Disney California Adventure Park (DCA to locals) turns 25 year old in 2026! This unique park at Disneyland Resort is where magic meets California charm and cultural diversity. From the excitement of Pixar Pier to the thrilling heights of Avengers Campus, every corner of the park is packed with adventure, fun and Disney magic. Whether you're racing through Radiator Springs or soarin' across the globe, Disney California Adventure offers a world of experiences that celebrate the best of Southern California's culture and Disney and Pixar stories. It's the perfect destination for thrill-seekers, food lovers and Disney fans of all ages. Here's everything you need to know about visiting Disney California Adventure, including how to celebrate 25 years of DCA.
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FAQs
- How far is Disney California Adventure from Disneyland Park? The parks' entrances are right across from each other, less than a minute's walk away.
- Should I get a park hopper ticket to visit both parks? Park hopping is so easy and convenient at Disneyland, and it's one way to experience multiple nighttime shows. That being said, one way to save money is to skip park hopping and devote at least day to one park. There are some great deals on select park hopper tickets for kids in summer 2026!
- Is Disney California Adventure good for small children? In general, Disneyland Park has more for babies and small children, but our post on what toddlers can do at DCA will give you some great ideas for small children.
- What special events take place at Disney California Adventure? Every year, guests come to DCA for Lunar New Year, Food & Wine Festival, Halloween Time/Plaza de la Familia, the Festival of Holidays and other specail celebrations.
- What is special about Disney California Adventure? This park has Radiator Springs (Cars Land), Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier and San Fransokyo Square, with nods to Hollywood, the peaceful mountain forests and rivers of California and the boardwalk coastal areas of California. It's home to a couple of thrill rides, perfect for older kids, teens and adults.
Overview of Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure opened its doors Feb. 8, 2001, as the second theme park at the Disneyland Resort. It was originally designed to celebrate California's culture, history and landscapes. The park has seen significant changes over the years, with the addition of themed areas such as Cars Land, San Fransoyko Square and Avengers Campus. Now, Disney California Adventure is one of the most immersive Disney parks. With its expansions and reimaginings, it has become a fan favorite, blending thrilling attractions, fantastic eats, seasonal festivals and Disney storytelling in a way that pays homage to California while delivering unfrogettable experiences for all.
Celebrating 25 years of Disney California Adventure
Before we hop into all the exciting details of this theme park, let's discuss not one but two major celebrations hoppening in 2026.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration
First of all, there is the ongoing Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration across the entire resort through Aug, 9, 2026. In Disney California Adventure, you'll see special decor and a nightly World of Color Happiness! nighttime spectacular. Plus, there are special menu items 70th merchandise items, and a nightly projection show on Carthay Circle.
You can also earn bonus points during the 70th Celebration at Toy Story Midway Mania! This classic Disney California Adventure attraction gets nods to the 70th as well. Earn extra points by hitting the 70th stickers, which can turn some 100 point into 700 points and 1,000 points into 7,000 points!
Disney California Adventure's 25th Birthday
To celebrate the park's 25th anniversary, Mickey and Minnie have colorful new outfits around Carthay Circle as of Feb. 6, 2026!
The original Soarin Over California returns Feb. 6 through July 1, 2026. Take an aerial trip over Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Palm Springs, Malibu and orange groves. Mmmm.... I can smell the orange groves already. After that, as of July 2, 2026, there's an all-new Soarin' Across America to celebrate 250 years of our country's fruited plains and amber waves of grain.
Feb. 2-15, 2026, there are special food items, such as a decadent cake shake from Schmoozies!
In terms of merch, as of Feb. 6 there is a Pixar Pal-A-Round popcorn bucket, while supplies last. You can also shop for apparel and three collectible pins at Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood and Seaside Souvenirs in California Adventure. The collection has stylized illustrations of the park’s icons and symbols, such as the Carthay Circle tower, Pixar Pal-A-Round and Grizzly Peak.
On Feb. 8, 2026, park guests can get a complimentary commemorative map.
The neighboring Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also turns 25, with special merchandise and a new character at Storyteller's character dining for dinner and pin for sale. Downtown Disney also turns 25, with a special anniversary tote and pin for sale.
Planning for Disney California Adventure
Here's how to prepare for your visit to Disney California Adventure.
Disney California Adventure Tickets and Park Reservations
Disneyland Kids' Summer Ticket Deal! Save up to $368 on Kids' Summer Tickets at Disneyland® Resort, including a FREE Park Hopper ticket upgrade on select tickets. Plus, get a FREE $20 Dining Dollars credit with each ticket purchase, which can be used to save 15% on Disney Gift Cards!
