#ThrowbackThursday: Doobie’s First Impressions of Disney’s California Adventure
Disney California Adventures will celebrate its 15th anniversary on February 8th. Of course, the park we see today is very, very different than the one that opened 15 years ago. I doubt any Disney park other than Disneyland has had so many changes in such a short time — even the name has changed.
Starting next #ThrowbackThursday, we're going to be running a series of articles leading up to the anniversary looking back to the park's past and forward to its future. But, for today's throwback article, I wanted to share two columns I wrote in January of 2001. The first was written after my visit to the park during its very first Cast preview. The second was written after I visited the park for the fifth time, still in soft openings.
I'll warn you ahead of time: my feelings about DCA 1.0 were — and still are — very positive. I loved the park then and, despite some great improvements that have been made since, I do miss the original Disney's California Adventure.
Hope you enjoy this look back.
Doobie's first impressions of Disney's California Adventure.
The Trip Thanks to a relative, I had the opportunity to attend the first Cast Member preview of Disney's California Adventure on January 7th. The park was open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and we spent all of those 8 hours in the park. Our journey started in the Entry Plaza then our first stop was Condor Flats to ride California Soarin'. Next was Grizzly River Run then a short stop at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Then it was on to Paradise Pier to look around, but not ride anything though we did play around with one of the water play areas.Then it was on to Pacific Wharf to check out the Mission Tortilla Factory tour and the Boudin Bakery tour and then to Disney's Steps in Time at the Hyperion Theater. Afterwards we had lunch at Hollywood & Dine and got in line for Superstar Limo. Unfortunately, it broke down before we got on so we headed to Muppet*Vision 3D to check out the queue (but didn't actually do the attraction since we've experienced it at Walt Disney World). Then it was back to the Golden State and the Bay Area to see Golden Dreams.
Next up was Disney's Eureka! The California Adventure Parade then a walk through more of Paradise Pier to get a close-up view of California Screamin' and King Triton's Carousel (but again, we didn't ride). Then it was back to Hollywood for Disney Animation and finally back in line for Superstar Limo - which again broke down before we could ride. Finally it was back to the Entrance Plaza to browse through some shops and say goodbye to DCA - for now.
Before I go into a few details, I have to say I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed the new park immensely. Now I make no bones about the fact I'm an Annual Passholder who loves to just hang out at Disneyland enjoying the scenery, the atmosphere and the food. I do love the rides, but just don't go on them all that much. I think DCA will be a great park for people like me. For the average tourist ... I'll let others comment on that. It's been a long, long time since I've been an average tourist at Disneyland. Be sure to read some of our other articles over the next few weeks, our discussion boards and our DCA Attraction Guide for many opinions from a wide variety of people on whether or not DCA is a good park for you.
Grizzly River Run and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
What I Liked There is a lot I liked about DCA. Actually, there's a lot I loved about DCA. I loved the themeing of the Golden State districts - especially Pacific Wharf, Condor Flats and the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. What really got me was how well the Grand Californian Hotel fits in as a background for parts of the Golden State district. Paradise Pier at night is also a site to behold as is most of the park, frankly.
Grizzly Peak stretches above the Mondavi building
I loved Grizzly Peak. I don't mean the attraction (which is a lot of fun), but the mountain itself. It's stunning from a distance, up close and from every an gle. My favorite part is how you can see it from many places throughout the park peeking up over whatever you're looking at. Grizzly Peak is awesome!
I loved Disney's Steps in Time. The show features several Disney songs but not a single traditional Disney character. It also makes good use of multimedia. I'll leave it at that and let you discover the rest for yourself, but be prepared - it's unlike any Disney theme park stage show I've ever seen. And I'm guessing it won't be a hit with everyone.
I loved the Disney Animation attraction. The courtyard in there is stunning. I could spend quite a while in there just watching everything. The Sorcerer's Workshop is so incredibly detailed you forget to do the interactive details because you're caught up looking at everything. And Drawn to Animation, which features a live Cast Member talking about film development with Mushu from Mulan, had me laughing out loud several times.
I really liked Soarin' Over California. The ride isn't meant to be thrilling, but I'm afraid of heights so it was the scariest thing I did all day. From my front row seat the view was spectacular - the effect really worked for me. I was gripping my railing like there was no tomorrow and during one sequence had to close my eyes until it was over. Now that I know I can handle the heights, this - more than any other attraction I did - is the one I can't wait to do again.
Eureka!
I really liked Disney's Eureka! The California Adventure parade. The music was fun, the floats lots of fun, and the puppets and live drumming (reminded me of Tapestry of Nations at Epcot) really appealed to me. I liked the way Muppet*Vision extends to the area around it to create kind of a Muppet mini-land.
I liked Golden Dreams. It easily held my attention the entire time even though it was a film, and the song and photo montage at the end made me cry - but I'm a sucker for photo montages. I also liked Pizza Primavera at Hollywood & Dine. It's the only thing I ate while in the park and I enjoyed it thoroughly. And my absolute favorite "little thing" in the park (though it certainly ain't little) was Dinosaur Jack's Sunglass Shack. How could anyone not love that face???
What I Didn't Like There are quite a few Disney attractions I've experience that I don't like. But at DCA I encountered the first Disney attraction that, in my opinion, has no business being called an attraction. That would be the Mission Tortilla Factory tour. I never had a problem with Disney putting two factory tours into DCA. Factory tours can be interesting and the Boudin Bakery Tour, while nothing to write home about, was ok. But the Mission Tortilla Factory tour ... it's not that it was bad - it's just not an attraction. It would be fine as a part of a store or restaurant, but it's not an attraction - at least not what I saw.
I didn't like how many borders in the park are just walls. Not landscaping, or an attraction, or a berm - just a wall. I'm not really one to notice things like that, but I noticed it a couple of times at DCA. There are also some places where Anaheim hotes or the convention center serve as the backdrop of the park. It looks very good when the Grand Californian is the backdrop. It looks less than good when the Anaheim Convention Center is the backdrop.
Considering how much I loved this show, I should lose some weight going up and down these stairs.
I didn't like walking up all those stairs to the mezzanine level of the Hyperion Theater. I know it's my fault for being so out of shape, but still an escalator would've been nice. I can't think of another Disney attraction that goes nearly that far up without an escalator or moving sidewalk (there did appear to be an escalator from the mezzanine to the balcony and an elevator was available for disabled access).
I didn't like how the jokes in the first part of the Superstar Limo queue repeated too quickly. There needs to be more of them. Ok, it's a minor quibble, but there's not much I didn't like - I had to think of something.
Overall As I said earlier, overall it's a great park for me. I wasn't the least bit disappointed (and I did go in with high hopes). I cannot wait to get back in there. There's so much I didn't do including the attraction I think will become my favorite - California Screamin'. I didn't even make it over to the Midway Games and I love Midway Games!!! And, of course, there are many places I want to eat and I want to try those date shakes at Sam Andreas Shakes!
Muppets in Hollywood
One more note - a very special moment for me was stepping past the Golden Gate Bridge and looking back and see the bridge, the DCA entrance, Disneyland's entrance and the Main Street Train Station. It's a moment I won't soon forget. Make sure you do it on your first trip into DCA.
I Love This Parking Lot Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Impressions
California Screamin' and Paradise Pier
Back on January 9th I did an Editor's Report called First Impressions based on my trip into Disney's California Adventure (DCA). Since then I've had the opportunity to visit DCA four more times and experience much more of what it has to offer. In this report I continue in the same vein as the last sharing my likes and dislikes of the newest addition to the Disneyland Resort.
The Trips As mentioned above, I've had the opportunity to visit DCA a total of five times now. Through these visits I've had the opportunity to do almost everything DCA has to offer. I've seen most of the park, done most of the attractions and seen the entertainment. I've eaten at quite a few of the restaurants and soaked up the atmosphere. Crowds during these visits have ranged from non-existent to what I would consider mild. During yesterday's visit it was clear there were many more people in the park, but it didn't feel crowded. However, I have no idea what the actual number of people was. When I left at 8:00 p.m. (the park closed at 10:00 p.m.) Soarin' Over California had a posted 90 minute wait and Superstar Limo had a posted 60 minute wait. Everything else was much, much lower. Having not experienced DCA at its most crowded, I can't comment on how that might affect my experience.
Looking back from DCA to where it all began
Before I go into specifics I want to give the same disclaimer I gave last time: I am an Annual Passholder who loves to just hang out at Disneyland enjoying the scenery, the atmosphere and the food. I do love the rides, but just don't go on them all that much. Keep that in mind when you read my views on the new park. My comments are on how the park appeals to me. Be sure to read some of our other articles over the next few weeks, our discussion boards and our DCA Attraction Guide for many opinions from a wide variety of people on whether or not DCA is a good park for you.
Doobie in his propeller hat in front of his favorite attraction
What I Liked As I've experienced and re-experienced Disney's California Adventure, I've found there's a lot more I absolutely love about the park. Most notable is Soarin' Over California which I said I "really liked" in my last column. I've been able to ride it five times now and it is my favorite thing at DCA. There's a feeling I get when I'm up there - legs hanging and looking down at the screen, that really appeals to me. I'm no longer afraid when I'm up there like I was on my first trip. I just feel "free". It's one of the few Disney attractions - and perhaps the only non-thrill attractions - that as soon as I get off I'm ready to go again (remember, attractions aren't the primary reason I go to Disney parks). One note: There are three rows in California Screamin'. I've sat in the first and third rows. The first row, for me, was much better than the third. They're both great experiences but if you have the opportunity, do try to experience it from the front row for maximum fun.
I loved California Screamin'. There's not much to say about it - anyone who's read this site has seen endless pictures of it and I'm not a roller coaster connoisseur anyway. What I can say is I just smile and laugh during the entire trip - it's just plain fun!
Soap Opera Bistro
I love the food. So far I've eaten at Hollywood and Dine, ABC Soap Opera Bistro, Avalon Cove, Corn Dog Castle, Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Catch a Flave and Bountiful Valley Farmer's Market and I've really liked everything I've had. Being a vegetarian, my choices are somewhat limited, but what I've had I've loved. The Soap Opera Bistro has several different rooms each representing sets in a different soap opera. The waiters and waitresses do a good job of playing a part but the best is when dedicated entertainers come around and get the guests involved in silly soap opera plots. It's all very funny.
Avalon Cove dining room
The atmosphere in Avalon Cove is wonderful. Even if you don't want to eat there, walk around and look at the decor. It's spectacular. We ate there for lunch and I had the Four Cheese Ravioli and completely enjoyed it. The service was pretty good as well and the prices weren't as high as I expected. For example, my Four Cheese Ravioli was $14 and Rebekah's Roaster Snapper (which she said was great) was $22.
Farmer's Market had a veggie wrap that I really liked and my favorite treat of all is the cheddar cheese on-a-stick at Corndog Castle. The pizza at Pizza Oom Mow Mow was ok - not bad, not great. The ice cream at Catch a Flave was great. It starts with vanilla then they swirl in one of several flavor choices. I also finally got my date shake at Sam Andreas Shakes and I was not disappointed!
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
I loved the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This play area is ostensibly for the younger set, but this old guy really enjoyed climbing up to the lookouts and traversing the rope bridges (which was even more of a workout than those Hyperion Theater steps). Unfortunately, I only caught a glimpse of the storytelling at the Ahwahnee Camp Circle there. I hope to do that next time.
I really liked Grizzly River Run. You feel the rapids very well in these rafts which are smaller than others I've been on. The scenery of the mountain itself is nice and the spinning drop is tons of fun. I also didn't get nearly as wet as I expected - a big positive. After being very disappointed with Disney's last attempt at a raft ride - Kali River Rapids (especially with how short it was), I was a little worried about this one. But it exceeded my expectations and I can't wait to ride again (in the summer).
