Theme Park Insider

Disney's California Adventure reviews

Written by
Theme Park Insider Editor
Posted: June 3, 2011

Disney California Adventure is the second theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The park's in the middle of a billion-dollar renovation project, so expect to see construction throughout.

Your first stop in the morning should be to get a FastPass reservation for the World of Color light show in the evening. Or you can skip that step and still get a reserved seat for World of Color by booking a dinner package. Call 714-781-DINE or visit Disney's website.

On June 3, 2011, the park's first musical dark ride, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure, debuted. Make that an early stop in the day this summer if you have any Little Mermaid fans in the family.

Other highlights in the park include Toy Story Midway Mania, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Soarin' Over California. In 2012, Cars Land will debut in the middle of park, highlighted by the high-speed Radiator Springs Racers ride.

Disney California Adventure is open every day of the year, though often with shorter hours than Disneyland. Check Disney's website for those hours, and to buy tickets in advance. You can get driving directions to Disney California Adventure on our Google Map of America's top theme parks.

Scroll down to links for Theme Park Insider readers' reviews of Disney California Adventure attractions and restaurants. Or search our archives for more news about Disney California Adventure.

Photo of Disney's California Adventure

See all photos | Submit Photo

Readers' Tips for Visiting Disney's California Adventure

[1160 + / 203 -] If it is hot, or crowded, go sit in the Tiki Room... A great place to cool down and rest the feet.

[310 + / 48 -] 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.

[265 + / 117 -] 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!

Where to stay at Disneyland

Readers' reviews:

Attractions
A Bug's Land(Rating)(Height)
It's Tough to Be a Bug8
Flik's Flyers7
Francis' Ladybug Boogie6
Heimlich's Chew Chew Train6
Tuck & Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies536
Cars Land(Rating)(Height)
Radiator Springs Racers
Luigi's Flying Tires
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
Golden State(Rating)(Height)
Soarin' Over California940
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar9
Grizzly River Run842
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail8
Hollywood Pictures Backlot(Rating)(Height)
Aladdin9
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror940
Turtle Talk with Crush8
Disney Animation8
Disney Junior: Live on Stage8
Monsters, Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue7
Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3D7
Red Car Trolley
Paradise Pier(Rating)(Height)
World of Color9
California Screamin'948
Toy Story Midway Mania9
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure8
Goofy's Sky School8
Silly Symphony Swings7
King Triton's Carousel7
Mickey's Fun Wheel7
Jumpin' Jellyfish740
Golden Zephyr7

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining
Buena Vista Street(Rating)
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Golden State(Rating)
Pacific Wharf Cafe8
Lucky Fortune Cookery8
Cocina Cucamonga7
Taste Pilot's Grill7
Wine Country Trattoria6
Ghirardelli Cafe
Hollywood Pictures Backlot(Rating)
Award Wieners6
Paradise Pier(Rating)
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta9
Corn Dog Castle9
Paradise Garden Grill8
Ariel's Grotto5

[Add a missing restaurant]

Now in paperback! Stories from a Theme Park Insider
"Stories from a Theme Park Insider" includes 40 fun stories about life working at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, in a feel-good book any theme park fan will love. Order a copy today in paperback, or as an eBook from Amazon or Apple!

Search Theme Park Insider

News, Video and Photo Updates

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS Newsfeed E-mail Newsletter

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States Top 10 *

International parks

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Top Roller Coasters

Top Theme Park Shows

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2012

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

2011

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2010

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive