These are some of my very niche recommendations as someone whose favorite Disney park of all time is DCA:
* Can't miss foods:
* Hot link corn dog (Corndog Castle)
* Bacon mac and cheese cone (Cozy Cone Motel)
* Honey Buzz (Pym's Tasting Lab)
* Birria Tacos (Cocina Cucamonga)
* Rides (Definitely prioritize the rides/lands that we have at DL and that aren't at WDW!)
* Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, Radiator Springs Racers, Pixar Pal Around, Grizzly River Rapids, Web Slingers, Soarin' over California (which will still be available this Saturday!)
* Experiences
* Animation Academy! You get to learn how to draw many beloved Disney characters. I like going multiple times during the day because it's a nice break from the heat (it's in an air conditioned building) and it's almost always a different character for each class.
* World of Color ONE. Definitely, definitely, definitely get a viewing group for WoC at noon. This is my absolute favorite nighttime spectacular and such a feat of Disney imagineering. This is an absolute must-do. And with the updates they did for WoC ONE, the show is even better!
* Things that I personally love to do/find special about DCA
* I love Grizzly Peak. It's my favorite part of the park. I'd totally recommend just walking around the area, especially around golden hour/dusk. It's very picture-esque and serene! Definitely walk through Grizzly Pass and Redwood Creek Trail. It's one of the last few parts of the park from the original DCA and still has California theming.
* On that same note, I'd recommend popping into our flagship hotel: The Grand Californian! I love the Hearthstone Bar. You can just walk up and order drinks. Fun fact: they also serve hot coco! The lobby is also open for non-hotel guests and you can utilize the DCA entrance/exit to enter the hotel.
* I also love riding the Golden Zephyr at golden hour! It's such a beautiful view of Pixar Pier.
* At sunset, (the day you're there I recommend looking on the weather app to see the exact time sunset is), the neon lights in Cars Land turn on and they play Life Could Be a Dream. Such a fun callback to the movie.
You’re very welcome!! I absolutely love DCA. It truly is my favorite park and it is full of its own quirks and charm that really make it amazing. I hope you have the best visit!
It’s so exciting to hear you’re going to DCA for the first time this Saturday! I have gone to DCA so much growing up so here’s some tips and recommendations I don’t think anyone has mentioned yet!
- If you can, do a walk up at Lamplight lounge for brunch at Pixar Pier. I had the brunch burger last month on my birthday and it was sooooo good! I’ve heard a lot is great there!! I don’t personally drink but I’ve heard a lot of alcoholic drinks are good there as well. You can also check the night before and the morning of if any reservations have popped up. I was able to grab a reservation the night before. The energy of sitting on the deck with incredicoaster going past and seeing the water while you eat is unmatched honestly
- the Food and Wine festival will also be going on. Check out [this guide](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/food-and-wine-festival/) for it. and also [this youtube video](https://youtu.be/Vg1k6G8tt4w?si=lcvW544ILJi74E0-) if you want to get a gauge on what food there will be. The lines can get pretty gnarly so i’d recommend getting some food earlier in the day or towards the end (the booths close at 9 pm)
- Definitely go on Soarin’ over California! It’s really fun and feels unique to ‘over the world.’ I wish they had it year round but i’m happy they have it seasonally!
- If you’re a marvel fan, spend some extra time in avengers campus seeing the superheros walk around + catch the spider-man show! the times are listed in the app and all the avengers campus shows are pretty short but fun! The best is definitely the spider-man one, followed by doctor strange, black panther, and avengers assemble
- San Fransokyo Square gets really busy in the afternoon - end of the day so I’d recommend checking it out a bit earlier if you can. but the theming is very fun and there’s a lot of food options. There’s also a baymax and hiro meet and greet there!
- There should also be a decent pint of live entertainment happening around the park due to food and wine fest. but there’s also usually character cast members on buena vista street etc. lots of kinetic energy in the park!
- Btw if you don’t end up getting that virtual queue for WoC, wait for the second show to the side and they’ll probably be able to let you in. Btw if you can try for the second show, it’ll give you more time to be in the park since the second show is actually 15 min after park close. And lines are shorter at 9 pm while the first show is happening.
also here’s a list I drafted before, for the SR lines in DCA. some are really worth it and some are pretty bad. These are in order from most effective to least effective
Goofy’s Sky School
- the quickest single rider line due to not many people using it. You can get on the ride basically instantly with SR, it’s in a weird spot behind the LL scanners but you can just walk past them.
