Age groups that are referred to generally mean Toddlers = 1-3 years, Kids = 4-11, and Teens = 12 and up. Please note that while general age groups are suggested for each ride, it all depends on your child’s personality and individual tastes. There’s nothing wrong with your teenager wanting to see the Tiki Room, and if your toddler wants to go on Pirates of the Caribbean, I say, “Let them.”
Disney’s California Adventure®
Minimum Height Requirements
Silly Symphony Swings 40" (tandem swings) 48" (to ride single swings)
California Screamin’ 48”
Mulholland Madness 42”
Grizzly River Run 42”
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™: 40”
Jumpin’ Jellyfish 40”
Soarin’ Over California 40”
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies 36”
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail 42" for rock wall & zip line
The total number of attractions in California Adventure® is 25. The total number of rides with a minimum height requirement is 9.
Sunshine Plaza
The Sunshine Plaza is the entry area to Disney’s California Adventure®. It’s a great place for groups to meet at the beginning of the day, for shopping and dining, or to watch a parade. Sunshine Plaza is also one of two “Party Zones” where special performances are held. However there are no attractions in Sunshine Plaza. So while it is included as one of California Adventure®’s themed lands, this summary is the only information we will cover on it. For break spaces, there are lots of benches, but no really good places for kids to run around and play.
Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Themed as a behind the scenes look at a movie studio, the Hollywood Pictures Backlot is loaded with the glitz and glamour of the golden age of movie making. This land seems to be the center for live action shows in California Adventure®. Hollywood Pictures Backlot is home to the Hyperion Theater, which is a state of the art performance theater. Live performances at the Hyperion usually last an hour to an hour and a half. The Hollywood Backlot Stage as well as Playhouse Disney are both live performance areas as well.
The area around the Hollywood Backlot Stage and further east are good break spaces.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Minimum Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Ride through a 3D interpretation of the original movie. Compare this ride to the movie based rides in Fantasyland.
What Not to Miss:
The effects are very good for a movie based dark ride.
What to Warn Children About:
The scary characters from the movie are in the ride as well.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
Recommended for Teens
40” Minimum Height Requirement
FASTPASS® Attraction
Attraction Summary:
Themed as a nearly abandoned hotel inhabited by ghosts, this ride is one of the star thrill rides of California Adventure® park. You ride in an acrobatic elevator, while hanging on for dear life.
What Not to Miss:
There is a great view of California Adventure® park, if you can concentrate on what is going on outside of the windows.
What to Warn Small Children About:
If anyone is seriously afraid of heights, this will be very hard to endure. As for the ghost theme, I think it is creepier than the Haunted Mansion.
Muppet Vision 3D
Recommended for Kids & Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
If you liked the Muppets as a child, you will love this attraction. Watch the 3D show with the viewing glasses provided in the Muppet Theater. The 3D screen is combined with Audio-Animatronics® characters, and live action elements, to create an immersive environment. By the way, some of the bubbles are real, and some are a 3D illusion.
What Not to Miss:
Watch the pre-show on the TV screens in the loading area. While in the Muppet Theater itself, be sure to notice what is going on behind you when visual cues encourage you look back.
What to Warn Small Children About:
It looks like the Muppets destroy Muppet Theater by the end of the show.
Disney Animation
Recommended for Kids
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
This attraction is divided into three different parts; Turtle Talk with Crush, Animation Academy, and Sorcerer’s Workshop. In Turtle Talk, you are escorted into a small theater style room, where guests interact with an animated turtle through a live host. In Animation Academy guests are taught the basics of animation drawing, and even create their own drawing to take home. In Sorcerer’s Workshop guests learn about the mechanics of animation.
What Not to Miss:
Take a few minutes to explore the lobby area.
What to Warn Small Children About:
These activities are more learning oriented and noise levels should be considerate of others.
“a bug’s land”
This land gives you a bug’s eye view. The Flik’s Fun Fair area is especially geared for small children, which is a little rare in California Adventure® park. This land has lots of good break spaces. Princess Dot Puddle Park and Bountiful Valley Farm are great spots to sit and watch your children explore. There is an area between Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, and Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies that is fairly quiet also. Flik’s Fun Fair is shady and has lots of foliage, which is augmented with giant stalks of clover overhead throughout the whole area.
It’s Tough to be a Bug
Recommended for Kids
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
An immersive 3D show where you enter the life of a bug. The 3D screen is coupled with smells, sounds, and audio-animatronics® action.
What Not to Miss:
This is one of several California Adventure® rides that incorporate smell into the attraction.
What to Warn Small Children About:
The smell is stinky. There are interactive elements that will poke you during the show. The overall storyline can be scary. Don’t forget to turn in your “bug eye” glasses at the end of the show.
