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Disney's California Adventure

Anaheim, California

Last edited by Robert Niles
Location: Disney's California Adventure is part of the Disneyland Resort, located just off I-5 in Anaheim, California, one hour south of downtown Los Angeles. You can get driving directions by clicking the Disneyland link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: California Adventure opened in February 2001, as part of a billion-dollar makeover of the Disneyland Resort.

A high-speed auto ride, Radiator Springs Racers, will debut in 2012 as part of a new Pixar-themed 'Cars Land.' The Paradise Pier area will see a Little Mermaid themed ride in 2011 and the World of Color nighttime show in 2010. In addition, Mulholland Madness will be renamed Goofy's Sky School in 2011. The changes are part of a billion-dollar-plus revamp of the park that will see additional Disney-animation and Pixar-themed attractions added to the park, as well as a makeover of the park's front entrance.

Hours: http://disneyland.disney.go.com. Disney's California Adventure rarely sees capacity crowds -- only when neighboring Disneyland shuts its gates due to overcrowding, such as on the Fourth of July and afternoons between Christmas and the Rose Bowl Game.

Tickets: Order online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park. If you live in Southern California, read our advice on whether you should buy a Disneyland Resort annual pass.

Strategy: Try Theme Park Insider's Four Hour Tour for Disney's California Adventure.

Theme Park Insider Discussion Board: Reader trip reports, reviews, questions and discussions about Disney's California Adventure

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Readers' Tips for Visiting Disney's California Adventure

[833 + / 128 -] If it is hot, or crowded, go sit in the Tiki Room... A great place to cool down and rest the feet.

[235 + / 37 -] Riding the steam train to the Main Street station can be a great way to get out of the park when Main Street and the hub in front of the castle are packed during parades and fireworks.

[195 + / 71 -] The best time to go to Disneyland is the week after Thanksgiving till the week before Christmas. Its themed for the holidays and has the lowest attendance!

Disneyland Hotels

Readers' Opinions

Attractions

A Bug's Land(Rating)(Height)
It's Tough to Be a Bug8
Flik's Flyers5
Heimlich's Chew Chew Train5
Tuck & Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies442
Francis' Ladybug Boogie4
Cars Land(Rating)(Height)
Radiator Springs Racers
Luigi's Flying Tires
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
Golden State(Rating)(Height)
Soarin' Over California940
Grizzly River Run842
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail642
Hollywood Pictures Backlot(Rating)(Height)
Aladdin9
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror940
Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3D8
Disney Animation Studio8
Monsters, Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue7
Playhouse Disney6
Paradise Pier(Rating)(Height)
World of Color9
Toy Story Midway Mania9
California Screamin'948
Mickey's Silly Symphony Swings8
Maliboomer752
Mulholland Madness742
Mickey's Fun Wheel7
King Triton's Carousel6
Jumpin' Jellyfish540
Golden Zephyr5
S.S. Rustworthy4
Goofy's Sky School
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Adventure

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining

A Bug's Land(Rating)
Bountiful Valley Farmers Market6
Golden State(Rating)
Lucky Fortune Cookery9
Cocina Cucamonga7
Pacific Wharf Cafe7
Wine Country Trattoria7
Taste Pilot's Grill7
Hollywood Pictures Backlot(Rating)
Award Wieners5
Paradise Pier(Rating)
Ariel's Grotto6
Pizza Oom Mow Mow6
Paradise Garden Grill
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Sunshine Plaza(Rating)
Baker's Field Bakery8

[Add a missing restaurant]

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