What is the icon of Disney California Adventure?

[Brian PieGuy]

Disneyland has Sleeping Beauty Castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth, Animal Kingdom has Tree of Life, et cetera. Yet California Adventure seems to lack a definitive park icon. What do you think it is?

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

Depending on your definition of icon, I think it could go a couple different ways. If we're talking visual centerpiece that everyone looks at, I think you'd have to go with Carthay Circle Theatre, even if it isn't as iconic or striking as Sleeping Beauty Castle. If we're talking about an iconic feature of the park that distinguishes it best, then I'd land on Pixar Pal-A-Round (what a stupid name).

If I was comparing it to Disneyland, then Carthay Circle theater is to Sleeping Beauty Castle as the Pixar Pal-A-Round is to the Matterhorn. I definitely think there's a good argument for icon of the Mickey image in the Pixar Pal-A-Round. When Pixar Pier was first announced, their concept art showed them replacing Mickey's face only for them to reverse course later, simply because it is so iconic. I think in that way, Mickey's Fun Wheel replaced Grizzly Peak as the signature image of the park. Whether that counts as the park icon depends on whether you think the building that serves as a visual centerpiece is actually iconic.

[Brian PieGuy]

If we're talking about an iconic feature of the park that distinguishes it best, then I'd land on Pixar Pal-A-Round (what a stupid name).

I had half a mind to just write "Mickey's Fun Wheel" in the poll since it is a much better name. But alas, Pixar Pal-A-Round is the official name now.

[mickeyfan42]

Originally it was definitely Grizzly Peak, so much so that it and the castle made up the logo for the resort in the early years of DCA.



Now, I'd say the ferris wheel considering that that is what they use in everything, just look at the DCA 20th anniversary artwork. they used the wheel as the 0 in 20

[Eagleman]

Like this old logo....I though it was neat !- for the RESORT
imo

[mickdaddy]

I have always associated the park with Grizzly peak and I am sure the original parks image is the reason for that. I do think Carthy Circle fits as an Icon as well based on it's park placement. I just don't like the idea of a Farris wheel being a park icon even with Mickey's face on it.

[Starcade]

I chose Grizzly Peak because not only did DLR use it extensively as such in merch in years past but it is one of the major items seen from outside the parks and often what draws the eye during arial views.

My family has a bit of an inside joke with Grizzly peak being the front of the bear and Splash mountain being the tail if you see it from the right angle. Something pointed out by my then 9 year. The joke goes onto the potty humor joke about people riding logs out of the tail. The 10 year old I'm me chuckles every time I think of it.

This goes with many other site lines gags we have found, like if you look across the hub from the right angle it looks like Walts Statue is twirling the Rockets Ride on his finger.

[Jesser-pie]

I voted Grizzly Peak, but whoever designed this sticker must think the Ferris Wheel.

[Eagleman]

Grizzly Peak -it more about Grizzly Bear of California.
But most guest love MICKEY and Pie Eye

[JayRomy]

Grizzly peak imo. It's just what I was used to from the start. Although, as the yrs move on, it's becoming harder to see due to the trees.

[RapunzelsCabbage]

My personal icon is definitely Grizzly Peak (it's the first thing my eye is drawn to in the park, it's my general go-to for where to meet someone, and I think it's the most beautiful part of the park), but I think as far as current advertising and general recognizeability it's the Pixar Pal-A-Round (or at least the Mickey face and sun decoration).

[mickeyfan42]

My personal icon is definitely Grizzly Peak (it's the first thing my eye is drawn to in the park, it's my general go-to for where to meet someone, and I think it's the most beautiful part of the park), but I think as far as current advertising and general recognizeability it's the Pixar Pal-A-Round (or at least the Mickey face and sun decoration).

Same, I almost always tell people to meet me on the Mermaid side of the mountain, in that area where the Zootopia characters have done their meet and greets in recent years.

[Blurr]

The all-mighty dollar!

Er.. I mean, Grizzly Peak.

[Eagleman]

Grizzly Peak..........because the California state flag- Grizzly Bear -

[bigcatrik]

The official "icon" for DCA being used on the ticket reservation calendar is the "Mickey Ferris wheel," along with the castle for Disneyland. In this image you can see days with reservations for DCA only (green Mickey wheel), Disneyland only (pink castle), and both (castle overlaid on wheel). It may not be conclusive, but it's another data point.

[DLR92]

I’ve always seen the Grizzly Peak as the park icon. But I think Disney want to distant itself with 2000 DCA. So Carthy Circle or the Fun Wheel is used. I think the Ferris wheel is weak park icon.

[Brian PieGuy]

The official "icon" for DCA being used on the ticket reservation calendar is the "Mickey Ferris wheel," along with the castle for Disneyland. In this image you can see days with reservations for DCA only (green Mickey wheel), Disneyland only (pink castle), and both (castle overlaid on wheel). It may not be conclusive, but it's another data point.

That's some pretty solid evidence in favor of the Ferris wheel. My opinion keeps changing as I read different responses and now I'm leaning towards the Ferris wheel as the current icon even though its my least favorite.

[Zorro]

The parking lot.

[ultimatekong]

The Sun Icon

[Brian PieGuy]

The Sun Icon

How could I forget?