Anaheim, CA  (June 25, 2012) – The grand reopening of Disney California Adventure Park brings new adventures for guests of all ages, including the exciting Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre. All the new attractions, entertainment and experiences complement the classic favorites, offering something for everyone – from the thrill seeker to the guest who likes to play after dark.

To help Disneyland Resort guests plan a full day of their favorite experiences, here are eight themed itineraries to try – and build upon – for an upcoming visit to Disney California Adventure. With new, extended hours, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. all summer long, guests will have more time to enjoy all the fun.

Thrill Seekers Adventure
Already home to six of the highest-rated attractions at the Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure is a thrill seeker’s paradise.  With the new “E Ticket” Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land, this itinerary is packed with flying, spinning, screaming, soaring and racing fun that any thrill seeker would love.

• Radiator Springs Racers (new at Cars Land)
• Twilight Zone™  Tower of Terror
• California Screamin’
• Soarin’ Over California
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run

The Show Stopper
This show-stopping itinerary is worthy of an encore. From “A Whole New World” to “World of Color,” Disney California Adventure features some of the best entertainment the Disneyland Resort has to offer. Head down the rabbit hole or be immersed in storytelling as nearly 1,200 fountains light up the night with these interactive, immersive shows.

•  ”Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular”
• “Red Car Newsboys” (new on Buena Vista Street)
• Five & Dime (new singing act on Buena Vista Street)
• Ursula’s Grotto, Sorcerer’s Workshop (Disney Animation Building)
• “Pixar Play Parade”
• “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!”
• Mad T Party (new at Hollywood Land)
• “World of Color”
• “Phineas & Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party”
• Live music on Paradise Pier (At the gazebo near Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill)

The Night Cap
When the sun goes down, Disney California Adventure sets the stage for a magical, nighttime experience. Watch as Cars Land flips the switch from day to night and enjoy the illumination of Route 66 with its amazing neon signs.  Don’t miss a twinkling view of the skyline from the top of Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror and catch all the fun, music and games at Mad T Party.

• Cars Land Neon Lighting (new at Cars Land)
• Dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant or Golden Vine Winery, with reserved viewing for “World of Color”
• Carthay Circle Lounge (new on Buena Vista Street)
• Twilight Zone® Tower of Terror
• Hot Chocolate, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (new at Pacific Wharf)
• Mad T Party (new at Hollywood Land)
• “World of Color” (with new update from Disney●Pixar movie “Brave”)

Nature Lovers
This itinerary invites nature lovers to “branch out” and experience the beautiful horticulture that spreads across Disney California Adventure.  More than 450 new trees have been planted in Cars Land alone, and the additon of trees throughout the park adds shade for more guest comfort. From the tall pines around Grizzly Mountain to the small cacti in Cars Land, guests will enjoy all the beautiful surroundings in the park.

• Golden State Winery Cork Oak at the Golden Vine Winery (Pacific Wharf)
• Grizzly Peak Pine Trees (Grizzly Peak)
• Ficus Auriculate – Roxburgh Fig (“a bug’s land”)
• Cars Land “Ironwood” Tree – Olneya Tesota (new at Cars Land)
• Cars Land Claret Cup Cactus (new at Cars Land)

A Day With Character
Getting up close and personal with favorite characters is one of the best ways to enjoy a day at Disney California Adventure.  Guests will enjoy being immersed in the stories of classic Disney characters and Pixar pals, plus there are many opportunities to greet favorite characters. Guests may talk with Crush, sing along with Minnie and go under the sea with Ariel on this character-filled itinerary.

• Greet Lightning McQueen and Mater (new at Cozy Cone Motel, Cars Land)
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (new at Cars Land)
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline (new at Condor Flats)
• Toy Story Mania!
• “Pixar Play Parade”
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “Up”
• Turtle Talk with Crush at Disney Animation Building
• The Beast’s Library, Sorcerer’s Workshop, at Disney Animation Building
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Ariel’s Grotto Princess Character Dining

A Shopper’s Paradise
With the additions of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, guests  have even more opportunies to shop to their heart’s content. Whether it’s at Radiator Springs Curios or Big Top Toys, the new shops are a great place to find a souvenir that reflects a day filled with memories.  Add that to the classic merchandise experiences of Disney California Adventure and this itinerary will be added to everyone’s shopping list.

