Disney California Adventure marked its 25th anniversary on Feb. 8. The park, which opened in 2001, transformed what was once a Disneyland parking lot into the 11th most-visited park in the world.
The 72‑acre expansion was originally pitched as a celebration of California itself, the Los Angeles Times reported at the time, and debuted with three lands: Hollywood Pictures Backlot, The Golden State, and Paradise Pier.
Today, the park looks dramatically different. It now features six lands: Avengers Campus, Cars Land, Pixar Pier, San Fransokyo Square, Buena Vista Street and Grizzly Peak, most of them anchored by Disney, Marvel and Pixar franchises.
Disney California Adventure throughout the years
ANAHEIM, ORANGE COUNTY, CA – 2010: Visitors walk through the entrance to Disney’s California Adventure as seen in this 2010 Anaheim, California, spring afternoon photo. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
A pre-opening day party for celebrities and special guests was held 2/7/01 at Disney’s California Adventure which opens to the public Feb. 8, 2001. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images). Los Angeles.
This 06 February 2001 photo shows replica Golden Gate bridge spanning the entrance of Disney’s “California Adventure” theme park in Anaheim CA. The 55-acre park, which opens to the public 08 February 2001, features rides and attractions with a California theme. AFP PHOTO Scott NELSON/sn (Photo by SCOTT NELSON / AFP) (Photo by SCOTT NELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
TO GO WITH STORY TITLED TRAVEL NEW DISNEY PARK–Large concrete letters mark the entrance to the new California Adventure, the latest addition to the Walt Disney theme park family, in Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 8, 2000. The park, adjacent to Disneyland, opens Feb. 8 and will feature miniature versions of the best the state has to offer, from historic landmarks to its natural terrain, wrapped around rides, stores and restaurants. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
385279 16: The Orange Stinger ride, right, sits next to a beach near the Sun Wheel ride during grand opening days of Disney’s California Adventure theme park February 6, 2001 in Anaheim, CA. The 55-acre park next to Disneyland, is based on California themes and opens to the public on February 8, 2001. (Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers)
024395.ME.0208.DISNEY1.MB(ANAHEIM)Riders on the California Screamin’ roller coaster raised their hands and cheered.The grand opening of Disney’s California Adventure kickedoff thursday morning with fireworks, dancing, and a lot of fun. (Photo by Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
385279 11: A roller coast goes up-side-down within the shape of the head of the Mickey Mouse on the California Screamin ride during grand opening days of Disney’s California Adventure theme park February 6, 2001 in Anaheim, CA. The 55-acre park next to Disneyland is based on California themes and opens to the public on February 8, 2001. (Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers)
385279 02: Pedestrians walks through a replica of Hollywood’s famous ”Hollywood and Vine” intersection on a movie ”backlot” at Disney’s California Adventure theme park during the park’s grand opening days February 6, 2001 in Anaheim, CA. The 55-acre park next to Disneyland is based on California themes and opens to the public on February 8, 2001. (Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 01: (L-R) Actresses Pat Carroll and Jodi Benson , who voiced the roles of Ursula and Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” are reunited at the all-new attraction “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure” at Disney’s California Adventure park on June 1, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The first-ever attraction based on the classic Disney film opens June 3, 2011. (Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Parks via Getty Images)
Disneyland’s latest new attraction, Toy Story Midway Mania opening in California Adventure is a treat for gamers and families. Wearing 3D glasses, riders are paired together in a twisting, swirling midway game environment where they compete for the highest score by shooting at digital screens placed throughout the attraction. (Photo by Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Anaheim, CA – August 10: The Red Car Trolley travels down Buena Vista Street in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Anaheim, CA – September 06: San Fransokyo Square inside Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Anaheim, CA – April 05: Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land inside California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, in 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim, CA – April 05: Captain America stands atop Avengers Headquarters in Avengers Campus inside California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, in 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the most defining features of opening‑day DCA was what wasn’t there: Disney characters. The absence was intentional, meant to distinguish the new park from Disneyland next door, SF Gate reported.
The gamble didn’t pay off. Initial reviews of the park were lukewarm and attendance lagged.
Disney moved to course‑correct.
A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
In 2002, the company added A Bug’s Land, giving the park its first cluster of attractions for young children.
A year later, “Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” brought Broadway‑level production value to the Hyperion Theater. The show ran until 2016.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened in 2004 and quickly became a fan favorite. The attraction was later rethemed into “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!”
Scene from World of Color – ONE, the new nighttime water show at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Former Imagineer Bob Weis was tasked with transforming DCA, a project that began in 2007. The transformation saw the debut of Toy Story Midway Mania!, which opened in 2008 as the resort’s first major interactive, video‑game‑style attraction. “World of Color,” the park’s first marquee nighttime spectacular, debuted in 2010.
The Golden Dreams theater was replaced by The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in 2011. In 2012, Cars Land opened to massive crowds.
Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park will double in size with the addition of Avengers: Infinity Defense and a newly announced attraction, Stark Flight Lab. (Disney Parks)
Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double in size with two brand new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. (Disney Parks)
Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double in size with two brand new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. (Disney Parks)
The first-ever attraction themed to Pixar’s “Coco” is coming to Disney California Adventure. (Disney Parks)
The park continues to evolve. Avengers Campus will be expanding with two new attractions: Stark Flight Lab, a tour through Tony Stark’s development facility, and Avengers Infinity Defense, a multiverse‑hopping E‑ticket ride featuring heroes like Black Panther and Thor.
A “Coco”‑themed ride is planned for the Paradise Gardens area.
Changes are also coming to Hollywoodland, including the upcoming closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! to make way for a new “Avatar” land inspired by “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
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