February 8, 2001 marks the end of Disneyland as we know it.
Why? Because on that date, Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) is finally supposed to open. Once this brand new theme park — one of the key elements in a $1.4 billion expansion of the Disneyland Resort — throws open its gates, life in Anaheim is never going to be the same.
What sort of impact will the new Disneyland Resort have on Orange County? Can a second Southern Californian Disney theme park really change Anaheim into the state’s premiere vacation destination? And what about all those stories about how the Mouse is cutting corners on the project? Will the public really care that DCA features recycled WDW attractions as well as lightly re-themed carnival rides?
If you’d like answers to these questions — as well as some real insight into the history of this long-in-the-making Disneyland project — have we got a deal for you!! Over the next five days, we’re going to be running an epic length story [in easy-to-read segments] on the history of “Disney’s California Adventure.”
You’ll find out all about DCA’s origins, the wheeling and dealing it took to get the park off the ground, the struggles, the setbacks… as well as the problems that potentially lie ahead for the project.
It ain’t always gonna pretty. But — if you can hang in there — the payoff will probably be worth it (I think). Read on and let me know what you think.
JRH