"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." - Walt Disney
Since Disneyland opened in 1955, it has constantly changed and evolved just like Walt intended. We could talk all day about the attractions that have been changed over the years and the drama involved like the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride opening up in Disney's California Adventures later this month that replaced the beloved Tower of Terror ride.
In order to stand out from other theme parks, Disneyland adapted the idea of themed lands through the park. Today, we know these as Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Carsland, you get the gist. There are many lands that have come and gone and some that have been completely revamped. These lands came and went for a number of reasons.
1. Sunshine Plaza
All in all, California Adventures have changed quite a bit since it's debut in 2001.
When you enter Disneyland, you are greeted by the iconic Main Street USA. When you entered California Adventures you were greeted by...this. This "ray of sunshine" or something. The entrance was supposed to "transport guests into a California postcard" but instead transported guests into a stage of regret that they weren't across the way in the other park. Main Street is absolutely gorgeous and this was terrible. California Adventures looked like a budget theme park compared to Disneyland.
Once it seemed that all hope was gone for this park, Sunshine Plaza closed, one piece at a time in 2010. A whopping $1.1 billion dollars were invested into a new main entry path for CA. They transformed this bleak Sunshine Plaza into a beautiful 1920s bustling Los Angeles street which could easily compete with Main Street. Buena Vista Street was a recreation of what Walt first encounter when he arrived in California, ready to achieve his dreams.
2. Holidayland
Holidayland is infamously dubbed as Disneylands first lost land. So, Holidayland. A themed land full of Christmas cheer, Easter Candy, and Halloween costumes, right?
Nope. When this land was created in 1957, they focused more on the British meaning of "holiday" - an outing or vacation. There was a separate entrance for this land and this land contained a stripped circus tent with a stage, volleyball court, a baseball field, a playground, and a picnic area. In 1961, this part of the theme park closed due to its lack of shade from the California heat, no nighttime lighting, lack of restrooms, and Disney charm.
Today, this area contains the backstage elements for the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
3. Tomorrowland
Don't get worried, Tomorrowland hasn't been shut down, but in 1997 Disneyland's Tomorrowland received a huge facelift. Tomorrowland must focus on the future and what's around the corner and with the original Tomorrowland opening up at the same time as the rest of the park, it seemed to be quite outdated at the turn of the century. The people move's run was completed and The Carousel Theatre had been empty for several years since America Sings was shut down. Tomorrowland needed something new.
In 1998, the new Tomorrowland was opened, with a lot of inspiration taken from the Paris Disneyland. A lot of people were disappointed with this new facelift and Disney has been attempting to fix it since. Today, it faces the same issues. With the opening of Star Wars Land, Tomorrowland may be the next land to see a huge upgrade once again. Maybe they will get it right this time?
4. Hollywood Pictures Backlot
With the opening of CA and the Sunshine Plaza we discussed earlier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot faced the same uninspired Disney feel.
When CA reopened in 2012 with the updated entrance and Carsland, Hollywood Pictures Backlot became Hollywood Land. It was tied directly to Buena Vista Street and represents the 1930s "golden age" Hollywood which was a great choice on their end.
This area is sure to change soon. With the addition of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout there is a good chance that this Hollywood themed area will be remodeled and rethemed to a Marvel Area. There is already a place to meet Captain America and Spiderman and they are adding more heroes this summer.
5. Bountiful Valley Farm
This is probably the most ridiculous one.
This land had very exciting things such as tractors, cow statues, dioramas about farming equipment, and more tractors....
The only attraction at the time was the 3D show "It's Tough to be a Bug," based on Pixar's A Bug's Life. Once Disney executives realized that CA had nothing to really do and pretty much no rides for young kids, they turned this part of CA and expanded over some empty space to A Bug's Land inspired by the attraction.
