Pixar Fest is well underway (check out our complete guide to navigating the offerings) at the Disneyland Resort but there’s still plenty of other new things to take in as the property inches forward for another busy summer. On our brief visit this week, we took in some updates around the parks including Pixar Pier, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, and more.
We also bid Pirates of the Caribbean a temporary adieu before it goes down for a refurbishment that will alter some interior scenes, take a look at on-going work at Downtown Disney, and check progress on the new structure going up at Mickey and Friends.
Of course, we’ll have a nice merch run for you plus lots more in our latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
Pixar Pier
Mickey and Friends Parking Structure
Some new signage has popped up at the Mickey and Friends parking structure to help give some life to the rather drab experience of arriving at the Disneyland Resort.
New concept art has also showed up highlighting the construction taking place next door.
What does it reveal and what questions does it pose? Check out our previous posting about it here for some of the specifics:
MORE INFO: Concept art poses more questions for new parking structure at ‘Mickey and Friends’
The new signage welcomes you in several languages.
The new artwork also features characters that appear to be much more on-model than the existing signage around the structure.
Getting into the security screening introduces your first set of lines at the Disneyland Resort.
The Disney Dress Shop
The Disney Dress Shop has relocated to its new permanent home which boasts a much larger retail space selling jewelry, accessories, and more amongst the various dresses.
Pixar Pier
Incredicoaster
Moving. #PixarPier🎡 pic.twitter.com/LntfRaqlkB
— MouseInfo (@MouseInfo) April 21, 2018
Disney confirmed recently what new design we could expect to see on the trains:
Lamplight Lounge and Knick Knacks
New shade covering over the queue for the Cove Bar. 🙌🙌
Inside Knick Knacks
We explored this last week but the shop was a lot less busy this weekend so we got to breathe a little more.
Adorable Snowman’s Frosty Treats
Signage is being painted on, this might open well ahead of the June 23 opening for the whole land.
Poultry Palace
Toy Story Mania! Fastpass
Freshly painted blue instead of red. Donald Duck thematic elements were removed.
Fun Wheel
Still mostly half red/blue.
Pixar Fest Foods
Pixar Fest is under way now and we’ve chronicled the Pixar Fest food offerings quite extensively for you already but we got to try some more of the food offerings this weekend…
Carnation Cafe
The Fredrickson TV Diner is probably our favorite thing of the entire celebration. Pork Chop with apples and gravy starts if off. It’s accompanied with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted garlicky carrots and peas, corn bread with sweet butter, and finished off with a fabulous chocolate lava cake. This is an impressive meal and absolutely worth the special effort. Do not miss this awesome dish!
Fried-ricksen Bologna Sandwich is also a surprise winner. We were hesitant to order a BALOGNA sandwich at Disneyland but this one delicious dish and also a recommended choice. The bologna is a nice thick slice of meat fried and served with standard sandwich fixings including cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Accompanied by fries, it’s surprisingly hearty and quite tasty.
There may have also been Fried Pickles and Walt’s Chili on our table but these are just regular menu items, not specific for Pixar Fest!
How perfect is this dapper couple?
Later in the day, we ventured over to Plaza Inn for the special Pixar Fest cake. The colorful confection is a simple vanilla cake with a smear of raspberry sauce. The Pixar ball is a half dome of white chocolate.
Complete Guide to Pixar Fest
This summer, it’s a full-blown Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort and every inch of the property is ready for the celebration. A whole bunch of new entertainment, food, shopping, decorations, and more have debuted and are ready to enjoy now though September 3! That means there’s 133 days left!
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: PIXAR FEST launches at the Disneyland Resort bringing entertainment, food and fun
Around Disneyland
Busy!
Splash Mountain is back. Now that it is, another attraction is getting ready to close down for refurbishment.
Pirates of the Caribbean is going down for refurbishment. When it reopens, it will feature a newly modified scene that updates the auction scene to match changes made across other Disney Parks over the past year.
MORE INFO: Disney Parks updating ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ attraction for modern sensibilities
Disneyland has added some new blue strollers into the mix. They are smaller than the existing green strollers that have been in use for several years now.
Aladdin’s Oasis will soon be going away to make way for a new eatery option. The fountain here is about the only element expected to survive the redo.
MORE INFO: THE TROPICAL HIDEAWAY dining experience replacing Aladdin’s Oasis at Disneyland
Around the Resort
Expansion continues on Naples.
Construction continues to bring Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer as well as Ballast Point to Downtown Disney.
MORE INFO: ‘Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer’ coming to Downtown Disney, more to come
Wetzel’s Pretzels remains open during construction.
A Grand Old Time
We stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa last weekend. Just a few pics…
White Chocolate dipped orange sorbet popsicle with popping pixie dust and Mickey sprinkles. Served poolside.
Pineapple Shake is not great.
Chef’s Counter at Napa Rose!
Bread baked fresh in the restaurant. So good!!
Pineapple Habanero amuse bouche to start off the experience.
Swordfish in San Marzano tomato broth with calarmi and mediterranean mussels.
Sauteed diver scallops nicoise with tender pole beans, tomato confit and potato velvet.
Smiling Tiger Salad with spicy beef strips, Asian greens, lobster shrimp fritters, and coconut vinaigrette.
Celebration of local citrus with grilled hearts of palm and jicama with shaved ricotta salata and a tangerine vinaigrette.
Barbacoa braised wild boar shoulder on roasted tomato charmula.
Roasted roulade free-range chicken with English peas, tender Parisian gnocchi, and morel mushrooms.
Citrus sorbet with tangerine, blood orange, grapefruit and more.
Roasted Colorado spring lamb with braised lamb should ragu and green garlic puree.
Grilled prime New York steak with bone marrow fritter, onion fondue, and mustard creme.
Bruleed banana with chocolate magic and edible gold flakes.
Mango and chocolate magic.
The children’s dessert — because we’re children — was blue creme brulee with brown sugar sand and Swedish fish.
Upgraded robes at the Grand!
How we leave tips
Merch Run
A bunch of Solo merch has appeared on the shelves.
New Adventureland themed mugs at Starbucks.
DCA still has Paradise Pier themed design.
Patriotic merchandise growing in numbers.
I love the artwork on the Rubik’s Cube!
Blue Sky Cellar: Pixar Pier
Disney surprised fans with the reopening of the Blue Sky Cellar to feature artwork, models, and video for the upcoming Pixar Pier enhancements coming to Disney California Adventure.
MORE INFO: INSIDE AND IN DEPTH: Blue Sky Cellar reopens offering detailed looks at #PixarPier🎡
Hyperspace Mountain Launching Again
May the Fourth be with you this summer as Disneyland Park relaunches the fan-favorite Hyperspace Mountain version of the attraction. Launching in T-minus 11-days and counting! Here’s a video from when the layover first debuted on Space Mountain:
Disney Channel Daze
Disney is kicking of its Disney Channel Go! Fan Fest on Saturday, May 12 with a special celebration at the Disneyland Resort. The special fan-oriented event will include star appearances, panels, and a super special DuckTales event!
MORE INFO: Disney Channel stars coming together for one-day-only event at the Disneyland Resort
Tee Time!
If you are looking for a way to help support the site so we can continue to bring you more info about the mouse, feel free to browse our TeePublic Store! Aside from tees, you can also find coffee mugs, phone & laptop cases, and more!
Find more designs at our store: mouseinfo.com/tees.
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