Entering the Sunshine Plaza of DCA, we turn right to begin our counterclockwise circuit of the park and head into the first themed district, The Golden State.  Hint: I'll keep the current area listed in the top right corner of the page to clue you in on the layout and attractions in each section.

As the towering centerpiece to this district, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area recreates the natural adventures and outdoor splendor offered in California. This mountain, amid a recreation of Yosemite's famed forests, stretches to the sky in the form of a huge grizzly bear -- ostensibly the skyline landmark for this new theme park, much as the Matterhorn serves for Disneyland. One hundred and ten feet of faux granite irony, given how 'bearish' critics have come out of the woodwork to submit their dour and dire forecasts for Disney's latest park.

Disney will have to brave the tempests of the rocky course ahead of them -- as will guests who ride the Grizzly River Run, a rafting adventure which sends riders careening down mountain rapids after climbing this logging mill-style upramp to the peak.  Hang on for white water fun -- yes, you will get wet, but given the SoCal climate it will be a welcome and refreshing treat most of the year. Below is a detail of this towering ursine summit for a closer look before we head downriver from its rocky peak.

© 2001-2002 scott weitz