CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' DISNEY'S LATEST THEME PARK, CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, SET TO OPEN $1.4 BILLION FUN SPOT HAS GLITZ WITH A TWIST AND AN ATTITUDE.Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer ANAHEIM - Welcome to Disney's new world - a $1.4 billion bet that the original Happiest Place on Earth can expand into an amusement park-holiday resort that will make Orange County a little more like Orlando, Fla. Disney's California Adventure Disney's California Adventure is a theme park in Anaheim, California, adjacent to Disneyland Park and part of the larger Disneyland Resort. It opened on February 8, 2001. The park is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. amusement park amusement park, a commercially operated park offering various forms of entertainment, such as arcade games, carousels, roller coasters, and performers, as well as food, drink, and souvenirs. , next to the original Disneyland, opens Thursday as the capstone of the company's $1.4 billion, five-year effort. The goal is to turn Disney Resorts in Anaheim into a West Coast version of the Disney World complex in Orlando, where vacationers spend a few days and a lot of money hopping back and forth between the parks and Disney-owned hotels and restaurants. California Adventure - a Hollywood-like idealized i·de·al·ize v. i·de·al·ized, i·de·al·iz·ing, i·de·al·iz·es v.tr. 1. To regard as ideal. 2. To make or envision as ideal. v.intr. 1. version of the Golden State - is likely to thrill Disney diehards and confirm the worst suspicions of its critics. From its centerpiece Grizzly-shaped mountain to the high-tech California Screamin' roller coaster, California Adventure is pure Disney, but with a twist. ``It's definitely in your face,'' said Barry Braverman, the Disney senior vice president and executive producer of Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney Imagineering whose design teams were instructed from the beginning to create a park with an identity independent from the original Disneyland park Disneyland Park or Disneyland park may refer to:
``The difference is the attitude - it's more pop culture, it's more contemporary and it's more tongue-in-cheek. We tried to make it more open and make it a more eclectic visual experience.'' Despite the current energy crisis and recession fears, industry analysts believe the company will succeed. While skeptics wonder if the 55-acre California Adventure and its 24 rides and attractions are worth the same $43 admission charge as Disneyland, especially since the original park is nearly twice as large, Disney-watchers say the company's proven formula will work again. ``We think it is going to be a hit. We are pretty positive on it,'' said David Miller David Miller could refer to any of the following:
``We are estimating 5 (million) to 6 million attendance for California Adventure in 2001. About 15 percent of those people will be drawn away from the other Disneyland park, but we think a majority of the total visitors will be adding another day to their visit.'' Analysts say the new park's capacity is 30,000 visitors a day, less than half of Disneyland's capacity. Already, Disney plans an expansion of the park on 30 acres of undeveloped land on its borders. That expansion could begin as early as two years from now, depending on how well the park performs. California Adventure will be followed by a series of other new resorts across the globe, including Tokyo DisneySea Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー later this year, a second Paris park in 2002 and a Hong Kong park
While Miller's estimate is lower than Disney's goal of 7 million visitors, he and other analysts say the attendance figure will not necessarily be indicative of the park's success. ``We are not going to watch attendance figures so much as we are going to watch how many hotel rooms they are selling,'' Miller said. ``There are always going to be plenty of local visitors, but we are going to be closely watching how many hotel rooms they sell and at what price level.'' Part of Disney's expansion is the Grand Californian Hotel, a 750-room knock-off of the famed Ahwahnee Lodge in Verb 1. lodge in - live (in a certain place); "She resides in Princeton"; "he occupies two rooms on the top floor" occupy, reside move in - occupy a place; "The crowds are moving in" stay at - reside temporarily; "I'm staying at the Hilton" Yosemite. