California theme parks preview for summer 2008

California's major amusement and theme parks drew more than 40 million visitors in 2007. Those numbers are expected to climb this year with more than $150 million in rides, attractions, parades and shows debuting at California parks this summer.

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Brady MacDonald critiques the new and the old.

Disneyland (Anaheim)

The 800-pound gorilla plans no big new attractions this year (or for 2009) after debuting the $100-million Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in 2007.

The granddaddy of theme parks, Disneyland had 14.9 million visitors last year, second worldwide only to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. You can expect it to be packed throughout the summer. As with all theme parks, planning a midweek visit (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) will lower your wait times and raise your fun quotient.

The Mad Tea Party at Disneyland was one of the original attractions when the park opened in 1955.