Disney’s California Journey opened on February 8, 2001 to combined evaluations. And by means of combined, I imply that the evaluations ranged from “oof” to “I appreciated it higher as a car park.” The latter is an actual quote from Disney Imagineering Legend John Hench. DCA opened to downright destructive and overtly antagonistic evaluations. It was once a dud.
Twenty-five years in the past, the brand new park that sat around the esplanade from Disneyland, essentially the most respected theme park on this planet, failed to fulfill even the bottom of expectancies. Disney tacitly said its many errors with DCA nearly instantly, enforcing a sequence of fast fixes aimed toward bringing the park as much as Disney requirements and bettering attendance on the flailing park.
It took till 2007 earlier than the corporate made an particular admission of its many errors with DCA 1.0. CEO Bob Iger introduced an formidable 5 12 months growth plan aimed toward reinventing Disney California Journey. It was once categorised a ramification plan to avoid wasting face, however in truth, it was once a makeover so excessive that Disney mainly spent the an identical of a brand spanking new park in solving DCA. It was once the primary time Disney launched into this sort of drastic reinvention of an present theme park. However oddly, no longer the final. The DCA blueprint is lately getting used as Paris transforms its 2nd gate into Disney Journey Global.
On June 15, 2012, this five-year excessive makeover concluded with the outlet of Automobiles Land and Buena Vista Side road, the 2 biggest sides of the so-called growth. With that, the unpleasant duckling of america Disney theme park pantheon was once reworked into considered one of its crown jewels. At highest, Disney California Journey was once a worthy peer to Disneyland. At worst, it was once now not within the operating for worst Disney theme park on this planet.
Within the decade-plus since, there were a large number of different adjustments at DCA. Grizzly Top Airfield, Pixar Pier and San Fransokyo are all reimaginings of present lands, and a minimum of a kind of tasks was once an development over what got here earlier than. Avengers Campus additionally exists, having changed “a worm’s land.” So the ones are issues that experience took place, too. In addition they added a big Large Al picket carving to Grizzly Top, which is my favourite addition to the park since 2017.
No longer the entirety from Disney California Journey’s previous and provide is price celebrating, however the once-maligned park’s twenty fifth Anniversary undoubtedly is. Listed below are 6 of the highlights that Disneyland Lodge has introduced!
New DCA twenty fifth Persona Costumes
As a tribute to the park’s historical past, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will get dressed in all-new outfits on Buena Vista Side road for a restricted time, starting February 6, 2026. The solar motifs and colourful colour palette nod to when the park first welcomed visitors with golden chance.
I’ll be truthful with you: after I first noticed the thumbnail for those, I used to be unimpressed. I assumed it was once only a slight twist at the seventieth anniversary outfits. However then I seemed nearer, and spotted those are a nod to the Solar Wheel, Sunshine Plaza, or even that superb hubcap that greeted visitors. K, I’m offered on them.
My one want is that Disneyland would deliver again the OG DCA vacationer costumes for Minnie & Mickey. We final noticed those again in 2023 throughout Moonlight Magic (photograph underneath), and I may just no longer imagine they nonetheless existed. In the event that they survived the overhaul…and spotty garage practices throughout COVID…for sure they’re nonetheless round lately. Please, Disney, deliver those again for the anniversary, too!
Soarin’ Over California Returns for Longer Run!
The fan-favorite Soarin’ Over California – one of the most park’s opening day sights – will go back for a restricted run starting February 6 and proceeding thru July 1, 2026.
Set to a serene and dramatic musical ranking, take a digital excursion of the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite Nationwide Park, Palm Springs, Downtown Los Angeles, Anza-Borrego, Lake Tahoe, Malibu, Camarillo, and extra.
On July 2, the all-new airborne journey, Soarin’ Throughout The usa, will debut in birthday party of The usa’s 250th anniversary.
DCA twenty fifth Meals & Stuff
To be had for a restricted time, February 6-15, 2026, Schmoozies! will serve a decadent cake shake, a confetti shake with strawberry icing, sprinkles, whipped topping, and a slice of cake.
You’ll additionally “swing by means of” for this superior twenty fifth anniversary novelty: a bucket modeled after the long-lasting Pixar Buddy-A-Spherical. That includes embedded “Magic Inside of” generation, the Pixar Buddy-A-Spherical Bucket reacts to make a choice places in each theme parks, converting colour, and lights patterns that can marvel and pleasure. The lights results improve the storytelling of a few lands and sights, in addition to magnify make a selection middle of the night spectaculars.
