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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 |
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You might remember a scene in the Disney-Pixar movie A Bug’s Life when two flies in the audience of P.T. Flea’s Circus proposition circus performer Francis: Fly 1: Hey, cutie! Wanna pollinate with a real bug? Francis: So, bein’ a ladybug automatically makes me a girl! Is that it, flyboy? Huh? Fly 2: Yikes! Fly 1: She’s a guy! Here’s how the official Pixar website describes Francis: “A member of the circus crew, Francis is the misunderstood male ladybug. To compensate for his mistaken gender, he develops a macho attitude that can only be softened by Ant Island’s young Blueberries troop.” |
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The feisty ladybug has a ride at a Yester California Adventure. Francis’ Ladybug Boogie is one of four rides here at Flik’s Fun Fair, along with Heimlich’s Chew Chew, Tuck and Roll’s Buggies, and Flik’s Flyers. They’re all geared toward children, but adults can enjoy them too. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Smirking Francis as a ride vehicle |
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At Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, each of the six ride vehicles looks like Francis—with a half-smile, raised eyebrows, and eyes looking to the side. Are you ready to spin with a ladybug to the sounds of Big Band music? Unlike the teacups of Mad Tea Party at Disneyland Park, the ladybugs don’t have center wheels to make them spin. Just lean to one side or the other to make your bug boogie. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2013 Short wait for a short ride |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2016 Watch others riding before you ride |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Pick a ladybug (they’re all the same) |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2017 Six ladybugs on two round platters |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2008 Behind a barrier of twigs |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Out for a spin |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Here’s looking at you |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Spots before your eyes |
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In just one minute, your ride is over. Time to head to the next ride of Flik’s Fun Fair. Each of them is modest on its own, but all four together, along with their surroundings and a water play area, form a cohesive mini-land packed with inventive design features. |
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Francis’ Ladybug Boogie opened at Disney’s California Adventure (now Disney California Adventure) on October 7, 2002, as part of “a bug’s land”. Although the ride was often described as a smaller version of Mad Tea Party at Disneyland Park, its ride system was actually more like that of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (opened 2012), with the ladybugs moving in a figure-eight pattern as they transferred from one spinning turntable to another. Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, along with the rest of “a bug’s land”, closed permanently on September 4, 2018, to make way for the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus. |
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Artist Concept © Disney © 2019 Marvel |
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Artist Concept © Disney © 2019 Marvel Concepts for Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure |
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According to Disney, “In 2020, guests of all ages will be invited to team up with some favorite Super Heroes at the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. The campus is set up by the Avengers to recruit the next generation of Super Heroes and features Black Panther and his elite guards, the Dora Milaje, Thor and Iron Man.” Avengers Campus will be the third land in the same location. When Disney’s California Adventure opened February 8, 2001, the area was Bountiful Valley Farm. |
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© 2019-2020 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated May 22, 2020. |
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