Disney's California Adventure

Panoramic view of California Adventure

Updated as of February 2002

Welcome to Disney's CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE . . . or as it seems to be known lately, the punching bag of theme park critics and fans alike.

On February 3rd 2001, my friends and I attended the Annual Passholders preview of Disney's new $1.4 billion theme park in Anaheim. Judging by the crowds at the time, we wouldn't have guessed that DCA would soon have a bullseye metaphorically painted on its front gates -- a Shooting Gallery duck taking the hit for all that troubles of the Disney company today.

We had a good time, as we always do, and we enjoyed our first look at Disneyland's new neighbor too. While the lines were long (back then, anyway), the Fast Pass machines were working so we got to try out nearly all the attractions available. Reviews and comments from that preview will follow, along with observations made since then.

Like Disneyland before it, California Adventure inevitably will evolve over time, as will these pages about it. Disneyphiles may recall that Walt's original park had its share of harsh critics upon opening in 1955, and a fair amount of faults and shortcomings too, but Walt stuck with his dream and millions have enjoyed sharing it since.

True, we lack Walt's vision and leadership today. But DCA isn't as bad as many brand it, nor is it an ideal start . . . it is, however, what we've got and this is etixland's look at Disney's California Adventure. As the second jewel in the proposed tri-park crown of the Disneyland Resort -- though planning seems halted for a third gate down the street -- I think it's worth studying DCA for what it is now, and hopefully what it can be in the future as the company realizes the resort plan's fullest potential in both creativity and entertainment.

Enough with the preamble of mixed metaphors, let's get in the gate and tour the park. I've revised several pages to include more photos and update the descriptions and commentary about DCA, and no doubt new perceptions, opinions and attractions in the park will arrive in the future.

So let's face south where the Disneyland parking lot used to be, and head into this theme park celebration of California's spirit . . .