Let’s All Go to Disney California Adventure!
Okay, our virtual tour of Disney theme parks around the world is almost over.
To date, we’ve visited Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After we finished at Walt Disney World, we took a world tour, which was a fun one for me.
Last week, we switched to the West Coast and visited the Happiest Place on Earth. We only went halfway, though. Yes, it’s time for the final Disney theme park. Let’s all go to Disney California Adventure!
Starting the Day Right
Disney California Adventure (DCA) is the smallest park, which means that we’ll get to do everything that we want. Better yet, we won’t feel pressured to rush through everything. At DCA, it’s best to savor the sights.
We will start the day in the best possible way. We will enter the park from the unique entrance, the one we can access by staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
The downside of this strategy is that we don’t enter the park at Buena Vista Street. So, we’ll circle back there in a moment. For now, let’s embrace the majesty of Grizzly Peak. This scenic themed land is breathtaking.
The attraction here is spectacular, too. Let’s sail through Grizzly River Run!
Grizzly River Run
The best part of watching from home is that none of us got wet! While we’re here, we should appreciate the surrounding beauty. Let’s walk through Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Pretty impressive, right? Next, we’ll do the most popular attraction here, Soarin’ Around the World.
Soarin’ Around the World
That undoubtedly impressive, but we’re at DCA. We should ride the version that defined the park during its first decade. Yes, that’s ride Soarin’ Over California.
Soarin’ Over California
Nothing will ever top that for me, at least at DCA. I’m always so happy when they bring it back.
Mid-Morning to Mid-Afternoon Fun
Let’s take this opportunity to return to Buena Vista Street. It’s the main throughway for the park and always merits a stroll. Mainly, I want to stroll through the circle a couple of times.
In fact, let’s go ahead and grab an early lunch. We’re going into Carthay Circle! Ordinarily, it’s a dinner place with a dress code. However, this is all make-believe anyways. So, the restaurant will serve us lunch this one time!
Carthay Circle
Isn’t this place breathtaking? If you’ve never eaten here, it should definitely be on your bucket list.
Okay, now we’ve done something that’s theoretically impossible, let’s head to Hollywood Lane for a bit of fun. First stop: Mickey’s PhilharMagic, one of the newer attractions at DCA!
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Next, let’s visit a ride unique to DCA: Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
I actually prefer a modified version of the concept that’s at Tokyo Disneyland, though. It looks like this:
Still, DCA’s current ride is better than the original one in this building, the infamous disaster that was Superstar Limo:
Superstar Limo
Wasn’t that creepy? Let’s do something fun to help us forget. Who’s up for the Disney Junior Dance Party?
Disney Junior Dance Party
Okay, we’ve done a bunch of other stuff. Now, let’s do the thing that we all know is the reason we’re here. Yup, it’s time for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT
Just to appreciate what a masterpiece this ride is, let’s pick a different song:
You’re not imagining things. A couple of the movie clips are different. Imagineers mix them up depending on the song choice.
Mid-Afternoon into the Evening
Okay, we’ve had a great time, but we’re not to the good stuff yet. We’re heading to Cars Land! Let’s grab a caramel corn churro (don’t judge me!) and wander over there.
Caramel Corn Churro
We will start with the ridiculous/ridiculously fun Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree:
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Then, we will take a spin on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters:
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
And since we can do what we want, let’s compare it to Luigi’s Flying Tires:
Afterward, we will get to the main event. Yes, it’s time for Radiator Springs Racers!
Radiator Springs Racers
And just to be complete, let’s do both sides!
Okay, before we skip to the main event, let’s bounce around Paradise Gardens Park. We’ll start with one of my favorites, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Then, we’ll enroll at Goofy’s Sky School:
Goofy’s Sky School
The Grand Finale
Okay, now we’re ready to visit Pixar Pier. Let’s start with a drink at the Lamplight Lounge, which is hiding a secret menu!
Lamplight Lounge
From this place, we can look at what we’re doing next. Yes, it’s finally time for The Incredicoaster.
The Incredicoaster
Or maybe you’re old school? If so, we will roll back the clock to the days of California Screamin’!
California Screamin’
Both versions are phenomenal. Still, there are other Pixar-themed rides here. For example, we should check out Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind.
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
And Jessie’s Critter Carousel is quite charming:
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
Of course, I’m hyper-competitive, so I challenge you to a battle at Toy Story Mania!
Toy Story Mania
With the rides finished for the day, let’s teleport back to the hotel for some fine dining at Napa Rose:
Napa Rose
Okay, now that we’ve feasted like royalty, we should take a spin on the Pixar Pal-A-Round. Let’s join our friend, Prince Charming Dev, as he freaks out on his first ride:
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Finally, we should end our day at Disney California Adventure the right way. We should stroll around Pixar Pier at night, admiring the bright lights.
Pixar Pier
Then, we will watch everyone’s favorite show at DCA, World of Color.
World of Color
I’m amazed by the visuals on display at Disney California Adventure at night. It’s like a Crayola box come to life.
Okay, we’ve had a full day at DCA, and it’s time to go home. Here is our friend, Jenna, showing what the hotel room is like at the Grand Californian:
Grand Californian
Don’t you want to stay there tonight?
Well, that’s it for our virtual park visits. Don’t worry, though. I still have a couple of tricks up my sleeve for future virtual tours!