The Bridge to Paradise Pier

Of the two entry paths to Paradise Pier, the main bridge delivers the most dramatic and fun sense of traveling back in time to an old-fashioned boardwalk. As you pass under the welcome sign, the atmosphere invites you to slow down, enjoy the moment, and pause to watch the coaster launch a few screaming trainloads up its first peak.

Disneyland Resort, due to its compact size, doesn't get a lot of opportunities to play with wide open spaces. Paradise Pier is an exception: it's one of the few spots on property where guests get a good look at an attraction (in this case, California Screamin') from a distance as they approach.

Once considered by many to be the worst idea ever shoehorned into a Disney park, Paradise Pier has blossomed into a charming, relaxing and beautiful corner of the resort. With room still available for another big attraction or two, the Pier's future looks brighter than ever.

Bullseye Stallion Stampede

Bullseye is one of my very favorite Pixar characters, so I was happy to see him awarded an appropriate DCA mini-attraction of his own in 2009.

Soon after Toy Story Midway Mania opened on Paradise Pier in 2008, the area's midway games underwent a major theme change to add some desperately-needed character elements. The Bullseye Stallion Stampede is one of those games where a prize is awarded each time, and your odds of winning depend on how many other players take part. Rolling a ball into holes on the playing field sends your little 2-D horse advancing across the race track.

The best scenario for this game is for one or two parents to compete alongside their child with no other players present, guaranteeing a plush prize for a reasonable cost. Although "real" world carny games are notoriously stacked against the player, this family-friendly twist can actually be a good entertainment/souvenir deal when all participants are in the same touring group.

The Swinging Gondolas. One of These Days...

One of these days I'm going to ride a swinging gondola on Mickey's Fun Wheel. And then I'm going to get my head examined.

This is one of the few things at Disneyland Resort I've not yet experienced. Every time I approach the Wheel at DCA's Paradise Pier, I think, "This is it. I'm going to do it." And then I keep right on walking. I prefer to observe the cabins' rocking motions from afar while eating a corn dog.

Seriously, those things are actually equipped with motion-sickness bags. I can handle Tower of Terror and California Screamin' with no problem, but--as someone who gets queasy from repeated rocking and swinging movements--the thought of being locked into an airborne swinging cage for nearly ten minutes fills me with dread.

One of these day, though, I have to give it a shot. Next trip, for sure! Maybe.