So, if you haven’t been to Anaheim in a while, the view above is changing.

Gone are those letters as well as the tiles murals and selectively compressed Golden Gate Bridge.

Coming soon, a fanciful version of Southern California as it greeted Walt Disney on his arrival from Kansas City. A main street for California Adventure, to mirror the one across the Esplanade.

In some ways, I understand the thinking behind this project. Yet in others, I still have to wonder why the place and not the people still is the focus. It was true that Southern California in those days offered great challenges and great rewards as well. But it was and will always be the story of the people who took those challenges and reaped the rewards. Walt, of course being one of them.

Places are, after all, nothing without the people who live and work there. Their stories are what make interesting visiting them. The stories worth sharing and learning from.

That main street across the way once told a story. Today it has been largely been reduced to being a series of shopping opportunities along the way.

I look forward to seeing it all completed. Yet I hope that story is something that guests will get and take with them after a day there. More than just another chance to buy the same t-shirt...