California Adventure Park

A guide to "The Happiest Place on Earth" by someone who loves the parks, the mouse and the magic!

Disney's California Adventure Park. Grab a map and be sure to hit these must see spots around the park. Yes, there is more, but I've narrowed it down so that you could hit these top places in just one short day. Please stay longer if possible - there is so much to see and do!



Buena Vista Street was created to look like California did when Walt first arrived. It's an antique of sorts. Avoid the red car trolley, it's awfully slow and the "speech" given by it's driver while onboard is nothing special. It's faster to walk. The absolute BEST ice cream at the park is found at Clarabelle's. Stop in for a "build your own" ice cream bar! There's also a Starbucks!



Hollywood Land hosts an array of activities for young and old. If you're ready to relax and take a load off, head over to Animation Academy where they teach you how to draw a different classic Disney character every 30 minutes. Comfy seats and AC make this a nice spot to rest and learn.  Hang out with Sulley and the gang at the Monsters Inc ride. This ride used to never have a line, but since the release of Monsters University it can get busy - still worth it!

Fun Fact: Hollywood Land is the only place I can find a refreshing Blue Moon... cheers!

Bugs Land - There are tons of small rides back in this area, most of which have very short lines throughout the day. Most are aimed at smaller kids, but can be enjoyed by all.  Heimlick's Chew Chew Train is a blast - I love the different smells that squirt out as you go through it. And an absolute MUST SEE attraction is the 3D show, It's Tough to be a Bug!

Cars Land is home to Radiator Springs Racers which are a MUST SEE attraction! Head to their fast pass line first thing in the morning in order to ensure you get a ticket! You do not want to wait 2 hours for this ride if you can avoid it, but if you must, do it! This ride is also prone to breaking down, so don't wait until the end of the night to try it.

Pacific Wharf has lots of yummy food options, but my favorite is the Pacific Wharf Cafe. They offer a variety of soups and salads all in delicious, house made sour dough bread bowls. You can even walk next door and watch them make the sourdough! If you want a cheap snack, buy a loaf! They'll even cut it and give you butter if you ask. Great thing to munch on throughout the day in lines. Or maybe that's just what weird bread heads like myself do?? If you are interested in a free sweet treat stop into the Ghiradelli store who not only has yummy ice cream, but gives everyone who walks in a free piece of chocolate.

Honestly everything at Paradise Pier is a MUST SEE in my opinion.  California Screamin' is really the only full scale roller coaster in the park. I wouldn't wait longer than 15 minutes for it, so if it's longer try it later or grab a fast pass. Goofy's Sky School's jerks and twists and drops will have you screaming for more! Toy Story Midway Mania will take 45 minutes + so be prepared to wait (maybe grab that loaf of bread or a snack before you get in line). It is so much fun competing against each other in a variety of different 3D midway games! Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta is similar to Red Rockett's in Disneyland and offers tasty options all in one convenient location. They have kids meals! Corn Dog Castle however is my absolute FAVORITE place in the parks - you MUST try the cheese dog. Get one to share if you must, but you'll want your own after biting into delicious cheddar surrounded by decadent corn bread... #drooling.

Condor Flats has Soaring Over California, a MUST SEE, and Grizzly Peak has Grizzly River Run if you are in the mood to get soaked.

Disneyland

A guide to "The Happiest Place on Earth" by someone who truly loves the parks, the mouse and the magic!

Disneyland. Grab a map and hit these must see spots around the park. Yes, there is more, but I've narrowed it down so that you could hit these top places in just one short day (but please stay longer if possible).

Main Street USA is typically a busy, congested area. I'd really only recommend it for shopping, which I'd do at night to avoid the crowds. In fact, all shops on main street are open an hour after the park closes, so this really should be saved for the end to maximize your time on rides!

Fun Fact! If you are interested in riding on the Lilly Belle, make sure you stop by the train station on Main Street first thing in the morning to schedule a ride. It's free and a great piece of Disney history seeing as Walt himself used to take guests on this train car around the park.



