If some folks get their way, Tomorrowland at Disneyland will look like this again some day.

Now in some ways, I am not against this. But in others…

Sure, I think that the Rocket Jets belong back atop the platform. Silly to block the entrance to this area with them where they are. And I enjoyed a ride or three on the Peoplemover. Heck, even Rocket Rods was fun, too. So putting the track back in service makes some sense to me. Better than providing shade for strollers.

Yet, after having seen what is possible with Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, I have to wonder if given the time and budget, if the folks at Imagineering couldn’t come up with something better.

Tomorrowland has always been a problem. You see, the future keeps catching up with it. So what once was dreamed as things that may come true, often do manage to become today.

Bringing back the things in this Disneyland Panavue slide image? Sure, nice I guess. But even Walt knew that the future should be a challenge, something where dreams soar to lofty heights. Not harken back to a previous time, no matter how well loved.

Nostalgia versus the future? Doesn’t sound like what Tomorrowland should be all about to me.

Fifty plus years ago, the future was uncertain. All those years later, it should be still. Some of the things we looked forward to such as space exploration still tantalize and tease some of us. The dream is not gone, just placed back in line. Yet so much of what we face in the way of challenges may find their answers that way. Everything from food to energy to technology… well, it doesn’t take genius to see how so much of what we thought of as “the future” came from the past, when we looked beyond today.

All the things we loved discovering here in the land of the future? Sure, I enjoy them, too. Yet, I still dream of things unseen; futures yet to be.

That’s the real Tomorrowland.

Can’t wait to see it. And while we’re at it, where’s my flying car?

In real life, the Carthay Circle is a long gone theater. At California Adventure, it has become perhaps the best dining experience available to guests inside a theme park.

No doubt, it also has become the icon that greets guests. Considering the history that it has with the Disney company – Snow White premiered at the theater in 1937 – it fits well into the revived park.

During the planning stages of Buena Vista Street, the structure underwent a transformation. At one time, it was to host a museum and show about Walt Disney. After having seen how well the Walt Disney Family Museum tells Walt’s story, I was glad to hear that plans changed to house a fine dining restaurant in the structure instead.

Now, it would seem that fine dining and a theme park don’t exactly go hand in hand. DCA, after all, once had it’s own fine dining experience when Mondavi had operated the Vineyard Room as part of the Golden Vine Winery. But that was a different era of sorts. DCA was an under performing park at that time. It was not that guests did not dine there. No, maybe it was that not enough guests were dining there often enough. (Yes, we all know that DCA made more money as a parking lot then.)

The low attendance led the Mondavi folks to call it quits in only November of 2001. And yes, Disney did suffer as the result of the 9/11 attacks. But after a disappointing summer, this decision had to have been in the cards.

In many ways, much has happened since DCA opened it’s gates in February of 2001. I refer not just to the physical changes at the Park, but spending changes on the part of it’s guests. Let is just compare the price of a one-day one-park admission. In 2001, it cost $43. In June of 2012, the cost is now $87. The Premium Annual Passport now has a $649 price tag. Right now, it seems that guests are more willing to part with their disposable income. So why not offer them the best?

And that is just what Disney has done at the Carthay Circle.

From the moment one enters the building, there is little doubt that this is a place like the rest of the Park. For one thing, it is much, much quieter inside than outside. And the subdued lighting helps add to that mood. Taking a seat in the lounge, one quickly learns just how much difference there is. For example, peruse the offered menu in the cocktail lounge on the first floor. The standard theme park fare of a hot dog and a Coke is not offered. Instead, things take a decidedly adult nature. Is it too much to find a flight of fine liquor for sampling? And at a reasonable price, too? All too civilized, if you ask me.

But don’t stop here. Take a stroll around the lobby before deciding on your best spot to relax. You’ll even find that the Disney Family Museum is represented here, with a collection of original Snow White cells (all seven dwarves) as arranged for display by Courvoisier – the only animation artwork ever to hang in Walt & Lillian’s home.

And further on, the bar and food service pantry bring their own elegance into play.

Yes, the shorts and tank tops may be a bit out of place, but I predict after a while, a better dressed crowd will find their way here. Even the famed Club 33 across the way has a dress code. It would not surprise me to see it imported here – especially upstairs in the restaurant.

Dining! Well, that is part of what this place is all about. Reservations for the second weekend of operation were all booked, so we chose to enjoy a Monday afternoon lunch. A short wait offered a moment to gather ourselves before we headed upstairs. Like dining at Club 33, guests are given the choice between taking the stairs or using the elevator from the lobby. Arriving on the landing, the first view of what awaits gives a hint. Again, hot dogs and Cokes this ain’t.