You can save on Disneyland tickets through Undercover Tourist. We sell the same exact tickets as Disney, but for less! First, you'll want to make sure you have linked your purchased Disney California Adventure tickets to the Disneyland app (and yes, Undercover Tourist tickets can be linked there!). One of the perks to purchasing through Undercover Tourist is that each ticket comes with Dining Dollars promo codes that you can apply to the purchase of discount Disney gift cards and restaurant gift cards. You can save money at the resort or at a restaurant close to home.
Ticket holders and Magic Key (annual pass) holders require a valid theme park reservation on the day of visit for entry. You can make a reservation for your starting park in the Disneyland app. Guests with passes or tickets that include the Park Hopper option are free to hop over to Disneyland Park after 11 a.m. and go back and forth as much as desired through June 8, 2026. Beginning June 9, 2026, the 11 a.m. park hopper restriction is going away — which means you can hop between both parks at any time (as long as you have park hopping permissions!). You can also purchase a ticket(s) loaded with Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This allows you to schedule "cut the line" times for rides throughout your day. We'll go over how to use Lightning Lane at Disney California Adventure later.
Disney California Adventure Hours
Be sure to double-check the park hours and entertainment schedule ahead of time! You can see Disney California Adventure hours listed in the Disneyland app or on the Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar. Special events (such as Oogie Boogie Bash in the fall or Grad Nights in May and June) may cause the park to close early to regular guests. Generally, Disney California Adventure is open until 10 p.m. But in the fall, in January and on Grad Nites, the park may close at 9 p.m.
Disneyland Resort App
The Disneyland app is invaluable for planning your day at Disney California Adventure. It includes park maps, wait times, mobile food ordering, show times and more.
Rope Dropping and Arriving Early
The key to maximizing your day is arriving early. By doing so, you can often accomplish one to two popular attractions with much shorter waits than the rest of the day. Although waking up early on vacation doesn't sound the most appealing, the benefits mean less waiting and more rides in the day. We have a whole post on our best rope drop strategies at Disney California Adventure that you can read through!
Parking
Parking is available at the Mickey & Friends structure and the Toy Story Lot. There are a few other parking options, both on and off property, you can read about in our post on where to park at the Disneyland Resort.
Disney California Adventure Park Attractions
Disney California Adventure offers a variety of attractions for all ages, from thrilling rides to family-friendly experiences. Highlights include the high-speed Incredicoaster and Radiator Springs Racers, the thrilling Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! and Soarin', as well as fun experiences such as Toy Story Midway Mania!, WEB SLINGERS and the scenic Grizzly River Run. If you're looking for laid-back adventures, climb into a seashell for Journey of the Little Mermaid. Make sure to check out the height requirements before planning a ride with young tadpoles.
Disney California Adventure Future Attractions
New in summer of 2026, experience Soarin' Across America! This brand-new version of the beloved ride will take guests through the natural beauty found across the nation and its iconic cityscapes. And it's all just in time to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
As part of the massive DisneylandForward expansion project, there will be exciting new experiences coming in the future! Avengers Campus is getting not one, but two new rides. We don't know too many details yet, but Disney California Adventure is also expanding with "Coco" and "Avatar" experiences.
In Avengers Campus, two new rides are currently under construction.
Avengers: Infinity Defense will be a brand-new “E-Ticket” attraction that will put you right in the middle of the Multiverse goes in behind the Avengers' headquarters. Guests can see the Avengers face off against a multiverse variant of Thanos named King Thanos, who won in another timeline.
Stark Flight Lab is a fourth Avengers Campus attraction (and "E-Ticket" ride) that takes riders on a simulated flight in Tony Stark's robotics lab. Riders will sit in a two-person "gyro-kinetic pod," which deploys to a test station. A robot arm grabs the pods and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight. The ride offers multiple "test flights," which may encourage you to want to ride again and again for a new or different experience. Robert Downey Jr. is featured as Iron Man in both new rides. The new attractions will double the size of the current Avengers Campus.
Disney California Adventure Entertainment & Characters
From a stunning nighttime show to live performances on Buena Vista Street, there's always something hoppening in Disney California Adventure.
World of Color
This breathtaking nighttime show combines water, light, music and projections to create a mesmerizing spectacle. World of Color takes place on the park's Paradise Bay and features vibrant displays of Disney and Pixar movie scenes and iconic music. With fountains soaring high into the air and dramatic lighting effects, World of Color brings Disney's most beloved characters and stories to life in a completely new way.
There are seasonal versions, such as during Festival fo Holidays. And there are limited-time shows, such as World of Color Happiness! (hosted by the Emotions from Inside Out) for the Disneyland 70th through Aug. 9, 2026.
