ORDER.FLIGHTS

Combine the magic of Disney with the best that California has to offer and the result is Disney California Adventure, a theme park that celebrates the California in style. When you enter the gates of this park, you are transported to the land of promise, opportunity and glamour. Disney California Adventure is a journey from the California of yesterday to today and a tribute to this land of dreams. You can ride the Red Car Trolley in 1920s Los Angeles, take a raft down the rapids with a mining company on Grizzly Peak, travel down Route 66 or brave a white knuckled roller coaster in a seaside amusement park...the sights and sounds are inspired by the rich history of this majestic state.

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1. California Screamin' - Tear through the air aboard this high-speed thrill ride that recalls the great wooden roller coasters of yesteryear! 

2. Grizzly River Run - A thrilling whitewater raft adventure that takes you roaring down a California river in the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

3. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure - Pack your dinglehoppers, tune up your snarfblatts and journey under the sea to be part of Ariel's world. 

4. Mickey's Fun Wheel - Sail up and over the beaming face of Mickey Mouse aboard this spin-sational Ferris wheel. 

5. Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters - Buckle up - you’re in for a lively ride when these Italian imports roll, reel an’ kick up their wheels in Cars Land! 

6. Golden Zephyr - Soar high in the sky in a gleaming silver spaceship inspired by the science fiction stories of the 1920s. 

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Simple Tips:

Plan ahead

We’re not saying you should plan your day to the minute—that’s not fun for anyone—but keep in mind that there are over 50 attractions between the two parks, and that doesn’t even count shows, shops and restaurants. It’s a lot to manage, so we suggest adding a bit of structure to your day: Are there any parades or nighttime shows you want to see? Do you have dinner reservations? Which FastPasses should you get first? These are all timely events that you should absolutely build your day around. In general, a little bit of research is always a good idea. If your entire trip hinges on a certain ride, make sure to check theconstruction schedule. If dinner at Blue Bayou is a must, for example, make reservations online (up to 60 days in advance). Have a toddler with you? Make sure to check the ride height requirements. Just remember not to get too attached to your plans: Rides break down, lines swell and Disney doesn’t control the weather, so make sure to have a backup itinerary.

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Fastpass early, Fastpass often

Even on a cold, rainy February weeknight (paradise when it comes to crowd levels) you’ll still inevitably face the most despicable of all Disneyland rituals: waiting in line. Enter FastPass, Disney’s free, ride time reservation system, and your best bet at avoiding lines. The short of it is these passes (available at some of the parks' most popular attractions) are stamped with a specific return time that’ll allow you to hop on a separate, express line. You’ll have to board the ride within the hour window printed on the ticket, and, generally, you can only hold one FastPass at a time; you can only get a new one after two hours or the start of your return window, whichever comes first. Maximizing your time becomes a numbers game, and it’s one you should absolutely play.

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Timing is everything

So you know what you want to do, but when is just as important. Here are a few helpful timing tips:

Arrive early. Lines are shortest in the morning because, let's face it, who wants to wake up that early? You do.

• If you can stay awake for a few extra hours, the late showings of Fantasmic and World of Color are significantly less crowded.

• The classic, kid-friendly Fantasyland attractions like Peter Pan can become insanely crowded in the afternoon. You’ll find the shortest waits first thing in the morning; alternatively, going during a daytime parade offers a slight relief from the crowd crunch.

• Just about everything is less crowded during the Disneyland fireworks (except for Fantasyland and Toon Town attractions, which close during the show).

• If you're tall or not too concerned about finding the perfect spot, don't waste more than twenty minutes or so lining up for fireworks or a parade.

• The attractions around New Orleans Square and Frontierland are least crowded during Fantasmic—but get in line right as the show ends and you’re in for a world of pain.

• The rides don’t close at park closing, rather the entrance to the line does. So at one minute before closing, hop on that last ride.

• That said, everyone flocks to Space Mountain at the very end of the night.

• The shops on Main Street and Buena Vista Street stay open for an hour after closing, so save that ice cream cone and souvenir shopping until after hours. Or stop at World of Disney in Downtown Disney to find everything in one spot.