Event Coverage Disney's California Adventure CARS LAND Opening June 15

This is only the first phase. There will be a second and possibly a third & fourth.

Billy hill and the hill billy's is recording songs for cars land's sound track.

You are absolutely correct about going on rides during fantasmic. Although, make sure you see the show as well.

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

I just saw all this. Wow, what a great thread. My daughter and her family are there today as a matter of fact. I was there in 1955 ( Ithink that was the year) two weeks after the place first opened. I caused a big wreck at Autopia ( I think that's the spelling) and it took an hour to untangle everyone. They weren't on guides then so you actually drove the cars. I got to go back, now. Thanks for posting all this.

 

I was just at Disney land and the California adventure park recently. and had the oportunity to peek over the fence at the neon being lit up at night. I also checked out some teaser stuff they had there. all i can say is WOW.

It makes me feel like a kid all excited and uncontrollable. I want to laugh, cry, jump up and down and throw up all at once from the sheer dumbfoundedness of how amazing this is. I want to live in cars land.

 

Next year is our 5yr anniversary and I told my wife about Cars Land... Guess where we are going next August!

 

Last tme i was at disneyland and went to see Billy Hill on a Sunday-he wasn"t there.Very disapointed.I was afraid he moved on to bigger things.

 

No he didn't. He was rejected and he then joined the Red Cross and spent a year in France after Armistice.

 

Good to see that the vision of Walt lives on. He really did seem like the 'Uncle Walt" we all welcomed into our homes on Sunday night. I saw this documentary on CNBC a couple of nights ago and reminded me of how much he accomplished in his life:

 

During the fall of 1918,Disney attempted to enlist for military service. Rejected because he was under age, only sixteen years old at the time. Instead,Walt joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas to France,where he spent a year driving an ambulance and chauffeuring Red Cross officials. His ambulance was covered from stem to stern,not with stock camouflage,but with Disney cartoons.

But from what i have read he has always had respect for the armed forces. That's why he has the flag ceremonies and built 2 military forts. One in frontier land and one on tom sawyer island. But being not allowed to join the army gave him mixed emotions.

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

There will never be a person that has the same grandeur as him.

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

Wow, what a great documentary. And what a visionary Walt was.

 

Judging by all the photos on the first couple of pages,someone spends alot of time on MouseWait and the Disneyland blog..haha

Been an AP holder for a while now..Make the trek down to Anaheim a few times a year.We booked our rooms about a month ago when they announced opening day dates..

 

Dude i live in San Lorenzo as well! We will be there in june. I spend alot of time on the disney parks blog as well as micechat.com, miceage.com, and visionsfantastic.com.

I recently became an AP holder. We usually go to Disneyland in july (for opening day july 17th), christmas time, and another trip in between. So it made sense to get an AP. Where do you stay? I always stay at the Anaheim Plaza hotel on harbor Blvd and Disney Way.

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

You gotta be kidding me!Sure I'll run into you at some point..........


Thanks for the PM advice Hemi32...Good stuff!

 

This is awesome. I just showed my 6yr old this and he flipped out! Looks like I know where our vacation will be this year!

 

Awesome! I really like the fact that this can be used as a vessel to get your kids into cars and racing. All children should appreciate cars and at least know how to do basic maintenance. I know some people in their 40's that do not know how to change a tire. That is just sad.

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

this look amazing , will be sure to check it out next time were in cali

thanks for all the pics , theyve really done a outstanding job

 

Cars has been a great way to get the younger kids interested in the old cars and the park will only make this more so. This is great for the survival of our hobby by getting the next generation involved.

 

For the little ones, here is a website to navigate through radiator springs.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...e/cars-land/?CMP=SOC-DLRUSENFY12Q1TWPRVSG0003

thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com

 

I have been waiting to renew my sons and my annual passports until this opened. I actually think that I am more excited to have Cars Land open than he is. We have been walking past it since they started construction on it way back.

 

BUENA VISTA STREET:
With just a couple weeks left until opening, Buena Vista Street is finally shaping up. Things are looking great.

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RED CAR TROLLEY:
Queues have been installed near Tower of Terror for the Red Car Trolley.






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NEW ODV CARTS:
New Cars Land themed Outdoor Vending Carts have appeared in the area near Mermaid that is still referred to as San Francisco. they look great, but what are they doing here?

Breakfast Burritos from a cart. A small clue that they are expecting HUGE crowds in the early mornings this summer.


