Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paradise Pier's original tacky mid-20th-century theme at DCA was ironic, and
in a perverse way it brought the story of Walt Disney and Disneyland full circle.
Walt, you see, created Disneyland Park as an alternative to parks such as this—parks
with a carnival atmosphere, simple midway rides, carny games, and amply available
wine, beer, and liquor. Amazingly, corporate Disney had made just such a place the
centerpiece of Disneyland's sister park, slaughtering in effect one of the last of Walt's
sacred cows. The refurb's clapboard buildings and retro carnival games gave the
area much-needed charm, but not everything is perfect in Paradise; the now-removed
Maliboomer tower was supposed to become a lush park, but it turned out to be a few
benches on concrete and a patch of green behind barricades to gaze at longingly. The
foregoing notwithstanding, Paradise Pier is spotlessly clean, exciting during the day,
and eye-popping in the evening with all its colorful lights.
Incidentally, those aforementioned carnival games aren't as avaricious as their
unfair fair ancestors. If you and a companion play together, you can win a modest
stuffed animal for only $5 (less than you'd pay in the park's gift shops). Some games
let you combine multiple wins for an impressive prize. The fishing and racehorse
games seem easiest to win.
Note:
Most of the attractions (except Toy Story Midway Mania!) in Paradise Pier
will close early for
World of Color
performances.
California Screamin'
(Fastpass)
What it is
Big, bad roller coaster.
Scope and scale
Super-headliner.
When to go
Ride first
thinginthemorning,oruseFastpass.
Special comments
Longandsmooth;mayinducemotion
sickness; must be 48" tall to ride;
switching-off
option provided.
Duration of ride
2½ minutes.
Loading speed
Moderate-fast.
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
This apparently antiquated wooden monster is actually a
modern steel coaster, and at 6,072 feet, it's the second longest in the United States. Cali-
fornia Screamin' gets off to a 0-to-55-mph start by launching you up the first hill like a
jet fighter plane off the deck of a carrier (albeit with different technology). From here you
will experience tight turns followed by a second launch that sends you over the crest of a
110-foot hill with a 107-foot drop on the far side. Next, you bank and complete an ellipt-
ical loop. A diving turn followed by a series of camelbacks brings you back to the station.
