No planned visit to Disney California Adventure is complete without California Adventure ride guide of all its attractions!
The second of 2 theme parks to open at Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure is the youngest Disney theme park in the United States. It’s also the theme park with the most recent updates, including Avenger’s Campus and San Fransokyo Square. With all that Disney California Adventure has to offer, it’s no surprise that the rides there are on par with its theming.
Disney California Adventure is one of my absolute favorite Disney theme parks to visit – ever. We frequent the Disney parks often and understand the ins and outs of each ride and attraction so that you can have a magical time at Disney.
This is your ultimate guide to every ride and attraction at Disney California Adventure.
Important Details to Know About Rides at California Adventure
Table of Contents
Knowing some simple-but-important details about the rides at Disneiy California Adventure is key to a magical vacation.
In this guide, you’ll find a understanding of each ride’s storytelling. You’ll also learn what type of guest will enjoy each ride and what type of guest might want to skip it. Next, you’ll learn which rides offer specific access options such as single rider or Lightning Lane service. Finally, you’ll learn each ride’s height requirement in order to understand if you and your group can ride together.
The following guide has each of these bits of information to make understanding the rides at Lightning Lane easier.
Before jumping into each Lightning Lane ride, let’s briefly cover several ride access options you can expect to see.
Rider Switch Options
Guests have the option of using Rider Switch, which is popular among families with kiddos who can’t or don’t want to ride a particular ride.
With the Rider Switch option, 1 person stays with the non-rider while the other responsible party (age 14 and up) and accompanying guests (up to 2) enjoy the attraction. Once finished, they can switch riders in order to experience the same attraction without having to wait again in the queue.
Rider Switch is a great way to ensure that anyone can ride without worrying about their younger kiddo!
Useful Tools for Reduced Wait Times: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass
More prevalent across the Disney World theme parks is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass – both paid services that allow you to make attraction “reservations” through the My Disney Experience mobile app.
A complete replacement of the FastPass+ service from years past, Lightning Lane Multi Pass gives guests specific return-times to ride multiple attractions throughout the day. On the other hand, the Lightning Lane Single Pass, allows you to purchase individual reservations for the most in-demand rides and attractions.
Both of these tools, when used strategically, allow you to experience a high number of rides and attractions you otherwise couldn’t do on a busy Disney park day.
Virtual Queue System
Disney has utilized the virtual queue system for its newest and most popular attractions instead of a standby queue.
Virtual queues allow for improved crowd control, creating a better guest experience. It also helps cut down on wait times so you can enjoy more rides and attractions during your visit.
Note however that if a ride uses a virtual queue, there is no standby queue available for that same ride.
Disney California Adventure Ride Guide: Rides by Area
If you compared Disney California Adventure when it opened to how it is today, you would barely recognize it.
Every area in Disney California Adventure went through some change since 2001. From the merging of areas to re-theming of rides to complete rebuilding of themed lands, you’ll come to wonder which areas aren’t new. In fact, there aren’t many of the original rides left from opening day.
Let’s go over each themed area and their respective rides and attractions in our Disney California Adventure ride guide.
Buena Vista Street
Your first steps into Disney California Adventure Park will take you back in time to Los Angeles streets in the 1920s.
Walking down Buena Vista Street, you’ll see how Los Angeles looked back when Walt Disney would have seen it when he arrived with only a suitcase and a dream!
Let’s go over the main attraction along Buena Vista Street.
Red Car Trolley
Red Car Trolley let’s you take a memorable glide down Buena Vista Street in style.
There are four locations to board and disembark:
- Buena Vista Street near the Main Entrance
- Carthay Circle across from Carthay Circle Restaurant
- Hollywood Boulevard near the Disney Animation Building
- Sunset Boulevard past the Hyperion Theater
Skip If: You’re in a hurry to get to your next ride. Red Car Trolley is not a fast attraction by any means. In fact, walking would be faster. However, it’s not the speed or time-saving factors that make this ride exciting. It’s the nostalgia of of 1920’s Los Angeles.
