Destination Orange County: The New Mouse House
The Mouse House Has Changed!
There was a time when the biggest tourist attraction in lazy little Anaheim, Calif. was Dutton’s Jungle Garden—a tropic-themed park that was part zoo, part park and part nightclub. Of course, that was before Walt Disney planted his signature theme park—Disneyland—smack in the middle of the city that started life as a wine-making center settled by German immigrants.
Once Disneyland opened in 1955, Anaheim was on the map for good, putting Orange County there, too. The three were synonymous. In the early years, people came to Disneyland, saw suburbia around it, and dismissed the thought that there was anything else to see beyond the Mouse House.
But in the 1990s, the Mouse roared, construction on a second theme park began, and Anaheim woke up. The convention center started on its fifth expansion. Nearby freeways were scheduled for widening by the state. And the city of Anaheim decided it was time to get rid of the old-fashioned clutter and create a resort district. Hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues appeared almost out of nowhere. The result is good for travelers—both pint-sized and adult.
If you’re one of those who still pictures Orange County as nothing but orange groves, think again!
Of course, the Convention Center and Disneyland Resort remain the heart of the county’s tourism industry, so I’ll give you a quick peek at what’s happened at the Mouse House first.
In future columns I’ll share secrets of other popular visitor areas, the rural canyons, parks, beach areas and the fascinating history of this portion of Southern California.
Even jaded locals have been amazed at the transformation in Anaheim over the past few years and groups of friends I’ve toted around on long weekend visits agree it’s now a vibrant city.
Disney’s California Adventure theme park opened to mixed reviews, but if you pay attention and get out of the mindset that theme parks require running from long line to long line, you’ll love it. It’s leisurely. It’s tongue in cheek. It’s educational. It has great shopping and dining. And it’s fun.
For one, it’s easier to get around than Disneyland, with wide plazas and circular paths that help avoid bottlenecks. There are lots of benches and drinking fountains. For another, it’s not all about rides. There’s the Animation Building where you can watch cartoons on huge screens around the central lobby, draw your own cartoons, do your own voice-overs or find out which Disney character you’re most like. There’s Paradise Pier where you can try your hand at old-fashioned carnival games. There’s a Redwood Challenge Trail where you can walk through on the ropes or on the paths, picnic or enjoy a short “ranger” program. There’s Pacific Wharf where you can watch sourdough bread and tortillas in the making. There’s the family of ducks in the lagoon.
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