Think Buena Vista Street is just an entry way to the newly reimagined Disney California Adventure park? Think again. Buena Vista Street transports guests to the California that Walt Disney experienced when he stepped off the train in 1923 and continues to follow the architecture of the following decade. Buena Vista Street, like its Main Street counterpart is rich in beauty, details, craftsmanship and storytelling that can only be accomplished by Disney. Before I go into some of my favorite details, I would like to share with you a little bit about the psychology, backstories and creation of Buena Vista Street by two of its main imagineers, Ray Spencer and Lisa Girolami.
Looks great, right? It’s even better in person! While I think it’s important to leave some things for you to discover on your own, here are some of my favorite little tidbits about Buena Vista Street that I think you are going to love.
- Mortimer’s Market is named after Walt’s original name for Mickey Mouse. As the story goes, Lilian, Walt’s wife convinced Walt that Mickey was a much better name. When you are looking at all of the beautiful details on the building keep an eye out for mice that elude to the name’s origin.
- The Rock Candy Mountain, located in Trolly Treats is actually modeled after a real attraction that Walt Disney had planned for Disneyland.
- Just like on Disneyland’s Main Street, if you listen carefully, you’ll hear noises and voices from three of the second floor windows on Buena Vista Street. I’ll tell you two of the locations: the art studio and the dance studio. You’ll have to discover the third on your own! (Or maybe I’ll tell you if you leave enough nice comments below or share this post with all of your friends on Facebook or Twitter!)
- And speaking of Atwater In and Paint, this storefront is an homage to the Disney Studio’s original ink and paint department where Walt met Lilian. There are real artifacts in the window too! Oh, and do you see the address plaque to the right of Atwater Ink and Paint’s door under the small lamp? The address is the street number of the original Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue.
I could go on for days about all of the wonderful bits of storytelling on Buena Vista Street and promise more great insider knowledge in the days and weeks to come!
I am already in love with Buena Vista Street. It has a beautiful charm and elegance that I wish I could still find out in real Los Angeles. It is so inviting and really transports guests to another space and time. I am really looking forward to getting a coffee and planting myself on a bench to watch guests go by and browsing in Elias and Company. I see many good times ahead on Buena Vista Street–lots of family photos and good memories. I also cannot wait to see it decorated for Christmas!
Tomorrow, I will be shooting not one but two videos about Buena Vista Street thanks to my wonderful friends at the Disneyland Resort! I cannot wait to share them with you in the days to come!
Stay tuned for more Disney California Adventure park information, videos, photos and more! Remember that you can keep up with me live at the Disneyland Resort events this weekend by following me on Twitter or Babes In Disneyland on Facebook. You can also follow me on Instragram (lisarobertson) or Foursquare (dlandmom) where I’ll be posting a lot of great photos!
Great post, Lisa! Love all these little details and I can’t wait to visit and see everything for myself. Just wish I didn’t have to wait until August to see it! 🙂
This is AMAZING! Obviously I have not yet walked through Buena Vista Street, but I can’t WAIT!! I can only imagine the excitement, and dreaming, Walt did, and must have felt when he himself arrived in Los Angeles. I am already feeling a little melancholy though. Whenever I walk through Disneyland, I wish Walt Disney could see what has become of his park, his hopes and dreams.
Great post! Thanks for giving out some information and details about the place.