Mommy Frog's Note: As a mom of a tween, it can be hard to gauge what family activity will make Tad hug us with joy or pretend not to know us, so I feel parents’ frustration and anxiety when planning a vacation that includes a tween or teen. Will he want to take a picture with every character, or shy away in embarrassment? Between you and me, most tweens and teens magically stop worrying about their “cool factor” when they enter Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
There is very little they won’t love about the parks, from meeting characters from their favorite childhood Disney movies (while wearing personalized Mickey ears) to riding an upside-down roller coaster for the first time. They will fluctuate between behaving like the sweet, wide-eyed toddlers they once were to sharing on-ride photos of themselves braving the big rides. Based on all of our Frog Family trips to the theme parks, I've put together all of my best tips for taking your teen or tween to Disneyland in a separate post, as well.
Knowing how to entertain this unique age group so they get most out of their journey can help bond you together and make hoppy family memories. That’s why Tad is here to share his favorite thrill rides at California Adventure, as well as his favorite pads to chill out on when he doesn’t admit he needs a break to rejuvenate. Plus, what Leap and I love is that the Disney parks provide a safe place to give Tad a sense of a little bit of freedom if he, say, chooses a ride that Lily is not tall enough for. We feel comfortable letting him ride a thrill ride and then meeting back up with him to hear all about it. I'm passing the "mic" to Tad, so he can tell you what he loves about Disney California Adventure.
'Sup, teens and tweens! I’m about to let you in on my favorite thrills and chills (as in places to chill out) at Disney California Adventure. The great part about both Disneyland and California Adventure is that it’s toadally cool to be in touch with your inner little kid, but at the same time, there is a lot more excitement available to you once you are finally tall enough (and brave enough) to experience the dopest rides in the parks. I’ll start off telling you my must-dos at California Adventure, but be sure to hop over to check out my top teen and tween thrills at Disneyland.
The Best Attractions at Disney California Adventure for Teens and Tweens
Here are some of the best thrill rides and overall attractions at Disney California Adventure for Teens and Tweens.
Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!
Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! added more thrills and intensity ... plus, a rockin' soundtrack when it was re-themed from the former Tower of Terror. It's simply a lot more fun! It tops our list of Disney California Adventure thrills for teens and tweens. You can help Rocket rescue the guardians and enjoy six different ride sequences on this must-do attraction! if you are visiting during Halloween Time, be sure to also ride the nighttime version of this ride: Monsters After Dark! This heavy metal scary version is fire!
Incredicoaster
The Incredicoaster is the only upside-down roller coaster in either park, but my most favorite part is the high-speed launch at the start. Dash from "The Incredibles" counts us down for the chase to catch Jack-Jack. (Jack-Jack escaped from Edna, who was supposed to be babysitting.) It’s all uphill, then downhill, and uphill, then downhill, and upside-down from there. Meanwhile, the entire Parr family works together to use their super skills to capture baby Jack-Jack! Smile for the camera near the end and be ready to snap a picture of it off the screen when you exit. This ride is 10/10.
Grizzly River Run
Grizzly River Run. This water ride slaps on a hot day. If the rest of your family is not into getting soaked, I recommend using the Single Rider line. Have your family take your phone and wait for you in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail across the way. You can meet them there to chill out (and dry off) after the ride — more on that later.
Radiator Springs Racers
Radiator Springs Racers. Kids of any age love this ride, which takes you on an exciting car race through the desert. Don't want to wait? If your group does not mind being split up, Single Rider is my favorite free way to skip the line. It's usually much shorter than the regular line. If you get lucky, you may end up in the same car as a family member, or even better, you end up racing them! But do not expect to get seated together.
Soarin'Around the World
Soarin' Around the World. Get set to take flight high above the world's wonders on this flight simulation ride. Thanks to its 80-foot dome projection screens, you'll get a spectacular view of the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and more!
Toy Story Midway Mania
OK, while it is not necessarily a thrill ride, it is an exciting 4-D video game that moves you from game to game that it is nothing like any video game you can play at home. There are a lot of online hints and secrets to scoring big on this one. Even Mommy Frog doesn’t nag me about playing this video game because she is busy trying to beat my score. (She never does!)