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CARS LAND:
As the first guests begin experiencing Cars Land we will have up to the minute coverage. And we ask you to help us keep your fellow MiceChat readers in the know. Contact dustysage@micechat.com with your photos and reviews (or post them directly to the MiceChat forums) if you are lucky enough to catch an early preview of the new attractions.

The Fast pass location for Radiator Springs Racers is still under wraps (Near It's Tough to be a Bug"


There's just one street light in Radiator Spring (it blinks yellow)




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Luigis' Flying Tires:
It appears that the beach balls are going to stay as they have now installed Red, Green and White, colored balls.

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GHIRARDELLI:
Ghirardelli soft opened today and we were there to bring you the info. Each guest gets a free sample of yummy chocolate!

There are six registers and six soda fountains. Guests place their orders then proceed to their window to get their order. They have a goal to take and fulfill each order in under 4 minutes.





You can see more pics here...


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COVE BAR:
Lastly, the Cove Bar reopened with a new period specific look. It's a nice change.






The huge styalized dolphin stature in the middle of the bar has been removed.






Everything is a lot more period specific.


With references that tie the location into the surrounding story.




They even created images of the "construction" of the pier.


The scale seems a little off here though, lol.




The bar is a lot more open




The bar even includes a lower counter for disabled guests.


There are also two new drink items!

 

Last week, Disney released two new TV spots that show Buzz Lightyear detecting "high levels of happiness" at the newly expanded Disneyland Resort. The ads put a lot of focus on the new offerings at Disney California Adventure, and rightfully so, as the park emerges from five years of major remodeling and expansion efforts. The first ad, below, focuses entirely on California Adventure, with the second ad focusing on the new offerings resort-wide.
Video#1:
http://youtu.be/1eq2JLy9jk0
Video#2
http://youtu.be/bZlTfhUT-js

On Thursday, Disney finally unveiled the new Carthay Circle Theater at the end of the new Buena Vista Street area. The following day, the nearby Carthay Circle fountain was also unveiled as work continued on behind walls on the rest of Buena Vista Street.






The new Carthay Circle area is gorgeous and a striking contrast to the barren, cement expanse that was Sunshine Plaza. There's no more cheap sun fountain, instead a gorgeous, dramatic theater rises behind a gorgeous new fountain plaza.



Wonderful:















The Carthay Circle Theater, modeled after the theater in which Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered at in 1937, which is home to the new Carthay Circle Restaurant is a gorgeous anchor at the end of Buena Vista Street; California Adventure's fitting counterpart to Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.


Gorgeous polished terrazzo at the theater's entrance




An icon returns!








A plaque explains the significance of the theater in Disney's history


A look at the restaurant's lunch and dinner menus:

Carthay Circle Restaurant
Summer Lunch Menu

Starters Designed to share

Signature Fire Cracker Duck Wings with Soy, Lime, and Sriracha Chili Sauce 12
Crispy Gorditas topped with Portobello Mushrooms, Poblano Chili, Queso Fresco, and Pepitas 11
Grilled Grape Leaves stuffed with Chenel Goal Cheese served with Roasted Garlic and Kalamata Olive-Red Bell Pepper Vinaigrette 13
Halibut Ceviche with Avocado, Tomatillo-Cilantro Essence, and Crisp Plantain Chips 15
Ginger Grilled Pork Satay with Green Papaya Slaw and Mango Raita 16
Summer Seasonal Soup California Grilled Corn and Tomato Broth with Smoked Chicken 10
Carthay House Biscuits stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeno served with Apricot Honey Butter 8​

Salads

Simple Green Salad Warm Brie and Apricot Conserve 11
Heirloom Tomato Salad Wild Arugula, Parmesan Dressing, and Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet 12
A New Take on “Liver and Onions" Baby Red and Green Romaine, Savory Fried Chicken Livers, and Lacquered Bacon 16
Strawberry-Lemon Roasted Organic Chicken Salad Jicama, Haricot Verts, Upland Cress, and Buttermilk-Lemon Vinaigrette 18
Grilled Angus Flank Steak Cobb Salad Mine Shaft Blue Cheese, Bacon, Avocado, and Arugula with Cabernet Essence 22​