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Disney, two-night packages that include a room and passes for both theme parks start at $406. Normal room rates range from $250 to $2,800 a night, not including park admission. Making money The new part is expected to generate about $150 million in revenue in its first year, while the company's theme parks will generate more than $1 billion in revenue by 2002. But high gasoline prices could reduce attendance, rising energy prices could cut into Disney's bottom line and a widespread slowdown in the economy could force consumers to cut back on vacations, not extend them. Disney officials acknowledge the potential economic pitfalls, but say their theme park division has historically been insulated from short-term market swings. They point to the recovery made by Disneyland Paris after a disastrous opening and the slowdown in international visitors to the Orlando parks during the Gulf War and recession of the early '90s. ``Business cycles happen, but I don't think you plan a project of this magnitude around short-term projections,'' said Braverman, the executive producer of Walt Disney Imagineering. ``We didn't plan the park with thoughts of attracting a certain percentage of people from out of the state. If the attractions are successful, people are going to come.'' Over the fourth quarter of last year, Disney officials reported record attendance figures and even overcrowding overcrowding overcrowding of animal accommodation. Many countries now publish codes of practice which define what the appropriate volumetric allowances should be for each species of animal when they are housed indoors. Breaches of these codes is overcrowding. at Disneyland during the last two weeks of the year. In fact, Disneyland halted ticket sales twice during the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the first time it had to do so in four years. Much of that spike in attendance was attributed to holiday vacations, but analysts say it was also a result of locals returning after area freeway construction was completed. ``For a long time the freeway situation was a mess,'' Miller said. ``Now that that's over, people are coming back.'' Even as other divisions of Disney struggle - officials announced the layoff of 400 employees at the failed Disney Web portal See portal. Go.com earlier this week - the theme park and resorts division reported record earnings last year. Disney is not worried about the state's ongoing power crisis either. All of its complex, including the Downtown Disney Downtown Disney is the name of two outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes located at two Disney resorts:
Heavy publicity Ironically, operators of the Southland's other theme parks look forward to California Adventure's opening almost as much as Disney. ``All boats are going to rise,'' said Don Skeoch, senior vice president of marketing for Universal Studios Hollywood. ``When any of us do anything big, especially Disney, it brings attention and tourism to the whole area.'' Universal hopes to take advantage of the extra tourists in Orange County by offering free shuttle service between Anaheim and its own theme park and CityWalk shopping area in Universal City. If California Adventure doesn't live up to expectations, it won't be for lack of publicity on Disney's part. With its marketing machine ratcheted up to full force, the entertainment giant is culminating months of press tours and sneak peaks with a three-day blitz of publicity this week. Live broadcasts are planned for Disney-owned ABC's ``Good Morning America Good Morning America is a weekday morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network. The show was adapted from The Morning Exchange, a morning show created by and airing on the ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, and was launched nationally as ,'' as well as for NBC's ``Today Show'' and a host of other programs. Tuesday and Wednesday are all-access media days, when hordes of print, radio and broadcast journalists will be treated to free rides, entertainment and an evening reception with Disney-affiliated celebrities. Each of the major rides will be given a grand opening ceremony, culminating at 8 a.m. Thursday, when the main gates will be open to the paying public. 'In your face' In just 3 1/2 years, Disney and its vaunted vaunt v. vaunt·ed, vaunt·ing, vaunts v.tr. To speak boastfully of; brag about. v.intr. To speak boastfully; brag. See Synonyms at boast1. n. 1. teams of imagineers have transformed a sprawling asphalt parking lot into its own compact, admittedly over-the-top conception of the Golden State. The new park is composed of three areas: Hollywood Pictures Backlot Hollywood Pictures Backlot is a themed land at Disney's California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The area is based as a backlot of a Hollywood studio and has attractions themed to this concept. , Paradise Pier Paradise Pier is the home to the fun and thrill attractions at Disney's California Adventure Park, one of two theme parks at the Disneyland Resort. With California Screamin' covering the majority of the land, there are various areas of entertainment for Guests of all ages. and Golden State. Each has its own theme with matching rides, eateries and - of course - merchandise shops. Visitors to the main entrance, located directly across an open courtyard from the Disneyland gate, are greeted by 11-foot-high