DisneyLandDTG10
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Disneyland Resort
    • Disneyland
    • Disney California Adventure
    • Downtown Disney
    • Disney hotels
  • Dining/Food
    • Tips
    • Character dining
    • Food savings tips
    • Mobile order
    • Favorites
  • Planning Tools & Tips
    • FastPass vs. MaxPass
    • Crowd Calendar
    • How to start your day?
    • Disney app tips
    • Rainy Days
    • Baby/Toddler tips
    • Crowd Tips
    • Beat the heat tips
    • Holiday Events
    • Entertainment
    • Printables for planning
  • Discount Tickets & Hotels
    • Discount tickets and hotel information
    • Hotel Recommendations
    • Visit Anaheim
  • Disney Destinations
    • Walt Disney World
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Epcot
    • Disney Cruise
  • Customized Disney Plans
    • What is it?
    • How to get started?
    • Testimony
DisneyLandDTG10
No Result
View All Result

Only 1 Day at Disney California Adventure how to fit in all the rides

by Shantelle
October 14, 2023
in Disney California Adventure, How to start your day?, Printables for planning
Only 1 Day at Disney California Adventure   how to fit in all the rides
Share on PinterestShare on FacebookEmail

Tips how to tour Disney California Adventure in one day. Your guide to get on every attraction with minimal wait times.  If you’re planning a trip to Disney California Adventure and you only have one day then I’ve created a possible plan for your group to follow and go on every attraction. You can do everything in one day at DCA using the following plan in conjunction with the official Disneyland app that shows you wait times.  And now there is a new tool called Disney Genie+ that replaced the old FastPass system.  If you’d like to learn more about that paid service read here.

Disney California Adventure game plan

Disney California Adventure (DCA) home to Avengers Campus, Carsland, Pixar Pier and so much more.  To make the most of your day arrive at rope drop, read more about arrival tips.  If the park opens at 8 a.m. (for instance) they let you through the gates normally around 7:30 a.m.  You can wander around, take pictures and get lined up for rope drop!  Disney has a new early morning perk for onsite hotel guests ONLY.  Read more about EARLY ENTRY. 

This post will help you navigate the park at no additional costs.  If you’re used to the old FastPass option to skip the line then you should consider Disney Genie+ for even less time in lines.  But this post will include tips for getting on the most popular attractions like Radiator Springs Racers and Guardians of the Galaxy with minimal wait times.

If you have little ones then your focus and order of rides will be different.  See the bottom of this post for a touring plan with kids.  Otherwise proceed with this plan!

Touring plan for Disney California Adventure 

I’m here to help you navigate Disney California Adventure and make the most out of your day.  I’ve updated this touring plan based on how Early Entry affects Radiator Springs Racers in the morning.  That attraction is not open during Early Entry but those hotel guests can get in the line before the park opens.  This means when the park opens there’s already a line for Racers.  I arrived at 7:45 a.m. and the park officially opens at 8:00 a.m. The photo below was taken at 8:15 a.m. and Radiator Springs Racers already had a 120 minute wait.  So I no longer recommend going to this ride first!  I’ll give other options to go on this ride further below.

Here we go let’s get this party started.  This is the order I suggest to avoid longer wait times.  Skip any attractions you’re not interested in doing.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy
  • WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
  • Incredicoaster
  • Toy Story Mania
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run 
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Monsters Inc.

entrance gate to spiderman attraction

Now back to the most popular attraction with the longest line all day, Radiator Springs Racers (RSR).  No matter when you go there will be a line for this ride.  But rather than waste 2 hours in the morning in line for one ride save RSR for later in the day.  After you’ve done the list of attractions above check the wait time in the app.  Your options to ride at this point are wait in the stand by line, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane to skip the line or get in the single rider line.  The single rider line is a great option if you’re ok with your group being split up possibly.  Based on all of that information you decide when to add RSR into your day.  It’s also fun to ride at night!  You can hop in the line just minutes before the park closes and you still get to ride if you’re in line before closing time.

disney characters signAfter you’ve done the more popular rides that build up long lines as the day goes on you can now go back and tackle the rest of the park easily. Yes you skipped a few rides along the way but trust me you saved lots of time not standing in longer lines later in the day.  So what you do next will be based on the interests of your party. I’ve grouped them by land so you can do all the rides left in each land.  You can use the Disneyland app to look up wait times.  Then once you’ve either done them or skipped them go and repeat your favorites.  And at any point stop and eat snacks or have lunch.  Here’s a post about my favorite foods in Disney California Adventure.

