DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK

Last Update July 2022

Overview:

Disney California Adventure is the second of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opened in February 2001. Spanning 67 acres , it is dedicated to various aspects of Californian culture and landmarks, both stylized and idealized. In 2011, the park hosted approximately 6.34 million guests, making it the 14th-most visited theme park in the world, its highest ever attendance total for a calendar year. The park did not prove popular to Southern Californians as it was selling them where they actually lived! The entrance was a stylised Golden Gate bridge which the monorail passed over but this was been altered in 2011 to look like the Glendale –Hyperion bridge to blend in with the 1920s Buena Vista theme. The entrance now looks familiar to the one you would see at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at WDW and is based on the Pan-Pacific Auditorium gate entrance.

As well as the entrance changes and an updated Buena Vista Street theme., several other alterations have been made to the park since 2001

1. A Bugs Land - Opened in October 2002, Closed September 2018
2. Paradise Pier - Updated in 2008, Rethemed in 2018 to Pixar Pier
3. Carsland - Opened in June 2012
4. Avengers Campus - Opened in June 2021

2018 Attendance Figure 9,861,000

Park Reservations
To enter California Adventures Park you need a park ticket and a park reservation.
Park reservations are available 120 days in advance.
Park reservations can be made using the Disneyland website or the Disneyland App

Fastpass / Genie +
The Fastpass and Maxpass system has been discontinued.
Genie + is now live at California Adventures Park
Please See This Thread in the Main Disneyland California Planning Section here on the Dibb
All You Need To Know About Genie and Genie+ at Disneyland - All Info In First Post for full details on how to use Genie, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Lightning Lanes

Parking
If you are driving to the parks, you need use one of 2 Disney parking structures / lots
Mickey & Friends Parking Structure 1313 S. Disneyland Drive Anaheim, CA 92802.
Toy Story Parking Area 1854 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802

Prices are:
$25.00 for cars and motorcycles - purchase theme park parking online
$30.00 for oversized vehicles, motor homes and tractors without trailers
$35.00 for buses and tractors with extended trailers

Parking structures for the theme parks open one hour prior to the published California Adventures Park opening time.

There is tram transportation from Mickey & Friends Parking Structure to Downtown Disney.
Trams load on the lower level of the parking structure.
There is a bag check security area before the tram loading area.
The journey to Downtown Disney takes approx 4 minutes.
Trams are approx every 5 to 7 minutes

There is a free bus service from Toy Story Parking Area to the S Harbor Blvd entrance.

Other Transportation To The Parks
If you are not within walking distance to the parks, there are multiple transportation options available, which all use the S Harbor Blvd entrance for pick up and drop off.
Some hotels / motels offer private shuttle
Lyft and Uber ride share
ART - local bus network

Stroller rentals are available just outside the park entrance.
$18 per day for a single stroller
$36 per day for a double stroller

They may be used on both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure.

Wheelchair rentals are available are available outside the Disneyland Park Main Entrance adjacent to the Kennel.
$15.00 a day for manual wheelchairs and $60.00 for ECVs. Sales tax applies to ECV rental fee. (Please note: A limited supply of wheelchairs and ECVs are available to rent and Guests must be 18 years or older to rent an ECV.)Deposit -Manual wheelchair and ECV rentals require a refundable deposit of $20.00. Sales tax does not apply to ECV deposit.
Rented wheelchair and ECVs may be used in both Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. Rented wheelchairs and ECVs are NOT permitted in the Downtown Disney District. A limited supply of wheelchairs is also available for Guests use at select Disney Resort hotel locations, but ECVs are not available.

Live Entertainment and Special Events

• Citizens of Buena Vista Street - Carthay Circle, Buena Vista Street
• Five & Dime - Buena Vista Street
• Disney Junior Dance Party - Disney Theater, Hollywood Land
• Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts - Avengers Campus
• The Amazing Spider-Man - Avengers Campus
• Avengers Assemble - Avengers Campus
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off - Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers Campus
• Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje - Avengers Campus
• Green Army Patrol - Paradise Gardens

Nighttime Entertainment
World of Color
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9.00pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 9.00pm and 10.15pm
Dining packages are available for World of Color

Character Meet and Greets
Traditional pre Covid character meet and greets have returned.
Characters give hugs, up close photos and autographs.

BUENA VISTA STREET
Buena Vista Street is the first "themed district" inside the main entrance of the California Adventure Park, taking its name from the Burbank street on which the Walt Disney Studios are located. Buena Vista Street includes an immersive recreation of early 1920s Los Angeles when Walt Disney first arrived with Mission and Art Deco facades housing shops and restaurants. A recreation of Carthay Circle Theater, which showcased the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937 sits at the end of the street, serving as the visual anchor for the district. Buena Vista Street was opened to the public on June 15, 2012.

Buena Vista Street Eateries

• Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café – Starbucks - Franchise unit so Starbucks App and Starbucks Rewards are not available
• Clarabelle’s - Quick service by the scoop icecream and icecream sundaes
• Carthay Circle Restaurant – Table Service Fine Dining Southern California modern cuisine. Full service alcohol bar, wine, beer and cocktails. Reservations are recommended, as on the day / walk up table availability is very limited
• Carthay Circle Lounge Alfresco Dining – Table Service Fine Dining Southern California modern cuisine appetizers and light snacks. Full service alcohol bar, wine, beer and cocktails. Reservations are recommended, as on the day / walk up table availability is very limited

Buena Vista Street Shops

• Elias and Company - Mickey and Minnie Ears, Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins, Camera and Media, Gifts and Housewares, Toys and Plush, Art and Collectibles, Star Wars specialty merchandise
• Julius Katz and Sons - Pins, Gifts and Housewares, Art and Collectibles
• Kingswell Shop - Specialty hats and Mickey and Minnie Ears
• Oswald's - Mickey and Minnie Ears, Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories
• Trolley Treats - Candy and chocolate specialty shop, including chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel apples, toffee, fudge

HOLLYWOOD LAND

Mickey's PhilharMagic - A spectacular 3D fantasy adventure featuring many beloved Disney characters in the Sunset Showcase Theater

The Disney Animation Building - This large air conditioned building has multiple experiences and is great for a time out and escape from the California heat

1. Animation Academy - Learn to draw a character sketch under the guidance of a talented animator. 30 minute experience
2. Sorcerer’s Workshop - In the lower level of the building you can view The Beasts Library and The Magic Mirror Realm. Journey through 3 interactive realms filled with hands-on exhibits that explore the 3 essential traits that magically combine to make animated Disney characters come to life.
3. Turtle Talk with Crush – Interactive Animation show with Crush and other characters from Finding Nemo

Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully To The Rescue – ride through the mad adventures of these lovable characters from The Monster's Inc Films. The flying door sequence is especially special and there’s Roz to keep control of everything!

Hollywood Land Eateries

• Award Wieners – Quick Service hot dogs and fries
• Schmoozies – Quick Service frozen yoghurt and icecream smoothies and specialty coffee
• Fairfax Market – Quick Service individual fruit and pickles snacks
• Studio Catering Co. - Quick Service Mexican style snacks and drinks
• Hollywood Lounge - Quick Service non-alcoholic and alcoholic pre made drinks

Hollywood Land Shops

• Stage 17 Backlot Premiere Shop - Mickey and Minnie Ears, Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins, Toys and Plush, Avengers Campus specialty merchandise
• Off The Page - Original artwork , collectables, figurines, pins and ornaments

GRIZZLY PEAK

Soarin’ Around The World – Updated in 2016. Take a paragliding view in 4 D elevated seated 80-foot projection dome. The IMAX digital projection and spectacular aerial footage simulate the graceful motion of flight around the world to 12 locations including Polar bears in Greenland, sailboats on Australia’s Sydney Harbour, elephants in Mount Kilimanjaro, The Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and The Eiffel Tower in Paris before returning to California and fireworks over Disneyland Castle.

Grizzly River run – White-water raft adventure in a circular 8-person raft

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – earn your Wilderness Explorer badge as you scramble over rope bridges, slide through hollow logs and climb rock walls. Proceed to Ahwahnee Camp Circle for a special ceremony with Russell from “Up”. Wilderness Explorer Ceremonies take place several times throughout the day. You might also see Kevin and Doug!

