Disney California Adventure Park

Write a Review Anaheim, California All ages VerifiedTheme Park

Last reviewed June 2026 by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards

Overview

Everything you need to know about Disney California Adventure Park

Disney California Adventure Park sits directly across the plaza from Disneyland Park in Anaheim, sharing the Disneyland Resort esplanade. Opened in 2001 and reimagined over the years into one of Disney's most charming parks, it celebrates the spirit, glamour, and landscapes of California through eight immersive themed lands.

Stroll down 1920s style Buena Vista Street to enter, then choose your adventure. Suit up at Avengers Campus for Web Slingers and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Race through the Cadillac Range at Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. Soar above the world on Soarin' at Grizzly Peak, hurtle along the Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier, or graze the global flavors of San Fransokyo Square. As night falls, the park comes alive with World of Color, a dazzling water, light, and projection spectacular on Paradise Bay.

With a strong lineup of thrill rides, family attractions, character experiences, and some of the best dining on Disney property (including beer, wine, and cocktails), DCA pairs perfectly with a multi day Disneyland Resort visit. Seasonal festivals like the Food & Wine Festival, Lunar New Year, Halloween's Oogie Boogie Bash, and Festival of Holidays add even more reasons to visit throughout the year.

Beyond the parks

More to explore

Water parks, dining districts, and other places to enjoy across the resort.

Buena Vista Street
Area

Buena Vista Street

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

The park's grand entrance, themed to 1920s Los Angeles as Walt Disney first found it. Red Car Trolleys, Art Deco storefronts, and the landmark Carthay Circle Restaurant set a glamorous, nostalgic tone.

Where to eat

Carthay Circle Restaurant
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Signature Dining
Buena Vista Street
The park's upscale flagship restaurant in a replica of the 1920s Carthay Circle Theatre, serving refined California cuisine. Often paired with World of Color dining packages.
Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream
Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream
Snack
Buena Vista Street
Classic ice cream, sundaes, and seasonal treats in a charming Art Deco parlor on Buena Vista Street.
Hollywood Land
Area

Hollywood Land

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

A tribute to the golden age of Hollywood and Disney animation, home to the Hyperion Theater, the Animation Building, Mickey's PhilharMagic, and live stage shows.

Rides and slides

Mickey's PhilharMagic
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Gentle
4D film
A 3D animated film with in-theater effects following Donald Duck through a medley of classic Disney musical moments.

Where to eat

Award Wieners
Award Wieners
Quick Service
Hollywood Land
A Hollywood-themed stand serving specialty hot dogs and sausages with creative toppings.
Avengers Campus
Area

Avengers Campus

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

A Marvel Super Hero hub where guests train alongside the Avengers. Features Web Slingers, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, character encounters, and Pym Test Kitchen.

Rides and slides

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!
Thrill
Drop tower
Height: 40 in / 102 cm
Join Rocket to free the Guardians from the Collector's fortress in a randomized free-fall drop ride with multiple ride profiles and a rocking soundtrack.
Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
Family
Interactive dark ride
Sling virtual webs to capture runaway Spider-Bots in this hands-on 3D adventure that tracks your score.

Where to eat

Pym Test Kitchen
Pym Test Kitchen
Quick Service
Avengers Campus
A science-themed eatery where Pym Particles shrink and enlarge the food, featuring oversized pretzels and customizable bites.
Cars Land
Area

Cars Land

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

A jaw-dropping recreation of Radiator Springs from the Cars films, complete with the towering Cadillac Range. Home to the headline Radiator Springs Racers and neon-lit nighttime atmosphere.

Rides and slides

Radiator Springs Racers
Radiator Springs Racers
Family
Slot car dark ride
Height: 40 in / 102 cm
The park's signature attraction. Cruise through the world of the Cars films past Ornament Valley scenery, then race side by side across the desert in a high speed finale.
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
Family
Spinning ride
Height: 32 in / 81 cm
Hop in a trailer towed by Mater and whip and swing through the junkyard in a playful barnyard dance.
Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
Family
Dancing ride
Height: 32 in / 81 cm
Climb aboard one of Luigi's Italian cousins for a free-roaming dance of swerves and spins set to lively Italian music.
San Fransokyo Square
Area

San Fransokyo Square

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

Inspired by Big Hero 6, this waterfront district blends San Francisco and Tokyo influences and is the park's culinary heart, with global eats, a brewery, and Ghirardelli ice cream.

