Paradise Pier
Encyclopedia
Paradise Pier is a themed "land" at Disney California Adventure, Disneyland's sister park, which are all part of the Disneyland Resort. Its appearance is based on that of Vicotian boardwalks that were once found along the coast of California. Despite its name and the presence of a nearby manmade lake, Paradise Pier is not actually a pier
, but merely a waterside area of the park. The roller coaster California Screamin'
sprawls across much of it, with various other attractions and forms of entertainment scattered around it.
A new attraction, Toy Story Midway Mania!
, opened on June 17, 2008. The attraction is the first in a series of theming upgrades to the land and park as a whole.
This was followed by changes to the Sun Wheel to become Mickey's Fun Wheel
and new Games of the Boardwalk
in 2009. In 2010, World of Color and Silly Symphony Swings
were added. Finally to complete the Paradise Pier Makeover, Disney opened Goofy's Sky School
and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
When the park first opened, Paradise Pier was criticized for lacking the theming Disney was known for.
, which opened on June 17, 2008. The boardwalk games were then re-themed to incorporate more familiar Disney characters (completed on April 7, 2009), and the Sun Wheel was transformed into Mickey's Fun Wheel
with a new colour scheme, new lighting effects, and a "pie-eyed" Mickey Mouse face replacing the original sun face (completed on May 4, 2009). Following these changes, the Orange Stinger underwent extensive re-theming to become Silly Symphony Swings
, based on Walt Disney's short film "The Band Concert
." Silly Symphony Swings opened on May 28, 2010. Cosmetic changes have also been made to California Screamin'
: the Mickey Mouse silhouette was altered to represent a sunburst pattern, with the large Paradise Pier sign that once sat below now hanging above the loop.
Walt Disney Imagineering created World of Color, a new nighttime spectacular featuring fountains and projection effects, for Paradise Bay. An area on the northern waterfront was repurposed into a viewing area for the show, known as Paradise Park. World of Color premiered on June 11, 2010 and plays nightly.
After much anticipation The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure, which replaced Golden Dreams
, finally opened June 3, 2011. As of November 2010, Mulholland Madness was closed and reopened July 1, 2011 as "Goofy’s Sky School
", based on Walt Disney's short film "Goofy's Glider". On the other side of Paradise Bay, Maliboomer
was removed and replaced with a park. The attraction overall didn't fit the new theme of the pier and was therefore removed, and it is hoped that in the future the land will be used for a new attraction.
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
, but merely a waterside area of the park. The roller coaster California Screamin'
California Screamin'
California Screamin is a steel roller coaster located at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA.-History:This boardwalk-themed coaster was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, and was built by Intamin AG. California Screamin' is the 6th longest roller coaster in the world , at long...
sprawls across much of it, with various other attractions and forms of entertainment scattered around it.
A new attraction, Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania! is an interactive 4-D theme park attraction, currently located at two Disney theme parks: Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and inspired by...
, opened on June 17, 2008. The attraction is the first in a series of theming upgrades to the land and park as a whole.
This was followed by changes to the Sun Wheel to become Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel is a tall Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The ride was inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Both attractions feature swinging and stationary gondolas while Mickey's Fun...
and new Games of the Boardwalk
Games of the Boardwalk
Games of the Boardwalk is a section of boardwalk games located in Paradise Pier in Disney's California Adventure. The games include Goofy About Fishin', Casey at the Bat, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, and Dumbo Bucket Brigade. These games were remodeled after the initial games were a failure. The...
in 2009. In 2010, World of Color and Silly Symphony Swings
Silly Symphony Swings
Silly Symphony Swings is a "wave swinger" attraction in Paradise Pier, at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in California. Themed to Disney's The Band Concert conductor Mickey Mouse conducts the attraction from high atop, synchronized with the music...
were added. Finally to complete the Paradise Pier Makeover, Disney opened Goofy's Sky School
Goofy's Sky School
Goofy's Sky School is a steel wild mouse roller coaster at the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. The ride is based on Disney's animated cartoon "Goofy's Glider". The attraction is a retheme of Mulholland Madness which closed in October 2010...
and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
When the park first opened, Paradise Pier was criticized for lacking the theming Disney was known for.
Attractions
- California Screamin'California Screamin'California Screamin is a steel roller coaster located at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA.-History:This boardwalk-themed coaster was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, and was built by Intamin AG. California Screamin' is the 6th longest roller coaster in the world , at long...
- Duffy the Disney Bear "Meet and Greet"
- Games of the BoardwalkGames of the BoardwalkGames of the Boardwalk is a section of boardwalk games located in Paradise Pier in Disney's California Adventure. The games include Goofy About Fishin', Casey at the Bat, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, and Dumbo Bucket Brigade. These games were remodeled after the initial games were a failure. The...
- Golden ZephyrGolden ZephyrGolden Zephyr is an attraction at Paradise Pier in Disney's California Adventure Park. Themed to the Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon style rocket ships, it takes park guests on a relaxing trip...
- Goofy's Sky SchoolGoofy's Sky SchoolGoofy's Sky School is a steel wild mouse roller coaster at the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. The ride is based on Disney's animated cartoon "Goofy's Glider". The attraction is a retheme of Mulholland Madness which closed in October 2010...
- Jumpin' JellyfishJumpin' JellyfishJumpin' Jellyfish is a parachute jump–style ride at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan....
- King Triton's Carousel of the SeaKing Triton's Carousel of the SeaKing Triton's Carousel of the Sea is a Carousel at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The attraction's name comes from King Triton, Ariel's father in the Little Mermaid. Unlike the horse arrangement in King Arthur Carousel in Disneyland, this...
