Today is the 20th Anniversary of Disney California Adventure. And sadly, just like when the park actually opened, it's passing with very little fanfare. 

Nonetheless, we figured we'd take a look a look back at one of the more interesting and different parks in the Disney family. We hope you enjoy!!! 

We'll start our look at one of the AP Preview days they held before the park was open, aka, one of the very few days the park was busy during it's first few years. 

You've come a long-long way baby. 

We also did a "Theme Park Retrospective" of the park in 2001 last year. 

Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version. 

This first set is going WAY back to the earliest days of Disney's California Adventure. 

How about some DCA 1.0 night shots. The park always did look better at night. 

As the years went on, they added more seasonal decorations, attractions and shows. Looking back on this now, the "postcard" thing does kind of make sense. 

Of course, the big change came in 2012, and really continues through this day. Only a few things at the park are in their original 2001 state at this point. 

Marvel made it's way into the park a few years ago, and an all new Marvel attraction will (hopefully) open this year. 

The last big change at the park was Pixar Pier. I do actually miss "Paradise Pier". 

I've loved most of the changes at the park, but this one was a step back IMO. Still, it doesn't change the fun or excitement of the star attraction in the area. 

We hope you enjoyed this look back at Disney California Adventure. We can't wait to visit again, hopefully soon. 

​Related Updates 

• Grogu's Day Out at Walt Disney World - January 28, 2021
• Walt Disney World: Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Update - February 3, 2021
• ​Disney's Animal Kingdom Re-Opening Pre-Opening Cast Member Preview - July 7, 2020
• Disneyland Resort Update - Food and Wine, Avengers Campus and more - March 4, 2020
• Disneyland Resort Update - Lunar New Year and Rise of the Resistance - January 22, 2020

SAN DIEGO, California (February 2, 2021) – SeaWorld San Diego announced today that it will reopen as an accredited zoo on Saturday, February 6! Guests can again safely enjoy all of their favorite outdoor animal exhibits where they can visit dolphins, sea lions, bat rays, bamboo sharks, flamingos, sea otters, turtles, and more, while roaming 100 acres of the park’s expansive property. They can also attend SeaWorld’s renowned live educational presentations to learn more about dolphins, sea lions, and orcas, and check out the park’s newest presentation, Rescue Tails! This exciting and educational, new addition shares the story of SeaWorld’s Conservation Ambassadors, animal care and rescue stories at the Nautilus Amphitheatre with physically distant seating. Starting Saturday February 6, the park will be open on Fridays (11:00am-7:00pm), Saturdays (10:00am-7:00pm), and Sundays (10:00am-6:00pm), including Monday February 15 for the President’s Day holiday, from 10:00am-6:00pm. Guests are encouraged to keep checking the park website for schedule changes and updates as additional opening days and times may be added.
 
In compliance with state safety guidelines for zoos, SeaWorld will continue to operate with enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements, and temperature screenings. To give guests ample space for a physically distanced visit, reservations and date-specific tickets must be purchased online and in advance of each visit to manage capacity. Each ticket includes park entry, and access to all outdoor animal exhibits and presentations. The number of tickets available each day is limited and are on sale now.
 
“We are thrilled to once again reopen as a zoo to provide our guests with amazing, memorable—and safe—outdoor experiences this year,” said Marilyn Hannes, president of SeaWorld San Diego. “We will continue to implement a reservation system so that our guests can freely enjoy our incredible outdoor animal exhibits and presentations, including a new presentation that we are so excited for—Rescue Tails!”
 
Learn About Fascinating Animals

• ALL NEW! Rescue Tails is an educational presentation (with physical distancing) that teaches guests about SeaWorld’s commitment to animal care and rescue. Guests will meet many of the park’s rescued animals, such as birds of prey, primates, and reptiles, and learn about their unique stories.
• Guests can safely roam SeaWorld’s spacious park grounds to enjoy the park’s open-air outdoor animal viewing exhibits, which feature orcas, bamboo sharks, stingrays, sea lions, otters, Magellanic penguins, dolphins, flamingos, and more.
• SeaWorld’s renowned Dolphin, Sea Lion and Orca Encounter, live educational presentations with physically distant seating, are back!
• And for those guests who are excited about an even more interactive experience, tickets are available for exclusive, physically distanced small group Dolphin, Sea Otter, Flamingo and Sloth Encounters (online reservations required), or Sea Lion and Bat Ray Feedings (available for purchase inside the park).