Noodles

Udon Noodle Bowl Red Thai Curry Broth, Shrimp and Mussels, Shiitake Mushrooms, Bok Choy, Daikon, Mint, Cashews, and fresh Coriander 19
Cavatelli Pasta with a Tuscan-style Braised Lamb Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spinach, and Grana Padana in a Rich Lamb Jus 20
Pappardelle Pasta with House-made Chicken Meatballs Tear Drop Tomatoes, fresh Basil, and Yellow Tomato Essence 18
Market Pasta Chef's Seasonal selection. Market Price​

Fins and Shells Sustainable Seafood

Sauteed Northern Halibut Relish of Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Caperberry, and Orange 34
Grilled Jamaican Jerked King Fish Tropical Salsa of Pineapple, Mango, Black Beans, and Lime 32
Sierra Golden Trout Hot Almond-Apricot Couscous and Lemon Chimichurri 32
Bacon-wrapped Shrimp on Summer Roasted Corn, Grilled Zucchini, and Basil Salsa 26​

Sandwiches and Meats

8 oz. Angus Burger Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Black Pepper Bacon, and Grilled Onions served with French Fries and House-made Pickles 22
Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich Kimchi, Sriracha Mayo, Sunny Side Egg, and Micro Cilantro 18
Kobe Beef Cheek Sliders Whipped Horseradish Sour Cream, Red Bell Pepper Marmalade, and Crispy Onions 19
Grilled Lamb Rolitini Baby Artichokes, Leeks, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Green Olives, and Roasted Garlic Cloves 27
Pan-roasted Veal Medallions Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches, Haricot Verts, and Roasted Almond Vinaigrette 35​

 

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Carthay Circle Restaurant
Summer Dinner Menu

Starters Designed to share

Signature Fire Cracker Duck Wings with Soy, Lime, and Sriracha Chili Sauce 12
Crispy Gorditas topped with Portobello Mushrooms, Poblano Chili, Queso Fresco, and Pepitas 11
Grilled Grape Leaves stuffed with Chenel Goal Cheese served with Roasted Garlic and Kalamata Olive-Red Bell Pepper Vinaigrette 13
Halibut Ceviche with Avocado, Tomatillo-Cilantro Essence, and Crisp Plantain Chips 15
Ginger Grilled Pork Satay with Green Papaya Slaw and Mango Raita 16
Summer Seasonal Soup California Grilled Corn and Tomato Broth with Smoked Chicken 10
Carthay House Biscuits stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeno served with Apricot Honey Butter 8​

Garden Salads

Simple Green Salad Warm Brie and Apricot Conserve 11
Heirloom Tomato Salad Wild Arugula, Parmesan Dressing, and Lemon Olive Oil Sorbet 12
Summer Watermelon Salad Cucumber, Gypsy Peppers, Lime Mascarpone, and Honey Sherry Vinaigrette 12
Strawberry-Lemon Roasted Organic Chicken Salad Jicama, Haricot Verts, Upland Cress, and Buttermilk-Lemon Vinaigrette 18​

Noodles

Udon Noodle Bowl Red Thai Curry Broth, Shrimp and Mussels, Shiitake Mushrooms, Bok Choy, Daikon, Mint, Cashews, and fresh Coriander 19
Cavatelli Pasta with a Tuscan-style Braised Lamb Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spinach, and Grana Padana in a Rich Lamb Jus 20
Pappardelle Pasta with House-made Chicken Meatballs Tear Drop Tomatoes, fresh Basil, and Yellow Tomato Essence 18
Market Pasta Chef's Seasonal selection. Market Price​

Fins and Shells Sustainable Seafood

Sauteed Northern Halibut Relish of Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Caperberry, and Orange 34
Grilled Jamaican Jerked King Fish Tropical Salsa of Pineapple, Mango, Black Beans, and Lime 32
Sierra Golden Trout Hot Almond-Apricot Couscous and Lemon Chimichurri 32
Bacon-wrapped Shrimp on Summer Roasted Corn, Grilled Zucchini, and Basil Salsa 26
The Weekly Bulletin: Blue Belizean Lemon Fish with Braised Fennel, Asparagus, and Sungold Tomato Essence 34 ​

Meats

Grilled Quail stuffed with Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches, Peach Salsa, Haricot Verts, and Rasted Almond Vinaigrette 29
Santa Monica Braised Pork Pot Roast Sour Cream Smashed Potatoes, Cipollini Onions, and Bing Cherry-Orange Vinaigrette 31
Grilled Rib-eye Sauteed Mushrooms and Gremolata of Red Flame Grapes, Blue Cheese, Red Onion, and Parsley 41
Colorado Rack of Lamb Fried Zucchini Blossom, Fennel Puree, and Summer Succotash 38
8 oz. Angus Burger Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Black Pepper Bacon, and Grilled Onions served with French Fries and House-made Pickles 22​

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Gorgeous tile murals
















Fantastic wrought-iron work












Umbrellas on the second level balcony



New Buena Vista Street trash cans




At night, the entire Carthay Circle area sparkles...

