Why California Adventure is worth the extra $45

I've always been a huge fan of Disneyland and California Adventure, but with a less-than-stable economy, I've noticed there are a lot of people who aren't as interested in visiting the parks because of the price of tickets just to enter, let alone paying the price to go to both parks.

This year, Disneyland raised their one-day, one-park pass from $87 to $92. A one day park hopper pass is $137. They also raised the price of annual passes and parking, which has a lot of people asking the question, is Disney worth it?

I say yes.

For a family of four, a one-day, one-park ticket to Disneyland costs a total of $368. This cost does not include the parking, food, souvenirs, etc. that a family will probably purchase during their day at the Happiest Place on Earth. Keep in mind this does not include California Adventure.

I get it, this is expensive, and it's not a place you're going to visit more than every few years for special vacations.

But let me say this — when you do visit, make the most of your money and do go to both parks, it's worth it, especially if you're 21 and over.

Before the renovation of California Adventure and the addition of Cars Land, there were a lot of people who were less interested in paying the extra dollars to spend time at the park. California Adventure has a totally different feel than Disneyland. It's less magical, more realistic, and it feels a lot bigger as far as walking goes. However, since the renovation, California Adventure has added Cars Land, redesigned the front entrance, and added additional rides throughout the park.

For the kids, Cars Land is a sight to see, especially at night. When you step foot into Radiator Springs, you immediately feel like you're in the movie. Where Radiator Springs dead ends, the fun begins — Radiator Springs Racers. This ride takes you through life as a car, a tune up, and finishes on a race against your fellow park-goers.

Photo credit: http://geekscorner.dapsmagic.com/2012/06/13/geeks-corner-
its-cars-land-time-episode-137/

This ride is brilliant — it's a mix of storytelling, adrenaline, and laughter all in one. In my opinion, this ride alone is worth paying to get into California Adventure, but instead of waiting in the two hour line, just do single rider and you will only wait about 30 minutes.










For the adult Disney lovers, California Adventure is worth it for two reasons — food and drink. Inside the park you have several options of places to drink beer, wine, and hard alcohol as well as sit down restaurants for a decent, relaxing meal. These options just don't exist in Disneyland. I say if you're going to spend the money on food in the park anyway, might as well eat something good. My favorite is Carthay Circle, because not only do they have a bar separate from the dining room with great Korean beef tacos, but they will fix you any kind of drink. Their specialty is a Manhattan but this isn't just any Manhattan — it has a sphere of ice in it.

Photo credit: http://www.gizmag.com/ice-ball-mold-ice-machine/14086/

That's right, leave it to Disney to take ice to the next level. They own a machine that non-electricly turns a cylinder of ice into a perfect sphere with no bubbles. It's beautiful and delicious. So when you need a break from the crowds, the kids, and your feet, crawl into Carthay Circle, because once you're in, you feel yet another world away. Also, be sure to look for the smallest hidden Mickey just outside the main door. Hint: It's under your feet.

If you're not totally sold yet on giving California Adventure another shot, I'll be writing another blog post in coming weeks about all the different places to drink in the park and probably creating some kind of drinking game for those of you who need even more entertainment.