Surprised how great of a park Disney's California Adventure actually was

[Walt Disney1955]

I was a first time Disneyland guest a couple weeks ago. I knew going into it that DCA was NOT Disneyland by any stretch of the imagination. The criticism that park had from the word "go" was something I was familiar with. Even two seperate Simpsons episodes mock it. So I realize in 2001 and several years afterwards it was not a sought after park.

Well all I can say is that in 2012 I am pleasantly surprised. That park was very, very good. No, it isn't Disneyland but the majority of us would take Magic Kingdom over the other WDW parks as well. DCA stands on its own very well and if you were to rank the parks on both Disney properties it wouldn't be the worst in my opinion.

Tower of Terror was nice even though the WDW version is better. I liked the Grizzly Run and even the wilderness trails across from it. I "get" the whole thing about Paradise Pier. I don't like carnival games and neither did Walt but I understand that is probably the look they are going for with that land to give you a "carnival" type of feel. California Screamin and Toy Story Mania are very well done. Even the Little Mermaid ride is well done and I rode it more than once. Overall there was a nice "Disney" feel to it. That Aladdin show left us in stitches too.

To top it all off World of Color is spectacular and should never be missed. Another show that reeks of Disney magic.

But Carsland was the topper. That is an incredible land and Radiator Springs Racer is a marvelous ride. Superior to Test Track which would be its closest competitor. Wonderfully themed and even the other two rides in there are fun. Overall I thought the park was great and even if there was a bias over it back in the day I can't understand why there is today

 

[Californian Elitist]

The hate for DCA is pretty much gone now. You didn't see it when it first opened. It was terrible, besides Condor Flats and Grizzly Peak, maybe. I'd say it wasn't until maybe 2008, when DCA was getting better. It's a completely different park today. It still needs some work, though. It's still a worthy park of sitting across from Disneyland, and I consider it a great park.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

My first visit to DCA was in late 2007. Even back then, I thought the bad perception didn't quite match the reality of the park. I would've ranked it right next to DHS back then. Now, since then, they've added Toy Story Mania, World of Color, Mermaid, Carsland and Buena Vista St as well as all of the makeovers so... I'd say it's an OK park!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

We always enjoy California Adventure, and try to give equal touring time to Disneyland when we go! It's true a few years back it was pretty stale, with a few hit attractions but nothing else to stand on. The improvements they have made are so remarkable!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I think California Adventure is a fun park, I liked it in 2007 & early 2012 before the major rehaul and I can't wait to see it in 2013 in its new state of glory!

 

[Magenta Panther]

The re-imagined DCA is, happily, majorly Disney in every way. I am so proud of and grateful to the Imagineers who took a shabby, ill-conceived concept and turned it into a truly magical experience. Kudos! Walt would be very proud!

 

[Rasvar]

My first and only visit to DCA prior to this year was in 2001. It is a so much better park from what it was. Between that and how depressing Tomorrowland was in DL, it kept me from returning until January of this year. Everything in both parks is so much better now. (Although the empty peoplemover tracks are still sad to me.) It goes to show the company still has some really good and creative people in it if they are allowed to do their job.

 

[fractal]

I was a first time Disneyland guest a couple weeks ago. I knew going into it that DCA was NOT Disneyland by any stretch of the imagination. The criticism that park had from the word "go" was something I was familiar with. Even two seperate Simpsons episodes mock it. So I realize in 2001 and several years afterwards it was not a sought after park.

Well all I can say is that in 2012 I am pleasantly surprised. That park was very, very good. No, it isn't Disneyland but the majority of us would take Magic Kingdom over the other WDW parks as well. DCA stands on its own very well and if you were to rank the parks on both Disney properties it wouldn't be the worst in my opinion.

Tower of Terror was nice even though the WDW version is better. I liked the Grizzly Run and even the wilderness trails across from it. I "get" the whole thing about Paradise Pier. I don't like carnival games and neither did Walt but I understand that is probably the look they are going for with that land to give you a "carnival" type of feel. California Screamin and Toy Story Mania are very well done. Even the Little Mermaid ride is well done and I rode it more than once. Overall there was a nice "Disney" feel to it. That Aladdin show left us in stitches too.

To top it all off World of Color is spectacular and should never be missed. Another show that reeks of Disney magic.

But Carsland was the topper. That is an incredible land and Radiator Springs Racer is a marvelous ride. Superior to Test Track which would be its closest competitor. Wonderfully themed and even the other two rides in there are fun. Overall I thought the park was great and even if there was a bias over it back in the day I can't understand why there is today

100% agree! I loved DCA when we visited this summer. I call it DHS on steriods. Don't forget about the perfect running condition of Soarin'. So much better experience than the Epcot version.

 

[Californian Elitist]

100% agree! I loved DCA when we visited this summer. I call it DHS on steriods. Don't forget about the perfect running condition of Soarin'. So much better experience than the Epcot version.

Still consider DCA to be the best Disney park?