Suggestions for "best" stuff at California Adventure

[pdarrah]

OK - Obviously "Best" is very subjective, but I am looking for ideas for things that my parents might enjoy at California Adventure. We will be there at the beginning of June (Myself, DH and DS18) and my parents are going to join us for a couple of days. We will spend 1 day at each park with them (and then 3 more days for just the 3 of us). Although both have been to WDW several times, my mother has never been to Disneyland and my father visited only 1 time - the year it opened (so a LOT of changes since then!)

They are very fit & active, but are in their 70's (77 & 75) and I'm pretty sure that GoG and CA Screamin' are not things they will want to do. I have pretty major doubts about GRR as well since neither is going to be happy about walking around all wet afterwards. They enjoyed Soaring (old version) and Test Track at Epcot, so there are certainly rides we will do that day - it just doesn't seem to be a full day once you pull the big thrill rides out. Does CA have much where its nice to just take your time and enjoy the details like DL? I'm kind of bummed that the big show is now Frozen - while we all enjoyed the movie, we are all pretty sick of Frozen everywhere all the time and I'm doubting there will be much interest in this show from our group.

My family's only visit to California Adventure was in 2008, so it has changed significantly since then. We also only spent part of a day there as we only had 2 total days on that trip. At DL, I have all sorts of ideas of things I think they will enjoy, but I'm coming up pretty empty for CA. They have 1 park tickets, so we can't just do a few things at CA and then jump to DL with them. We have the WoC Dessert Party for that night, so I don't want to skip CA completely.

Any thoughts on things they might enjoy at CA?

 

[chickapin parterre]

I am 60 years old.

Crush. they are going to love crush. comfortable seats, long rest time, dark, easy on the eyes. And if you arrive early enough in the waiting room, they can sit down and rest against the wall. Animation building is a senior citizen oasis

Route 66 details, let them walk by themselves and take in the details of an America they experienced, that is slowly fading away.

Sha-boom, the neon colors coming on at sunset, may very well be the greatest moment for them. We are the last generation to see neon advertising when we were children.

easy access into Grand Californian, lots of fun details that seniors appreciate....though maybe not an easy acces back into DCa.

walkway behind GRR, take in the Sierra Nevada beauty

Buena Vista street will have a variety of street performers, leave them there to wander slowly and catch the performers

Bugsland. Fun quirky details.

But the reality is that you are asking them to leave the feather quilt comforter feeling of Disneyland and asking them to spend a day in a starchy hotel sheet in DCA. Spring for a one day park hopper so that they can take in Disneyland Main street while you folks are getting wet, screaming and wondering , who does fit in these goofy school cars?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Soarin', Monsters Inc., The Little Mermaid, Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Tires, and Toy Story are the rides my parents and in-laws enjoy in DCA. I found that both the parents and in-laws enjoyed sitting a lot. My in-laws like to go to the Carthay Circle lounge and relax in there. My parents prefer to visit Ghirardelli. They all like wandering through Carsland and taking in the details. They also all enjoyed the various shows and performances available in the park. The Mariachi Divas play at Pacific Wharf, and there is usually music at the Boardwalk area stage. There is Five and Dime and the Newsies show in the main hub. My parents and in-laws found enough to do for a day at DCA.

 

[VandVsmama]

OK - Obviously "Best" is very subjective, but I am looking for ideas for things that my parents might enjoy at California Adventure. We will be there at the beginning of June (Myself, DH and DS18) and my parents are going to join us for a couple of days. We will spend 1 day at each park with them (and then 3 more days for just the 3 of us). Although both have been to WDW several times, my mother has never been to Disneyland and my father visited only 1 time - the year it opened (so a LOT of changes since then!)

They are very fit & active, but are in their 70's (77 & 75) and I'm pretty sure that GoG and CA Screamin' are not things they will want to do. I have pretty major doubts about GRR as well since neither is going to be happy about walking around all wet afterwards. They enjoyed Soaring (old version) and Test Track at Epcot, so there are certainly rides we will do that day - it just doesn't seem to be a full day once you pull the big thrill rides out. Does CA have much where its nice to just take your time and enjoy the details like DL? I'm kind of bummed that the big show is now Frozen - while we all enjoyed the movie, we are all pretty sick of Frozen everywhere all the time and I'm doubting there will be much interest in this show from our group.

