Birmingham Post-Herald from Birmingham, Alabama • 37

wwwpostheraldcom POST-HERALD Wednesday February 28 2001 Ann LandersComics E2 Television E3 MoviesPeople News E4 Accent editor Wade Kwon 325-2306 wkwonpoHtherakLcom California Adventure park celebrates state explained Barry Bravennan Walt Disney executive producer more pep culture and MTV with a little tongue-in-cheek thrown in shorthand impressionistic and Hollywood Pictures Backlot Art deco Craftsman and Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture coexist in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area a collage of attractions and cafes that mirror Hollywood'i golden era Those wishing to grab a bite between takes can check out Hollywood and Dine designed to mimic film industry eateries Prominent in the Backlot area is the opulent 2000-seat Hyperion Theater which is designed in the grand tradition of old Hollywood performance houses The Hyperion is expected to host a variety of concerts and award shows Live performances and looks at filmmaking are scattered around the Backlot area along with plenty of whimsical marquees advertising "Philip A Couch Casting and parking signs beckoning with stretch The moment riders board a ride called they are bombarded with camera flashes and the sound of cheering fans in a simulated arrival at Los Angeles International Airport to sign a big movie deal sure to keep your arms legs and egos inside the limo at all times" a cheery mechanical voice reminds riders Talking mannequins representing stars like Whoopi Goldberg Joan Rivers Cindy Crawford and Tim Allen greet the moving limos while disembodied voices are heard clamoring for autographs A Drew Carey mannequin hawks maps to homes lampoons the whole Southern California Delaney explained Disney's bread and butter anima Strader of Aliso during the ceremony hold at the Hotel inside Adventure park Wheel one of park By IQM LAMB GREGORY VKNTVRA COUNTY STAR The crisp scent of (ranges fills your nostrils as your dangling feet sail over a citrus field The citrus suffuses into the tang of saltwater as you skim over the crashing waves of the Pacific coastline then tilt and swoop up the snowy peaks of the Sierras as the faint fragrance of pine cools your face This is a glimpse of the California experience one of the rides at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' newest attraction California Adventure The park's grand opening was Feb 8 Located adjacent to Disneyland Park in Anaheim Calif the 55-acre attraction is part of a $14 billion expansion that includes the 750-room Grand Californian Hotel and Downtown Disney a collection of stores theaters and restaurants that connects Disneyland and California Adventure Planning for the expansion began in 1995 A miniature Golden Gate Bridge and a 52-foot titanium sun greet those who enter California Adventure From' the entrance guests can see portions of all three of the themed areas: Golden State Paradise Pier and Hollywood Pictures Backlot "We wanted to do sort of three-dimensional picture postcard images of explained Tim Delaney executive designer for Walt Disney Imagineering the division that dreamed up the park The Golden State area where find California explores the state's diverse cultures landscapes and history Paradise Pier is a carnival-themed salute to the California beach scene and Hollywood Backlot is an abbreviated burst of the movie biz served with a concentrated slice of schmooze The Disney characters in the Animation Pavilion and the mouse-ear shape of the California roller coaster smack of classic Disney but designers stress this is not your Magic Kingdom kind of a brash California attitude that we wanted to Visitors to California Adventure perk etrofl through the Hollywood Pictures Backlot In back at right is the 2000-seat Hyperion Theater The Backlot area takes a playful tongue-in-cheek look at the Hollywood film industry The section of the park includes Hve theater and a look at filmmaking Harpist Krista Viejo Calif first wedding Grand Californian California in back is the the new rides in performs Sim the JoMph A GardaVmtura Coonty Star Grizzly River Run located in California Adventure offers a wild white-water raft trip Details Roasted Chicken" tell people This is my wedding explained one waitress in a wedding veil I ask if seen my Golden State The Golden State area of the park focuses on California'! history landscape and culture California is a four-and-a-half-minute virtual aerial tour of popular destinations such as Lake Tahoe Yosemite and the Napa Valley The ride includes scents and sounds like the of skiers the roar of the surf and the of a Palm Springs golf ball California Soarin' riders view the video odyssey in dome after being lifted 40 feet in the air by a carriage similar to an oversized ski lift wanted to give you a sense that actually flying in a hang glider for four-and-a-half Delaney said was so clear" said Norm Claassen 43 a Canadian tourist who rode was like you were right Please turn to PARK page E3 tion is chronicled in the Animation Pavilion a series of shows and interactive exhibits that detail the anatomy of Disney animation Among other features the Interactive Workshop enables guests to take a personality test to determine which Disney character they are most like Those who enjoy a little angst with their eats will want to check out the ABC Soap Opera Bistro (Disney owns the ABC network) a restaurant based on popular ABC daytime dramas such as and My Children" Patrons are greeted by an anxious maitre who will immediately cast the guests as extras They are then seated in dining rooms designed like the elaborate living room of the Chandler mansion from My Children" the station or gritty bar from the Llanview Country Club terrace from "One Life to Live" or the Port Charles Wharf from Waiters and waitresses dressed in costumes like wedding veils operating scrubs or police uniforms (complete with handcuffs) will regale diners with their sudsy woes while taking orders for such delicacies as "Prime Thyme Where Disney's California Adventure is located at 1313 Harbor -Blvd in Anaheim Caif Hours 8 am to midnight daily Admission $43 adults $33 chicken 3-8 free for chicken 3 and under Admission is vaid for Caifomia Adventure only admission price does not include Disneyland Parking $7 for the day hourly parking is available at Downtown Disney Fastpass If you don't Nee waiting in Ine tor a ride or attraction consider Disney's free Fastpass service When you enter the park you can make a reservation to get on the ride of your choice at a specific time and attendants get you on that ride within 10 minutes of your Fastpass reservation time After you finish each ride you can make another reservation for another attraction Information Cal (714) 781-4500 or visit Disney's Web site to 6 pm and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm For dealer information cal eat they often have the odor of good Novelist Jbn Harrison on the appeal of nonglamour girls in the New York Observer is in second place thanks to its eight-week run in 1980 Last year's remained on top for seven weeks Another 1980 soundtrack Rose' was No 1 for six weeks In last place is which was on top for one week On the BOboard 200 0 reaches a new peak position of No 15 this week motion picture soundtracks have gone to No 1 The current occupant of that slot is the Mercury soundtrack to the Coen Brothers film Brother Where Art The album is in its second week in pole position even without benefit of airplay That puts Brother" in fifth place among the six soundtracks when it comes to number of weeks on top The champ is Floats' whirh had a nine-week reian in 1998 There wi be a Flea Market at the Alabama State Fair Complex this weekend Items for sale wi include silver clothing collectibles prints frames and mirrors sports home decor and more Flea Markets are held at the fairgrounds the first weekend of each month Hours are Friday 3 In 7 Rati mrlav 0 a Who said what Tunes we grow older actresses ind models become less interesting 1 than waitraasps Alan sinrfl I fikn tn In the history of Billboard's Top Country Album chart onhsix.