Exciting Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure
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A new ride called Toy Story Midway Mania opened June 17, 2008 in the Paradise Pier themed area of Disneys California Adventure Park! Now you can join Buzz Lightyear, Cowboy Woody and your other favorite "Toy Story" movie characters as you use laser guns to hit targets and rack up points. The long lines you'll find at this attractions seem to indicated that this ride has made a big hit with visitors already!
Pictures of Paradise Pier rides: in the slide show above, you're viewing photos of rides and attractions in the Paradise Pier themed area of Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA. At Paradise Pier, you'll find just the right mix of rides for all ages in your family---thrill rides, family rides, and rides for the youngsters. Discover details about each one of them as you read through this page!
California Screamin' roller coaster in Paradise Pier!
The California Screamin' roller coaster is the biggest thrill of 'em all in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure.You'll hop aboard a ride car that's wired for sound, and gives you pulse-pounding music to accompany your high-speed trip.
Next, you'll ease out of the station giving you a restful moment to contemplate what's coming...before you're CATAPULTED ahead on a flying takeoff! You'll zoom from 0 to 55 MPH in a mere 5 seconds!
You'll take drops--including a BIG 108' plunge! You'll zoom through banking turns along your course---and even loop upside down in a silhouette of Mickey's head!
You'll be able to use a Fast Pass for this attraction on busy summer days. The line is out-of-doors, but shaded. And, one last thing---guests need to be 48" or taller to ride.
The Maliboomer is simply "breathtaking!"
The towering "Maliboomer" is another must-do ride for thrill seekers in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure Park. (What does this name mean....The Maliboomer? It's a corruption of the name "Malibu," a town in Southern California.)The Maliboomer sends you up a tall tower...then lets you drop into a free fall from the top! Following this first drop, you'll bounce up again (and down again) several times...like you're a playground ball for giants!
Is the Maliboomer safe? Of course! You'll wear a sturdy harness over your shoulders, plus there's also a belt you must wear between your legs (to keep you from slipping down and out of the ride.)
Will you scream? You bet! Being launched rapidly up the tower comes as a shocking surprise---even if you've been mentally preparing yourself for it. And the drop down? It takes your breath away!
Each tower can accommodate only 12 riders at one time, making the Maliboomer's line quite slow to progress. Look to make sure that BOTH towers are operating if the line is long...or you'll be in for quite a wait here!
Guests will need to be 52" or taller to ride. (The safety restraint system is optimized for guests over that height.)
Mulholland Madness, "Wild Mouse" style fun
The Mulholland Madness ride in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure takes you through sudden turns that make you gasp, "Will I fall off the edge?" Of course, you won't fall, and it's all part of the fun.This ride is named after the famous Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. The REAL Mulholland Drive---a "don't miss" attraction in itself--is indeed just as twisty as this roller coaster---and the local residents drive just as fast sometimes! So, this ride is truly "in tune" with its namesake!
Unfortunately, Mulholland Madness is a slow-loading ride, and waiting times reach 45 minutes on a busy day. Earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon are good times to catch this ride with a shorter line.
Your kids will need to be at least 42" tall to ride this zippy attraction with you.
The beautiful Sun Wheel graces Paradise Pier
The beautiful Sun Wheel in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure is true eye candy for the park. Never has a ride been so visually appealing.When you board the Sun Wheel, you'll be lifted 16 stories into the sky, and enjoy an unprecedented view of the California Adventure theme park.
You'll be able to ride the Sun Wheel two different ways---in stationary cars that will give you a ride similar to a traditional Ferris wheel, or in "sliding" cars that scoot around with the movement of the wheel, for some added zip.
There's a big difference in the lines for this ride. If you choose the "plain" non-moving cars, your wait will be minimal---in fact, you may be able to board on the Sun Wheel's next go-round, even on a busy day.
EVERYONE wants to go on the sliding cars! Are they more fun? Well, yes...BUT. There are some big "buts" here. The sliding action IS fun, just don't expect to do very much sliding! Before you board the Sun Wheel, take note that it never seems to be moving around much. That's because the majority of its time is spent loading and unloading!
When it FINALLY begins to whirl, the ride is VERY short. Personally, I would ride the sliding cars ONLY when the line for them is short. Otherwise, be prepared for disappointment, because there's lots of waiting...and very little thrill...involved with these sliding cars.
All ride cars are completely enclosed with wire mesh, so young ones can't fall out and get hurt. There is no minimum height requirement for the Sun Wheel.
Orange Stinger swing ride in Paradise Pier
Another visually attractive ride in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure is the Orange Stinger. This ride is an adaptation of the familiar swings-circling-a-hub ride that can also be found at other theme parks in the area (Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knotts Berry Farm.)Several unique features set the Orange Stinger apart from the rest, making it a particularly good version of the standard "swing ride." For one thing, the seat size is quite ample---and much more comfortable than the swings in older rides of this genre.