Flik’s Flyers
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Take a spin in a bug hot air balloon.
What Not to Miss:
There is always something to notice and look at in the Flik’s Fun Fair area. Talk with your kids about how the bugs have used human items to make their town.
What to Warn Small Children About:
While you don’t go very far in the air, you will leave the ground.
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Get scrambled around in your ladybug car.
What Not to Miss:
Listen to Francis tell you the rules of the ride.
What to Warn Small Children About:
There is a lot of spinning, and children (even very small ones) are not allowed to ride in a lap.
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Recommended for Kids
36” Minimum Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Ride in bug shaped bumper cars under a giant umbrella.
What Not to Miss:
Again, the details of your surroundings in Flik’s Fun Fair are worth noticing.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Other people are going to bump into your car with their cars.
Hemlich’s Chew Chew Train
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Ride in your Heimlich train through all the food that Heimlich has chewed.
What Not to Miss:
As you ride through the various foods, you will smell the wonderful smells, including watermelon and animal crackers.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Parents can sit and watch as children explore in the giant water hose shaped fountain. The water runs down a concrete column and into drains in the concrete surface. So while there is water, there isn’t a pond of it. A nice break space and a good place to cool off in warm weather. A bonus is that it is a small area that makes it easy to keep an eye on your children while they play.
What Not to Miss:
The park looks like a giant water spigot and hose.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Children will get wet. How wet they get, depends on them.
Bountiful Valley Farm
Recommended for Kids
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
This area is a good break space. Kids can climb on farm equipment, and cool off in the “irrigation station” water play area. It’s also a great place to learn about the farming industry in California.
What Not to Miss:
This is a good place to meet Characters from the movie “A Bug’s Life”.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Children will get wet playing in the irrigation station, how wet they get depends on them.
Golden State
The Golden State land covers a large portion of California Adventure® park. It is themed after the interior of California State, and offers a wide view of California’s natural beauty. It is also home to the second “Party Zone” connected with parades and special performances. A good break space is in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where kids can climb and play while parents sit and watch.
Soarin’ Over California
Recommended for Kids and Teens
40” Minimum Height Requirement
FASTPASS® Attraction
Attraction Summary:
Soar like a hang glider on a grand tour of California State. This is a state of the art attraction that combines an amazing mechanical ride platform with a massive projected screen and scent technology. Technically this could be classified as a motion ride, but the motion doesn’t produce as many reports of motion sickness as Star Tours does. Unless you are very prone to motion sickness, don’t miss out on this awesome attraction.
What Not to Miss:
The ride platform itself is so impressive when combined with the projected screen, it may take a couple of minutes before you notice the scents that flow over you as you glide over the varied scenery of the beautiful state of California. If you get a chance to ride this ride twice, do so.
What to Warn Small Children About:
You will go up pretty high in the air, both physically and in the imagery of the projected screen. Anyone who is very sensitive to motion sickness may prefer not to ride.
Grizzly River Run
Recommended for Teens
42” Minimum Height Requirement
FASTPASS® Attraction
Attraction Summary:
Ride over white-water rapids in your river raft, through the beautiful scenery. You will get wet. This is a great attraction to bust out the rain ponchos for, especially if the weather is a little cool.
What Not to Miss:
Enjoy watching others get soaked, as long as it’s not you!
What to Warn Small Children About:
You will get wet. You may want to wear your rain gear when riding this ride. If the weather is very cool or if it is getting dark, you may want to ride at a different time.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Recommended for Kids
42” Minimum Height Requirement for zip line and rock wall
Attraction Summary:
Physical activity and exploration are the order of the day at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Parents can push a stroller and find places to sit while children play and explore. People of any height may enjoy the trail, but two of the activities available "Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb" (rock wall) and "Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower" (zip line) have a 42" minimum height requirement. This area is often overlooked and can be a great place for parents to sit and watch while children explore and play. Visit Kenai's spirit cave to find your own spirit animal.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Like Donald’s Boat, due to the playground nature of this attraction the biggest cautions are “don’t run,” “play nice,” and “take turns.”
Mission Tortilla Factory
Hosted by Mission® Foods
Recommended for Kids, Teens, and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Take a tour of a small sized but real tortilla factory.
What Not to Miss:
Pick up your free sample at the end of the tour.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
The Bakery Tour
Hosted by Boudin® Bakery
Recommended for Kids, Teens, and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Take a tour of a small sized but real sourdough bread bakery.
What Not to Miss:
The presentation is very funny.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar
Attraction Summary:
A peek into up-comming attractions and changes that have been planned for Disney’s California Adventure® Park. Includes artisits' sketches, and even video.