My family's only visit to California Adventure was in 2008, so it has changed significantly since then. We also only spent part of a day there as we only had 2 total days on that trip. At DL, I have all sorts of ideas of things I think they will enjoy, but I'm coming up pretty empty for CA. They have 1 park tickets, so we can't just do a few things at CA and then jump to DL with them. We have the WoC Dessert Party for that night, so I don't want to skip CA completely.

Any thoughts on things they might enjoy at CA?

Turtle Talk with Crush is offline/in refurbishment mode in early June. Animation Academy is also offline, but comes back on Saturday, 6/3. The Frozen musical is a good use of free time, but it appears to not be on the schedule yet in June.

Don't forget about the Boardwalk games. Or the rides in Bugsland. I second the Carthay Circle lounge suggestion...a fun & relaxing way for them to unwind and kill some time while the rest of you hit up roller coasters and GRR.

One way to convince them to join you on GRR is to go to your local Dollar Store at home before your trip. Buy a cheap $1 rain parka for each of them. Have them wear it on the ride. And use the free lockers to store their belongings next to the GRR entrance...you will have to put $$ in first but when you retrieve your stuff, you get the $$ back.

There are fun photo spots in DCA - with photo pass photographers. Don't forget about that if you'll be using Photo Pass during your visit.

You can watch the Pixar Play Parade. That's at 6:15 pm.

They can enjoy a snack while listening to music at the Paradise Garden Bandstand. It appears that they play almost once every hour in the afternoon.

Plus, it appears that there's some new "Avengers Training Initiative" in the Showcase Theater in the Hollywood Backlot. While your parents are too old to participate, they might get a kick out of watching. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-california-adventure/avengers-training/

 

[HydroGuy]

First and foremost, I would place a premium on seeing World of Color. I have yet to do the WOC dessert seating, but if you can splurge for that it may go over well because of all the standing otherwise which tires out even younger folks!

Also, as others have noted they may enjoy CarsLand. Maybe even a dining experience at Flo-s Diner.

I second the Disney Animation building just to hang out for awhile. Maybe go through the Beast's Library and all. Maybe Turtle Talk although maybe they have seen that at WDW.

They may enjoy the Bakery tour. The Frozen show is also really good. Soarin is always good but the same as WDW. Toy Story Midway Mania - same as DHS, so maybe.

 

[Abbey1]

The WOC dessert party is fabulous, so I think it's great that you are doing that. We also love the Cove Bar. They have some fun drinks and the lobster nachos delicious. Soarin' Around the World is still really great (I don't love it as much as the original, but my husband thinks it is better). Cars Land and in particular Radiator Springs Racers is a must-see. You can always catch the Pixar Play Parade; the parade route is long in DCA, so it's really easy to grab a spot without waiting forever.

My whole family is completely over Frozen as well, but we did enjoy the Frozen show at Hyperion. We were so disappointed when it replaced Aladdin, and while I still prefer Aladdin, the Frozen show has some great moments visually and it's an enjoyable way to take a mid-day break.

 

[chickapin parterre]

....and you will have to cover your shoes on GRR, my son, who has a wet sock OCD, brings along dry socks, pool shoes and plastic bags to wrap around the pool shoes. With plastic garb and proactive shoe protection/consequences, it is the best entertainment for senior citizens in DCA. And the same with Splash, that is also a very wet ride for OCD folks.

 

[agamble]

I am a bit biased because I LOVE DCA. But here is the list from Wikipedia of the attractions at DCA. It's pretty long and there are only a handful of thrill rides (Screamin', Guardians, Grizzly River Run, and Goofy). I personally would consider bringing flip flops to wear on GRR and ride it, but it's one of my favorite rides.

