Why I Think Disney California Adventure Is the PERFECT Park for Disney Adults

I am sharing what might be my hottest Disney take!

Disney California Adventure is the second theme park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. It’s gone through some major changes (and is expecting even more), but has been controversial as some Disney fans consider it to be lackluster. My hot take is I think it’s the perfect park for Disney Adults, and I’m telling you why!

Disney California Adventure has undergone some serious changes since it originally opened in 2001. When the park first opened, it was made up of Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Paradise Pier, and Golden State.

When it first opened, it wasn’t received super well, leading many parks fans to rank it as their least favorite of the parks. Over the years, Disney has put in quite a bit of work to give this park a face lift. Now the park consists of Avengers Campus, Cars Land, Pixar Pier, San Fransokyo Square, Buena Vista Street, Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, and Paradise Gardens Park, so quite the expansion over all in its 24 years.

Unfortunately for this park, it’s been hard to shake this not-so-perfect reputation, but after my lastest trip to California, I have finally decided that I think California Adventure might be the perfect park for Disney Adults. There are a few reasons why I feel this way, starting with the attractions!

Rides like the Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and Radiator Springs Racers are so much fun especially for the adults! These rides offer fast rides, drops, and thrills which add to the fun for big kids.

Not that other parks don’t have thrills, but even the family friendly rides can be surprising! Grizzly River Run and Silly Symphony Swings offer surpring thrills and excitment that shouldn’t be overlooked.

My next argument is that they have a surpringly fun way to drink around the park! Now not every Disney Adult is going to get an adult beverage, but I am when I’m in the park. When it comes to drinking at Disney, EPCOT is the most well known when it comes to having a fun beverage but I think California Adventure can compete. 

Every land within the park offers the option of alchohol with some of my favorite spots being Pym Tasting Lab, Lamplight Lounge, the Cozy Cones, and Carthay Circle Lounge (which we’ll talk more about later.)

There are so many delicious drinks from cocktails to wine to beer! I think we aren’t talking about the fun ways to sip around the park enough. Disneyland is a dry park (aside from restaurants and Oga’s Cantina) so it’s nice to get a tasty drink right across the street when you can.

That also leads me into my next point, which is the food! I also believe the food is seriously underrated in California Adventure at spots like Lamplight Lounge and Carthay Circle Restaurant. Lamplight Lounge has my heart in a deeply personal way thanks to the amazing cocktails and the Lobster Nachos.

Carthy Circle is another spot that can make you feel like a grown up in the best way. Inspired by the Carthay Cricle Theater (the movie theater that hosted the premiere of Snow White), this restaurant has a sophisticated environment with delicious bites and drinks.

These are just two of my favorite spots so we’re really only scratching the surface! Speaking of food, the festivals in California Adventure give the park an edge when it comes to being a great spots for adults. 

This park hosts the Lunar New Year Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Festival of the Holidays, and (previously) the Pixar Fest! These festivals add booths with food and drinks to give you even more options when it comes to dining around the park.

These festivals are quite a bit smaller than EPCOT’s festivals, however this park offers one thing that’s even better than EPCOT. It’s called the Sip and Savor Pass, and it allows you to pre-purchase a select amount of food and drink before enjoying the festivals. 

It’s super convenient and helps with budgeting when enjoying the festivals. Personally, I wish EPCOT would add a similar offering! Finally, I think this park is the best for Disney Adults because of the relaxed atmosphere and people watching. 

I’m something of a “lazy” Disney Adult when I’m on vacation. I love relaxing, taking time to sit, people watch, and enjoying the atmosphere of the parks. I also love getting to ride all of the rides and enjoy a show or two. That’s why California Adventure is perfect for me. There are quite a few rides but nothing overwhelming, so I can take big breaks while still managing to do almost everything. There’s less stress because there’s less to do in a weird way. 

I just love the envirnoment of this park, and I can’t wait to see what it becomes once the Pandora addition comes to life plus the Avengers Campus expansion! This park might not be for everyone, but it certainly is for this Disney Adult. As always, keep following AllEars for more hot Disney takes.

Check out more about California Adventure here! 

Tell me what your favorite park is for Disney Adults in the comments!