What Not to Miss:
Check out the information on the World of Color show.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Paradise Pier
Themed around a beach boardwalk, Paradise Pier is loaded with fun. A large number of the attractions in this land have height requirements.
California Screamin’
Recommended for Teens
48” Minimum Height Requirement
FASTPASS® Attraction
Attraction Summary:
California Screamin’ is a quick accelerating, high-speed rollercoaster. This is the only rollercoaster in Disneyland® Resort that actually looks like a rollercoaster.
What Not to Miss:
If you like rollercoasters, this is a good one. Stop and see the California Scream Cam.
What to Warn Small Children About:
With a 48” minimum height requirement, there probably aren’t any small children who will be riding. But for those who are afraid of heights, this ride does have a loop where you go upside down.
King Triton’s Carousel
Recommended for Kids and Toddlers
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Ride a beautiful carousel on various water animals.
What Not to Miss:
The creatures on this carousel are beautiful, pay attention to the carved details.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Games of the Boardwalk
Recommended for Kids and Teens
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
This is a selection of traditional boardwalk games. You will have to pay extra to play, but you can win prizes.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Toy Story Mania!
Recommended for Kids
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Put on your 3D glasses and ride through a carnival game wonderland. Use your gun to play the games as you ride through. This is a state-of-the-art attraction, which changes every time you ride.
What Not to Miss:
Take some time to listen and interact with Mr. Potato Head. Check out your score at the end of the ride.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Nothing
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Recommended for Kids and Teens
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
The Fun Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel that towers 150 feet into the air. There are two lines, one for the cars that are stable, and one for the cars that “swing” or run on a track inside the wheel itself. Look at the wheel before you ride and you’ll see what I’m talking about. The cars hold up to six people.
What Not to Miss:
You can see for a long ways, the view is great.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Anyone bothered by heights may not enjoy this ride.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Recommended for Kids
40” Minimum Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
This ride is essentially a parachute. Your basket is carried up its wire track by a motor and then you are released to float gently back to the ground.
What Not to Miss:
There is a nice view of Paradise Pier.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Anyone bothered by heights may not enjoy this ride.
Mulholland Madness
Presented by Alamo
Recommended for Teens
42” Minimum Height Requirement
FASTPASS® Attraction
Attraction Summary:
Ride your car through sharp curves and tight turns on this mini-rollercoaster.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Anyone who gets motion sick easily may not want to ride.
Golden Zephyr
Recommended for Kids and Teens
No Height Requirement
Attraction Summary:
Take a spin in a rocket ship. Your rocket is suspended by wires from a central shaft that spins you around
What not to miss:
Look across the lagoon for a great view of Paradise Pier.
What to Warn Small Children About:
Anyone who gets motion sick easily or does not like heights may not want to ride.
Silly Symphony Swings
Recommended for Kids, Teens, and Adults
40” Minimum Height Requirement, must ride in tandem swings and be accompanied by 48" or taller person
48" Minimum Height Requirement to ride single swings
Attraction Summary:
Go for a high-in-the-air swing on this giant version of a playground swing. The swings circle a central mast.
What not to miss:
Look for classic scenes from the Silly Syphony Cartoon "The Band Concert".
What to Warn Small Children About:
Anyone who gets motion sick easily or does not like heights may not want to ride.
More fun things to see and do in California Adventure® Park
There are usually a couple of different parades that are performed in California Adventure® park. One is usually themed on Pixar® characters and the other is the Electric Light Parade, that used to be performed in Disneyland® park. The Pixar® parades tend to be very brightly colored, very active and very interactive as well, I think they are my favorite of all the Disney parades. There are two different spots (they’ll be marked on your park guide) that the parade will stop and do a stationary performance, these are good places to stake out a spot to watch the parade. It’s generally a very good show. The Electric Light Parade is a sentimental favorite for many who attended Disneyland® park in the 70’s, 80’s, and early 90’s.
The Hyperion Theater is a state-of-the-art performance theater. Plays are performed daily during busy times, and on weekends during the off-season. Plan to allow approximately an hour and a half to attend the performance. This is a similar experience to attending a Broadway musical, so it’s expected for people to remain seated and not make a lot of noise during the performance.
Playhouse Disney –Live on Stage! is a live performance on the Playhouse Disney stage where your children get to see their favorite characters from TV’s Playhouse Disney.
World of Color is California Adventure's answer to the Fantasmic! show at Disneyland Park. Using water spray for projection screens in combination with various water jets, flame throwers, and light to produce a spectacular evening show.
Other live performances take place at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Amphitheater, Golden Dreams Theater, and the Hollywood Backlot Stage. There are live performing groups throughout the park as well.