Parades and Cavalcades
While large parades are not a staple at Disney California Adventure, the park does incorporate occasional character cavalcades, pop-up celebrations and seasonal events to keep the magic alive throughout the year.
Mickey’s Happy Holidays Cavalcade is a fun, festive cavalcade during the holidays that features Mickey and friends, Pixar characters and Toy Soldiers. It's a lively and colorful procession that adds a cheerful touch to the holiday season.
The Lunar New Year cavalcade brings out beloved Disney characters such as Mulan and Mushu and Chip and Dale, as well as special dancers, performers and colorful floats. The cavalcade celebrates the rich cultural traditions of the holiday.
Shows and Ambiance
Five and Dime is a dynamic group of live performers who embody the spirit of the 1920s with energetic jazz tunes. As part of the park’s celebration of the early days of Hollywood, Five and Dime transports guests to a time when life was filled with music and lively performances.
Avengers Campus offers exciting live entertainment, bringing the Marvel universe to life. The campus features interactive experiences, including an immersive demonstration from the Dora Milaje and a dance-off with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Don't miss Spider-Man leaping over the rooftops!
Take the tadpoles to Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! There's music, dancing, weather changes and bubbles galore. It's actually a fun show for people of all ages, and it is air-conditioned.
Operation Playtime featuring the Green Army Patrol is another fun show for the tadpoles. You can find it at Pixar Pier bandshell or on the move through Paradise Gardens Park.
There's additional park entertainment, including shows with characters, around the park during festivals, Halloween time and for the holidays.
Character Sightings
There are several great spots where you can meet beloved Disney characters throughout the day. You'll spot Marvel characters all day in Avengers Campus. Lightning and Mater are known to take joy rides through Radiator Springs. Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep never stray too far from the rest of their friends in front of Midway Mania! And you might see Joy and Sadness or the Incredibles and other Pixar characters nearby on Pixar Pier. If you've ever dreamed of giving Baymax a hug, head to San Fransokyo. Elsa and Anna stay hidden inside the Animation Academy, awaiting visitors. You can usually find Mickey and friends in their 1920s best, posing for photos and greeting guests on Buena Vista Street. Pluto, Chip and Dale are in Grizzly Peak.
Character meet-and-greets at Disney California Adventure are subject to change. It's always a good idea to check the Disneyland app or ask a cast member for up-to-date times and locations on the day of your visit! Plus there are seasonal characters for holidays and festivals.
Using Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass at Disney California Adventure
If you don't buy a ticket pre-loaded with Lightning Lane, you can purchase either a Lightning Lane Single Pass or Multi Pass in the app on the day of your visit. Our top tip for using Lightning Lane at Disney California Adventure is to start your day in this park and arrive at park opening. This park has eight to nine Lightning Lane Multi Pass rides. Having fewer rides with Lightning Lane Multi Pass means they can be distributed a little faster than at Disneyland. Why? There are fewer of them to go around. But again, don't worry. You'll still have a great selection most of the day.
The most popular ride in this park has a Lightning Lane Single Pass for a separate fee. Radiator Springs Racers is not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. But it has a standby line and a Single Rider line.
There is a third, premium option called Lightning Lane Premier. It is good for all Multi Pass and Single Pass rides (in both parks if park hopping). What's different is that you do not need to schedule the rides.
Are you staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel? One of the latest perks is that every registered and checked-in hotel guest gets one free Lighting Lane Multi Pass attraction during their stay.
By afternoon, you may not see any availability for Guardians of the Galaxy or Toy Story Midway Mania! These are the most popular rides in the park. But they all have lower morning wait times. Book these rides first or ride them early. Book Guardians and ride Toy Story in the morning. WEB SLINGERS and Soarin' are the next priority rides to book.
Lower-stress rides to book include Incredicoaster. The lowest priority rides are Grizzly River Run (except on hot days) and Goofy's Sky School! The Little Mermaid is also a low-priority choice. If you acquire any Multiple Experiences passes, Pixar Pal-A-Round, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters and other rides without a Lightning Lane may be good replacement options. Those are also great rides to hit in the first hour of park opening. Of course, you can save your Multiple Experiences passes for hopping to Disneyland. Or use them to ride a favorite ride a second time at Disney California Adventure.
The default park in the app is Disneyland, but you can tap "Change Park" to switch to Disney California Adventure.
Shopping and Dining at Disney California Adventure
Dining at Disney California Adventure is hands-down one of our favorite things to do at the Disneyland Resort. There are a few table-service restaurants, as well as a whole bunch of quick-service spots and carts and kiosks. One thing you can expect in Disney California Adventure is some serious theming. Some of our favorites include Aunt Cass Cafe in San Fransokyo Square, the Cozy Cones in Cars Land and Pym's Taste Kitchen in Avengers Campus. Flo's in Cars Land recently updated the menu.
