We followed up our Disneyland day with a day at California Adventure, and as usual, my planning personality took over. If you’re planning a trip soon, here’s the result of all my research.
Get to the park 15 minutes before the turnstiles open, already eat breakfast before getting there. Bag packed with granola bars, apples, cuties, and uncrustables.
Early Morning Attractions: Cars Land – start the morning in Cars Land; it gets packed as the day goes on. Start with Radiator Springs Racers. Follow that with Luigi’s Roadsters, then Mater’s Jamboree. The other must-do here for the morning is grabbing a family picture by the postcard or the Radiator Springs mural near the racers. With luck, you’ll do most of Cars Land in the first hour the park is open. Don’t forget to check for pin trading in Radiator Springs Curios!
Morning Snack & Late Morning Attractions: Paradise Gardens Park & Pixar Pier – With Cars Land (mostly) crossed off your list, make sure to give the kiddos a snack (avoid those hangries!). Start with the Little Mermaid and work your way around the loop in order. Other attractions include Golden Zephyr, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Silly Symphony Swings, Inside Out Whirlwind, Pixar Pal Around, Midway Mania, and Critter Carousel. Try to remember not to push them if they’re scared – there’ll always be another trip when they’re older. Mama hop on Incredicoaster when you get to it if the line isn’t too long.
Lunch: Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk or Sanfransokyo Square – On your way out of Pixar Pier, stop by the Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk ad ask if there are any walk-up times. If so, you’re in luck, order the lobster nachos to share! If not, don’t fret! Head over to Sanfransokyo Square and start with a selection of tacos from Cocina Cucamonga to sample. Then, head over to Ghirardelli’s for a sundae. On your way out of the square, do the bakery tour before heading to Hollywood Land.
Afternoon Attractions: Hollywood Land – Start with the Disney Jr. Dance Party – there should be a showtime at 11:15, 12:15, or 2 depending on how the day is flowing. If it’s going to take awhile, move on to other rides and circle back. PhilarMagic, Animation Academy, Socerer’s Workshop, and Turtle Talk are all inside and worth checking out – look at the times in the app to see which ones you can squeeze in. Next, hit up Monster Inc. If anyone’s hungry, stop by Award Wieners for a classic corndog. Check for pin trading by the Monster Inc. kiosk, right inside the PhilarMagic ride, and the One Hollywood shop.
Early Evening: Grizzly Peak – after cooling off in all those inside rides, it’s a good time to head over to Grizzly River Run and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Spend the rest of the day here, til around 5:30. Place a mobile order for the fried chicken to share at Flo’s before walking back to Cars Land – you’ll want to be there for the sunset Sh-Boom before calling it a day!
Disclaimer/Reality Check: California Adventure is probably my least favorite Disney park, but it may be your favorite and that’s ok! We’re not a big superhero family. This column will be about motherhood, parenting, and homemaking for the most part. It could be a ranking of amusement park snacks or a list of things to do while keeping kids entertained in line. Most importantly, I don’t ever want this column to make another mama think she’s not doing enough. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that you are, you’re doing great, keep it up. Sing it with me: no-one is doing it allllll!