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: Ride early in the morning if you can. This way, you’ll have a better chance to board the trolley. Otherwise, hop aboard the trolley at the end of its route next to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Here, lines tend to be shorter.
Hollywood Land
Moving forward in time, Hollywood Land is inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s.
Designed like a backlot set, Hollywood Land houses several rides themed around movie moments coming to life.
Let’s go over the rides and attractions in Hollywood land.
Disney Animation Building
Inside this massive building, you can immerse yourself in Disney music and movies that play on giant screens that surround you.
Inside Disney Animation Building are several attractions worth visiting:
- Animation Academy: Here, you can learn how to draw beloved Disney characters from a Disney animator! There is plenty of seating for this attraction, so there’s no need to be first in line to enter. Also, make sure to check the sign outside Animation Academy, as it has the schedule listing the times and characters to be drawn during your visit
- Sorcerer’s Workshop: This attraction is a hidden gem. In the Magic Mirror Realm, you can learn the “tricks” of the animator
‘s art and how they turn still images into the illusion of motion. It’s also interactive, as you can sketch your own scene and see it come to life! - Turtle Talk with Crush: This is an interactive encounter with Crush from Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo. You can ask all of your burning questions about Crush’s life as a sea turtle, and Crush will chat live with you as he offers up his often hilarious answers.
Skip If: It’s difficult to find a reason to skip this area. Even if you choose not to participate in any of the interactive attractions, the Disney Animation Building is worth a visit.
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: Come to the Animation Building as a mid-day break from the crowds to enjoy these slower-paced experiences and activities!
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Mickey’s PhilharMagic fully immerses you into the world of your favorite Disney animated films.
In this 12 minute 4D experience, Donald tries to steal the show from Mickey’s Orchestra. Instead, we follow the hysterical mischief that Donald gets himself into as we go on a magical trip through many of our favorite Disney films.
From “Be Our Guest” in Beauty and the Beast to “Un Poco Loco” in Coco, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is an attraction that’s perfect for the entire family.
Skip If: You don’t do well with 3D shows
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: Don’t expect long waits for this attraction as Mickey’s PhilharMagic runs constantly throughout the day
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
If you’re fans of the Pixar animated feature Monsters, Inc., this ride is definitely for you.
On this indoor dark ride, you’ll climb aboard a yellow cab that takes you through Monstropolis to help Mike and Sulley return Boo back to her bedroom. And then at the end of the ride, look out for Roz, who just might call you out!
Skip If: You or your kiddos are afraid of the dark
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: The afternoons tend to see long wait times. However, the Buddy Pass is a great way to skip the line since it allows two riders together to fill the remaining spots in the ride vehicles.
Avengers Campus
Calling all Marvel fans: Avengers Campus is bound to get you excited with its superhero meet-and-greets and incredible rides.
So the story goes, the Avengers set up a new headquarters to allow for exchange of knowledge and technology around the globe. That way, they can empower and inspire all potential recruits willing to step up and become heroes.
Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure is 1 of 2 headquarters around the world – the second one in Disneyland Paris.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Not for the faint of heart, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! brings you high up into the air just to be dropped into a free fall.
So the story goes, Taneleer Tivan (AKA The Collector) brought his unique collection of items from across the galaxy to earth for the very first time. He’s offering to show you his newest acquisition: The Guardians of the Galaxy.
However, Rocket has other ideas.
With your help and one of Star-Lord’s awesome mixtapes, you’ll use the gantry lift to destroy the fortress’ energy source, causing chaos – but more importantly, allowing the Guardians to escape.
Skip If: You or your kiddos are afraid of drop tower rides. It’s worth noting though, that this ride is much different than traditional drop tower rides since it features 1 of 6 dance-worthy songs during your ride
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)
Tip: If you want to get a good on-ride photo, you might want to ask for the front row in case people in front of you raise their hands and block your face
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Get ready for an intense arm workout on this fun, interactive ride!
This adventure alongside the amazing Spider-Man puts you in the middle of the action. On this ride, you’ll help Spider-Man stop rampaging robots (built by none-other-than Peter Parker) before they wreak havoc across Avengers Campus. How you ask?
