Introduction to Disney's California Adventure - Part One
Page 6 of 8

Disney's California Adventure - Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier in October 2000

Paradise Pier is one of the most controversial aspects of DCA. And at first glance it's easy to see why - Paradise Pier consists of two spinning rides, two drop rides, two exposed coasters, a carousel, a Ferris Wheel-like ride and midway games. And with Paradise Pier being the most accessible part of the park for photographers during construction, it perhaps disproportionately colors perceptions of DCA as a whole. In Paradise Pier Disney has been accused of filling its park with rides that can be found in any amusement park. Others will state Disneyland has many attractions that, at their core, are simiple amusement park rides. Dumbo is a spinning ride and most of Fantasyland consist of dark rides. The difference is the way Disney themes its "simple" attractions to make them more than the sum of their parts. Whether or not the attractions of Paradise Pier live up to those standards will have to be decided by each individual.

The Sun Wheel (left), Maliboomer (tall structure) and California Screamin' (coaster)

The Paradise Pier district is a throwback to the "Golden Age" amusements parks paying tribute to classic Pacific coast parks like Long Beach's "The Pike". The dominating attraction in Paradise Pier is California Screamin'. Themed to look like an old wooden roller coaster, California Screamin' is actually a 6,000-foot long steel coaster with 0-55 catapult launch in less than 5 seconds. It also features an on-board soundtrack and the first ever loop in a west coast Disney park.

The loop of California Screamin'
(c) Disney

Jumpin Jellyfish