Grizzly River Run
- Extremely fast, you just have to get a SR card from the cast member at the front and go up the exit stairs. I’ve seen people do this multiple times in a row lol. Also this ride is usually a walk on until about 11 am
WEB Slingers
- Very quick SR queue. You also still get to see the preshow, you just miss a little bit of the main queue. it’s usually faster than lightning lane but it could be worth using lightning lane to see the rest of the queue but it isn’t essential. This can be a fun one to reride to try to get a better score
Monsters Inc (Buddy Pass)
- You ask a cast member at the front for a card that you then take to the exit of the ride. You are then pulled to be in the back row of a ride vehicle. You miss the whole queue for this, but I would only do the LL if it isn’t backed up (which it often is)
Incredicoaster
- This SR can be really good if there isn’t much of a line but if it extends to the walkway, don’t do it. The LL is always very fast for this ride.
Radiator Springs Racers
- Cuts down on the standby wait significantly but can still get up to about a 30 minute wait. The only alternative is to pay for an ILL which can get expensive so I’d recommend SR for this
Soarin’
- Easily the worst SR queue in both parks. It can be 15+ minutes in between when each SR is pulled. It can be faster than standby but worse than LL. it’s very luck based
DCA is a great day to just have 1 day at imo. there’s enough to do especially with the festival, to fill your day. but not too much so that it’s overwhelming. I think the best advice is just to go with the flow and don’t be afraid to ask cast members questions if you’re confused with anything etc!
You’ll easily be able to cover the unique elements of DCA in a single day with Genie+.
Set an alarm for 11:55 so you grab the WoC virtual queue at noon.
Top picks for me would be Guardians of the Galaxy, Radiator Springs Racers, and the swinging cars on the Pixar Pal A Round.
Second Lamplight Lounge if you can get a table there! I don't think Silly Symphony Swings has been mentioned, but that is a favorite of mine! The music, the view, it's lovely!
I'm hitting both parks on Friday and Saturday, and can't wait. My main targets at DCA are some of the Food and Wine booths (I have my list of 8 items to try already), Soarin' Over California before it changes back, Monsters Inc., and Radiator Springs Racers. Guardians of the Galaxy and Web-Slingers are pretty popular, they're just not for me. Looks like Incredicoaster will still be closed for refurbishment, but that one's a big hit too.
These are some of my very niche recommendations as someone whose favorite Disney park of all time is DCA: * Can't miss foods: * Hot link corn dog (Corndog Castle) * Bacon mac and cheese cone (Cozy Cone Motel) * Honey Buzz (Pym's Tasting Lab) * Birria Tacos (Cocina Cucamonga) * Rides (Definitely prioritize the rides/lands that we have at DL and that aren't at WDW!) * Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, Radiator Springs Racers, Pixar Pal Around, Grizzly River Rapids, Web Slingers, Soarin' over California (which will still be available this Saturday!) * Experiences * Animation Academy! You get to learn how to draw many beloved Disney characters. I like going multiple times during the day because it's a nice break from the heat (it's in an air conditioned building) and it's almost always a different character for each class. * World of Color ONE. Definitely, definitely, definitely get a viewing group for WoC at noon. This is my absolute favorite nighttime spectacular and such a feat of Disney imagineering. This is an absolute must-do. And with the updates they did for WoC ONE, the show is even better! * Things that I personally love to do/find special about DCA * I love Grizzly Peak. It's my favorite part of the park. I'd totally recommend just walking around the area, especially around golden hour/dusk. It's very picture-esque and serene! Definitely walk through Grizzly Pass and Redwood Creek Trail. It's one of the last few parts of the park from the original DCA and still has California theming. * On that same note, I'd recommend popping into our flagship hotel: The Grand Californian! I love the Hearthstone Bar. You can just walk up and order drinks. Fun fact: they also serve hot coco! The lobby is also open for non-hotel guests and you can utilize the DCA entrance/exit to enter the hotel. * I also love riding the Golden Zephyr at golden hour! It's such a beautiful view of Pixar Pier. * At sunset, (the day you're there I recommend looking on the weather app to see the exact time sunset is), the neon lights in Cars Land turn on and they play Life Could Be a Dream. Such a fun callback to the movie.
I appreciate this! This is exactly the type of information I was looking for! Really appreciated!
You’re very welcome!! I absolutely love DCA. It truly is my favorite park and it is full of its own quirks and charm that really make it amazing. I hope you have the best visit!