 
Inspire an Appetite

• Enjoy an amazing array of delicious food options from limited-time specialty menus designed by SeaWorld’s talented culinary team.
• Adults can also indulge in a cold brew from an expansive, curated selection of craft beers, including many SoCal favorites, or opt for delicious new cocktails—all available throughout the park.
• With plenty of outdoor seating, park guests are in for a treat with a wide variety of chef-designed food items like Kickin’ Fried Shrimp, Honey Glazed Salmon, Hot Honeyracha Chicken Wings, BBQ Brisket Tacos, Loaded Tatchos, and more.

 
To learn more about SeaWorld San Diego’s enhanced health and safety measures and what guests can expect when they arrive at the park, they can visit seaworldsandiego.com/safety.
 
Best Way to Play
SeaWorld’s valued Pass Members and Fun Card Holders receive free admission to the park. Guests can save up to $30 by purchasing advance date-specific tickets online for as low as $63.99. Children under 3 are free.
 
For even more incredible value, the park offers a Dine & Drink bundle, good for admission plus dishes from new chef-curated menus, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available. For as low as $79.99, adults (10 and older) will get admission to the park PLUS a choice of six food items and/or alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. For only $74.99, children (3 to 9) will get admission to the park PLUS a choice of four food items and/or non-alcoholic beverages.
 
SeaWorld’s Annual Passes are available starting as low as $8.75 per month for a limited time. The new “Best Benefits Ever” include unlimited admission for all of 2021, FREE parking, up to 50 percent off in-park purchases, and access to special rewards. Guests can also “pay for a day” and get a 2021 Fun Card good for unlimited admission* for all of 2021 for the price of general admission.
 
As reservations will be limited for this experience, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets now. Please visit seaworldsandiego.com/tickets for more details.
 
Guests can receive the latest information on hours of operation for SeaWorld San Diego by visiting, www.seaworldsandiego.com or https://www.facebook.com/seaworldsandiego.  
 
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About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld®
rescue team has helped more than 37,000 animals in need over the Company’s history.  SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 60-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at www.seaworldentertainment.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company’s press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
*Black-out dates apply

​Pics by Renée ​Girard

JACKSON, NJ – January 26, 2021 – The final track piece of Jersey Devil Coaster, the world’s tallest, longest, and fastest single-rail coaster, was placed yesterday afternoon. This “topping off” 130 feet in the sky marks the completion of track construction on Six Flags Great Adventure’s highly-anticipated scream machine, which is set to open in 2021.
 
Iron workers from TCN & Co, the ride’s erection company which is based in Marlton, New Jersey, along with the ride’s manufacturer and Six Flags project supervisor, signed the final piece of orange steel before it ascended to its final resting place atop the extreme, 87-degree, vertical drop.

​Following the topping off, construction, maintenance, and engineering teams will focus on:

• Installing the chain link lift mechanism that will hoist riders to the top of the 13-story hill;
• Adding four devilishly-designed trains that feature an inline style, with riders sitting low and single file while straddling the smooth, I-beam track;
• Building the ride station including a moving platform, transfer track, maintenance area and queue;
• Installing the ride controls;
• Extensive ride testing; and
• Inspections and NJ state certification.

All phases will be completed before the first passengers board the ride later this season. An opening date for the coaster has not yet been set.

Towering 13 stories, at speeds up to 58 mph, Jersey Devil Coaster riders will soar single file through the dark and foreboding woods over 3,000 feet of track. Inspired by infamous New Jersey mythology, the cutting-edge coaster will feature five intense elements including three dramatic inversions.
 
Key features of the Jersey Devil Coaster include:
 
·         Four sleek trains of 12 passengers each sitting low and inline style (one rider per row) with their legs straddling either side of the monorail track;
·         3,000 feet of soaring, single-rail, I-beam track;
·         Tension-building ascent up a towering, 130-foot lift hill;
·         Flying at speeds up to 58 mph;
·         Intense elements including a steep 87-degree first drop and overbank cutback; and
·         Three dramatic inversions including a 180-degree stall, raven dive, and zero-gravity roll.
 
For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
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