Rest In Peace, Paradise

When Disney's California Adventure opened in 2001, it was a flop. The Park was meant to be a "Tribute to California". It was, just not quite... well done. The childish styling and silly themes were charming for the first five minutes, but got old fast. However, there was some good parts. Paradise Pier was one of the better parts. There will cool things like the rocket engine in Grizzly Airfield, and the train cars on (what is now) Buena Vista Street or even the huge orange on the Pier. However, after many years of tweaks, fixes, and additions, the park was much better. The re-theme in 2011 (addition of Buena Vista Street) and the later re-do of Grizzly Airfield, made the park more grown up and more fun for the kids as well. "Finally", everyone thought, "The DCA that always should have been". Or as some people say, "California Adventures".

It really was a tribute to California and its many cultures and history. For a few years it was a solid park. Incredible theming, such as the Tower of Terror. Amazing rides, such as Soarin' over California and California Screamin'. And some Disney/California history such as Buena Vista Street. Even Cars Land contributed to the California-ness with the rolling mountain ranges of California that were used in the movie. The park that everyone chose second was becoming a true Disney Park, and was actually fun to go to. Its reputation of being a small park with a few things to do was fading fast, and its new rep was being a really great park. It seemed too good to be true. Disneyland and California Adventure were almost equals.

However, in 2015 and 2016 everything changed. Disney fans were caught off guard with the addition of Star Wars Land to Disneyland. Then, they were shocked with the re-theme of Soarin' Over California to Soarin' Over the World. (This wasn't much of a big deal, but it was still sad to see a classic leave). They were devastated with the Tower of Terror retheme. Although these changes aren't huge to the park itself, they were changes. Not everyone hated or loved them. The latest to fall in the re-theme trend is the unknowingly cherished Paradise Pier.

That's right. Paradise Pier is going away, but before you scream and write Disney a letter they won't read or start a petition that Disney won't listen to, hear this. The Pier is getting a re-theme, but no attractions will actually be added or taken out, as far as we know. The Paradise Pier will become the "Pixar Pier", with rides such as the "Incredicoaster", and so on. The area from the Little Mermaid Ride to the Golden Zephyr, will stay the same, and get renamed to "Paradise Park", while from the beginning of the pier until the Zephyr, will be "Pixar Pier". This is a bitter sweet kind of thing. Because, while we are losing the beautiful and unappreciated theming of the Pier, we will not be losing the rides. So the question arises, what if its better?

I'll admit, that I thought changing Tower of Terror was a horrible mistake, but the Guardians of the Galaxy ride is done pretty well for what it started as. Tomorrowland had a couple of complete overhauls, and now, its not half bad. Sure there are some holes, but as a whole the Land is good. Disney has proven they can rebuild an entire wing of park, and make it just as cherished as the rest. Even Fantasyland got a retheme and overhaul, and its fantastic now, despite the tight space. So again I ask, what if the new Pixar Pier is good?

Paradise Pier, to me, has always sort of been the land that hangs out at the back, with a couple good rides, one of which is broken a lot, and the other with a wait time in the triple digits. And a scary ferris wheel no one likes. But as I spent more than 5 minutes on the pier on my last trip, and as I think back to the good times I have had there, I already miss it. It had a lot to give, and the styling was spot on, right down to the popcorn stands and billboards. They even had a sandy beach spot by the Zephyr. I loved the idea of the Pier, and it fit right in to the California theme beautifully. Now that it's gone, I miss it dearly.

So thanks Paradise Pier. You had little to offer, and a lot to give. Thanks for the churro eating spots next to World of Color, thanks for the Screams of Screamin', thanks for the swingin' Fun Wheel rides, and the beautiful silhouette sunsets. Thanks Paradise Pier, it really was, Fun in the Sun for Everyone. You will be missed.