How much of a Disney California Adventure expert do YOU consider yourself?
Disney California Adventure is about to undergo some serious expansion, which will make traversing this park a little more complicated. Right now, this park is actually fairly easy to navigate thanks in part to its walking-friendly size. However, that doesn’t mean getting from A to B is always simple. With a few dead-ends, long and winding paths, and lands that bleed over into other areas of the park, knowing shortcuts can save you time and distress.
Did you know that there are actually three ways to get in and out of California Adventure? There’s the main gate adjacent to the Disneyland Esplanade, one for guests at Pixar Place Hotel that leads into Paradise Gardens, and the other one is in Grizzly Peak. This entrance is attached to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the park.
The entrance not only connects California Adventure to the hotel but is tucked away along one of the park’s most scenic and serene paths, as well. This shortcut is ideal if you have a hotel reservation, dining reservation at the resort, want to check out this beautiful hotel, and/or want to cut through to Downtown Disney.
The hotel entrance in Downtown Disney also serves as a bit of a beautiful shortcut to California Adventure, as you can also cut through the hotel from Downtown Disney right into Grizzly Peak. No hotel reservation required!
Staying in Grizzly Peak, there are actually TWO paths in this area, with one getting very little foot traffic.
Located right next to Grizzly River Run, this Grizzly Peak path isn’t necessarily a shortcut per se but is usually less traveled. It also takes you alongside waterfalls, the rapids, and one of California Adventure’s best rides. It’s also a great path to take on blistering hot days.
Finally, one massive shortcut we need to talk about is the gorgeous walkway between Avengers Campus, Cars Land, and San Fransokyo Square.Â
Especially recommended at night when Radiator Springs Racers is lit up, this shortcut takes you from the edge of Avengers Campus into the side entrance of Cars Land, past the wonderfully picturesque Cars E-ticket attraction, under and mountainous overpass, and into the vibrant San Fransokyo Square.
Not only a beautiful walk, this path also is a massive time saver and will shorten your walk while having you avoid some of California Adventure’s worst foot traffic. This walkway in all seriousness might actually be the best shortcut in all of the Disneyland Resort.
Do you use these shortcuts during your trips? Let us know in the comments and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disneyland news, tips, reviews, and more!
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What are your walkways at Disney California Adventure? Let us know in the comments!
This needs to be known, you cannot use the entrance from the hotel unless you are staying at the hotel. Once when we were staying at Pixar Place Hotel and we attempted a few times to access the park via the Grand Californian and we were stopped every time. That entrance is exclusively for guests only
Hi Courtney! I confirmed with our Disneyland reporter that he uses this shortcut all the time and has never been stopped, but it could very well be at the discretion of the resort on the day of your visit.
Yes we use that path all the time
This article shows a publish date of 9/21/2024, however there are 3 entrances into DCA now with the PixarPlace Hotel entrance.