Grizzly Peak Eateries

• Smokejumpers Grill – Quick Service burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, fries and drinks.

Grizzly Peak Shops

• Rushin' River Outfitters - Outdoor inspired Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins, Gifts, Housewares
• Humphrey's Service and Supplies - Wilderness/exploration themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins, Games and Toys

PARADISE GARDENS PARK

Silly Symphony Swings – Flying chairs with a rotating canopy set the William Tell Overture

Goofy’s Sky School – Goofy themed 3 story old fashioned roller-coaster inspired by Disney’s madcap “How To” cartoons of the 1940s and 1950s, especially Goofy’s Glider from 1940

Jumpin’ Jellyfish – Parachute-style ride where Jellyfish themed gondolas rise up and down a 40 foot high tower.

Golden Zephyr – Spaceship gondola's rise up and rotate around an ornate red tower

The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Omnimover ride in a clam shell themed car through various scenes from the Disney animated movie The Little Mermaid

Paradise Gardens Park Eateries

• Bayside Brews – Quick Service Mexican style beer and snacks
• Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta - Quick Service pasta, pizza, salads, and beer
• Corn Dog Castle - Quick Service Corn Dogs, Coffee and Soda
• Paradise Garden Grill - Quick Service Mexican Style Taco's , Burrito's
• Market Place Kiosks - Quick Service Themed Seasonal Food and Drinks, changes throughout the year

Paradise Gardens Park Shops

• Seaside Souvenirs - Mickey and Minnie Ears, Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins

AVENGERS CAMPUS
A Bugs Land closed in September 2018.
The whole area has been rethemed and opened in June 2021 as Avengers Campus.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! - A 13 floor drop in an out of control elevator ride with Guardians of the Galaxy characters. This was originally The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror but was rethemed in 2017.

WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure - Embark on an action-packed adventure alongside the amazing Spider-Man! When Peter Parker’s helpful but otherwise buggy Spider-Bots get stuck in replication mode and escape from a WEB Workshop, Spider-Man must stop the rampaging robots before they wreak total techno-havoc across Avengers Campus. Problem is, they’re rapidly leveling up and becoming tough to beat!

Your task? Hop aboard a WEB Slinger vehicle and help weave a frenzied web to trap these friendly neighborhood sidekicks in true Spidey style. It’s up to you to unleash your inner hero and save the Campus from complete chaos!

Avengers Campus Eateries

• Pym Tasting Lab – Quick Service Avengers / Marvel themed alcoholic and non-alcoholic pre made drinks
• Pym Test Kitchen – Quick Service Avengers / Marvel themed chicken, salami and vegetarian sandwiches
• Shawarma Palace – Quick Service Avengers / Marvel themed chicken and vegetarian wraps
• Terran Treats - Quick Service Avengers / Marvel themed sweet pastry snacks

Avengers Campus Shops

• Campus Supply Pod - Avengers / Marvel themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Gifts, Housewares, Toys and Plush
• The Collector's Warehouse - Avengers / Marvel themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Comic Books, DVD's, Toys, Collectables
• WEB Suppliers - Spider Man / Marvel themed electronics, Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Pins, Gifts, Housewares, Toys, Plush

CARS LAND

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree – Ride around with little tractors while listening to Mater’s songs. The tractors move around in a figure-8 on two interlocking turntables, while the trailers swing from side-to-side behind them.

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters – Luigi's Flying Tires closed in 2015 and changed from tyre-shaped bumper car hovercraft vehicles to trackless dancing cars in 2016. Guests ride in the car vehicles as they move and spin to Italian music.

Radiator Springs Racers – Ride in a racing car along a track , first taking a road trip to Radiator Springs to meet animatronic versions of the Cars characters, then race another car across Ornament Valley. Both ride vehicles accelerate on parallel tracks out of the cave, into an outdoor segment containing hills and high-banked turns around the rock formations of Ornament Valley, with the vehicles reaching a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). During a short drop down a sloped bank, an on-ride photo is taken. One of the two vehicles (selected at random) reaches the finish line slightly earlier, bringing the race to an end. The vehicles then enters Taillight Caverns, where Lighting and Mater congratulate both vehicles on a great race. The ride vehicles then merge back onto a single track and return to the boarding station.

