Happy Friday! Man, this week has been CRAZY! I know I say that a lot on this blog but I seriously can’t wait for this week to be over. I’ve been working non-stop, taking on more freelance jobs than usual AND I had a little scare this week with my puppy Loki (he wasn’t eating but we took him to the vet yesterday and thankfully all is well!) In order words, I’m in desperate need of a break. So I thought what better way to relax than going through my photos from my trip to California last month. Since I shared a few photos from my trip to Disneyland last week, this week I’ve decided to share some of my favorite photos from California Adventure:
As soon as you enter Disney California Adventure (aka DCA for short,) you’re immediately transported to 1920’s Los Angeles via Buena Vista Street. There’s characters walking about, random musical performances and of course CHURROS! Although my favorite thing about Buena Vista Street is definitely Carthay Circle. The restaurant is a recreation of Carthay Circle Theater, which showcased the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs back in 1937. Dining at Carthay Circle is like stepping into a piece of Disney history!
Carthay Circle is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Disneyland Resort! It’s so beautiful (and the food is amazing!) The only downside is that it’s a little pricey, but since I’m an Annual Passholder I get 15% off all restaurants so I was able to really enjoy my meal without feeling to guilty about spending so much on dinner. I HIGHLY recommend booking the World of Color Dining Package at Carthay Circle. You get a three course meal and AWESOME front row seats to World of Color!
If you love the golden age of Hollywood and the whole 1930s vibe, than Hollywood Land is the place for you! Hollywood Land features the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (one of my FAVORITE rides,) Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! and the Hyperion Theater where Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is performed!
Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is such an AMAZING show (the A Whole New World scene is done so beautifully! I can’t wait to see Aladdin on Broadway when I’m in New York this Fall.) I really love that the Genie improves most of his lines because that means no two shows are the same!
How cute is the little Monster’s Inc section in DCA? I love the outside of the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue ride. I have a Pixar postcard similar to the animations on the outside of the ride (with all the doors on it) and it’s one of my favorite pictures on my Disney gallery wall.
One of the biggest differences between Disneyland and Disney World is the wait times! Over in DCA’s Paradise Pier, the line for Toy Story Midway Mania never really reached over 35 minutes (which is amazing since it’s rarely under a two hour wait in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios!)
California Screamin’ is the ONLY Disney ride I’ve ever been to scared to go on! I was THIS CLOSE to getting on during my last visit but I chickened out at the last minute (do you see that loop?) Maybe I’ll finally ride it when I visit California again in October!
There was SO MUCH 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration merchandise at Disneyland and DCA! You couldn’t walk into a store without running into at least five different 60th anniversary products!
DCA churros are the BEST! Seriously, I think my record is six churros in one day.
I guess people aren’t big fans of the Little Mermaid ride because the wait time was never over 5-10 minutes (which is the complete opposite of Disney World’s Little Mermaid ride.) I, on the other hand, LOVE this ride! Who doesn’t love singing Under the Sea while riding in a seashell shaped seat?
A Bugs Life is my FAVORITE Pixar movie so I obviously love A Bugs Land. Even though the rides are mainly for kids, I love the scenery and getting to see all my favorite A Bugs Life characters.
It’s the tree from A Bugs Life! How beautiful is that?!
Hopper will FOREVER be one of my favorite animated villains (he’s also the reason why I love (am obsessed with) Kevin Spacey so much!)
I’ve got to give it to Disney, they know a thing or two about marketing. EVERY kid was walking around with a Olaf Sipper (one little girl had three!) As for me, I decided to splurge on the $8 Little Mermaid cup!
My absolute favorite thing about DCA is Carsland! Ever since Carsland first opened three years ago, I’ve dreamed of the day when I’d finally get to see Radiator Springs in person! I LOVE the movie Cars (let’s not talk about Cars 2…) Walking through Carsland felt like I was actually in Radiator Springs! It’s hard to describe it but it was PERFECT!
I highly recommend heading to Flo’s Cafe for breakfast!
Radiator Springs Racers is officially my FAVORITE DCA ride! I rode it at least twice a day during my 5 1/2 days at Disneyland. It’s just so fun! I highly recommend heading straight to Carsland as soon as you get to DCA since the Fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers is usually all gone by noon. I also suggest using the single riders line if you don’t mind splitting up with your party.
Radtior Springs is absolutely GORGEOUS at night! I mean just look at it? It doesn’t even look real but that’s the thing about Disney. It’s literally like you’re in a fantasyland (I guess that’s the point!) See you again in October DCA!
Have you ever been to Disneyland/California Adventure (or Disney World?) What’s your favorite thing about visiting Disney?