Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAD T PARTY
Since the summer of 2010, Disney California Adventure has been turn-
ing Hollywood Land over to high-energy dance parties on select evenings. Originally
called Glow Fest and tied to the debut of
World of Color,
the event quickly evolved
intoElecTRONica, whichprovedmorepopularthanthe2010cinematic
TRON
sequel
that inspired it. The latest version, which kicked off in the summer of 2012, is a Mad
T Party that takes stylistic cues from Tim Burton's take on
Alice in Wonderland.
All incarnations of this soirée center on house techno-spinning DJs (many with au-
thentic club cred) and exclusive (read: overpriced) alcoholic beverages in collectible
cups. The giant Recognizer prop and vintage video arcade that were a highlight of
ElecTRONica are gone; instead, there's a “rabbit hole” entry portal and a live band
cladingarishly“hip”garblooselybasedon
Wonderland
characters.Whetheryoufind
the change an improvement or not depends largely on your love for Burton's prof-
itable but tonally problematic pass on Alice and Co. Between the Day-Glo human
slinky contorting on the side stage and the neon Nok-Hockey tables in the streets, the
aesthetic resembles an over-the-top Bar Mitzvah party on acid. If you really want to
get into the psychedelic spirit, the Glow with the Show ears introduced for
World of
Color
will also blink in sync with the Mad T Party's light display. If you're look-
ing to get your dance and drink on without heading out to Downtown Disney, look
no further. And if you aren't, the custom carnival games and oversize armchairs may
provide comfort.
HYPERION THEATER
A state-of-the-art theater that hosts the best of DCA's live shows
as well as special concerts and events. Check the daily entertainment schedule in the
handout park map to see what's playing and for showtimes.
HOLLYWOOD BACKLOT STAGE
This open-air stage that features small productions
and Disney characters is one of our favorite venues in the park. Recently, visiting
school bands have used this stage. Check the
Times Guide
to see what's playing.
STREET ENTERTAINMENT
You'll frequently find a period-appropriate klezmer, Irish,
orotherethnic bandplaying outside theParadise GardenGrill. OnBuena Vista Street,
a gang of singing
Red Car News Boys
(and one newsgirl), loosely inspired by the
cult film and Tony-winning Broadway musical
Newsies,
use the Red Car Trolleys as a
roving stage for exuberant song-and-dance performances (look for the high-tech talk-
ing Mickey Mouse to make an extended cameo appearance), and the
Five and Dime
musical sextet (accompanied by a zoot suit-clad Goofy) sings jazz standards of the
1920s and 1930s such as “Toot, Toot, Tootsie,” “Red, Red Robin,” and “Bye, Bye,
Blackbird”; this is one of the best street shows in Disney's repertoire. You may also
bump into interactive improvisation actors portraying police officers, bicycle mes-
sengers, or other eccentric
Citizens of Buena Vista,
a troupe similar to the popu-