Where to eat

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
Quick Service
San Fransokyo Square
Mexican street food including tacos, burritos, and bowls in the waterfront San Fransokyo Square district.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Snack
San Fransokyo Square
Hot fudge sundaes, hand-scooped ice cream, and free chocolate squares from the famous San Francisco chocolatier.
Port of San Fransokyo Cerveceria
Port of San Fransokyo Cerveceria
Bar/Lounge
San Fransokyo Square
A Karl Strauss Brewing Company outpost pouring craft beers and bites on the waterfront.
Pixar Pier
Area

Pixar Pier

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

A Pixar-themed seaside boardwalk on Paradise Bay, headlined by the Incredicoaster and the Pixar Pal-A-Round wheel, with midway games and Toy Story Midway Mania.

Rides and slides

Incredicoaster
Incredicoaster
Thrill
Roller coaster
Height: 48 in / 122 cm
A launched steel coaster themed to The Incredibles, blasting from 0 to high speed with a loop and airtime hills along the Pixar Pier waterfront.
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Family
Ferris wheel
A giant fun wheel with the smiling face of Mickey Mouse, offering both stationary gondolas and swinging gondolas for thrill seekers, with sweeping views of the resort.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Family
Interactive dark ride
Don 3D glasses and compete in a series of carnival style shooting games hosted by your favorite Toy Story characters.
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Gentle
Spinning ride
A gentle aerial carousel inspired by Inside Out, lifting and swirling memory orbs above the boardwalk.
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Gentle
Carousel
A whimsical carousel of woodland critters from Toy Story 2, perfect for the youngest guests.

Where to eat

Lamplight Lounge
Lamplight Lounge
Table Service
Pixar Pier
A lively waterfront gastropub with Pixar touches, known for its lobster nachos and craft cocktails, overlooking Paradise Bay.
Paradise Gardens Park
Area

Paradise Gardens Park

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

A relaxed lakeside garden of classic seaside attractions and the prime viewing area for World of Color, with rides themed to The Little Mermaid and Silly Symphony.

Rides and slides

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Gentle
Dark ride
A gentle clamshell dark ride retelling Ariel's story through animated scenes and beloved songs.
Goofy's Sky School
Goofy's Sky School
Family
Roller coaster
Height: 42 in / 107 cm
A wild mouse style coaster with quick turns and dips as Goofy bumbles through flight lessons.
Silly Symphony Swings
Silly Symphony Swings
Family
Swing ride
Height: 48 in / 122 cm
Soar in chair swings themed to The Band Concert cartoon, with a tilting tower section for higher flyers.
Golden Zephyr
Golden Zephyr
Gentle
Swing ride
Ride retro rocket ships that swing out over Paradise Bay, evoking 1920s amusement piers.
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Gentle
Parachute drop
Height: 40 in / 102 cm
A gentle parachute-style lift and bounce ride beneath colorful jellyfish canopies, ideal for families.
Grizzly Peak
Area

Grizzly Peak

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

California's great outdoors, from towering redwoods to a bear-shaped mountain. Home to Soarin' Around the World, Grizzly River Run rapids, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Rides and slides

Soarin' Around the World
Soarin' Around the World
Family
Flying theater
Height: 40 in / 102 cm
Glide on a hang glider style simulator soaring over global landmarks with wind, scents, and a sweeping musical score.
Grizzly River Run
Grizzly River Run
Thrill
River rapids
Height: 42 in / 107 cm
Raft down a roaring whitewater river around Grizzly Peak, with drops and geysers that are likely to leave you soaked.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Gentle
Play area
An outdoor adventure playground with rope bridges, slides, climbing nets, and rock scrambles among the redwoods.

Where to eat

Smokejumpers Grill
Smokejumpers Grill
Quick Service
Grizzly Peak
Forest firefighter themed counter service serving big burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries.

