For its second park, Disneyland could have drawn inspiration from Walt Disney World and gone with a concept tried and true such as Epcot (in fact, there were plans at one time to develop a park called "Westcot") or, given its proximity to Hollywood, Disney-MGM Studios (as the company has done with its second Paris park). Instead, Disney tried something bolder and developed an entirely new park based on California--the state and the state of mind.
However, the company forgot something kind of important as it was designing DCA: attractions. With about one-third the number of rides and shows as Disneyland Park, there just isn't as much to do here. And a surprising number of the park's rides are off-the-shelf spinning rides. At first, many of the attractions didn't appeal to young children. With the introduction of the Bug's Land area, that's changing for the better. For all of its shortcomings however, DCA does have some great attractions and wonderful themeing. And with additions such as the Tower of Terror and the Aladdin stage show, it is evolving in the right direction.
Highlights
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Disney's Aladdin-- A Musical Spectacular
- Soarin' Over California simulator ride
- California Screamin' launched steel coaster (that looks like a wood coaster)
- Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D film
- It's Tough to Be a Bug 3-D film
- Disney's Electrical Parade
Dining
- The Vineyard Room- A romantic restaurant inside a theme park? Why not? And wonderful food to boot.
Tips
- Grab a spot for Disney's parades at least 30 minutes before they start or you'll be stuck three rows behind mouse-eared guests.
- Check DCA's Fastpass attractions and learn how to make the most of the Fastpass program.
- Consider a multi-day pass so that you can shuttle between Disneyland Park and DCA.
Are you looking for hotel accommodations? Compare rates for Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.
Putting the Disney into Disney's California Adventure
Learn about the massive 5-year, $1.1 billion expansion and makeover of Disney's California Adventure that was announced in 2007. The transformed park will include a new entry plaza, a new Cars Land, new attractions, a new nighttime spectacular, and more.
New for 2008:
- Disneyland Resort Ride Guide 2008
- Toy Story Mania Preview
- Pixar Play Parade at Disney's California Adventure Photo Gallery
- See photos of Toy Story Mania! and more at the Disneyland Resort 2008 Preview Photo Gallery.
The Best of Disneyland
Top picks for rides at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure
The Tower of Terror Rises Again
The Twilight Zone Tower of a Terror is a modern-day classic Disney theme park attraction. Combining a thrilling freefall ride, dazzling effects, and an inspired and fiendishly clever storyline based on the seminal "The Twilight Zone" television series, Disney Imagineers have created a ride that, like a select few E-ticket attractions, is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Read my review, check out the photo gallery, and discover how the California Tower compares to its Florida counterpart.
You'll Believe You Can Fly
Soarin' Over California is the definitive attraction at the park where it debuted, Disney's California Adventure: It's a captivating Disney E-ticket ride; it's all about California; and it's a giddy adventure that figuratively, if not damn near literally, sends you soarin'. Read my review.
Soarin' Over California Photo Gallery
Photo: (C) Disney 2002
