Name:
Disney's California Adventure
Guest Services:
(714) 781-4560
Location:
Across the esplanade from the main entrance to Disneyland, adjacent to Downtown Disney and contains the Grand Californian Hotel
Current Admission:
$43 adult; $33 child (3-9)
Parking:
$7.00 for Automobiles, $8.00 for Oversized vehicles, campers, & motor homes, $9.00 for Buses
Opened:
February 8, 2001
Current owners:
Walt Disney Company. This park is the 8th Disney Park worldwide and the 6th in the United States. They currently have plans to open Tokyo DisneySeas in September 2001 and Hong Kong Disneyland sometime in 2003-5
Nearest Attractions:
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Knott's Berry Farm
Universal Studios
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Disney's California Adventure
by Josh Catalfo
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Author's Background
I am an Annual Passholder at Disneyland and have traveled to all Disney parks with the exception of Tokyo Disneyland. I try and visit Disneyland in Anaheim as often as I can.
Pluses
Disney fun in a new setting catered for people over 42"
Minuses
Expensive food and admission, long lines, no shade on hot days
Overview
In the old parking lot of Disneyland, Disney has constructed a living postcard of California in its new theme park, Disney's California Adventure. This park offers a wide variety of things to do from carnival type rides to richly themed attractions in the Disney vein to a gamut of 3D movies. If you have kids under 42" be warned: There are only a handful of attractions for them.
The California Adventure concept is an interesting choice from Disney. In the context of the entire Disneyland Resort complex, it works as an addition to the big neighbor to the north, Disneyland - but not as a park on the same level. Disney makes it easy to compare parks by charging the same for admission to both and placing the entrances on opposite sites of the entry plaza. I advise visitors that in order to appreciate it to the fullest, don't compare it to Disneyland, just look at it on its own terms.
California Adventure is divided into three themed areas: Hollywood Pictures Backlot (think of it as a shrunk down Disney/MGM Studios), Paradise Pier (a collection of rides reminiscent of the old shoreline parks of long ago - sanitized for your protection), and the Golden State (think of it as a California showcase similar to the World Showcase section of EPCOT with a farm area, a High Sierra area, a San Francisco area, and a high desert area). The level of detail varies from section. I think the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area works the best - probably because it's the section of the park that the people staying in the new Grand Californian hotel look at from their windows. The rest of the park is hit-and-miss. They all have some elements that work, but the level of implementation is inconsistent between areas. For example - the farm area is noticeably sparse except for the lavishly themed "It's Tough to Be a Bug" theater area.
As far as the actual attractions go, the stand outs have to be the Grizzly River Run and Soarin' Over California IMAX movie ride. Both are excellent top notch Disney attractions. The Paradise Pier area's California Screamin' coaster also is great. The pier area is nothing to write home about, but I think it all works well together. The background music (which is excellent throughout the park - never overbearing like SeaWorld) and the attractions and even the carnival booths all seem to compliment each other well. The Golden Dreams movie about California featuring Whoopi Goldberg is moving, but really gets tiring after repeat viewings. The other standout attraction is the entire Animation exhibit in the Hollywood section of the park. If you don't mind the retread of a movie from Disney/MGM's Animation exhibit, it is well worth the visit. This is the part of the park where Disney hypes that you can dub your voice to a Disney Character. The layout/setup of this area is a bit tight for the crowds it attracts, but this is one of the areas of the park that opens early so you can get there before the crowds.
Food in the park is abundant, but expensive. It cost me $15 for two corn dogs and two cokes. Another time it took almost an hour to get food at the Casa de Cucamonga Mexican restaurant. They are still working out the bugs, but overall the selection is far beyond normal theme park fare. In fact, two of the food places are also listed as "attractions". The Mission Tortilla factory even gives out free tortillas. Now if only Boudin Bakery would as well.
If you are a regular visitor to Disneyland, definitely check the new park out. If you are from out of the area or haven't been to Disneyland in the last 3 years, or even if you have to decide which park to go to because you can't afford both, go to Disneyland - it is your better bargain. Also kids will do better at Disneyland. Most attractions cater to adults, and kids are limited to the MuppetVision 3D movie, Redwood Creek Trail, the Tortilla and Bread making exhibits, King Triton's Carousel, and the SS Rustworthy. There are other movies they can go to, but I don't recommend It's Tough to Be a Bug or Golden Dreams for kids. However, if you have the time and the money to spare, do check out the new park. It will only take you about a half-day in smaller crowds, but definitely the whole day with busy crowds. Be sure to bring lots of patience (especially in the first year with all the big crowds) and wear a hat in warm weather as there is precious few shady spots in the park.
Getting there
Driving:
From Interstate 5 South, exit Disneyland Drive and follow the signs into the parking structre. Be sure to stay to the left.
From Interstate 5 North, exit Disney Way and head into the parking lot. If full, turn right onto Harbor, Left on to Ball Road, and Left onto Disneyland Drive veering left into the parking structure..
Flying: The Nearest Airport is Orange County's John Wayne airport, but busses connect people to LAX with ease.
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| Quick Notes |
Don't Miss
California Screamin', The Orange Stinger, Grizzly River Run, Golden Dreams (the Whoopi Movie), Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (esp. the kiddies), and Soarin' Over California
Don't Bother
Superstar Limo, The Boudin Bakery (no free samples!), Bountiful Valley Farm, Jumpin' Jellyfish.
Links
Disney's official site
My online photo gallery
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