gold letters spelling out ``CALIFORNIA.'' Looming just inside is a reproduction of the Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate Bridge, across the Golden Gate from San Francisco to Marin Co., W Calif.; built 1933–37. Its overall length is 9,266 ft (2,824 m); its main span across the strait, 4,200 ft (1,280 m), is one of the longest bridges in the world. Joseph B. connecting two 10,000-tile murals depicting familiar California sights. A few steps ahead is a massive titanium sun, which is illuminated at all times by a set of computerized reflectors that track the sun across the sky. It is the physical and thematic center of California Adventure. ``The sun represents so much of what California means. It is an icon,'' said Alec Scribner, a lead show producer and designer. The most popular attractions are likely to be the roller coaster, the Sun Wheel Ferris wheel Ferris wheel, amusement park ride. It consists of a power-operated wheel that is about 50 ft (15 m) in diameter. It has two rims that are parallel to and equidistant from the shaft about which the wheel rotates. and the Soarin' Over California Soarin' Over California is a simulator attraction at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The same attraction was built four years later at Epcot park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, as Soarin hang-gliding simulator. The California Screamin' coaster, which operates on electromagnetic rails, shoots riders from a dead stop to 55 mph in four seconds - at the beginning of the ride. The hang-glider simulator lifts viewers 40 feet up into an IMAX IMAX Noun a film projection process that produces an image ten times larger than standard dome, while tilting and veering to give the sensation of flying. Several of the attractions have added the element of smell to the experience. The Orange Stinger The Orange Stinger is an off the shelf Zierer Wave Swinger swing spinner in Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure. Themed to bees in an orange, the original bumblebee seats were removed within the first year due to extreme damage to the bee shells. ride should be familiar to theme park visitors - a set of swing-like seats are hung from a central pole and spun around. Only now, the rider is spun around inside a giant orange while orange-scented sprays are released. The 3-D movie ``It's Tough to be a Bug'' features seats that sting and release stinkbug stinkbug, member of a large, widely distributed family of true bugs with flattened, shield-shaped bodies. Most are 1-4 to 1-2 in. (6–12 mm) long. Those species whose hard upper covering, or scutellum, covers most of the abdomen are known as shield bugs. smells. Long lines At a recent ``soft-opening'' day where Disney employees and their families got a sneak peak at the park, reaction was swift. ``Make sure to write about the lines, how long they are,'' said Alex Diaz, an Anaheim resident who was visiting the park with his 8-year-old daughter. ``The park isn't even fully open, and the line for (Soarin') is three hours long. It's ridiculous.'' Other visitors marveled at the attention to detail. ``I love it. I love Disneyland, and this is the perfect addition,'' said Sarah Stevens, a 25-year-old Hollywood resident. ``It's the little touches that make Disney what it is. The shows are great, the rides are great. I'm coming back for sure.'' Sentiments like that are music to Disney's giant mouse ears. ``I am extremely proud of this,'' said Scribner, the show producer. ``To see it fully realized and to see the guests enjoying themselves is the most rewarding part. I can not wait to come back in five years, stand in line with the customers and see how it stands up.'' There are more than a few people that share his curiosity. CAPTION(S): 11 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Sunset at the California Adventure theme park brings on a lushly illuminated skyline. The park is set to open to the public Thursday. Keith Durflinger/Staff Photographer (2 -- color -- ran in Bulldog edition only) Colossal letters spelling out ``CALIFORNIA'' greet visitors to Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, which opens to the general public on Thursday. (3) Aleksi Barre and her 5-year-old daughter, Manon, tour the Hollywood Backlot backlot Noun an area outside a film or television studio used for outdoor filming district of California Adventure. The theme park is set to open Thursday. (4 -- 5 -- color) Sun Wheel (6 -- color) Superstar Limo (7 -- 8 -- color) Hollywood Pictures Backlot (9 -- color) Soarin' Over California (10 -- color) Grizzly River Run Grizzly River Run is a river rafting ride at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It is similar to the Shipwreck Rapids ride in SeaWorld. (11 -- color) A Bug's Life Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer Box: CALIFORNIA DREAMING Graphics: Jon Gerung/Staff Artist |
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