Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rumor mill, there might even be a third theme park in the works, possibly to be built
on the Disneyland employee parking lot.
Meanwhile, as the Disneyholics churn up cyberspace debating DCA's theme and
worryingwhetherexpensiveadditionsandpatched-onpersonality cancompensate for
a flawed foundation, the rest of us will have some fun enjoying the park that is.
ARRIVING
and
GETTING ORIENTED
THEENTRANCE TO
DisneyCalifornia Adventurefacestheentrance toDisneylandPark
across a palm-shaded pedestrian plaza called the
Esplanade.
If you arrive by tram
from one of the Disney parking lots, you'll disembark at the Esplanade. Facing east
toward Harbor Boulevard, Disneyland Park will be on your left and DCA will be on
your right. In the Esplanade are ticket booths, the group sales office, and resort in-
formation.
Seen from overhead, Disney California Adventure is roughly arrayed in a fan
shape around the park's central visual icon,
Grizzly Peak.
At ground level, however,
the park's layout is not so obvious.
There are seven themed “lands” at DCA, not including
Buena Vista Street.
A
left turn at the hub leads you to
Hollywood Land,
celebrating California's history
as the film capital of the world.
Condor Flats, Grizzly Peak,
and
Pacific Wharf
(formerly known collectively as the Golden State land) are a trio of separate themed
areas that showcase California's architecture, agriculture, industry, history, and nat-
ural resources. You'll find Condor Flats by taking the first right as you approach the
hub. Grizzly Peak will likewise be to your right, though you must walk two-thirds
of the way around the mountain to reach its attractions. Pacific Wharf, the remaining
GoldenState-themed area,issituatedalongakidney-shapedlakeandcanbeaccessed
by following the walkway emanating from the hub at 7 o'clock and winding around
Grizzly Peak. A fifth land,
a bug's land,
is situated opposite the Golden Vine Winery
and can be reached by taking the same route. The sixth land,
Paradise Pier,
recalls
seaside amusement parks of the Victorian era. It is situated in the southwest corner
of the park, around the large lake.
Cars Land
is the seventh land, claiming a former
parking lot behind the Pacific Wharf and Hollywood Land, with its primary entrance
across from the Golden Vine Winery.
SINGLE-RIDER LINES
YOU CAN OFTEN SAVE TIME WAITING
in line by taking advantage of single-rider lines,
a separate line for people who are alone or don't mind riding alone or with a stranger.
The objective of single-rider lines is to fill odd spaces left by groups who don't quite
