California Screamin'

One of the great things about walking around Paradise Pier is when riders go whizzing overhead on California Screamin’. It’s a driving force to the liveliness of the boardwalk area. Couple that with carnival games and flashing lights and you have yourself a day of amusement.

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One of my favorite sunsets is a California Screamin’ sunset. Its placement in Disney California Adventure was really well thought out to have the Western horizon as its backdrop. There’s just something so California about looking into the array of colors above Paradise Pier to see the silhouette of arms lifted high from a roller coaster train. A second-hand thrill is not a bad alternative, especially if you’re too busy taking pictures to actually ride anything.

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Maybe it’s weird, but I really like the California Screamin’ station. When I was a teenager I was really into roller coasters and used to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain a lot. The lack of theming there to me was a little depressing compared to Disneyland because Disneyland keeps you interested in the environment around you. Six Flags doesn’t really, so you stand in line with little shade and little to look at other than the chains marking the queue and concrete.

There’s a unique feeling when you finally get into the station and see the trains loading. Boredom and fatigue turn into excitement and anticipation as the promise of racing through wood or steel becomes real once more. The wait becomes worth it as you go from a low low to a high high in an instant.

As simple as the Screamin’ station is, it reminds me of those times and makes me feel that way again.

I love roller coasters and I’m grateful that Disney California Adventure has one. But it’s not just any roller coaster. It’s California Screamin’. It features so many wonderful elements I often wonder why the line isn’t longer than it is. As you make your way through the queue, the anticipation builds. Trains keep leaving the station, returning and leaving once more until, finally, it’s your turn. You step down into the car and pull the shoulder restraints over you. They click into place to assure you of your safety, but just to double check a ride attendant gives it a good pull. Then comes the “go ahead”. You leave the station only to stop again over the water. A somewhat antagonistic voice comes over a set of loud speakers instructing, “Get ready screamers!” and in an instant, the massive train you’re in is launched without hesitation. It’s a marvel and I love the anticipation. It’s awesome to think that we live in a world where brilliant people can apply their intelligence to facilitate an amusement that brings satisfaction to the brave and daring. Are you ready?

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.

If you’ve never taken a few moments to stand here and watch one of the trains of Screamin’ launch into coaster bliss, you’re missing out.  On a moderately busy day at Disney’s California Adventure like the one this shot was taken, they really crank the trains through.  It’s a lot of fun to watch the butterflies of excitement flutter, as riders anticipate being thrust back into their seats and propelled up the hill.  The sounds of the boardwalk music and the countdown to launch race across the water to Ariel’s Grotto until the air is filled with screams and laughter… and of course the brightly colored train barreling up to fifty-five miles per hour in four seconds.  It always brings a smile to my face.