A Ride-by-Ride Neurodivergent California Adventure Guide
Part 3 of my Neurodivergent Disneyland series, this article serves as a detailed guide to each ride throughout Disney’s California Adventure park in Southern California.
California Adventure is a park that’s seen a major overhaul in the last decade, going from an odd little park focused specifically on the state of California, to the slightly more “grown-up” counterpart to the next door Disneyland that it is today, with immersive theming and characters you don’t spot anywhere else in the California parks like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Mickey’s predecessor) and the emotions of Inside Out. The park is broken up into eight lands overall, though only six of them feature rides (the other two being Buena Vista Street and the currently-under-construction San Fransokyo)
Hollywood Land
Not to be confused with Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Hollywood Land is one of the oldest areas of the park, giving guests the experience of wandering through a slightly old-school version of Los Angeles, which honestly just leaves it feeling like a small Universal Studios at times.
Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue!
This simple dark ride (where a small vehicle takes you through dark corridors with animatronic set pieces) is one of only two in the entire California Adventure park, and will take you along on a taxi ride through Monstropolis and Monsters Incorporated as Mike and Sully work to get Boo home. Even though the ride heavily features monsters, none of them are very scary, nor is there much of a worry about photosensitivity here.
Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!
It’s hard to tell whether this ride counts as part of Hollywood Land still, but since it has been the majority of its existence, I’m keeping it in this section. Previously the well-known Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride, this adrenaline-pumping drop ride was re-themed to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, much to the chagrin of many Disney fans. Luckily, the ride came out great, and even die-hard Tower of Terror fans mostly agree that the new version is just as fun, if not moreso, than the original. Even though the bright colors of the superhero crew is less intimidating than the morose Twilight Zone facade, this ride is still not for the faint of heart. Like the Haunted Mansion, you’ll start the ride packed into a small room with your fellow riders for Rocket Raccoon’s introduction before entering the “gantry lift” (elevator) where the actual ride takes place. Once on-board, you’ll be yanked upwards and plummeted down more times than you can count, catching moments of the Guardians’ daring escape among flashing lights, total darkness, and a blaring 80's soundtrack.
Avengers Campus
Currently Avengers Campus only has one ride: WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. The ride takes you on a “tour” of WEB headquarters, which is quickly derailed when a host of robotic spiders go haywire. To divert the emergency, Spider-Man enlists the help of guests, who are given special 3D glasses and temporary web shooting abilities, to help get the critters back under control. The ride is similar in style to Toy Story Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear: Astro Blasters in execution, but more fast-paced and with a superhero theme that is sure to delight fans. Just keep in mind that 3D simulation rides like this one can cause motion sickness.
Cars Land
The creme-de-la-creme of California Adventure’s themed lands, Cars Land takes you into the town of Radiator Springs from Pixar’s Cars movies. This land truly gives the feeling of stopping in a south-western town along Route 66 on a road trip, complete with beautiful red rocks in the background and the glowing neon lights of diners along the sun-bleached road. Cars Land is also the most notably themed area of the park for the major holidays, with mummy tractors and candy corn safety cones for Halloween, and towering tire Christmas trees during the winter holidays.
Radiator Springs Racers
One of the most popular rides in the whole park, Radiator Springs Racers sees you hopping in an open-top car for a drive through the red rocks, a dark ride section through Radiator Springs at night, and a heart-pumping race to the finish. The dark ride section does feature some instances of flashing (head)lights, narrow misses with other cars, and even an appearance from the terrifying harvester from the first movie, which can be a bit much. Luckily the race section is fairly easy on the senses, since aside from going fast, you won’t encounter any drops or tight turns.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters is a “trackless” ride where the ride vehicles (which are pre-programmed to follow a set of movements) are a collection of Luigi’s cousins from Italy, who you can climb aboard and take a gentle spin as they preform synchronized dances to Italian music.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Though not technically a “spinning” ride, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will whip you around in a wagon hooked up to one of the tractors from the first film, which spin and swerve in time to Mater’s square dance calling. While the ride is perfectly friendly for anyone over the 32" height limit, it’s good to remember to put the larger rider on the outside so as not to squash the smaller one, and of course, if you’re prone to motion sickness or don’t enjoy spinning sensations, then this probably isn’t the ride for you.
Pixar Pier
Pixar Pier is a boardwalk-inspired section of the park themed after — what else? — Pixar movies. Here you’ll find meet and greets with Pixar characters, carnival games, and some of the most Instagram-worthy eats in the park.
The Incredicoaster
Once California Screamin’, at the inception of Pixar Pier this landmark coaster was transformed into a mad dash with the Parr family from the Incredibles movies. This is easily Disneyland’s largest and scariest rollercoaster, with a launch speed of 0 to 55 in just 4 seconds to keep up with Dash and the parks’ only full loop, and as such is not recommended for those who dislike rollercoasters or going upside down. It also features multiple instances of flashing lights, though they’re less overwhelming during daytime rides.
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
The first of two Toy Story rides at Pixar Pier, Jessie’s Critter Carousel is located just in the shadow of the Incredicoaster, making it a great spot for a ride split if some members of your party would prefer something a little calmer than the wild coaster above (or maybe just aren’t tall enough yet). The carousel’s main standout is its theming, with brightly colored, cartoony critters ranging from ponies to skunks for guests to hop aboard.
