Disney's California Adventure Project Tracker

[Coheteboy]

Hey you got a point there! Good visual reference!

[MagicWDI]

Originally Posted by FutureImagineer

so cool! I'm fascinated with the model of Carsland! A few things that I noticed that i'll point out are:
1. you can see on the not-labeled pick that there's a connecting path into Flik's FF from Carsland (look at the outline on the floor of the model)
2. from others, i've heard the pararde route goes along the main promenade in Carsland (the street perpendicular to the yellow line on the second pic) Does any one know how the parade floats in get to this location?
3. in the background you can see the eletrical wires. I'm guessing that the Radiator springs facade will blcok those from view, but are these ever going to be placed into the ground - yah, i know that has to do with the city, and it would be costly, but i was just wondering if this will ever go into affect?

MasterGracey, once again great thread! I always love seeing the new pics. thanks!

1. That is indeed a pathway that will connect Cars Land to what is now a backstage access gate into Flick's Fun Fair. Good eye.

2. I do not believe the parade will travel down the entire length of the promenade, but most likely enter into a holding area just off to the side behind the Tortilla Factory.

3. Yes, those high voltage/low current power lines are on Disney property but are located on a city regulated easement. These kinds of high voltage/low current lines can reach high temperatures and are usually never insulated and are most likely not buried into sewage lines or other forms of underground conduits. These are power lines that usually carry around 500,000 volts. The voltage usually must be downgraded to under 15,000 volts before they can be set underground without much expense and along utility conduits.

Now they can and have buried high voltage wires underground, but when they are damaged it can be extremely costly to repair, and I think that is what keeps most cities from burying their lines. A city wouldn't pay for something like that just for a theme park. It would have to take much more for a need to bury lines of that voltage. What also might be interfering with this option is other utilities getting in the way, such as sewage and telecommunications, as well as other lower voltage power lines. Not to mention, I do not believe anything could be built over the lines if they were to be buried.

[Nautilus]

As for the high voltage lines, they are staying where they are now. You won't see them at all when in Carsland as the new rockwork would be large enough to hide them from view.

[Bruce Bergman]

Originally Posted by MagicWDI

<Snip> 3. Yes, those high voltage/low current power lines are on Disney property but are located on a city regulated easement. These kinds of high voltage/low current lines can reach high temperatures and are usually never insulated and are most likely not buried into sewage lines or other forms of underground conduits. These are power lines that usually carry around 500,000 volts. The voltage usually must be downgraded to under 15,000 volts before they can be set underground without much expense and along utility conduits.

Now they can and have buried high voltage wires underground, but when they are damaged it can be extremely costly to repair, and I think that is what keeps most cities from burying their lines. A city wouldn't pay for something like that just for a theme park. It would have to take much more for a need to bury lines of that voltage. What also might be interfering with this option is other utilities getting in the way, such as sewage and telecommunications, as well as other lower voltage power lines. Not to mention, I do not believe anything could be built over the lines if they were to be buried.

WARNING - GEEK ALERT Too Much Information ahead.

Transmission lines like that can be buried - but they fail more often and much more violently than aerial lines, they tend to "blow up real good!" and make big craters, and take months to repair. And you really don't want to be standing above the spot where it faults out when it goes, or within a few hundred feet.

They have to dig up and repair the conduit (often a seperate steel conduit for each of the three phases, and encased in thick concrete for physical protection) to repair where it blew up, and then restring the special oil-filled and oil cooled cables (circulating mineral oil is pumped through the conduit to carry off the heat and make sure the insulation doesn't get damp), rework all the connections at each end...

Downtown Auckland New Zealand found out about this the hard way. The city center was fed by six of these underground transmission lines, all severely overloaded (150% to 250%) from growth, and all well past their 25-year design life and should have been changed out and upgraded. But they delayed too long and all the lines blew out in rapid succession - one line faulted and failed, which threw even more load on the survivors while they started on repairs, then another blew, then another...

The city was almost totally dark for a week, and only had partial power for several months from jury-rigged aerial lines as they replaced all the underground lines and got them back in service.

An aerial line can be restrung and back in service in a few days - and if you are in a big rush they can temporarily patch it even faster.

Los Angeles DWP has several of these underground transmission lines between their receiving and distribution stations. But they also provide several backup lines in a grid that can take the full load, just in case. It's probably the same for Southern California Edison and Anaheim Power and Light. (Not sure who owns that line.)

You could build streets over a buried transmission line, or use the right-of-way for a greenbelt, farming or a nursery that is normally not occupied. But no buildings or outdoor assembly areas (like a theme park) where many pedestrians would congregate.

You have to keep other utility lines well away (~ 20 feet) because of the 'violent failure' factor, and induced voltage on other power wires following the same path, and the power transmission line would throw way too much electrical noise on parallel phone or CATV cables. Isn't too great even for cables crossing at a 90-degree angle and several feet below or above the buried transmission line.

Now aren't you glad you brought it up?

--<< Bruce >>--

[MagicWDI]

LOL I learn something new everyday.

[Disneyfan4]

i think it would be really cool if Disney blended the power lines with Carsland.

