Silly Symphony Swings

June 2010 – present

LOCATION

Paradise Gardens Park – Whether you arrive in Paradise Gardens Park from Grizzly Peak, Pacific Wharf, or Cars Land, follow the main path along the right side of the bay, toward Mickey’s Fun Wheel. You’ll see the Silly Symphony Swings on your left, across from Goofy’s Sky School.

BACKGROUND

When California Adventure originally opened in 2001, the swings were part of a slightly different attraction, the Orange Stinger. The ride quickly became a fan favorite, and was soon an iconic part of Paradise Pier. But when California Adventure began its major expansion and renovation, Paradise Pier took on a Victorian boardwalk style, and the Orange Stinger no longer fit into its surroundings. The ride finally closed in 2009, and the Silly Symphony Swings opened one year later.

EXPERIENCE

Details:

• Single Rider Line – no
• Fast Pass – no
• Height Requirement – 40″ (102 cm) for tandem swing, 48″ (122 cm) for single swing
• Duration – 1:30

Guests can board onto single swings or tandem swings, all of which float outward when the ride begins. As the symphony starts, the swings lift up and take off on a trip around the park. After roughly a minute and a half of flying, the symphony ends, and riders return safely to the ground.

MY RATING: ★★★★★

This is one of my favorite attractions in California Adventure. While swings are fairly common for a theme park, there’s still something special about the Silly Symphony Swings. You can see all of Paradise Pier, plus some of Pacific Wharf and Cars Land during the ride, and the swings go surprisingly high and fast. My friends and I affectionately call this attraction the “Peter Pan” swings, because if you stick out your arms, you feel like you’re flying!

Note: the swings are much more intimidating than they look. Be weary if you are afraid of heights; I’ve seen small children leave crying, and my mother (who loves Radiator Springs Racers) is petrified of this ride.

VISITING TIPS

Generally speaking, the Silly Swings never seem to have too much of a wait. During crowded days, you can probably still get on in fifteen minutes or less. With that in mind, there is no better or worse time to visit; work a stop anywhere in your touring plan and you should be fine. Keep in mind that the Silly Swings load fairly quickly, so don’t be intimidated if the line extends beneath the stairs. The upper platform has a very short waiting area, which means the wait downstairs is most of the line.

TRIVIA

The Silly Symphony Swings take their name from Silly Symphonies, a series of animated shorts produced by Disney between 1929 and 1939.

Before the Silly Symphony theme was chosen, Imagineers also pitched an idea for a Pinocchio theme, where the swings would be attached by marionette strings, and Geppetto would control the riders.

The lower level of the platform is a viewing deck for World of Color, and is not part of the actual attraction.