Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort

UPDATED November 15, 2024

Disney California Adventure opened on February 8, 2001, joining Disneyland park to become the second park at Disneyland Resort.

Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure invites you to “Watch favorite stories come to life before your eyes” in eight themed lands: Buena Vista Street, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens, San Fransokyo Square, Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, Cars Land, and Disneyland Resort’s NEWEST land, Avengers Campus!

Lands & Attractions

Though Disney California Adventure did not open until 2001 (and is therefore quite young, especially in comparison to the wonderfully classic Disneyland park, which opened in 1955), the park has already undergone a fairly significant transformation.

Disney California Adventure

As we explore the lands, keep in mind that Pixar Pier (previously Paradise Pier) opened in 2018, and Cars Land debuted in 2012, delivering an astounding level of immersion unlike any land before. Avengers Campus most recently joined the park in 2021.

Avengers Campus

In fact, the first land guests encounter, Buena Vista Street, did not open until 2012 (when it officially replaced the area previously known as Sunshine Plaza).

So, why don’t we start there? Let’s GO!

Buena Vista Street

Similar to Disneyland park’s Main Street, U.S.A., Buena Vista Street welcomes guests to the park with a myriad of shopping and dining options. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy often pay visits to Buena Vista Street. Visitors are also greeted by the Storytellers Statue, featuring Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.

Storytellers Statue on Buena Vista Street

The plaque next to the statue shares these words from Walt Disney: “It was July 1923. I packed all of my worldly goods – a pair of trousers, a checkered coat, a lot of drawing materials and the last of the fairy tale reels we had made – in a kind of frayed cardboard suitcase. And with that wonderful audacity of youth, I went to Hollywood, arriving there with just forty dollars. It was a big day the day I got on that Santa Fe California Limited. I was just free and happy!”

Here is the list of Buena Vista Street attractions:

Red Car Trolley
Character Greetings with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy

Avengers Campus

The Marvel-inspired Avengers Campus is Disneyland Resort’s newest land! It officially opened on June 4, 2021.

Groot at Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus

The Avengers have set up a campus “to recruit the next generation of Super Heroes.” (And that means YOU!)

“AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!”

Here is the list of Avengers Campus attractions:

Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion

Cars Land

Cars Land opened on June 13, 2012, and Disney California Adventure has never been the same since!

“Welcome to Cars Land”

Join your buddies Tom Mater, Lightning McQueen and more from Cars in the town of Radiator Springs along Route 66! Whirl and twirl on Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree or take a spin on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. And you can’t miss the chance to rev up on Radiator Springs Racers on an unforgettable race through the Cadillac Range!

Here is the list of Cars Land attractions:

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Radiator Springs Racers — Lightning Lane Single Pass (pay-per-ride) option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion

Grizzly Peak

Step right into Grizzly Peak, inspired by the nature and beauty of National Parks in the Golden State circa the 1950s!

Soarin’ in Grizzly Peak

Challenge yourself with the outdoor activities highlighted along Redwood Creek Trail, and get ready to get wet on Grizzly River Run! Take a hang-gliding flight to see sights from around the globe in Soarin’ Around the World (which, during park events like the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, transforms to the original Soarin’ Over California attraction).

Here is the list of Grizzly Peak attractions:

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Grizzly River Run — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion
Soarin’ Around the World — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion

Hollywood Land

Experience the glitz and glamour of the Golden Age in Hollywood Land!

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Your adventures here are filled with character… Disney characters, that is, from Disney Junior Dance Party to Turtle Talk with Crush! And at the heart of it all are stories and experiences that have been brought to life over the years by Disney animation.

Here is the list of Hollywood Land attractions:

Disney Junior Dance Party
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Sorcerer’s Workshop
Animation Academy
Turtle Talk with Crush
Monsters, Inc. Mickey & Sulley to the Rescue! — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion

San Fransokyo Square

Get ready to visit San Fransokyo Square! Fans of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Big Hero 6 will be familiar with San Fransokyo — “where East meets West, and technology meets tradition.” San Fransokyo, as Disney shares, is “a fictional mash-up of two iconic cities – San Francisco and Tokyo.”

San Fransokyo Gate Bridge

The area previously known as Pacific Wharf has been reimagined into this new land.

And since dining is primarily the name of the game here, it’s only fitting that the land’s attraction takes place in a working replica of San Francisco’s Boudin Bakery!

P.S. You’ll find many of the Marketplace Food Booths for the park’s seasonal Festivals in this area.

Here is the list of San Fransokyo Square attractions:

The Bakery Tour — hosted by Boudin Bakery
Baymax Meet-and-Greet

Click HERE to explore San Fransokyo Square!

Paradise Gardens Park

Take a stroll along picturesque Paradise Gardens Park! Attractions here are extra kid-friendly and reminiscent of classic amusement parks.

