Dates: Friday 1/10/03 - Sunday 1/12/03

Weather: Seasonably cool - high 60's - partly sunny

This trip was a birthday gift. Because it was a short weekend trip, we decided to keep ourselves on NY time - getting up early and staying up way past bedtime. However, we returned home and had zero jet lag on Monday!

I left NYC at 9AM and arrived LA at 12:30PM. We immediately headed for our hotel (Marriott Courtyard in Buena Park) and then went directly to Disney's California Adventure.

The area is pretty unspectacular until you get into Disney's Anaheim radius. This company has transformed an otherwise ugly semi-urban strip into a little vacation oasis. It seems they have tried to implement the WDW magic in an area they have less control over. The result is broad avenues lined with gorgeous palms and lush vegetation. Disney is nestled amongst this as are some holdover motels from its early days as well as a beautiful convention center.

DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
We arrived at Disney around 3:00PM and were disappointed to find that a one-day park hopper pass was not available to anyone but Southern California residents. We paid the $47/per person ticket and headed in.

Let there be no mistake, for all the moanin' I here about the "exhorbitant ticket price", this park is an absolute jewel. Utilizingthemes from California natural and American history, Disney has developed another spectacularly themed park. The attention to detail is mind boggling and is only surpassed by the parks commitment to customer service.

We had 5 hours ahead of us and, although I'd have preferred more time, I think I got alot of bang for my bucks. Besides reviweing the two coasters, I must share two perfectly excuted special effects attractions: It's Tough To Be A Bug and Soarin' Over California. Neither should be missed. We headed into the perfectly themed new kiddie land Flik's Fun Fair, where the landscape is trainsformed into a forest of clovers lit by lightning bugs. Wonderful theming throughout - we especially loved the benches made of giant popsicle sticks.

Rising in the center of the park is Grizzly Peak. A recreation of California forest and what looked to be one of the most thrilling rafting rides in any park I've visited. The cool weather kept us from riding, but you had to look upon it with marvel.

The whole park is testament to the creativity of the imagineers, but the true excitement came as I saw Paradise Pier for the first time. If you have ever had a dream involving an amusement park, I imagine this is what a park of your dreams would look like. It wasn't particularly large, but thelay out was scrumptuous. California Screamin set a perfect roller coaster backdrop, while the Sun Wheel (a somewhat disappointing attempt to replicate Coney Island's Wonder Wheel) staked out the foreground - seeminly suspended in the lake reflecting every shimmer of light and color. To the right of the Wheel was the Orange Stinger, a great and ingenious set-up to the usual swing ride. We rode all those rides as well as the Mailboomer and Mulholland Madness.

Lines were non-existent and everything was no more than a ten minute wait. Overall I give the park a 9/10 - because I had to watch and just imagine what the park would belike with the new super-sized Tower of Terror being constructed in a whole new area of development.

The coasters:

California Screamin' (10/10) - I can't imagine any coaster enthusiast, whether a lover of steels or woodies, not LOVING this ride. From the moment you drop out of the station, the soundtrack plays through speakers between the seats. Out the first curve of the station, the train rolls to a track where waves are crashing and mist is rising. The design leaves you sitting there for a good build up to the LIM launch - waiting as the music plays omenously. The launch shoots you forward into the first blue and green neon lined tunnel and this doubleout and back NEVER let's up. It is an air-filled ride utilizing the best in woodie design elements, while ensuring the smoothness of steel. I can't even complain about the OTSR that seemed to be a bit excessive for the one inversion. It offered no problem dueto the smoothness of this ride. This is not the tallest or fastest, but I think Disney has created a "perfect" coaster.

Mulholland Madness (7/10) - Let's start off with the fact that I like a good Wild Mouse - and this is a good one. The theme - speeding cars being chased by police cars. Smooth ride, but I thought the theming could have been stronger. The operator's kept the ride and line moving like clockwork.

Hotel/Restaurant Note:
We ate at the Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel located in the park. The lobby of this hotel is breathtaking. The dinner was great. $24.95 per person for a high-quality buffet in a nicely designed dining room.