You’ll shoot in a web-slinging motion to web the bots and compete with others in your vehicle for the highest score.
Skip If: You don’t do well with 3D interactive rides such as Toy Story Midway Mania!
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: For more points, keep an eye out for elements in the background like doors or levers. Target these, and they could enable you to score more points. There are also specific bots that give you the highest amount of points. Here are the type of bots you’ll encounter in ascending order, from least amount of points to most amount of points:
- Red/Blue bots
- Green bots
- Red bots
- Blue bots
- Gold bots
Cars Land
In Cars Land, Walt Disney Imagineers literally made it possible for you to walk straight into the world of the Pixar animated feature Cars.
There’s no amount of online photos or walk-through videos that do this land justice. The amazing amount of detail in this land will transport you right to Radiator Springs. Cars Land is an absolute must-visit when going to Disney California Adventure.
Let’s go over the different rides in Cars Land.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
This ride has you sitting, spinning, twirling in colorful miniature cars.
On this trackless ride, you’ll join Luigi and his family as they perform traditional “dances” from the old country. Each of Luigi’s cousins sports distinctive dance moves and design elements to match their unique personalities.
This ride is a fun one for everyone in the family!
Skip If: You tend to get motion sickness from spinning rides
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 32″ (81cm)
Tip: To avoid long waits, make sure to ride early in the day. However, one of the best times to ride is at night, when the lights are on – it truly feels like a party!
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Board one of Mater’s tractor-trailers as they square dance around each other to some fun hillbilly tunes.
This square dancing tractor party is full of music, laughs, and outright fun. Hang on tight as you are whipped around the track!
Skip If: You tend to get motion sickness from spinning rides. Additionally, much like Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this ride can sometimes whip you around, squishing you and your riding partner
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 32″ (81cm)
Tip: Don’t be fooled if the line looks long. This ride has 2 tracks, so even if the line looks long, it moves fast!
Radiator Springs Racers
Radiator Springs Racers is to this day one of the most popular rides at Disney California Adventure.
Using the same high-speed, flat-track ride system used at EPCOT’s Test Track and Tokyo DisneySea’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, Radiator Springs Racers starts out with a leisurely drive through Ornament Valley before entering Radiator Springs at nighttime. After a series of encounters with the Sheriff, Mater, and other recognizable characters, Lightning McQueen and Sally help prepare you for your big race: a head-to-head battle with other Disneyland guests.
As soon as Luigi and Guido drop the green flag, your race through Ornament Valley is on!
Skip If: You’re sensitive to motion sickness. It’s important to note that there is a launch sequence toward the end of this ride, when you race the car next to you
Access: Lightning Lane Single Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)
Tip: The line for this ride tends to be long no matter how busy the park is. We recommend utilizing the Single Rider line before purchasing Individual Lightning Lane entry.
Pixar Pier
Home to Pixar-themed rides and attractions, Pixar Pier is the largest part of Disney California Adventure.
Full of several dining locations, character meet-and-greets, and midway-style games, Pixar Pier is bound to have you excited – especially if you’re a Pixar fan.
Let’s go over the different rides in Pixar Pier.
Incredicoaster
Incredicoaster is an Incredibles-themed coaster takes you on a mad dash to catch Jack-Jack as he wreaks havoc throughout Pixar Pier.
This steel launch rollercoaster follows your favorite family of supers as they chase the chaos-causing Jack-Jack. During the ride, he teleports from tunnel to tunnel, replicates, turns into slime, and even turns into a flaming baby!
And unlike other rollercoasters at Disneyland Resort like Space Mountain, Incredicoaster is faster, has a loop, and a launch sequence to give more thrill to guests.
Skip If: You’re new to roller coasters or sensitive to motion sickness. There are several drops, 1 loop, and a launch sequence that may not be suitable to those with motion sickness sensitivities
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 48″ (122cm)
Tip: You can request a certain row when you reach the front of the line. Be aware though that you may need to wait longer for it.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
This carnival-style 4D ride stars our favorite Toy Story characters as you compete with your party for the highest score!
