Disney’s California Adventure is such a fun and eclectic park. One moment you find yourself traveling back to the Southern California of Walt’s early career, the next moment you’re in Stan Lee’s extensive Marvel universe. With such a broad range of cinematic history covered in one place, here’s a guide to what to watch before your trip to get the most out of your DCA experience!
Toy Story – Pixar Pier is a must-do during your visit to DCA, and the crown jewel of Pixar has got to be the Toy Story franchise. The four films are all spectacular, and you should really watch them all. You can meet lots of Toy Story characters throughout the parks, plus there’s the fun interactive Midway Mania attraction. Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Señor Buzz’s Churros and Poultry Palace are also homages to probably the greatest animated movie series of all time.
Monster’s Inc. – another Pixar great, Monster’s Inc. is the feel good buddy movie we all need. Note that the ride dedicated to this movie is not located in Pixar Pier, but rather nestled over in the far corner of Hollywood Land. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is one of the best family friendly attractions in DCA and you should make sure to stop by Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats (the Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait is the perfect snack on a hot day).
The Little Mermaid – For the princess fans, this movie is a must see and Ariel’s Undersea Adventures attraction is a must do. It’s hard not to love riding in a giant seashell through the Under the Sea musical number!
Cars – Truth time! I don’t love the Cars movies, but Cars Land in DCA is next level amazing. I can’t fathom going to the parks and not spending some time in Radiator Springs, even if the movies aren’t really my thing. However, you should at least see the first film once so you can truly appreciate how impressive the land really is. It honestly feels like you’re in the animated movie when you walk through this section of the park. Be sure to visit at sunset for the most charming little neon display, which is another thing the first movie showcases.
The Avengers – In summer of 2020, the long awaited Avengers Campus opened in DCA. While the Marvel universe is incredibly dense, even the casual fans can appreciate this area of the park. For a basic introduction to most of the main characters, the first Avengers film is a good place to start.
Guardians of the Galaxy – This attraction preceded the Avengers Campus opening (as a re-theme of the previous Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride) and is many people’s favorite thrill ride at the park. There’s also a fun dance show with the characters that takes place next to the ride queue. And speaking of the ride queue, there are a lot of fun easter eggs to look for while waiting in line for this attraction. Watching the film will have you noticing lots of fun details.
The Incredibles – the only rollercoaster in either DCA or Disneyland to feature an inversion (aka loopy loop), The Incredicoaster is a must-do for the adventurous crowds. The story in this attraction includes lots of fun nods to the movies, even if it’s flying past at breakneck speed. And be sure to stop for a Jack Jack Cookie Num Num after the ride, which is a warm chocolate chip cookie and one of the best treats in the entire resort.
I’d say that’s a pretty good place to start for your movie marathon pre-DCA. There are certainly other films that are referenced throughout the park (Inside Out, Ant Man, Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Spider-Man), but I don’t think you’ll really be missing much “story” from the park if you aren’t super familiar with those movies. Let me know what movies you love to watch to get you in the mood for DCA!