Pixar Pal-A-Round
Not gonna lie, this ride hits different depending on if you choose a swinging or non-swinging gondola. Take your pick. You can ride in a non-swinging gondola for a relaxing Vibe and higher ride around the wheel. Or, you can choose my way. I like the swinging and sliding gondola. But even though it is mad lit (and terrifying to some) it is still mostly a really relaxing place to rock, look out over the park, and get some rest all at the same time. And there's vomit bags in the ride, you know, just in case.
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
It's arm day! Use all your strength and speed to sling webs like Spider-Man to help capture Spider Bots that are caught in replication mode. You'll earn points for your team, which gives this ride a competitive thrill. Hop over to our Avengers Campus post to learn some tips for earning more points.
Disney California Adventure's Best Ways to Chillax
Going on all those rides can tire you out or make you feel a little green (or even greener than usual in my case)! When you want to chillax in the park, these are my favorite things to do. We also have some suggestions for where to take a sensory break at Disneyland. You might find it helpful if you like your downtime.
Animation Academy
Take an art class at the Animation Academy. While my little sister, Lily, is waiting to meet Anna and Elsa, I take an art class next door at the Animation Academy. That's where we learn to draw our favorite Disney characters. You can check the schedule out front for the day’s lineup. That way you can be sure to catch a lesson on how to draw your favorite character. This is one of my favorite free things to do at the Disneyland Resort. No cap.
Mickeys PhilharMagic
Catch some AC and a 3D movie to cool off and chill out. And there's never a long line.
Great Hall of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Another toadally cool spot to escape to from Disney California Adventure is the lobby of the Grand Californian. It's a great place to decompress or cool off, and its just outside the park entrance to the hotel. At Holiday Time, I get myself a gingerbread cookie and some warm cider from the holiday cart and warm up in front of the huge fireplace! The vibes are perfect no matter the season.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
As promised, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is one of California Adventure’s best-kept secrets. You forget you are in an amusement park as you climb up rope ladders, ride zip line tire swings (12 and under for that one), and run across swinging bridges. You can practice climbing a rock wall, slide down tunnel slides and find out your spirit animal. This escape from the park crowds to the shady wilderness is a fun. And it's a low-key way to race your family, play hide-and-seek with your siblings, and just get some down time when the lines are long or you just want to dry off a bit from the Grizzly River Run. Your parents will appreciate having a shady bench to rest on, too. Once you are refreshed, you can head back to the park ready for the next thrill!
Meet Characters
You can meet your favorite Disney pals in the park as well as Super Heroes in Avengers Campus or Baymax and Hiro in San Fransokyo Square. Look for Pixar characters in Pixar Pier and other characters to pop up in Paradise Gardens Park.
All that playing and screaming can make you hungry, so be sure to check out some of our favorite restaurants at California Adventure while you are there.
This park has some of the best Disneyland foods and snacks. No cap. Besides Churros, corn dogs and Mickey pretzels, it's home to some of themed foods, mocktails and coffee drinks that are both bussin' and photographable. The camera always eats first! A few of my favs are Chili Cone Queso in Cars Land (as well as the ice cream and Cozy Cone Motel), the Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait, Memory Refreshers and treats at Bong Bongs's Sweet Stuff. The Quesabirria tacos at Cocina Cucamonga are so tasty. Clam chowder in a bread bowl at Aunt Cass Cafe is a classic. You can find those foods and more in San Fransokyo Square. And the giant foods at Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus are toadally tasty and fun. Plus, this park gets food booths with some seasonal tastes and sips.
Just thinking of my favorite things to do at California Adventure has me hopping excited to go back! I always bring my camera so I can record rides and experiences and then share the videos on our YouTube channel. Be sure to check them out and have fun making your own videos, but be aware that selfie sticks have been banned in both parks.
Did you know that Undercover Tourist now sells discount tickets to Disney California Adventure and Disneyland? You can even purchase tickets preloaded with MaxPass to help you skip the lines and get more thrills in!
Related: Best Teen and Tween Thrills at Disneyland
Related: Where to Find the Best Coffee at Disneyland Resort
Stay cool!
