Rides of the Boardwalk

In the ten year history of Disney California Adventure, the Boardwalk of Paradise Pier has seen attractions come and go, while others have remained the same.

Down along the shore, Jumpin' Jellyfish gives a colorful kelp and sea creature overlay to a traditional parachute drop ride. Twelve parachute vehicles, dressed as jellyfish, make a "jump" straight up a couple of 60-foot kelp towers, before gently floating back down to the beach.

For such a simple attraction, the details are actually very well done. From the starfish height stick and jellyfish umbrellas in the queue to the rockwork and seaweed-like landscaping, everything contributes to a sense that the tide has receded and allowed us to wander a space typically found beneath the waves.

Nearby is another attraction unchanged since opening day, the Golden Zephyr (my apologies for not having a better photograph). This type of classic "spinning spaceship" ride had not been built for 35 years, but the wait was worth it. Flying in one of the six Flash Gordon-style rocket vehicles, the sense of speed and height reached is far more thrilling than you might imagine. It's actually my favorite Paradise Pier attraction and a "must do" on every visit.

One thing the above photograph does manage to show is a pair of now-extinct rides of the Boardwalk. The attractions may be history, but luckily you can just follow the links from here for one more look at the Maliboomer and the Orange Stinger.