The Walt Disney Co. unveiled a significant multi-year expansion plan for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, including an overhaul of Disney's California Adventure with major family-oriented attractions such as an entirely new CARS Land inspired by Disney/Pixar's CARS. The announcement was made by Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo at a press conference at Walt Disney Imagineering's Glendale headquarters.

"The success of the Disneyland Resort over the past few years provides us with both the opportunity and the need to invest for growth, to enhance and expand the experience for our guests and attract new visitors, while at the same time delivering attractive returns on the investment," said Iger. "This plan is a reflection of our belief in the bright future of the Disneyland Resort and our continuing commitment to grow the Anaheim Resort Area as a world-class tourist destination."

Disney Imagineers will be bringing more of Walt Disney into Disney's California Adventure, celebrating the hope and optimism of California that attracted Walt to this land of opportunity in the 1920s. Guests entering the new Plaza will be instantly immersed in the world that inspired Walt during his early days as an animation pioneer. The new interactive Walt Disney Story attraction will set the stage for the unfolding story of Walt that will permeate the park. Extensive landscaping and new retail and dining throughout California Adventure will reinforce the connection with Walt.

The expansive program reaches throughout Disney's California Adventure, with a Little Mermaid attraction, a signature nighttime spectacular and new viewing area for 9,000, and the addition of the 12-acre CARS Land featuring the world of Radiator Springs with three new attractions.

Radiator Springs Racers, a major "E-ticket" attraction, places guests right in the middle of the detailed, dimensional CARS world of Mater, Lightning McQueen, Doc and Sally. Guests get a quick race briefing from Doc and Lightning, and suddenly find themselves in the midst of a race around hairpin turns and steep banks.

CARS Land increases capacity to the park with two additional immersive family rides, featuring Luigi and Mater from the movie. CARS Land represents an unprecedented level of collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Disney Imagineering to create this extensive new area. The new land will substantially extend the total area of Disney's California Adventure park.

Paradise Pier will host major new attractions beginning next summer with the opening of TOY STORY Mania!, a ride-through, interactive adventure where guests ride into a high-energy 4-D carnival midway hosted by TOY STORY characters. Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Hamm and the gang come to life in amazing ways, immersing guests in the rich stories of the Pixar blockbuster TOY STORY films.

A major ride based on Disney's classic THE LITTLE MERMAID comes to the park's Paradise Pier with leading-edge animation and special effects. Guests will dive into the magnificent scenes and magical songs from the movie. A Mermaid Grotto area with a fountain and sand castle will offer new play experiences for children.

The dramatic and unique Disney's World of Color will bring new nighttime excitement to Paradise Pier. This nightly panorama of water effects, colorful lighting and music will bring Disney animation to life with an entirely new creative and technical approach. The 9,000-person viewing area offers prime waterside viewing of the show -- and provides a site for live entertainment, music festivals, and outdoor film premieres.

The totally new gateway to Disney's California Adventure welcomes guests into an immersive world of historic California streets as Walt experienced them as a young artist arriving with big dreams.