Plan your stay

Plan your stay

Hotels, resort-wide dining, tips, practical info, and videos to help you plan the trip.

Hotels and resorts

Deluxe

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
The flagship resort, an AAA Four Diamond Craftsman-style hotel with its own private entrance directly into Disney California Adventure Park. Features a spa, pools, and signature dining.
Disneyland Hotel

from $600 / night

The original Disneyland Resort hotel with retro-modern themed towers, the E-ticket pool with monorail slides, and easy access to Downtown Disney and both parks.

Moderate to Deluxe

Pixar Place Hotel

from $500 / night

A Pixar-themed hotel (formerly Paradise Pier) celebrating the art and characters of Pixar films, with a rooftop pool and a short walk to the parks.

Tips and hacks

  • Use the Disneyland app

    Download the official Disneyland app before you arrive to view wait times, mobile order food, check showtimes, and buy Lightning Lane passes. It is essential for navigating the park efficiently.

  • Lightning Lane Multi Pass

    This paid system lets you reserve shorter return times at many popular rides. You can book your first selections in advance and add more throughout the day. Pricing varies by date, roughly 30 to 45 dollars per person per day (approximate).

  • Lightning Lane Single Pass

    Radiator Springs Racers and Web Slingers are sold separately as individual Lightning Lane purchases rather than through Multi Pass. Buy early in the day as they can sell out.

  • Ride Radiator Springs Racers early

    The park's most popular attraction draws the longest lines. Head there at rope drop or grab a Lightning Lane Single Pass first thing to avoid waits of 60 minutes or more.

  • Stay for World of Color

    Reserve a spot via the app's free virtual queue, or book a World of Color dining package at Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria for guaranteed reserved viewing in Paradise Gardens Park.

  • Park Hopper is worth it here

    Because Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure sit across from each other, a Park Hopper add-on makes it easy to bounce between both parks in a single day.

  • Grizzly River Run gets you wet

    You will likely get soaked on this rapids ride, so bring a poncho or save it for a warm afternoon. Lockers are available nearby for valuables.

  • Visit during a festival

    The Food & Wine Festival in spring and Festival of Holidays in winter add dozens of food marketplaces and live entertainment at no extra charge beyond the food you buy.

  • Single Rider lines save time

    Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster, Goofy's Sky School, and Grizzly River Run offer Single Rider lines that can dramatically cut your wait if your group does not mind splitting up.

  • DCA serves alcohol

    Unlike Disneyland Park next door, Disney California Adventure serves beer, wine, and cocktails throughout the park, including the brewery in San Fransokyo Square and Lamplight Lounge.

  • Avengers Campus character moments

    Spider-Man performs an acrobatic stunt show atop the WEB building, and heroes appear throughout the day. Check the app for rotation times to catch your favorites.

Know before you go

Tickets and pricing

Disneyland Resort uses date based pricing. A 1 day 1 park adult ticket starts around 104 dollars on the lowest demand days and rises on busier dates and holidays. A Park Hopper add on lets you visit both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park on the same day for an extra fee. All prices are approximate, subject to change, and exclude tax.

Parking

The Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures serve the resort, with standard self-parking around 35 to 40 dollars per day (approximate). Trams or a walking path connect the structures to the Downtown Disney esplanade and park entrances.

Accessibility and DAS

The park is wheelchair and ECV accessible, with rentals available near the entrance. The Disability Access Service (DAS) helps guests who have difficulty waiting in conventional queues; register in advance through the Disneyland app where eligible.

Lockers

Lockers are available near the main entrance and around the park for a daily fee, useful for stowing items before water rides like Grizzly River Run.

Baby Care Center

A Baby Care Center near the park entrance offers a quiet space for nursing, feeding, and changing, with essentials available for purchase.

Mobile order and dining

Most quick service locations support mobile ordering through the Disneyland app, letting you order ahead and skip the line. The park offers extensive dining including table service, snacks, and full bars.

First Aid

A First Aid center staffed by nurses is located near the park entrance in Buena Vista Street for minor medical needs.

Frequently asked questions

Disney California Adventure Park Reviews

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