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
- Mickey's Fun WheelMickey's Fun WheelMickey's Fun Wheel is a tall Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The ride was inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Both attractions feature swinging and stationary gondolas while Mickey's Fun...
- Silly Symphony SwingsSilly Symphony SwingsSilly Symphony Swings is a "wave swinger" attraction in Paradise Pier, at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in California. Themed to Disney's The Band Concert conductor Mickey Mouse conducts the attraction from high atop, synchronized with the music...
- Toy Story Midway Mania
- World of Color
Restaurants
- Ariel's GrottoAriel's GrottoAriel's Grotto is a meet-and-greet area at several Disney parks based on The Little Mermaid, as well as a restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park....
- Paradise Pier Ice Cream Company
- Out Door Vending Carts
- Don Tomas
- Hot Dog Hut
- Corn Dog Castle
- Paradise Garden Grill
- Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
- Bayside Brews
- Cove Bar
Shops
- California Scream Cam
- Man Hat 'n' Beach
- Midway Mercantile
- Point Mugu Tattoo
- Sideshow Shirts
- Treasures In Paradise
- Seaside Souvenirs
- Embarcadero Gifts
Former Rides and Attractions
- Disney's LuminAriaDisney's LuminAriaDisney's LuminAria was a low-level fireworks show on Paradise Bay at Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The show was short lived, lasting only one winter season...
- MaliboomerMaliboomerThe Maliboomer was an attraction at the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was an S&S Power "Space Shot" attraction, which meant that it launched guests from the bottom of the tower instead of slowly lifting them to the top and...
- Mulholland Madness
- Orange Stinger
- S.S. rustworthyS.S. rustworthyS.S. rustworthy was an interactive playground at Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The S.S. Rustworthy was sponsored by McDonald's but as of September 2, 2008 had no sponsor. According to legend from Disney's Imagineers the S.S...
- Sun Wheel
- Rockin' The Bay Concert Series
- Lilo and Stitch's Luau
- Rockin' California Screamin'
- Original Games of the Boardwalk
- Golden DreamsGolden DreamsGolden Dreams is a film about the history of California. It was a featured attraction at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opening with the park on February 8, 2001. It starred Whoopi Goldberg as Califia, the Queen of California. On September 7,...
Former Shops and Restaurants
- Burger Invasion
- Pizza Oom Mow Mow
- Dinosaur Jack's Sunglass Shack
- Avalon Cove Restaurant
- Souvenir 66
- Malibu-Ritos
- Pacific Ocean Photos
- Reboundo Beach
- Strips, Dips 'n' Chips
Re-Imagineering and Expansion
As part of the Disney California Adventure 1.1 Billion Expansion Project, Paradise Pier was re-themed to evoke the charm of Victorian seaside amusement parks of the 1920s. The first change was the addition of 'Toy Story Midway Mania!Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania! is an interactive 4-D theme park attraction, currently located at two Disney theme parks: Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and inspired by...
, which opened on June 17, 2008. The boardwalk games were then re-themed to incorporate more familiar Disney characters (completed on April 7, 2009), and the Sun Wheel was transformed into Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel is a tall Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The ride was inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Both attractions feature swinging and stationary gondolas while Mickey's Fun...
with a new colour scheme, new lighting effects, and a "pie-eyed" Mickey Mouse face replacing the original sun face (completed on May 4, 2009). Following these changes, the Orange Stinger underwent extensive re-theming to become Silly Symphony Swings
Silly Symphony Swings
Silly Symphony Swings is a "wave swinger" attraction in Paradise Pier, at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in California. Themed to Disney's The Band Concert conductor Mickey Mouse conducts the attraction from high atop, synchronized with the music...
, based on Walt Disney's short film "The Band Concert
The Band Concert
The Band Concert is an animated short film produced in Technicolor by Walt Disney Productions and released to theaters on February 23, 1935 by United Artists. The film was the first Mickey Mouse film produced in color and remains one of the most highly acclaimed of the Disney shorts...
." Silly Symphony Swings opened on May 28, 2010. Cosmetic changes have also been made to California Screamin'
California Screamin'
California Screamin is a steel roller coaster located at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA.-History:This boardwalk-themed coaster was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, and was built by Intamin AG. California Screamin' is the 6th longest roller coaster in the world , at long...
: the Mickey Mouse silhouette was altered to represent a sunburst pattern, with the large Paradise Pier sign that once sat below now hanging above the loop.
Walt Disney Imagineering created World of Color, a new nighttime spectacular featuring fountains and projection effects, for Paradise Bay. An area on the northern waterfront was repurposed into a viewing area for the show, known as Paradise Park. World of Color premiered on June 11, 2010 and plays nightly.
After much anticipation The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure, which replaced Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams is a film about the history of California. It was a featured attraction at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opening with the park on February 8, 2001. It starred Whoopi Goldberg as Califia, the Queen of California. On September 7,...
, finally opened June 3, 2011. As of November 2010, Mulholland Madness was closed and reopened July 1, 2011 as "Goofy’s Sky School
Goofy’s Sky School
Goofy's Sky School is a steel wild mouse roller coaster at the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. The ride is based on Disney's animated cartoon "Goofy's Glider". The attraction is a retheme of Mulholland Madness which closed in October 2010...
", based on Walt Disney's short film "Goofy's Glider". On the other side of Paradise Bay, Maliboomer
Maliboomer
The Maliboomer was an attraction at the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was an S&S Power "Space Shot" attraction, which meant that it launched guests from the bottom of the tower instead of slowly lifting them to the top and...
was removed and replaced with a park. The attraction overall didn't fit the new theme of the pier and was therefore removed, and it is hoped that in the future the land will be used for a new attraction.