It is in the name: a day at Disney California Adventure Park really is an adventure. We love to arrive before the park opens and stay through the last World of Color show. To keep going until those last bursts of light and mist, we find little ways to relax throughout the day inside Disney California Adventure Park.
Quiet spots can be hard to find on a busy day, so here is a guide to five of our favorites.
The pathways of Grizzly Peak
The paths meandering through the Grizzly Peak area of Disney California Adventure Park are surrounded by lush trees, and the rushing water of Grizzly River Run provides relaxing background noise. We find the benches dotted around Grizzly Peak to be some of the most restful spots in the park. These calm shady spots are our favorite location for stroller naps. We can almost imagine we are camping in Yosemite National Park.
If someone in our party needs to get some imaginative playtime, we pop over to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This area is still a kind of oasis from the bustle of the rest of the park, and we find letting our little ones play makes the rest of the day feel calmer.
The patio for Flo’s V8 Cafe
Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land has a covered patio that overlooks Radiator Springs Racers. This is one of our absolute favorite places to sit and relax in Disney California Adventure Park (and beyond). Cars Land is stunning in both beauty and detail: we love having a comfortable place to admire this Imagineering masterpiece. Nightfall provides a whole new layer of wonder as Cars Land lights up for the evening starting at “Sh-Boom” time.
To refuel while you recharge, you can grab some food inside Flo’s V8 Cafe. There is no table service here, but mobile ordering makes the process quick and easy. We often supplement our meal with some offerings from the restaurants at San Fransokyo Square. The pathway beside the patio will lead you straight to those fusion eateries!
Other Covered and Indoor Dining Around Disney California Adventure Park
In addition to Flo’s V* Cafe, there are other great covered and indoor dining locations around the park. We find that dashing from one attraction to the next can cause us to forget mealtime!
Making a reservation at a table service restaurant Iike Lamplight Lounge is a good way to schedule some relaxation. Alternatively, we might just grab a coffee and snack at a quick service location like Fiddler, Fife and Practical Cafe.
Mickey’s Philharmagic
The charming 3D film, Mickey’s Philharmagic makes us giggle every time we visit. It also earns major points for comfortable seats and a dark climate-controlled setting. The movie is dynamic, so it is unlikely that anyone will be taking a nap here. Still, we find that this show works its magic on our energy levels. If we arrive early for the show, the waiting are is a nice indoor place to relax, but we do not usually encounter a long wait for this fun (high-capacity) film. You can find Mickey’s Philharmagic in Hollywood Land not far from the entrance of Disney California Adventure Park. A cast member in front of the theater will let you know the timing of next show. The film itself is twelve minutes long.
The Animation Building
Across the street from Mickey’s Philharmagic is The Animation Building. This collections of attractions has the same benefits of an indoor climate-controlled building with gentle lighting. Animation Academy, Turtle Talk with Crush, Sorcerer’s Workshop and a Frozen Meet and Greet all happen here. It can also be a pleasant place to just take a simple break from the heat, cold or rain. We like to rest a moment and enjoy the scenes from animated movies being projected around the building.
Those are our top five places to relax in Disney California Adventure Park
With so much to do at Disney California Adventure Park, taking a break can sometimes feel impossible. We hope these five suggestions help you find a way to relax and return to your own adventure with renewed energy.
If you need more of a break, the great news is that Disney California Adventure Park has some fantastic hotels within walking distance. You can check-out our guide to the Disneyland Resort Hotels here. And when you are ready to return to the action, check-out our favorite all ages attractions. For further guidance, we recommend our step-by-step guide for planning a visit to Disneyland Resort.