Disneyland Review: California Screamin'

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Fun roller coaster with a loop

Cons: Closes early

The Bottom Line: 

Disney rarity

A thrilling roller coaster

Even with a loop

Have a Screamin' Good Time on Paradise Pier

Disney parks, especially the two in California, aren't known for their thrill rides.  But that is changing a little in the second theme park there, California Adventure.  In fact, one of the opening day attractions is California Screamin', a steel roller coaster that is a blast from start to finish.

This thrill ride is the heart of Paradise Pier, so is located in the back of California Adventure behind the lagoon.  You can't miss it since it weaves back and forth over the pier.  The entrance is located on the left hand side of the pier by the carousel.

Because this attraction is popular, you can expect to wait to ride it.  Half an hour is a good wait time.  Don't feel like waiting?  Grab a fast pass and use the ticket to return during a pre-determined window later to wait in a shorter line.  If you don't care about riding with your friends, you can also use the single rider line.

When your turn comes to board, you'll be put in rows of two.  There's an overhead harness that holds you in, and a pouch to hold any loose articles.  Of course, if you have anything like a backpack that's at all big, you have to hold that at your feet.  Because of the restraints and the fast nature of the ride, you must be at least 48 inches tall to ride it.

Your car actually starts out shooting from the start and up the first hill.  No long, slow climb of anticipation.  From there, it's a race from one end of Paradise Pier to the other and back again.  You go up and down hills and around corner.  Top speeds for the ride are 55 mph.

Oh yeah, and there's the matter of the loop.  About half way through the ride, your car goes upside down as you go around a loop.  Okay, so most thrill ride lovers will find only one loop to be rather tame.  And I'll freely admit that I'd find more loops or corkscrews fun.  However, I still find the one loop to be lots of fun.

Sadly, they have taken out the extra bit of decoration that made the loop the bigger circle of a Mickey head.  I still don't know why they took that out, and it makes me sad.

Since there is just over a mile of track, the ride lasts two and a half minutes, which is not nearly as long as I would like.  The track is incredibly smooth, and I could ride the hills and turns for twice as long and not be the least bit bored.

Just before you arrive back as the station, smile.  They take your picture for purchase just after you get off your car.

One final note - due to the popular World of Color show in the lagoon, Paradise Pier closes early.  That's all the attractions, including this one.  So if you want to do it, be sure you put it early in your agenda for the day.

California Screamin' won't be showing up on any extreme thrills list any time soon, but that doesn't make it a bad ride.  In fact, it's a fun roller coast that will leave you smiling and ready for more.