Disney California Adventure's original main gate entrance, Sunshine Plaza, was designed to evoke a sensation as if one were stepping into a California postcard. After guests pass the giant letters spelling out California, they would pass beneath a mock-up of the Golden Gate Bridge, which served to disguise a portion of the resort's monorail track. Flanking both ends of the faux Golden Gate Bridge were two massive murals depicting the vast mountain ranges in California. A few meters into the park from the main gate was Sunshine Plaza that served as an access hub to all of the park's other themed lands. At the end of the path, there was a fountain featuring a large metal sunburst designed to reflect solar rays into the surrounding area. Sunshine Plaza was also home to a replica of the California Zephyr, which housed the plaza's two counter service restaurants: Baker's Field Bakery and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream. The plaza was also home to two of the park's biggest souvenir shops, Greetings from California and Engine Ears Toys.
Re-imagineering and expansion
On October 17, 2007, The Walt Disney Company announced a multi-year, $1.1 billion expansion plan for Disney California Adventure Park. Included in this expansion plan was the re-theming and complete overhaul of Sunshine Plaza into Buena Vista Street. The Golden Gate Bridge replica was removed and the sunburst structure replaced with a recreation of the Carthay Circle Theater, which showcased the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. The building serves as the new visual centerpiece of Disney California Adventure's reincarnation. In early August 2011, the California Zephyr display was removed, with major portions being donated to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. The park's main gate was extended outward to where the postcard letters formerly stood, and resembles the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, similar to the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. The Red Car Trolley travels through the plaza. The main gate was opened on July 15, 2011. The construction of the Red Car trolleys began on January 10, 2010. Construction of Buena Vista Street itself began in October 2010 and opened on June 15, 2012. Throughout construction, the main entrance remained open with areas blocked off from time to time to aid in construction.
June 1: Sunshine Plaza access to Pacific Wharf closed.
July 15: New Pan-Pacific turnstiles open to the public.
July 20: Golden Gate Bridge begins dismantling.
July 31: Construction begins on storefronts.
August 29: Sunshine Plaza is completely closed off. Guests entering the park are sent on a detour behind the Soarin’ Over California attraction and emerge between it and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
September 14: The top is completed for the Carthay Theater.