This primary-of-its-kind bucket is in the stores starting February 6, whilst provides final, on the following places:
- Cellular order: Hollywood Living room Seasonal Novelty Unlock (Feb. 6-8)
- Cellular order: Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta Seasonal Novelty Unlock (Feb. 6-8)
- Cellular order: Popcorn at Grizzly Top Airfield
- Fairfax Marketplace
- Mortimers Marketplace
- Make a choice popcorn and outside merchandising carts in California Journey
I’ve two opinions right here. First, that as the opposite DCA 1.0 “survivor,” Award Wieners must even have a particular menu merchandise. Possibly they might serve a limited-time Maliburrito! (Oh, and produce again the Filmstrip Fries whilst we’re at it!!!)
2d, as cool because the Mickey’s Amusing Wheel popcorn bucket is, this must be the Solar Wheel. I am getting why they’re no longer doing that since that is an cutting edge popcorn bucket that they almost certainly need to promote neatly amongst more youthful fanatics, and in all probability the Solar Wheel is simply too deep of a reduce. As a comfort prize, I can settle for restoring the reputable identify to Mickey’s Amusing Wheel. Pixar Buddy-A-Spherical is a dumber identify than many of the DCA 1.0 puns, and I’m in truth shocked it’s nonetheless a factor ~8 years later.
DCA twenty fifth Anniversary Products
Strangely, there can be products. The Disney California Journey twenty fifth Anniversary Assortment products will likely be to be had starting February 6, 2026 whilst provides final, at Elias & Co., Long past Hollywood, and Beach Souvenirs in California Journey.
The increased art work within the assortment has stylized illustrations of the park’s icons and emblems, such because the Carthay Circle tower, Pixar Buddy-A-Spherical, and Grizzly Top. There can be pins and so on for the respective anniversaries of Downtown Disney and the Grand Californian.
Few folks know this, however I’m in fact large on DCA and Grand Californian products. I’ve a couple of Paradise Pier hats, a few shirts, and a couple of mugs and cups that includes GCH. There’s in fact this new-to-me Reyn Spooner Grand Californian button down that I completely love. The one downside is that it’s over $100. Then again, I don’t like every of this products. Please make extra clean-looking dad hats, Disney.
Commemorative DCA twenty fifth Park Map
On February 8, 2026, whilst provides final, visitors coming into California Journey with a sound park price ticket might obtain a complimentary commemorative map. Restricted amounts to be had.
Disneyland does this for each and every milestone anniversary, and it’s all the time a pleasant contact. The only they presented for Disneyland’s seventieth final summer time was once beautiful; I’m hoping this leans into the circa 2001 craziness of Disney California Journey.
Humphrey the Endure Debuts at GCH!
The primary Disney resort to be positioned inside of a theme park, Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa welcomed its first visitors on January 2, 2001, earlier than formally celebrating its grand opening on February 8, 2001. In 2009, the resort expanded with the Disney Holiday Membership hotel, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa.
A brand new persona is making his “bear-y” first Disney Parks look at Storytellers Cafe! Starting February 6, 2026, Humphrey the Endure will likely be some of the characters you’ll stumble upon throughout Donald’s Stories of Journey dinner buffet.
This mischievous, snack-loving grizzly endure of Brownstone Nationwide Park is featured in different Disney animated shorts, together with two of his personal because the main megastar. Humphrey’s funny antics in Goofy and Donald Duck cartoons and past even impressed Humphrey’s Carrier & Provides at Disney California Journey.
That is superior. On the identical time, it’s unlucky that Humphrey the Endure is being put in the back of a $70 paywall. I additionally ponder whether the objective demographic for Storytellers, which I’d safely think is in large part informal visitors and primary timers, may even know who Humphrey the Endure is.
As somebody who robotically meets the Nation Bears once they’re out and about on each coasts, I typically (no longer simply infrequently) overhear visitors asking Forged Individuals “who’s that?” (or simply flat-out calling them the fallacious identify). And that’s with an enchantment that lately exists at Walt Disney Global!
I’d believe that Humphrey the Endure is one thing they might simplest get funded if there have been direct ROI, so Storytellers was once your best option, however I additionally really feel like that is certain to backfire. Persona meal visitors feeling cheated that they were given a “generic” persona and diehard Disneyland fanatics feeling cheated that he’s locked in the back of a $70 persona dinner that they received’t do.
I actually hope to be mistaken about this, however I may just simply see the belief Disney reaches on the finish of this experiment being “there’s no urge for food for Humphrey the Endure at Disneyland,” when in truth, the belief must almost certainly be “we screwed up and put him within the mistaken spot.” But when there’s one lesson to be taken from the 25 years of Disney’s/Disney California Journey, it’s the worth of having the ability to admit when a mistake has been made.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Guidelines for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Know about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Resort Evaluations & Ratings. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll enhance your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In spite of everything, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different puts!
Your Ideas
Are you enthusiastic about Disney California Journey’s twenty fifth Anniversary? Will you ebook Storytellers simply to look Humphrey the Endure, or is the paywall too steep? Hope Disneyland leans into the chaos and craziness of circa 2001 DCA throughout this birthday party? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
