Best Disney California Adventure Attractions & Ride Guide
In this post, we offer numerical ratings and ride reviews for every show and ride at Disney California Adventure. We also provide some tips for when to do each attraction, and other info. Since the completion of a huge re-imagining, Disney California Adventure has become one of the hottest theme parks in the United States. In this guide, we’ll offer some of the reasons why DCA is great.
Note that there are some recent changes to this list. In the last several years, the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus has debuted and Paradise Pier has been renamed as Pixar Pier (with a handful of aesthetic changes). Of course, those are good reasons to check out Disney California Adventure on your trip, but the main reason is still Radiator Springs Racers. This is the best best attraction in Cars Land, and one of Disney’s best attractions ever. Seriously, do not miss this thrilling and insanely fun ride!
While we don’t recommend skipping any attractions based upon the advice of others if you have the time to experience them all (why not form your own opinion—you might like something totally different than us!), if your time is limited, here are reviews of every attraction in Disney California Adventure, with our “must do” attractions listed first, and in slightly more depth. Note that we have a separate page for tips and info about all Disneyland attractions.
Not everything on this list is a thrilling, “E-Ticket” attraction with long lines. We enjoy the flagship attractions, but we also like variety in our experiences. Some of the lesser-known attractions are also very well done, just not in a ‘knock-your-socks-off’ way. The list of “top attractions” includes everything we feel makes for a well-rounded day at Disney California Adventure.
Ideally, a day to experience Disney California Adventure and a separate day (or days) to do Disneyland (read our Disneyland Ticket Guide to determine which tickets are best), so you will be able to experience everything, not just our top picks. If you are stretched for time and only have one day for both parks, you won’t be able to experience everything on this “top attractions” list.
Numerical review scores for Disney California Adventure’s attractions are on a scale of 1 to 10, and only take into consideration overall quality relative to that specific type of attraction. Dark rides are judged against other dark rides, coasters against other coasters, and so on, to create a relatively level playing field. We do not take into account how different demographics will like the attraction.
Obviously, if an attraction has a height restriction that precludes kids from riding it, its “score” for them wouldn’t be as high as what we have listed. Likewise on attractions that are geared towards kids but may not appeal as much to adults. Here, we only consider the overall quality of an attraction in its category.
Alright, let’s get started with the Disney California Adventure ride reviews!
Top DCA Attractions
Radiator Springs Racers (10/10) – The most succinct way to describe Radiator Springs Racers is by saying it uses the basis of the ride system of Test Track to combine dark ride elements and outdoor race sequences through the detailed Ornament Valley. It’s also rumored to be the most expensive attraction Disney has ever built, and is easily the best overall attraction at Disney California Adventure, and perhaps Disneyland, too. Make sure to get there early, use Single Rider, or do Radiator Springs Racers at the end of the night. Read more strategy in our Cars Land Tips & Tricks post.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (7/10) – Mater hosts his junkyard jamboree, where his tractors spin and whip around guests. To get an idea of what to expect, think Mad Tea Party, except with guests in freely moving trailers attached to the tea cups instead of in the cups themselves. Unlike Radiator Springs Racers, lines for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree typically are not that bad, so you should be able to safely do this attraction at your leisure during the day.
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (8/10) – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a classic Fantasyland dark ride (in Disney California Adventure) with some 21st century technology used to spice the concept up. It’s not the most immersive attraction, but it’s still a very enjoyable attraction that goes beyond what you’ll find in Fantasyland. This is a people-eater in terms of capacity, so do it whenever–you should wait no longer than 15 minutes for this, no matter when you visit.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (9/10) – Above all else, this ride is FUN. It marries Awesome Mix Tape soundtracks from the movies with Guardians of the Galaxy’s unique brand of humor, cool screen-based visuals, and a thrilling drop-tower ride. The exterior is garish and the plot of the attraction is a bit garbled, but at the end of the day, it’s an incredibly fun attraction. Arguably much better than it has any right to be considering that it was a quick and dirty reimagining of an existing attraction. You can read more of our thoughts in our full Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Review.
Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (8/10) – If Toy Story Mania is like a Wii game on wheels, this is like an Xbox Kinect game on wheels. The experience is high energy and fun, with an amusing premise, pre-show, and non-stop action. It’s a tad disappointing as the anchor attraction for Avengers Campus, but it’s still a solid addition to DCA.
Red Car Trolleys (8/10) – Modeled after the Pacific Electric Railway, these scenic trolleys travel between Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land. While nothing fancy, they immerse guests in the experience and period of Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land. There’s no better way to get from Buena Vista Street to Tower of Terror.
