Original Dedication
“To all who believe in the power of dreams, welcome. Disney’s California Adventure opens its golden gates to you. Here we pay tribute to the dreamers of the past: the native people, explorers, immigrants, aviators, entrepreneurs and entertainers who built the Golden State. And we salute a new generation of dreamers who are creating the wonders of tomorrow, from the silver screen to the computer screen, from the fertile farmlands to the far reaches of space. Disney’s California Adventure celebrates the richness and the diversity of California… its land, its people, its spirit and, above all, the dreams that it continues to inspire.” Michael D. Eisner on February 8, 2001.
Rededication
“To all who come to this place of dreams, welcome. Disney California Adventure celebrates the spirit of optimism and the promise of endless opportunities, ignited by the imagination of daring dreamers such as Walt Disney and those like him who forever changed- and were forever changed by- The Golden State. This unique place embraces the richness and diversity of California… Its land, its people, its stories and, above all, the dreamers it continues to inspire.” Robert A. Iger on June 15, 2012.
Yes, Disney California Adventure has had two dedication speeches, the only Disney park in the world to have had two opening day ceremonies. Over the first eleven years that DCA was open, the park changed so much from its original design, that Bob Iger hosted a re-grand opening of the park to celebration all that was new. Since 2012, the park has changed further still and of the original lands that opened, not a single one still exists today.
DCA opened with Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Golden State, and Paradise Pier. Since then A Bug’s Land has come and gone, Cars Land opened, Sunshine Plaza has become Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Pictures Backlot has become Hollywood Land, Golden State has been split into Grizzly Peak and Pacific Wharf, and Paradise Pier has been split into Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park. Whew! That is a lot of changes.
Buena Vista Street
Welcome to Los Angeles, 1923! Buena Vista Street is the entrance land to Disney California Adventure and celebrates the year Walt Disney moved out west to follow his dream. Similar to other entrance lands of various Disney parks, Buena Vista Street is home to many dining and shopping locations. The Red Car Trolley is the only attraction along Buena Vista Street, though characters including Mickey, Minnie, and their friends host meet and greets. I love the 1920s inspired costumes for these characters!
Here guests can find specialty quick service locations such as Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe (DCA’s Starbucks location), Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream (which offers Mobile Order), and Mortimer’s Market (a fresh fruit stand near the entrance of the park.) All of these names are characters from some of Disney’s earliest cartoons. At the end of Buena Vista Street is the beautiful Carthay Circle Restaurant. This includes both the table service restaurant and the lounge inside the building. Check out a previous post I wrote dedicated entirely to the Carthay Circle, including the history of the original theatre where the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was held.
Hollywood Land
Down the way from Buena Vista Street is Hollywood Land. The Red Car Trolley rolls down this street as well, nicely tying the two themed lands together. The Disney Animation building is one of my favourite locations in DCA. This is home to the Sorcerer’s Workshop, Turtle Talk with Crush, the Animation Academy, and Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome where guests can meet the royalty of Arendelle. The main lobby features beautiful artwork rotating on large screens throughout the room of countless animated Disney films. Next door is the Disney Junior Dance Party featuring characters from Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and The Lion Guard. Sunset Showcase Theatre has recently reopened with Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3D show starring Donald Duck as he gets caught up in adventures throughout classic animated films. Frozen – Live at the Hyperion is an amazing one-hour Broadway-style show that plays three to five times a day. Check the times guide for specific show times. Frozen – Live at the Hyperion offers a dining package which includes a three-course meal at Carthay Circle and priority seating at the show.
Monsters, Inc. Mikey & Sulley to the Rescue is one of DCA’s only dark rides. Guests explore the city of Monstropolis and follow the story of Monsters, Inc. The big E-ticket attraction in Hollywood Land is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT. This thrilling drop tower attraction offers Fastpass and has a height requirement of 40 “ / 102 cm. However, a Marvel themed land will be opening in DCA right next door in 2020 and Guardians of the Galaxy will be considered part of that new land instead of Hollywood Land.
There are a number of quick service dining locations around Hollywood Land including Award Wieners, Fairfax Market, Studio Catering Co., Hollywood Lounge, and Schmoozies. Award Wieners is the only location to offer Mobile Ordering.
Cars Land
Cars Land is thought to be one of the most well-themed lands throughout the Disney parks, and I agree! I love stepping right into Radiator Springs – every little detail is spot on including the stop light! Yes, every third blink is actually slower!
