California Screamin absolutely blew me away with its all-star combination of its thrilling drops, helixes, appearance, and masterful soundtrack. Now when I think of Disney parks I think of highly themed and one-of-a-kind attractions like Mission Space, Test Track, Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, ect, not beasts like this. Im glad Disney went outside of the box and decided to add a unique and amazing thrill-ride that no park could certainly duplicate.
Paradise Pier. Ah, the memories of classic boardwalk amusement parks with the games, rides, and most importantly, the wooden coaster. Well, Disney got two and a half right as they erected this steel beast over a wooden one. However, I love how Disney went all out to make California Screamins appearance as close to a wooden coaster as possible. In fact my mom even thought it was a wooden coaster .
This certainly is a capacity machine as it has 6 trains! Even with all 6 trains running, California Screamin still garners a wait around an hour! Talk about a popular attraction. And it certainly isnt the operators fault as they are some of the fastest I have ever seen as they loaded and dispatched vehicles a little more than 30 seconds between each other.
At the time of my first ride, I still was just getting into roller coasters and thrill rides. The year before I had been on the Loch Ness Monster and the Big Bad Wolf at BGE. After getting in the back seat and restrained by a comfortable over-the-shoulder restraint, California Screamin began.
After a brief flat section of track, California Screamin completely stopped. Suspenseful music made my heart beat rapidly as I stared down upon the goliath of a first hill clenching on for dear life. Then came the countdown; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Blaring music flew out of the sound-system and I was shot forwards by the amazingly powerful launch. Then came the first of many hills followed by one of the rides many breath-taking drops. I was ripped from my seat and was being pulled towards the heavens only to be stopped by the over-the-shoulder restraint. The following turnaround was just as fast and furious as the first hill as I was given some fairly strong Gs. Then came the rides very unqiue and LIM lift hill which at the time was very nerve-racking for me. It felt like I was being lifted up to the clouds and then the train finally crested over the hill, only to send me up and out of my seat again. That still is probably one of the top drops I have ever experienced on a coaster thanks to the steepness, length, and unbelievable air-time. Following that was another turnaround and then a quick brakerun. Right then and there came one of California Screamins most memorable elements, the insane vertical loop. It may not look like too much, but the Gs that the loop provided have not been matched by any other coaster in my opinion. Then there was another hill that didnt look like much, but then there was a very sudden and fairly long, curving plunge that gave a strong jolt of ejector air-time. Following that was a very intense helix that absolutely piled on the Gs. Next came a few air-time producing bunny-hills, followed by the rides stellar finale, another strong helix. Then California Screamin hit the brake run.
The aptly named California Screamin certainly lived up to its name and launched right to the top of my top 10 list at the time (it was passed by Superman @ SFNE earlier this year). What really sets it apart from other coasters is how excellently it blends elements from many different kinds of coasters; giant drops, helixes, bunny hills, an inversion, and the legendary launch. Disney worked their magic again and delivered a true thrill machine.<script src
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