Disney California Adventure Part Four of Six

Jack Spence Masthead

In yesterday’s article I told you how the original Golden State section of Disney California Adventure had six districts. These were Bountiful Valley Farm, Pacific Wharf, Golden Vine Winery, The Bay Area, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area, and Condor Flats. Today I will be discussing The Bay Area, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area, and Condor Flats.

In reality, The Bay Area only had one small street and one attraction. The street featured a row of Victorian buildings, typical of what you might find in a San Francisco neighborhood. Today, these “homes” and “businesses” house restrooms and a shop called Embarcadero.

Bay Area Street

Bay Area Street

Bay Area Street

The one attraction in the Bay Area was called “Golden Dreams.” This was one of the park’s few original “Disney” attractions.

Golden Dreams

Guests entered Golden Dreams beneath a replica of the Palace of Fine Arts. The original structure was a leftover from the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915 and is a landmark in this city even today. The theater’s exterior featured a beautiful mural that displayed a number of the people you would encounter in the 22 minute film seen inside.

Palace of Fine Arts

Golden Dream Mural

Golden Dreams chronicled California from its earliest discovery to the present day. But rather than present a boring history lesson, the movie focused on the people who made California their home – past and present. It presented their hardships and triumphs, their disappointments and their successes, their dreams and their accomplishments. It was a moving film that was well scripted, well acted, and well directed. Most everyone who saw the movie liked it. Unfortunately, most people only saw it once. Golden Dreams wasn’t the type of movie that needed to be seen again and again. So those who made subsequent trips to DCA, usually skipped this attraction in favor of more exciting fare. Golden Dreams gave its last public performance on September 7, 2008.

After closing, the entire theater was demolished; however, the replica of the Palace of Fine Arts was kept. In the theater’s place grew a new structure to house “The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.” This attraction officially opened on June 3, 2011.

Little Mermaid Entrance

Little Mermaid Building

Triton

The attraction’s building was modeled after early 20th century aquariums. Inside, guests ride in clam shells for a six minute journey under the sea and relive Ariel’s adventures.

Little Mermaid Attraction

Little Mermaid Attraction

Little Mermaid Attraction

Little Mermaid Attraction

The new “Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure” at the Magic Kingdom in Florida is almost an exact copy of the attraction at DCA with one exception. At DCA, an additional character can be found under the sea, the Incredible Mr. Limpet. It seems that Mr. Limpet made a very small cameo appearance in “The Little Mermaid” movie and he has been included in the DCA attraction if you know where to look.

Mr. Limpet

Today, the Little Mermaid attraction is considered part of the Paradise Pier section of the park and the row of San Francisco buildings are part of Grizzly Peak.

Grizzly Peak Recreation Area was designed to showcase the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range that runs along California’s east border. At DCA, two attractions paid tribute to this area. The first is Grizzly River Run (Grr).

Guests approach Grizzly River Run on a “mountain” road that might be found in Yosemite or Sequoia National Parks. River rock bridges, log benches, old-time lanterns, and an abundance of pine trees fill the area. It’s easy to forget you’re at DCA and not really in the great outdoors.

Mountain Road

Along the road you discover “Rushin’ River Outfitters.” This is the place to purchase the necessary gear for any of the outdoor activities offered in the area. For those of you who don’t get the joke, there is a stream in Northern California called Russian River.

Rushin' River Outfitters

Grizzly River Run is located directly next door to the shop. The entrance is marked by a large, wooden grizzly bear.

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run was another off-the-shelf ride. However, in this case, the Imagineers did a magnificent job of giving this attraction some Disney magic. The rockwork, flumes, buildings, and landscaping all combine to create a wonderful atmosphere. It’s all very realistic. I also think this adventure is superior to Kali River Rapids found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At seven minutes in length, Grizzly River Run is two minutes longer than its Florida cousin. It also has several waterfall down ramps rather than just one. This adds additional excitement to the ride.

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

For those of you not familiar with the California State Flag, the grizzly bear is the prominent feature on this standard. Thus, the Imagineers decided to make the grizzly bear DCA’s park icon.

California State Flag

Grizzly Peak

Near Grizzly River Run is the “Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.” This is a wonderful area for kids and tweens.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Upon entering Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, kids are given an activity map.

Activity Map

Activity Map

On the activity map are six challenges. Some of these challenges are easy, some a little more difficult. Examples of these are puzzle solving, rock climbing, and tracking. As each task is completed, kids scratch off one of the silver circles on the map and receive a “badge.” When all six challenges have been completed, the explorer reports to Ahwahnee Camp Circle to become a Senior Wilderness Explorer.

Even if someone doesn’t wish to take the challenge, Redwood Creek offers a number of physical and entertaining activities to stimulate a child and help him or her burn off some energy. This is not your typical Disney playground. It is extremely well themed and diverse in its offerings.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

The Grizzly Peak section of the park is located directly next door to the Grand Californian as the theming of the hotel blends naturally with this area. This is also where guests staying at the Grand Californian enter DCA through their own, private entrance.

Grand Californian

Today, Condor Flats is a land in its own right, but in the early years of DCA, it was one of the districts of Golden State. This area is designed to resemble an airfield and pays tribute to the test pilots and engineers of the 1940s through the1960s. It also highlights the role California played in the burgeoning aeronautics field.

