We keep you on top of all of the exciting attractions and shows coming to the theme parks and let you know when they’re open.
Disneyland Park
“Captain E.O.”
The much-anticipated revival of the 1980’s “Captain E.O.” attraction, starring Michael Jackson and Anjelica Houston, is still in the works. Originally planned for an October 2009 opening, numerous legal delays have postponed the show. To be presented in The Imagination Institute (no re-branding of the venue back to The Magic Eye Theatre), “Captain E.O.” features the Jackson song “Another Part of Me”. Status: Under design. Opening Date: February 2010.
Star Tours II
Announced at D23, this will be the newest collaboration between Disney and George Lucas. Status: In design, construction not yet started. Opening Date: Summer 2011.
Disney’s California Adventure
Buena Vista Street
This project involves the complete transformation of the park’s current postcard-style entrance (and the land of Sunshine Plaza) into the detail-rich Buena Vista Street. The scope of this renovation includes the removal of the C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters in front of the park, the expansion of the turnstiles, the removal of the giant sun icon and Golden Gate Bridge, the removal of the tile murals, and a complete re-theme of the land’s architecture, shops and restaurants from top to bottom. Among the additions to the land will be a new iconic structure, a replica of Hollywood’s famed Carthay Theatre, where the original premiere for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was once held. A new attraction, the Red Car, will take guests for one-way trips between Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Pictures Backlot near the base of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Status: In design, construction to begin January 2010. Opening Date: December 2011.
Disney’s World of Color
A new nighttime water spectacular, Disney’s World of Color, will transform Paradise Bay at night into a symphony of music and images in a show examining the emotions behind classic scenes from Disney and Disney-Pixar films. Over 1,200 fountains reaching hundreds of feet into the air will be a part of the show, as will high-definition projection, fire balls and lasers. As part of the enhancements for the show, Paradise Park will create a new, lushly-landscaped viewing area for the performances. Status: Under construction. Opening Date:Disney’s World of Color debuts March 2010; Paradise Park opens late December 2009; Paradise Bay will be re-filled with water October 2009.
“Toy Story – A Musical!”
A new large-scale stage show, “Toy Story – A Musical!” will debut at The Hyperion Theatre in Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Based off the original Disney-Pixar feature film, “Toy Story”, this will be an expanded and revised version of the show currently performed aboard The Disney Cruise Line ships. It will replace the long-running “Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular”, which will close on August 15, 2010. Status: Under design. Opening Date: Spring 2011.
Silly Symphony Swings
This attraction based on the Disney animated short, “The Band Concert”, is a thematic re-theme of the former Orange Stinger attraction. Status: Under construction. Opening Date: April 28, 2010.
Goofy’s Sky Skool
This attraction will take guests for a zany and fun-filled class on flying with Goofy; it is also a thematic re-theme of the original Mulholland Madness attraction. Status: Under design, construction begins January 2010. Opening Date: May 2010.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure
One of the most highly-anticipated additions to Disney’s California Adventure, this massive e-ticket attraction will take guests in Omnimovers “under the sea”, where they will experience songs and numerous Audio-Animatronics recreating key moments in the film. It replaces the former Golden Dreams attraction; the former show’s entrance, which is a scale replication of San Francisco’s Palace of the Fine Arts, will be incorporated into the new attraction’s exterior design. Status: Under construction. Opening Date: May 2011.
Carsland
This brand new 12-acre land will be based on the popular Disney-Pixar film, “Cars”. Featuring towering rockwork that will recreate, in accurate scale, the entire town of Radiator Springs, the land will feature three new attractions and several new shopping and dining venues. The major E-ticket, Radiator Springs Racers, is said to be the most elaborate and expensive theme park attraction ever created. Two smaller attractions include Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Roaming Tires. The land will be located on the former Timon parking lot, between Paradise Pier and “a bug’s land”. Status: Preliminary construction under way. Opening Date: Spring 2012.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Demon Drop
Relocated from Cedar Point, this new (to Knott’s) attraction is a classic thrill ride from the 1980’s: 131 feet in height, guests ride in an open-air elevator to the top of a steel tower before plummeting down 99 feet at 55mph. This attraction will replace Screamin’ Swing, an up-charge attraction, in Ghost Town. This site was also formerly home to a bungee-style reverse drop attraction and The Haunted Shack. Status: Design phase/site clearing. Opening Date: Spring 2010.
Update: The relocation of Demon Drop to Knott’s Berry Farm has been cancelled. Until further announcement, Screamin’ Swing will remain in place. (12/04/09).
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Backlot Rebuild
A large portion of the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot, including New York Street and Courthouse Square (but not the actual courthouse itself, famous from such films as “To Kill A Mockingbird” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy), were completely destroyed by a massive fire on June 1, 2008. Some sets are being rebuilt, others are completely new in design. Ongoing construction will interfere sporadically with the Studio Tour. Status: Under construction. Opening Date: Spring 2010.
King Kong
The King Kong Encounter, a key part of the Studio Tour since 1986, was completely destroyed by fire on June 1, 2008. A brand-new 4-D King Kong experience, entitled King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World, will replace the destroyed attraction. Status: Under construction. Opening Date: Summer 2010.
Transformers: The Ride
A new ride based on the hit “Transformers” films will take up residence on the Lower Lot in the former space of Backdraft and Special Effects Stages. Status: In design and development phase.Opening Date: Spring 2011.
SeaWorld San Diego
Blue Horizons Dolphin Show
This new dolphin show in Dolphin Stadium will replace the former long-running Dolphin Discovery. Status: Under development. Opening Date: May 2010.
