Best Rides at Disneyland California Adventure Park

Looking to plan a trip to Disney California Adventure Park? Make sure you don’t miss out on the best rides at California Adventure by following these helpful tips and tricks! From the thrilling Cars Ride Disneyland to the new and exciting Avengers Campus Spider-Man Ride Disneyland, I’ve got you covered.

Best Rides at California Adventure

If you are looking to visit disney california adventure park you will want to know a little about the park before visiting so you don’t miss any of the best rides at California Adventure! Let me share with you lots of helpful tips and tricks for planning your day to make sure you see the rides at California Adventure that you don’t want to miss inluding cars ride Disneyland and Avenger’s campus spider man ride disneyland. Let’s get started!

disney california adventure park

Disney California Adventure Park is a unique theme park located right next to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. While Disneyland offers classic Disney attractions, characters, and experiences, Disney California Adventure Park has a more modern and California-centric theme.  One of the main differences between the two parks is the focus on California culture at California Adventure Park. From the iconic redwood forests of Northern California to the sunny beaches of Southern California, this park celebrates the diverse landscapes and experiences that make up the Golden State.

Located within the Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure Park offers a variety of attractions, shows, and dining options that are exclusive to the park. Be sure to check out popular rides like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, the Incredicoaster, and the newly reimagined Pixar Pier.  In addition to thrilling rides, California Adventure Park also features unique dining experiences and entertainment options. From upscale dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant to immersive shows like World of Color, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Plus as you look at planning your Disney vacation in California, don’t miss the Disneyland rides post so you can decide disneyland vs california adventure

Disneyland california adventure rides

Let me breakdown the rides to see at Disneyland California Adventure park by area of the park. But before we get started, make sure to join the virtual que on the Disney app so you can enjoy the amazing World of Color show tonight. More on the later!

Buena Vista Street

As you enter Buena Vista Street, you will be greeted by the charming sights and sounds of a bustling avenue inspired by the 1920s and 30s Los Angeles. Feel the nostalgic ambiance as you stroll past elegant storefronts, vintage lampposts, and the iconic Red Car Trolley that runs along the street.  Take in the  architecture, from the Spanish Colonial Revival buildings to the Art Deco touches that pay homage to the rich history of the Golden State. Marvel at the beautiful murals and mosaics that capture the essence of California’s diverse culture and heritage.  Stroll through the shops for some unique Disney-themed merchandise or treat yourself to delicious snack or a Starbucks coffee.

• Ride the red trolley car for a fun step back in time!
• Five and Dime – This vibrant jazz ensemble will have you dancing and tapping your feet to the tunes of the 1920s. Don’t miss out on this immersive street show with authentic costumes that will transport you back to the magic of Los Angeles in the roaring twenties!
• Buena Vista Street Characters – Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with their friends Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Chip & Dale welcome guests on each side of the street in their fabulous 1920s costumes!
• Storyteller Statue – Don’t forget to get a photo with the Storytellers Statue as a heartwarming tribute to Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.
• Seasonal Decor – make sure to check out the beautiful Christmas tree during the holidays and the headless horseman during the fall

Hollywood Land

Once you’ve come to the water fountain at the end of Buena Vista Street let’s head left into Hollywood land. Here you will step into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as you walk the streets of Tinseltown. Enjoy the stunning facades of the golden age movie theaters and  your favorite Disney characters roaming the streets, adding that extra touch of star-studded charm to your visit.

• Disney Junior Dance Party! Join the fun with Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Mickey, Minnie, and more at the Disney Junior Dance Party – where you can dance along to your favorite songs and enjoy bubbles floating through the air!
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Experience beloved Disney characters in a 12 minute magical 3D movie with special effects and iconic songs from Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, Coco, and more.
• Sorcerer’s Workshop – Experience the Magic Mirror Realm where interactive exhibits showcase the secrets behind animation and allow you to create your own scene.
• Turtle Talk with Crush  – Come hang out with Crush at the Aquatorium, chat with him about anything and enjoy a unique and awesome experience every time you visit.
• Animation Academy – Learn how to draw your favorite Disney characters with step-by-step instruction in this fun and interactive experience suitable for all ages and skill levels – and take your artwork home as a souvenir!

Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome – Meet Anna and Elsa inside the Disney Animation building for a magical greeting and to hear about their adventures in Arendelle.

Meet Chef Goofy – Join us in the Hollywood Backlot for a fun and delicious encounter with Goofy the chef, who is ready to impress you with his flambé skills!

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!  One of our families favorite rides, and it can only be found in Disney California! Join Mike and Sulley on a thrilling adventure to catch a human child loose in Monstropolis and safely return her home during a taxi tour of the town.

spider man ride disneyland

Avenger’s Campus

After getting to the back of Hollywood land you will follow the road around the right, straight into the Avengers Campus. Get ready to assemble with your favorite superheroes at the Avengers Campus! This immersive land will transport you into the world of Marvel, allowing you to experience epic attractions, meet iconic characters, and dive into the action-packed universe like never before. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Iron Man, Black Widow, or Spider-Man, there’s something for everyone at the Avengers Campus. From thrilling rides and interactive experiences to culinary delights inspired by the Marvel heroes, this new land promises to bring the magic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to life right before your eyes.

• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Once Tower of Terror, this ride has been completely rethemed and re-engineered from the inside out to give a completely different experience. Join the Collector on an intergalactic adventure to rescue the Guardians of the Galaxy, featuring thrilling free-fall sequences and special effects, with music inspired by the movies.
• Avengers Headquarters – The Avengers are ready to welcome new recruits like you alongside iconic Super Heroes, but be prepared for potential threats as their Quinjet attracts attention to the Headquarters building. You may encounter brave Super Heroes such as: Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Thor, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, The Wasp, The Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America, and Shang-Chi
• Ancient Sanctum – Delve into the enigmatic remnants of an ancient sanctum with Doctor Strange as your guide to unlock its secrets.

WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure –  Join Spider-Man in an action-packed adventure to stop his rampaging Spider-Bots from wreaking havoc on Avengers Campus by using a WEB Slinger vehicle to trap them in true Spidey style – no height restrictions for recruits! You will wear 3d glasses and ride in this vehicle for 4 on each side. You will flick your hands like Spiderman does and by doing so will release webs to trap the spiders that are running-a-muck.

Pym Test Kitchen – Experience a unique dining adventure at Pym Test Kitchen, where Ant-Man and The Wasp use groundbreaking technology to create a menu full of inventive-sized dishes that will satisfy any hunger craving!

‘Multiverse’ Avengers Campus Ride – coming soon

Cars ride disneyland

For your first visit, I suggest you head out by Webslinger left onto the main performance corridor.  The main entrance to Carsland is on your left. (There is a path to get from Avenger land to Cars land heading right to radiator racers, but for your first visit I think you should head through all the amazing streets of Carsland! This is my favorite place to hang out. Plus don’t miss, every night right at sunset (check your Weather app to see which time sunset is!) the lights all turn on in Cars Land at once to the tune of the “Sh-Boom” tune from the films. It is so magical!

Welcome to Carsland, California – a place where the magic of Pixar comes to life on Route 66! Step into the world of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and all your favorite characters from the beloved Disney movie, Cars. Get behind the wheel on Radiator Springs Racers for a thrilling ride through Ornament Valley, or take a spin on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. Don’t forget to refuel at Flo’s V8 Café or indulge in some tasty treats at the Cozy Cone Motel. So rev up your engines and join us in Carsland for an unforgettable adventure that’s fun for the whole family!

• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters – Experience a one-of-a-kind ride at Casa Della Tires with Luigi and his freewheeling family, as they perform traditional Italian “dances” while your roadster weaves and whirls to the music – a fun and unique experience not to be missed! There are several songs so each ride is different. Visit in the fall for spook favorites or December for holiday favorite dances too!
• Radiator Springs Racers – Buckle up for an exhilarating road race through Ornament Valley and Radiator Springs, where familiar characters from Cars will be cheering you on as you compete for first place! This is the most amazing, immersive ride! It will get lines well over an hour, because it is an amazing ride with tons of charm, cute story telling elements inside, and thrilling race through the beautiful canyon at the end.

Cars Characters – Tow Mater, Lightening McQueen, Big Red Firetruck, visiting cars, and Cars characters in costumes visit for guests to take pictures with too!

