Wrapped around the southern shore of the kidney-shaped lake, Paradise Pier opened as Disney's version of a seaside amusement park from the first five decades of the 20th century. It covers about one-third of Disney California Adventure and contains around half of the attractions. Paradise Pier's presence at DCA was ironic, and in a perverse way it brought the story of Walt Disney and Disneyland full circle. Walt, you see, created Disneyland Park as an alternative to parks such as this—parks with a carnival atmosphere, simple midway rides, carny games, and amply available wine, beer, and liquor. Amazingly, corporate Disney has made just such a place the centerpiece of Disneyland's sister park, slaughtering in effect one of the last of Walt's sacred cows. The foregoing notwithstanding, however, Paradise Pier is spotlessly clean, exciting during the day, and eye-popping in the evening with all its colorful lights.
Paradise Pier is the focal point of most of the construction and refurbishment activity going on at DCA. the newest addition is Disney's World of Color Nighttime Spectacular, an evening show complete with more than a thousand water fountains shooting water hundreds of feet into the sky, synchronized to music and Disney film clips. other construction projects include a retheming of the entire area into a Victorian-era amusement boardwalk and a new Little Mermaid–themed dark ride, as well as the removal or retheming of several existing attractions and restaurants.
Attractions
Also in Paradise Pier...
