April Disneyland Trip Report – Part 2

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Here’s part 2 of my trip to Disneyland earlier this week – this part covers Disney California Adventure, which is where most of the construction activity is taking place.

DCA’s Entrance Plaza seems to be taking shape quickly – it looks more and more like Disney Hollywood Studios all the time.

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Big changes at the former Sunshine Plaza, where the structure for the Carthay Circle Theater is growing rapidly.

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Because of that construction the ElecTRONica stage has been moved into the Hollywood Backlot – on the sidewalk between Disney Jr. and Off the Page.

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I was surprised to see Flynn’s Arcade open during the day. There were a fair number of people in there enjoying the classic 80’s arcade games – air hockey was quite popular. For once the line at the Tron game wasn’t long – there was only one guy playing.

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The Cars 2 Meet and Greet area in front of Cars Land is very popular.

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These signs on the construction wall made me chuckle: “To Get Corn Dogs”, “For Chicken Strips Detour to Taste Pilots Grill”.

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Cars Land continues to take shape – lots of progress on the mountains of the Cadillac Range.

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One of the exhibits in Blue Sky Cellar is a display case that the Imagineers update fairly frequently. Right now it has Earth Day buttons and information on DCA’s programs for water and energy conservation and waste management and recycling.

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The building housing The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is really changing quickly these days, with the opening just over a month away. There’s really lots of great detail on the facade and the exterior.

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It’s hard to see very much of what’s going on with Goofy’s Sky School. The track has been painted a lovely light blue color, though. 🙂 It’s scheduled to open on May 25.

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The new restaurant area is also changing very quickly.

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They have re-opened this path between Jumpin’ Jellyfish and the restaurants, though there are still construction walls on both sides.

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Not sure what this structure is going to be.

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The walkway is open all the way around Paradise Pier again. They’ve put in a “park-like” area where the Maliboomer used to be. It not exactly what I expected, though – this is what the construction sign had on it before it opened:

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But this is the reality – a few benches and not much shade.

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The trees are up on what used to be the Maliboomer’s loading area, which is blocked off and not accessible.

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The part of the “park” that has the most shade and benches is a smoking area!

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As you can see there’s still a lot going on in the parks – while the construction process is inconvenient it’s always interesting to see the progress – and eventually see the results!

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Laura Gilbreath is a native of San Diego, CA. She has been making the trek up Interstate 5 to Disneyland since she was a small child and terrified of talking tikis and hitchhiking ghosts. She and her husband Lee enjoy trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as sailings on the Disney Cruise Line.

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6 Replies to “April Disneyland Trip Report – Part 2”

  1. It’s been a quite a few years since my last trip to Disneyland, so I’m wondering when did they get rid of the Maliboomer? I spent a summer operating the Maliboomer and the Orange Stinger almost nine years ago. I knew that they were changing the Orange Stinger, but I didn’t know that the Maliboomer was gone. That makes me so sad that my rides aren’t there anymore!

    Laura replies: They removed the Maliboomer last fall.

  2. Great update! When is the Carsland area at DCA expected to be officially opened? Any thoughts on when soft openings might begin? We are trying to plan ahead…

    Laura replies: There’s no official opening date for Cars Land yet – all they’ve said so far is “2012”.

  3. I am planning to visit mid-December 2011 and hoping the area formerly known as Sunshine Plaza will be open. Or at least the new Little Mermaid and Goofy’s Sky School rides? Please advise.

    Laura replies: The construction in Sunshine Plaza and the entrance will not be finished until sometime in 2012 – I have not heard an official date.

    Goofy’s Sky School and Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will open on June 3 of this year

  4. When is Ariel’s Undersea Adventure due to open? Also, it is worth getting the preferred seating for the World of Color? I think there is some kind of package deal with a couple of the restaurants.

    AllEars: The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and
    Star Tours — The Adventures Continue Open June 3

    We recommend getting at least a Picnic package for World of Color, it’s the least expensive option that comes with a FastPass.