Adventureland is full of uh... adventure! Indiana Jones is this land's best, and busiest, attraction so make sure you snag a fast pass before attempting to join the line. You may also want to stop by this location early in the day, as it seems to break down often. My absolute favorite time riding with Indy was when we broke down near the skulls and had to walk off the ride. It was so neat to see the ride from a different perspective while walking out!!

Need a sweet, cool treat? Stop by the Tiki Room, but don't go in (one
word: boring. another two: old school). You'll notice a ridiculously long line for dole whip mid-day outside the attraction, but go in and you'll find the line much shorter! You can walk right back out with your dole whip, without going into the show and without the wait -- score! The Jungle Cruise is also fun, but typically has much shorter lines in the evening, once it's dark. Don't worry, there are still plenty of lights built into the ride for you to still catch all that the jungle has to offer after dark!



New Orleans Square! Pirates of the Caribbean is a always a hit, and has updated itself to match the movies. Catch this ride when the line is less than 15 minutes. If it isn't, come back later in the day.  Also in New Orleans Square is the Haunted Mansion. During this time of year this ride is absolutely incredible and a MUST SEE! It is decorated with all of your favorite characters from the Nightmare Before Christmas and it is truly a masterpiece! There are ghostly sights and tantalizing smells - it's my favorite ride of the season!

Hungry yet? Cafe Orleans is a terrific sit down restaurant in New Orleans Square that offers the best pom frites, monte cristo sandwiches, mint juleps and beignets you'll ever taste!! You must order all of the items I just listed, and you can thank me later. The sandwiches are big enough to share and they do have a kids menu! Call Disney Dining to make a reservation. Although this step isn't required, it does make your life easier.

Critter Country hosts Splash Mountain (my favorite ride based on a banned movie - get a fast pass) and Winnie the Pooh. Pooh never has a wait longer than 5 minutes, so we always make time for it - why not?


Need a break? Head over to the Golden Horse Shoe in Frontierland. Their shows run throughout the day (check the daily guide) and are sure to make you laugh. I love this venue for it's root beer floats, AC and place to sit/rest/refuel inside. If you are hungry, head over to Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. They offer all you can eat BBQ ribs, sausage, corn bread, corn on the cob and more served family style. A MUST SEE while exploring the Frontier is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It is the absolute BEST ride in the park and just recently got a face lift.


Take the princesses in your party to Fantasyland! There are many, many rides in this land, most of which have decent wait times (under 30 minutes) with the exception always being Peter Pan. I'm not sure why this ride has such a consistent fan base, but I have never been to the park (and I've been a lot) when this ride had under a 45 minute wait. Is it a good ride? I guess it's OK, but to be perfectly honest it is not worth 45 minutes. One down fall of fantasyland too, is that the lines do not offer much to see. It's just a line, making it difficult to entertain little ones and even yourself while waiting. It's a Small World is a MUST SEE and make sure to take a dose of Advil before going on Matterhorn. It's extremely jerky.

Toontown, doesn't really deserve recognition if you ask me. I don't think it offers much.

Tomorrowland is the best, and where we spend the most time. If you're hungry while stopping in to see the future go to Red Rocketts. They have great pizza, salads, pastas and more! If you want to catch a ride to Downtown Disney (lots of shopping and food choices there as well) jump on the Monorail. If you ask the conductor, you can sit in the front/back of the monorail which offers you and your party a unique view of the park! Autopia lets the young ones in your party drive (make sure you get a fast pass) and Buzz Lightyear's ride will allow you to conquer the galaxy while competing against another's aim (quick line, fun game). At the end of the ride, stop by and send your picture (for free) via e-mail! Space Mountain and Star Tours are both incredible MUST SEE attractions. Grab a fast pass for both!

Interested in catching a show? Check the daily guide and plan on watching Fantasmic. It's a great show and showcases many movies that all will recognize and enjoy.