![]() In 2002 A Bug's Land would open, addressing the park's lack of attractions for younger kids. The Walt Disney Company was still struggling due to the difficulties of EuroDisney and it showed in Disney's California Adventure. The ride would close only 11 months after the park opened. It's viewed by some to be literally the worst attraction Disney have ever created. ![]() Still, it had to be done on the cheap, and the ride showed it. The ride was supposed to put guests in the position of a celebrity evading the paparazzi, but when Princess Diana died doing just that while the park was under construction, the ride was retooled. One attraction, Superstar Limo, consisted of a collection of non-animatronic celebrity caricatures that were the stuff of nightmares. Few of the attractions really felt like they were created by the same minds that made some of Disneyland's greatest experiences. The traditional carnival attractions on Paradise Pier were just off the shelf rides that could be found all over the world with no modifications, none of the Disney magic. The lack of rides was one thing, but the rides that were there impressed few. The park also lacked thrilling experiences for the teen and young adult audience with only the California Screamin' roller coaster and Grizzly River Run water attraction available. Many complained it was lacking in attractions for young children. There were a number of criticisms of the park. While you'd think a brand new Disney theme park would be an instant hit, Disney's California Adventure had a hard time catching on. Paradise Pier looked like the Santa Monica pier, complete with midway style games and traditional carnival rides.ĭisney's California Adventure Struggled From The Beginning ![]() Grizzly Peak looked like a California National Park, complete with redwoods. There was Hollywood land, which celebrated the movie business, Pacific Wharf resembled Cannery Row, but also included elements of the Napa wine country. The front gate of the park and the first area, Sunshine Plaza, were deigned to look like a California postcard brought to life. While the park's concept was scoffed at by many, and maybe not without some justification, Disney's California Adventure provided exactly what it claimed to, the Disney version of many popular California locales. Construction began in 1998 and on February 8, 2001, Disney's California Adventure opened to the public. Yes, the idea of a DIsney theme park that celebrated California, located in actual California, wasn't without its detractors but eventually the park moved forward. Why take the time and effort to visit the Napa wine country and Hollywood, and Fisherman's Wharf when they were all right in one place for you? Just stay and experience the Disney version. Disney knew that many people who came to California on vacation only visited Disneyland as part of a larger trip to the Golden State, and so the idea of building a park that would combine all the great things about California was born. The company wanted to recreate that idea in the west. Part of the great success of Walt Disney World was that with multiple theme parks, guests had less of a reason to ever leave property, meaning any and all money spent was money in Disney's pocket. And so the company tried to find a way to build a park that would be less expensive that the WestCOT idea. However, the broader concept, of adding a second park in California, was no less important to Disney. This led to a lack of money to spend on WestCOT, and the idea was eventually shelved. Unfortunately, another of Eisner's big ideas, EuroDisney (later Disneyland Paris), was not the initial success that the company had expected.
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