• Oswald’s (new on Buena Vista Street featuring autograph books, hats, bags and souvenirs)
• Los Feliz Five & Dime (new on Buena Vista Street featuring t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, figurines, souvenirs and character merchandise)
• Big Top Toys (new on Buena Vista Street featuring interactive toys, games and plush)
• Elias & Co.  (new on Buena Vista Street featuring posters, clothing, souvenirs and collectible items)
• Radiator Springs Curios (new at Cars Land featuring souvenirs)
• Ramone’s House of Body Art (new at Cars Land featuring clothing and souvenirs)
• Sarge’s Surplus Hut (new at Cars Land featuring clothing, hats, toys and plush)
• Seaside Souvenirs (featuring Paradise Pier themed souvenirs and merchandise)

A Tour Full of Flavor
Sometimes it’s all about the vittles – and Disney California Adventure is a foodie’s paradise.  Comfort food, gourmet meals, regional specialties, signature cocktails and even delectable vintages are all available on this tour through the park.  From small bites to fine dining, guests’ palates will be met with some of the best food and drink options from around the Resort.

• Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café (new on Buena Vista Street)
• Trolley Treats (new on Buena Vista Street)
• Flo’s V8 Café (new at Cars Land featuring Route 66 inspired comfort food)
• Cozy Cone Motel (new at Cars Land featuring “cone” themed snacks)
• Fillmore’s Taste-In (new at Cars Land featuring fresh fruits, juices and water)
• Wine Country Trattoria (featuring Mediterranean style cuisine)
• Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
• Carthay Circle Restaurant (new on Buena Vista Street)
• The Cove Bar (featuring American style bar appetizers)
• Pacific Wharf Café (featuring salads, soups and bread bowls)
• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (new at Pacific Wharf)
• Corn Dog Castle
• Ariel’s Grotto (featuring character dining for breakfast and lunch)
• “World of Color” picnic dinners; includes reserved viewing for the show

Child’s Play Tour
This itinerary is a good fit for parents and grandparents who are entertaining younger guests.  These attractions are fun for all ages and cover the entire park.  Whether it’s floating on air at Luigi’s Flying Tires or playing at bug’s eye-level in “a bug’s land,” there are so many places to make memories together for the entire family.

• Luigi’s Flying Tires (new at Cars Land)
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (new at Cars Land)
• “Dancing with Disney” (new at Stage 17)
• “Instant Concert … Just Add Water,” daytime fountain show at Paradise Bay with Maestro Goofy
• Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
• Flik’s Flyers
• King Triton’s Carousel
• Golden Zephyr
• Games of the Boardwalk featuring beloved Disney characters
• Toy Story Mania!
• Animation Academy (Disney Animation Building)

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About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent DVC units; the magical, newly renovated, 969-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties -  and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

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The largest piece of the five-year expansion at Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land adds 12 acres of immersive excitement to the park and offers freewheeling fun for everyone as it brings the town of Radiator Springs to life, just as guests remember it from the blockbuster movie.

The evening’s festivities opened with red carpet VIP arrivals including Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and voice actors from the “Cars” movie. As celebrities walked the carpet, the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” flew overhead, providing aerial coverage of the celebration.

Grand opening ceremonies began with an onscreen remote broadcast of “Cars” stars Lightning McQueen and Mater racing across the highways of America on their way to welcome guests at the premiere. Staggs and Lasseter welcomed voice talent from the movie on the stage leading up to a spectacular grand finale – the arrival of Lightning and Mater in Cars Land, a chorus of roller-skaters and dancing mechanics, the electrifying light-up of the neon signs that line Route 66, and a stunning fireworks display over the mountain range of Ornament Valley.

“The crown jewel of our Disney California Adventure expansion, Cars Land is the extraordinary result of a close collaboration between the gifted filmmakers at Pixar Animation Studios and our talented Imagineers and cast members,” Iger said “It’s also a spectacular example of our ability to take our characters and stories and bring them to life in new and unexpected ways.”

