Jumping Jellyfish: Jump on - Jump off
Written: Jan 06 '05 (Updated Jun 21 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cute theming, gentle ride for little kids
Cons: Ridiculously short
The Bottom Line: This ride is most suitable for the youngest, but over 40 inches, children. Everyone else will find it very boring.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Jumpin' Jellyfish - California Adventure |
We visited Disney's California Adventure for the third time in January 2005. We had walked by Jumpin' Jellyfish several times on previous visits because both of my kids thought it looked like a baby ride. However, we were lucky to visit this year on a day with low attendance and, since there was no wait, decided to give this one a try.
LOCATION
This ride is located in Disney's California Adventure Park in the Paradise Pier section. It overlooks the man made lake.
THE LINE
The line weaves in and out of some really cute theming. Unlike some other, better Disney rides, you are not enveloped in this ride. From the line, you can see the Paradise Pier section all around you. In fact, guests walk by the waiting area on both sides on their way to other rides. The ride's theme is jellyfish. Around the line is some cute landscaping with plants that resemble seaweed. Above parts of the waiting area are jellyfish so you start to get the feeling you are in the sea. This area is small, but really, quite pretty. The jellyfish theme is friendly and brightly colored so it will appeal to young children. There are no fast passes available for this ride.
BOARDING
The minimum height for this ride is 40 inches. My five year old is about 44 inches or so and they didn't measure him to see if he met the minimum. Boarding was easy for me and my eight year old. However, the seat was high enough off the ground that I had to lift my (heavy) five year old into the seat. I was surprised that no cast members came over to give us a hand. Each bench had two seats so two people can ride together. There is a seat belt for each rider that is similar to a car lap belt. For younger riders, the seat belt can be threaded through a loop that fits between the legs. This prevents younger riders from slipping under the lap belt.
THE RIDE
The ride consists of benches that face out from a dark green, main central pole. Two riders can sit on each bench. Far above the riders is a giant jellyfish. The ride gently raises the riders up about forty feet to the jellyfish and then slowly lowers them about ten feet. You go up and down very gently about two more times and then are slowly lowered to the ground. I would be surprised if the jellyfish ride lasted more than 30 seconds. During the ride some cute music plays that sounds like bubbles popping. Frankly, I was shocked at how short the ride was. I expected some variation in the ride, either in speed or height, but there was none. This was, honestly, the shortest and most boring ride I have ever experienced.
If I had to pick a group that this ride might appeal to, I would say timid two or three year olds. However, with the 40 inch height restriction, many of these children wouldn't be able to ride.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
Well, I guess I am glad we didn't spend time in line for this ride. I liked the music and the theme but the ride was so fast, I felt like we spent more time adjusting the seat belts than actually riding. Plus, it was completely boring, even for a five year old. I am giving this ride two stars, only for cute theming and can't recommend it.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
Marriott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
Goofy’s Kitchen
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
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MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Recommended:
No
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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modernmarvel
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