10 Best Rides At California Adventure (Disneyland California)
Are you headed to Disneyland and wondering what the best rides at California Adventure are? Want to map out a plan of which California Adventure rides you want to go on first?
Perfect, You are in the right spot! DCA Disney has awesome rides!
I am going to list out the best rides at California Adventure. In fact, I have even numbered them from my favorite down to my least favorites!
In this post, I am going to share with you a little information about each of these rides at California Adventure. (Ride Times, Height Requirements) I will also share tips on the most popular California Adventure rides!
Let’s get started with the top 10 rides at California Adventure!
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1. Radiator Spring Racers
Height Requirement: 40″
Ride Time: 4 minutes
One of my favorite rides at California Adventure is Radiator Spring Racers. This is one of the most popular rides in the park.
The Line
As you stand in line look for all the fun details all around you. You will feel as if you are in Radiator Springs. The signs are the best! They say silly things that will keep you entertained as you wait.
The Ride
If you have been to Disney World, this is the same track as Test Track at Epcot. The Radiator Springs ride is very themed. You will meet Mater and the gang as you get ready for your big race.
As you get out on the race track you will increase your speed to around 60mph. This feels pretty fast in a convertible!
Radiator Springs Line Tip
I have found that if you want to ride Radiator Springs Racers, it is best to get to the park early and head straight back to the line. Typically, the wait time is no more than 30-40 minutes if you arrive at rope drop.
If you want to ride this ride again consider the single rider line. You can usually get on pretty fast!
2. Guardian of the Galaxy
Height Requirement: 40″
Ride Time: 2 minutes
Guardians Mission outbreak was added to California Adventure in 2017 It replaced the Tower of Terror. So if you have been on Tower of Terror at Disney World the ride is very similar. It is an elevator that ascends and descends.
Instead of a spooky ride, it is an adventure! This ride is fun and exciting! There is great music and overall a happy atmosphere!
The Line
The line does have some theming as you enter. This is one of the most popular rides at California Adventure so the waits are always long!
If you have Genie + book a time so you will not have to wait as long. You could also come at rope drop and make this your first ride.
3. Incredi-Coaster
Height Requirement: 48″
Ride Time: 2:30 Minutes
I am so glad that this roller coaster was themed the incredi coaster in 2018. I think this ride is so fun. It is a good roller coaster, not too intense but still really fast and really fun.
The theming for me made all the difference. If you are scared of coasters, the theming lightens and distracts from your fears.
The Line
There is nothing special about the line. You can use a single rider lane which will make your wait time much lower if you want to go by yourself.
It is one of the best rides in California Adventure!
4. Web Slingers
Height Requirement: None
Ride Time: 3 Minutes
One of the newest rides at California Adventure is Web Slingers. This ride is for everyone. It is a fun ride that involves action. With a slight flick of your wrist you will be slinging webs just link Spiderman.
The track is slow-moving. It is a virtual ride following a story.
The Line
The line is very themed. You will be able to see your favorite characters from Spiderman prepare you for the ride. This is another really popular ride.
As you wait in line be sure to look up. Spiderman often makes appearances. He flys in for some fun! You may see other marvel characters as well.
This ride is included on Genie +.
5. Soarin Around the World
Height Requirement: 40″
Ride Time: 5 minutes
Soarin Around the World is a popular ride at California Adventure. It typically has pretty long wait times. Soarin is a pretty unique ride, in that you are strapped in and then raised up off the ground in front a large theater screen.
You will travel all over the World, it feels as if you are really flying. There are also smells and sensory interactions that take place during the film. It is great for all ages.
There is a warning that if you are scared of heights or easily prone to motion sickness you maybe shouldn’t ride.
I don’t love heights but this ride is just fine. It is so dark you can not tell you are being lifted up. You can ask a worker to be on the bottom row which is not too far off the ground.
I loved it when the ride used to be Soarin over California. My favorite part was flying over the orange orchards and smelling the oranges.
The Line
There isn’t anything entertaining as you wait for the ride. It can be a long wait. Soarin is on Genie + which is awesome because it will save you so much time!
This California Adventure attraction is popular, however, I wouldn’t race to it at rope drop!