“More than five years ago, we embarked on a journey to realize Bob Iger’s vision of transforming Disney California Adventure with new attractions featuring our most iconic characters, including Mater, Lightning McQueen and the residents of Radiator Springs,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Cars Land immerses guests in the world of ‘Cars’ like never before and combines the imagination of Pixar with the creativity, innovation and legendary storytelling that are the hallmarks of a Disney Parks experience.”

“While I love all of the movies we’ve made at Pixar, the ‘Cars’ films are particularly close to my heart, so seeing Radiator Springs come to life at Disney California Adventure is a dream come true,” Lasseter said. “The artistry and attention to detail throughout Cars Land is absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t be more proud of the teams at Pixar and Walt Disney Imagineering who worked side-by-side to make this project a reality.”

The thrilling additions of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge at Disney California Adventure add to the storytelling magic of the Disneyland Resort, a world-class, family vacation destination in Southern California with two theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district.

Cars Land invites guests to explore “the cutest little town in Carburetor County,” where they will enjoy three family attractions showcasing places and characters from the movie: Luigi’s Flying Tires, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Radiator Springs Racers, one of the largest and most elaborate attractions created for a Disney theme park.

Themed shops and restaurants also look familiar to fans of the movie, including Flo’s V8 Cafe, Cozy Cone Motel and Ramone’s House of Body Art. The Radiator Springs locals are at home, so Lightning McQueen and Mater make appearances and pose for photos near the Cozy Cone Motel.

“We want guests to think they are on this great road trip and, in a way, almost like they are going home,” said Kathy Mangum, executive producer of Cars Land. “Cars Land will feel very familiar in so many different ways. I can’t tell you how many people have seen it and said ‘I can’t believe I am in Anaheim.”

Each attraction and facility will have its own personality, allowing guests to get to know more about the characters who live in Radiator Springs.

“A lot of the places you will find only inside Cars Land, so we took the theming and storytelling all the way through, in a way that guests will feel as if the town is being operated by  the characters,” Mangum said. “Everywhere you look there is a funny little car nod. After all, it is a land built by cars.”

Many of the automotive winks were inspired by a research trip Imagineers took along Route 66. Others were inspired by working with the animators from Pixar.

The “Cars” gang gathers to prepare visitors for the big race in Radiator Springs Racers, the high-octane, indoor/outdoor adventure that revs through the beautiful mountains of Ornament Valley. Guests board cars, each with their own personality, for a scenic road trip that takes them through Radiator Springs, with a stop at either Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art. After getting some final racing tips from Doc Hudson, the cars zoom over the roadways in a nose-to-nose, high-speed race, never knowing which car may win.

Elsewhere in Cars Land, Luigi invites guests to the test-drive his new shipment of Fettuccini-brand “Cuscino D’Aria” tires – which are just like riding on air (or being on an enormous air hockey table).  At this festival of flying tires, riders lean left and right aboard Luigi’s Flying Tires, floating and bumping along in a 21^st century attraction reminiscent of the classic Disneyland Flying Saucers attraction.

Mater provides his own unique siren song, courtesy of a Junkyard Jukebox that has lured baby tractors into Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. There, the tractors dance to Mater’s hoedown tune, swinging guests around in trailers they are pulling behind them. It’s a “tow-si-do” square dance to a playlist of seven songs sung by Mater.

The streets of Radiator Springs are humming with entertainment, too. DJ, the ultimate party car – a big road-trippin’ mobile boom box with giant speakers and built-in disc changer – invites his crew to “DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive,” a spontaneous, interactive dance party. And Red the Fire Truck recruits guests of all ages to join “Red to the Rescue!” – helping water the flowers and clean up Radiator Springs. (Prepare to get wet!)

The road leading into Cars Land is dotted with large animated neon signs reminiscent of the ’50s era of cross-country travel along Route 66. As with other aspects of the land, the neon signs are three-dimensional representations of recognizable landmarks from the movie “Cars,” and they come to life each night at sundown when it’s cruisin’ time along the boulevard.

“Cars” fans and other interested shoppers will find a great selection of Cars Land and other Disney and Disney●Pixar gifts and souvenirs at the “local” retail shops in Radiator Springs.  Although the interiors of most of these locales weren’t seen in the movie, they were created for Cars Land by Walt Disney Imagineers with their characteristic attention to detail, drawing on inspiration from vintage stops along historic Route 66.

