There has been a lot of buzz (and I'm not talking Lightyear) around the Disneyland® Resort about all of the new attractions coming to the Resort.  If you've been to the Disneyland® Resort lately, then you're sure to have noticed some exciting construction going on, particularly in Disney's California Adventure® Park, where the majority of the changes are currently taking place.  Disney's California Adventure® Park (or DCA for short) will be introducing World of Color, an all-new water and light show, Silly Symphony Swings (replacing the Orange Stinger), The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure (the first attraction, not show, based on the movie), and a completely new expansion, Cars Land, based on the Disney·Pixar film.

The first of the attractions opening will be Disney's World of Color.  You can see construction for this one-of-a-kind water show taking place now at DCA's Paradise Pier in front of the newly Mickey-ized ferris wheel and California Screamin'.  Work is being done on the 1,600 programable fountains, each with its own LCD light, which span over an entire acre that will be completely submerged.  When finished, the production will contain the largest water screen in the world with a 380 foot width and 50 foot height.  A viewing area for up to 9,000 guests will provide comfortable and close viewing to make guests feel immersed in the experience. The fountains themselves can reach heights of 200 feet, and the show will incorporate lasers, fire, fog and of course, water effects to produce a Disney spectacular.  The show itself will "submerge" you in classic Disney animation and story telling with much beloved characters from Alice in Wonderland, Wall-E, Pocahontas, Toy Story, and The Lion King.  Conception art, video commentary from Imagineers, and models of the completed area can be viewed at the Blue Sky Cellar in Disney's California Adventure® Park.  It is definitely worth checking out.  The show is slated to debut in Spring 2010.

Shortly following the opening of Disney's World of Color, Silly Symphony Swings will take flight.  This attraction will be replacing the Orange Stinger, which is now closed permanently.  Borrowing from the early cartoon, The Band Concert, the attraction will feature Mickey as the conductor as you "swing" to the music.

The Little Mermaid attraction is also currently under construction where California Dreams used to stand in the Park.  The replica of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts remains and will be incorporated into the new attraction.  This attraction will take guests under the sea to experience the music, magic, and adventures of Ariel and her best pals and is scheduled to open in 2011.  In the meantime, you can see concept art and attraction  information at the Blue Sky Cellar.

If you can't wait that long for Little Mermaid experiences at the Disneyland® Resort, you can dine with Ariel and other Disney Princesses at Ariel's Grotto located overlooking the Pier inside DCA.  This unique Character Dining experience includes an appetizer tower, salad, your choice of a number of entrees fit for royalty, and a platter of delicious desserts.  Once you've dined with the princesses, head on over to Ursula's Grotto inside DCA's Animation Station.  Here Ursula will temporarily take your voice and lend it to clips of Disney films.

By far the biggest and most involved addition to Disney's California Adventure® Park will be the 12 acre Cars Land.  When it opens in 2012, guests will walk into the town of Radiator Springs made famous by the Disney·Pixar feature.  Two models of the highly anticipated land were on display at the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Pavilion at the D23 Expo, but you can see smaller models and more information on display at the Blue Sky Cellar.  Current construction is also visible from areas of the Disneyland® Resort Hotels and from peaks on California Screamin', but you have to look quickly before you drop. 

Three new attractions and new dining and shopping areas will fill the evolving space. For "fuel," Flo's Cafe and Cozy Cone Motel will be serving tasty treats.  The Cozy Cone Motel will serve everything with a cone theme like "cone on the cob," pop "cone," and chili "cone" carne. 

As for attractions,  Luigi's Flying Tires will be a much improved upon version of Disneyland® Park's old Flying Saucer ride where guests will ride on air atop tires.  Tow Mater's Junkyard Jubilee is creating a lot of speculation, but nothing really substantial has been unveiled about what the attraction will entail.  Radiator Springs Racers will be the major draw of the new land.  Taking up half of the 12 acres and using more rock work than Walt Disney World® Resort's Expedition Everest, this attraction promises to deliver an E-Ticket experience.  Presenting a variety of landscapes, classic Cars comedy, and of course, sharp turns, squealing tires, and high speeds, Radiator Springs Racers is sure to become a Park favorite.  At the D23 Expo we were treated to a short "pre-viz" or pre-visualization of the attraction, and the only disappointment is that we have to wait until 2012 to see it in person. 

Until then, there is so much to see and do at this California fun theme park, including my two favorites: Soarin' Over California and the new Toy Story Mania!  You also won't want to miss Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, California Screamin', the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, or really, anything else at the Park.  Plus, with the new renovations to the Park, you don't have much time to experience the original themes and feel of Disney's California Adventure® Park.  Book your Disneyland® Resort vacation today and take advantage of our discount ticket prices and free night specials at many of our hotel partners.  We guarantee that you'll get the best price and best service, and well, have the most fun on your Disneyland® Resort vacation.