BY CHARLES FINN

The other day Mary and I were discussing our opinions about why Disney’s California Adventure theme park has yet to find its “audience.” Mary told me all about the Disney corporation’s long-term goals and how the park was designed as part of a destination resort that has failed to become a destination... but I think it’s much simpler than that.

We all grew up with fond memories of Disney movies, Disney characters, and even Walt Disney himself, via the Wonderful World of Disney television program. So we wonder, what is there at DCA that can resonate with us in quite the same way?

Plenty, as it turns out.

This was my second visit to DCA, and most of my first impressions were confirmed. It is a truly beautiful park. The atmosphere is laid back, casual, and friendly – totally Californian. And the lack of crowds make it less stressful than a trip to Disneyland.

Main Street U.S.A. and Town Square are the heart and soul of Disneyland, an idealized and nostalgic look back at America in three-quarter promenade. Likewise Disney’s California Adventure celebrates the spirit and dreams of the people of California, and that spirit is personified by the Sunshine Plaza. At the heart of the plaza is a beautiful pool, lined with a mother-of-pearl and abalone shell mosaic, over which a man-made wave evokes the California surf. There is music playing (sometimes live) which recalls the golden days of the Golden State; songs of the Beach Boys and The Mamas and the Papas fill the air.

To your left, the entrance to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot beckons. To the right, Grizzly Peak rises above the simulated Rockies. Sunshine, palm trees... and shopping opportunities everywhere. What could be more Californian?

So why aren’t more people coming? Maybe it's just because it's new, and people aren't too sure about spending the money to visit when they've heard only so-so things about it. I think the park would be even more successful if they offered a one-day Park Hopper ticket that allowed visitors to move freely between the two parks.

Maybe it's because the initial reputation of DCA was that it wasn't very child-friendly. I’ve heard friends say how much they enjoyed the park, but that they don’t plan on taking their kids there because “there isn’t enough for them to do.” Disney has responded to this frequent complaint by adding "a bug's land," with rides (yes, I know I’m supposed to call them “attractions”) and activities for the youngest visitors.

But I tend to think it’s because the featured characters in the park (Flik and friends from a bug’s life, and the all new Brother Bear) are too new to draw us in by themselves. New to us, that is. But to small children these characters can be just as beloved as Pooh and Tigger, Mickey and Minnie, or Donald and Goofy. Unfortunately for Disney, the keepers of the purse tend to be the older members of the family.

Since I don’t have any treasured childhood memories of any of the characters featured in DCA, why not make new ones for my second childhood? Much less embarrassing than a toupee, and far cheaper than a convertible.

I’ll start with the memory of a truly excellent lunch with Mary at The Vineyard Room at the Golden Vine Winery on our first visit to the park. Both food and service were wonderful, and Mary’s salad featured tomatoes grown right in the park, over at the Bountiful Valley Farm.

Soarin’ Over California is worth the price of admission all by itself. The Golden Dreams film still gets me all misty-eyed.

Another vivid memory, though one I don’t treasure, is having my stomach launched into the stratosphere on the Maliboomer. Mary, of course, calmly announced that she was going on the California Screamin’ roller coaster while I waited for my innards to return to earth.

Getting back to the good stuff (why is it always centered around food?), I loved the tour through the Boudin sourdough bread bakery. The video was funny, and the smell of baking bread was intoxicating.

On our most recent visit we had a fun time at the Animation pavilion. I found out in the Beast’s Library that the Disney character I am most like is Jafar. (Of course, that was only because I lied on the personality profile question about having lunch. Oh - the food connection! See? Everything revolves around food.)

So far I’ve only been to DCA twice. I still have lots of new memories to create. I haven’t been on the Orange Stinger or the Sun Wheel yet. My visit to Paradise Pier, coming right on the heels of the Maliboomer, is a blur. And I have set a personal-growth goal of sitting through It’s Tough To Be A Bug until I’m able to do it without freaking out at the cockroaches that I know are just puffs of air and sound effects.

And then there's always the food. Did I mention the great fresh produce stand?

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