As the Disneyland Resort aims to keep your tummies busting at the seams during their Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, the refurbishment and construction projects around the happiest place on earth are also busting out of the seams.
Some of the big news this weekend is the return of Fantasmic! and the debut of Mickey’s Mix Magic along the Rivers of America. Plus, we’ll take a look at on-going projects including the impressive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and new parking structure to support it. Project Stardust projects continue around the park including Sleeping Beauty Castle and we’ll get updates on Downtown Disney shops and more around the park. Of course, a merch run for you at the end and much more in this latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
Fantasmic! Returns!
MORE INFO: WATCH: FANTASMIC! lights the night once more at Disneyland!
Don’t forget that you need a FastPass to see from one of the official viewing areas for Fantasmic! Fringe viewing is available on a first-come first-serve basis but a show of this magnitude deserves the extra effort of securing a good spot! You can grab your FastPass at park opening near the Mark Twain / Columbia loading dock. Tickets go fast for both shows!
If you missed your chance at a FastPass for the day, you might still have luck with a Fantasmic! Dining Package option like this one here for Hungry Bear Restaurant. For $29.99 (adults) or $19.99 (kids under 9) you can chose from a selection of “on-the-go” entrees including Cedar Salt-Roasted Salmon, Mushroom & Leek Frittata or Blackberry BBQ Pork Riblets.
MORE INFO: Fantasmic! On The Go Package at Hungry Bear Restaurant
Looking for a sit down meal instead? You’re in luck, there’s Dining Packages for that as well at Blue Bayou and River Belle Terrace.
MORE INFO: Fantasmic! Dining Packages
New Magic Mix
Now that Fantasmic! is back from refurbishment, Mickey’s Mix Magic is now viewable from the Rivers of America. If you have FastPass for the 9:00 PM showing of Fantasmic you can enjoy Mickey’s Mix Magic from the same viewing area. Not to shabby!
MORE INFO: WATCH: MICKEY’S MIX MAGIC makes its official debut on the Rivers of America #Mickey90
Earth-Friendly
As part of the Walt Disney Company’s commitment to reduce plastic waste, the Disneyland Resort has begun to phase out plastic straws in favor of “Earth-friendly” paper straws that are biodegradable. This is a clear win for the environment but we were worried about the quality of the replacement straws considering less-than-magical experiences with them in the past. We’re happy to confirm that the new straws at Disneyland are possibly the best disposable paper straws we’ve ever used!
MORE INFO: Disneyland begins the switch to disposable straws and they’re actually great!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge views inside the park are blending quite well.
MORE INFO: News and Information about STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE
Explore Early?
The public won’t get their chance to explore Galaxy’s Edge until June when the new land opens at Disneyland (and then again later in the year a clone of the land opens in Walt Disney World) but Marvel is ready to take you to the planet of Batuu — and specifically the Black Spire.
Edging Closer
It’s no secret that the Star Was: Galaxy’s Edge expansion (or unofficially Star Wars Land for the uninitiated) will be an incredible undertaking when it lands at both Disneyland Park in Anaheim and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park at Walt Disney World and now we have more info (thanks to the fabulous D23) than ever before about the impressive new undertaking opening as early as this summer in California and later this year in Florida!
MORE INFO: PHOTOS: A look at the food, merch, and rides coming to STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE!
Opening Confirmed
Details are in about the grand opening date for the upcoming STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE expansion at both Disneyland Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park in Florida and it brings with it some phased opening AND reservation requirements.
Around Disneyland
We’re still deep in winter but the park is looking quite ready for spring.
Thumper balloons are back again just in time for Easter.
Small paint touch-ups.
Meanwhile, doesn’t this seem like exactly what we would have seen if Liberty Street or Edison Square had ever been built behind Main Street at Disneyland?
Odie was getting some on-the-site training!
Astro Orbitor is well on its way to returning by this spring.
Rainbow MIckey Tumbler.
Celebration Cake looks rather plain and uninteresting although certainly eye-catching!
Space Mountain is still down for refurbishment. Maybe it’s getting some rockin’ enhancements.
More walls in Tomorrowland.
Walls not quite down yet on the loading dock for Mark Twain and the Sailing Ship Columbia.
The Lemonade stand near Haunted Mansion is gone. Could the entire planter also be disappearing?
This space works better without the railings.
Mardi Gras Coconut Cake features layers of sponge cake and pastry cream with coconut flakes and crisp pearls.
Pad Thai Spring Roll ($6.99) with shrimp, bean sprouts, sweet and sour-flavored rice noodles, garlic chives, scrambled eggs, cashews, julienne carrots, pickled radishes, and butter lettuce with a cashew-hoisin dipping sauce from the Bengal Barbecue. You can wash it down with a Piranha Lemonade Slushy ($5.99).
