Disneyland California Adventure, the second park that makes up the Disneyland Resort, hasn’t enjoyed much success since the day it opened.
Michael Eisner wanted to build DCA in contrast with the rules that had made Disney parks famous around the world. He set aside the company’s cultural legacy and focused entirely on the theme of classic amusement parks that often stood on piers in many American cities.
In essence, he brought to life everything Walt Disney had wanted to avoid in the 1950s when building Disneyland — and placed it just steps away from Disneyland itself.
With the arrival of Bob Iger, a slow and steady transformation began, reimagining entire areas of the park, adding new attractions, new shows, and many Disney characters.
In this article, I’ll share my personal ranking of the top seven attractions at Disneyland California ADVENTURE, all of which I personally experienced during my spring trip. You can also find my reviews of the park’s three main areas:
#7 Incredicoaster
With its magnetic launch start, a top speed of 89 km/h, a loop, onboard audio, and a length of 1,850 meters, Incredicoaster is the most impressive attraction in all of PIXAR PIER.
#6 Toy Story Midway Mania!
Toy Story Midway Mania! was the first attraction that kicked off the re-theming of this area. At its debut, it was one of the most technologically advanced attractions ever developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, with design and construction costing around $80 million.
Once you’ve put on your glasses and boarded the ride vehicle, you’re transported into the world of classic carnival games and Toy Story.
At each game station, to beat your companion, you’ll need to smash plates, pop balloons, hit the target with pies, and more.
Knowing where the high-scoring targets are is the key to winning.
#5 WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
In this attraction, you’ll help Spider-Man eliminate the SpiderBOTS that are wreaking havoc across the area. To do so, you’ll hop into special ride vehicles from which you can shoot webs using just your hands — no devices needed.
Inside the vehicle, special cameras track your hand movements in real time to accurately simulate web-slinging to wherever you aim.
#4 The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Sail past Ariel’s treasure-filled grotto. Watch Sebastian the crab lead a hot crustacean band. Sneak past a sinister lair haunted by eels. Sing along to film classics like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
It’s a musical celebration for all ages!
#3 Radiator Springs Racers
If strolling through the lit-up streets of Radiator Springs isn’t enough, this ride will transport you into the most iconic scenes from the first *Cars* movie — with a full-throttle finale!
#2 Pixar Pal-A-Round
Pixar Pal-A-Round is anything but a “calm” Ferris wheel!
I can confirm this ride gave me the most intense sensations of the entire PIXAR PIER.
Pixar Pal-A-Round is officially inspired by the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, and like the original, it features two different ride modes.
The first is classic and gentle, consisting of 8 cabins anchored to the outer edge of the wheel for enjoying the scenic views.
The second mode includes 16 sliding cabins that move along tracks inside the wheel itself.
This unique setup really puts your senses to the test — so much so that motion sickness bags are provided on board. But what left me speechless was that you’re not strapped in and there are no handles to hold onto during the intense swinging of the cabin.
These folks are crazy! Guaranteed fun.
#1 Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
This attraction stirred up quite the controversy!
As Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde explains in an episode of the Disney+ series “Behind the Attraction”, when Disney announced it would close the historic Tower of Terror and re-theme it with Guardians of the Galaxy, fans went wild.
But in just 9 months of hard work, they managed to fully honor the Disney magic formula.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is both fun and irreverent, just like the Guardians movies.
I experienced it both during the day and at night, and I must say it truly shines in the evening — just like the entire Avengers Campus.
