Agree. Bring back "Aladdin" - the best show in California Adventure ever.

They should never have taken out the Muppet show!!!

Thank you for a year of fun and laughter!

My daughter's dance school came all the way from Sydney, Australia, to perform on that DCA stage in September, and we were worried that nobody would see the performance because the stage seems to be tucked away. Happily, though, some people did stop to watch, and there was a small crowd of parents and members of the public to cheer on the dancers. 🙂

Agree, Aladdin was the best and great to go in the heat of the afternoon

I don't think you're giving Animation Academy enough credit! Great summer place to cool off, the wall to wall music and art is an emotional journey. Crush is fantastic. The Beast's Library is gone tho.... And the drawing classes are fun!

I do agree with you on the Aladdin show, it was fantastic. My cousin was a cast member and got me in for my birthday. It was a wonderful day.

I love Monsters Inc, Mickeys Phillharmagic, and Turtle Talk with Crush!

You're killing me with the pork belly! That looks so good!!!!!

With our yearly passes my husband and I would always go to both parks. We knew when to go when there were less crowds. We went to the ABC Soap Opera’s restaurant and ate in the Chandler mansion. There was no one there, so they gave us a tour of all the spots to eat at, like General Hospital’s nurses station. It was gone the next time we went. We went to Who wants to be a millionaire, the muppets and Monster’s Inc. We counted 3 times as many restaurants and shops to attractions at that time.

1 - I agree, it IS a weird little space without a well defined central core. 2 - On our first trip with kids, we stopped to watch a little song-and-dance show at the small stage. My youngest, maybe 8yr at the time, was pulled up on stage to interact with the performers. Core memory! 3 - Yes, bring back Aladdin!

Getting rid of Aladdin and Muppets 3D really changed DCA for me. I miss those things dearly! Also, I preformed on that stage with my high school choir in May 2016! We also got to record 2 songs backstage and have them put to film. It was an amazing experience!

duuuuuude...I LOVE Hollywood Land ! Especially before they ruined the Tower of Terror. I am a sucker for old Hollywood though. Grab some drinks at Carthay's Circle, stroll through Hollywood Land, ride Tower of Terror...Took me to a different place and time. Merry Christmas Provost ! And Merry Christmas one and all !

I know this is off topic of the video, for that I apologize. I have been enjoying Disneyland for many years but have not been able to go since 2018 for many reasons. About a week ago I discovered your channel and you have brought so much happiness to my life. When I am watching and learning all of the great things you have to teach us, a small part of me feels like I am in the park with you. I can’t thank you enough for your videos. When you take the time and speak to us individually and tell us we are special it always brings a spark of life to me. Thank you so much for being an absolutely wonderful person.

2:55 I remember DCA during the Eisner era, it had it's charm. Being a San Francisco native, I really liked the homages to the Bay Area; Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Painted Ladies, Wine Country, Redwood National Parks. A little slice of Norther California in Souther California.

The park was getting on its feet before they removed Tower of Terror. Now it’s just a weird thematic mess.

Yes, it needs work, but after spending the last 2 days in the parks, Tomorrowland still needs it more. The feeling and emotion are gone from what was once my favorite land. My daughter and I hardly spent any time there. Just a quick trip into Tomorrowland for a Space rope drop, a Lightning Lane here and there, and then back across the park for something else. Hollywood, we sat, ate, and watched a show. We didn't just rush out till I realized we were late for our Guardians return time.

I miss the Mad Tea Party that was back by Monsters Inc.....

I actually worked a little on Mike And Sully ride. I helped with the CDA making the Buttons, grills, knobs and even the clip boards and pencils.

That area used to be my favorite quiet night time place. Hang out for a bit in bugs land after all the kids are gone or people are watching nighttime shows. Go on Heimlich and maybe a couple other rides. Walk over and do the muppets vision, monsters inc, watch the screens in the animation building. It was always so quiet and empty. And had a great atmosphere.