Sailing Ship Columbia is a water-worthy vessel once more.
Popcorn cart near Hungry Bear is gone.
Stopped by the Opera House to take another look at the Dumbo exhibit.
Looks like Dumbo is the big act at Dreamland, a small amusement park. Two bits of concept art for this park caught our eye…
This seems to show a show-scene of a Carousel of Progress type show giving us major Epcot Horizons vibes.
Dumbo Takes Flight
You can now see an elephant take to the sky somewhere else at Disneyland… on Main Street! A new DUMBO debuted this weekend at Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House. The preview brings with it some costumes, concept art, and a life-size replica of Dumbo that is ready to up your selfie game.
MORE INFO: DUMBO flies in for a special limited-time sneak preview at Disneyland, DHS, Disney Cruise Line
Around Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is well under way!
Looks like Carol Danvers has been to the Festival already.
Although her movie comes out this weekend the Captain Marvel meet and greet isn’t quite ready BUT she is still greeting guests just outside of it.
The Disney Visa character greet is still available for cardholders.
Disney Animation‘s sketches were updated.
Mickey is gone on the top of the Silly Symphony Swings which are under refurbishment now.
The Impossible Meat-less Ball Sub Sandwich is a fantastic choice available at Paradise Garden Grill for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Similarly, the Fish and Chips are a fresh hot and delicious choice. Wish these were part of the regular menu instead of the sub-par Mediterranean served there for most of the year.
Grizzly River Run is still down for refurbishment although water has been restored to the small reservoir by the mill.
Around the Resort
The new pool bar area is coming along at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It will keep with the hotel’s signature Arts and Crafts design with natural boulder stonework and clinker bricks. A custom tile mural at the back bar will also set the craftsman tone in the new space. In addition, a trellis structure will provide shade and a perfect respite to enjoy sipping beverages and snacking on appetizers. A variety of new lounge and table seating will also be available.
Mickey and Friends
Still no visible progress on Black Tap.
No confirmation yet on the new Sugarboo coming to Downtown Disney but we’re keeping our eye on this spot.
MORE INFO: New Downtown Disney tenant Sugarboo & Co. coming soon!
Not much progress on work at the former ESPN ZONE for the new Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration.
Zoned Out
Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration is coming to Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort and it promises a “whimsically immersive experience” celebrating 90 years of both Mickey and Minnie Mouse. This separately ticketed exhibit will be located near the Downtown Disney District Monorail station in the former space of ESPN Zone.
MORE INFO: NEW separate-cost ‘Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration’ exhibit coming to shuttered ESPN ZONE
#Mickey90 Cake
Merch Run
Food and Wine Continues
It can be overwhelming to try and process all the things to see, do, eat, and drink during Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival so that’s why we’ve assembled this handy guide to help you find your way through it all!
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: A complete look at 2019 ‘Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival’
But wait, there’s more! Fresh tastes abound this year and we’ve got a great look at what you can expect to enjoy from the Festival Marketplaces in 2019. BON APPETIT!
MORE INFO: FIRST TASTE: A look at the 2019 Disney California Food & Wine Festival marketplace menu items!
Let’s do brunch?
If you’re looking for more personal face-time with the characters and you LOVE brunch, you’re in luck as Disney’s PCH Grill is bringing a brunch option to Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting March 29, 2019! Catch some waves on the dance floor with Donald, Daisy and Stitch as you chow down on an all-you-care-to-enjoy brunch buffet.
MORE INFO: New character dining options debut July 10 at Disneyland Resort hotels
More Up-Charge Events Assemble
Disneyland After Dark continues on this year with a third event and it’s decidedly… SUPER. The new Disneyland After Dark: Heroes Assemble event at Disney California Adventure park promises an action-packed line up of experiences with entertainment, character encounters, event-themed food, merchandise and more.
MORE INFO: HEROES ASSEMBLE for new Disneyland After Dark event at Disney California Adventure
GET YOUR EARS ON
GET YOUR EARS ON – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration is a new festival at the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of everyone’s favorite mouse duo. #Mickey90
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: Disneyland celebration invites you to GET YOUR EARS ON with new offerings
Hungry for More Mickey?
MORE INFO: FIRST TASTE: Disneyland’s festive menu for ‘Get Your Ears On’ Mickey 90th celebration
Save Money in the New Year
Disneyland is currently offering several ways to save a little money and visit the Happiest Place on Earth. Each have various restrictions so you’ll want to find the one that works best for you.
- $60/day; Disneyland Resort. MORE INFO
- $70 ticket offer, hotel discounts; Disneyland Resort MORE INFO
- US military discounts for tickets and hotels; Disneyland, Walt Disney World. MORE INFO
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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