You do a disservice to what DCA actually was when it opened...like it or not (and I am guessing, as a non-Californian you are not a lover of my home state), the park WAS a good representation of what California is, or at least was when it opened...it was a bit sparse when it opened and showed the strains of its budget, BUT SO DID DISNEYLAND! My family enthusiastically attended this park frequently in the early years; we love it all the more now as it's grown and we're thrilled with the rebirth (even though we hated the 3 years of "California's Box Adventure")....But the earliest days did in no way earn your UTTER CONTEMPT that you show for something that a LOT more people loved than you give it credit for..

Your article is great visited both DL and DAC for the first time late 2015 and I had the time of my life everything is great about the park and its hard for me to imagine it in its 2000's form but I must say something... IT DOES NOT compare to DISNEY TOKYO SEA... DTS is the BEST place I ever been in my life and also has by far the greatest NIGHT TIME showing.

My favourite ride of both parks is located in California Adventure. That Toy Story ride is the best. I love all the little games.

Hmm, very interesting read. I really like these longer history articles. Of course, idk anything behind the parks besides what people have told me and what I have read (like these articles,of course) but besides my inexperience (I've gone to the park, though. I just don't know much behind it since I was just a newborn by the time this was finally open haha), I must say you do a good job. Thanks for the interesting article. :3

We've been going since before the public grand opening (AP holder) but we aren't locals so our visits were limited to 2-4 times per year. I didn't really follow the rebirth of CA because I'd always like Disneyland more. In 2012 I didn't notice that the bridge was gone, or the letters out front (laughable, I know). I did notice the new amazing restaurant replaced that awful sun. It took a couple visits for me to settle in and I am now a huge CA fan. We spend equal amount of time in both parks as opposed to about 1/4 of our time in CA. What do I miss? The Beach Boys music. Every time I hear "Do you know the way to San Jose?" I think of CA. I also miss the old boardwalk games. Those were a great spot to hang out. Thanks for your article, it brought good memories.

"Recognize that Disneyland is surrounded in neighborhoods filled with residents who detest it"

Disneyland was there WELL before the majority of the area houses were constructed. Home-buyers these days refuse to do their homework and find out about the neighborhood before closing... Then, when there are things they don't like, they complain.

Awesome article! Well researched, thought out, and written. I enjoyed the entire thing :)

Thank you for the great article. I enjoyed it very much!

For all its faults California Adventures giant letters were a fantastic photo op. It was almost a family tradition to get you picture taken by one of the letters...they should have moved those somewhere and kept them...people loved them!

Great stuff! I read the entire article and enjoyed most of it. Lol I'm a pun lover myself.

Thank you for the time and effort you put in on this article. I consider myself a knowledgeable Disney fan, yet I learned several interesting facts here. Thank you again.

I think this is a great blueprint for the rebirth of EPCOT. I would love to see the Gold sphere of West COT replace the dated EPCOT sphere. So many of the ideas could work in EPCOT, when and if Disney gets around to rebooting that park (and it desperately needs it). As a side note, I am always frustrated by people who choose to live next to a major theme park (or airport) and then do nothing but complain about the traffic and noise. Since Disneyland has been there since 1955, I'm guessing most of those people moved to the area AFTER they set up shop.

Your article is very timely. I was explaining to my son how DCA is now worth the visit (he was last there in 2005). Cars Land is my favorite land in all six American Disney parks, and Radiator Springs Racers blows me away with its detail and excitement. I still love the original Disneyland because so much of Walt's vision remains there, but California Adventure is worth the extra day.

It's also so easy to hop from park to park - Disneyland's space limitations are now part of its charm. You don't have to stand in line to take a time-consuming monorail or ferry to get to the kingdom, and within two minutes you can go from Main Street to Buena Vista Street.

I liked John Carter.

"step into Luigi’s Tires for the astounding, trackless, spinning Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters"

Luigi's Flying Tires closed as a failure due to people having difficulty controlling and boarding/exiting the tires. The replacement--Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters--hasn't opened yet, but the ride vehicles won't be tires.

Also, why do you hate puns so much, you soulless monster?