Ask anyone to think of a California tradition
and chances are they’ll mention Disneyland.
Disneyland has attracted millions from all
over the globe for half a century. If you live
in California, it’s likely a cherished
family memory or even an annual tradition to
visit Mickey in Southern California.
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Visiting
Disney's
California Adventure |
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In the same spirit and tradition,
Californians now have another family destination
right next
door. Next door to Disneyland, that is: it’s
Disney’s California Adventure.
Although Disney’s California Adventure
has met with mixed feelings from faithful Disney
followers, I have to say after visiting there
last month, it deserves a fair chance.
Disney’s California Adventure theme park
sits right next to world famous Disneyland
in Anaheim, California.
Keeping with Disney’s unparalleled dedication
to themes, this park is designed after the
very state of California itself. This theme
tends to please the older visitors because
the park is aesthetically pleasing, following
the trends and nuances of the Golden State's
finest locations and attractions.
As John McClintock, the publicity manager
for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts says, “It
is a little more skewed towards older people
which is both a blessing and a curse. Teenagers
tend to favor this park over Disneyland. We’re
remedying that later this year when we open
an area called ‘A Bug’s Land.’ There
will be kid-sized rides large enough for adults
to ride on along with their children.”
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Disney’s California Adventure's
"A Bug's Land" |
"A Bug’s Land" will be similar
to Disneyland's Toontown, in that guests will
enter a portal where everything is human sized
with giant blades of grass and other effects
to mimic the world through a bug’s eye.
This will be in the Central Valley farm area
of the park. Of course, there are already many
attractions suited for the younger guest, but
Disney is changing and growing to please a
larger age range.
One of my favorite attractions was "Soarin’ over
California," a flying machine and gigantic
hang gliding simulator suspended over a giant
Imax theater screen. This spectacular attraction
drops, swoops, lifts, and glides over numerous
California landmarks. Smells and props are
piped in to compliment the terrain the guest
flies over. I saw parents with the excitement
of a child, literally pulling their kids onto
this ride. One dad was beaming from ear to
ear as he described it to his kids, convincing
them to go with him the next time.
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Disney’s California Adventure's Paradise Pier |
In the wharf and Paradise Pier area, my breath
was captured by "California Screamin'," the
best roller coaster I have ever experienced.
And I thought I had ridden them all.
Paradise Pier is a replica of the old-fashioned
beach boardwalk type amusement parks in Santa
Cruz, Santa Monica, and San Diego, complete
with ocean and waves surrounding the piers.
Although California Screamin’ looks like
an old fashioned wooden roller coaster, it’s
actually a state-of-the-art, steel frame roller
coaster with an upside down loop in middle
of a huge mouse silhouette. This loud, thrilling
and super high speed coaster has a linear induction
launch that instead of clicking up the hill,
shoots up the hill. People who like thrilling
yet smooth coasters will be captivated.
In the Grizzly Peak recreation area, I loved
the Grizzly River Run where I thoroughly enjoyed
a wet whitewater raft adventure with high speed
drops and rapids. It was more fun than a class
two rafting trip down the best rivers in the
state.
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Disney’s California Adventure's
Grizzly Peak Rapids Ride |
Another favorite attraction was playing "Who
Wants to be a Millionaire?" a real life
re-creation of the TV game played in a mock
studio and located in the Hollywood section
of the park. There, guests get to play for
points and prizes with lifelines and rules
just like the TV version of the popular show.
It adds to the fun that if the player chooses
to “phone a friend” they actually
phone a complete stranger somewhere inside
the park making for an exceptionally funny
and unpredictable experience.
Being both an adult and a mom, I was enamored
by the new park and so was the twelve- year-old
with me. My younger kids enjoyed it too, but
enjoyed Disneyland a bit more with its classic
Imagineering and magic. I recommend visiting
both parks during your stay to enjoy the best
of both worlds.
My kids and I were more than satisfied with
our stay at the luxurious Anaheim Hilton just
a block from the new California Adventure Park.
The Hilton in Anaheim is a world class hotel
with 1,572 rooms of comfort and prides itself
in being “The hotel with everything." The
largest hotel in Southern California, this
hotel boasts wonderful food, a beautiful pool,
four whirlpool spas, pristinely maintained
grounds, great views, and a shuttle to both
theme parks and every amenity imaginable. Children
stay free with parents or grandparents. The
Vacation Station program for kids includes
special extras like free souvenirs for children,
toys and games, and supervised kids activities.
I can’t think of a better compliment
to any Disney vacation.
Don’t just take my word for it. The
next time you plan a vacation for adventure
fun in the sun Disney style, allow lots of
time for both parks and plan to stay at the
Hilton.
The new enhanced website for the Hilton is:
www.anaheim.hilton.com or
you can call: 1-800-HILTON. Learn more about
Disneyland and California
Adventure at: www.disneyland.com.
Located
in Southern California adjacent
to Disneyland, this theme park
offers the opportunity to visit
year round and is open every day
of the year. The city of Anaheim
plays host to travelers from around
the world in fine style, including
three unique Disney hotels.