Sarge’s Surplus Hut offers a broad selection of merchandise – kids clothing, costumes, hats, toys and plush – featuring Lightning McQueen, Mater and other “Cars” characters. Radiator Springs Curios is a country-style mercantile with special appeal for collectors of pins themed to all things “Cars.” The shop also stocks magnets, antenna toppers and license plate frames. Ramone’s House of Body Art features the signature items of the Low & Slow Car Club and Champion Custom Speed Shop collections in t-shirts, work shirts, hats and accessories.

Dining options in Cars Land include Flo’s V8 Cafe, modeled on the quirky roadside eateries along old Route 66. The café serves full meals from a quick-service counter. A windowed “showroom” dining area and adjoining outdoor patio offer a breathtaking view of the Cadillac Mountain Range and the vehicles zooming by in Radiator Springs Racers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Flo’s, and specialties include chicken tamale with scrambled eggs, brioche French toast with salted caramel and bananas, home-style rotisserie classics such as pork loin  or New York strip loin, plus the house-made Pie-O-Rama for dessert.

The distinctive, orange “cone” architecture of Sally’s Cozy Cone Motel offers quick service cone-themed snacks from five different cones, including ice cream cones, chile “cone” queso, pop “cone” and other “cone”-coctions. Fillmore’s Taste-in celebrates the Cars Land “new age” hippie-van-in-residence. His food and beverage kiosk offers the “high-octane” natural health benefits of fresh fruits, bottled water and juices.

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About the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent DVC units; the magical, newly renovated, 969-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties -  and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

Media Contact:
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714/781-4500
www.disneylandnews.com
www.disneyparksblog.com
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Guests enter the newly expanded Disney California Adventure Park through a completely redesigned entrance that brings the spirit of Walt Disney into the park like never before. Immersed in a locale reminiscent of Los Angeles in the 1920s, when Disney first arrived in California, guests encounter the Red Car Trolley, one of four new attractions opening June 15 at Disney California Adventure.

• The Red Car Trolleys are inspired by Los Angeles’ historic Pacific Electric Red Cars from the 1920s and ’30s.
• Two Red Car Trolley cars operate daily, traveling from Buena Vista Street through Hollywood Land and on to the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror. The trolleys traverse back and forth, making several stops along the way
• The Red Car Trolley route passes the new icon of Disney California Adventure, the Carthay Circle Theatre, inspired by the site where Walt Disney premiered “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937.
• Two conductors operate each Red Car Trolley, engaging riders with fun details about Disney California Adventure, including architectural, design and historical facts about the Red Car Trolleys and Carthay Circle Theatre.
• The trolley interiors showcase the soft green and cream colors of the time period. Guests also find vintage-looking ads highlighting food locations and shops in the park.
• Each Red Car Trolley has a bell and a whistle, adding to the melodic sounds of the street.
• The “Red Car News Boys” roll into town on one of the Red Car Trolleys singing “California Here I Come!” and other fun songs inspired by the spirit and style of Disney’s Broadway show, “Newsies.” Even Mickey Mouse joins the show.
• From the Red Car Trolley, guests can wave to “citizens” of Buena Vista Street, resplendent in their period attire and filled with the optimism of the era.
• The Red Car Trolleys are 26 feet long, 8 feet wide and 11 feet tall. They seat 20 passengers with an additional space for a wheelchair.
• Each Red Car Trolley has a number. The 623 car, with “23″ as a nod to the year 1923 when Walt Disney arrived in California, is based on the 600 series of trolleys built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1922. The 717 car is inspired by the 700-750 series manufactured by the J.G. Brill Company in 1925 (7-17 also refers to the birthday of Disneyland Park, July 17, 1955).
• Catenary lines – the classic above-vehicle electric cabling ­- have been added above the trolleys to enhance authenticity. The trolleys are actually powered by onboard 12-volt batteries and they are fully recharged in the Red Car barn each night.
• The Red Car Trolleys were engineered from the ground up to meet today’s industry standards, operating efficiently with steel wheels on steel rails.
• When necessary, the trolleys recharge at one of the stops using inductive power transfer. This technology is used on Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and also used to recharge consumer products such as cell phones.