You make a great point, just seems like a lot of wasted space there, especially in that back corner. I would have LOVE if Rodgers the Musical stayed longer, it was AMAZING

My family and I were able to meet you during this video! I saw you recording and had to refrain myself from screaming! Thank you for all your amazing content!

I went to DCA on day one.. My overall impression (as well as those of my family) is that it was done on the cheap. That ONE BILL DOLLARS they later poured into just shows that I was right.

I can absolutely confirm how bad the Superstar Limo ride was. Really, really bad caricatures of somewhat popular celebrities of that time. I’m so glad they eventually re-themed to Monsters, Inc.

I totally thought this video was going to be for Paradise Gardens. Lol! Now THAT is a weird land! But yeah - Hollywood land has some cool options but everything is hidden so it's easy to miss it all.

Why did you skip the animation building? It's one of the best places to relax and be entertained. I used to love the beasts library but now it is closed.

Chris- I strongly agree with everything you said about Hollywood land. It doesn't have a strong something to identify with. What I think Disney should do with the Hyperion Theater is bring back a series of shows, including Aladdin because that was such a popular one during my time. For the building in the back that was used for the Avengers superstore: they should showcase an exhibit of a past attraction such as Babes In Toyland. It's really cool Disney is using entertainment to fill that area behind Refreshment Corner. The only thing I like at Hollywood Land is the Animation Building. Thank you so much for bringing this up!! If someone asks me what I think the most weird land is, I will say Hollywood Land. Go Dodgers!!

They need to have the character handprints like they have the celebrity handprints outside of the TCL Chinese Theatre!!! And a wax museum like Madame Tussauds, that way people can still see/get pics with the characters even when they’re not out walking around. I was there last February when it snowed and saw maybe five characters at the most between Disneyland and California Adventure.

Love the videos, I think if your going to keep monsters Inc Ride, they should turn the back lot into monstropolis, build monsters Inc and monsters university, plus they could make a Harry housins as an adult restaurant. They can keep the rest of Hollywood and the hyperion for future use.

Disney has a whole slew of IP musicals and it’s in California where there are so many actors/singers/dancers looking for work. They should just run a repertory theater out of the Hyperion, so that you make one Disney trip you might see Aladdin but next trip it might be Lion King, etc.

Animation Academy is so awesome! We love drawing characters and Turtle Talk with Crush! We also loved spending time downstairs doing the zoetrope drawings and visiting Beast’s Library!

I agree Hollywood land is odd 😂 but I absolutely love Monsters Inc and Schmoozies as well but it could use some sort of structure lol. I personally miss the Frozen at Hyperion ❤

love the video . The Dodgers part happened to me once ran into a rival fan we looked at each other and agree we’re here with family let’s have fun let’s not spoil it

Go Dodgers! Go UCLA Bruins! Merry Christmas. Happy 2024.

Thank you Chris! Informative as always, I hoped to see you when we took our every five year trip last month from Utah! Thanks for the kind words, you never know who you reach or the moments they are stuck in. You are important and you matter too!! 😊

I love your videos! Thank you for providing great entertainment and such inspirational messages. You truly are a great person who puts others first and is always thinking of us not just as subscribers but as people. Love you man! I hope you know that you are doing a great job and that there are a lot of people that care about you too!

As a CA native, I really didn’t get DCA when it opened. I kept wondering why people wouldn’t visit the real things instead of the fakes. Especially Hollywood since it’s so close. And for us oldies, there was nothing nostalgic. Over time DCA has improved greatly especially in its story telling. My grandsons love DCA and it’s partly because they grew up with Pixar movies more than the old Disney classic cartoons that I grew up with.

A weird video, yes, but one I ESPECIALLY enjoyed, thank you!

I felt it was a celebration of California more than an attempt at a substitute for it. Being from Northern California, I appreciate the redwoods, Sonoma and Mendocino representation.