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM
Well, we certainly lucked out on this weekend. We became fast friends with our breakfast waitress who informed us that KBF was running a one day special: bring a can of food to the park for a local food drive and get in for $12.95 per adult. A nice savings from the usual $42/per adult.

Our hotel location afforded us the ability to walk to the park. We were there early and were amongst the first guests in the park. I was surprised by how the small footprint of the entire theme park was. The web-site says 160 acres, but the theme park itself seemed to be on a site a small fraction of that number.

The park was very clean and, again, customer service was extraordinary. The park opened on-time and we were off to the Boardwalk area to ride Xcelerator. We were the first ones on and rode the ride 5 consecutive times (four in the front seat) within the first twenty minutes of the park opening. We then went over to Supreme Scream - 254 feet up. I don't think I've been on a tower drop as tall or frightening. Once was enough. We headed to Boomerang, getting this overwith quickly for track record purposes. We were surprised to see the trademark parachute jump reduced to a kind of useless tower waiting to be dismantled.

We headed next to Fiesta Village where we climbed aboard Jaguar! I gotta say, this was a pretty good ride. Nice theming, a very long and varied track layout and...no line. We next headed to Montezooma's Revenge. A decent Intamin shuttle - but like Boomerang's I was riding this only for track record.

It was now 11:30 and we had ridden all the coasters except GhostRider. We headed over to Ghost town and join the queue, which moved nicely. For any seat it would've been 10-15 minutes, we wanted the front - so it was 5-10 minutes more. We rode this ride and rode it again and rode it again. Finally, deciding it was time for lunch. We headed to Ghost Town Grill.

We rode Ghostrider yet again and then headed to the Calico Mine Ride. This ride was the one of the first intricately themed rides and pre-dates Disneyland. It let's you see from where many Disney attractions are derived. It was slow loading, but surprisingly long and elaborate. Then it was back to GhostRider.

The park was beautiful, well maintained and friendly. It was an excellent day trip and, heck, easily worth $12.95. I expected more in theming but upon reflection it is the most heavily themed of any Cedar Fair Parks I've visited (CP, DP, MAdv). However, without Xcelerator and Ghostrider, I might have been disappointed. Overall I give the park 8/10.

The Coasters:
Ghostrider (10/10) - This ride lived up to its awesome reputation in every way. I enjoyedthe covered first drop and from there this ride never relented. It became particularly fierce and it's second run out after the first turn around. It makes a mean left turn and hauls. Parts of the ride reminded me of the velocity of Boulderdash and the end certainly rivaled the last third of The Texas Giant. If this coaster is #11 on the Wooden Internet Poll, you have to salivate to ride the top ten.

Xcelerator (10/10) - Having ridden PKD's Hypersonic XLC during its innaugural year, I can say that this ride has capitalized on the lessons of that introduction. The speed is there, but the track offers more time and elements to truly enjoy that great speed. The exhilaration is there and this baby flies.

Boomerang (4/10) - This being my 8th Boomerang. It is fair to say I am bored stiff by this seeming plague, yet obligated to ride each new one.

Jaguar! (6/10) - An easily enjoyable and well layed out family coaster.

Montezooma's Revenge (5/10) - LIM launched shuttle....Yawn.....

ADVENTURE CITY
We passed this tiny kiddie park on the way to Disney the day before and, from the road, saw the Tree Topper coaster. We had recalled reading about this wild mouse transplanted from Australia. We got an ACE discount and entered the park for $5 each. Tiny park, that was packed. I guess this is where Disney workers take their kids. Park overall: (3/10)

The Coaster:
Tree Topper (5/10)
Funky ride with some nice head choppers. The cars were totally original. A hidden treat worth a stop for enthusiasts.