Cozy Cone Motel is a great place to grab a drink, churros, and other snacks

Flo’s V8 Cafe – Step back in time and indulge in classic American dishes at Flo’s V8 Cafe, a Cars-themed eatery filled with nostalgic memorabilia and delicious meals served with a side of retro charm.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree – Join Mater for a lively square dancing party with tractors in his junkyard, where you can hop on a tractor-trailer for some “figure eight” moves and enjoy some swinging tunes until you’re tired out,

 

Christmas cars land

Let me just take a quick moment to show you a couple pictures and tell you how special Cars land Christmas is! Not only do they have garland and themed Christmas trees, but they actually do an overlay on Tow Mater’s and Luigi’s rides so they are holiday themed! We love Luigi’s Whirl to the World!

As you exit Carsland thorugh the passageway by racers make sure to snap a picture in this picturesque spot!

SanFransokyo Square

Now you are the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, if you didn’t already to so in Carsland. You will be in the charming SanFransokyo Square (previously known as Pacific Warf). THe retheming gives a nod to the Big Hero 6 franchines and was a fun surprise to our kids!  There are several great quick service places to eat here with lots of outdoor, covered seating in the middle. You an even all get different things and still sit together.

• Aunt Cass Cafe -Meet Aunt Cass: the caring guardian of Hiro and Tadashi, owner of a popular San Fransokyo bakery serving delicious dishes in sourdough bread bowls!
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill – Indulge in delicious Mexican dishes and specialty beverages, including San Fransokyo-style Street Corn, Street-style Tacos, Frijoles Charros, Lime-Cilantro Rice, and more, with a kids menu offering Carne Asada or Pollo Asada Tacos.
• Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop –Indulge in the rich and velvety flavors of Ghirardelli Chocolate, a pioneer in premium chocolate-making since 1852, now available at Disney California Adventure Park’s Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop!
• Lucky Fortune Cookery – Enjoy Asian-inspired flavors at Lucky Fortune Cookery with dishes like Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Baymax Macaron, perfect for all ages, including little heroes!
   

california adventure rides

As you exit the food court through the iconic arch, head left towards the pier. Head over the bridge and enter Pixar Pier! If you can resist the tempatation dont’ grab a snow one yet (you did just eat!) and head right to my kiddos favorite ride – the Incredible Rollercoaster!

• Incredicoaster – Hold on tight as Baby Jack-Jack’s chaos-sparking superpowers lead to a thrilling adventure for The Incredibles at Pixar Pier’s Incredicoaster, complete with special effects and music by composer Michael Giacchino! This coaster goes fast and upside down, and the theming is so cute!

Jessie’s Critter Carousel –  Kids and adults alike will enjoy a ride the giant toy carousel featuring Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl from Toy Story 2 for a wild, Western adventure that will have you shouting “giddyup!

Toy Story Midway Mania! – Step into Andy’s room and join the fun as you compete with other players using 3d glasses and a movie car in a whirlwind of games featuring your favorite Toy Story characters. From aliens to flying plates, this is one fun family competition you’ll want to do over and over again!

Pixar Pal-A-Round (aka Mickey Ferris Wheel) – Soar 150 feet into the air on Pixar Pal-A-Round for panoramic views of Disney California Adventure Park, featuring gondolas with different Disney and Pixar movie characters and a unique combination of fixed and sliding gondolas. Personally the sliding gondolas send me into panic mode. I can do the Incredicoaster no problem the the swining cars trigger a fear of heights. Do whichever one works best for you.

Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind – This simple, but super cute ride will allow you to step into the world of Riley’s Emotions at this family-friendly attraction inspired by Inside Out, where you’ll hop aboard Memory Movers and create your own happy memories.

Silly Symphony Swings – Soar through the sky on your individual or tandem swing in one of my kids and I’s favorite attractions – Silly Symphony Swings. This exciting ride is inspired by Mickey Mouse, offering breathtaking views and a whirlwind of fun set to the iconic “William Tell Overture” theme.

A Musical Celebration of Coco – If you time it just right you will get to celebrate the spirit of family with enchanting performances inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco, featuring traditional music, dance, and a whimsical cameo from Miguel. If you don’t I wouldn’t necessarily wait for this pop up party, just my 2 cents.