❤❤❤❤❤ Merry Christmas Chris, Amanda, Miles. Have A Wonderful New Year.😊😊😊😊😊🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇😇😇🥰🥰🥰🥰

That’s funny because my brother and I recognize you while we were waiting in line for Monsters inc. We were the ones from Santa Clarita

As a huge Animation fan, I wish we could've gotten some more secrets revealed in the animation building. Lol, I been planning a day that I just go and take all the classes at animation academy. Love the channel, happy holidays.

I think the media kept people away. For a couple of weeks before it opened all they impressed upon people was how miserable the traffic would be on opening day--week. I live in Northern California, I was there when the gates opened and loved it.

Loved playing Who want to be a millionaire, Aladin, and the concerts on the water. The thing I miss the most is Pizza oom mow mow. We ate there every time, and we went alot

Superstar Limo was the best worst ride Disney ever made!

That’s a Hidden Gonzo!!! 💙

I honestly never made the connection with the big mural of the sky being on The Hyperion Theatre. I don’t know what I thought it was, but now I know. Thanks.

Love that look and you are right that is a weird land. Your inspirational messages have been so uplifting in this holiday season

You glossed over animation studio, one of my favorite activities at DCA.

One now-gone theming element of the original Hollwood Pictures Backlot was the comical announcements over the studio PA system by the switchboard operator, Daisy Duck. You would hear these on Hollywood Boulevard as well, adding to the idea that the street was a set on a studio backlot, rather than a "real" street as it's themed to today.

I lived in Hollywood when I first moved to Los Angeles. It is unique. So this land in DCA is following in rebel footsteps. I love how everyone recognizes you. Thanks Chris. Your talks really do help. Safe travels. Michelle from ?Omaha

They could retheme part of California Adventure after Wreck-It Ralph! There are so many possibilities for attractions within it!! Who wouldn't want to ride a candy kart themed after Sugar Rush or destroy cybugs in Hero's Duty? lol.

As always, thanks for a great video. My take on the Hollywood portion of DCA is that it's been whittled back to become useless (much like Tomorrowland). When it was planned, there would've been an LAX entrance for Superstar Limo, which would've been a zippy indoor kids' coaster. (Coaster axed because of the realities of what can happen fleeing paparazzi was creepy.) They added Tower of Terror, but that got co-opted by more modern IP. The Hyperion has held several great shows - not one of which I've seen TBH. There's also a complex food court behind Hollywood Studios, quite like the entrance to the studio park in Paris, which I got to go into once. Losing Millionaire, turning the Muppets into a preview area for upcoming films (for a while), dumping the Limo for Monsters (trading horrible for ok other people dig this), slowly eroding everything you can do in the Animation building, which was the best feature of the park at first and is now pretty meh... I wouldn't call this weird, so much as sad. Like Tomorrowland.

I remember coming to Disney Christmas of 2001 just after Cal Adventure opened and it was just a little land on the far side of the parking lot. Just looked like nothing was there. So glad it's grown. I saw the Frozen stage show with my kids and loved it 7 years ago.

I love how many fans stopped to say hi ❤ It makes me really want to meet you some day

LOL! I was thinking that area was "strange" just last week! Enjoy the holidays - may they be merry & bright ❄

They need to bring back the Tron night time theme with the DJ’s and the edm

I LOVE your fun videos, Chris!! Watching them makes me feel like I'm visiting Disney along with you! 😊 I want to wish you, Amanda, Miles, and the rest of the Provost Park Pass family Happy Holidays!! 😊

We missed Mostly Kosher this year on our December trip as they got moved to Hollywood Studios when they used to be in the Craft beer garden.

