A DCA Gem: Carthay Circle Fountain

Drawing its design inspiration from Golden Era Los Angeles architecture, DCA's Carthay Circle Fountain marks the far end of Buena Vista Street and the branching-off points for Hollywood Land, Condor Flats, and the road to Cars Land and Paradise Pier.

At night, it's a welcoming, glowing beacon. In daylight, its cool waters look incredibly inviting; I'm sure I'm not the only guest who's had the urge to jump in and splash around.

The fountain--and just about everything else on Buena Vista Street--gives DCA's entry land a heart and a welcoming atmosphere that the area lacked before the park's 2012 "rebirth."

The Poppy Fountain in Downtown Disney

I have a confession: I walked past this crazy, wonderful fountain dozens of times over the past several years before I realized it was a California Poppy. In my defense, the petals do look more abstract up close. Ah, well.

Situated in Downtown Disney near the Parking Lot Tram station (we can see a tram in the background), this large fountain launches its water column skyward in varied bursts, creating a playful atmosphere as the stream rises and falls back on itself, up and down, loudly splashing all over the giant State Flower.

As park Early Birds know, this fountain sometimes makes the weirdest noises when it starts up in the morning. It sounds like a giant cartoon whale with indigestion. People tend to back away a few steps. Then the water starts flowing and Downtown Disney moves one step closer to fully opening for the day.

King Triton Conquers Paradise Pier

After beginning his theme park career quietly at Disneyland, King Triton has moved on to Disney California Adventure in a big way; he holds the record for getting his face on more DCA attractions than any other character. Somehow, he's managed to take over Paradise Pier!

As seen in the above photo, Triton once reigned over his own jumping fountain garden, making sure the humans visiting his daughter's meet n' greet behaved themselves.

When the grotto was bulldozed to make room for Pixie Hollow, the impressive Triton statue found a new home across the way as the crowning exterior centerpiece of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

Of course, Triton already had a presence in DCA'a seaside amusement park. He's got his very own sea-creature carousel.

And he guards his daughter's restaurant.

Okay, this one looks a bit freaky and began as an unnamed guardian for Wolfgang Puck's Avalon Cove restaurant.  Now that Ariel's moved in, however, we can only assume it's now supposed to be Triton...or the uncle we never hear about...

And, of course, King Triton also appears in the finale of The Little Mermaid ride.

At any rate, Paradise Pier is certainly well-protected. At this point, maybe Triton Pier would be a better name for the  place! In fact, he could burst out of the waters of Paradise Bay to host World of Color! The place needs a fun backstory...maybe Ariel's dad should simply take over.

Lightning Greets Fans at the Cozy Cone

Lightning McQueen welcomes his fans outside Sally's office at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. The combination of fun food, chatty automobiles, the town's music and terrific Cast Members make this one of the best character meet n' greet set-ups at the resort.

The Cozy Cone Fountain

The Cozy Cone Motel is the most playfully crazy place in Cars Land. As guests head over there to eat Chili Cone Queso or to meet Lightning and Mater in front of Sally's office, sooner or later they laugh as they realize how insanely, wonderfully far the concept's been taken. There are, literally, cones everywhere. The more you look, the more you see.

This charming fountain features a fully functioning cone water wheel, set in a cone-shaped pool. Cone ground lights encircle the little lawn as cones on lamp posts tower overhead.

Impertinently breaking the theme are a few clumps of tail light flowers. Those things grow like weeds in Radiator Springs!