Jumpin’ Jellyfish

February 2001 – present

LOCATION

Paradise Gardens Park – Follow the main path along the waterfront, and you will see the Jumpin’ Jellyfish, just before the path veers left toward the ferris wheel.

BACKGROUND

Jumpin’ Jellyfish was one of the first rides installed in California Adventure specifically for the youngest park guests. Since California Adventure has a lot more major rides than Disneyland, Imagineers designed a thrilling ride on a smaller scale, so that even the smallest visitors could share in the California Adventure experience. During the major California Adventure expansion and renovation, Jumpin’ Jellyfish was slated for removal. But its popularity with little ones saved this ride, and it remains a favorite among little ones to this day.

EXPERIENCE

Details:

• Single Rider Line – no
• Fast Pass – no
• Height Requirement – 40″ (102 cm)
• Duration – 1:30

Riders board into jellyfish parachutes as they ascend into the skies of Paradise Gardens Park. For about two minutes, the jellyfish gently hover and bob in the sky, offering panoramic views of Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf, and the waterfront. Finally, the jellies return to the ground and riders offload as they continue their adventures along the pier.

MY RATING: ★★★☆☆

The Jumpin’ Jellyfish is a great ride for families with small children. There are no big drops, and the top offers a scenic view of the park. The only reason I give this ride three stars instead of four is the view. If you get a seat facing the water, the views are awesome and the ride is a lot more fun. If you face Goofy’s Sky School and the shops, there isn’t much of a view. Make sure you sit by the water if you can, and you’ll have a lot of fun with your little ones and a great chance to take some scenic photos of Paradise Pier.

VISITING TIPS

Even on very crowded park days, Jumpin’ Jellyfish has relatively short lines. If you can, visit this ride twice during your stay: once in the daytime, and once at night. Both times offer extraordinary views of California Adventure, and each time of day produces really cool pictures. If you’re concerned about whether or not your kids can handle the jellyfish, fear not; this ride shouldn’t scare even the most timid of park visitors. Although the jellyfish do climb about 40 feet up, there are no drops (just small and slow bobbing). This is a great test ride to see if your kids are ready for the slightly bigger Paradise Park rides, like the Golden Zephyr or Silly Symphony Swings.

TRIVIA

The name comes from one of Sebastian’s famous lines in The Little Mermaid. He yells “Jumpin’ Jellyfish!” when he sees fireworks shoot from Prince Eric’s ship.