Cars Land Eateries

• Cozy Cone Motel – 5 Quick Service Cars themed Kiosks.
  Each kiosk serves different food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic pre made drinks
  Cozy Cone 1 - Churro, Espresso Cocktail, Coffee, Soda
  Cozy Cone 2 - Vanilla or chocolate soft serve icecream, root beer and soda
  Cozy Cone 3 - Mac and Cheese or Beef Chilli in bread cones, Soda
  Cozy Cone 4 - Chimichanga, Vodka, Bourbon and Beer, Pomegranate Limeade and Lemonade
  Cozy Cone 5 - Popcorn and Soda
• Fillmore's Taste-In – Quick Service individual fruit and pickles snacks
• Flo's V8 Cafe – Counter Service Cars themed fried chicken, burgers and salad, beer and soda

Cars Land Shops

• Ramone's House of Body Art - Cars themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Art and Collectibles
• Sarge's Surplus Hut - Cars themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Toys, Plush

PACIFIC WHARF

The Bakery Tour – A walk through tour of a working replica of the famous Boudin Bakery in San Francisco. Watch through glass windows as bakers create sourdough bread throughout the day.

Pacific Wharf Eateries

• Pacific Wharf Distribution Co – Quick Service Beer and Pretzel snacks
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill – Quick Service beef, chicken, pork and vegetarian Taco's
• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate shop - Quick Service Chocolate based milkshakes, coffee, hot drinks and sweet pastries
• Lucky Fortune cookery –Quick Service beef, chicken, pork and vegetarian Chinese / Asian style food
• Mendocine Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery – Table Service wine and beer
• Pacific Wharf Café – Quick Service soup or mac and cheese in a bread bowl, sandwiches, salads,
• Rita’s Baja Blenders – Quick Service frozen margaritas and non - alcoholic beverages.
• Wine Country Trattoria at Golden Vine Winery – Table Service Italian Fine Dining Full service alcohol bar, wine, beer and cocktails. Reservations are recommended, as on the day / walk up table availability is very limited
• Sonoma Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery - Quick Service Beer, wine and pre made cocktails

PIXAR PIER
Paradise Pier was updated and rethemed to Pixar Pier in 2018.

Incredicoaster – Incredibles themed high speed steel roller coaster with enclosed tunnels, special effects, scenes and music from Incredibles 2. It has an inversion, and is the fastest at the park with a top speed of 55 miles per hour (89 km/h). At 6,072 feet long and 122 feet high it is the longest and the tallest roller coaster of any Disney resort.

Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind Originally Flik's Flyers from A Bugs Land which was rethemed with Inside Out characters and moved to Pixar Pier in 2019. Ride one of 8 hot air balloon shaped cars suspended from a central tower. The themed cars then rise up and spin around the central tower.

Jessies Critter Carousel – Old fashioned merry go round themed with characters from Toy Story 2

Toy Story Midway Mania – Wear 3D glasses and ride in a swivel car which move on a trackless system through various rooms. Use the pull string cannons to shoot virtual darts, baseballs, eggs and other toy-jectiles at Toy Story themed classic carnival midway games on screens.

Games of Pixar Pier – Try your skill at 4 “Pay to play” classic carnival games inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

1. La Luna Star Catcher - Try your best to nab a floating star at a family-friendly game based on the animated short, La Luna.
2. Heimlich's Candy Corn Toss - Toss oversized candy corn into the mouth of the hungry caterpillar from A Bug’s Life.
3. WALL·E Space Race - Aim a “fire extinguisher” to propel WALL·E and Eve higher and higher as they twirl in space.
4. Bullseye Stallion Stampede- Roll balls into the right targets to make your horse run faster at this Skee-Ball game inspired by Toy Story 2.

Pixar Pal A Round – 150 feet high Ferris wheel with slide in / slide out carriages.

