November 16, 2012

California Screamin’ at Disney California Adventure

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California Screamin poster California Screamin at Disney California Adventure

Photo via Disney Parks

“Not ready? Too bad! Head back, face forward, hang on like ya mean it! Five, four, three, two, one…Go!” What a way to start a ride! California Screamin’, located in the Paradise Pier section at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park, is one of the greatest thrill rides offered at Disneyland Resort. This coaster goes from 0-55 mph in only 4 seconds (it’s powered by super magnets!), takes its riders up to heights of 120 feet, drops them 108 feet, and even flips them upside-down on its 6,072-foot long track. That’s over a mile long!

To top it off, there is a great soundtrack of music that plays in each individual Screamin’ car throughout the 2 ½-minute ride—slow, carnival-style music during the few, slower parts of the ride, which merges into rock music that carries you through the thrilling parts of the attraction. California Screamin’ is currently the 2^nd longest coaster in the United States and the 6^th longest coaster in the world. It is also the longest coaster in the world to have an inversion (loop).

Cali Scream Mickey Fun Wheel California Screamin at Disney California Adventure

Photo via Disney Parks

Although California Screamin’ is a steel coaster, it is built to look like the classic wooden coasters of the California boardwalks during the turn of the twentieth century (prior to the 1930’s). California Screamin’ has a height requirement of 48 inches. It is also a FastPass attraction and has a single-rider line.

Today’s Takeaway:
Build your own roller coaster, using a K’Nex set or Legos. If you don’t have either of these, there are some websites that allow you to build your own virtual roller coaster.

Here are a couple:
Younger kids: Discovery Kids: Build a Coaster
Older kids: Amusement Park Physics: Build a Coaster

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Engineering
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades

Today’s feature was provided by our very special Guest, Missy Smith, who is an agent with 3D Travel Company, a veteran homeschooler, and a bigtime Disney fan! Thank you so much for being our Guest today, Missy!

To request a quote from Missy for your next Disney vacation, use the following links:
Walt Disney World® Resort: http://tinyurl.com/disneyworldquote
Disneyland® Resort: http://tinyurl.com/disneylandquote
Disney Cruise Line®: http://tinyurl.com/dclquote

About Jodi Whisenhunt

Jodi Whisenhunt has written 803 posts in this blog.

Jodi Whisenhunt is an award-winning freelance writer and editor who has visited Walt Disney World numerous times and has been homeschooling since 2000. She is the author of MAGICAL MOUSE SCHOOLHOUSE: Learn While You Play at Walt Disney World Resort, available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and CreateSpace. You can also find her work at Chip & Company, WDW FanZone, and various places on the web. Come, think outside the textbook and stretch the walls of your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment!