Letters to the Editor
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Time for another Letters to the Editor column. As stated in the last column, our Discussion Boards are the most popular way for readers to respond to what they read on LaughingPlace.com. However, we do receive lots of feedback via email as well and we've gathered some of it together for today's column.

The big news recently was the opening of Disney's California Adventure (DCA), and readers had lots to say!

A February 9th Editor's Report contained Doobie's First Impressions of DCA. Here're some of the responses:

I got the opportunity to preview the park last night (Jan 9). My wife and I are huge Disneyland fans and went to WDW for our honeymoon three years ago. Over the past couple of years building up to it, we did not expect to enjoy the park as much as we did. We loved everything that we did except the Sunwheel, the huge ferris wheel in the Paradise Pier area where some of the buckets move on tracks. It made my wife so motion sick! But you can opt for a stationary bucket and it would probably be fine. Loved California Screamin'! The coaster is the smoothest I've ever been on! Grizzly River Rapids was cool...very very cool in January! But enjoyed it, especially the spin drop at the end. Didn't get to do Soarin' but I can't wait to go back. Liked the California Dreams show (with Whoopi Goldberg) alot. Superstar Limo was cute. Muppets, of course, fantastic (a drag-n-drop from WDW). Overall-great park!
    -- J

I, like Doobie, can spend all day at the park without going on the attractions. The design, detail, smell, sound, and feelings, along with all those other unmeasurable things are what make Disney a special place to me. My comment about the tortilla and bakery factory are simply this. Walt once said he wanted a park with "a mix of fun, entertainment and education." While these so-called attractions may bore most people they are educational and there are plenty of people like my parents for instance that can't say enough good things about attractions like these. Can't wait to see the park!
     -- I

Boy, you were really stretching to find stuff you didn't like about the park! That's good! While it sounds like you had a good time and it will be a park that makes lots of money, I can't help but notice the lack of the "OH MY GAAAAAWWWD" factor that I used to associate Disney parks with. If this park is another "New Tomorrowland" piece of dissapointment, I'm going to be so bummed. As a former passholder for many years, I finally had to take a break from all of the construction and hype. I was also hoping I could get a fresh perspective on the new park as well as a much needed fresh perspective on the original park. Enough rambling! I totally enjoy The Laughing Place and your appreciation of Disneyland. Thanks for a quick review on DCA!
     -- SE

Rebekah's February 24 Forever Magical talked about her favorite parts of DCA.

Rebekah, this is probably the most vivid and personal account yet of DCA. I have to laugh, because my husband always says that he was meant to be a So Cal boy, but was somehow diverted a little too far north. Thank you for sharing your first experience with us all,
     -- CN

Great article we were there on the 1/21/01 and really enjoyed all of it. The food, the rides, everything. We are from Ohio and had heard so much bad things but we knew we could always go over to Disneyland. We got in at 9:30 am and stayed till 10:45pm shopping. It was great, can't wait to get back. Also we loved Downtown Disney. Thanks. Keep up the good work
     -- JH

Rebekah, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your column today (Jan.24) I live in the Seattle area and don't get too many chances to go to Disneyland, about once every year or so. After all the negative comments I've heard I'm glad to read of your mostly positive reflections about DCA and even the negative ones are gently given. I also enjoyed Doobie's impressions too. I just started getting on the web and just the last 8 months or so found these wonderful Disney sites of which yours is one of my very favorites. We last went to Disneyland almost 2 years ago and last May went to Disney World for the first time. My husband and I are in our forties and have 2 grown children who thought everyone went to Disneyland every 2 years. I have so enjoyed reading about other peoples love of this place and can not understand people who "just don't get it". Thank you for your insight and hopefully we will be making a trip to both destinations soon.
     -- R