You’ll still need a friend in high places—like, steeple of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle high—to snag a seat at Disney’s newest members-only lounge, 1901, but getting your foot in the door at the theme park itself has gotten a smidge cheaper, if you know where to look.
Archive for Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure Park Offers Something for Everyone
From the theatrical excitement of “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” to the breathtaking adventure of Soarin’ Around the World and the thrills of Cars Land, Disney California Adventure Park is a testament to what Disney Parks does best–-connect guests to the iconic stories, characters and music they love, helping them make shared memories to last a lifetime.
A dynamic, new stage presentation based on the blockbuster Disney animated film, “Frozen,” and a new, airborne experience based on the classic Soarin’ Over California attraction are the latest additions to the family-friendly fun at Disney California Adventure.
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” immerses audiences in the beloved world of “Frozen,” taking them on the heartwarming journey of Anna and Elsa, and delighting them with the dramatic effects of live theater. The show features elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects, and show-stopping production numbers. New technologies showcase the storytelling in creative and unexpected ways as the scenic design and large moving set pieces create a cinema-style energy. State-of-the-art projections create dynamic environments for the performers and, of course, there is snow throughout the interior of the theater–on stage and over the audience.
Soarin’ Around the World takes guests beyond the original Soarin’ scenes of California to locations worldwide, including the snowy peak of the Matterhorn, the Great Wall of China, the majestic buttes of Monument Valley, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and spectacular Sydney Harbour. Guests don’t just see these gorgeous landscapes with their eyes. They use all their senses to feel, smell and hear the world through this thrilling immersive experience that could only be created by Disney.
Most guests enter Disney California Adventure through Buena Vista Street, a bustling center of entertainment and opportunity that transports guests to the 1920s-era California that attracted Walt Disney in his early days as an animation pioneer.
With its familiar shop names, period costumes and architecture, Buena Vista Street is inspired by the “city of dreams” Walt Disney found when he arrived by train in 1923.
The icon of Disney California Adventure, the Carthay Circle Theatre, is a majestic building that recalls, in name and architectural style, the great California movie palace where “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” premiered in 1937. The theater building is home to the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, which anchors the plaza at the end of Buena Vista Street. Upstairs, guests enjoy Southern California cuisine and the ambience of a post-gala party at Carthay Circle Restaurant, while the ground floor Carthay Circle Lounge offers appetizers and bar service, along with historic photographs and exhibits. The décor is reminiscent of a 1930s Hollywood movie premiere.
The Red Car Trolley, based on Los Angeles’ historic Pacific Electric Red Car Line, transports guests from Buena Vista Street down Hollywood Boulevard, to the footsteps of the famed Hollywood Tower Hotel, home to The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror. Street characters and entertainers such as the “Red Car Trolley News Boys” and “Five & Dime” add to the lively fun along Buena Vista Street, engaging guests as they step back in time.
The expansion of Disney California Adventure, completed in 2012, produced a succession of new entertainment and attractions.
- Toy Story Mania! opened in 2008, inviting guests into an interactive, ride-through, attraction where they enter a 4-D carnival midway hosted by characters from the Disney●Pixar movie “Toy Story.”
- “World of Color,” the nighttime water spectacular, debuted in 2010 and the popular show has been seen by more than 10 million guests. The fountains and special effects can be programmed, creating new and special “World of Color” shows for Holidays and special events.
- In 2011, the park introduced The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, a ride-through attraction based on the Disney animated classic movie.
- Additional highlights include restaurants such as Paradise Garden Grill and the enhancement and re-theming of Grizzly Peak Airfield as well as attractions such as Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings and Goofy’s Sky
About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprising unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical, 973-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” theme. For information on attractions and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. Located in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort opened July 17, 1955. Open daily, year-round.
Artist Renderings of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT!’ Coming to Disney California Adventure
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! — Debuting in summer 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will take Disney California Adventure park guests through the fortress-like museum of the mysterious Collector, who is keeping his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy, as prisoners.
Guests will board a gantry lift which launches them into a daring adventure as they join Rocket Raccoon in an attempt to set free his fellow Guardians. The new attraction will transform the structure currently housing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ into an epic new adventure, enhancing the breathtaking free fall sensation with new visual and audio effects to create a variety of ride experiences.
Guests will experience multiple, random and unique ride profiles in which the rise and fall of the gantry lift rocks to the beat of music inspired by the film’s popular soundtrack. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)
Disney California Adventure Park Brings Guardians of the Galaxy to a Rocking New Attraction, Opening Summer 2017
The Guardians of the Galaxy are coming to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Beginning summer 2017, guests at Disney California Adventure Park will join in a daring confrontation with one of the most unusual characters in the park’s history: Tanaleer Tivan, the Collector. He has opened his unique collection of fauna, relics and species to guests for a special tour culminating with his latest prized possessions: the Guardians of the Galaxy, themselves! Fortunately, Rocket has a plan to free his friends – and that plan includes recruiting Disneyland Resort guests in a sensational rescue effort.