On this ride, you’ll take a seat in a swiveling carnival car and twirl through the world of toys as you hit targets with your Spring-Action Launcher. You’ll shoot at targets with projectiles like virtual darts, baseballs, eggs, and more while encountering favorite Toy Story characters.
This ride is very popular though, so don’t be surprised if its wait times are long!
Skip If: You’re sensitive to motion sickness. This ride involves the use of 3D glasses and spinning and twirling.
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: You can hit secret targets to reveal Easter eggs worth even more points!
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Climb aboard a Pixar-themed gondola that brings you 150 feet into the sky!
Pixar Pal-A-Round offers stunning views of Disney California Adventure. This Pixar take on a classic Ferris wheel adventure gives you 2 ways to ride:
- Non-Swinging: this involves a stationary gondola – your typical Ferris wheel-type ride
- Swinging: this gondola glides on an interior rail as the entire Ferris wheel turns
Skip If: You or your kiddos are afraid of heights. You should also consider skipping the swinging gondolas if you’re sensitive to motion sickness
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: This is a slow-loading attractions, and we recommend riding this early in the day
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
This Toy Story-themed take on a traditional carousel stars Jessie and her favorite critter pals from her wild west adventures.
Hop aboard a cute desert critter from the world of Woody’s Roundup for a rootin’, tootin’ romp.
You and your kiddos will be sure to have one heck-of-a time!
Skip If: You or your kiddos don’t have any interest in riding a carousel ride. I must admit though, as a Disney adult, I still enjoy this ride from time to time!
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: To minimize your wait time, we recommend riding before noon as this ride can get busy in the middle of the day
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
This Inside Out themed ride lets you tap into Riley’s emotions inside her mind’s Headquarters.
This family-friendly ride features the 5 emotions from Inside Out: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. You’ll hop aboard 1 of 8 Memory Movers, each uniquely colored to represent 1 of Riley’s emotions.
You’ll then fly around in a circle, surrounded by glowing recollections of Riley’s memories!
Skip If: You or your kiddos are sensitive to motion sickness. This ride involves light spinning
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: We recommend riding at night, when the shelves full of Riley’s emotions are more well-lit and vibrant
Paradise Gardens
Inspired by West Coast seaside amusement parks, Paradise Gardens Park covers the area opposite of Pixar Pier.
Let’s go over the rides and attractions in Paradise Gardens Park.
Silly Symphony Swings
Inspired by the 1935 cartoon “The Band Concert,” Silly Symphony Swings is a Disney take on a classic swing ride.
Taking from the 1935 cartoon “The Band Concert” where Mickey continues conducting an orchestra even as a tornado whisks them away, you’ll get swept off your feet and into the air as you wheel above it all.
As you spin over the park, the same music featured in the cartoon, “William Tell Overture,” plays.
Skip If: You or your kiddos are sensitive to motion sickness. This ride involves continuous spinning, which may make you dizzy!
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)
Tip: If you’re looking for a great quiet place to take a break during the day, go to the ground level of Silly Symphony Swings. You’ll find find one of our favorite secret spots at Disneyland: a deck that has a beautiful view over the water!
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Perfect for the kiddos, this ride will take you high into the sky above Paradise Bay.
Geared more towards children 10 years and under, Jumpin’ Jellyfish gives you some of the best views of Pixar Pier.
Before you know it, you’re bouncing up and down back to the ground.
Skip If: You or your kiddos are afraid of heights
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)
Tip: Whether the line is long or short, it’s slow-moving.
Goofy’s Sky School
As with any ride that involves Goofy, expect to laugh with fear and excitement along the way!
On this coaster-style ride, you’ll soar high and learn to fly the Goofy way. This ride takes you 3 stories in the air in a flight-training vehicle that soars along a thin track, twisting and turning, with stomach-turning drops.
It’s a fun wild mouse-style roller coaster!
