Disney's California Adventure

Larry and I have been working so much to get Mom situated in her new apartment, that we decided to take last Sunday off for a field trip day. We hadn't visited Disney's California Adventure in at least 10 or 12 years, so that's where we headed.

Tram into the Parks

Being architecture buffs, we hadn't seen all of the reproductions of famous Los Angeles buildings at the Cal-Adventure. I must say, walking through the "gates" of the old Pan Pacific Auditorium was quite thrilling!

Replica of the entrance of the Pan Pacific Auditorium

We spent a lot of time on Buena Vista Street, checking out the replicas of the Carthay Circle Theater, the Fairfax Market and more. We live quite close to where the Carthay used to be. I was sad that everything at Disneyland was decorated for Halloween already. It was a bit difficult to get the real look of all the buildings. Hollywood Boulevard was pretty good too, except that Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards do not intersect (creative license)! A lot of the street was dedicated to Los Feliz, where Walt Disney settled when he first landed in Los Angeles. Also, where the original Disney Studios were located.

Details of the Carthay Circle Theater replica, already decorated for Halloween

The best ride on Buena Vista Street is a replica of the old Red Car Trolley. We rode it a few times. I never did get to ride on the real Red Car when it was operating in L.A. I vaguely remember seeing the last of the Red Cars lumbering down Venice Boulevard in the early 1960s. Dad pointed it out to me and told me stories about traveling all over L.A. on the trolley.

Red Car Trolley and Larry with the Conductor

Frank Lloyd Wright design, Disney Style

We strolled through the Park, coming to the realization that there were more places to eat than actual rides on this side of Disneyland. California Adventure is the food court for Disneyland! We picked up our fast pass for the Radiator Springs Racers (about 4 hours later in the day). In the meantime, we rode a few of the kiddie rides.

Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters. "Mambo Italiano" was our song

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Everything is beautifully articulated and art directed at California Adventure. The attention to design detail is amazing.

Pixar Pier

We ended up having a quick lunch at Flo's V-8 Cafe near Carsland. BLT. Went on a few more rides and walked through that forest-like park area. 

Grizzly River Run

Refreshing LIVE entertainment at Pixar Pier. Dig those wild outfits!

One of the more impressive displays of a current movie was for "Coco."  I just love all that Dia de Los Muertos design!

"Coco" Pavilion 

By 4pm, it was definitely time for a cocktail. We were quite close to the Grand Californian Hotel, so we walked into this craftsman wonder directly to the bar.

Cocktails at the Grand Californian Hotel

We ended our "adventure" with a swift ride on the Radiator Spring Racers. Dinnertime! Drove toward L.A. and stopped in La Mirada at Clearman's Northwoods Inn, which is a Disney-type environment.

Clearman's Northwoods Inn, La Mirada

It was a great day and a nice respite from work.