Say goodbye forever to these favorite Disney California Adventure rides
People flooded into Disney California Adventure today to bid goodbye to some of the park’s most iconic rides and places, which will be disappearing as Disney eliminates its Paradise Pier district.
The Paradise Pier section of the park was one of the main attractions when the park opened to the public on Feb. 8, 2001. Designed to look like a classic California amusement pier from the golden age of the 1920s, it includes some of California Adventure’s most popular rides such as the California Screamin’ roller coaster and Mickey’s Fun Wheel Ferris wheel. Along with the Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar, the area will be shut down for around six months while it’s remodeled into distinct new neighborhoods celebrating Pixar movies.
By 8:30 a.m. hundreds of people were already in line to have a last cocktail at the Cove Bar overlooking the pier, including Darlene Kenworthy and Martinique Folkeringa of Anaheim and their friend Aprille Curtis of Burbank.
“We already went on Screamin’ and got our Fastpasses for souvenirs,” Kenworthy said, referring to the paper slips that visitors can get to return for a later ride. She didn’t plan to use it, but to keep it for her memory book. “This is the last time to experience it.”
Closing down starting Jan. 8, most will reopen with new Pixar themes
- California Screamin’
- Mickey’s Fun Wheel
- Games of the Boardwalk
- Sideshow Shirts
- Ariel’s Grotto
- Cove Bar
- Treasures in Paradise (merchandise shop)
- Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co.
Still open for business
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Jumping Jellyfish
- Goofy’s Sky Schoool
- Golden Zephyr
- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- King Triton Carousel
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
This latest major renovation continues the trend of deemphasizing the theme of California in the park, where officials have struggled to reinvent it after a rocky start. When the area reopens to the public in the summer, possibly by June, it will be divided into three distinct neighborhoods based on Pixar movies. A preview of the new area will be available starting April 13 for a first-ever Pixar Fest celebration.
The Incredibles neighborhood will include the former California Screamin’ but redecorated with a new theme from the comic superhero Incredibles movie.
The area around Mickey’s Fun Wheel will be a mashup celebrating various Pixar characters and movies, as yet to be announced. The Toy Story ride will remain here, as it was a Pixar production and remains popular. The Ferris wheel will be freshened up with new characters on the gondolas.