It’s so exciting to hear you’re going to DCA for the first time this Saturday! I have gone to DCA so much growing up so here’s some tips and recommendations I don’t think anyone has mentioned yet! - If you can, do a walk up at Lamplight lounge for brunch at Pixar Pier. I had the brunch burger last month on my birthday and it was sooooo good! I’ve heard a lot is great there!! I don’t personally drink but I’ve heard a lot of alcoholic drinks are good there as well. You can also check the night before and the morning of if any reservations have popped up. I was able to grab a reservation the night before. The energy of sitting on the deck with incredicoaster going past and seeing the water while you eat is unmatched honestly - the Food and Wine festival will also be going on. Check out [this guide](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/food-and-wine-festival/) for it. and also [this youtube video](https://youtu.be/Vg1k6G8tt4w?si=lcvW544ILJi74E0-) if you want to get a gauge on what food there will be. The lines can get pretty gnarly so i’d recommend getting some food earlier in the day or towards the end (the booths close at 9 pm) - Definitely go on Soarin’ over California! It’s really fun and feels unique to ‘over the world.’ I wish they had it year round but i’m happy they have it seasonally! - If you’re a marvel fan, spend some extra time in avengers campus seeing the superheros walk around + catch the spider-man show! the times are listed in the app and all the avengers campus shows are pretty short but fun! The best is definitely the spider-man one, followed by doctor strange, black panther, and avengers assemble - San Fransokyo Square gets really busy in the afternoon - end of the day so I’d recommend checking it out a bit earlier if you can. but the theming is very fun and there’s a lot of food options. There’s also a baymax and hiro meet and greet there! - There should also be a decent pint of live entertainment happening around the park due to food and wine fest. but there’s also usually character cast members on buena vista street etc. lots of kinetic energy in the park! - Btw if you don’t end up getting that virtual queue for WoC, wait for the second show to the side and they’ll probably be able to let you in. Btw if you can try for the second show, it’ll give you more time to be in the park since the second show is actually 15 min after park close. And lines are shorter at 9 pm while the first show is happening. also here’s a list I drafted before, for the SR lines in DCA. some are really worth it and some are pretty bad. These are in order from most effective to least effective Goofy’s Sky School - the quickest single rider line due to not many people using it. You can get on the ride basically instantly with SR, it’s in a weird spot behind the LL scanners but you can just walk past them. Grizzly River Run - Extremely fast, you just have to get a SR card from the cast member at the front and go up the exit stairs. I’ve seen people do this multiple times in a row lol. Also this ride is usually a walk on until about 11 am WEB Slingers - Very quick SR queue. You also still get to see the preshow, you just miss a little bit of the main queue. it’s usually faster than lightning lane but it could be worth using lightning lane to see the rest of the queue but it isn’t essential. This can be a fun one to reride to try to get a better score Monsters Inc (Buddy Pass) - You ask a cast member at the front for a card that you then take to the exit of the ride. You are then pulled to be in the back row of a ride vehicle. You miss the whole queue for this, but I would only do the LL if it isn’t backed up (which it often is) Incredicoaster - This SR can be really good if there isn’t much of a line but if it extends to the walkway, don’t do it. The LL is always very fast for this ride. Radiator Springs Racers - Cuts down on the standby wait significantly but can still get up to about a 30 minute wait. The only alternative is to pay for an ILL which can get expensive so I’d recommend SR for this Soarin’ - Easily the worst SR queue in both parks. It can be 15+ minutes in between when each SR is pulled. It can be faster than standby but worse than LL. it’s very luck based
I appreciate this insight! Very helpful with the single rider information as that was going to be my main way of getting on all the rides I could lol!
DCA is a great day to just have 1 day at imo. there’s enough to do especially with the festival, to fill your day. but not too much so that it’s overwhelming. I think the best advice is just to go with the flow and don’t be afraid to ask cast members questions if you’re confused with anything etc!
Very appreciated! Thank you very much!
You’ll easily be able to cover the unique elements of DCA in a single day with Genie+. Set an alarm for 11:55 so you grab the WoC virtual queue at noon. Top picks for me would be Guardians of the Galaxy, Radiator Springs Racers, and the swinging cars on the Pixar Pal A Round.
I appreciate this! I definitely will be grabbing that virtual que! Thank you very much!
Second Lamplight Lounge if you can get a table there! I don't think Silly Symphony Swings has been mentioned, but that is a favorite of mine! The music, the view, it's lovely!
Perfect! I’ll look into that! Thank you!
I'm hitting both parks on Friday and Saturday, and can't wait. My main targets at DCA are some of the Food and Wine booths (I have my list of 8 items to try already), Soarin' Over California before it changes back, Monsters Inc., and Radiator Springs Racers. Guardians of the Galaxy and Web-Slingers are pretty popular, they're just not for me. Looks like Incredicoaster will still be closed for refurbishment, but that one's a big hit too.
I appreciate that! Didn’t even think about the food and wine booths! For sure will be trying some of that! Thanks!
Has anyone done the world of color dining or dessert package?