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The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc., and is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc.
©Disney/CBS, Inc.

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CARS LAND

JOHN LASSETER, Chief Creative Officer, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios

Q: Why is Cars Land meaningful for you?

“While I love all of the movies we’ve made at Pixar, the ‘Cars’ films are particularly close to my heart, so seeing Radiator Springs come to life at Disney California Adventure is a dream come true. The artistry and attention to detail throughout Cars Land is absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t be more proud of the teams at Pixar and Walt Disney Imagineering who worked side-by-side to make this project a reality.”

Q: How does Cars Land pull guests in the story of the film “Cars”?

“The closer you get to that rockwork, it wraps around you. You look around and you are transported to Ornament Valley … It’s so beautiful, you can take a vacation in Cars Land.”

“To be authentic, I asked the Imagineers to get out and travel Route 66. It’s feeling it, seeing the light and hearing the stories of the people on the road. We were all focused on the storytelling to create the home of Lighting McQueen, of Mater, Doc Hudson, all of the residents of Radiator Springs, and to make it as authentic as we can.”

KATHY MANGUM, Executive Producer and Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering

Q: How does Cars Land connect with guests at Disney California Adventure Park?

“The magic of our parks is we take you to places you can’t otherwise go to.”

“What Disney does so well is immerse guests in experiences and that’s what Cars Land does so well. As you walk down the street and you walk towards the mountain the real world goes away, and Cars Land reaches out and hugs you. You are surrounded by Radiator Springs and you are in the middle of a movie.”

“Making cars as audio-animatronics was something we had never done before. There we some challenges there. They are just so big, and how you engineer their mouths with bumpers acting as lips is part of making them look realistic. We are delivering a really linear story and being able to see and hear the actors with authenticity is really important to us.”

KEVIN RAFFERTY - Senior Concept Writer and Director, Walt Disney Imagineering

Q: Why are you so excited for guests to experience the Radiator Springs Racers attraction in Cars Land?

“Radiator Springs Racers is going to be one of the greatest attractions Disney has ever designed and built. A great attraction takes you somewhere, it takes you to another place, and that’s what Radiator Springs Racers does.”

Q: What would you like guests to take away from their visits to Cars Land?

“When our guests step into this land and they see the spectacle and the panorama of the landscape, I want them to feel like this is the greatest road trip they’ve ever been on.”

BUENA VISTA STREET

LISA GIROLAMI - Director, Senior Show Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering

Q: Sometimes it’s the things guests don’t really “see” that tell the story. How have you created an emotional connection for guests on Buena Vista Street?

“Every piece has to be there when you walk into a story, to know where you are, what time it is, what’s happening and to really be able to take in the music, the colors and the ornamentation on the architecture. The whole street coming alive is meant to put you right there in the steps of Walt when he first stepped off the train in California and all the optimism and opportunity he felt was there for him at the time.”

“The sense of optimism will be very obvious on Buena Vista Street, and that story is told at the highest level of detail. Then there are many more levels of details, which our Disney fans will recognize and discover. I think we accommodate everybody as deep as they want to go, and the more you want to know, the more you’ll get out of it. I think we’ve covered it, too, for people who may be visiting a Disney park for the first time.”

Q: What are some favorite aspects?

“I love Los Angeles and there are so many details I could say are my favorites … I think it’s going to be the feel of that street and how different it’s going to appear to everyone as they just enjoy being in the moment.”

RAY SPENCER – Creative Director Buena Vista Street, Walt Disney Imagineering

Q: What’s the Disney history behind the shop names and other items along Buena Vista Street?

“At the front of the park, we have the gas station, which is called Oswald’s, and Oswald was an early Disney character … Then we have Los Feliz Five & Dime, a merchandise store that features everyday consumer products. The names of the shops, and the names of the restaurants, are all based on Disney history — and especially the history that surrounded Walt Disney and the Disney brothers’ arrival in the 1920s. We have Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, which is named after the Three Little Pigs from the Academy Award-winning animated short. We also have a merchandise location called Atwater Ink & Paint. It refers to the Atwater Village district of Los Angeles where Disney and the animators from Disney Studios spent a lot of time.”

