Looking Toward 2001

Baxter was on hand Monday for an in-house display of Disney doings at the Disneyland Hotel and the annual “Cast Blast” meetings, with Disneyland boss Cynthia Harriss and other park and Imagineering honchos providing state-of-the-magic briefings to thousands of employees. Harriss’ message: With thousands of jobs opening up at Disney’s upcoming new Anaheim park, it’s a time of great opportunity for employees.

Saying “We’re in the home stretch,” Barry Braverman, the Imagineer overseeing the new Disney’s California Adventure park that will open in 2001, showed slides of attractions under construction and some uplifting excerpts from “Soaring Over California,” the hang-glider simulator ride that will be one of the new park’s major rides.

The footage included the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite Valley and Black’s Beach, the San Diego mecca for hang-gliders and skinny dippers. “No, those aren’t nude sunbathers,” Braverman said as the aerial shot swept past the sand. “This is Disney.”

Disney brand expert Liz Gill delivered the company’s idea of a three-day visit to Anaheim starting in 2001: all Disney, all the time. The presentation was heavy on interaction with costumed characters in Disney parks and hotels, with three after-park visits to the restaurants and clubs at Downtown Disney, the entertainment district under construction between Disneyland and the new park.

Brocato said the new park is expected to open in early 2001. And as the new park rises, change continues at the original. Costume expert Meredith Dreyer said Disneyland has begun a five-year program to replace or update most of its more than 100 costumes. “You probably won’t need to do much with Indiana Jones, which is still a relatively new ride,” she said. “But it’s time for a lot of the others.”