Josh Catalfo's Trip Diaries - Disney's California Adventure 2001


	As Annual Passport holders at Disneyland in Southern California, Roger and I were invited to preview Disney's latest theme park: Disney's California Adventure in February of 2001 - a week before the park opened to the public. I had been following the construction and development of the park since it was just a parking lot. We decided to make a weekend out of it by staying at a local hotel. The Disney hotels were either sold out or over $300 per night so we opted for the much-less expensive Hyatt Alicante. We decided to get tickets for both days of the Annual Passholder preview figuring that it would be awhile before we were able to get back in with less crowds. The weather was unseasonably warm - 85 degrees in the middle of winter. It served to augment the biggest nitpick I have about the park: not enough shade. I went in expecting the worse, despite the years of anticipation. I was pleasantly surprised. The park offers something for everyone, but only a scant 22 attractions. Plan for a whole day in the first year since crowds make it difficult to see the whole place. Be sure to get your FastPasses early for Soarin' Over California. When we were there, they sold out at 10am for the entire day. I really liked the park and believe it is the perfect compliment to Disneyland. It is not another Disneyland and should not be thought of as one. It has room to be improved and added upon, which should be interesting vieing over the next few years. My recommendation is if you have been to Disneyland in the last 2 years, I suggest taking the time and going to the new park. If you have not been to Disneyland in 3 or more years, your money is better spent going to Disneyland. Further observations 8-22-01: I have visited the park numerous times in the months since it first opened. The big surprise to me was the lack of crowds until they brought back the Electrical Parade in the beginning of the summer. They also made an effort to add some artificial shade to the park in the form of umbrellas and the like. Sadly, the park has earned poor word of mouth and Disney is scrambling to turn it around. I still enjoy the park, but I have noticed that it does not have the same repeat pull as Disneyland - and with the extra crowds from the parade and the often reduced operating hours, I find it harder and harder to get into the park and I prefer to spend time at Disneyland. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play It! attraction should give the park a shot in the arm, and the holiday lagoon show (which will come back next summer according to some sources as a summer show) should do well to pull more bodies into the park. I still think that people who have not visited the park should give it a chance and don't be persuaded by the massive negativity campaign by certain web sites. If you have already been, wait until the crowds die down and some of the new attractions come on line. Read my full review from the first weekend the park opened	Photos: Sunshine Plaza Hollywood Pictures Backlot Golden State Paradise Pier Disney's Grand Californian Hotel For other great hi-res pics of DCA, be sure to look at: Jeff's DCA Photo Tour from Feb. 3, 2001. Attraction Recommendations: (updated 2/16/02) Don't miss: California Screamin', The Orange Stinger, Grizzly River Run, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (esp. the kiddies), Soarin' Over California, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire - Play It!, The Power of BLAST! Good: Animation Exhibit, It's Tough to be a Bug and Muppet Vision 3D movies, Golden Zephyr, Maliboomer, Mulholland Madness, Mission Tortilla Factory and The Boudin Bakery (hey, at least they give out free samples), Golden Dreams (the Whoopi Movie), and Seasons of the Vine movie at the Golden Vine Winery For people who don't mind heights: Sun Wheel - this ride scared me silly. They have two types of cars - swinging and non-swinging. You have to ride the swinging cars to get the full effect. Skip: Superstar Limo, The retch-a-riffic "Steps in Time" at the Hyperion Theater - it makes Animazement look like Les Miserables, Bountiful Valley Farm, Jumpin' Jellyfish (despite the fact my mom got freaked out by it). Don't forget to visit: Josh's 2000 Trip to Walt Disney World Josh's 2003 Trip to Walt Disney World Josh's 2004 Trip to Tokyo Disney Resort For more up to date information on WDW and other Disney parks, we recommend LaughingPlace.com - they offer non-judgemental and unbiased coverage of the goings-ons over at the Mouse House, as well as offering a peek at the latest parks Tokyo DisneySeas and Walt Disney Studios Paris.
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