“We have a new Walt and Mickey statue, called ‘Storytellers.’ We made a conscious decision to put the statue down on street level with the rest of our guests, rather than up in a monumental planter, like at Disneyland. Set in this time period, Walt Disney could have been you or I, or anybody at that time, out on the street. It’s part of the story of the street, a story of humble beginnings. It’s a story of a wonderful, inspirational time period with a wonderful, inspirational, gifted man who created what we can now enjoy as The Walt Disney Company.”

COULTER WINN – Principal Concept Architect, Director, Walt Disney Imagineering

Q: Will this be just like a street in Los Angeles?

“You can’t go to Los Angeles and see a building that exists like you’re going to see on Buena Vista Street. The buildings that we referenced have been torn down so we found them through historical photographs and began to design from there. Transporting our guests to another place and time like this, in the traditional Disney storytelling way, gives Disney California Adventure a much more enriched environment to start the day for our guests.”

ANDREW SUTTON – Executive Chef, Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

Q: Tell us about this beautiful restaurant serving Southern California cuisine, and who will be drawn to this experience.

“Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge is serious Disney, and that means serious fun for the whole family. It’s casual, friendly and the food will feel like old Santa Barbara with all the ethnic flavors. At the Lounge, families will get one of these tapas and try one of those, and there will be a lot of sharing and interaction.”

DISNEYLAND RESORT EXPANSION

GEORGE A. KALOGRIDIS – President, Disneyland Resort

Q: What does the expansion of Disney California Adventure park mean to Disneyland Resort and regional tourism?

“Every component of our expansion – from attractions, merchandise and dining locations, to new entertainment and re-imagined hotels – have been crafted to add exciting, new pages to our 57-year-old story. Now, more than ever, the Disneyland Resort makes the Anaheim/Orange County region a multi-day, family vacation destination second to none.

“The completion of this expansion does not mark the end of our California Adventure journey, but rather, a new beginning. Walt Disney once said, ‘We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.’ Our “new path” is built firmly on Walt’s legacy, enriched with traditions that could only be found in the park that felt his footsteps.”

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In 2013, “Fantasy Faire” Princesses Move to a Magical New Location

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 13, 2012) – There’s always something new to entertain guests throughout the Disneyland Resort. In addition to the spectacular new Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre premieres in Disney California Adventure Park, summer 2012 features an exciting array of new and refreshed shows, restaurants and shops at Disneyland Park and Downtown Disney, with even more magic on the horizon for later this year and 2013.

AT DISNEYLAND:
Matterhorn Bobsleds:  This thrilling attraction, a Disneyland landmark since 1959, reopens June 15 following a five-and-a-half month project which refreshed the mountain inside and out, including glistening, new paint and “snow caps” on the outside and new lighting on the menacing Yeti inside. New three-person bobsleds allow guests to be seated individually.

In addition, mountain climbers will thrill guests as they scale the Matterhorn slopes. Unseen on the Matterhorn for several years, they return this summer.

Not far from the Matterhorn lies magical Pixie Hollow, where the weather will be changing this October when a new friend arrives to visit Tinker Bell. Frost fairy Periwinkle, from the upcoming Disney video “Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings,” joins Pixie Hollow as it is adorned with frost and ice. Tinker Bell will be clothed in winter gear, too, and her ingenious snow-making machine will help keep Periwinkle cool.

Another new face at Disneyland is Merida, the adventurous, red-headed heroine of the upcoming Disney•Pixar movie “Brave.” The brave and impetuous visitor from the Scottish Highlands can be found in an interactive meet-and-play experience near “it’s a small world” where young guests can test their skill with a bow and arrow, be part of a Scottish clan, and enjoy the silly antics of Merida’s three wee bear cubs.

In Frontierland, the newly premiered Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree brings music, dancing, crafts, pin trading and plenty of Disney characters (in Western wear) to the space previously known as Festival Arena. Guests may join in and kick up their heels with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at an old-fashioned Cowboy Roundup or gather to enjoy live performances by visiting schools and community groups, presented by the Disney Performing Arts Program.

