Justin At Epcot: November 2017

As you have probably come to find out, I grew up going to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. I always wanted to go to Disneyland in California but my family wasn't really into it and had been in the late 70's and really didn't enjoy it.

My first time going to Disneyland was in early 2009 on a choir tour and really only had a day and a half to experience both DCA and Disneyland. This was before the 1 billion dollar re-imagining of the park so I was lucky enough to experience the hideous Sunshine Plaza entrance, and the cool Golden Gate Monorail Bridge. I also got a glimpse of the Sun Wheel (now Mickey's Fun Wheel) and the Mickey loop on California Screamin' (seen below) which have both been changed.

Anyways, the only real highlight at that time, for me anyways, was Paradise Pier and California Screamin'. It was so beautiful.

Especially at night OMG!

This is such an underrated area. It's truly so much fun just to be on the pier and watch the trains take off on California Screamin' or have an ice scream and stroll along the pier. I have to admit, I'm not much of a Fun Wheel person, but if that floats you boat I'm sure its a wonderful view! The lagoon here is also home to World of Color (below), which again is a gorgeous show of water and lights and really adds to the magic of this area.

But the main attraction here and one of the two "headline attractions" when the park opened in 2001, is California Screamin'. I love this ride! Out of all of Disney's coasters in the U.S. this is my favorite. No, it's not the fastest, not the scariest, it is actually the longest, but that is not why it's my favorite, it's simply the setting and the music.

There is a viewing area with benches where guests and family and friends can watch as you make a fool of yourself during the launch. I could probably watch that all day. Wait a minute, I did...

This coaster is one of the most unique in that you start the ride under the pier, right next to the water. Neil Patrick Harris, who is actually obsessed with Disney Parks, who voiced the spiels will countdown the launch and you are off! It's one of the coolest ride experiences I've had. Definitely different than anything in Walt Disney World. Below is a really good video with the audio synced to the ride to give you that full experience.

I am definitely going to miss this ride as it is closing in early January 2018 to be re-themed to (meh) the Incredicoaster as part of the Pixar Pier (meh) re-imagine as seen in the concept art below.