You may have heard about the World of Color performance at California Adventure. It is full of lights, color, fun special effects and is perfect for all ages. When my friends heard I was going to Disneyland and California Adventure, they all told me to go to the World of Color because it was just that good. They also told me to be sure and get a fast pass first thing in the morning because they go, well, fast. I did as they said and picked up our family's fast passes first thing on our first day to the parks. The passes assign you a viewing location and a time to return--up to an hour before the show starts. We had gone over to California Adventure around 6:30pm after leaving Disneyland since the park closed early for a special event. I wasn't too worried about finding a spot since we had our fast pass and we ended up going into the viewing area a little before 8pm and found a decent spot on the right side. Basically the way they have the fast passes set up is that if you have one, you are assigned a viewing location and are able to get closer to the performance. If you don't have one, you have to find somewhere else to view the show that isn't as good.
*Note: The World of Color fast passes do not count against your other park fast passes. The fast pass distribution for World of Color is next to the Grizzly Peak fast pass machines.
**For more information on how fast passes work, visit DLR Prep School's post here.
Another attraction you want to get a fast pass for is Radiator Springs in Cars Land. We got ours right after getting the World of Color fast passes (around 9am). When we left the park around 12:30p, the fast passes were gone for the day and if you wanted to ride the ride, you'd have to wait an hour or more. I was definitely glad we got fast passes!
*Note: The fast pass distribution for Radiator Springs is not next to the ride like many of the other fast pass machines throughout the park. It is next to the "It's Tough to be a Bug" ride in Bug's Land.
**Be sure to check where the fast pass distribution is for any given ride before going there, otherwise you could miss out. The information is in the park pamphlet, which you can pick up at the entrance to the park or at other information booths throughout the park.
Anna and Elsa's Royal Welcome Fast Passes
Yet another attraction you will want to get fast passes for is to meet Anna and Elsa. This is the only way you can meet them. They are not at Disneyland--only California Adventure and only with a fast pass. They are located in Hollywood Land in the Disney Animation building. The fast pass distribution machines are just outside the entrance and to the left (if you're facing the entrance). We had a 30 minute window in which to show up and once we did, we only had to wait 10 minutes. That was shorter than our wait for any of the princesses in Disneyland!
*Note: This fast pass does not count against your other fast passes within the park. You can hold fast passes for other attractions at the same time.
Rider Swap
Disneyland has this great process in place for families who have some children who are big enough to ride a ride and others who are not. We fell into this category. My daughter is currently 42" tall which is tall enough for most of the rides. My son is only 33" tall. We wanted to go on a couple of rides he wasn't tall enough to go on--Soarin' Over California and Radiator Springs. Obviously, either my husband or I was going to have to stay with our son while the other one rode with our daughter.
How to Use a Rider Swap: Let the cast member at the entrance to the line know that you'd like to do a "rider swap". They will give you a card on a lanyard that you will need to give to the person going on the ride. They will then give the card to the cast member at the entrance to the ride itself in exchange for a little card. Essentially, this card acts as a fast pass that allows the other person who was not able to go on the ride to get in without having to wait in the regular line. In addition, they can take up to three people with them. For example, if you have two children who are tall enough for the ride and one that is not, and those children go on the ride the first time around, they can go again when you redeem your rider swap card. It's almost like a super fast pass because it gets more people in to go on the same ride with only one pass.
*Note: While you do have to use the rider swap pass on the same day, you can use it at any time during the day. You don't have to go right after the other adult gets back with the kids. You can go hours later, as long as it's on the same day. Pretty awesome, right? (They also have rider swap at Disneyland.)
Let's face it: food at Disneyland and California Adventure (or any theme park for that matter) is expensive. While you might choose to bring your own snacks in, snacks only go so far to curb your appetite. If you are looking for good food and the best bang for your buck, go to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta on Paradise Pier. They offer a large plate of pasta for $10! My husband and I each got a plate and shared it with our kids, who got their fill and we ate the rest. We ordered the Spaghetti and Meatballs and the Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. Sooo good! (And while you're there, fill up your water bottles with ice water for free!) The pizza isn't as good of a deal at $7-$8 for one slice, but it is fresh and it's a decent sized piece.
What are your favorite tips to share with people visiting California Adventure? I'd love to hear them!
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