Since California Adventure made its debut six years ago, billed as Disneyland's hipper, edgier younger sibling, the entertainment colossus founded by Walt Disney has wandered far from the Orange County city where he launched his first park in 1955.
Now, with Disney executives planning a massive retooling of the struggling California Adventure, the company is showing a renewed push to transform Anaheim's Resort District -- as much as possible -- in the image of the spectacularly successful Walt Disney World.
Rather than a one- or two-day stop for guests, Disney hopes to keep visitors at its Anaheim attractions for longer stretches.
"They see a hub here they didn't realize they had," suggested Al Lutz, who owns and edits the popular fan website Miceage.
While the California Adventure makeover is the clearest sign yet that Disney is looking homeward, there have been recent signals the company was reinvesting in Anaheim.
Last month, Disney announced it was adding 50 time-share units to the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and broke ground on a 250-room expansion.
There are also plans to bring its popular cruise line to the West Coast and capture big-spending consumers with boutique hotels. And there is continued speculation about a long-awaited third park on what is 53 acres of strawberry fields and parking lots.
The California Adventure remodel comes at a time when tourism is booming in Orange County, with a reported 45 million visitors last year -- a six-year high -- and a record $8 billion in visitor spending.
"This will be kind of a second renaissance for the area," said Elaine Cali, a spokeswoman for the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau. "The first came when they built California Adventure, Downtown Disney and expanded the Convention Center."
At the same time, Disney and Anaheim city leaders have been locked in a stormy yearlong dispute over a proposal to build condominiums and low-cost apartments near the parks.
The battle has fueled a lawsuit, competing ballot initiatives and regular protests at council meetings -- odd behavior in a city that had a cozy relationship with Disney.
Disney has found itself face-to-face with union and religious leaders who have demanded that the entertainment giant do more to provide affordable housing for its low-wage earners. It seems certain to be a campaign issue in next year's city elections.
