Introduction to Disney's California Adventure - Part One
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Disney's California Adventure - Entrance Plaza
The entrance as seen from the Monorail. Notice the
C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A, Golden Gate Bridge,
The mountain murals on the side and the Sun icon in the center behind the bridge
There are four dominating features to DCA's entrance - the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters just outside the gates, the Golden Gate bridge that frames the Monorail beam, the mountainous murals framing the entrance, and the giant Sun icon behind the bridge.
The C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters are 11 ½ feet high and will have reflective gold facing. The murals are a combined 11,000 square feet with the right mural representing Northern California and the left mural representing Southern California. The murals are reminiscent of David Hockney's wall-sized painting "Mulholland Drive" which hangs in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
A close-up of the Golden Gate Bridge
(c) Disney
As you pass under the Golden Gate Bridge you leave the Golden Gateway and enter the Gateway Plaza, the focal point of which is a 50-foot Sun. Heliostats in the plaza will track the real Sun's movement throughout the day bouncing its light on DCA's Sun.
Also in the Gateway Plaza you'll find the Entrance Plaza's two shops, Engine-Ears Toys and Greetings from California, and its two quick service restaurants, Baker's Field and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream. Engine-Ears Toys is the second largest shop at DCA. At its entrance will be the front of a real Zephyr train like those that pulled passenger trains across the Western United States in the 50s and 60s. The building itself looking like the train cars. Greetings from California is the largest shop at DCA selling DCA-themed classic Disney character merchandise as well as merchandise featuring the new DCA mascot.
From the Entrance Plaza guests have the option of going east to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot District or south or west for the Golden State district. To get to Paradise Pier guests travel through the Golden State district.
Laughing Place Podcast
This week on the LPP - Disney's 2008 Thea awards, Disney's Imax and 3D announcements, Bolt walkarounds and the crew's favorite Animal Kingdom attractions plus reader mail, Brent's Corner, the Captain's Challenge, Stump the Crew and 50 words or less on the new Bond.
Disneyland Attraction Posters at
The LaughingPlace Store
The LaughingPlace Store now carries a Disneyland Attraction Posters from Sanders CC Gallery