Live from Anaheim 2005 - Part 6

[Tannerman]

When Disneyland was expanded in 2001 to become the Disneyland Resort, they desired to follow the successful model of Walt Disney World in Florida... that being, multiple theme parks = multiple night stay. So the folks at Disney built a second gate right across from Disneyland called Disney's California Adventure. The Downtown Disney shopping/dining district was also a concept lifted from WDW.

Disneyland Resort Map

Click to view larger map

While Disney's California Adventure (DCA) has been a huge failure, Downtown Disney has been a great success. Amy and I wondered through there Monday night just to check it all out. It was sort of surreal for me seeing as I've been following the business of Disney theme parks for quite some time, but never really knew how all the pieces fit together here in California. For once, all those photos I had really make sense.

Christmas lights on trees in Downtown Disney

On the whole, Downtown Disney was a nice place to visit, however if you wanted to buy anything, it's WAY overpriced. Would Michael Ei$ner have it any other way? The architecture is pretty nice, however. We wandered around, checked out the various shops, got a small bite to eat, and just soaked in the experience.

Sign on monorail beam. Say what?

I can see my attitude towards Disney rubbing off on Amy. For example, as we were walking around, she was pointing out all the burnt out lightbulbs, poor maintenance, and other issues that have plagued the Disneyland Resort the past few years due to poor management, layoffs, and no vision.

Pretty fountain at night

New leadership is now in place at the resort and things are starting to turn around. We'll know for sure when we actually get a chance to get into the theme parks. I'm used to the standards at Walt Disney World, so it will be interesting to contrast.

Fujishige Farm sign

One nice thing the recent development around Disneyland has done is improve the surrounding streets. For example, there are now really beautiful palm trees lining the area that are pretty great. We walked the streets at night just to check it all out.

Aerial view of undeveloped land

We also walked by this vacant farmland field right near Disneyland. Yes, believe it or not, there is one. I guess Disney bought this a few years ago in anticipation of building a third theme park (perhaps a water park). However, with the rotten performance of DCA, those plans are on hold for now. So the place remains a farm.

Farm in the middle of Anaheim!

Eventually, it was time for bed. And that's how we ended Monday night.

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