The California Adventure turnaround
Bob Iger has his share of detractors, but it can’t be denied his influence on Disneyland was huge. One of the first moves Iger made was focusing on California Adventure to give it a massive makeover with billions of dollars poured into it.
The first move was creating Cars Land with Radiator Springs Racers, which became the hottest ride in Disneyland park. The Midway was changed with Toy Story Mania put in, and Golden Dreams was replaced by the long overdue Little Mermaid dark ride.
Best of all was the overhaul to the opening entrance, getting rid of the “postcard” entrance (which Imagineers openly compared to a shopping mall) for Buena Vista Street, more matching the spirit of Walt. Paradise Pier went from a contemporary spot to honoring the 1920s. That included adding the Red Trolley Cars, based on the type that were seen all over Los Angeles and still keeping to the California theme.
Today, of course, it’s more IP as California Screaming is the Incredicoaster, there are rides based on anything from Inside Out to plans for a Coco boat ride, its own Avatar land and Avengers Campus additions. However, it can’t be denied it’s a serious step up from what the park started out as.