Is It Me or Is California Adventure, a Wash?

After months of hype including article upon article in the Orange County Register, we broke down and did it.

We went to Disneyland to see the "Great, Spectacular, Awesome," you supply the adjectives, new addition to California Adventure Park. We are club members and go to the park whenever we have the free time.

So, seeing the additions is something we were interested in, but not enough to be there the first day or week. We wanted to let it cool down. I cannot remember being more disappointed then when I got underwear for Christmas.

It was nice but not what I expected. Let me walk you through the experience.

First off, we noticed that the entrance is changed. The facades of many of the shops are changed. There are new eateries and more shops then Mickey or Minnie would have dared dream. There are also three, yes three new rides. We boldly road them all.

First, we road the tractors. It's the old "Crack the whip" with a slight change. The cars look like tractors and are much slower. We waited over an hour in line. The ride is 1 minute and 20 seconds. It rates a 6 on a 10 point scale.

In the fall when the lines are down, ride it to say you did.

Radiator Springs Racers, 150 minute wait sounds a lot shorter the 2 hours and 30 minutes doesn't it? It's not! They are clever those little Mouseketeers. There is no washroom and no drinking water along the way so plan to hold it and take refreshments.

At the end there were some people selling refreshments from a cart like at a ball game. The ride though is very nice. The racing part is too short but the scenic route taken is nice.

The whole ride is 5 minutes from sitting in to getting out.

Again, wait until fall to ride it. We'll let it pass for now. Give it and 8.5.

The most boring ride is the Casa Della Tires. It's a 2 minute ride on big tires that are blown along on air. They have a bunch of large beach balls on the area of the tires to make you think there is a purpose to the ride. There isn't. Pull long enough in one direction and your hover tire will slowly move in that direction. Come in contact with another tire and you may be locked together until the ride is over.

If it had some speed it might be OK but as it is, avoid it at all costs. Or, at least until fall and most people have gone home.

We spent over 6 hours at the park, road three rides and had one drink. We accomplished what we wanted to do. Now, you don't have to. We have taken one for the team.