Incredible Times at DCA
California Road Trip, Day 8: Disney’s California Adventure
Home for the night. So close to the magic. (Brian Gailey)
Hello again, fellow nomads! Day 8 of my California winter road trip brought me to the magical world of Disney as I woke up just outside the Disneyland Resort. With a day full of excitement ahead at Disney's California Adventure, let me take you through the highlights of this fun-filled day that started a bit moist.
Excited start to the day
It was a rainy night near the “Happiest Place on Earth,” but I found the rain to be relaxing and soothing after my adventure at Knott’s Berry Farm the day before. Before heading to bed, I discovered via Google Maps that there was a Planet Fitness just down the road. I got up early to visit the gym for a refreshing shower before diving into the Disney experience. I did not worry about a workout, as I knew I was going to easily get my steps in.
Once I was all freshened up, I put on a new shirt I had picked up just for visiting the parks; before driving just a few minutes to the Toy Story Parking Lot off Harbor Blvd. This lot is fantastic for larger, taller, or oversized vehicles wanting to visit the Disneyland Resort. Disney provides a free shuttle service that takes you right to the esplanade, and the best part? They drop you off behind Esplanade security because you’re screened before getting on the bus. This is a huge time-saving bonus, as most park guests coming from nearby hotels are screened at the Esplanade via long slow lines.
Selfie at the gate to Disney’s California Adventure. (Brian Gailey)
After getting off the bus, it was a quick selfie and ticket scan, and just like that, I was in the park! I’ve been to Disney’s California Adventure a few times over the years, and I really like it. I’m one of the few who appreciated it when it first opened as a new park. Don’t get me wrong; the initial version felt a bit lackluster and underwhelming. However, I could see the vision for what the park could become. With the recent changes, I believe Disney has elevated it to a new level, even if they do have a few too many intellectual property tie-ins and fewer original concepts unique to the parks. That said, many of the tie-ins are simply perfect!
Exploring the Park
My favorite roller coaster of all time is the Incredicoaster (formerly California Screamin’). I love this coaster in its current form! The story, the launch, the smell of cookies, and the loop all come together for the perfect balance of thrill and narrative. I adored this coaster in its original branding, and I can still hear the launch jingle and the announcer calling out, “Get ready, screamers!” When you heard that, you knew you were in for a thrill.
I started my day with a Lightning Lane scheduled for the Incredicoaster right at the beginning. I wanted to ensure a ride on my favorite coaster just in case it went down for any reason. I’m happy to say I got that ride and about six more throughout the day!
Keep reading where I explain how that happened.
Following my early morning ride on the Incredicoaster, I was able to secure Lightning Lane tickets for Mission Breakout (the best theming in DCA in my opinion), Radiator Springs Racers, Web Slingers, and Soarin’ (my Mom’s favorite ride RIP).
Besides the rides, I had a great time exploring the park. I checked out Turtle Talk with Crush, had lunch in San Fransokyo, hiked through Grizzly Peak, visited the Avengers Campus, and immersed myself in Cars Land & Pixar Pier—all before sunset on this magical day.
I even stepped out of the park to explore Downtown Disney, where I grabbed an iced latte from Starbucks and drooled over the kits in the Lego Store.
As evening began to set in at the park, I decided to avoid Saturday’s long ride queues. Instead, I grabbed my camera, which I had toted around in my backpack all day, and began to capture the epic theming and lighting of the park.
A early evening photo of the Port of San Fransokyo sign at Disney’s California Adventure. (Brian Gailey)
I found some incredible shots before taking part in an Incredicoaster ride marathon during the World of Color show on the lagoon. I don’t know if this happens every night the show is playing but tonight, it was a walk-on attraction, and I hopped on time after time. Marking seven total rides for the day. So much fun!
Lastly, before the park closed, I stopped by the Ink and Paint Gift Shop to pick up a custom and unique gift for myself. Since this trip marked the opening of the Second Book of Brian (see yesterday’s blog for more), there was no better way to celebrate than by marking the New Year 2024 with a set of custom Mickey Ears!
Embracing the Journey
This was an incredible day filled with excitement, joy, and personal growth. As I continue to embrace this new chapter in my life, I’m grateful for the experiences and memories I’m creating along the way. Stay tuned for more updates as my adventure as tomorrow for New Year’s Eve we celebrate in Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom, Disneyland!
Happy travels!
