Disney California Adventure is still a one day park
In spite of the upgrades and the excitement over the Summer of Heroes, Disney California Adventure is still a one-day park, which came as a surprise to me. We visited on July 13, 2017 and were able to do all the things we wanted to do at a comfortable pace. By making a few smart choices, you can, too. The first thing you should do is make sure to plan your day when there is a Magic Morning planned. This puts you on a level playing field with everyone else and ensures that the lines for favorite attractions won’t have gotten out of hand before you even went into the park.
Then there is the list of must-dos. You must absolutely put these things on your list when you go to Disney California Adventure.
Plan Ahead; Choose a Dining Option
World of Color – even though it has been turned back to its second incarnation, World of Color is still a mind-blowing entertainment spectacular of water, video projections and fire. Choose the dessert dinning package, and you don’t have to worry about getting there too early, which will save you the hassle of getting a FASTPASS and waiting in line for good standing room. You might also choose the Carthay Circle dining option, but that means showing up and eating at the Carthay Circle, which will take a little more time from your day (Still totally worth it.)
Get there when the park opens and…
Choose Your FASTPASS
Right now Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout is the hottest attraction in Disney California Adventure and for good reason. Wait times can be more than 100 minutes, so the FASTPASS option here is probably the easiest one to make.
However, if falling rides aren’t your thing, get the Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASS and save yourself about 75 minute wait times. Guardians of the Galaxy and Radiator Springs Racers tend to run out of FASTPASSES sooner than the other attractions.
Once you have your FASTPASS, make a beeline (this will be through Bug’s Land if you chose Guardians) to the attraction that you didn’t choose. If you are lucky and the crowd has fallen right, you will have a smaller than the posted wait time.
With those 2 heavy hitters out of the way, go get a FASTPASS for Soarin’ around the World (typically 50 minute waits) and then head to Midway Mania (about 45 minute waits). Once you have done these 4 attractions and have World of Color planned for, you have done all of the Must-Dos.
(If you are passing by the Pacific Wharf, you will want to stop by the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to get your free bite of chocolate.)
Should Dos
“It’s Tough to Be a Bug” – This show, when it is running, is amazing. Go see it.
Frozen – Live at the Hyperion – Frozen is going to Broadway, catch a glimpse of what that show might be like here.
Might as Well
California Screamin’ – the problem is that this roller coaster, the only one with an inversion or two in the Disneyland Resort, isn’t themed. It is a standard roller coaster that may exist anywhere else. Wait times are usually 20-25 minutes.
Goofy’s Sky School – A Wacky Mouse type coaster. The theming makes it fun. The curves make it a little hard on the back. Wait times can be as long as 45 minutes. Get a FASTPASS if available when the wait times are that long.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel – Choose a swinging gondola for fun. A stationary gondola for the views.
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train – with wait times around 5 minutes and a fun theme, there is no reason not to do this little gem in an otherwise barren wasteland of children’s rides.
Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue – Theming is everything. This one tells a great story and Roz talks to you.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree – See if you can hear the song Mater’s forgotten the words to; it’s hilarious.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roasdsters – A trackless guide system makes this attraction amazing.
The Little Mermaid – You probably loved the Little Mermaid. Wait times hover around 5 minutes for this ride.
The Rest of the Attractions
These Attractions are for Kids:
Aside from the aforementioned Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train and “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” 4D show, everything else in Bug’s Land is for kids and holds no real appeal for most adults.
Disney Junior Dance Party – I’m not saying it isn’t fun; it’s just a lot more fun for the toddler set.
King Triton’s Carousel – Fish themed Merry-Go-Round
Jumpin’ Jellyfish – Like Guardians of the Galaxy without all the tech and faster than gravity falls.
Golden Zephyr – Um… What? Go around in circles in what appear to be spaceships.
These attractions you can skip:
Grizzly River Run – only for super hot days or for those who like to get extremely wet. If the single rider line is available and you can take advantage of it, do so. Then ride it 2 or 3 times. If you don’t like being wet, you may wish to bring a change of clothes. There are lockers nearby to hold your stuff, unles they are all occupied.
The Red Car Trolley: It’s nice to be able to go from Guardians to Carthay Circle or the park entrance, but your feet will get you there faster.
Disney Animation: A bunch of presentations and hands-on things to do. It might also provide you with a freebie if you take the drawing class (no skills needed), but all in all, this area was hard to get into and the animation presentation didn’t align with our schedule.
Silly Symphony Swings – Yes, it has a cool theme, but it is still giant swings you can find at many carnivals.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Interesting jungle gym; sometimes with characters in the area.
