What's so right with California Adventure?

[DoomBugger]

With the next few years having many changes and much $$ being poured into Disneyland's next door neighbor, California Adventure and all the recent discussion about what we don't like and don't think is up to Disney spec at California Adventure let's talk about what is great about CA. Even if you don't generally like CA there is no denying it has some great attractions (yes, few and far between but they do exist) and best of all CA's potential and future and potential look bright.

Let's talk about what WDC got right with CA.

CA was originally intended to be an adult-themed Disney park, I wonder how much they are still thinking that way? I think they can make it fun for families and kids and also have a little adult edge, to me this is what Disney does best.

 

[Pezalicious]

I LOVE the Animation Academy area. I always have so much fun in there, and that Toy Story Zeleotrope (sp!!) is awesome!

ToT, Soarin', California Screamin'.. all really great rides! I love all the movie posters in the Bug's Life and Muppet's queues. I also think that the children's area in the Bug's land is really cute and well themed.

Overall, I really like the park, though I'm excited to see better theming in the future, as well as some new attractions.

 

[DoomBugger]

As far as rides I feel the river rapids ride, ToT and maybe, maybe Soarin' are the only ride attractions that are truly up to Disney spec. When I lobby for more coasters I mean Disney coasters, themed and unique. I know I'm in the minotity here but I do not feel California Screamin' is up to Disney spec, it is more like a SiX Flags ride if you ask me. I like it and ride it but no way it can be mentioned with any of DL's "Mountain Coasters" or MGM's Rkn' coaster IMO.

 

[kelmac284]

Well personally I love the quaintness of Disneyland but at DCA I do like ToT, Soarin and Screamin. I must admit though I do prefer Disneyland. There is just something more quaint and more fantasy like about that park. You feel more wrapped up in the fantasy when you go there and I just love that Walt actually built the place and that wherever you go there is so much history. To me CA is so much like a six flags type park. It just isn't the same. I do enjoy going, LOVE ToT and Screamin, love to go to the Aladdin Show love to check out the animation academy but I get bored quick there. I am looking forward to the new changes but I admit I don't know if I will ever feel as nostalgic about DCA as I do about Disneyland but I do enjoy going there. Just not as much as Disneyland.

 

[ScooterL]

The Animation Building is a great place to spend time - between Animation Academy, Sorcerer's Workshop, and Turtle Talk there's lots to do in there. And I think Soarin' is the best attraction Disney has done so far...and California Screamin' is one of the best roller coasters - second only to Expedition Everest in my opinion. Aladdin is a first-rate production. The Vineyard Room is my favorite Disneyland restaurant. "a bug's land" is one of the better-themed lands in either Disneyland or DCA - lots of really, really clever touches. I like the special events that they do at DCA - the Food and Wine Festival and Mickey's Halloween Treat. They replaced the awful Superstar Limo with Monsters, Inc., which is a huge improvement - the ride is cute, but the queue is really a lot of fun with all of the signs and ads that carry through on the Monstropolis theme.
We enjoy DCA - it's nice that most of the time it's not crowded!

 

[PrincessKell]

We love Soarin'. and a must for us when ever we go is A Bugs Land. Since having dd who is autistic she doesnt allow for much other there. But I really like it. There are things that could be done better. But this is a thread for what we DO like, right. hehe

Love Soarin' yeah I already said it but hey I really like it!

 

[fairycat]

I love the Animation Building!! That is the best and most Disney place in DCA. It rocks! I spend lots of my day there.

The main attraction rides are all good.

I like some of the little "features" as well I like the tortilla factory (its very Epcot) and the Wine tasting room.

The food is way better in DCA!

We had a blast on the brother bear paths and we don't even have kids (in fact we were dressed up for dinner at Napa Rose and still had a blast!).

I think so areas have better themeing then others and some areas I will not miss with the changes but over all as long as they don't mess up the good things I am willing to go with the flow and see what comes with the new DCA.

 

[bumbershoot]

I always loved bug's land, and then I read something about how it's supposed to be seen and was intrigued. Then I rode ToT, and while watching the twilight zone film I noticed that they show a view from the hotel of the grounds around the hotel, and you can see that a bug's land is supposed to be the lawn in front of the hotel! Ever since I saw that, and ever since I stopped on my way into the fun fair and looked up at the hotel to get the perspective of a tiny little bug, I have loved it even more.

I do not mind the paradise pier area AT ALL. I grew up visiting my dad in Santa Cruz and finagling visits to the Beach Boardwalk from age 4 to 17. Heck, I still try to get there whenever I visit my dad! I was sort of a clueless CA native who didn't see anything much good about her state of birth until YEARS after running away as fast as she could (see upper limit age of 17 above), so I didn't get into the history of it all (despite having the history shoved down my gullet through school), but I DO get into the Beach Boardwalk sort of place, and I LOVE that it's at Disney.