Toy Story Midway Mania
Interestingly, this ride was here long before Pixar Pier was, and it still remains a huge draw for guests. Midway Mania is a 3D shooting gallery ride, where you’ll board a sideways-facing ride car and take up a cartoonish “launcher” for the cream pies and rings you’ll be shooting throughout the experience. Even though the ride does keep track of your scores, there are no losers in this game, and everyone will walk away having won a virtual prize, making it accessible to anyone regardless of their fine motor skills and reaction time. Just remember that the 3D effects can cause motion sickness, especially as you’re whirling around after targets.
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Probably the most notable landmark of the California Adventure park, the Pixar Pal-A-Round is the giant ferris wheel with Mickey’s face you’ll be able to spot from just about anywhere in the park. While not recommended for those with a fear of heights, in the non-moving, fully-enclosed baskets this ride is incredibly peaceful and a fun way to take in the sights of the park. However, if you’re more of a thrill seeker, there are “swinging” baskets set at intervals along the ferris wheel. These baskets are set on a small, curving track that they slide along as the ferris wheel turns, making riders swing wildly in arcs similar to the “viking ship” rides found at carnivals.
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
The final ride of Pixar Pier is a gentle one, set in the brightly colored world of Inside Out. Here you’ll board a “hot air balloon” topped with colorful memory orbs for a slower spin, similar to Dumbo in Disneyland Park, though you won’t be able to control your height here.
Paradise Park
Paradise Park is one of the older sections of the park, and boasts the more generic rides left over from when California Adventure was supposed to have the exciting theming of, well, California. Many of the rides here are classic boardwalk attractions, though many have a Disney twist to them.
Silly Symphony Swings
As the name would suggest, this is a giant swing ride, wherein each guest sits in their own personal swing and gets spun at a faster and faster velocity until the swings become nearly horizontal in the air. If you like spinning, it’s a delightful time, and feels more safe and substantial than the versions often found at county fairs. Of course, if heights are an issue I wouldn’t suggest this one, and while there are a handful of two person swings, most are individual, meaning you’ll be broken up from your party. They can also feel a touch small for people like me who are more “Pooh Bear-shaped.”
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Jumpin’ Jellyfish is the least scary version of a drop ride, wherein your ride vehicle merely moves slowly up and down instead of climbing to the top of a track and dropping you. It’s a good ride for anyone just starting to wonder about drop rides, as well as more nervous or easily overwhelmed riders.
Goofy’s Sky School
Previously known as the Barn Stormer, this rollercoaster is small and zippy, making it feel like a bit like you’ve been transported into a human-sized version of the board game Mouse Trap, though the idea of the ride is to fly alongside Goofy as he teaches you to pilot an airplane. The ride does feature a handful of smaller drops, but it’s the small ride vehicles and sharp turns that tend to turn guests off, as it can almost feel like you’re about to go plummeting off the track at times.
Golden Zephyr
A bit like a mix between the Silly Symphony Swings and Emotional Whirlwind, this ride takes place on long, zephyr-inspired swings that seat multiple rows of guests. It doesn’t go especially fast, but will work up enough momentum to swing you out to the sides as it spins.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
The final ride here is California Adventure’s second dark ride, this time following the plot of the 1989 animated movie. Here you’ll board a giant clam shell to glide under the sea and through scenes from the movie. It’s a fun ride, and while there are some flashing effects, they aren’t as bad as some other rides of the same type.
Grizzly Peak
The final section of the park, Grizzly Peak is themed to Northern California’s redwood forests. Here you’ll find the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, an outdoor play area for children and Santa meet and greets during the holiday season, along with two of the park’s most popular rides. The land also features a second entrance into California Adventure through Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, though it is reserved for guests of the hotel and attendees of the attached Storyteller’s Cafe only.
Grizzly River Run
My personal favorite ride in the park, Grizzly River Run is a whitewater rafting ride through a series of caves, featuring two small-to-moderate drops. The ride vehicles seat up to eight in a circle and are free-spinning, so you’ll twist and spin along the “river” as you ride. You’ll need to navigate a spinning platform to board, and once you do you’ll soon find yourself climbing steadily and slowly upwards to the top of the ride (this particular part isn’t much fun for those afraid of heights). After the climb, though, you’ll drift off through the rapids, and inevitably get very, very wet. It’s recommended that if you want to stay dry you should pack a plastic poncho to wear during the ride.
Soarin’ Around the World
A fan favorite, Soarin’ takes you on a 3D simulated hang glider flight around the world, where you’ll fly above notable landmarks and Disney’s trademark magic will let you feel the breeze and even smell the smells of each new area you arrive in. Every now and then this ride will return to it’s original version: Soarin’ Over California, for a limited time, so it’s good to look up which version is on during your trip ahead of time.
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And just like that, we’ve reached the end of our journey through the parks. California Adventure may be smaller than Disneyland proper, but it’s still an amazing park that I hope you’ll enjoy to its fullest (and your own limits).
I’m sure that this won’t be the last I’ll write on the subject, seeing as Disney continues to innovate all the time with new features like San Fransokyo to keep guests coming back for more.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series at least as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.
