Florida is spoiled. By the late 1990s it had four different Disney theme parks, while Anaheim, the home of the original, was still stuck at one. That changed in 2001, when Disney’s California Adventure opened next door to Disneyland. The early reviews were harsh, but with a slight course correction (and a billion dollars in improvements) the new park has become a worthwhile addition to the classic Disneyland experience.
The California theme might seem odd for a park based in California (why bother with a fake Hollywood when the real thing is right down the freeway?), but it’s inspired some adorable architecture. Buena Vista Street feels as inviting as Disneyland’s Main Street USA, only the ersatz 1890’s midwestern vibe is replaced with cute approximations of Art Deco and Mission Revival Style. Elsewhere the park recreates a Victorian-era boardwalk, pays tribute to California’s national parks, and houses a tribute to the state’s aviation history in a fake aircraft hangar. There are also areas devoted to A Bug’s Life and Cars, and the latter’s cartoonish take on Route 66 is delightful.
If you’re dropping $96 for a ticket, though, you’re probably most interested in the rides. Here are the ten best attractions at California Adventure, based on a day I spent there in November 2014.