If you’re entering DCA from Buena Vista Street and heading toward the back of the park, Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park sit right next to each other along the water. Most guests jump in line at the first ride they reach on the other side of the park, which means this corner stays quiet for the first 15 minutes or so after rope drop. Use that window.
Pixar Pier First
Start with Toy Story Midway Mania, no height requirement, a strong first stop for any age group. It also has a Single Rider line and its own interactive queue content through the Play Disney Parks app: carnival-style mini-games plus a group-build “Playset Party” mode, standby line only.
From there:
- Incredicoaster (48 inch requirement) also runs a Single Rider line. One note worth knowing: there’s a bag and bottle shelf at the boarding station now, since loose items are the leading cause of ride shutdowns on this attraction, the only one at the resort that inverts. If your water bottle fits securely in a zipped bag, it can ride with you; otherwise it goes on the shelf.
- Pixar Pal-A-Round and Jessie’s Critter Carousel both have no height requirement, easy adds for families with younger kids.
- Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind also has no height requirement and tends to have shorter waits than its neighbors early in the day.
Then Paradise Gardens Park
Once you’ve worked through Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park is right there. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure has no height requirement and is a good fit if you’ve got little ones who want a slower-paced ride after the Pier’s bigger attractions.
The Obelisk Hub
Paradise Gardens Park sits at a roundabout hub, the obelisk, connecting San Fransokyo Square, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, and the Embarcadero walkway toward Grizzly Peak. If you’re planning to continue on to Soarin’ or Grizzly River Run after this loop, the obelisk is your jumping-off point, no need to backtrack toward Carthay Circle.
Setting Up Your Day While You’re Here
Toy Story Midway Mania is one of the faster sellers on Lightning Lane Multi Pass at DCA. Check the Tip Board as soon as you’re through the gate and grab a return time if you’re not riding it standby right away. For the full mechanics of booking, stacking, and the two-hour hold, see The Honest Guide to Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Where to Go Next
From the obelisk hub, you can continue on to Grizzly Peak and San Fransokyo Square, covered in our San Fransokyo Square and Grizzly Peak rope drop guide. For the complete resort-wide first two hours plan, start with Your First Two Hours at Disneyland: The Complete Rope Drop Game Plan. For dining, shops, and photo spots, check the Pocket Guides for Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park.