Grizzly River Run (7.5/10) – Grizzly River Run takes the white water raft ride concept to the next level, offering some beautiful visuals along the way. While I think the beautiful details found in Grizzly River Run are great, it would nice to see a bit more to make this a “next level” Disney attraction. Still, it’s something you should experience at least once if you don’t mind being soaked!
Soarin’ Around the World (9/10) – Soarin’ is a fan-favorite, and it’s also pretty popular at Disney California Adventure. This attraction simulates the sensation of flight with a huge screen, effects, and an impressive ‘hang-glider’ ride system. Last summer, this attraction was changed to Soarin’ Around the World, with footage from locations around the globe instead of just California. You can read our full Soarin’ Around the World Review here.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (8/10) – When Disney originally created Disney California Adventure, they did the Golden State area right. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is evidence of this, as it’s a beautiful play area to explore. Check out the elevated rope bridges for great views of the park!
Incredicoaster (8.5/10) – Formerly California Screamin, this rollercoasters has been rebranded as the Incredicoaster, and regardless of the name, it’s one of the best coasters you’ll experience in a United States Disney theme park. There is some theming in and around the queue, and on the track itself, but Incredicoaster is a ride more about thrills and fun than it is about Disney attention to detail.
Toy Story Midway Mania (8/10) – This interactive 3D game featuring the characters from Toy Story is one of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World thanks to its placement in a park lacking rides for kids. In Disney California Adventure, the better balance in attractions makes wait times for Toy Story Midway Mania much shorter.
The line moves quickly and it’s a fun game for the normal 30-45 minute wait to experience it. It’s a good idea to do this early in the morning, after Radiator Springs Racers for a wait or 20-30 minutes. Toy Story Midway Mania has a Genie+ Lightning Lane, and it’s a good use of one in the middle of the day.
World of Color (9.5/10) – A day in Disney California is capped off with this nighttime, water spectacular. Featuring projections, fire, and other amazing effects, the dancing fountains of Paradise Bay present a jaw-droppingly beautiful montage presentation of Disney animated classics.
Make sure to check out our Guide to World of Color article to pick the best spot to see the show! For any first-timer to Disneyland Resort, ending the day with World of Color is a must. You will be blown away by the colorful fountains, projections, and other visuals. World of Color is the perfect way to end a day at Disney California Adventure.
If you experience everything on the “Top Attractions” list, and enjoy a copy of meals or drinks at one of DCA’s great bars, you probably won’t have time for much else. If you do have some extra time, we highly recommend rounding out your day with at least a few attractions from “The Rest” below…
The Rest
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (7/10) – This replaced Luigi’s Flying Tires, and is one of the newest attractions at Disney California Adventure. It’s also the first trackless ride in the U.S. Disney Parks. It features cute little roadsters “dancing” around the track, with some charming sequences and a fun finish. It’ll put a smile on your face, but long wait times as compared to its short (90 seconds) duration make it skippable.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue (7/10) – A dark ride right around Fantasyland caliber, Monsters, Inc. is a good dark ride, but is not anything flashy from a tech perspective.
Animation Academy (7.5/10) – Animation Academy is the highlight of the Animation Building at Disney California Adventure, and might even be considered a hidden gem. The animation classes are fun and education, and the exhibits throughout the building are neat diversions.
Turtle Talk with Crush (7.5/10) – An interactive digital show with Crush “inside” a tank as he interacts with kids in the audience. Although the interactions are with kids, the humor is often geared towards adults, and this “Living Character Initiative” based show is a lot of fun for everyone. Another reason the Animation Building shouldn’t be skipped.
Disney Junior – Live on Stage! (?/10) – This is the one attraction at DCA that we’ve never done. It’s not exactly aimed towards the ‘adults without kids’ demographic. Might be worth doing if you have toddlers.
Golden Zephyr (3.5/10) – Worth doing if it’s open for the neat views of Pixar Pier, but it closes in even a slight breeze. Plan on doing Silly Symphony Swings instead.
Goofy’s Sky School (4/10) – Garish wild mouse coaster that replaced an even more garish wild mouse coaster. The theming with Goofy is neat (even if the farm/sky school thing makes little sense) and the ride is mildly thrilling, but this eyesore doesn’t belong in a Disney theme park.
Jumpin Jellyfish (4.5/10) – Kiddie “drop” ride that slowly goes up and down. Offers neat views and might be thrilling to small children.
Jessie’s Critter Carousel (4.5/10) – Fairly standard carousel, except themed to sea-life.
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind (4.5/10) – The amount of time spent on such a pedestrian attraction is mind-boggling. Inside Out deserves better–and could’ve gotten it for the budget blown on this.
Pixar Pal-Around (5/10) – A standard Ferris Wheel that often has long waits. Cool views, though.