PACIFIC PARK
After Adventure City we drove to the coast. No use going to the west coast and not actually seeingthe coastline, eh? We arrived at Santa Monic Pier and found it to be a bit shabby, but still carnival-like in atmosphere. Lots of rides tightly packed and a nice urban mix of a crowd. Park overall: (4/10)

The Coaster:
The West Coaster (6/10) - A funky little design. It seemed to be purposely design to minimize thrills to reduce screams in a courtesy nod to the residential neighbors. Out of the station to a helix - a couple of bunny hills - a helix - back in the station - and away we go again. I gave it an extra point just for giving me two circuits for the price of one.

So 4 new parks for me and 9 new coaster in a three day trip three time zones away. It can be done!

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

That tower is now just an observation tower, there are no plans for it to be destroyed, and I believe it is still operating

How can you say that you would ride Montezooma for just a credit. That coaster is awesome! It has a good launch (however, nothing compared to Xcells) and the loop has awesome forces... definately not to compare with a boomerange. And by the way, it's not an INTAMIN, it's a Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop

Didn't realize the tower was open for observation. If it was, it didn't seem to be operating. As for Montezooma - it just isn't my sort of ride. Not into those crushing g forces or backwards inversions.

As for Schwarzkopf, he was a designer and collaborator on many early Intamin coasters and helped put that firm on the map. Thanks for your feedback. I stand corrected.

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

True... (that's why the earlier Schwarzkopfs have that same INTAMIN box-style tracks as seen today (MindBender@SFOG)
Didn't mean to sound like a jerk (after I re-read my post, I realized that I sounded like a no-it-all)

No problem, friend. I appreciate that you read my EXTREMELY LONG post to begin with. You made good and valid points.

Cheers!

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

It's great to see that Xcelerator is drawing great reviews. I've ridden XLC during it's first season and it's just a one trick pony. (Granted, it is a hell of a trick...) Did Xcelerator's curves provide a good sense of speed and good laterals? I'm curious about this beast.

I also got to see a full on-ride of California Screamin', and it looks incredible. It's a perfect example that height and speed isn't everything, it just needs a good design team and a well executed layout.

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Bryan Wood Thrillnetwork Database Admin and review writer extraordinare

Xcelerator roars out of the station (real covered shed station as opposed to the open platform I experienced at PKD) and tears up the track. At PKD the track goes straight and then vertically up the hill. Xcelerator goes straight but because the hill is on a turn, it goes up with a twist to the left. As it comes down, you experience the same twist left. This was the only aspect of Hypersonic that I preferred to Xcelerator - roaring straight down a track over the speed bump from hell. Xcelerator was by no means disappointing, but offered a one and half figure 8 circuit. It really let you experience that speed. In that respect I found it much more enjoyable. Much more coaster-like.

My memory tells me that Hypersonic was a thrilling terrifying ride. No amount of preparation eases the intensity of that launch. So, in that respect it works better than Xcelerator (despite Xcelerator's greater height). The difference is after the hill. This is where Xcelerator delivers and where Hypersonic fizzles.

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

Not to mention length! It's over 6,000 feet long! I also have an on-ride video and it looks like a decent coaster. Too bad it's got OTSRs.

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ThrillNetwork Editor Emeritus
Voyage is the best roller coaster ever.
2008 Raptor ride count - 126. Lifetime - 1,143.

Sounds like you had a good trip, and that you had a good day at Knott's, which is remarkable as it hasn't been showing it's good side much lately.

Did want to make a couple of other corrections on Montezuma's though. It's definately not an Intamin, it's a Schwarzkopf. It's also NOT an LIM or LSM launch. It's a flywheel catapult. Quite a bit different mechanically from the others.

I'm surprised to that you didn't like it, but then that seems to be a lot of the GP anymore to. Don't know how you can not love that launch and airtime at the ends of the spikes.

Oh, and Chip, the OTSR's on Screamin' are very comfortable. No headbanging, and they even provide enough room that you can notice the airtime on the hills. I was impressed by them. Would have prefered lapbars, but this being lawsuit happy CA, I doubt that you'll find that on any new loopers.

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Life with God is one thrill ride you'll never want to get off of.
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