This comically cosmic, rocking new adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is the result of a collaboration between the creative minds behind the comic books, the films and Walt Disney Imagineering. The attraction will drop guests directly into the story alongside characters from the comic books and the blockbuster films.
Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, is leading the project. He shared this preview of the new attraction: “The setting is a kind of fortress that’s owned by the mysterious Collector and it’s packed with creatures and his latest acquisitions from across the universe. Now he has imprisoned the Guardians of the Galaxy and they’re hanging in display cases over a giant abyss. The captor doesn’t know it but Rocket Raccoon has escaped and is enlisting our aid—all the guests—to help the Guardians in a breakout scheme. And the rest is comical chaos; a very funny, very irreverent story and a really wonderful addition to Disney California Adventure.”
“It’s such a thrill to be working alongside a true visionary like Joe Rohde and the entire Walt Disney Imagineering team,” said Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Marvel. “Like our stories and characters, projects led by Joe are the stuff of legend, so Marvel fans rejoice! The universe couldn’t be in better hands! Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is going to be an out of this world experience and what has me even more excited are Joe’s ‘secret’ plans for the future. We’re just getting warmed up.”
The announcement was made today at San Diego Comic-Con by Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, who said: “The incredibly talented Disney Imagineering team has found a way to harness the spirit which drove Guardians of the Galaxy’s success to create this immersive experience. With its debut timed to the release of the film’s sequel, we are eager to present the attraction to the millions who visit Disney California Adventure and place them in the center of the action as they join in a mission alongside our audacious Guardians of the Galaxy team.”
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! takes place in the fortress-like museum of the mysterious Collector, who has trapped his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy. One member of the group, the intrepid Rocket, has escaped, and he calls upon brave visitors for help. Guests board a gantry lift which launches them into a daring adventure as they join Rocket in an attempt to set free his fellow Guardians.
The new attraction will anchor a broader universe of Super Heroes that will grow over time in Disney California Adventure Park. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform the structure currently housing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ into an epic new adventure, enhancing the breathtaking free fall sensation with new visual and audio effects to create a variety of ride experiences. Guests will experience multiple, random and unique ride profiles in which the rise and fall of the gantry lift rocks to the beat of music inspired by the film’s popular soundtrack.
Fans of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will want to experience the attraction from now until its final “drop day,” which will be celebrated in true Disney fashion in early January.
The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc.
PRE-SHOW PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ‘FROZEN – LIVE AT THE HYPERION’ AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is now playing daily in the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure® Park. And, if guests would like to take their viewing experience to the next level, reservations are now open for three pre-show packages that include priority seating at select performances plus special experiences before and even after the show.
The Frozen Pre-Show Plus Lunch Package includes the pre-show experience and priority seating, plus a delicious dining experience at Carthay Circle Restaurant. Guests can savor a three-course meal that includes a choice of four stunning main course dishes. There’s also a special kids menu, but everyone big and small should save room for a sweet “Frozen”-inspired dessert. The cost for the Frozen Pre-Show Plus Lunch Package is $99 per adult and $79 per child (ages 3 to 9), plus tax and gratuity. Reservations available online at Disneyland.com or by calling 714-781-DINE between 8 a.m.-9 p.m. PT daily.
And for the ultimate viewing experience, there’s the Frozen Signature Dining & Behind-The-Scenes Package. This is an incredible offering custom designed for the biggest “Frozen” fans, which includes not only the pre-show celebration and priority seating, but also an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Hyperion Theater following the performance. Guests will then cap off the experience with an elegant four-course dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant. The cost for the Frozen Signature Dining & Behind-The-Scenes Package is $299 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations available online at Disneyland.com or by calling 714-781-DINE between 8 a.m.-9 p.m. PT daily.
Separate theme park admission required and is not included in the package price. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Full payment is due at time of booking and cancellation policies apply. No discounts. Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice.
Why Disney created ‘Frozen – Live at the Hyperion’
The new “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” musical is packing ’em in at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure. With fans claiming all the Fastpasses for the day’s showings early each morning and every performance playing to a full house, you might ask why theme parks don’t stage more of these types of large-scale musical productions.
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND SPIDER-MAN COMING TO DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
Beginning April 3, 2016 at Disneyland® Resort, Captain America will make appearances at Disney California Adventure®Park. And, also swinging in to join him on his latest mission in Hollywood Land will be everyone’s favorite web slinger, Spider-Man.