Much as any theater, the Carthay Circle restaurant offers diners a great show. The main dining room gives way to smaller rooms off to the sides, with the kitchen where a stage or screen might be. The large wine fountain in the center of the room compares admirably to many a mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ console in great theaters of the era.

Chef Andrew Sutton works his magic on the menu here; just as he has at the Napa Rose. The menu tends toward California cuisine, taking a note from fresh ingredients at hand. I found it just right. Not too overwhelming by any means. In my case, I chose the Chicken salad with a lemon and strawberry vinaigrette. And the Carthay Circle Cheddar Biscuits? These are not be passed upon. Mighty tasty and the apricot puree & butter served with them, outstanding!

Seven to an order, fresh and hot! The Carthay Circle Cheddar Biscuits.

 The Chicken Salad, just perfect for lunch!

Seating outdoors along the patios offers a great view of Buena Vista Street and the Parade route. The Pixar Play parade was a hit with diners young and young at heart during our meal.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to enjoy another fine dining meal at another location. I found everything at Carthay Circle to be as good or better as that in many ways. While some people may need some minor social reminders (such as gentlemen removing their hats), I suspect this will be a very popular location. Special events of all kinds call for such a venue and this will not disappoint. Be it birthday, anniversary or other, I can see many celebrations being enjoyed here, for a long time to come.

Prices are not at all out of line with what one would expect to pay at a fine dining location. And you can use your Annual Passport to obtain up to a 15% discount (Premium).

So, if the siren call sounds to you, plan ahead with a reservation or just drop in to the lounge.

Tell ’em Walt sent you.

It’s been quite a while since the Red Cars of the Pacific Electric rolled through the streets of Los Angeles.

I was really glad to hear that the PE would play a role in Buena Vista Street. And even though I have driven a real Hollywood car out at the Orange Empire Railway Museum a few years ago, I admit to having some doubts when I first heard of the cars here. Especially the choice of a center entrance car! I would have thought something like the Red Cars in San Pedro would have worked well here.

The interior of the recreated PE 500 with walkover seats and high platform loading at San Pedro’s Red Car.

The two cars at California Adventure, numbered 717 and 623, seem very much at home here. Now, just to get people to notice them and get out of the way when they pass! It shouldn’t take a conductor to walk ahead of the car along it’s route from the park entrance on Buena Vista St all the way to the Tower of Terror. People should be able to get out of the way on their own.

(The real car 717 still lives out at Orange Empire, although in the red scheme worn by the faux 623. It even inspired the film makers of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” as they created a rubber tired version of the car, now living in Florida on the Studios backlot tour in Orlando.

The rubber tired faux 717 during the filming of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”

Photo credit – Orange Empire Railway Museum

The real Pacific Electric car 717, now restored at the Orange Empire Railway Museum.

Photo Credit – John Smatlak

While I understand that full sized cars might have not have fit into this setting, I give Imagineering full marks for working within the constraints given. Although I’m still betting that the overhead wire doesn’t last. Another nice touch, even if the lawyers wouldn’t permit it to be used for power. These cars use batteries, charged via an induction system, cleverly hidden at each end of the line.

I did not get the chance to ride either of the cars during my recent visit to the California Adventure park, but hope to do so soon! It’s grand to see this part of Southern Calif0rnia’s transportation past brought to life for new generations.

Not all of the new things at the Disneyland resort are in the California Adventure park.

Back across the Esplanade, you’ll find an addition over at the Opera House in Main Street’s Town Square. Said addition being the folks above, known as “The Voices of Liberty”. Imported for the summer from Epcot’s American Experience, the troupe of vocal talents is sure to win fans at Disneyland as well.

They began with a song in front of the Opera House and then moved inside, mingling with the crowd.

I have always been a fan of live entertainment at the Park. Something about a performance  rather than just another recording, I guess. The Voices of Liberty does not disappoint here. This fresh approach to entertaining and educating is a welcome one.

Moving inside the Opera House, the group performed a series of songs that tie in well with the Lincoln presentation. The added dimension to that show is well worth the addition of 10 minutes.

On our visit, Saturday through Monday in late June, the Voices of Liberty were appearing Friday through Tuesday, on the hour from 11 am to 5 pm. If you get the opportunity, you really owe yourself the treat to stop by and enjoy their performance. At this time, they are scheduled to be at Disneyland until September.

And then, while you’re already in the theater, enjoy the classic “Great Moments with Mister Lincoln”.

It’s a fine way to enjoy some of Disneyland’s best!