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This is a simulator ride similar to Back to the Future / The Simpsons at Universal Studios, except very pleasant rather than rough. You ride in simulated hang gliders that suspend you in front of / over a giant screen that features more than a dozen scenes of California. This is that rare ride that is gentle yet very thrilling all at the same time. Some of my favorite scenes involve soaring toward Yosemite Falls, nearly landing on an aircraft carrier in San Diego, and gliding over the crashing waves off of the beach at dusk. The very first thing you see on the ride is the Golden Gate Bridge as you pull out of the clouds, which always gets several oooohs and aaaahs from the riders. The music is very nice, and the wind and scent effects add even more (though I find that the pine trees, orange grove, and ocean all smell strangely similar). You definetely want to try for a seat front row center. Seats in the second or third rows, or those to the side, do not offer quite as good a view, as you either see the dangling feet of the riders in front of you, or the screen starts to wrap around toward you, which just slightly distorts the image. Nevertheless, this is an outstanding experience, and one of the few rides I know of that consistently receives an ovation at the end. It does not sound like this ride will be affected at all by the California Adventure renovation, as well it should not. One of the original, unique, best attractions at the park is too good to change.
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