Disneyland Resort will wrap construction this month on upgrades for a portion of Disney California Adventure as part of an ongoing, parkwide $2 billion investment push.
The Pacific Wharf area of the theme park, which hasn’t seen a major upgrade since it first opened in 2001, is being remodeled into “San Fransokyo,” to resemble the futuristic city in Disney’s 2014 animated feature film “Big Hero 6.”
The waterfront boardwalk-theme stretch of land sits between Cars Land, which was constructed in 2012, and Pixar Pier, previously known as Paradise Pier.
San Fransokyo Square will debut on Aug. 31 with updates ranging from new stores and menu items at existing restaurants to themed merchandise and character meetings. The renovated San Fransokyo bridge that leads to the area now stands 54 feet high.
Japanese, Spanish and English influences will be found around the plaza in line with the film’s multicultural theming. Turbines shaped like Koi fish from the movie will float above the buildings, including the well-known Boudin sourdough bakery and Ghirardelli’s Shop, both of which will remain.
Restaurant and bar concepts have been renamed to include Aunt Cass Café, Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería and Rita’s Turbine Blenders, with Lucky Fortune Cookery and Cocina Cucamonga keeping their names and existing themes.
Expansions Far and Wide
Disney California Adventure is also scheduled to see new rides open at Avengers Campus as part of ongoing investments.
Construction crews have built walls around half of the Downtown Disney shopping district as well, with new restaurants and bars planned. Disneyland-owned hotels are also seeing expansions.
Theming updates are based on “customer affinity,” according to park officials.
The lack of space to execute larger projects and expansions at the 500-acre resort has led to the company’s DisneylandForward proposal, which asks for updates to existing approvals to build other uses on land it owns in the direct vicinity of the two theme parks.
“There is plenty of space to build on,” Joe Haupt, CEO and president of Irvine-based Spectrum Development Group, previously told the Business Journal. The firm has been tapped to help with the proposals.
The parcels being eyed for redevelopment largely include three parking lots and other land totaling about 100 acres.