Silly Symphony Swings (6/10) – Silly Symphony Swings is a dressed-up off-the-shelf ‘wave swinger’ attraction that spins guests in circles in a somewhat thrilling manner. The highlight of the attraction is the views it offers of the gorgeous Paradise Pier area. Make sure to see it at night of our a beautiful blue-sky day!
This list leaves out a few pieces of roaming entertainment and a few other things, but that covers everything major that you’d find on a Disney California Adventure park map. As you probably notice, Disney California Adventure has fewer attractions than Disneyland, and more of DCA’s attractions are below 5/10 than are Disneyland’s. This is due to many of the Disney California Adventure attractions being generic “off the shelf” amusement park rides with Disney theming slapped on, a problem that has been mostly rectified in recent years with the overhaul of DCA.
While the overall attraction slate isn’t nearly as strong at Disney California Adventure, thanks to flagship attractions like Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin’, Tower of Terror, California Screamin’, Toy Story Midway Mania, and World of Color, the top of the lineup at Disney California Adventure is very strong. These adult-oriented attractions plus the slightly more mature nature of the park (unlike Disneyland, it serves alcohol) might actually make it more appealing to older demographics.
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
Your Thoughts…
Which Disney California Adventure attractions are your favorites and which do you skip? If you haven’t visited DCA, which ones are on your “must do” list? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your questions and thoughts in the comments!
Hello Tom,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m planning a trip waaaay out in the future & appreciate the ranking on DCA rides. The last time we were at the resort, we dedicated most of our time to Disneyland (biggest accomplishment — the look on hubby’s face when he got to be the first person of the day to ride on Space Mountain). Although I will be sad to see some things go. I’m really looking forward to new rides & experiences. Most esp with our little girl. Could you please create a “Best of” list for the under 10 crowd? Thanks
PS one of the reasons why we weren’t so into the 2007 DCA rides — we live 5 min away from a genuine Beach Boardwalk : http://beachboardwalk.com/giantdipper/
Hi
Well California Adventure is so cool my fav ride is Californian screamin because i have the disney pass!!!!!!
Mickey’s Fun Wheel is not a standard ferris wheel. Its one of only two ferris wheels in the World (or at least the US) to have tilting cars (as well as the standard stationary cars), the other being Deno’s Wonder Wheel at Coney Island in NY. Did you ever ride in one of the tilting cars, or just in one of the stationary cars? The tilting cars add a thrill element to the ride.
I never realized there was a option for either REGULAR or the SLIDING cars on the Mickey Fun Wheel!
Yeah, I came down here to say the same. Mickey’s Fun Wheel is definitely not a standard Ferris wheel. It’s actually quite unique and the rolling cars are pretty thrilling.
I totally agree with you about it being more mature and appealing to adults. As a kid growing up in Southern California my dad HATED theme parks because of the crowds. He took us to Disneyland once just before DCA was built! I was about 12 I think. Now that I’m an adult, I’ve been making up for lost time but DCA is slowly starting to win out over Disneyland (although Pirates and Splash Mountain will always be my favorite attractions!). The alchol factor, Hollywood Tower Hotel, and California Screamin’ appeal to my adult-ness a lot more! Paradise Pier is so amazingly well done! Totally gives it that Southern California feel! When we went in August we spent one of our three days at DCA and then went over to Disneyland for Pirates and Splash Mountain. I just LOVE it! My husband thinks I’m crazing because I always want to vacation there (we live in Oregon now). Going back in February 2015 and I can’t wait!
Disney junior show is horrible. We went when Sophia the First opened. You sit on hard carpets like cattle squished next to others. Are legs fell asleep completely. We were expecting a cool shown with a Sophia the size of disney characters but were disappointed by puppets on strings like the muppets. Show was ok but not worth being squished, hot and in pain most the show :/
cool that must be so fun
Great list, we mostly agree. But Red Car Trolleys as a “top” attraction? Short, slow and boring. Even slower than the real thing used to be.
Our favorite for years has been Soarin’ which we go to twice a day when in CalAdv. Our new favorite may be Racers, but with the long wait times and closed fastpass (sold out early AM) we only managed to ride it twice in a week the only time we have visited since it opened. We rate Mator’s higher than you. If you watch faces while in line you will see that everyone on it ends up grinning even if they look grumpy when they get on. We never miss Aladdin.
I love it’s a bug’s life. I am 47 but can appreciate the effort that went into making you feel small like a bug and the attention to detail. It is so well done. Total Disney style to make you feel like you are somewhere other then where you are. Yes, the rides are for the smaller kiddo’s which I find awesome for them.