• Flik's Flyers
• Francis' Ladybug Boogie
• Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
• It's Tough to Be a Bug!
• Tuck and Roll's Drive'Em Buggies

• Disney Junior Dance Party
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Red Car Trolley
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (Opens summer of 2017)
• Frozen – Live at the Hyperion

• Animation Academy
• Sorcerer's Workshop
• Turtle Talk with Crush

• Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
• Radiator Springs Racers

• Grizzly River Run
• Soarin' Around the World
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

• The Bakery Tour

• California Screamin'
• Golden Zephyr
• Goofy's Sky School
• Jumpin' Jellyfish
• King Triton's Carousel of the Sea
• The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
• Mickey's Fun Wheel
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• World of Color

 

[mgmgbook]

Even if you're over Frozen, it is an amazing show to watch just to see how they handle the special effects.

 

[cruisehopeful]

It has changed so much since 2008. It is now easily an all day park with plenty to do and lots of food/drink choices. There are lots of rides that I don't go on at DCA, but I easily spend a day there and often don't get to do everything that I want to do.

There are 3 rides in Carsland that they will probably enjoy (I like all of them). Monsters Inc, Toy Story Mania and Little Mermaid are all fun. I avoided Mickey's Wheel of Death since the first time I rode it back when the park opened (had a swinging car), but now I ride the stationary cars and the views are great. I am too bitter about losing the Soarin over California track, but they will probably enjoy the new version.

It's Tough to be a Bug is a very cute show and they often show trailers of upcoming movies in another theater. Carthay Circle has an excellent restaurant (you need a reservation) and a bar lounge that they will probably like. I'm glad you purchased the WOC dessert Package - it's really the best way to enjoy the show after walking around all day.

 

[HydroGuy]

Looking at the @agamble post, I totally forgot Mickey's Wheel of Death - ooops, sorry, Mickey's Fun Wheel . Pretty much the same as was there when the OP visited in 2008. Make sure you go on the swinging cars!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Is Monsters Inc. still there? When we were there in August I thought they said they were taking it out.

I agree with what most here have said -- definitely Carsland, and Bugsland is fun to walk through even if you don't ride anything. Little Mermaid is one of my favorite rides (I'm in my 50s). I also really like taking a break at an outdoor table at WCT, especially if they like wine, it's cool to see all the Disney-related wineries on the menu. I would think they would love WOC dessert party. And I still really like Soarin' even with the new show.

Personally I'm not a big DCA fan and would have a tough time spending a full day there were it not for watching everything DH and the kids like to do. I like chickapin's analogy above about the starched sheets! It just doesn't feel as comfortable to me and for some reason it always feels about 20 degrees hotter in DCA than DL. I guess because of all the concrete and lack of trees. Carsland in particular just feels sweltering to me every time I go there.

 

[ashley0139]

Is Monsters Inc. still there? When we were there in August I thought they said they were taking it out.

It's still there for the moment.

Pretty much everything has been mentioned by now, but I'll just say that although there aren't as many nostalgic rides in DCA, it can be a much more pleasant experience. The walkways are wider and there aren't as many crowds. There are rarely bottlenecks trying to get somewhere.

Also, I get being over Frozen, but I do recommend reconsidering seeing it. It's really well done, and a nice mid-day break in an air conditioned theatre.

 

[Delilah1310]

We were there a few years back with my early 80s parents.
they enjoyed walking around in Carsland ... RSR was a bit much for my dad, so he sat and watched people in the area after one ride. But my mom went on it multiple times with different combinations of grandkids. )

They loved the bread bowl soup, and the Ghirardelli shop. they said that was their favorite time ... wandering around the Pacific Wharf area.
Also, they spent a lot of time walked around in stores throughout DCA.

I don't know that they rode much there, and they are not parade people, so I really don't know how they spent as much time as they did, but they enjoyed themselves.

And I'll second (or third) the kudos on the dessert party plan.
We had dessert party with Fantastic at DL for my parents, who loved not waiting and being able to sit, but also enjoyed the show very much. Your WOC dessert party should be a big hit!

hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

My parents loved the Ellis Island Boys in Paradise Gardens and Five & Dime at Carthay Circle. Mom's favorite ride was Soarin'. Dad loved Cars Land. The neon lighting on Rte. 66 is a fabulous moment. If your parents want to watch the parade with some comfort, you can try to reserve a table at WCT for a bit before the parade time (maybe half an hour before?) and ask for the patio. (You may not get patio seating, but keep requesting to be by the wall where you will be able to see the parade go by.) That will be a lot easier than baking on the curb. Take the time to look at all the details on BVS, e.g. the shop windows, the candy making, the CCR lounge (your parents might enjoy a drink and snack in the lounge), the trolley, etc. Take some time to look into the history of Walt Disney's early years in California (from 1923 onward). That is the time that DCA (at least the BVS and CC sections when you first enter) wants to evoke. Knowing something about that time period will help the park makeover make more sense and draw you into the magic.