I love Grizzly soooooo much. During my solo trip it was riding that ride and standing there watching people get soaked by the geyser (silly, non-poncho-wearing people) that I finally felt better on an otherwise very sick feeling day. I first rode it at night and it was incredible when you can't see anything coming up, and then in January I rode it during the day, and I can't decide which I like better! I am leaning towards "I don't have to choose".

I like that they serve beer.

I like the look of the wine country area, b/c I grew up for a few years at a winery. My mom worked at Ridge Vineyards up near Cupertino, so I feel at home there. Of course, a real vineyard is a bit dustier and really they need to spill a vat of wine onto the ground every few days to get the smell of a winery, but it's close enough.

 

[lillybug]

These were our family favorites in DCA...

Soarin'
Ariels Grotto Princess Lunch
It's Tough to be a Bug
Aladdin Musical
GRR

and most of all...the LOW crowds.

 

[DoomBugger]

I always loved bug's land, and then I read something about how it's supposed to be seen and was intrigued. Then I rode ToT, and while watching the twilight zone film I noticed that they show a view from the hotel of the grounds around the hotel, and you can see that a bug's land is supposed to be the lawn in front of the hotel! Ever since I saw that, and ever since I stopped on my way into the fun fair and looked up at the hotel to get the perspective of a tiny little bug, I have loved it even more.

I have never noticed that. I can't wait to see this!

I love the Santa Cruz board walk, even if it is rundown and stuck in the 70s. That coaster there is a classic and still dishes out the fun.

Personally I really dig the Orange Peel but they should let you ride it for longer. The Orange Peel gets no love here at disboards!

 

[Spokker]

Soarin' Over California - Jerry Goldsmith is said to have come down from his first ride in tears. Though the ride didn't have that much of an effect on me, it's a very moving experience. While the queue is sparsely themed, the capacity low, and every seat but those on B1 a disadvantage, Soarin' Over California is a quality Disney experience.

Tower of Terror - An inferior version of MGM's Tower of Terror, the outside looks half-finished and sparsely detailed but the ride experience is fun and it was a much needed E-Ticket for the park.

Golden Dreams - It's really cheesy and the Whoopi Goldberg time traveling spirit of California thing was ridiculous, but the cinematography and music are wonderful. The film does jumpstart you to learn more about the topics touched on during the performance, at least it did for me. You don't really learn all that much, but the next day I was looking for information on "picture brides".

Grizzly River Run Area - While I think it was a bad idea to put a rapids ride here, especially one lacking infrastructure to support other rides. Why there wasn't a little train built alongside Grizzly River Run I have no idea. But I do think the area is landscaped well and is a peaceful place to go walking at night. You can't ride Grizzly River Run comfortable during Winter, but it's a nice place to stroll.

 

[bumbershoot]

"You can't ride Grizzly River Run comfortable during Winter,"

Well, you might not, but I sure did! Loved it; that was my first exposure to Grizzly, in December and then January!

 

[Gemfyre]

Animation Academy has got to be one of the most under-rated attractions at DCA. Ive been going to DCA here and there since opening and we only discovered this place during the past 2 trips.

Aladdin is amazing.

ToT, Soaring, Rapids and CA Screaming would break my families heart if it was removed.

 

[DevilDuckie]

The theming of Bugs Land is genius! It is one of the best themed areas in the parks and I love it.

Vineyard Room is hands down the best open to the public restaurant in either park.

There are more quiet corners. We honeymooned in DLR and for handholding peoplewatching quiet contentment DCA was better than DL. There are more little spots that simply don't appeal to kids so much.

DCA is not better than DL but it offers a number of things that supplement DL nicely. You can't fit everything into the DL space and for a different tone it is nice to have the other park for a change of pace.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Golden Dreams - It's really cheesy and the Whoopi Goldberg time traveling spirit of California thing was ridiculous, but the cinematography and music are wonderful. The film does jumpstart you to learn more about the topics touched on during the performance, at least it did for me. You don't really learn all that much, but the next day I was looking for information on "picture brides".

Grizzly River Run Area - While I think it was a bad idea to put a rapids ride here, especially one lacking infrastructure to support other rides. Why there wasn't a little train built alongside Grizzly River Run I have no idea. But I do think the area is landscaped well and is a peaceful place to go walking at night. You can't ride Grizzly River Run comfortable during Winter, but it's a nice place to stroll.

Isn't ridiculous what Whoopi built her career on? Have you seen the bit with the "long luxurious blond hair" (AKA a t-shirt on her head) that she used to do?

We ride GRR year-round, but I will concede that it is less comfortable when we go for New Year's.

 

[snoodledoo]

Soarin' Over CA
Taste Pilots Ribs
The kids love Mulholland Madness
Grizzly River (only in warm weather for us!)
Aladdin
It's Tough to be a Bug