I agree, Aladdin was the best! 😊 Merry Christmas and Happy, healthy 2024 to you, Amanda and Miles.🌲❤

@Chris, as a lifelong Disney Imagineering fan and Disneyland fan (and fan of your channel, too), I have to disagree with your characterization of the original concept for DCA and your characterization of why the park was not considered successful in its early years. I was there in the park's first year; I read the reviews and analyses; I talked to dozens of other Disney Parks fans. I also remember DCA's opening TV special and the presentations about the new park from the Imagineers. Here's what I know about it: Knowing that a high percentage of Disneyland Resort guests come from inside the state of California (which is different from Walt Disney World Resort guests, who come from all over the central and eastern U.S., Europe, and South America), the concept was to present a fun tribute to the guests’ home state, highlighting some perhaps new information in an entertaining way, and showcasing those California experiences that can be difficult to catch an impression of in a single morning or afternoon (such as the wine country, the farmlands of the central valley, or the national parks), or that have lost much of their idealized wholesome image-some of which wholesomeness may have may have been a fantasy all along (such as a clean and convenient Hollywood Boulevard or Fisherman’s Wharf). One might think of the original DCA as a version of EPCOT’s World Showcase if the whole world were the size of the state of California-with each land representing an idealized, fantasy version of some famous experience within the state. And a pinch of EPCOT’s “infotainment” was included, such as the sourdough bread factory, the “Golden Dreams” show, Bountiful Valley Farms, etc. Where DCA went wrong was in its scoping and budgeting process. Disney Legend and former Executive Vice President in Charge of Master Planning, Architecture and Design at Walt Disney Imagineering (from 1997 to 2009), Wing Chao, talks about this in several video interviews given between 2005 and 2015. The corporate oversight team had not yet adopted the current understanding that Parks & Resorts return-on-investment is much higher than most other business centers of the corporation. So, they insisted that the DCA team keep development costs very low. As a result, the number of attractions was kept down. Some attractions were delayed for development until after the park opened (included the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). A vast majority of attractions were thinly themed off-the-shelf rides (including virtually every attraction in Paradise Pier-now Pixar Pier), making much of the park appear to be a cheap roadside carnival. (Similar underinvestment problems occurred simultaneously with the Studios expansion at Disneyland Paris and with the Dinoland expansion at Animal Kingdom-look how they turned out initially.) In addition, to avoid “competing” with its neighbor, Disneyland, DCA generally stayed away from using any IP that was already in use at Disneyland. So…what was left…stars of the ABC shows like soap operas and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Oh, one Pixar property. And King Triton. And the Muppets. Even the Disney Animation building-although it’s a lot-wasn’t enough. Consequently, the park was unable to overcome the opening-day jitters that every Disney park experiences by doing what other parks did: appealing to a sense of familiarity and nostalgia with lovable, familiar Disney characters. Children, a key demographic of most Disney products, including the parks, generally did not feel a strong connection with the experiences offered by DCA. And so it was considered an “adult” park and they took advantage of the wine country themed area to offer alcoholic beverages. But in 2000, the double-income-no-kids trend still didn’t have the momentum it has now, so a park that didn’t appeal to mom, dad, and kids was a hard sell. So, the general analysis of DCA’s early struggles was not its choice of themes so much as the corporation’s tepid investment in it and its lack of ability to create connections with children. And when the corporation resolved to “fix” DCA, it was those two points they attacked first-they invested heavily and they added lovable, familiar Disney characters and stories. I know some argue they rethemed. I argue they were forced to retheme to make the characters’ presence seem natural. And they added Disney IP themes as they re-invested using Disney IP. For example: when they “plussed” Paradise Pier, the only way to upgrade its off-the-shelf rides was to add theming. And the only natural theming to add was Disney IP. And to present a unified theme for the land, a unified retheme of all of Paradise Pier was required. To prove my point, Paradise Pier was rethemed twice. The first time, it was rethemed but very little was renamed-1920’s-style fab four characters were added to as many attractions as possible, including Mickey’s face in the center of the Fun Wheel (renamed Mickey’s Fun Wheel-now the ineptly named Pixar Pal-A-Round). The Orange Stinger became what it is now-and no Pixar theme has since been found for it. For a short time, it was as if we were visiting a 1920’s California amusement hosted by Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy (or something like what they looked like in the 1920’s, kind of, wearing something like 1920’s beach attire, kind of, sometimes). Which was only a few degrees off from the architecture and music and food and general ambience of the original Paradise Pier design. The second makeover made it Pixar Pier and more attractions were given new Pixar themes, almost uniting the land around the output of that studio-if that can be a theme. And we haven’t really figured out quite what the architecture and music and food and general ambience of the land has to do with Pixar. So maybe we’re just ignoring theming now? In a theme park? But hey, cute Disney characters, am I right? And at least the park isn’t losing money so it’s not in danger of closing tomorrow. Whew. I guess I’ll be okay with “the land themed after the parks Walt Disney built Disneyland in reaction to”…inside “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Parking Lot”.

