Opened on February 8, 2001, Disney's California Adventure (DCA) occupies about 55 acres of the former 100 acre Disneyland parking lot. Located immediately to the south of the Magic Kingdom, this entirely separate gated attraction (theme park talk for separate admission price) features the allure of California in microcosm form. In the illustration below, you can see a night aerial view of Disneyland to the upper right, the Disneyland Hotel complex to the upper left, and DCA just below that.
The themed areas within include an area representing seaside resort, including a Boardwalk and "ocean" front amusement park, with a great roller coaster, California Screamin', and other rides, a "Cannery Row" area representing the Monterey area, something of Tinsel town with the Hollywood Studios Backlot, a high desert aviation area dubbed Condor Flats, an area for agriculture called Bountiful Valley and even (gasp) wine tasting with the Mondavi family from Napa Valley. Finally, a wilderness area, Redwood Creek, featuring the symbol for the entire park, Grizzly Peak (it's a rocky outcropping in the shape of a bear head) which has a great white-water rafting adventure. Also included within the park itself is hotel, the Grand Californian, themed as a wilderness lodge in the Arts and Crafts architectural style.
Of the attractions, the greatest is Soarin' Over California in Condor Flats. This is a theatre type attraction (after a great queue area which will be entirely interactive and entertaining) that, once seated within, lifts each guest up and forward into a video submersion theatre, with views of about 220 degrees up and down. You soar, as though on a hang glider, over the most scenic and exciting places in California, including Yosemite, the Golden Gate, the Central Valley, the coast, San Diego, Los Angeles and (yes) Disneyland, along with other locales. You'll feel the wind in your face, and each guest "glider" moves and tilts in full compliance with the scenes above, below, and to each side of you. You can even smell the ocean and orange groves as you glide above them!
I revisited Disneyland and DCA December 20 to 23, 2001, and soon many photos of the new park will be posted here. I do have to add that this park is growing on me. Of particular interest is the new "Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!" show, on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. This is loads of fun and not to be missed! I have to also add that California Screamin' in the Paradise Pier area is a great coaster! So please visit DCA on your next trip to Disneyland. Please check back in a few weeks for a complete photo tour of the new park.
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