Story and Photo by Ed Salvato; Ed and Robb in front of California Adventure's Hollywood backlot
During our two-day Gay Days tour of Anaheim, my partner and I visited Disney's California Adventure. We spent our first day at Disneyland in a sea of red t-shirts. See our earlier post below or by clicking here. I discovered it's apostasy to declare this in front of Disneyland aficionados, but I must say that I preferred it to the latter. This park felt more up to date with more modern rides as well as a better selection of dining options. There were also more opportunities to purchase beer, wine and liquor with your meals. Slightly more adult overall.
That isn't to say kids were ignored. In fact, a Bug's land offered a wide range of fun rides for children (and child-like adults like us who loved Heimlich's Chew-Chew Train with its aromatic, gentle, mechanized loop through a juicy (literally) watermelon and fresh-baked animal cracker cave.
The real highlights for those who love thrilling rides include: California Soarin' which simulates (quite realistically) a rapid hang-glider ride over, under and through some of the Golden State's most striking and beloved attractions; Mulholland Madness, which simulates the winding twists and stomach-churning ups and downs of Los Angeles' most famous drive; California Screamin', a heart-stopping roller coaster feature; Toy Story Midway Mania with an incredibly realistic interactive immersion into a video arcade where you compete with your seat mate for top score; and the Tower of Terror, simulating rapid falls in an elevator.
As someone who lived in Los Angeles for nearly five years I can attest that the feel of this park with its California-themed rides, restaurants and even 'Hollywood back lot' somehow really did impart the feeling of our nation's most populous and in some ways diverse and interesting state.
For general trip-planning information for Orange County and Anaheim check out the Web site of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