Main Street, U.S.A., Enhancements;
From Center Street to the Central Plaza at the entrance to Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the west side of Main Street, U.S.A., now features an array of refreshed shops and restaurants, their turn-of-the-century interiors newly redecorated with period signs, lighting fixtures and woodwork.

• Carnation Café now features indoor as well as outdoor seating and some new menu items, including apple-granola pancakes and huevos rancheros for breakfast, plus fresh fish and Walt Disney’s favorite beef-and-pork meatloaf for dinner. Beloved Carnation Café cast member Oscar Martinez continues to greet guests as he has for more than five decades.
• Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor has expanded its scooping space and added registers, all the better to serve guests. The menu includes classic sundaes and new ice cream floats.
• The Penny Arcade has returned with vintage games and silent movie Mutoscope viewing machines, plus the mystical fortune-telling Esmeralda and the classic Welte Orchestrion organ-and-percussion music machine, purchased for Disneyland by Walt Disney himself.
• The Candy Palace has an expanded kitchen that invites guests to watch two kinds of candy being prepared at the same time. Favorites include caramel and gourmet candy apples, toffee and fudge, not to mention the extremely popular handmade candy canes made each holiday season in the Candy Palace kitchen.
• Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, which opened in early 2012, has become a hugely popular stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Main Street, U.S.A. The menu features baked goods, sandwiches, salads and beverages (including, of course, tea) and the whimsical décor of “Mary Poppins” adds to diners’ enjoyment.

In the Main Street Opera House, the Voices of Liberty, an a cappella vocal group inspired by the popular Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure attraction in Walt Disney World, Florida, will perform patriotic songs to entertain guests awaiting the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” presentation.

A New Disneyland Tour: Disneyland fans, dedicated gardeners and admirers of the Disneyland landscape will all want to experience the “Cultivating the Magic” Tour, which explores Disneyland horticulture. Presented by a Resort Tour Guide, the tour covers  landscaping highlights of the park from the “Flower Mickey” at the Main Gate to the spectacular plantings in the Jungle Cruise and Storybook Land. This is one of several tours guests can book through www.disneyland.com

Watch the Disney Parks blog, www.disneyparksblog.com, for word on other new Disneyland Resort guided tours planned for later this year and for 2013.

COMING TO DISNEYLAND IN SPRING 2013:
Disney princesses will greet their admirers in a new Fantasy Faire, a magical place nestled near the moat of Sleeping Beauty Castle.  Aspiring princesses and knights of all ages may enjoy a visit with a Disney Princess, play a special role in a charming storytelling experience, or visit a merchandise shop filled with royal costumes and accessories. And as the Princesses settle in their new home in 2013, plans will be underway for an all-new show at the Fantasyland Theatre near “it’s a small world.”

AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:
In addition to the exciting opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre in summer of 2012, Disney California Adventure offers guests an array of new entertainment, including the nightly “Mad T Party” in Hollywood Land, new shows in Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and the return of the “Pixar Play Parade.”  (See more details about all that’s new at www.disneycaliforniaadventure.com and www.disneyland.com/carsland).

“World of Color,” the stunning water, laser and animation spectacular on Paradise Bay welcomes Merida, the adventurous heroine of Disney•Pixar film “Brave,” in a new “World of Color” sequence starting June 15. She’ll be seen racing across the highlands, bow and arrow in hand, on her faithful horse Angus, all to the accompaniment of composer Patrick Doyle’s stirring Scottish score for the movie.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company joins the excitement of the Disney California expansion with the newly opened Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in the Pacific Wharf area. Similar to the Ghirardelli location in Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort, and located for the first time inside a Disney theme park, the new chocolate shop offers world-famous hot fudge sundaes and chocolate products. In a Ghirardelli tradition, each guest will receive a complimentary sample of its signature Ghirardelli Squares chocolate.

