In honor of California Adventure’s 19 year anniversary next week on February 8th, I thought we should celebrate the many phases it has seen and what parts of it people may have already forgotten about. Remembering the smells of oranges in Soarin, the orange glow the Sun Wheel gave off at night, and the many pictures that were taken around the California letters, is what makes the park so special.

The Orange Stinger

This attraction was one of the most notable and well recognized attractions at Disneyland’s California Adventure. It was a tribute to the many orange fields in California, as the land was very much based on the state itself, as opposed to the films or characters we see there today. It was a large chair swing that could hold up to 48 people. You head up into the orange, and wait on a platform for your turn to choose the chair of your choice. The Orange Stinger was closed in July 2009 and was remodeled into the Silly Symphony Swings in 2010.

Image from: http://disney.rocket9.net/images/CA_Orange_Stinger.htm

The Sun Wheel

The ferris wheel in California Adventure has seen many changes and refurbishments, but the first one, the Sun Wheel, is what I know best. From 2001-2008, the Sun Wheel stood tall in Paradise Pier, and was a replica of a ferris wheel in Coney Island. It reopened as Mickey’s Fun Wheel in May 2009, and then reopened again in 2018 as the Pixar Pal-A-Round.

Image from: http://www.disneymike.com/blog/disneyland.html

A Bug’s Land

A Bug’s Land was a recent loss of ours, when all of the elements of the land finally closed in 2018 after a long run to make room for the new upcoming Marvel land. The land included A Bug’s Life themed rides, such as Flik’s Flyers, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, and more. A Bug’s Land was originally called Bountiful Valley Farm.

Golden State

Golden State was one of the four themed lands in the park, and it included Condor Flats, Grizzly Peak, Bountiful Valley Farm, Golden Vine Winery, The Bay Area, and Pacific Wharf. It also housed the Mission Tortilla factory, which is now the Ghirardelli shop. The land was closed in 2012.

Sunshine Plaza

Sunshine Plaza was the original entrance to the park, now called Buena Vista Street. It was remodeled in 2011 to be more in the time period of 1930’s Los Angeles. Some of the original buildings and shops are still there, just decorated differently. The most notable part of Sunshine Plaza was the large sun sculpture over a fountain you were greeted with each time you visited.

Soarin’ Over California

This was also a recent loss of ours, as in June 2016 Soarin’ Over California was changed over to be Soarin’ Around the World. Soarin’ Over California was just as the name says, it showed different California landmarks and cities. The most notable part of the ride was when you flew over an orange field, you really could smell the oranges.

California Screamin’

Before Disney had the idea to convert Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster was known as California Screamin’. It at one point became the longest looping rollercoaster in the world. The image between the loop has changed a few times in history, beginning with a large Mickey head, then being replaced with a yellow sun, and now with the Pixar Pier logo accompanied with the luxo ball. The track remains the same as well as the iconic countdown to 60+mph, instead it is now decorated to be Incredibles themed with Dash counting it down. It was changed in 2018. I do enjoy the theme, but miss the original attraction music!

Disney’s Aladdin at the Hyperion Theatre

From 2003-2016, actors, musicians and dancers performed Disney’s Aladdin at the Hyperion Theatre. It starred Miles Wesley as Aladdin, Deedee Magno as Jasmine, and Nick Santa Maria as the Genie. It was a scripted broadway production, except some of the Genie’s lines would be altered each show to match current events. The Genie was especially popular during this show, as his big numbers were extra spectacular. It closed in 2016 to make room for the new Frozen show coming to the theatre.

Image from: https://d23.com/this-day/disneys-aladdin-a-musical-spectacular-debuts-at-disneyland-2/

The California Letters

At the entrance to the park in Sunshine Plaza, used to lie large sculptures of the letters in the word California. It was a popular spot for families to take pictures, and also acted as a climbing structure for some of the little ones. These letters were donated to the Friends of the California State Fair in 2012, so they do live on somewhere else.

Image from: https://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/c-a-l-i-f-o-r-n-i-a-letters-installed-at-california-state-fair/

The Golden Gate Bridge

Another part of the Sunshine Plaza that we lost during the remodel was a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge near the entrance. It was merely a tactic to mask the monorail tracks, but also became a popular spot for photos and gave the park even more of that California charm. It was also taken down in 2011 at the same time as the rest of the plaza!