“I don’t get it but it’s cool” I hope people say that about me!!

Merry Christmas Provost Family Robinson and all of the Provost fans! Great report Chris! Thanks! Yup, Disney needs to double down on Hollywood Land Instead of chickening out on Buena Vista Street and the whole are they need to plus it up times 10,000!

Dear Chris, many thanks to you for all the joy you provide us with! I wish you all a very, merry Christmas and a good start into a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!!

My last time to Disneyland was in 2015, after the renovations to fix California Adventure, and it had actually grown on me. Before that I would just pop in to go on Tower of Terror and see the Animation Building. But the renos made everything feel much more complete. Grizzly Peak was great, Hollywood was great, Buena Vista St. was great, even Cars Land was great and I'm not even a Pixar fan... But then they went and RE-BROKE it. Losing the Tower of Terror in particular was devastating. So needless.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS and have a wonderful new year! You’re such a light in this world. Thank you so much

Frankly, I like Disneyland’s original expansion concept to include homage to the park’s location, its monuments, geography, and culture. There were a lot of lessons learned at the California park for sure but I like the idea of visiting Disney resorts that have their own distinct experiences in addition to the familiar.

You are AMAZING Chris. Thank you for bringing the magic to our lives even when we can't be there. AND YES, DISNEY, BRING ALADDIN BACK!

I remember when California adventure opened. Merry Christmas and happy new year. Hope your family enjoy the Holidays.

Since you mentioned that you like that bathroom, have you ever mentioned as a secret that it's modeled after the Los Angeles public library?

8:20 I performed on that stage when I was in show choir in middle school!!

Thanks Chris. We always go through that area just to grab an adult beverage. I always thought that area is weird. The big avengers store, the big theater that use to play Aladin and now it is hardly used. Wish they brought back Aladin musical.

Merry Christmas eve eve

Do you remember the Who Wants to be a Millionaire show??? Thanks for your videos!

You are the BEST! Thank you for bringing Disney to us! Happy Holidays and New Year 2024! Yeah California Adventure is not my favorite compared to the Magic Kingdom but I guess it is growing on me. Love you and your Channel!

This past November, my family and I went to California Adventure, my first time there, and I enjoyed it. However, the one thing that bothered me was during lunch. We went to a food court area where they had Mexican food, which was quite good. The problem was the covered patio where we were sitting. I felt something hit my shoulder and noticed it was bird dookie. I looked up and noticed multiple birds perched on the patio's rafters above our tables. We wanted to move, but the crowds were swelling, and seating was at a premium. Instead we covered our plates and hurried through our meal. We were close to finishing when another dookie landed one inch from my open beverage.

Thank you for sharing the Disneyland parks! Your recent visit to Hollywoodland missed the Animation pavilion. Definitely a gem!

Sweet! My 👍 changed it from 1.5k to 1.6k!!! I do love animation studio and talking with Crush in the Hollywood area. There used to be an interactive storytelling of Peter Pan with voice activated features. Pretty neat!

