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Best Disney California Adventure Rides, Ranked


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So we’ve already told you all about the rides in Disneyland Park, but what about the other major Disneyland Resort theme park?

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Disney California Adventure

It’s a short walk to get from Disneyland Park to Disney California Adventure (DCA), which is full of even more rides and entertainment, including Avengers Campus! DCA has undergone quite a few changes since opening in 2001, and there are many different rides to fit all kinds of families and interests. Find out everything you need to know about DCA rides right here!

Just like we did for Disneyland Park rides, we categorized Disney California Adventure rides into two different groups — just to make it easier for you to figure out which rides you want to do, and which rides you can skip. Now let’s get to ranking EVERY ride in Disneyland Park!

For Kids

We’re categorizing this section as the best rides for families and young kiddos, but there’s no reason adults can’t have fun with these rides too!

12. Silly Symphony Swings

Silly Symphony Swings is a classic ride you probably recognize from many other theme parks, with guests sitting in individual or tandem swings that get lifted into the air when the canopy rotates. If you don’t get dizzy, you get some incredible views of DCA.

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Silly Symphony Swings

Guests must be at least 40 inches tall to ride in a tandem swing with an adult or 48 inches to ride in a solo swing. While this ride can be really fun, it’s also kind of basic when compared to many of the other ride choices you have in DCA. That said, it often has a lower wait time compared to other rides, so it might be a good option to throw in if you have time.

11. Golden Zephyr

The Golden Zephyr was inspired by 1920s science fiction stories, with retro spaceship vehicles that rotate in a circle. It’s kind of like the Silly Symphony Swings, except, ya know, in rocket ships.

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©Disney

And unlike the swings, the Golden Zephyr has no height restriction, which can be great for families with very young kiddos. It also gets amazing views and a nice breeze on a hot day, so while it’s not the most exciting ride, it might be worth at least one try.

10. Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

If you remember Flik’s Flyers in the now-defunct A Bug’s Land area of DCA, you’ll immediately recognize the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride. Similar to spinning rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, this ride takes guests for a spin around the Emotions’ Headquarters seen in Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out.

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Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

There is no height restriction for this ride so it’s another great option for families, but it’s also not anything particularly memorable, and the line can get long at times. Still, fans of Inside Out would love all the colorful references from the movie!

9. Jessie’s Critter Carousel

Jessie’s Critter Carousel is a Toy Story-themed carousel ride, except instead of riding carousel horses, you ride one of Jessie’s favorite critter pals!

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Jessie’s Critter Carousel

This is another family-friendly ride with no height restriction, and honestly, what kiddo doesn’t love a carousel ride?? If you or your family is a big Toy Story fan, it might be worth a ride.

8. Jumpin’ Jellyfish

Jumpin’ Jellyfish is a ride definitely meant for people on the brink of enjoying thrill rides, with a slight element of thrill from the height and drop while riding a colorful jellyfish. Guests must be 40 inches or taller to ride.

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©Disney

This is a VERY gentle ride but it does take you about 40 feet above the ground, with gentle gliding (just like a real jellyfish!) up and down until the final return to the ground. This is a great option for kids (and adults!) who are craving a bit more exciting rides but are not quite ready to graduate to roller coasters. But if you don’t like heights, you can skip this one.

7. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

If you’ve ever ridden Alien Swirling Saucers in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is essentially the same type of ride — but with a Cars twist. Board a tractor-trailer that whips and whirls you around to tunes sung by Mater, but be warned that it might move faster than you think!

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©Disney

Located in Cars Land, guests must be 32 inches or taller to ride and while it is very family-friendly, anyone with kids or adults who don’t like jerky or fast-moving rides should give it a skip.

6. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

Also in Cars Land is Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, a trackless ride with cars that “dance” to a variety of Italian songs. If you get lucky, you may be in one of the two cars that get to “dance” in the center!

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Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

If Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is too fast for you but you don’t need to stick to extremely slow-moving rides, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters falls somewhere in the middle with some jerky movements, spinning, and gliding, but it’s generally a great ride to satisfy everyone in the family. Guests must be 32 inches or taller to ride.

5. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

Fans of Monsters, Inc. would love Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, a slow dark ride featuring scenes from the popular Disney and Pixar movie. Although the line is often on the longer side, even the queue is fun with all kinds of Monsters, Inc. easter eggs and references!

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Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!

There is no height requirement for this ride and as long as your kiddo is good with monsters, it’s likely a safe choice for the whole family. Plus, it’s mostly indoors, which is a nice break from the California heat.

4. Pixar Pal-A-Round — Non-Swinging

If you’re good with a traditional Ferris wheel, the Pixar Pal-A-Round ride is worth a ride not only for the fun but also for the incredible views! Each gondola features a different Disney and Pixar character and the non-swinging version of the ride typically has a shorter wait time than the swinging side (we’ll get to that).

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Pixar Pal-A-Round

As long as heights don’t bother you, the Pixar Pal-A-Round can be a great way to sit down and relax for a bit, all while gazing over DCA and even beyond from 150 feet in the air. There is no height restriction either!

3. The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

A traditional dark ride and one you can also find in Magic Kingdom, the Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is an ideal option for young families and fans of The Little Mermaid. Board a shell and take a tour through several favorite scenes from The Little Mermaid!