Cars Land is home to the E-ticket attraction Radiator Springs Racers. This is the attraction to race to at rope drop. Radiator Springs Racers offers Fastpass, a single rider line, and has a height requirement of 40 “ / 102 cm. There are two other attractions in Cars Land: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a whip-ride and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters showcases trackless technology and guests ride in cars that dance to Italian music. Both rides have a height requirement of 32 “ / 81 cm.
There are three quick service dining locations in Cars Land. Fillmore’s Taste-In is a fruit stand near the front of the land. Flo’s V8 Café offers Mobile Ordering and is one of the best quick service locations in DCA. The Cozy Cone Motel is such a unique dining location that I have written an entire post about it. Check it out here! I highly recommend the Chili Cone Queso!
Pacific Wharf
This land is quite different than most Disney lands. As mentioned, it was part of the large Golden State for many years before being considered a land of its own. Therefore, there aren’t really any attractions here. There is the Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar which has rotating displays of what’s new and coming to the Disneyland Resort. There is also the Bakery Tour which shows how the Boudin famous sour dough is made.
This San Francisco themed land is home to many dining locations. A food court area has the Pacific Wharf Distribution Co., Rita’s Baja Blenders, Pacific Wharf Café, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, and Lucky Fortune Cookery. These last three quick services offer Mobile Ordering. A popular spot to duck into is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop for a free sample. Along the main parade route of DCA is Alfresco Tasting Terrace and Mendocino Terrace lounges. The Sonoma Terrace is a quick service location and Wine Country Trattoria is a table service location, which has really delicious complimentary bread service!
Grizzly Peak
In the centre of Disney California Adventure is Grizzly Peak, both the land and the mountain. Grizzly River Run is a raft ride through rapids and down waterfalls. The rafts spin so it’s completely random to just how wet guests will get. This attraction offers Fastpass, a single rider line, and has a height requirement of 42 “ / 107 cm. Another E-ticket attraction here is Soarin’ Around the World. This flight simulator offers Fastpass and has a height requirement of 40 “ / 102 cm. The showbuilding for Soarin’ Around the World is in a flight hanger and is set up as a museum with lots of information about aviation history. The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is geared towards children with playgrounds and trails to explore.
Close to Soarin’ Around the World is the quick service Smokejumpers Grill which offers Mobile Ordering.
Pixar Pier
Pixar Pier is home to the E-ticket attraction the Incredicoaster. This roller coaster themed to The Incredibles offers Fastpass, a singles riders line, and has a height requirement of 48 “ / 122 cm. Another popular attraction is the 3D shooting arcade game Toy Story Midway Mania which also offers Fastpass. The Pixar Pal-a-Round is a large Ferris wheel with both swinging and non-swinging gondolas. Choose wisely. Jessie’s Critter Carousel recently opened in Pixar Pier and the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind will open later this year. Games of Pixar Pier are various boardwalk games that require an additional fee to partake in and win prizes.
The theming of the dining locations around Pixar Pier are quite clever. There is the Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats themed from Monsters, Inc., Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums from Incredibles 2, Señor Buzz Churros from Toy Story 3, Poultry Palace from the Toy Story short Small Fry, and Angry Dogs from Inside Out (featuring the spicy Angry Dog and the not-as-spicy Slightly Annoyed Dog – I love this!) Lamplight Lounge is a very popular table service / lounge location. It is one of my favourite places to eat in DCA and I recommend making reservations in advance.
Paradise Gardens Park
Across from Pixar Pier is Paradise Gardens Park. Goofy’s Sky School is a wild mouse roller coaster which offers Fastpass, a single rider lane, and has a height requirement of 42 “/ 107 cm. The Silly Symphony Swings (ironically themed to the Mickey Mouse short The Band Concert, not a Silly Symphony) and the Jumpin’ Jellyfish both have a height requirement of 40 “ / 102 cm. Nearby is the Golden Zephyr spinner. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a dark ride and one of my favourites.
DCA’s nighttime spectacular is World of Color. This water and projection show features scenes from both live action and animated Disney films. The best way to view World of Color is to collect a Fastpass for it early in the day, or reserve a dining package at either Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria. Both restaurants offer lunch or dinner reservations.
The dining locations around Paradise Gardens Park are Bayside Brews, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Garden Grill, and Corn Dog Castle. The last two locations offer Mobile Ordering.
Check out these other Quick Guides to the Disney Parks!
I love California adventure! I feel like it is so underrated!
Me too! It’s one of my favourite parks!
I was just there for one day. I am now plotting to get back for a few more! Love it.
I hope I get to go there someday! The west coast seems so far away! LOL!