As a frequent visitor to the Disneyland Resort, I always enjoy keeping tabs on the latest developments and changes at Disney California Adventure (DCA). On a recent visit, I took a comprehensive tour of the park to assess its current state, observe crowd levels, and gather insights on upcoming attractions. In this blog post, I’ll share my findings and thoughts on DCA’s present condition and future prospects.
A Quiet Monday Afternoon
My visit took place on a Monday afternoon in August, typically a busy time for the park. However, I was surprised to find the overall crowd levels notably lower than expected. This could be attributed to the recent conclusion of the Pixar Fest celebration, which had been drawing larger crowds in previous weeks.
As I entered the park, I immediately noticed the absence of Pixar Fest decorations. The mobile kiosks and signage that had adorned the entrance area were gone, leaving a clean, uncluttered look. It’s worth noting that this pristine appearance is likely to be short-lived, as Halloween decorations are expected to start appearing within the next week or so.
Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land
Starting my journey on Buena Vista Street, I was struck by how manageable the crowds were. The usual hustle and bustle was noticeably subdued, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of the area. As I made my way into Hollywood Land, I couldn’t help but ponder the future of this section of the park.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Hollywood Land is the currently closed Hyperion Theater. While no official announcements have been made regarding its future, there’s been speculation about potential new shows or even a complete reimagining of the space. The building has recently received a fresh coat of paint, suggesting that Disney has plans for the venue, even if they’re not ready to share them yet.
Avengers Campus: Current State and Future Expansions
Avengers Campus continues to be a popular draw for visitors, and I was eager to check out the current state of attractions and see if I could spot any signs of the announced expansions.
Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure had a posted wait time of 30 minutes, which felt accurate based on the queue I observed. The attraction continues to be popular, especially with families and Marvel fans.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! was experiencing some operational issues during my visit. The attraction was temporarily closed for what appeared to be a quick cleanup, but it reopened with a 50-minute wait time. It’s worth noting that the ride is currently operating at reduced capacity, with only two of the three gantries in use.
The big news for Avengers Campus is the upcoming expansion, which will include a new E-ticket attraction. While no visible construction has begun, Disney has shared concept art and even a glimpse of the ride vehicle for this future attraction. The new ride will be located behind the Avengers Headquarters building, utilizing previously unused backstage space.
Additionally, a second new attraction has been announced for Avengers Campus, though details are scarcer for this one. Speculation is rife about where it might be located, with some suggesting it could replace the former Doctor Strange show area.
The Current State of Cars Land
Cars Land remains a favorite among park visitors, and my visit reaffirmed its enduring appeal. Radiator Springs Racers had a 65-minute wait time, which is fairly standard for the popular attraction. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree both had reasonable wait times of around 20-30 minutes.
One notable observation was that Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree was operating at reduced capacity, with only one side of the attraction running. This resulted in a longer-than-usual 35-minute wait time.
The Current State of Pixar Pier
As I made my way to Pixar Pier, I was once again struck by the area’s charm and energy. The Incredicoaster had a 40-minute wait time, which felt accurate given the queue I observed. Toy Story Midway Mania was posting a 50-minute wait, though based on the visible queue, I suspected it might be closer to 35-40 minutes.
One of the most exciting pieces of news to come out of the recent D23 Expo was the announcement of a new Coco-themed attraction coming to Disney California Adventure. While the exact location wasn’t specified, there’s strong speculation that it could be situated behind the Pixar Pal-A-Round (formerly Mickey’s Fun Wheel). This area has long been rumored for expansion, and a Coco dark ride would be a fantastic addition to the park.
What’s Happening At Paradise Gardens Park?
The Paradise Gardens area of the park offered a mix of experiences during my visit. The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure had an unusually long queue, stretching out into the extended queue area. The posted wait time was 20 minutes, but based on the line, I estimated it could be closer to 25-30 minutes.
Goofy’s Sky School had a 35-minute wait time, which is fairly typical for the attraction. The nearby Silly Symphony Swings had a posted 20-minute wait, though it appeared to be less busy than that when I passed by.
One disappointing observation was the continued non-operation of the geysers near Grizzly River Run. Despite recent refurbishment efforts, the geysers were not active during my visit. On a positive note, the misters in the area were working, providing some relief from the summer heat.
The Crowds At Grizzly Peak Are Massive
The Grizzly Peak area of the park was bustling with activity, likely due to guests seeking relief from the warm weather. Grizzly River Run had a posted 40-minute wait time, but the queue appeared much longer. I estimated it could be closer to an hour wait, with the entire queue filled to capacity.
Soarin’ Around the World also had a substantial wait time of 55 minutes. The queue extended outside the building, which is always a sign of high demand for this popular attraction.
Where Will Avatar Land In Disneyland California Adventure?
One of the biggest announcements to come out of the recent D23 Expo was the confirmation of an Avatar experience coming to Disney California Adventure. While details are still scarce, we know it will include a water-based attraction and will be a significant addition to the park.