You will want to eat. If you haven’t already made reservations at the Wine Country Trattoria or Carthay Circle Theatre, you may have missed out. Still, for lunch head to the Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta: something for everyone and you might catch the parade or the band (or both)! For dinner try something at the Pacific Wharf, you can choose from Mexican, Chinese and soups and sandwiches. Flo’s V-8 also serves up a good meal.
Then there is the list of must-dos. You must absolutely put these things on your list when you go to Disney California Adventure.
Plan Ahead; Choose a Dining Option
World of Color – even though it has been turned back to its second incarnation, World of Color is still a mind-blowing entertainment spectacular of water, video projections and fire. Choose the dessert dinning package, and you don’t have to worry about getting there too early, which will save you the hassle of getting a FASTPASS and waiting in line for good standing room. You might also choose the Carthay Circle dining option, but that means showing up and eating at the Carthay Circle, which will take a little more time from your day (Still totally worth it.)
Get there when the park opens and…
Choose Your FASTPASS
Right now Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout is the hottest attraction in Disney California Adventure and for good reason. Wait times can be more than 100 minutes, so the FASTPASS option here is probably the easiest one to make.
However, if falling rides aren’t your thing, get the Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASS and save yourself about 75 minute wait times. Guardians of the Galaxy and Radiator Springs Racers tend to run out of FASTPASSES sooner than the other attractions.
Once you have your FASTPASS, make a beeline (this will be through Bug’s Land if you chose Guardians) to the attraction that you didn’t choose. If you are lucky and the crowd has fallen right, you will have a smaller than the posted wait time.
With those 2 heavy hitters out of the way, go get a FASTPASS for Soarin’ around the World (typically 50 minute waits) and then head to Midway Mania (about 45 minute waits). Once you have done these 4 attractions and have World of Color planned for, you have done all of the Must-Dos.
(If you are passing by the Pacific Wharf, you will want to stop by the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to get your free bite of chocolate.)
Should Dos
“It’s Tough to Be a Bug” – This show, when it is running, is amazing. Go see it.
Frozen – Live at the Hyperion – Frozen is going to Broadway, catch a glimpse of what that show might be like here.
Might as Well
California Screamin’ – the problem is that this roller coaster, the only one with an inversion or two in the Disneyland Resort, isn’t themed. It is a standard roller coaster that may exist anywhere else. Wait times are usually 20-25 minutes.
Goofy’s Sky School – A Wacky Mouse type coaster. The theming makes it fun. The curves make it a little hard on the back. Wait times can be as long as 45 minutes. Get a FASTPASS if available when the wait times are that long.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel – Choose a swinging gondola for fun. A stationary gondola for the views.
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train – with wait times around 5 minutes and a fun theme, there is no reason not to do this little gem in an otherwise barren wasteland of children’s rides.
Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue – Theming is everything. This one tells a great story and Roz talks to you.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree – See if you can hear the song Mater’s forgotten the words to; it’s hilarious.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roasdsters – A trackless guide system makes this attraction amazing.
The Little Mermaid – You probably loved the Little Mermaid. Wait times hover around 5 minutes for this ride.
The Rest of the Attractions
These Attractions are for Kids:
Aside from the aforementioned Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train and “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” 4D show, everything else in Bug’s Land is for kids and holds no real appeal for most adults.
Disney Junior Dance Party – I’m not saying it isn’t fun; it’s just a lot more fun for the toddler set.
King Triton’s Carousel – Fish themed Merry-Go-Round
Jumpin’ Jellyfish – Like Guardians of the Galaxy without all the tech and faster than gravity falls.
Golden Zephyr – Um… What? Go around in circles in what appear to be spaceships.
These attractions you can skip:
Grizzly River Run – only for super hot days or for those who like to get extremely wet. If the single rider line is available and you can take advantage of it, do so. Then ride it 2 or 3 times. If you don’t like being wet, you may wish to bring a change of clothes. There are lockers nearby to hold your stuff, unles they are all occupied.
The Red Car Trolley: It’s nice to be able to go from Guardians to Carthay Circle or the park entrance, but your feet will get you there faster.
Disney Animation: A bunch of presentations and hands-on things to do. It might also provide you with a freebie if you take the drawing class (no skills needed), but all in all, this area was hard to get into and the animation presentation didn’t align with our schedule.
Silly Symphony Swings – Yes, it has a cool theme, but it is still giant swings you can find at many carnivals.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Interesting jungle gym; sometimes with characters in the area.
You will want to eat. If you haven’t already made reservations at the Wine Country Trattoria or Carthay Circle Theatre, you may have missed out. Still, for lunch head to the Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta: something for everyone and you might catch the parade or the band (or both)! For dinner try something at the Pacific Wharf, you can choose from Mexican, Chinese and soups and sandwiches. Flo’s V-8 also serves up a good meal.