Skip to content

DCA History Tour – Dining

Can you believe it! We are just a little over 5 weeks away from the moment every Disney fan has been waiting for since 2008…the redo of Disney California Adventure will finally be completed! So, the OBVIOUS thing to do is move on to Part 4 of my DCA History Lesson! We have covered, so far, Sunshine Plaza, Golden Dreams, and Superstar Limo. This entry will be a lengthy one, since we are covering ALL of the past restaurants that have graced the face of the park. From quick service to sit-down, expensive to cheap, we are covering them all! Let’s get started then! Grab a tray, place an order, and let’s travel back in time!

Let’s start off with the Quick Service locations around the park. They all tried to be unique and themed, though they were just QS places, but sometimes…the theme just didn’t work. “Pizza Oom Mow Mow” and “Burger Invasion” were 2 of those locations. The former was a a mish mash of two connected beach cottages (with a variety of pizza choices). You ate in, what seemed to be, outside of a garage door adorned with airbrush art that they put on shirts when you go to the beach. One of the problems facing this was that there was NO BACKSTORY! With such an awkwardly designed place and no story of how it got there, it was just known as “That ugly restaurant by the Orange Stinger”. It opened in Feb. of 2001 and closed in Sept. of 2010.

Right beside the glory that is “Pizza Oom Mow Mow” (btw, what a terrible pun!) was “Burger Invasion”. This spaceship/hamburger crossover was one of the many McDonald’s locations across the domestic Disney theme parks. This one, though, had no inside seating and no coverings…which is a deal breaker for most people. The McDonald’s contract expired in 2007, but the Mickey D’s fast food joint stayed around until Sept. of 2008. After it closed, it stayed closed…for 2 years. Eventually this, “Pizza Oom Mow Mow” and the S.S. Rustworthy (look for that in an upcoming blog!) were demolished and were replaced by the beautiful and delicious “Paradise Garden Grill” and “Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta”

Read More »DCA History Tour – Dining

New Mashup: Walt Disney’s Taxi Driver

I love those trailer mashups that combine a Disney world with an unexpected source. Very little could be further from the world of Disney than Taxi Driver and yet Bryan Boyce has managed to make a perfect “fair use” parody trailer combining the two. According… Read More »New Mashup: Walt Disney’s Taxi Driver

Castle 4-23: Always

I am still basking in the afterglow of last night’s Castle. I was worried they wouldn’t really deliver on the promises of the previews, but they did in a perfect way.

Of course, since it was a season finale, we had to bring Beckett’s mother’s murder back into the mix. Honestly, I’m not sure I follow what’s happening with that any more. If they mentioned it more than once or twice a season, it might help. But I actually like the fact that this show doesn’t have something they advance every week. I can only handle so many shows with advancing every week arcs, so it’s nice to have some shows where I can just enjoy the show when it’s on. And I certainly enjoy Castle.

Anyway, as Castle and Beckett meet up at the crime scene, they are discussing Alexis’ upcoming graduation. Castle says he plans a double feature for after the ceremony and invites Beckett, who actually smiles as she says yes. Then she has to prompt a stunned Castle to actually come to the crime scene.

The victim is a former gang member who joined the army to get away from the gang. Since getting out, he’s been attempting to get a job, but hasn’t been having much luck. But his girlfriend insists that he hasn’t gone back to the gang. He wants to keep his son away from that life.Read More »Castle 4-23: Always

Good Things Come in Threes. “Dancing With the Stars” Week 8 Recap

Okay kids, we’ve reached that point of the competition where I need to bust out a special mathematical DWTS formula to keep track of the leader board. Last week we saw the season’s final dance duel, which turned out to be a fairly effective way… Read More »Good Things Come in Threes. “Dancing With the Stars” Week 8 Recap

Three New Images from Pixar’s Brave

Disney has released three new images from Pixar’s Brave. As in the previous stills you can really see the artistry and the talent that went into lighting and modeling each scene. Love it.

Check’em out below the jump:

Read More »Three New Images from Pixar’s Brave

Star Wars Weekends TV Spot

It’s the same television ad every year, but it’s still cool. Plus this year there’s a #SWW2012 hashtag we can all join in. Of course, I’m also a bit partial to the ad I filmed for last year’s grand opening of Star Tours 3D. Previously:… Read More »Star Wars Weekends TV Spot

Magic Kingdom Update – Princess Merida, New Fantasyland and more

Trying something new for the Magic Kingdom update this week. I’ve put an album of photos up over on The Disney Blog’s Google+ page. Anyone can view it. If you’re logged in, feel free to share it as well. This week we have Princess Merida’s… Read More »Magic Kingdom Update – Princess Merida, New Fantasyland and more

Modern Family at Disneyland – Another Preview and a Parental Warning

Disney has released another short clip from the special episode of ABC’s Modern Family filmed at Disneyland. That clip exemplifies Modern Family’s humor for me. Based on circumstances anyone could find themselves in, just handled with the usual flair of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan. Apparently another… Read More »Modern Family at Disneyland – Another Preview and a Parental Warning