Paradise Gardens Park

  • The Little Mermaid
  • Golden Zephyr
  • Jumpin’ Jellyfish
  • Silly Symphony Swings

Pixar Pier

  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round

Carsland

  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters 
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree 
crowd of people in street of disney cards area
Visit Carsland during the day and at night!

Now add entertainment, characters, food and more 

So you have a game plan to get on all the rides, but there’s so much more to do at Disney California Adventure.  Every night you can watch the amazing water World of Color show.  There are shows in Avengers Campus, Mickey’s PhilharMagic show, see characters, pennies to press, explore Redwood Creek Challenge area and more.  I also have a great post with 20 plus things to do at Disney California Adventure when it’s busy.  You can find lots of ideas on that post to entertain your group and add some extra magic!  My favorite spot to take a break is in the Animation Building check it out.  But if your goal is to ride all the attractions, that can be done in one day if you follow the plan above!

Touring plan with kids, toddlers, babies

If your group includes little ones here’s the touring plan I recommend …

  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
  • Toy Story Mania
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Golden Zephyr
  • The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (must be 32” or taller)
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (must be 32” or taller)
  • Monsters Inc.  

toy story character cowgirl with lasso If the adults in your party want to ride any of the bigger E-ticket attractions as they call them you can add them in throughout the day using rider switch.

Kids also enjoy shows like Disney Junior Dance Party, Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Turtle Talk with Crush. Another great option is over at the Redwood Creek Challenge area where kids can run around, explore, slide and more. Plus there are shows in Avengers Campus, a new way to see characters and more.   If you’re looking for kid friendly play areas to explore in Disney California Adventure read more over here.

 

Have a plan

These are just suggestions to maximize your time. But go to the parks with a plan!  It can be altered that’s fine but have an idea of what you want to go on so you’re not standing around looking at the map making decisions during those precious early morning hours.  There are lots of strategies on the order of rides and know that plans can change once at the parks depending on refurbishments, lines, crowds etc.  But if you have an idea of what you want to ride and use the Disneyland app to check wait times then you can decide which ride to hit up next.  You will get so more much done with a plan!

Print a FREE attractions list

Last tip to help in your vacation planning.  I have created a checklist with ALL the attractions in both parks.  You can use it to plan your visit.  Print each list and mark the attractions you want to do.  You could even add the order you want to go on the attractions.  Click here to print.pdf promo graphic for attractions list

Looking for a plan to do Disneyland in one day check here!

Save time and mobile order food, find all the details here.

When is the best time to visit Disneyland, check out the crowd calendar.

Hotel recommendations near Disneyland, over 20 reviews plus discounted rates.

Pin this post so you can get on every ride at Disney California Adventure in one day.

promo graphic for fit in all rights in disneyland in one day

                

Shantelle

Shantelle

Related Posts

Summertime at Disneyland  the Complete Guide
Crowd Tips

Summertime at Disneyland the Complete Guide

July 6, 2023

Disneyland is a popular summer vacation destination with special celebrations like 4th of July and Disneyland’s birthday in July.  The...

Best tips  for students and chaperones  attending Grad Nite at Disneyland
Holiday Events

Best tips for students and chaperones attending Grad Nite at Disneyland

July 5, 2023

Are you a student or chaperone attending Grad Nite at the Disneyland Resort inside Disney California Adventure?  Let me share...

How will  GRAD NITE affect your Disneyland trip in  MAY or JUNE?
Holiday Events

How will GRAD NITE affect your Disneyland trip in MAY or JUNE?

May 2, 2023

What is Grad Nite and how will it affect your Disneyland trip in May or June?  Let me share some...