Silly Symphony Swings

Paradise Gardens Park also serves as home to Disney California Adventure’s must-see nighttime spectacular, World of Color — ONE!

Here is the list of Paradise Gardens Park attractions:

Silly Symphony Swings
Goofy’s Sky School — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

Pixar Pier

Are you ready to play with your favorite Pixar pals? Pixar Pier opened on July 23, 2018 at Disney California Adventure!

Pixar Pier

Pixar Pier — the result of an entire transformation of Paradise Pier — is made up of four neighborhoods representing Pixar stories: Incredibles Park, Inside Out Headquarters and Toy Story Boardwalk each have their own themed neighborhoods. Several different Pixar stories and characters are represented in the fourth neighborhood, the Pixar Promenade.

Here is the list of Pixar Pier attractions:

Incredicoaster — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
Toy Story Midway Mania! — Lightning Lane Multi Pass option; Lightning Lane Premier Pass inclusion
Games of Pixar Pier
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

THESE are the BEST Rides in Disney California Adventure… RANKED!

Disney California Adventure Dining

From the Carthay Circle Restaurant – a reproduction of the Carthay Circle Theatre where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937 — to eateries where you can fuel your inner Super Hero, you’ll find no shortage of unique and tasty food from the park’s Table Service restaurants right down to every snack cart and kiosk.

Simply click any of the links for the restaurants below to find more information AND all of our reviews for that dining location!

Disney California Adventure Table Service Restaurants

Table Service — or sit-down — restaurants can provide a relaxing (and air-conditioned) break during a busy park day!

Carthay Circle Restaurant

Disney California Adventure Counter Service Restaurants

If your priority is riding ALL. THE. RIDES! in Disney California Adventure, you may find that a quick meal at a Counter Service restaurant will fit your needs!

Flo’s V-8 Cafe

Disney California Adventure Bars and Lounges

Wet your whistle with a libation (or mocktail) at any of Disney California Adventure’s bars and lounges!

Lamplight Lounge

Bayside Brews
Carthay Circle Lounge
Club 1901
Hollywood Lounge
Lamplight Lounge
Magic Key Terrace (A Magic Key Passholder-exclusive location)
Mendocino Terrace
PYM Tasting Lab

Disney California Adventure Kiosks and Snack Spots

From sweet to savory, you’re bound to find a snack that satisfies!

Señor Buzz Churros

We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. These Are the Best.

Entertainment — Fireworks and Shows

World of Color — ONE

The Walt Disney Company was founded on October 16th, 1923. The 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company has been honored at Disney destinations across the globe to celebrate Disney 100 Years of Wonder! And an updated version of the World of Color spectacular, called “World of Color – ONE,” is now showing to honor the “storytelling legacy of Disney’s first 100 years” at Disney California Adventure.

World of Color — ONE

Set to a soundtrack featuring 18 compositions and with references to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars movies, California Adventure’s new nighttime show has a little bit of everything. And, in the signature “World of Color” fashion, it presents mist screens, TONS of dancing fountains, laser lights, flame effects, and much more.

It’s shown one to two times per evening at Paradise Gardens Park, and you can check the Disneyland Mobile App for showtimes so you don’t miss it! And be aware that a Virtual Queue is currently in place to view this experience.

See photos and videos of World of Color — ONE here!

Disney California Adventure Entertainment

To catch ALL the entertainment Disney California Adventure has to offer, be sure to check the Disneyland App and Information Boards posted around the park for showtimes.

Avengers Campus

You do NOT want to miss any of your heroes IN ACTION! You can find the showtimes for your visit on the Entertainment Schedule on the Disneyland website and the Disneyland app.

Would you like to see Spider-Man FLY?! Check out The Amazing Spider-Man!

The Amazing Spider-Man!

Avengers Assemble! takes place at Avengers Headquarters.

Shake your groove thing with The Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! right in front of Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

Dora Milaje

Become a warrior with some of your favorite Black Panther characters at Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje!

Live Music Around Disney California Adventure

Entertainment ABOUNDS in Disney California Adventure! To catch ALL the entertainment Disney California Adventure has to offer, be sure to check the Disneyland App and Information Boards posted around the park for showtimes.

Though acts can vary, you may catch:

Mariachi Divas at The Paradise Gardens Bandstand
Mariachi Espectacular at The Paradise Gardens Bandstand
Philly Phonics on Buena Vista Street
Five & Dime on Buena Vista Street

©️Disney

To catch ALL the entertainment Disney California Adventure has to offer, be sure to check the Disneyland App and Information Boards posted around the park for showtimes.

Disney Characters

Get ready to HUG MICKEY (and more Disney pals) at a Character Meet and Greet!

Mickey Mouse on Buena Vista Street

Disney characters may show up anywhere in Disney California Adventure. However, there are a few locations dedicated to Character Meet-and-Greets where you can be certain to meet your favorites! Check the Disneyland Mobile App to find appearance times.