6. Toy Story Midway Mania
Height Requirement: None
Ride Time: 8 minutes
Toy Story Mania is my husband’s favorite ride at California Adventure. He loves the competitive nature of the games you play while you ride.
These games are played by shooting targets. There are lots of different fun targets throughout the ride. Anyone can ride this ride. Even toddlers will love it!
The Line
The line is mostly outside and because it is one of the most popular rides at California Adventure it will be long. Going here right when the park opens will help you avoid the long lines.
7. Grizzly River Run
Height Requirement: 42″
Ride Time: 6 Minutes
This river rafting ride will get you wet! From experience, bring ponchos just to wear while you ride this ride.
Once upon a time my 4 year old happened to be right where water was dumped and oh boy did she cry! She never wanted to ride that ride ever again.
I love water rides but I have learned over the years that ponchos are awesome! Even if it is a really hot day. It is no fun having wet clothes.
The Line
This ride can get really long when the weather is hot when it is cold not too many people are jumping in the line.
This ride is on Genie+.
8. The Little Mermaid Ariel Undersea Adventure
Height Requirement: None
Ride Time: 7 Minutes
The Ariel ride is a great ride at California Adventure for everyone, babies and toddlers even enjoy this ride. The ride takes you through the entire movie with animatronics and music. You will start under the sea and end with a beautiful marriage of Prince Eric and Ariel.
The Line
If you have been to DisneyWorld the line is incredible for this ride. At California Adventure it is not. You will basically walk in and get on the ride there are no grottoes like Disney World.
The good news is that there is hardly ever a wait which makes it one of the best rides at California Adventure!
9. Monster Inc Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
Height Requirement: None
Ride Time: 3 Mintues
Monsters Inc is a ride for everyone. This might be your favorite ride if you have younger kids. It tells the story of Mike, Sulley, and Boo. It is really cute.
One thing I love about this ride is that it is only at Disneyland not Disney World. That is why I always ride it!
The Line
The line is mostly outside. It can get long but there should be certain times during the day when the line is short. Make sure to check on your app the wait times and head over when it isn’t too bad.
10. Maters Junkyard Jubilee
Height Requirement: 32″
Ride Time: 3 minutes
Mater’s Junkyard Jubilee is a great ride for younger kids. When my son was 5 he loved it and wanted to go on it over and over.
I think if you have younger kids this will be a winner!
The Line
The line typically is not too bad. They have to two areas where the can load and unload people so it seems to go pretty fast.
Runner's Up for Best Rides Disneyland California Adventure
If we are making a list of the best rides at California Adventure, these rides are great but just don’t make our top 10 list.
Runners Up California Adventure List of Rides
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Golden Zephyr
- Goffy Sky School
- Jesse Critter Carousel
- Jumpin Jellyfish
- Luigi Rollickin Roadsters
- Mickey Phil Harmagic
- Pixar Pal Around
Best Rides in California Adventure for Children Under 5
I know a lot of you might be wondering what the best age for Disneyland is. Will my kids be able to ride any of the rides at California Adventure?
The answer is YES!
I love Disney’s California Adventure and I think it is fun for little ones. Disneyland however, is probably going to be better for younger kids, just because Fantasyland really can not be beat.
You can plan a Disneyland itinerary and decide how much time you want to spend in each park.
California Adventure Rides for Littles
An average 2 year old is around 32-37 inches so most of these rides are perfect for little ones.
- Radiator Spring Racers
- Web Slingers
- Monsters Ink Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
- Maters Junkyard
- Toy Story Mania
- The Little Mermaid Ariel Undersea Adventure
- Most of the Pixar Pier Rides
Best Rides at California Adventure
Hopefully, this has given you a plan of which California Adventure rides you want to go on first!
One really cool thing I haven’t mentioned yet is that during Halloween some of these rides will get a spooky upgrade during the Disney Halloween party.
Have so much fun on the best California Adventure rides!
Getting Ready to Plan A Disney Trip?
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More Disneyland
If you are looking for the perfect Disney souvenir or want to know how to use mobile ordering so you can eat the best food at California Adventure.
You might be wondering what to do in Downtown Disney, or if Star Wars Land is in Disneyland or California Adventure. Even if you just need help picking out the closest Disneyland hotels or the most family-friendly hotels, just ask me in the Facebook Group.
