California Adventure, Disney Built on the parking lot of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure is a 55-acre park that opened on February 8, 2001. It originally encompassed attractions, restaurants, and shopping in three districts—Golden State, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and Paradise Pier. Golden State celebrates California’s cultural diversity and natural beauty, with six themed areas—Condor Flats, Bountiful Valley Farm, Pacific Wharf, Bay Area, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area, and Golden Vine Winery. Grizzly Peak, a mountain in the shape of the head of a grizzly bear, features a flume ride attraction and is the icon for the park. Bountiful Valley Farm became part of a new district, a bug’s land, in 2002. Hollywood Pictures Backlot focuses on the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood moviemaking and television mythos. Paradise Pier evokes the legendary California beach culture, styled after classic Pacific Coast amusement parks with high-tech rides and games of skill. Sitting on the boundary of the park is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and the Downtown Disney themed retail, dining, and entertainment complex. Along with Disneyland, the Disneyland Hotel, and the Paradise Pier Hotel, all of these areas make up the Disneyland Resort. For parking, the Resort constructed a 10,000-car parking structure, at the time the largest in the world. The park’s name was changed from Disney’s California Adventure to Disney California Adventure in June 2010. A major expansion, Cars Land, and a remodel of the entrance area as Buena Vista Street, with the Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant and Lounge as its focal point, opened in 2012. Pleasure Island became Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier in 2018. Pixar Pier celebrates Pixar characters and films in a boardwalk setting, while the nearby Paradise Gardens Park is inspired by classic Pacific Coast amusement parks with thrilling rides and seaside restaurants.