The exact location of this Avatar experience within DCA hasn’t been revealed, leading to much speculation among fans. Based on the concept art and the need for a substantial footprint, it seems unlikely that it would replace any existing land. My personal theory is that it might be part of a future expansion utilizing the Simba parking lot, though this is purely speculation at this point.
Crowd Levels and Wait Times at Disneyland California Adventure
Throughout my visit, I noticed an interesting trend: while attraction queues were often substantial, the walkways and common areas of the park felt relatively uncrowded. This could be due to a combination of factors, including the recent end of Pixar Fest and the warm weather encouraging guests to spend more time in air-conditioned queues or on water rides.
Here’s a summary of wait times I observed during my afternoon visit:
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!: 90 minutes
- Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure: 40 minutes
- Radiator Springs Racers: 65 minutes
- Incredicoaster: 40 minutes
- Toy Story Midway Mania: 50 minutes
- Soarin’ Around the World: 55 minutes
- Grizzly River Run: 40 minutes (likely underestimated)
- Goofy’s Sky School: 35 minutes
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: 20 minutes
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters: 20 minutes
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree: 35 minutes (reduced capacity)
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!: 60 minutes
These wait times, while substantial for some attractions, are generally manageable for a summer afternoon at Disney California Adventure.
Dining Observations
During my visit, I had the opportunity to observe the dining situation at various locations throughout the park. At Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus, the lunch rush was in full swing, with mobile order pickup lines stretching out the door. However, the efficient system seemed to keep things moving at a reasonable pace.
Over in Cars Land, Flo’s V8 Cafe had a moderate line, but nothing excessive for the time of day. The Cozy Cone Motel area was surprisingly quiet, with minimal waits for the various snack options.
One personal dining experience I had was at Cocina Cucamonga in Pacific Wharf. I was pleasantly surprised to find no wait for ordering, a rarity in recent visits. The food quality was good, especially considering the reasonable price point for theme park dining.
Upcoming Events and Seasonal Offerings at DCA
While my visit captured a moment of relative calm between major events, it’s worth noting the upcoming seasonal offerings at Disney California Adventure.
The Halloween season is set to begin on August 23rd, just a week and a half after my visit. This will bring a host of decorations, special food offerings, and themed experiences to the park. Cars Land, in particular, is known for its spectacular Halloween overlays, and I’m excited to see what they have in store this year.
Additionally, the popular Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween party will be returning on select nights. While this is a separate ticketed event, it does impact park operations and crowd levels on party days.
Maintenance and Refurbishment Observations
Throughout my visit, I kept an eye out for any ongoing maintenance or refurbishment projects. While no major attractions were closed for refurbishment, I did notice a few areas of interest:
- The Carthay Circle fountain at the end of Buena Vista Street was not operational. This seems to be an ongoing issue, as the fountain is more often off than on in recent months.
- There was some minor construction work happening near the entrance to Cars Land, with a small section cordoned off. This doesn’t appear to be related to any major project and is likely routine maintenance.
- The geysers near Grizzly River Run, despite recent refurbishment efforts, were not functioning during my visit.
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is still operating at reduced capacity, with only two of three gantries in use.
These observations highlight the ongoing challenge of maintaining a theme park of this scale while minimizing impact on the guest experience.
Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
As I concluded my tour of Disney California Adventure, I was left with a sense of both satisfaction with the current state of the park and excitement for its future. While crowd levels were lower than expected for a summer afternoon, the overall energy and atmosphere of the park remained positive.
The announced additions of the Coco attraction, the Avatar experience, and the expansion of Avengers Campus all point to a bright future for DCA. These new experiences will add much-needed capacity to the park and provide fresh reasons for guests to visit.
However, there are also areas where improvement is needed. The continued issues with the Carthay Circle fountain, the non-functioning geysers at Grizzly River Run, and the reduced capacity on some attractions suggest that there’s still work to be done in terms of maintenance and operations.
As Disney California Adventure continues to evolve, it’s clear that the park is striving to balance its original California theme with new IP-based attractions and experiences. The challenge moving forward will be to integrate these new elements seamlessly while maintaining the park’s unique identity.
For now, Disney California Adventure remains a delightful second gate to Disneyland, offering a mix of thrilling attractions, immersive themed lands, and unique dining experiences. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to imagine how the upcoming additions will further enhance the park’s appeal and create new memories for guests of all ages.
Whether you’re a frequent visitor or planning your first trip to the Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure is well worth your time. From the high-speed thrills of Radiator Springs Racers to the marvel of Avengers Campus, and the classic charm of Buena Vista Street, there’s truly something for everyone at this ever-evolving park.
As always, if you’re planning a visit, be sure to check the official Disneyland Resort website for the most up-to-date information on attractions, events, and operational changes. The park continues to adapt to changing circumstances, and staying informed will help ensure you have the best possible experience during your visit to Disney California Adventure.