The California Adventure rides are not to be overlooked when visiting the Disneyland Resort. There are a bunch of dandies that only serve to complement the rides at Disneyland Park. Take Soarin' Over California, for example. This ride in the Golden Gate area of California Adventure takes guests on a simulated hang-glider tour of California. If you don't mind getting wet before you leave the Golden Gate area, then Grizzly River Run is also a ride that is not to be missed. Eight-person rafts are used for this journey, which involves taking on a series of rapids as you make your way around a fake mountain known as Grizzly Peak.

All of the California Adventure areas, save for Sunshine Plaza, feature fun rides that cater to a wide range of ages and thrill levels. On the more thrilling side of things, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror aims to please. The old grounds of a formerly elegant hotel are what you will explore on this ride, and the elevator is known for its scary plunges. As for other Disney California Adventure rides that cater to thrill seekers, the Californian Screamin' roller coaster at Paradise Pier gets up to speeds of around 55 miles per hour and features 360-degree loops that are sure to take your breath away.

For those who aren't big time thrill seekers, there are California Adventure rides that are tamer. You can usually pick them out according to their height restriction designations. Among these rides is the Golden Zephyr. On this ride, you'll board a six-person gondola of sorts and enjoy a 90-second journey that sees your craft circling the red tower centerpiece. It's thrilling enough without going overboard. Even more child-friendly is the 4D ride that is known as Toy Story Mania!. This ride sees guests playing a series of midway-style games while they make their way through a funhouse in a swiveling cart. If you're new to the Toy Story Mania! ride, you can warm up with a practice game before you take on the main course.

Disneyland Map

Mickey's Fun Wheel

While hanging out at Disney's California Adventure Park, a ride on the Mickey's Fun Wheel Ferris wheel can prove to be a blast, and families with kids won't want to pass on the chance to ride the Heimlich Chew Chew Train. When you're not enjoying the numerous rides, you might catch a show or break for something to eat at one of the restaurants. The California Adventure attractions come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you won't want to limit yourself to the rides.

Some of the Disney California Adventure rides feature the convenient Fastpass service. The same is true at Disneyland Park. This service allows resort visitors to get assigned ride times for the most popular rides. This in turn eliminates the need of waiting in a long line. Once you have your Fastpass voucher, you can return to the ride in question at the assigned time and avoid the regular queue. During busier times of year, such as the holiday season, this can save a considerable amount of time.