AT DOWNTOWN DISNEY: 

• La Brea Bakery Cafe has reopened with an expanded, comfortable outdoor seating area and a redesigned interior highlighted by an exhibition baking area with a state-of-the-art wood stove to give guests a view of the chefs in action.  New menu items include signature focaccia dishes, artisan flat breads, baked pastas and, for breakfast, brioche French toast and Croque Madame sandwich made with gruyere cheese and topped with fried egg.
• A completely remodeled LEGO Store features a new, interactive outdoor play area along with new play areas inside the store and new custom-build models, including Maleficent the dragon breathing fire on Prince Phillip (from “Sleeping Beauty”), Buzz Lightyear and Woody aboard a rocket, and Aladdin and Jasmine on their Flying Carpet.
• A new and rather uncommon gallery space, WonderGround Gallery, has opened in the heart of Downtown Disney, featuring works from more than 25 local and domestic up-and-coming artists, inspired by Disney and Disney•Pixar films, characters and icons including, of course, the one and only Mickey Mouse.
• Coming to Downtown Disney in late summer 2012 is Earl of Sandwich, located next to the AMC Theaters. Earl of Sandwich has proven extremely popular at Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and the Disneyland Resort restaurant will be the only Earl of Sandwich in California. Signature hot sandwiches include The Original 1762 – freshly roasted beef, sharp cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce on freshly baked artisan bread. Soups, salads, wraps and desserts are also on the menu along with an array of hot and cold beverages include The Earl’s Grey Lemonade.

AT THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL:
The multi-year renovation of the Disneyland Hotel is now complete, featuring 973 remodeled rooms in re-themed hotel towers, and a unique collection of themed suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Pirates of the Caribbean, Adventureland, Big Thunder and Fairy Tale suites. The AAA Four Diamond hotel also is home to a new, immersive water play area and courtyard featuring a replica of the original Mark I Monorail Car at the entrance of two water slides. New dining locations include Tangaroa Terrace, featuring Island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, serving a mix of signature cocktails and creative appetizers along with live music performed on the patio each evening.

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About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent DVC units; the magical, newly renovated, 969-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties -  and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

Media Contact:
Disneyland Resort Public Relations
714/781-4500
www.disneylandnews.com
www.disneyparksblog.com
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ANAHEIM, Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Disneyland Resort today welcomed a new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to Disney California Adventure park. The new location – the first to open inside a theme park – features Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products, and represents another milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure.

“As we celebrate the culmination of our resort expansion, we are thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli, and to make this unique chocolate experience available to our park guests,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort. “Ghirardelli is a perfect fit for our newly reimagined Disney California Adventure, as we both share a rich California heritage.”

The new soda fountain and chocolate shop is located in Pacific Wharf, the San Francisco-inspired area of Disney California Adventure. Guests can visit the location to enjoy treats including sundaes, shakes, and floats,  plus a delicious assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest can enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate.

“We are excited to partner with the Disneyland Resort to open our Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney California Adventure,” said Martin Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Consumers associate our premium brand with high quality, delicious chocolate and now they will have the opportunity to enjoy both our intense, slow melting chocolate and our decadent ice cream treats inside the park. Our rich heritage began in California 160 years ago this year and opening this store in Disney California Adventure is a perfect way to celebrate.”

The expansion of Disney California Adventure culminates on June 15 with the opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. The 12-acre Cars Land offers three family attractions showcasing characters and settings from the Disney•Pixar blockbuster “Cars”, plus themed dining and shopping. Nearby, Buena Vista Street, a new gateway to Disney California Adventure serving a similar role to Main St. U.S.A. in Disneyland, transports guests to a nostalgic Los Angeles of the 1920s and ’30s as Walt Disney might have seen it when he first arrived in California in 1923. The two new lands follow myriad additions to Disney California Adventure, including the nighttime water spectacular “World of Color” and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.

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ABOUT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the 969-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With 23,000 Cast Members, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and generates $4.7 billion for the Southern California economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 600 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955. For detailed information about the Disneyland Resort, please visit www.disneyland.com.

ABOUT THE GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products.  Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history.  As the country’s longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America’s Premium Chocolate Company and will celebrate its 160th anniversary next year.  Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature Squares™ chocolate, Intense Dark™ chocolate, Gourmet Milk™ chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages.  These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores.  In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel.  Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 18 retail stores in seven states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square.  For more information about Ghirardelli, visit www.ghirardelli.com.