Paradise Pier – Page 4

Mickey’s Fun Wheel

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

Mickey’s Fun Wheel has probably become my favorite thing at Disney California Adventure. I always thought its predecessor was pretty cool, but having a giant Mickey face overlooking Paradise Bay is just awesome. I’ve been wanting to get more pictures of it for a while but we’ve been spending most of our time at Disneyland as of late. It occurred to me, as I pressed on toward my goal, that all of my picture ideas had been for the side with Mickey’s face. To be honest, I couldn’t even remember what was on this side. It was a very welcome rediscovery.

Paradise Bay Sunset

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

This is one of my favorite spots at the Disneyland Resort. I could spend hours here, taking it all in. I love watching Mickey’s Fun Wheel make its rotations and Screamin’ race its way through its circuit. Screams and laughter fill the air as people tour the midway and experience what the Pier has to offer. No wonder they call it Paradise.

Fun in the Sun

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

California Screamin’ is an amazing ride. It’s themed like a boardwalk out and back style coaster, but it incorporates steel for its construction, a launched start, and an awesome loop. I love how the ride is set up over the boardwalk area so that park patrons are always in the midst of its circuit. From anywhere in the Paradise Pier area, you can hear the roar of a coaster train, quickly accompanied by screams and laughter. When they took the Mickey from behind the loop to be replaced by this sun, I wasn’t sure I would like it. It took no time at all for the decision to grow on me. Mickey’s smiling face looks great on the Fun Wheel. You can’t help but smile when you see him. And this look for Paradise Pier boardwalk roller coaster? Well, it screams fun in the sun.

The End is Not the End

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

If you watch the first or second showing of World of Color, you may not get much of a chance to enjoy this part. This colorful display takes place after the voice comes over the speakers thanking you for watching. At that point, it’s time to get moving to make room for people watching the next show. I have to admit, it’s a little difficult to leave when they have this brilliant and vibrant display continue for a couple of minutes after that announcement. That’s probably why we usually watch the third and final show of the evening. Then you can walk up to the front and just enjoy. There’s no hurry to leave.

It’s Not Over Yet

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

For those who may not know, Disneyland celebrated its 55th birthday on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and very hot. In all that heat, getting passes for World of Color seemed a good idea. We didn’t bring our cameras to the show this time, and got ourselves right up in front of the water. Each of us noticed a ton of details we had never seen before. It’s a different experience each time we see the show, which always seems to get us even more excited for the next time. The mist factor was a lot less than I was expecting with being so close, but it felt really good after all the sun exposure we had gotten. This shot is one of my favorite parts in World of Color. It comes shortly before the end of the show, and the lasers that generate the words are just so vibrant and crisp. If you get a chance to get to the show and don’t mind getting a little wet, I strongly recommend getting as close to the water and the middle as you can. The view is spectacular.

Surging Saturated Symphony

Disney California Adventure, Paradise Pier

I forget just how many colors you witness when watching World of Color, but it’s mind boggling. If you have a favorite color, even if it’s obscure, chances are that it’s there. One after the other, colors flash and dance across Paradise Bay in cascading jets of water. Sometimes you think you’ve got it figured out, but you don’t. There’s so much going on, it keeps the fluttering feeling of anticipation constant. This weekend I will have the opportunity to watch this show with some of my family who haven’t seen it yet. I’m pretty sure that I’m more excited to see them watch for their first time than they are. The smiles, laughter, and joy are the most magical things Disney shares with us.