Skip If: You or your kiddos don’t do well with jerky rides. Unlike more thrilling coasters like Incredicoaster that tend to be smoother, Goofy’s Sky School has several sharp turns
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 42″ (107cm)
Tip: Be prepared to board and disembark quickly since the ride vehicle continues to move during the boarding process. We also recommend leaving your backpacks with someone because there is very little storage space on the ride
Golden Zephyr
On Golden Zephyr, you’ll soar high in the sky in a gleaming retro spaceship inspired by science fiction stories of the 1920s.
The sleek galactic gondola gives you an unforgettable blast to the past.
As you ascend into the sky and rotate around the ornate red toward, you’ll get breathtaking views of Disney California Adventure.
Skip If: You or your kiddos are sensitive to motion sickness. This ride involves continuous spinning, which may make you dizzy!
Access: None (other than standby queue)
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: Lines move fast for this ride since each spaceship can fit up to 12 people. However, the ride does shut down if the winds pick up
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Go on a journey under the sea for a whimsical musical adventure with your favorite Disney mermaid.
On this ride, you’ll step aboard your very own clam shell in this Little Mermaid ride. You’ll see some of the iconic scenes from the movie and hear favorite songs along the way like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Skip If: It’s difficult to find a reason to skip this slow moving, air-conditioned dark ride. Even if you or your kiddos don’t have much interest in The Little Mermaid, it’s a great way to take a mid-day break!
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Height Requirements: Any Height
Tip: Wait times tend to be low throughout the day. However, we recommend riding mid-day, when the California temperatures reach its highest point. On this ride, you can take advantage of the cool air conditioning!
Grizzly Peak
Designed to look like a typical Californian National Park found in the 1950s, Grizzly Peak has remnants of the original Disney California Adventure.
Here, you’ll find 3 rides and attractions that tend to be popular among guests.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
This fun explorers’ dream trail offers many unique and exciting opportunities for the whole family.
Along the way, you can explore, climb, swing, and play during a wilderness adventure. Explore a trail filled with rock walls to climb, glide down rock structures, walk across rope bridges; and more!
Skip If: You’re short on time and want to prioritize other rides and attractions around Disneyland Resort
Access: None
Height Requirements: Any Height except:
- Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb: Guests must be at least 42″ (106cm)
- Hoot n’ Holler Log Slides: Guests must be at least 32″ (81cm)
- Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower: Guests must be between 42″ (106cm) and 63″ (160cm) and must be 12 years old or younger
Tip: While this area is fun, it does get crazy with little kids running all over the place. Keep a close eye on your children because there are so many places they can hide
Grizzly River Run
This thrilling whitewater raft adventure splashes you down a roaring California river deep in the mountains.
Don’t let the beauty of the terrain fool you in this fast-moving, heart-pounding rapids ride! This circular 8-person raft takes you along a lazy river before rumbling up to the top of Grizzly Peak. Brace yourself for an exhilarating descent down Grizzly River!
There is no telling where you will end up, but know one thing…you will definitely get wet!
Skip If: You or your kiddos are sensitive to motion sickness. This ride tends to spin a lot and bump into other rafts along the way. You should also consider skipping this ride or purchasing a poncho to use – you’re almost guaranteed to get soaked
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 42″ (107cm)
Tip: Especially when the weather gets warm, the wait times for this ride get long
Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin’ Around the World sends you on an a hang gliding flight over the wonders of the world.
This ride, described as a thrilling simulation ride with an IMAX screen, gives you a realistic feel of what it’s like to glide over sweeping landscapes from all over the world. Using a ride system developed inside Walt Disney Imagineering’s warehouse, you get a one-of-a-kind ride experience seen only at other Disney them parks around the world.
You’ll encounter places like the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, and much more with soaring music.
Skip If: You or your kiddos are sensitive to motion sickness or are afraid of heights. This ride sends you up into the air with your feet dangling and up-and-close to an IMAX domed screen. Depending on where you sit, your view may be distorted due to the curved screen
Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch
Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)
Tip: The front center row is by far the best seat in the house (Row 1 Concourse B). You are high above the other “gliders” and have a completely constructed view during the ride!
Now, which ride or attraction are you most excited for on your next visit to Disney California Adventure?
Need help planning your next California Adventure day? Make sure to check out our guide on how to plan your California Adventure Day!