Here we list the basic descriptions -- or "what is is" -- each attraction at Disney California Adventure:
| Attraction | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Animation Academy | Behind-the-scenes look at Disney animation |
| Anna & Elsa's Royal Welcome | Character Greeting |
| The Bakery Tour | Free Bread! (plus a short film) |
| Blue13 Dance Company | Indian Dancers |
| Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers | Holiday Music |
| Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting | Tree Lighting Show |
| DescenDance | Dance Party |
| Disney Junior Dance Party | Dance party for children |
| Disney ¡Viva Navidad! | Christmas Street Party |
| Disneyland Resort All-American College Band | Live Band |
| Family Time | Family Meal Presentation |
| Five & Dime | Jazzy musical performers |
| Frightfully Fun Parade | Halloween Parade |
| Frozen - Live at the Hyperion | Musical Show |
| Fun Wheel Challenge | Mobile Game |
| Games of Pixar Pier | Carnival-style games |
| Golden Zephyr | Zephyrs spinning around a central tower |
| Goofy's Sky School | Disney version of a wild (or mad) mouse ride |
| Grizzly River Run | White-water raft ride |
| Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! | Sci-fi-theme indoor thrill ride |
| GuGu Drum Group | Drummers |
| The Happy Camper | Live Campfire Music |
| Holiday Concert featuring Phat Cat Swinger | Holiday Concert |
| Holiday Toy Drummers | Drum Show |
| The Incredibles H.I.T. Squad – Heroes in Training | Parade |
| Incredicoaster | Big, bad roller coaster |
| Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind | Spinning Balloon ride |
| Instant Concert! ...Just Add Water | Musical Fountain Show |
| Jammin' Chefs | Percussion Show |
| Jessie's Critter Carousel | Carousel |
| Jr. Chef | Kids Cooking |
| Jumpin' Jellyfish | Parachute ride |
| The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure | Track ride in the dark |
| Live Festival Music at Paradise Gardens Park | Live Music |
| Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters | Car Dancing Ride |
| Main Entrance | Entranceway |
| Mariachi Divas | All-female Mariachi Band |
| Mater's Junkyard Jamboree | Midway-type whip ride |
| Mickey's PhilharMagic | 4-D Movie |
| Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! | Dark ride |
| Mostly Kosher | Yiddish Klezmer Music |
| Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession | Short Parade |
| A Musical Celebration of Coco | Live Music and Dancing |
| Operation: Playtime! - featuring the Green Army Men | Percussion Show |
| Paint the Night | Nighttime Parade With A Billion Lights and Infectious Soundtrack |
| Paradise Garden Bandstand | International Music Acts |
| Pixar Pal-A-Round - Non Swinging | Ferris wheel |
| Pixar Pal-A-Round - Swinging | Ferris wheel |
| Pixarmonic Orchestra | Comedy Music Show |
| Pre-Parade | Tiny Parade |
| Princess Elena's Musical Grand Arrival | Character Entertainment |
| Radiator Springs Racers | Automotive dark ride with high-speed thrills |
| Red Car News Boys | Newsies-style singing paperboys |
| Red Car Trolley | Scenic in-park transportation |
| Redwood Creek Challenge Trail | Elaborate playground and obstacle course |
| Silly Symphony Swings - Single | Swings rotating around a central tower |
| Silly Symphony Swings - Tandem | Swings rotating around a central tower |
| Soarin' Around the World | Flight-simulation ride |
| Sorcerer's Workshop | Interactive Disney Movie Exhibits |
| The Sound | A Capella Holiday Music |
| Tale of the Lion King | Live Musical Story |
| Toy Story Midway Mania! | 3-D ride-through indoor shooting gallery |
| Turtle Talk with Crush | An interactive animated film |
| Villainous | Nighttime Spectacular |
| Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar | Exhibit of attraction concept art |
| Wilderness Explorer Ceremony | Show with Up characters |
| World of Color | Fountain show with special effects |
"What It Is" at Other Parks
- Disneyland Attractions - What it is
- Disney California Adventure Attractions - What it is
