All the leaves weren't brown as we headed for Disney's newest rollercoaster but the sky was certainly an off-putting shade of grey. Despite the lack of golden sunshine, the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure is a thrilling throwback to the days of yesteryear when places like Belmont Park, Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and The Pike were favorite summertime pleasure spots in the Golden State. Disney's version is much cleaner and is bordered on a lake that includes an authentic wooden boardwalk with carnival games, garish architecture and a fistful of rides that, upon first glance, give you a moment to pause and wonder "do I really want to ride that?" Only the 180 foot tall Maliboomer presents a true heart-stopping challenge for the thrillseeker as you're propelled up by a whoosh of air and then allowed to free-fall back down to Earth with your feet dangling. If you're so inclined, be sure to grab a Malibu-Rito from the nearby food stand and then brave this treat.

Yes, the thrill factor involved in riding on God's Pogo Stick is mighty, but the title of "most popular attraction" goes to California Screamin', a 21st century version of an old beachside rollercoaster that features a synchronized musical score and a dramatic LIM-powered launch accented by a stunning water effect. Sadly, the "perfect wave" that's supposed to curl along with said launch wasn't in operation as we approached the ride, Disney's first looping rollercoaster on the west coast. But that's just window dressing for what is a remarkably exciting coaster and one of the most fun white-knuckle trips we've taken in the history of Coast-2-Coast Coaster Tour. From afar, it looks like a traditional wooden coaster with the combined characteristics of an out-and-back layout and a twister design. Closer inspection reveals steel construction and a sizeable teardrop loop somewhat camoflauged by a large golden backdrop in the shape of Mickey Mouse's familiar noggin.

We watched across the lake as the trains executed a thrilling ballet; one making that first magnetic launch while another slung through the loop. On the far end of the course, where the tracks encircle Maliboomer, the trains chase each other on separate levels as they glide through the half-helix. Even if you're not in the mood to ride, it's quite a marvel of timing and grace. As we got closer to the entrance, it became clear that all of the trains had stopped cycling. Presently, a blue-clad mechanic sauntered out onto the track where the LIM's (Linear Induction Motors) line the launch area and began to spray a small section of the magnets with a standard-issue garden hose. Immediately, steam began to rise off of the white blocks as curious tourists stepped forward to ask annoying questions like "is the ride broken down?"

Instead of replying with something droll, the rides maintenance Cast Member engaged the gathering with a bit of background on the attraction. He explained the basic concept of linear induction technology and likened it to the old school experiment where you wrapped copper wire around magnets to create an energy field. In this case, perhaps due to the lack of the wave effect, the magnets were heating up and flagging sensors that watch for higher-than-normal temperatures along the launch track. He handled it like a pro, though I suspect he wished Disney had placed that particular section of track someplace out of voice reach of inquiring guests. They can be so....well, nosey.

Presently, he was joined by another mechanic who said, not quite out of ear's reach, "Tony was here this morning to show us how to turn the misters on." After about an hour of hosing down the magnets, all personnel left the track and the first empty train shuttled out to the launch area and came to a stop. A pop of neumatics, a sharp release of air. Then, an ear-tingling whine of acceleration as the train surged forward, skirting the boardwalk, past the watching eyes of expectant thrillseekers, clearing the grey rocks and still water before pointing nose up and into a canopy-covered incline.

At that point, the misters kicked in. Little spritzes of water showering the LIM's with cool, temperature-controlling wetness. We breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to ride.

We hurried up to the station and managed to get on-board the first loaded train. Knowing that the ride would be only a little more aggro than say, Space Mountain, I opted for the back seat to induce maximum effect. With the ride crew giving their hand signals for dispatch, we were away with a release of brakes and a flourish of dreamy-sounding music emanating from dozens of speakers implanted in the cars. At this point, the trains cruise down a slight grade and then bank left under a bridge and onto that previously troubled section of track. Here, as the cars slow and snap to a stop, the music teases with a "time is ticking" motif and leaves us hanging for a few seconds before a cymbal-crash underscores the launch. Gaining speed quickly, we shoot from 0 to 55 m.p.h. in just under five seconds, the boardwalk blurring to our left. Then, we're on the rise, G-forces pressing us down into our seats as the train heads skyward, canopy supports strobing by. The music increases in intensity and as we slide over the top into the first drop, a wild electric guitar takes the lead on the soundtrack and we're sloping down in a smooth and graceful bend to the right, thundering up again and across a section of straight track leading into the first half-helix. Buzzing past Maliboomer and the Orange Stinger, we dive again, first right and then left before zipping most of the way up a 120-foot high conventional chain-lift. Here, the music goes into whimsical carnival mode, delicate notes spiraling higher and higher as we're afforded a spectacular bird's eye view of the park -- but not for long.

With a rush and a roar, the cars dip down again, this time plunging 108 feet at 50 degrees into a gratifying negative-G valley that twists insidiously to the left and slips under the coaster's structure, chugging upwards and into a half-helix to the right while the music pounds away at our ears. There's some nice landscaping to be seen at this point, but no-one seems to be looking for anything but the imminent loop which is now rapidly approaching. A bit of straight track precedes the manuever as we dip down and arc through the loop, golden Mickey spinning on the left, world gone topsy-turvy on the right and we're out again, screams cascading in the wind. A whirling calliope burbles on the score, creating anxiety as we crest a rise and take a steep fall under another series of track supports, angling right and plunging towards the sand dunes as we negotiate the bottom section of that first half-helix; another train is rocketing somewhere overhead as we burn right, then left again and the cars slip across the mid-course brakes before facing a series of delicious camelback humps.

This looks quite impressive from the boardwalk and it doesn't feel half-bad either as we bunny-hop towards the final element. Just when you think the ride's giving you a break, the cars spin into a diabolical double-helix of sorts, G-forces squeezing upon our shoulders and wringing the final volley of screams out of our mouths, strafing the sand dunes and turning left to slide into the safety brakes. With a final turn towards the station, the music intensity ebbs and offers up our theme with a flourish as the train comes to a full and complete stop.

We gave it an immediate thumbs up.

California Screamin' may only be truly terrifying to the least hardy of riders, but for anyone who enjoys any of Disney's "mountain range", this is a smooth-yet-rowdy thrill that ranks as a must-scream experience and the special musical score only improves its punch and panache. In fact, we chalk it up as the most exciting coaster at the newly-named Disneyland Resort. But, there is another tasty trip within the gates of DCA and it makes a pleasant dessert offering after experiencing the main course of California Screamin'. Somewhere on the other side of the lake is Disney's ode to one of the most curvacious roads in Los Angeles, Muholland Drive.