Best Rides at California Adventure
All throughout high school and even for a year or two in college I was lucky enough to have an annual pass to Disneyland. And you better believe I made regular use of it! It’s where I spent a solid number of Friday nights during the school year and an endless number of weekdays when school was out. The most EPIC way to spend a day off from school was to go to the beach AND go on the best rides at California Adventure and Disneyland in the same day. (Something I *definitely* didn’t do on senior ditch day). It was normal to me then, but I look back now and recognize what a huge perk it was to grow up near Orange County in Southern California!
My trips to Disneyland aren’t as frequent these days as they once were as an annual pass holder. But I’ve been enough times since then to say I’ve seen the Disney parks (Disneyland and California Adventure) change in some ways and remain the same in others. And I still have an opinion on what I consider the best rides at the Disney parks! This is my list of what I consider the best rides at California Adventure:
Highest Priority of the Best Rides at California Adventure:
Radiator Springs Racers (Cars ride)
It’s probably the most popular ride at California Adventure! Riders sit in cars similar to those seen in the movie and follow the story of Lightning McQueen and his friends in Radiator Springs. It ends with a race against the car in the lane next to you. If you go on this ride at least twice, you may get lucky and get to experience Luigi giving you new tires before the race, AND Ramon giving you a new paint job before the race. It’s always one or the other.
Soarin’ Over California
It’s such a creative ride and immersive experience. Your feet dangle from the air as you “hang glide” through various destinations in California. The SMELLS are amazing, too.
Incredicoaster
It’s a classic roller coaster ride and the Incredibles theme adds to the fun.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
It’s a fun interactive ride that involves “shooting” toy cannonballs at Toy Story themed targets. Your score is tallied as you go, so it’s fun to try and win against your friends and family.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Rocket helps you and the Guardians of the Galaxy break out of Tivan’s collection. It has a lot of unexpeted ups and downs, and freefall drops. While waiting in line, make sure to look for Harold, the abominable snowman. He lived in the Matterhorn ride from 1978 until his replacement in 2015.
Medium Priority of the Best Rides at California Adventure:
Monsters, Inc.
It tells the fun story of Mike, Sully, and Boo.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
You sit in a fun “Cars” style car and become part of a choreographed performance.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
You go for a spin in small tractors while Mater so lovingly serenades you.
Web Slingers (Spider-Man)
It’s an interactive ride where you wave your hands to “sling your webs” at the spider bots on screen.
Grizzly River Run
It’s a water rafting ride down a California river. You will get wet!
Lowest Priority of the Best Rides at California Adventure:
Goofy’s Sky School
It’s a slightly jerky coaster ride where Goofy teaches you how to fly.
The Little Mermaid
You ride in a colorful clamshell and watch the story of “The Little Mermaid” unfold.
Pixar Pal-A-Round
It’s a ferris wheel with both swinging and non swinging cars. The swinging cars are the funnest.
Silly Symphony Swings
It’s a classic swing, carnival type ride.
And those make up the best rides at California Adventure! Make sure to check out my list of the best rides at Disneyland, as well.
The Disney parks are a special place, and experiencing the rides, shows, character meet and greets and more will be a wonderful experience for you. Enjoy your time at the most magical place on earth, and safe travels, friends.
CE