 

[disneydadazut2]

I think someone may have already mentioned this, but if it isn't closed when you are there - Animation Academy is fantastic, relaxing and a cool break from the summer sun. Also, I echo others about walking around CarsLand, especially at night.

 

[kkmcan]

I'm 46 but I tend to love DCA more than DL because of the "wander around and look at stuff" touring that we do when we are there. We always spend time going thru the bread bakery tour and getting an icecream from Ghiradelli. Love the back entrance to Cars Land from Pacific Wharf. We got a shake from Flo's and sat outside to watch the cars go by at RSR last time we went. Love the Shaboom light up at dusk. Lastly hubby and I always get a glass of wine from the wine tasting window and sit and enjoy while our kids do rides. Ooooh, I almost forgot because we haven't done it in years, but there is a very nice pathway behind Grizzly River Run to walk and the Redwood Challenge area. So much to see, so little time!!

 

[pdarrah]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the ideas

It sounds like there will be plenty to wander around and see there now. My parents aren't really "sit and watch" type of people. They are crazy active for their age and travel a lot. (In the last year they have been to Peru, Cuba, Brazil, and Hawaii and my father has gone on 2 solo fly-fishing trips w/ some high school friends!) They will probably enjoy some of the music/shows that have been suggested. I already know they enjoyed Soarin' and Test Track at Epcot, so most rides are fair game. Some ideas are things we've all already done (ie. Tough to be a bug, Little Mermaid) and I am thinking we want to focus on "new and different" since they only have 1 day at each park.

I'll think about getting protective gear for GRR - I'm pretty sure they have gone on Kali River which I assume is similar, so the ride itself shouldn't be a problem. They will do most rides - they refuse to do Space Mt, RnR Coaster, ToT, etc at WDW, but they did go on BTM - they said it was "OK, but probably won't do it again" but they enjoyed Splash Mt.

For them, they say that all they really want to do is be there with my son. He is an only-grandchild and they are very close to him (we live in the same town). He is graduating from HS and starting college in the fall, so we don't know how many more of these family trips we are going to get.

I keep checking the schedule, but I'm still seeing Frozen, Five & Dime & the News Boys as "unavailable" for June 3rd, so some of this may not be possible (Are they likely to add these to the schedule this late - its only a couple weeks away now...)

If Frozen is playing (and I can convince everyone else to go) is this something you have to line up way early to get in? It's going to be a hard sell if it involves waiting an hour to see something Frozen!

 

[ADLFAN]

Best Place for Lunch: My vote goes to the Paradise Garden area where you can choose between Paradise Garden Grill with their delicious meat skewers, Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta with some pretty great salads, and Corndog Castle. There is a stage with live music that is very entertaining. There is usually lots of shaded seating. It's also right next to nice, scenic, mild rides they may enjoy like the Jumping Jellyfish (still fun, even if you aren't a kid!), the Golden Zephyr, and the Silly Symphony Swings! Pluuuus, the beer stand is nearby. And a usually empty Bathroom!

Best Theming: Carsland is like a total immersion in their world, even I have no doubt that they LIVE in Radiator Springs! And as others have mentioned, the Neon Lighting is adorable and a beautiful Disney detail that should NOT be missed. The 2 smaller rides, Mater and Luigi's are not the most inventive, and they can toss you around a bit, but they are both out in the open and add to the theme. If you don't want to ride RSR, watching it is almost as fun, with great views and milkshakes at Flo's V8 Cafe.

Have fun planning!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

If they rode BTMRR, I think they will do fine on RSR! And would probably enjoy it. So much fun and very smooth... the fast part is short. Get fast passes early in the day before they run out.