[Mojave]

So, to the south of DCA, we have that road that takes cars from the Disney Way/Harbor entrance over to Disneyland Drive and then on to the parking structure. Ultimately, there will be another parking structure over off of Disney Way, which presumably will take cars coming off northbound I-5. Therefore that road behind DCA will be less or even rarely needed - when there are overflow problems, etc. But generally, it could almost be eliminated.

There is also that group of motels and small shops in the southeast corner of the old parking lot, which may one day be purchased by Disney.

The reason I bring these two points up is that Disney is designing the improvements to DCA, most notably Carsland as if that entrance road is permanent. If in the future it becomes unnecessary, there's a good 30-40 feet of land that is wasted. They could move all the backstage area and access road right up to the fence and then give themselves a lot of extra onstage space.

Once Radiator Springs Racers is built, they can't put any new rides behind it. I guess they could expand the ride, but they can't put new attraction show buildings back there. They *can* put one or two behind California Screamin' like they've done with TSMM and they can build south of TOT.

I'm kind of rambling here. I just wonder if Disney is thinking that far into the future so that they can get the most of the limited space they will have.

[Uncle Bob]

Mojave,

I've been wondering about some of those same things. I would guess they'd want to keep that space behind RSR open so that service vehicles can travel around there offstage. I really wonder about the rest of that road back behind PP though. That could really open up a lot more space in that back corner of the park. I think that there's probably a lot of debate going on between various parties at WDI and TDA right now, it'd be really interesting to know all the details.

[Baloo]

Originally Posted by Mojave

So, to the south of DCA, we have that road that takes cars from the Disney Way/Harbor entrance over to Disneyland Drive and then on to the parking structure. Ultimately, there will be another parking structure over off of Disney Way, which presumably will take cars coming off northbound I-5. Therefore that road behind DCA will be less or even rarely needed - when there are overflow problems, etc. But generally, it could almost be eliminated.

There is also that group of motels and small shops in the southeast corner of the old parking lot, which may one day be purchased by Disney.

The reason I bring these two points up is that Disney is designing the improvements to DCA, most notably Carsland as if that entrance road is permanent. If in the future it becomes unnecessary, there's a good 30-40 feet of land that is wasted. They could move all the backstage area and access road right up to the fence and then give themselves a lot of extra onstage space.

Once Radiator Springs Racers is built, they can't put any new rides behind it. I guess they could expand the ride, but they can't put new attraction show buildings back there. They *can* put one or two behind California Screamin' like they've done with TSMM and they can build south of TOT.

I'm kind of rambling here. I just wonder if Disney is thinking that far into the future so that they can get the most of the limited space they will have.

that is true, my understanding is that that road sbehind the large showroom for the Cars attraction would eventually become the main backstage acces road. Part of thsoe roads run underneath the power lines, so no significant thing can be built too close to that.

The area behind screamin would eventually become evenmore expansion area for showbuildings, since that backroad behind DCA could be turned
into backstage area.

The eastern side of Carsland (area where drive-in restuarant is would then have acces pathways intot he remaining timon lot and multi land tol booth area for future expansion. areas behind the engled show room for Carsland main attraction as well as areas behind TOT would become show room expansion areas and backstage areas. Of course there is also debate on whether or not the old parking lot entrance should stay open to help with traffic overflow and firce cars to go thru there and then out to Disneyland drive then north to parking structure.

If it was me i would just close down the entrance and start forcing people to get used to the fact that the old parking lot is no longer available and that the need to head over to the parking structure or other parking areas.

so all this is being taken into consideration. DCa needs little backstage infrustrcuture since it shares the large infrustructure with Disneyland. both parks are connected via a road and tunnel

[MasterGracey]

dlfreak over at MouseInfo posted some tidbits about the Resort Preview Center and Carthay Circle Theatre -- the OP has been updated.

http://www.mouseinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86655

Originally Posted by dlfreak

First off, the recently closed Seasons of the Vine will soon be turned into the Blue Sky Cellar and will be the new DCA Expansion Preview center to find all the new concept art and models for the upcoming expansion. This should be opening in August.

The Walt Disney Plaza and the entrance remodel is supposed to be completed just in time for DCA's 10th Anniversary in 2011. At this time, the Blue Sky Cellar will close as the Preview center and the displays will be moved into the more spacious Carthay Circle Theater to continue highlighting the remaining changes to Paradise Pier and the new Carsland.

[BassBone]

Hmmm... Carthay Circle Theater... Disney Gallery. Thoughts?

[AliKzam]

Originally Posted by BassBone

Hmmm... Carthay Circle Theater... Disney Gallery. Thoughts?

Me likey!

[pianoman13]

Originally Posted by BassBone

Hmmm... Carthay Circle Theater... Disney Gallery. Thoughts?

I guess :/

for the time being, until they put the Walt show in(if they are, AND SHOULD!!)

[MagicWDI]

The Walt Disney Story has been spun off and will have to wait to get its own budget approved. Chances are it will most likely get approved sometime in the future unless something else is liked over it.

[Mojave]

Is the Carthay Circle Theater being built to its original intended size so that the Walt Disney Story can eventually be installed there or has the size of the theater been reduced, which is what I've heard.