California Adventure

With a grand entrance designed to resemble one of those "Wish you were here" scenic postcards, the 55-acre Disney's California Adventure starts out with a bang. You walk beneath the scale model of the Golden Gate Bridge (keep watching -- the monorail will pass overhead) into Sunshine Plaza, which is anchored by a perpetual wave fountain and an enormous gold titanium "sun" that shines all day (it's illuminated by six computerized heliostats that follow the real sun's path). From this point, visitors can head into four themed "districts," each containing rides, interactive attractions, live-action shows, and plenty of dining, snacking, and shopping opportunities.

The Golden State -- This multidimensional area represents California's history, heritage, and physical attributes. Sound boring? Actually, the park's splashiest attractions are here. Condor Flats is a tribute to daring aviators; inside a weathered corrugated test-pilots' hangar is Soarin' Over California, the simulated hang-glider ride that immediately rose to the top on everyone's "ride first" list (it's equipped with FASTPASS, and I highly recommend using it). It uses cutting-edge technology to combine elevated seats with a spectacular IMAX-style surround-movie -- riders literally "soar" over California's scenic lands, feeling the Malibu ocean breeze and smelling the Central Valley orange groves and Yosemite pines.

Nearby, California Adventure's iconic Grizzly Peak towers over the Grizzly River Run, a splashy gold-country ride through caverns, mine shafts, and water slides; it culminates with a wet plunge into a spouting geyser. Kids can cavort nearby on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, a forest playground with smoke-jumper cable slides, net climbing, and swaying bridges.

Pacific Wharf was inspired by Monterey's Cannery Row and features mouthwatering demonstration attractions by Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Mission Tortillas. If you get hungry, each has a food counter where you can enjoy soup in a sourdough bowl or tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Paradise Pier -- Journey back to the glory days of California's beachfront amusement piers -- remember Santa Monica, Santa Cruz, and Belmont Park? -- on this fantasy boardwalk. Highlights include California Screamin', a classic roller coaster that replicates the whitewashed wooden white-knucklers of the past -- but with state-of-the-art steel construction and a smooth, computerized ride that catapults you from zero to 55 mph in less than 5 seconds, then takes a loop-de-loop through a silhouette of Mickey Mouse's ears. There's also the Maliboomer, a trio of towers (giant strongman sledgehammer tests) that catapult riders to the tiptop bell and then let them down bungee-style with dangling feet; the Orange Stinger, a whooshing swing ride inside an enormous orange, complete with orange scent piped in; Mulholland Madness, a wacky, wild trip along L.A.'s precarious hilltop street that is way scarier than it looks; and the Sun Wheel Carousel, featuring unique zigzagging cars that bring a new twist to the familiar ride. In 2008 the Toy Story Mania ride debuted. Guests donning 3-D glasses are "shrunk" to the size of a toy and hop into fanciful ride vehicles that travel and twist along a midway-themed route. Upon arriving at each game booth you aim for animated targets using your onboard "toy cannon."

Paradise Pier also has all the familiar boardwalk games (complete with stuffed prizes); guilty-pleasure fast foods like pizza, corn dogs, and burritos; plus a full-service over-water restaurant called Ariel's Grotto.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot -- If you've visited Disney in Florida, you might recognize many elements of this trompe l'oeil re-creation of a Hollywood movie studio lot. Pass through a classic studio archway flanked by gigantic golden elephants and you'll find yourself on a surprisingly realistic Hollywood Boulevard. The resort's hottest attraction is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This truly scary ride has been a huge hit since its debut at Walt Disney World. Legend has it that during a violent storm on Halloween night 1939, lightning struck the Hollywood Tower Hotel, causing an entire wing and an elevator full of people to disappear, and you're about to retrace their steps from that fateful night as you become the star in a special Disney episode of . . . The Twilight Zone. In this once glamorous but now eerily vacant hotel, you tour the lobby, library, and boiler room, and ultimately board the elevator to plunge 13 stories to the fifth dimension and beyond.

The Backlot's other main attraction is Playhouse Disney -- Live on Stage!, starring the characters from the popular Playhouse Disney kids' program on the Disney Channel. It's a hugely popular high-energy show where Bear in the Big Blue House, Jo Jo, Stanley, and other television characters entertain kids with songs, music, and stories of friendship. Other popular shows include Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue!, where guests ride taxis through Monstropolis on a mission to safely return "Boo" to her bedroom; and Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3D, an on-screen comedy romp featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear -- and even hecklers Waldorf and Statler. Although it's not nearly as entertaining as It's Tough to Be a Bug , it has its moments and won't scare the bejesus out of little kids.

At the end of the street, the replica movie palace Hyperion Theater presents Broadway-caliber live-action shows of classic Disney films such as Aladdin -- A Musical Spectacular. In the Disney Animation building, visitors can participate in different interactive galleries and learn how stories become animated features as told by Disney artists in the Drawn to Animation studio.

A Bug's Land -- This bug-themed land encompasses It's Tough to Be a Bug, Flik's Fun Fair, and Bountiful Valley Farm. Inspired by the movie A Bug's Life, It's Tough to Be a Bug uses 3-D technology to lead the audience on an underground romp in the insect kingdom with bees, termites, grasshoppers, stink bugs, spiders, and a few surprises that keep everyone hopping, ducking, and laughing along. (I could see how little kids might find the show rather terrifying, however.) The Flik's Fun Fair area features bug-themed rides and a water playground designed especially for little ones ages 4 to 7 -- but sized so their parents can ride along, too. Bountiful Farm pays tribute to California's agriculture. Exhibits include a demonstration vineyard, mission-style "aging room" (with Seasons of the Vine, a film presented by Robert Mondavi on the art of winemaking), wine bars, and the park's most upscale eatery, the Vineyard Room, a great place to sip champagne and watch Disney's Electrical Parade.