 

Meanwhile... work continues on finishing the rest of Buena Vista Street...






The great new Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe marquee:






Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream facade


Gorgeous new stained glass:










This summer California Adventure will add new walk-around characters, including Mickey and friends in new costumes for Buena Vista Street. Also beginning this summer, a new daytime fountain show in Paradise Bay with Goofy:

Disney California Adventure Park Will Have Plenty of Character This Summer
When it&#8217;s officially reopened on June 15, Disney California Adventure park will feature even more Disney than ever before, with our famous cast of characters making special appearances in delightful new entertainment offerings.

Down on Buena Vista Street, it&#8217;s the 1920s and 1930s, and you may run into those young upstarts, Chip &#8216;n&#8217; Dale, who are looking pretty snazzy in spiffy period outfits. Goofy&#8217;s got a plaid suit that&#8217;s the &#8220;cat&#8217;s pajamas,&#8221; while a new fella named Mickey Mouse has just arrived in town, hoping to make his dreams come true just like his pal, Walt Disney. He might even join the Red Car News Boys for a song and get discovered in the process.

In Hollywood Land, you can kick it Disney-style as &#8220;Dancin&#8217; with Disney&#8221; takes over Stage 17, inviting you to join some of your favorite characters in a fun-filled, interactive party. From 1 p.m. &#8211; 5 p.m. each day this summer, you can step inside for music videos, trivia and surprise character appearances. You never know who might show up!

Over at Paradise Park, the inimitable Goofy becomes maestro extraordinaire, as he dons his topcoat and tails to lead an invisible orchestra during several daily mini-concerts. As he conducts, the fountains of Paradise Bay begin to &#8220;dance&#8221; to the music, providing dramatic &#8211; and often comic &#8211; interpretations of the compositions.

Of course, on a visit to the all-new Cars Land, you may just cross paths with two of Radiator Springs&#8217; most famous residents, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Throughout the day, these best pals will be driving through town to the Cozy Cone Motel to make a few new friends.
[ LINK ]​

 

Views of North Buena Vista Street from the Monorail









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MAD T PARTY​

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Disney soft opened the new nighttime Mad T Party event Friday, drawing big crowds. The new nighttime dance party isn't officially open until June 15, but is expected to run regularly at least on weekends until it officially opens daily on June 15.




















The area glows at night, offering a colorful replacement for the TRON-themed ElecTRONica event. Mad T Party features bizarre performance art, dance groups, and music offerings that switch between a live cover band and the "White Rabbit DJ." The mix of chaotic light and color, strange performers, live music and alcohol really makes the Mad T Party a fun offering. The event works hard to court its young adult target demographic and on Friday night, it seemed to succeed quite well.


Elements of the T Party may seem awkwardly out-of-touch and kitschy at times, but it somehow meshes with the atmosphere and feels intentional. Whether that's a happy accident for Disney or a stroke of genius is unclear, but it all seems to work; crowds on opening night were electric, completely enjoying the madness of the T Party around them.




Drink Me Bar menu (click for larger view):




The Mad T Party band fronted by "Alice"

 

Mad Hatter




White Rabbit DJ




From the OC Register's Around Disney blog:

Disney park begins new, edgy night-time party
This isn’t the Fantasyland version of Alice in Wonderland.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum greet partygoers in platform combat boots and mohawks with fake tattoos on the back of their heads spelling out “Dee” and “Dum.”

The Mad Hatter gyrates in tight black and metallic-red pants.

Alice belts Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” in an above-the-knee, corseted blue dress and tattered tights: Think the Party City-version of an adult Alice costume.

The characters are part of the new Mad T Party, which had its first sneak peek Friday at Disney California Adventure.

“It has an edge, as it should be,” said Robin Trowbridge, show director of the Disneyland Resort. [ . . . ]

The official Mad T Party begins June 15, but sneak peeks will continue on weekend nights until then.

Disney, using a rock band, is trying to appeal to the club-going, younger crowd but also wants the attraction to be friendly to families.

“We want to appeal to a wide audience,” Trowbridge said.