Secondly, the themeing here is adorable. California is a producer of delicious Orange Blossom honey---well, not as much as in the past, but, yes, this industry continues. Anyway, the outside of the ride is very obviously shaped like an orange. On the inside, don't miss the less-obvious theme decorations---the buzzing bee noise and the "honeycomb" canopy interior.
Even though this is a mild "family" style attraction, the minimum height requirement here is 48" or over. This has to do with the safety restraint system. Younger, smaller, thinner children might slip out of the swings while the ride is in motion.
Grab your toddlers for the tame Golden Zephyr ride
The attraction you see in these photos is the Golden Zephyr in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure. This is one ride that's suitable for the younger members of your family.Several "gondolas" are suspended from a 90-foot tower. When the ride begins, they circle the central hub at a moderate speed, giving you a nice glimpse of the Paradise Pier waterfront.
Though I'd LIKE to say that this ride is "loads of fun," I just can't. It's a great ride for families with younger children---something the whole family can do together.
However, young children are the ONLY ones who are likely to get a thrill from the Golden Zephyr. For older kids & adults, a more fitting name for this ride would be the "Silver Snoozer!"
Fortunately, this is one ride in the park where you'll never have much of a wait! So, if you have young children, here's the place in Paradise Pier to head!
Youngsters LOVE the Jumpin' Jellyfish ride!
Are you looking for pictures of colorful jellyfish? A number of readers have reached this page trying to find jellyfish photos...but, as you can see, this page talks about a jellyfish theme park ride! To see this website's pictures of real jellyfish, please visit the "Jellyfish and Sea Nettles" page of this site.An absolutely ADORABLE children's ride in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure is the Jumpin' Jellyfish ride. Another outstanding example of the park's colorful "eye candy" rides, the Jumpin' Jellyfish ALSO provides a fun ride-action for the younger set.
Once in your ride car, you'll ascend a tower...from which you'll be "dropped," in a milder, gentler version of a free-fall ride (like the Maliboomer.)
It's great fun, and parents are welcome to ride along, as well. In fact, parents may even get a bit of a thrill from the Jumpin' Jellyfish, too!
Guests must be at least 40" tall to ride the Jumpin' Jellyfish. (The height requirement is necessary to keep younger, smaller kids from the possiblilty of slipping out of the ride underneath the restraint bars.)
King Triton's Carousel at Paradise Pier
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! That's what you'll be saying the moment you catch sight of King Triton's Carousel. This ride adds still MORE Disney eye-candy to Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure.King Triton (Ariel's father from "The Little Mermaid") lives underwater and rules the creatures of the sea. In keeping with that theme, this carousel has NO horses--or other land animals on board....only sea creatures!
You'll be able to ride spectacular jewel-colored fish, dolphins, whales, sea lions, otters and sea horses on King Triton's Carousel. Around and around you'll go as you ride to the tunes of familiar Disney music.
There is no minimum height requirement, although parents should, of course, stand by the sides of their younger children as they ride.
Other fun at Paradise Pier in Disney's California Adventure
The SS Rustworthy is a children's play boat in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure. If your kids need to run around & "get some wiggles out," this is a great place for them to do it. There are ladders to climb, nooks & crannies to explore, bells to ring---and that's just on the INSIDE of the ship. The Rustworthy playground has still more interesting features for kids to enjoy around the outside.There are 2 ways to play outside the Rustworthy---wet or dry.
Most of the boat's activities may be enjoyed without getting a soaking.
However, if your kids head 'round to the back of the ship, they'll find an assortment of squirting water cannons where they can have fun soaking one another! It's a good way for them to get cool down on a warm summer day.
Note: The Rustworthy play boat is big enough to accommodate adults. If your children are either shy or courteous, it's a good idea to accompany them as they play. Not every kid is interested in waiting his or her turn, and it's not uncommon for these type of kids to barge ahead of those who have been waiting in line for the activities.
Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure is at no loss for shopping opportunities. Here, you see a "Route 66" themed shop. (Route 66, of course, is the nostalgic "mother road," which went from Chicago to Los Angeles in days of yore.) You'll find all sorts of interesting Disney-themed in the Route 66 souvenir shop.
Another cute themed shop is actually inside a giant green dinosaur! This is DCA's salute to some of the zany Los Angeles architecture that you might see around town. (If you entered Southern California via I-10, then you've already driven past the giant dinosaur statues at Cabazon, California!)
Paradise Pier merchandise could be classified as a "general souvenir collection," featuring toys, tees, and knickknacks.
Restaurants in Paradise Pier at Disneys California Adventure include a McDonald's Restaurant, a pizza/pasta restaurant, and a restaurant featuring burgers or chicken strip meals with fries.
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