Pixar Pier Eateries

• Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats – Quick Service Non Dairy Soft Serve Lemon or Mango Icecream and Frozen Margarita
• Angry Dogs – Quick Service hot dogs and beer
• Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums - Quick Service Cookies and milk drinks
• Lamplight Lounge – Table Service Pixar themed California Modern Gastropub cuisine. Full service alcohol bar, wine, beer and cocktails. Reservations are recommended, as on the day / walk up table availability is very limited
• Lamplight Lounge - Boardwalk Dining – Table Service Alfresco Patio Pixar themed California Modern Gastropub cuisine. Full service alcohol bar, wine, beer and cocktails. Walk Up Only, no reservations
• Poultry Palace – Quick Service Turkey Leg, Chicken Drumstick, Corn on The Cob, Chimichanga, Soda
• Señor Buzz Churros – Quick Service Churros and soda

Pixar Pier Shops

• Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff - Pixar themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Food, Gifts, Housewares, Toys, Plush
• Knick's Knacks - Pixar themed Adults and Children's Clothes and Accessories, Gifts, Housewares, Toys, Plush

World of Color
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9.00pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 9.00pm and 10.15pm[/U]

A night time fountain show in front of Pixar Pal A Round Ferris Wheel. Animations and live action film sequences are projected onto fountain mist backgrounds. Special effects include pyrotechnics, flashing lights and fireworks. Witness an enthralling night-time spectacular weaving water, colour, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy and imagination. Watch Disney characters come to life on a shimmering veil of mist as more than 1,000 jets of water form fanciful shapes in time to the music.

There are premium viewing areas with the dining packages.

There is also a free virtual queue system through the App and a standby queue for other viewing areas.

Premium Viewing areas
All 3 dining packages shared the same viewing area. With the dining packages, you have a meal in the restaurant of your choice, and received a ticket for the viewing area. This viewing is standing only, on a first come first served basis.

The three restaurants which have World of Color Dining packages are

1. Wine Country Trattoria Restaurant - 3-course meal (starter, entrée and dessert) from a prix-fixe menu, plus a nonalcoholic beverage
   Lunch: Starting at $50 for adults; $25 for children (ages 3 to 9)
   Dinner: Starting at $50 for adults; $25 for children (ages 3 to 9)
   Price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol.
2. Carthay Circle Restaurant - 3-course meal (starter, entrée and dessert) from a prix-fixe menu, plus a nonalcoholic beverage
   Lunch: Starting at $56 for adults; $25 for children (ages 3 to 9)
   Dinner: Starting at $74 for adults; $25 for children (ages 3 to 9)
   Price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol.
3. Storytellers Cafe Restaurant - An all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and a nonalcoholic beverage (specialty coffees not included)
   Dinner: Starting at $50 for adults; $25 for children (ages 3 to 9)
   Price does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol.

Desert Party Viewing section
This area is reserved for people who have paid for the desert party. This is a seated area facing the Ferris Wheel. You are brought to a table and chairs and are served a cheese plate and dessert selection with a drink just before the show starts. You eat the food as you watch the show.

This is a shared seating viewing area.
Depending on the size of your party you may have to share a table with another party.

On nights where World of Color has two showtimes, the Desert Party Dining Package is available for the first show only.

$84 per Guest
Price includes tax and gratuity. Please note that children ages 2 and under may attend free of charge, provided they are seated on the lap of an adult.

Virtual Queue Viewing area
This virtual queue is only accessible via the Disneyland mobile app. Distribution times for the virtual queue enrollment will begin at noon, daily.* If you are able to make a virtual queue selection, you will receive a notification via the Disneyland app to enter the designated “World of Color” viewing area via one of the two marked entrance points (Blue or Yellow) assigned to you, approximately 45 minutes before the show begins.

These viewing areas are located behind the dining package viewing areas and are standing only.

General Access / Standby Viewing area
If the virtual queue reaches capacity, please visit the Paradise Bay viewing area shortly before “World of Color” begins to check in with a cast member for walk-up viewing options.

The general access / standby / walk up viewing area is located behind the Blue and Yellow Virtual Queue viewing areas.. This viewing area is standing only.

Splash Zone Viewing Area
The areas at the very front along the railings are known as the splash zone and are open to anyone who has ticket for any of the viewing areas on a first come first served basis. Its known as the splash zone as depending on the wind and general weather conditions during the show people in this area can either feel a light mist or get a bit wet. The CM's warn people who go into this section about getting wet.