Mondavi wine tasting and wine by the glass
I like the whole Mondavi winery area. I'm not a wine guy at all (I don't even drink) but I do like to watch the Discovery Channel and I enjoyed the Seasons of the Vine film and the other educational stuff in the area. I especially liked the Wine Country Market there which offers a very large selection of items from cheese to vegetables to salads to accompany the wine tasting.
I also liked the S.S. rustworthy. It's fun to play with the water, all the controls and the noise makers. There's also a lot water play areas around the boat and across from the boat so it's not too crowded on the boat itself.
Doobie on a surfboard at the S.S. rustworthy
Games of the Boardwalk
Ambivalent I couldn't decide whether to put the Games of the Boardwalk (also known as midway games) in the like or dislike category. I really like midway games and I think the ones at DCA are well done. However, I've yet to win a thing despite the $10 or so I've dropped and that's not making me happy. :( Actually, what I don't like about them is the $2 price on most of the games. In my opinion, the midway games add to the theme of Paradise Pier. They're more like another attraction than an arcade and, as such, should be priced low enough to really encourage playing like the Shooting Gallery at Disneyland.
Muppet*Vision 3D
Muppet*Vision 3D is a fun attraction, but it's also an old attraction. Disney has gone to great lengths to create many attractions that don't exist at other Disney parks, and even those that do in some form, like Disney Animation, are presented in an all-new way. "It's tough to be a bug" and Muppet*Vision 3D are the exceptions. I haven't done "It's tough to be a bug" here yet but Muppet*Vision feels old, especially with everything around it feeling so new. Still, it's a very funny 3D film and is one of my favorite attractions at Disney-MGM Studios in Florida. It just doesn't feel right in DCA. Maybe guests who haven't done it in Florida will feel differently.
Get a Grip
The hardest thing for me to decide on so far is Get a Grip, the outdoor show at the Hollywood Backlot Stage. I saw the 3:45 performance on Sunday and came away confused. I really enjoy that type of dancing/stunt work. But on the other hand, the way it was presented here, as a part of a weird story about a stuck up actress, didn't quite work for me. On the other hand, I really liked watching all the coordinated stunt work, especially with the doors. On the other hand, I didn't like the very repetitive music that accompanied the dancing/stunts - I didn't like the music and I didn't like the repetitiveness of it. On the other hand, I am looking forward to seeing it again. There's a lot going on up there and I know I missed some stuff. On the other hand, I'm not sure I'll see it much after that. Despite my enjoyment of the visuals, the whole package just didn't quite work for me - or did it???
Burger Invasion
What I Didn't Like Having gotten around the park a bit more I've also found there a few more things I don't like. At the top (bottom) of the list is McDonald's. I've never been one to complain about McDonald's coming inside the theme parks. I think the fry cart in Disneyland's Frontierland is fine. I think having Burger Invasion sponsored by McDonald's in Paradise Pier is fine. I even think the Golden Arches just below the "Burger Invasion" is fine. What bothers me is the standard McDonald's menu right above the counter - that gave me a jolt. If the menu had McDonald's item but was themed to Burger Invasion's style, that would've been fine. If this were an indoor restaurant and the menu wasn't visible from the outside, that would've been fine. But seeing it while strolling through Paradise Pier was a jolt.
The McDonald's menu at Burger Invasion
I didn't like Superstar Limo. I didn't think it was horrible, but it sure was weird and not my cup of tea. It's probably the strangest Disney attraction I've ever been on. The look of Joan Rivers in the queue video and the agent on your vehicle's TV screen is just plain ugly. The animatronic actors throughout the ride are pretty funny looking too, especially Whoopi Goldberg. And the other visuals are bizarre. I have a feeling this one might turn out to be kind of a cult classic, but it's definitely not a Doobie classic.
Superstar Limo
Joan Rivers in the queue of Superstar Limo
In Closing That should just about do it for the attractions. There are few that I won't be riding anytime soon for one reason or another. The only ones left that I will be riding are King Triton's Carousel and (assuming I have enough courage when I'm there as I do right now) the Sun Wheel. I'll report on them one way or another after I do.