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The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

While most of the ride is pure mermaid fun, kiddos might get a little scared of the scene with Ursula, so it might be a good idea to talk about that before getting on the ride. There is no height restriction, so anyone can ride!

2. Toy Story Midway Mania!

Toy Story Midway Mania! is just like Toy Story Mania in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with a 4D midway-style gaming experience with some fun twists and turns along the way.

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Toy Story Midway Mania!

There is no height restriction for this ride although younger kiddos can lap sit, while older kids can get their very own Spring-Action Launcher to attempt to hit the winning score. It’s something to do AND ride, so it’s extra fun for everyone!

1. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

And WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure is a newer ride located in Avengers Campus, with some elements of darkness, spinning, and loud sounds, but with no height restriction it can be a fun option for the whole family.

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There’s so much to see and do right now!

WEB SLINGERS has an immersive element to it, with the ride tasking guests with defeating the pesky Spider-Bots that are causing havoc. Hand motions can help “destroy” the Spider-Bots, and you can also purchase additional equipment to add to the fun!

Thrill Rides

7. Goofy’s Sky School

Goofy’s Sky School is a small roller coaster that takes riders up 3 stories into the air, with 1,200 feet of track to ride up, down, and around. With a height restriction of 42 inches, this can be a good ride for roller coaster beginners.

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©Disney

This is definitely not the fastest roller coaster but it does have some sharp turns, and it goes quite high — so be warned if you’re afraid of heights. If you or your child are ready to try a roller coaster, this might be a good introductory option.

6. Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run is a classic water raft ride with plenty of options to exit the ride completely soaked. Each raft takes 8 people and you must be 42 inches or taller to ride.

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Grizzly River Run

To put it simply, if you don’t want to get wet, you can skip this ride, but if you’re okay with that, just make sure you’re good with some minor drops and spinning.

5. Pixar Pal-A-Round — Swinging

We’ve arrived at the alternative option with the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel — the swinging side! If a regular Ferris wheel seems boring to you, the swinging side lets you board gondolas that sway and slide forward as the Ferris wheel turns. It doesn’t sound too bad but when you’re swinging around 150 feet in the air, it can get pretty scary (there’s a reason people colloquially call this ride the “wheel of death”).

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Swinging Gondolas

Note that the swinging side of the Pixar Pal-A-Round typically has a longer wait time, so you might want to build in extra time to ride that side. Also, there is no height restriction, so if you have a fun-loving kiddo who’s fine with heights and swinging, you can take the whole family!

4. Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ Around the World (formerly Soarin’ Over California) is essentially the same ride you can find in EPCOT, which is an immersive “flight” in front of an 80-foot projection dome that displays a variety of iconic sites around the world.

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Soarin’ Over California

Riders must be 40 inches or taller, but this can be a great ride for young families, considering there are no big drops or rapid movement. Just keep in mind that if your child is afraid of the dark or loud noises, you may want to have a conversation with them about the screen before getting on the ride.

3. Incredicoaster

The Incredicoaster is, well, incredible! This Incredibles-themed roller coaster has it all — a 55-mile-per-hour launch, big drops, a loop-de-loop, and more, and it’s bound to satisfy almost all fans of roller coasters.

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Incredicoaster

Guests must be 48 inches or taller to ride. Just for fun, know that it’s actually one of the longest sit-down roller coasters in the world, and it’s also the tallest roller coaster of all Disney rides!

2. Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

Not long ago, Disney reimagined the Tower of Terror to Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!, which still utilizes the same drop ride system mechanics as Tower of Terror, in a slightly different way. Instead of a sequence of several drops like you experience with Tower of Terror, Mission: BREAKOUT is a bit bouncier, and it also incorporates a screen showing the Guardians of the Galaxy battling the Collector.

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Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

You must be 40 inches or taller to ride Mission BREAKOUT, and even if you don’t like Tower of Terror we recommend riding it at least once, as several team members have said that they prefer Mission BREAKOUT to Tower of Terror!

1. Radiator Springs Racers

And finally, we’ve returned to Cars Land for Radiator Springs Racers, a super fun and thrilling ride that you can’t miss. From the views of Ornament Valley to the tour of Radiator Springs, this ride is nothing but fun, and it ends in a fast-paced race complete with turns and hills.

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Radiator Springs Racers

In terms of thrill, it’s not necessarily as exciting as the Incredicoaster, but the immersiveness and uniqueness of the ride make it an absolute must-do as long as you’re okay with speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. That said, this ride typically has one of the longest lines in DCA, so it might be a good idea to consider purchasing an individual Lightning Lane.

Read more about Genie+ in Disneyland here!

So whether you’re headed to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure (or both!), there’s a lot to consider when deciding which rides to prioritize. If thrill rides are the name of the game for you, Genie+ can be a huge asset, as those rides tend to have the longest wait times.

Keep following DFB for more Disneyland news and updates!

Check out our rankings of Disneyland rides here!

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Have you ever been to Disney California Adventure? Tell us in the comments!

The post Best Disney California Adventure Rides, Ranked first appeared on the disney food blog.

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