Condor Flats

The backstory for Condor Flats goes something like this.

Condor Flats can be found in the high deserts of California, away from most of the state’s civilization. This area was the hub of jet testing and rocket research in the early years of aeronautics. As time marched on, much of this industry was relocated to the Los Angeles area and Condor Flats was forgotten. However, some of the old-timers remained and continued to call Condor Flights home.

Seeing the historical relevance of this area, one of the early test pilots decided to share its significance with the public and created the “Condor Flats Scenic Air Tours.” His company would offer sightseeing flights over Condor Flats and the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains. A billboard advertising his company and his sightseeing plane can be seen nearby.

Billboard

Airplane

As the millennium approached, a new and younger group of aviation enthusiasts arrived at Condor Flats. Witnessing the success of the scenic air tours being offered, they decided to go one step further. These youthful flyers would create a theater that allowed 87 people at a time to be lifted skyward for a simulated flight over the entire state of California, thus, “Soarin’ Over California” was born.

Soarin' Over California

“Soarin’ Over California” is the only attraction in Condor Flats. This was the one and only runaway hit at DCA when it opened. And in the early years, guests would run to this attraction at opening. Even today, it still garners long lines during most of the day.

Soarin’ Over California is housed in a building reminiscent of an airplane hangar. In the indoor queue, guests pass by photographs of aircraft that played a part in California aviation history. The musical pieces played in this area are from many of Hollywood’s epic war and flight themed movies.

Soarin' Over California Queue

Soarin' Over California Queue

As I’m sure you all know, Soarin’ Over California takes guests on a simulated hang-gliding trip above the Golden State. Along the way, our eyes are treated to visual delights, our ears are given a melodic score by movie composer Jerry Goldsmith, and our noses detect the scents of oranges, evergreen trees, and ocean breezes.

Soarin' Over California

Soarin’ Over California was such a hit at DCA that it was duplicated at Epcot’s Land Pavilion, replacing “Food Rocks.” However, the name was changed to simply “Soarin'” to downplay the California aspect of the attraction. Soarin’ opened on May 5, 2005.

Soarin' at Epcot

Next to Soarin’ Over California is “Taste Pilot’s Grill.” This is your typical counter service restaurant that serves burgers, ribs, chicken sandwiches, and the like. This eatery underwent one interesting change during the recent park remodeling. A large plane, bursting from the hanger, was removed. I don’t know why it was removed, but I’m sad to see it go.

Taste Pilot's Grill

Taste Pilot's Grill

Across from Taste Pilot’s Grill are restrooms and a gift shop.

Restrooms and Gift Shop

On hot days, a giant test jet engine cools guests with a blast of mist.

Test Engine

On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. To commemorate this milestone, the number 47 is hidden in various places around Condor Flats. In addition, the clock on the Fly ‘N Buy Souvenir Shop is stopped at the exact time the sound barrier was broken.

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That’s it for Part Four. Check back next week when I’ll be wrapping up this series with information about Cars Land and Paradise Pier.

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5 Replies to “Disney California Adventure Part Four of Six”

  1. So glad you made it out here to see the “new” DCA! The plane on the front of Taste Pilots Grill was indeed a replica of Chuck Yeager’s sound-barrier-breaking X-1. My understanding was that the aircraft was removed because Buena Vista Street was supposed to represent the 20’s and 30’s but the x-1 was a 1947 aircraft. For this same reason the gas pumps in front of the merchandise location across from Soarin over California were revamped. In the original incarnation of Condor Flats the 1920s gas pumps were old and rusty and antique looking, in the current version of Condor Flats they have been restored to their original pristine condition.

  2. Jack,
    Thanks for the heads up of Mr. Limpet in the Little Mermaid attraction at DCA. When I do make it to those parts I will certainly look for him. Mr. Limpet is one of my all time favorite movies. I vaguely recall him in the Little Mermaid movie. I must go back and watch it to find him. Thanks for the reminder!!! I am sorry to hear Mr. Limpet did not make the move to our Little Mermaid attraction at WDW 🙁

  3. I heard the reason the jet was removed was because you could see it from Buena Vista Street and it took away from the emersive experience. By the way, the jet was a replication of the jet Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in. As for the space shuttle engine, it can still be found in the outside eating area between Taste Pilots grill and the back of the Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe.

  4. I am also sad that the replica of the Bell X-1 was removed from the Taste Pilot’s Grill.

    I had heard that the test jet engine was from the Space Shuttle program. Is that true? It does look like one of the Shuttle’s Main Engines.

    Thank you for your informative blogs. I enjoy reading them.

    Jack’s Answer:

    I have never heard that the test engine in front of Soarin’ is from a space shuttle. It could be, but I just don’t know for sure. However, I have trouble believing that it is. Condor Flats is supposed to be themed after the areas surrounding Edwards Air Force Base in the high deserts of California during the 1950’s and 60’s. A space shuttle engine would be out of place in this environment.

  5. hey Jack
    once again the amount of information that is given is incredible. there is so much to offer when it comes to DCA. after each blog it makes me want to book a trip even sooner then before. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.