We love the Quesabirria Tacos at Cocina Cucamonga and the Dutch Crunch Baguette and sourdough bread from Aunt Cass.
Our favorite sit-down restaurant is Lamplight Lounge on Pixar Pier. The Pixar theming inside is so fun, and the food and drinks are top tier. You can sit inside or outside on a patio overlooking Pixar Pier, or upstairs on the boardwalk dining patio. There's a whole list of secret menu drinks to order that are so well themed (and delicious!). We recommend making a dining reservation before your day at the parks. There are walk-ups available, but they are not guaranteed. Carthay Circle offers an elevated dining experience.
Seasonal festivals bring food booths and new food items to try. Disney California Adventure has a rotation of cold brews and churros that we can't get enough of! Purchase a Sip & Savor pass with four to eight tabs for festivals to save some money!
There are lots of toadally cute themed shops around the park, but the biggest one is Elias and Co. on Buena Vista Street. This is where you'll find the most souvenirs and pretty much everything you might have seen around the park during your day.
Special Events at Disney California Adventure
This park hosts many seasonal events and special celebrations.
Food & Wine Festival
The Food and Wine Festival is a culinary celebration that takes place in the spring, offering a delightful mix of food creations, fine wine, craft beers and live entertainment. Guests can explore food booths scattered throughout the park, each featuring a different selection of dishes inspired by California’s diverse food culture. From innovative flavors to wine pairings and cocktail creations, the festival highlights local ingredients and regional specialties. In addition to the delicious offerings, there are cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and live performances.
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year celebration is a vibrant, culturally rich event that honors the traditions and customs of the Lunar New Year. The park comes to life with festive decorations, special food offerings and unique entertainment. Guests can enjoy performances with dragon dancers and traditional costumes and experience special character meet-and-greets with Mulan, Mushu and other characters in their festive attire.
Festival of Holidays
The Festival of Holidays takes place during the holiday season. This event showcases a delightful mix of holiday traditions from around the world, featuring multicultural food, festive entertainment and seasonal décor. Explore diverse food marketplaces offering seasonal dishes inspired by various cultures. Celebrate Latin American holiday traditions with performances such as the Viva Navidad! street party. All of Mickey and his friends are dressed in their holiday best to say hello.
Halloween Time
Halloween Time is a spooktacular celebration that transforms the park into a frightfully fun destination each fall. The park is filled with eerie decorations, themed food and special events that bring the Halloween spirit to life. The park features Halloween-themed attractions, such as Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark (a spooky version of the popular ride), and seasonal overlays like Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree in Cars Land.
That time of year bring Plaza de la Familia to Paradise Gardens. Look for special foods, activities, characters and entertainment.
Oogie Boogie Bash
Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed event packed with Halloween-themed entertainment, character meet-and-greets, trick-or-treating and spooky festivities. Experience the Villains Grove walk-through and watch the Halloween parade. Tadpoles can join Mickey and friends for some festive fun in the Mickey's Trick and Treat show. With unique photo opportunities, a festive atmosphere and plenty of candy, Oogie Boogie Bash is a must-attend event for Halloween lovers.
Additional Tips for Disney California Adventure
Here are our main tips for your day at Disney California Adventure:
- Arrive early — Arriving early helps you take advantage of shorter lines before the park fills up.
- Use the Disneyland App — The app gives you real-time wait times, mobile food ordering and allows you to check ride availability.
- Use Single Rider Lines — For some attractions, using the single rider line is a great way to cut wait times (particularly for Radiator Springs Racers).
- Stay hydrated and take breaks — Theme parks can be overwhelming, especially during hot weather. Be sure to hydrate, take breaks and enjoy shaded areas.
- Find character meet-and-greets — Look for characters around the park for photo opportunities, especially in areas like Pixar Pier, Carthay Circle, Paradise Gardens and Avengers Campus.
- Use the Hotel entrance — If staying at Disney's Grand Californian, use the hotel's special theme park entrance.
- Book dining up to 60 days in advance.
- What not to Miss - Hop over to our post on what not to miss at DCA.
First time visiting Disney California Adventure? Let us know in the comments below what's on your must-do list! We've got you covered with discount tickets and hotel stays through Undercover Tourist to make your Disney California Adventure dreams come true.
Related: Pop the Confetti! What to Expect at the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration
Related: The Best Quick-Service Restaurants at Disney California Adventure Park
Hoppy planning!