Thank you for your videos and content! 🥹💕🙏🏼🎄

Chris, maybe you forgot that the Stage 17 was an original attraction called "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!" The Aladdin show will probably NEVER come back as the broadway show and touring company is still going strong. They don't want to detract from that. It ended when they were making the broadway show. The DCA show ended in 2016 and broadway started in 2017. What WOULD be nice is if they brought the broadway level Beauty and the Beast show, not the one that's at Florida. When DCA opened it WASN'T a "Disney" park as much as it seemed like a slightly upgraded Six Flags or even Knott's park. Except for Soarin' and Tough to be a bug, all the attractions were off the shelf carnival rides or lackluster encounters like Superstar. Even the Welcome plaza never worked as they wanted except 2 times a day the sun reflected properly for the lighting effect.We LOVED the original Animation area, but to have a "farm" as an attraction, was pathetic. The major issue was you had a "pretend" California when within 2 hours you could be at the REAL places in CA. Hollywood area really never caught on because you were right down the road from actual Hollywood. Then things like the ABC restaurant, was always behind the times and if the show wasn't popular then nobody went in. It was Eisner's attempt at forcing ABC into the parks, "synergy" they called it.

Millionaire was fun. Also it was a long show, great to get out of the heat and take a break.

So fun for me to watch you greet fans! When I had a position where I was known in particular large crowds, the first mistake I learned not to say was, “it’s nice to meet you!” Well, come to find out, they would remind me that I had met them before! Ish! So, then I learned to say “it’s nice to see you!” That was much better!

Happy Christmas to you and your family thank you ❤❤❤

I love how often Chris gets stopped. He's so famous.

I’d love for them to rotate some of the shows they use on the cruises for the Hyperion like Villians Tonight, Twice Charmed, Golden Mickeys

They should create a Die Hard musical. I'd call it "Christmas in the Vents".

Happy Christmas provost park pass

I love watching your videos. You are so knowledgeable about the parks. I worked at Disneyland from 1996 to 2009 so I was there for the initial concepts and build of DCA. (They took away our close parking so we were already not happy 😂) Although we were excited to have a new park we were confused when we got to preview it before it opened. We had the same thoughts as the AP's I guess. The management tried to hype it up to get us enthusiastic about it but we had mixed emotions. I am happy that it is having a new and much needed face-lift/re imaging to keep people interested. I'm actually going to visit the parks this spring and stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I'm really excited for this little get away and to see the parks after being away for so long.

I agree it's a bit of an odd ball area it's cute kinda a little bit like a main st but it's not somewhere I want to go back over & over during my trip

Such a fun thought provoking video!!! Love it!💚💙🥰🥰

Studio 17 was the best attraction in DCA. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Play It. I still have a bunch of swag I won there. Hollywood Land is very cool because it is mostly interactive. I always enjoy my time there.

Chris, great video as always. Thanks so much for posting this. One note for a Monster’s Inc ride secret. In the Harryhausen’s scene, the last table on the right has Kermit’s eyes as a dish in the table.

Loved Aladdin. Would love to see it again. Wish they’d bring back muppets too.

If different Disney entities are funding the Hyperion offerings, then how about some Disney on Broadway money? I'd love to see a live version of a "clip show" showing numbers from their Broadway offerings. Give guests a taste of what they could get by seeing an entire Disney Broadway show. They definitely have a lot to work with. Also, go Dodgers! 😂😂 (I have a whole Machado story there for you.)

Rogers, Frozen, Aladdin…but the first show in the Hyperion was called “Blast”.

Hey Chris! My family and another friend’s family came down there for Halloween weekend from Washington state. I had been watching your videos a few weeks prior to our trip. I was really hoping to bump into you there. But, sadly, that did not happen. I was hoping to personally thank you for all the great information you give on your channel. I also wanted to thank you for your, what I like to call, pep talks. I hope the new year is good for you and your family. Take care!

Miss the Muppet Vision 3D Adventure!

Goofys Sky School would be fun to convert it to a Monsters Inc as a way to gather screams. The attraction would be enclosed and use the show scenes from the current Monsters Inc attraction and that would allow Hollywood Studios more room to create something new in continuous building spaces.

First of all, Chris, Merry Christmas to you and your family and looking forward to seeing more of your videos in 2024. Secondly, I need to find where I put it for safekeeping, but I remember a large news article about the area that is now DCA was originally proposed as being Westcot. (A west coast version of Epcot.)

I remember when I was a lil kid I watched Aladin it was so memorable 😢