From the moment you first cross through the giant letters spelling out California and walk into the San Francisco inspired entrance area you are surrounded by the "feel" of California. From the blasting of the Beach Boys singing "California Dreamin'" over the loudspeakers to the giant rock bear of Grizzly Peak on your right, and Hollywood on your left, you know there's no place else you'd rather be than California. When my boyfriend and I visit the "other" theme park, our strategy is to get there at opening (usually an hour after Disneyland) and get on all our favorite rides before it gets crowded. However, whatever time of day you go, DCA is hardly ever crowded compared to Disneyland across the esplanade.

Part I: Hollywood Pictures Backlot

After passing under the miniature Golden Gate Bridge, we usually turn left and head into Hollywood Pictures Backlot, a replica of the Hollywood of old (when the subways didn't smell like urine and you could walk around safely at night). In front of your eyes a beautiful cloudy sky appears, and hot dog and fresh fruit stands materialize out of thin air. If you choose to go right, you can visit Kermit and Miss Piggy in Muppet* Vision 3D or Mike and Sulley in Monster's Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! While both attractions provide a nostalgic ride down memory lane, the Monster's Inc. ride is the newest addition to the park, and takes you on a unique taxi ride through Monstropolis. If you enjoyed the movie, you will absolutely love this ride. And if you love Kermit and the gang on TV, you'll love them even more in 3D where things fly at you and the two crotchety old men are criticizing from a balcony above you.

Or, if you decide to stay on the main path, you can stop by and visit Steamboat Willie and friends in the Animation Studios. From learning how to draw your favorite characters to making your own cartoon, this place has it all. And don't be fooled into thinking it's just for the young people either…my boyfriend and I loved being given lines to read or sing, and then having our private TV screen show the characters with our voices, singing wildly out of tune with the music and horribly off-key. Or for the younger set, there is Turtle Talk with Crush, an interactive area in the Animation studios where kids of all ages can talk to the surfer turtle from Finding Nemo. And right next door is "Playhouse Disney—Live on Stage!" where kids get to watch and interact with their favorite characters from the Disney channel, including Jo-Jo and the Bear from the Big Blue House.

Continuing on the main path you will run into Hyperion Theater, most likely named after the street where one of Walt's first studios in California resided, Hyperion Avenue. As of my last visit, this theater was home to a spectacular musical rendition of Aladdin, called "Disney's Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular," complete with flying carpets and elephants walking through the audience. This show has only a few performances a day though, so make sure to check your times guide as soon as you enter the park, ensuring that you don't miss this must-see attraction.

This brings us to the E-ticket attraction, tucked away neatly in the corner of Hollywood Pictures Backlot, although its spooky trimmings are visible from miles away. I am referring, of course, to The Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror. It took quite a bit of convincing before my boyfriend managed to get me on this ride, and when we finally made it into the waiting room of the spooky hotel my stomach felt like it was going to drop out of my body. But then I experienced the rush of free-falling (you're seat-belted in of course) down the "thirteen-story" elevator shaft and came off giddy with adrenaline. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I go on, but Tower of Terror is now one of my favorite rides (including Disneyland rides!) and I love the feeling of having no control that you get when you ride it.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

(A helpful hint for the nervous first timers like me: before you have gone too far up the elevator shaft, watch the ghosts in front of you as they move into the elevator. When they fall, you will soon follow.)