What to expect in  2023 at the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland

What to expect in 2023 at the Disneyland Resort

August 12, 2023

So much is happening in 2023 at the Disneyland Resort.  Disney100 celebration, new shows, new attraction, refurbishments and more!  Disneyland...

Disneyland Christmas holiday food guide plus Festival of Holidays guide at Disney California Adventure
Holiday Events

Disneyland Christmas holiday food guide plus Festival of Holidays guide at Disney California Adventure

November 10, 2023

The Christmas holiday food guide for 2023 at Disneyland is available plus the Festival of Holidays offerings in Disney California...

Disneyland Christmas Holiday Guide  – tips, must do’s and more
Disneyland

Disneyland Christmas Holiday Guide – tips, must do’s and more

November 3, 2023

Christmas time at Disneyland is the MOST magical time of the year.  The holiday season begins in November and goes...

Next Post
Customized Disneyland plans to maximize your DAY

Customized Disneyland plans to maximize your DAY

The best deals on Discount Tickets, Hotels and vacation packages to Disneyland

The best deals on Discount Tickets, Hotels and vacation packages to Disneyland

Customers who used the Disneyland customized touring plans

About Shantelle

Hello and welcome to my page where I share tips, information, strategies, news, events and more mainly about the Disneyland Resort. Growing up my grandparents owned a travel agency. I watched my grandmother plan and lead tours all over the world. Between her and my mother, I learned the importance of planning before you go on a trip to make the most out of your time. While my main focus is Disneyland you’ll find info about other Disney parks and Disney cruises too!
If you’re overwhelmed or need help planning your trip I offer customized touring plans.

Popular

Portofino Inn & Suites   hotel review

Portofino Inn & Suites hotel review

2 weeks ago
30+ Disneyland Snacks and Treats  available year round

30+ Disneyland Snacks and Treats available year round

2 months ago
Walt’s Main Street Story  guided tour review

Walt’s Main Street Story guided tour review

5 months ago
SpringHill Suites at Marriott Village in Orlando hotel review

SpringHill Suites at Marriott Village in Orlando hotel review

5 months ago

Categories

  • Animal Kingdom
  • Baby/Toddler tips
  • Beat the heat tips
  • Character dining
  • Crowd Calendar
  • Crowd Tips
  • Customized Disney Plans
  • Dining/Food
  • Discount Tickets & Hotels
  • Discount tickets and hotel information
  • Disney app tips
  • Disney California Adventure
  • Disney Cruise
  • Disney Destinations
  • Disney hotels
  • Disneyland
  • Disneyland Resort
  • Downtown Disney
  • Entertainment
  • Epcot
  • FastPass vs. MaxPass
  • Favorites
  • Food savings tips
  • Holiday Events
  • Hollywood Studios
  • Hotel Recommendations
  • How to get started?
  • How to start your day?
  • Magic Kingdom
  • Mobile order
  • Planning Tools & Tips
  • Printables for planning
  • Rainy Days
  • Testimony
  • Tips
  • Visit Anaheim
  • Walt Disney World
  • What is it?
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact

© 2019 Disneylandtourguide.com. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Disneyland Resort
    • Disneyland
    • Disney California Adventure
    • Downtown Disney
    • Disney hotels
  • Dining/Food
    • Tips
    • Character dining
    • Food savings tips
    • Mobile order
    • Favorites
  • Planning Tools & Tips
    • FastPass vs. MaxPass
    • Crowd Calendar
    • How to start your day?
    • Disney app tips
    • Rainy Days
    • Baby/Toddler tips
    • Crowd Tips
    • Beat the heat tips
    • Holiday Events
    • Entertainment
    • Printables for planning
  • Discount Tickets & Hotels
    • Discount tickets and hotel information
    • Hotel Recommendations
    • Visit Anaheim
  • Disney Destinations
    • Walt Disney World
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Epcot
    • Disney Cruise
  • Customized Disney Plans
    • What is it?
    • How to get started?
    • Testimony

© 2019 Disneylandtourguide.com. All rights reserved.