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Walt Disney World Tickets



Disneyland Resort

Disney's California Adventure

Read our weekly Disneyland Park Update for current news about the Disney's California Adventure and the Disneyland Resort.

There might be some impulse to think of Disney's California Adventure as the little brother of Disneyland. Perhaps a more accurate description would be that Disneyland is the granddaddy of all theme parks and Disney's California Adventure is a grandchild still struggling to define itself. In Florida, Disney began experimenting with the theme park template established by Disneyland and when it was decided to add a second park to accompany Disneyland it was to these second-generation theme parks (such as Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) that management and the Imagineers looked to for inspiration.

From the first announcement, many people wondered why Disney would open a California-themed park in the middle of California and to a degree these doubts have been born out. Over the park's four years the theme has been increasingly diluted and attendance has not been good except when heavy discounts are offered.

Despite this, Disney's California Adventure is a lavishly themed and decorated park, and looks especially good at night. Every park visitor should give it a chance for themself before just relying on the reviews of others.

General Information - Hide Section
  • Location: Anaheim, California. Approximately 30 miles south of Los Angeles.
  • Date Opened: February 8, 2001.
  • Approximate Annual Attendance: 5.7 million (2007)
  • Ticket Price: $72 Adult/$62 Child for a single day, single park ticket (see Disneyland Resort page for full ticket information)
  • Size: 58 acres
  • # of Lands: 4
  • # of Rides and Attractions: 24
  • # of Entertainment and Shows: 10
  • # of Dining Locations: 16
  • # of Shopping and Store Locations: 14
Park Hours - Show Section
  • Park Hours: Disney's California Adventure is open seven days a week, every day of the year, holidays included. Hours vary by day of the week and season. As a general rule, Disney's California Adventure will close two or three hours earlier than Disneyland on a given day, and as early at 6 p.m. on off-season weekdays. The park also generally opens an hour later than Disneyland.

  • Upcoming Hours: Park hours are subject to change without notice. Hours can be confirmed at the official Disneyland Web site.

  • Early Entry: Currently there are no programs or promotions that would gain entry into Disney's California Adventure prior to the posted opening time.

  • Late Departure: There are currently no programs or promotions that would allow you to spend extra time in the park at the end of the day.
Facilities - Show Section
  • ATMs: ATMs are located near the main entrance, in the Golden State area near the Pacific Wharf Cafe and the Golden Dreams attraction, in Paradise Pier near California Screamin' and Burger Invasion, and close to Off the Page in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. The ATMs are provided by Chase and will charge a fee to non-account holders.

  • Guest Relations: The Guest Relations office is located immediately to the left as you enter the park, with another window to the left near the lockers before you enter the park. The cast members working in this office will be able to answer most questions and help with any issues.

  • Disney Dollars: Disney Dollars are the private currency of Disneyland. Any cash accepting location inside of the park will accept Disney Dollars as well. You can purchase Disney Dollars at Greetings From California store near the entrance to the park. Purchases of Disney Dollars can be made with cash or credit card. One good tip is that to avoid the fees at the ATMs, you can purchase Disney Dollars instead (they will show on your credit card bill as a purchase and not a cash advance). When making a purchase with Disney Dollars change will be given in U.S. currency. Unused Disney Disney Dollars can be returned for cash at the same location. Disney Dollars can be spent at Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Downtown Disney and anywhere at the Walt Disney Resort. They are not accepted at Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disneyland (not that you'd want to in Japan, since that would be a very painful exchange rate).

  • Equipment Rental: Strollers, manual wheelchairs, and ECVs can be rented inside the park. Rentals are a flat price for the entire day. If your rented stroller goes missing through the day you can return to the rental station (immediately to the right as you enter the park) for a replacement. Strollers rent for $15 (two for $25), wheelchairs are $32, and ECVs are $65. Both the wheelchair and ECV prices include a refundable $20 deposit. During peak periods a joint rental operation for both parks may be set up in the Esplanade area between Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure; during slower periods of the year each park runs its own rental operation immediately inside each park.

  • First Aid and Baby Care: The first aid station and baby care center are located next to each other and adjacent ot the Mission Tortilla Fatory in the Pacific Wharf area. The baby center provides a quiet place for feeding as well as size appropriate toilets. The first aid station can provide over-the-counter medicines for aches or pains as well as bandages for blisters and other minor maladies. If the matter is more serious they can refer you to the nearest hospital facilities or get you the assistance needed. The first aid station is manned by registered nurses.

  • Lockers: There is one locker rental location available inside Disney's California Adventure and it is immediately to the right as you enter the park. A second set of lockers is avaialable for short term rental at Grizzly River Rapids, but this is intended as dry storage for people about to go on the ride. Three locker locations are also available outside of the park: a large locker room (also containing just small and large lockers) is positioned to the left of the entry gates outside of each park and three sizes of larger lockers are found in the picnic area, outside the security checks on the Downtown Disney side. Rental prices are $7, $10, $11, $12, or $15 for a locker, depending on size. Bills and credit cards are accepted, no change is given. A single payment pays for the entire day and you can open and close the locker without further charge.

  • Restrooms: Restrooms are of course easily found throughout the park, with varying levels of amenities and theming. Some smaller restrooms are in out of the way corners and the closest restroom may not be where you think.

  • Kennel: There is a kennel available for dogs just outside of Disneyland Park, to the right of the main gates. The fee is $15 per day and pets can not be left overnight. For all dogs over four months of age, rabies and distemper vaccination certificates are required.

  • Smoking: Smoking is allowed in only designated areas in the park. Disney's California Adventure has four such areas. They are in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Condor Flats area of Golden State, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area of Golden State, and one in the Paradise Pier area. For further details see our Guide to Smoking at Disneyland Resort.
The Lands (Areas of the Park) - Show Section
The land concept is somewhat diluted at Disney's California Adventure. There are only five official areas of the park, but some are significantly further subdivided.
  • a bug's land — Dedicated to the Pixar-animated film A Bug's Life; includes the Bountiful Valley Farm and Flik's Fun Fair areas.
  • Cars Land — An entirely new land for the park, adding twelve acres of space and themed entirely to the movie Cars. Opening 2012.
  • Golden State — Explores the widely varying geography of California; includes the Condor Flats, Grizzly Recreation Area, and Pacific Wharf areas.
  • Hollywood Pictures Backlot — Themed to be a Hollywood studio backlot, though this is an increasingly diluted theme.
  • Paradise Pier — This area is a throwback to the old oceanside boardwalk parks that used to dot the California coast.
  • Sunshine Plaza — The park's entry area.
Rides and Attractions (Yes, a Complete List) - Show Section
Entertainment and Shows - Show Section
Dining - Show Section
Stores and Shopping - Show Section
Park Tours - Show Section
..In the Past - Show Section

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