In my experience, A Bug’s Land offers some great rides for under-5’s without the long waits of DL Fantasyland. My 2 year old always looks forward to Heimlich’s and even his 6 year old cousin loves Flik’s. If you’re not traveling with small kids though, this area is nothing more than a walk-through. A Bug’s Land does offer a great water splash area on hot days, and when the line for Grizzly River surpasses 2 hours it makes for a nice detour.
Thanks for the feedback on the ‘a bug’s land’ attractions. Nice to hear from someone who has taken kids to it! 🙂
I have loved reading your blog! I have young children and we hit the Disney jr. Show at least twice while we are there, and I would give it an 8/10. The dancing with Disney is also a fun little secret. It is rarely busy and you get great interaction with Disney characters, even if they are the less popular ones. Thanks for all the tips and advice!
Thanks for the feedback on the kids shows!
The games of the boardwalk are also a must as well as the bakery tour!
Tom,
Great list but i have to disagree that California Screaming is the best Disney coaster in a US park. While it may look the best and be the most massive I found the ride to be not very thrilling at all. For me Expedition Everest is the best coaster in any US Disney park.
Really? I really enjoy Expedition Everest, and much prefer its theming, but I think Screamin’ is the better pure coaster.
Maybe it was because it looked so massive and awesome that the letdown of the ride for me killed the experience. The launch is great but the loops are just to wide to have any sense of thrill for me. I actually rate it #3 on my list.
My list:
1. Everest – best themed coaster and my favorite ride (US Parks only, never been to the others)
2. Rock n’ Roller Coaster – Launch, quick loops and the dark make up for the short ride
3. California Screaming- Boardwalk theme is really good and good launch but just ok after that for me.
4. Space Mountian Disneyland- The california version is was superior to the florida version. Better ride cars and sound add to the overall experience.
Love reading your columns! Thanks for sharing with us all.
I agree with all of your rankings. The Aladdin show is fantastic. We always make a point of seeing it when we visit. As parents of two young girls, we rank Playhouse Disney around an 8. Our girls love it, and we/parents love it during the summer during hot days when you can have a 20 minute break to sit in a dark, air conditioned room. I would rank the swings just a tad higher. It’s nice that there are tandem chairs on it so smaller kids can enjoy it too.
All in all, I have finally fallen in love with DCA. I thought it was terrible when it first opened. Since then, they have put a lot more money, time, and effort to really make it worth spending at least an entire day in, if not more, like we did.
Thanks for the feedback on Playhouse Disney. As for Silly Symphony Swings, we really enjoy it, but at the end of the day, it still is a lightly themed off-the-shelf swing ride. It would be nice if something more were done in the way of pre-show, queue, or something to give it a more themed feel.
We also now love DCA. It has become a great park.
I’d give “Disney Junior — Live on Stage!” a solid 7/10 for Ages 5-6 and under. It quickly loses stars over that age.
I think the swinging cars on Mickey’s Fun Wheel make it more than standard and I’d bump it up a couple points. (Incidentally, I think they misnamed the rides – it should be “Tower of Fun” and Mickey’s Wheel of Terror. I do not like ferris wheels!).
One thing you left out is the Dancing with Disney character dance party. It’s pretty fun and a nice way to see some rarer characters. I’d say 5/10.
Thanks for the feedback on Disney Junior. That score sounds about right based on what we’ve heard, and since we would score things relative to their intended audience and against other attractions in the category, we wouldn’t penalize Disney Junior for not appealing to us.
As to your name suggestions for Tower of Terror and Mickey’s Fun Wheel, those made me laugh out loud. Can’t say you’re wrong there!
We also left out the Phineas and Ferb roaming street party and a few other pieces of entertainment. They’re nice (or not nice in the case of P&F’s obnoxious dance party) diversions, but not “attractions” in my estimation.
Not sure including 75% of the attractions makes for a very editorially courageous list.
Personally, I’d include Monsters over Mermaid and Bug’s Life over Muppets. If you’re really going to go with the cream of the crop if would be:
Radiator Springs Racers
Soarin’
Toy Story
Tower
Aladdin
Turtle Talk
Muppets at DCA has been using digital projection since at least the debut of elecTRONica.
Wow…I guess I haven’t seen it since before then. I don’t know why I thought only DHS’ was updated. Thanks for the correction!
I was happy to see you included Silly Symphony Swings on this list. At first glance it may seem like any other swing ride, until you actually hop on and notice all of the ornate, hand painted details. You left out my absolute favorite though, the Animation Academy! If not just to sit in the air conditioned lobby for 20 minutes to relax and watch the animation loop on the walls.
Really…no Toy Story Mania?
Toy Story Midway Mania is on the list.