurant Soup Opera

[ed_ward]

So the park went from a cheap reminder that you are in California, to a good blend of California's history and Disney characters, to a random mixture of California, Disney, Marvel, and Pixar.

[thewholecircus]

Yesterworld? Doing a second part of DCA? Yes! Terworld.