Jumpin’ Jellyfish – cute, but simple kiddie ride where you will glide up and down for 90 seconds

Golden Zephyr –  Step into a retro galactic gondola and journey back to a time of silver ships and space invaders, complete with vintage sci-fi design and a rotating ornate red tower for an out-of-this-world adventure! If there is a short line this is fun, a la astro orbiter.

Goofy’s Sky School –  Experience a zany roller coaster ride in a flight-training vehicle that takes you 3 stories in the air, spanning 1,200 feet of track – perfect for smaller aspiring pilots with no previous flight experience required! While a more tempered roller coaster, this one is hard for those afraid of heights.

Stop at Paradise Garden Park and ride the Ariel ride before we head towards the last area of the park. You will be back here at the end of the night to watch the amazing world of color show!

• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – Step into your clam-mobile and float away into magical moments and unforgettable music from The Little Mermaid, but watch out for the wicked witch Ursula in this attraction filled with music and fun for all ages!

rides at california adventure

Leaving The Little Mermaid ride go left at the building towards Grizzly River Run and the California hotel. There are bathrooms on your right if you need them and then continue around the path left. Notice the special entrance just pass the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for those staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.  They have a quick and easy entrance and exit special for them!

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail  – If you are ready for a break from rides, you can explore the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at your own pace and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like rock climbing, sliding down natural rock slides, and ranger skills training at the Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower.  Basically it is a nature inspired playground.
• Grizzly River Run -Embark on an thrilling river excursion at Grizzly Peak, where you’ll brave wild rapids, explore mountain caverns, and encounter the legendary grizzly bear spirit watching over the mountain. You will get wet on this circular water ride that is simlar to Kali River Rapids in DIsney World, but better in my opinion.
• Soarin’ Around the World – One of favorite rides! You will feel liek you are parasailing over stunning landscapes, iconic landmarks, and majestic wonders of the world with a soundtrack, scents, and breathtaking IMAX digital projections. This is the exact same ride as at Disney World, so if you are short on time and visit Florida often, you can skip this one.

At this point you will be back at the main Carthay Circle fountain. You have seen all of Disney’s California Adventure Park with the exception of the World of Color show left for tonight. If you have time, feel free to revisit a favorite attraction if time permits before grabbing a bite to eat and heading to the show!

world of color disneyland

Hopefully you grabbed tickets by getting in the virtual que earlier in the day. Now it is time to grab your spot for the evening show. This is standing room only and they PACK you in. Getting their early is a MUST as the closer to the front you are the better you will see and the fewer heads or children on shoulders that will be bobbing in front of you as you try to enjoy my favorite show!

What is World of Color? This is  a spectacular show featuring fantastic music, spraying colorful water and projects featuring beloved characters from films like The Lion King, Moana, Ratatouille, Soul, Star Wars, and The Avengers, celebrating Walt Disney’s storytelling legacy. It is my favorite! And there are different shows from time to time and seasonally – Halloween and Christmas.

Another great way to see the show is getting a dessert package. We did this for my birthday last year and it made this experience even more magical! Not only did we get yummy food and drinks served to us, but we had a phenomenal view of the show from our SEATS. Yep, we got to sit to see the show. If you go this option, check in EARLY, like really EARLY. The earlier you check in, you will get first choice of tables. We got high top tables that were so comfy and with a perfect view!

Before you dash out of the park, may sure to enjoy the beautiful view of the Pixar Pier all lit up and reflecting on the water. It is so beautiful!

California adventure review

Now that you’ve taken a tour of California Adventure and seen some of the amazing rides, food, attractions, and character interactions – I think you will agree you MUST visit this Disney park in California! It is filled with unique offerings and includes iconic lands like Avengers Academy and Carsland which you cannot find anywhere else in the world!  Even though we can drive to Disney World pretty easily, I still love Disneyland California so much that we come out here eveyr year or two. It is so different and so amazing. The only question is – when are YOU visiting?

Disneyland California Planning Help

• Start here — > Disney California Tips and Tricks
• Now read about each park – Disneyland California Adventure Rides and everything else you need to know to plan your visit and Best Disneyland Rides
• What Is Better Disneyland Or Disney World
• See all Disney Trip Planning