‘Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,’ a New Stage Musical, Opens May 27, 2016, at Disney California Adventure Park
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” a new musical based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, will open at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park on May 27, 2016. Audiences will be immersed in the emotional journey of Anna and Elsa with all of the excitement of live theater, in an entertaining musical adaptation that includes elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects, show-stopping production numbers and unique theatrical surprises.
Disney Creative Entertainment, the arm of Walt Disney Imagineering responsible for live theatrical entertainment at Disney Parks, is producing “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” with all of the creativity and resources of its predecessor “Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” which ran for a remarkable 13 years, with a total of 14,000 performances to 13 million park guests at the Hyperion Theater.
The 1,873-seat Hyperion is equipped with a backstage facility to support a production of the kind that plays in any venue of that size in the world, as well as the full creativity of Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “Frozen,” which is the No. 1 animated feature of all time and among the most critically acclaimed animated films. It is the winner of two Academy Awards (2014), for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
“While our production of ‘Frozen‘ will stay true to the heart and soul of the film, we have adapted it for the stage so it’s truly a musical theatre production that befits our beautiful Hyperion Theater,” said Dana Harrel, creative entertainment executive with Walt Disney Imagineering. “The goal of this creative team is to take all audiences – including those that know the film, and those new to these characters – on this exciting and touching adventure with Anna and Elsa.
“We know that for many in the audience — adults and children alike – this production will be a first or rare theatergoing experience. We undertake this responsibility with seriousness as we adapt the film to the stage.”
The new musical features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score, Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Up Here”) andRobert Lopez (“Avenue Q,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Up Here”), and is adapted from the screenplay by four-time Tony® nomineeChad Beguelin (“Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” at Hyperion Theater; Broadway: “Gotta Dance,” “Aladdin,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Elf”).
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is directed by Liesl Tommy, who is currently represented on Broadway with “Eclipsed,” starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong‘o. The choreographer is Christopher Windom and this is his seventh collaboration with Tommy. The musical supervisor/arranger/adaptor is Jason Michael Webb, whose Broadway credits include “The Color Purple,” “Motown: The Musical,” “Violet,” and “Memphis.”
A great variety of creative energies has been employed to bring “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” to the stage. Harrel and Tommy have assembled a team of creative talent from both Broadway and Walt Disney Imagineering to create this production. The principal designers are Robert Brill (scenery), Clint Ramos (costumes), Charles Lapointe (wigs) David Weiner (lighting), Aaron Rhyne(projections) and Broken Chord (audio).
As the audience anticipates the rise of the curtain, guests will find that the interior of the Hyperion Theater is entirely wrapped, immediately immersing the audience in the world of “Frozen.” As part of the scenic design, large set elements will move the action in a cinematic way, allowing the production a great forward narrative energy, accompanied by state-of the-art projections that allow the actors to have a greater sense of movement and a sound design that completely envelops the audience in the story.
And of course there will be snow throughout the interior of the theater – on stage and over the audience.
And as would be expected from Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks, new technologies – especially with projections, fabrics and special effects – will delight audiences in new and unique ways.
The challenge of bringing Olaf and the Trolls to the stage has been assigned to master puppet designer Michael Curry, who co-designed with director Julie Taymor the puppets of “The Lion King” on Broadway, the magic mirror in “Snow White” at Fantasyland Theatre, and many other Disney parades, shows and projects, as well as projects for the Olympics, Cirque du Soleil and the Metropolitan Opera.
An entirely separate Broadway production of “Frozen” is currently being prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions and is slated to join Disney Theatrical’s New York productions of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” for spring 2018 at a theater to be announced. It will have a pre-Broadway engagement starting in summer 2017 in Denver.
RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN FOR “WORLD OF COLOR” DESSERT PARTY AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
Soon guests can experience a delicious new way to watch “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure® Park. Beginning March 17, 2016, Paradise Park will host nightly sparkling dessert parties with reserved seating and a spectacular view of “World of Color – Celebrate!”
Cost is $79 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations are highly recommended, and are now open for dates beginning March 17, 2016.
LAST SERVING OF MAD T PARTY SET FOR MARCH 30 AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
or the past few years, Disneyland® Resort Guests have enjoyed all the splendiferous wonders of the Mad T Party, from the White Rabbit’s mega mix of muchness to the most amazing and talented band this side of Wonderland.
Please note Mad T Party will be serving up its final cup of curiosities at Disney California Adventure® Park on March 30, 2016. The Rabbit Hole will be open on weekends through March 13 and nightly March 18-30, 2016.
