Disney's California Adventure: Top Picks!

I moved from California a few months before Disney’s California Adventure was opened. I remember seeing billboards of it featuring the Grizzly River Run and was bummed I wouldn’t be able to see it. Quite a few years later I did get to go and the experience was a bit of a disappointment; the water was drained while they worked on building Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Cars Land was not in existence yet, Toy Story Mania had recently opened (and the wait times were insanely long), and overall there just didn’t seem to be near as much to do at the park when compared to Disneyland. My last time going to California Adventure was a huge improvement though and while it could still use a few more attractions, it is slowly becoming an exciting park. Here are a few of my favorites!

RIDES/ATTRACTIONS:

Aladdin Musical Spectacular in Hollywood Land: This is the only large theatre that holds shows in the Disneyland Resort area, which makes the viewing experience a little easier than tackling parades or fireworks (or the awesome World of Color at California Adventure!). This show is great, especially due to the Genie’s constantly updated, and timely, jokes. Aladdin is reportedly winding down and the show will be changed to Frozen early next year. While I think a change will be fun (I remember shows would change a lot more often when I was a kid), I would be more in favor for a show that is more classic (cough cough…Mulan or Hunchback of Notre Dame…cough). As much as I like Frozen, there as been an abundance of it everywhere and it would be nice to have something that hasn’t had as much attention.

Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land: This ride is just too much fun. That being said, the wait times are pretty insane and the FastPasses run out almost immediately after the park opens. So I would highly recommend the single riders line if you can, which is the only way I have done it. I don’t think I would enjoy the ride as much if I had to wait so long. I doubt there are many adults who would consider Cars their favorite Disney Pixar film, but the entire Cars Land is an amazing replica of the film and the theming is so spot on, making it such a blast. The Radiator Springs Racers have two different tracks, each with a different experience (one you get a “tire change” the other a “a fresh coat of paint”) before you go off on a race against another car through hills, slopes, and drops. This ride is somewhat similar to Test Track in Epcot, but the scenery, theming, and thrills of this ride are just too good to beat.

Soarin’ Over California in Grizzly Peak: This is a great ride to have in California Adventure because you are actually IN California (I’m looking at you Florida). I love the design, music, and queue in California too, which makes for a really mystical ride experience. Soarin’ Over the World is arriving next year though, which I think has the potential to be a fun update (Antartica! Big Ben! The Great Wall of China!), but I do wish this version would stick around in California.

California Screamin’ in Paradise Pier: This is just a good ol’ roller coaster. It is probably the most intense and fastest ride in the Disneyland Resort, and the twists and turns as it zips around the boardwalk are exciting. Other fun rides on the pier are Mickey’s Fun Wheel (which has the choice of “free-mounted” gondolas…something my mom did not enjoy), Silly Symphony Swings (Mickey conducts music from above!), and Goofy’s Sky School (which is a somewhat deceivingly fast and jerky roller coaster, so it isn’t for everyone, but I like how unexpected and surprisingly thrilling it is).

Toy Story Mania! in Paradise Pier: While the ride is pretty much the same to Florida’s version, I think the midway games fit in more with the boardwalk theme that California Adventure has. I have enjoyed this ride more and more each time I have been on it, because I have understood the games better and slowly begun to play better (the first time I went on it I did a pretty terrible job!).

FOOD:

Churro Bites at the Cozy Cone Motel (Cone 1): While the churro is a classic Disney Parks treat, these churros are bite size and come with a cinnamon chocolate sauce. Ever since I had these, I dream of having them again. The cozy cones are so much fun to grab a snack in!

Red’s Apple Freeze at the Cozy Cone Motel (Cone 4): This slush is somewhat similar to the Boysen Apple Freeze at Disneyland Park, but with an apple slush and a passion fruit/mango foam on top. Once again it is a refreshing drink, especially for the middle of the day when you start to get tired. Flo’s V8 Café was closed the last time I was in the park, but I would like to try that next time (as well as the Chili Cones also offered at one of the Cozy Cones!).

Sandwiches or Bread Bowls at Pacific Wharf Café: The sourdough bread at the Pacific Wharf Café fits in perfect with the California theme. The food really hits the spot and doesn’t feel quite as heavy or unhealthy as some of the other options around the park. It is also a necessity to take the Boudin Bakery tour nearby!

Altogether, I think Disney’s California Adventure is shaping up to be a pretty awesome place. While I don’t feel the desire to go here as often as Disneyland, there are quite a few special attractions (…plus I still need to go on Grizzly River Run!). Since there is a focus in the park on many Pixar films, I would love to see them embrace it even more (maybe with Up, Ratatouille, or Inside Out attractions…a few of my favorites films!). There have also been rumors of a Marvel World eventually, which I think would fit in quite well with the overall theming. I can’t wait to see what this park will look like in 10 years as it continues to develop.

Next up I will cross the country and begin to share my picks for Disney World, starting with the resort we stayed in and Disney Springs! There is a lot to get through (and so many pictures!).