A Sneak Peek at California Adventure

At a preview of attractions Wednesday, the park appeared much as described at private briefings with Disney “cast members” early last summer. As reported then, major rides include a “river raft” around the park’s central icon, a snarling, bear-shaped mountain called Grizzly Peak, which ends in a 360-degree spin down a 20-foot waterfall.

In Paradise Pier, a California beach carnival area, the rides include a roller coaster that catapults riders to 55 mph in four seconds, then zooms them around a 360-degree loop on a giant Mickey Mouse head.

Perhaps most intriguing is California Soarin’, one of many movie-based attractions, with riders suspended in a wraparound big-screen theater for a hang-gliding tour of the state’s scenic wonders.

Imported from Disney’s Florida parks will be a 3-D Muppet movie and a 3-D movie.

The curious soon will be able to find out more at a preview center for the new park. Just head for the scaffolding rising across from Disneyland’s front gate.

In addition to looking over drawings and models, visitors can get a view of the construction site on a former parking lot and put questions to a Disney employee, spokesman Ray Gomez said.

Holders of annual passes to Disneyland will get sneak peeks of the center today and Friday. It opens to the public Saturday.