On Friday, some party goers yelped in excitement over the bright projections of spades and clubs, as well as danced to popular music performed by the Mad T Party band. A few families tried to navigate strollers through the dense crowd, a part of which collected in front of the Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue ride.

One girl danced and took breaks for bites of a turkey leg.

Three uniformed Anaheim Police Department officers stood nearby.

“I’ve been amazed to see what they put up,” said Adrien Real, 22, of Lynwood, who wore a Mad T Party shirt and purple vest while finishing a slushy drink in a hat-shaped cup. “This is way better than ElecTRONica. It’s a lot more interactive. The scenery is amazing. They outdid themselves.”

Mad T Party is confined to the blocked-off plaza area of the newly named Hollywood Land, which was previously called Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Previous nighttime parties spilled down Hollywood Boulevard.

The party was repositioned because of changes along Hollywood Boulevard, including the addition of the upcoming Red Car Trolleys, part of California Adventure’s makeover.
“We needed the party to be a little more confined,” Trowbridge said.

Still, the party is tightly packed with entertainment, including both a band and performance stage, two bars, a food truck serving slushy drinks and performers like a stilt walker attached to a large, flamingo puppet. The party is on indefinitely, unlike previous events that had a limited run.

Some features:

• Alcoholic drinks, most served with glowing cubes, are the Croquet-tini, Mad Hat-ito and Mad Long Island Iced T Party. Each costs $11.50.
• Performances on a side stage include a dancer dressed in a neon-colored slinky, called Who R U.
• The Mad Arcade is in a nearby building with classic, carnival-style games, including ski ball, as well as Kinect video games. Each play costs 25 cents. The venue replaces Flynn’s Arcade, a popular destination in ElecTRONica.
• Merchants, both standing and roaming, sell tall hats and glowing items, including a headband with a fiber-optic, lit-up mohawk.

[ FULL STORY ]​

House of Cards area


Live performers help the area feel like you've stepped into bizarro Wonderland




Hottest Deck in Town dance group


The Mad Arcade offers classic arcade games, each with Wonderland-inspired makeovers.








Or, you can play Kinect Disneyland Adventures


Some of the Mad T Party merchandise:







Nearby, at the entrance to Hollywood Land, the pedestals that previously featured elephants from "Intolerance" have been repainted.



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CONDOR FLATS​

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The Condor Flats restroom building has gotten some minor, but nice new additions to its facade




Dusty.. crop dusting... are these references to "Planes," Pixar's upcoming direct-to-DVD release?

 

Last update for now....

Finishing touches continue to be added throughout Cars Land as its grand June 15 opening approaches...




Adding telephone wires down Route 66








Friday night, Disney was testing the new lighting for Radiator Springs' Cadillac Range
You can see it here:
http://youtu.be/F_ODUdNYQPA

It'll be interesting to see how they integrate this lighting into the final product.




Disney has been releasing new photos of Lightning McQueen and Mater in Cars Land. They give great sneak peeks at the new land

 

That is all for now. If you have not ridden the New Star Tours 2, make sure you ride it multiple times as each time you ride will be different. There are 54 different possible tours. To view more info on the combinations you can visit here:
http://www.thefable.co.uk/2011/05/24/all-54-of-the-star-tours-2-ride-combinations/


If you are looking to get annual passes, there has been a price hike recently. Although there is a way to get discounted passes at the price before the hike. here is how..

The company called "Discount Tickets and Tours" have a very special offer which will allow you to take advantage of the old pricing for a limited. The savings are listed below:

(Note: So Cal Select passes are only for Southern California Residents although the Deluxe and Premium passes are available to anyone)

So Cal Select Passes:
Disney's current price: $269
Our price: $199
Savings: $70

So Cal Regular Passes:
Disney's current price: $329
Our price: $269
Savings: $60

Deluxe Passes:
Disney's current price: $469
Our price: $379
Savings: $90

Premium Passes:
Disney's current price: $649
Our price: $499
Savings: $150

This offer expires June 8th or when sold out.

Special pricing is available here: Disney® Print @ Home Tickets « Discount Tickets and Tours « Theme Park and Tour Tickets

Be sure to take advantage of this deal while you still can. Save up to $150 per pass!

 

Thanks for the sneak peeks! The Radiator Springs part aside, it reminds me very much of Hollywood Studios park in Orlando. I took a bunch of pics of that park when we were there several years ago as inspiration for my new office. I may have to make a trip west just to enjoy the details of this park!