GOING BACK seems to be the trend this week. On our adventures at the Happiest Place on Earth this weekend, we’ll be going BACK TO Batuu for another look around STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE. We’ll also find that in the Grizzly Peak area that a popular attraction has gone BACK TO SOARIN’ OVER CALIFORNIA, and in the skies over Disneyland we’ve found that the nightly entertainment has gone BACK TO DISNEYLAND FOREVER!
In this park pictorial, we’ll also catch an update on the rapidly moving Pixar Pals Parking Structure, scope out progress on both INSIDE OUT: EMOTIONAL WHIRLWIND and the upcoming Marvel-themed land, and catch-up on some smaller projects around the Resort.
We have special treat with some Fantasyland Golden Hour photos and, of course, a nice merch run for you at the end! All of this and more in our latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
Forever Returns!
Now that Mickey’s Mix Magic has been concluded, Disneyland Forever fireworks fills the evening skies this summer!
Pixar Pals Parking Structure
Disney is working at a fever pitch to try and get the new parking structure ready for June 24 when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens to the general public without requiring advance reservations. An official opening date has not yet been announced for the new structure.
Plants have been placed on all levels and the lights were all on inside.
New security screening set-up is coming along immediately under the structure. You can also see the new digital signage is on and testing mode in both of these photos.
Another look at the digital signage above each of the new security entrances.
Looks like this path ends at a soon-to-be gate which will likely allow for emergency and work vehicle access.
Walls have come down along the back side of the structure and you can see new trees and even plants are starting to go in.
The new bridge over Magic Way is also coming along although likely will not be ready by the end of the month.
You can see on the second level of Pixar Pals where the bridge will jut out over Magic Way.
The bridge will connect here, across the street, leading guests towards the Downtown Disney entrance into the secure zone.
Marvel-Themed Land
Work continues on the new Spider-Man attraction that will be part of an entirely new Marvel-themed land.
MORE INFO: Find more articles about the upcoming Marvel-themed land.
Around Disney California Adventure
Although we didn’t get a chance to sit and enjoy the new TALE OF THE LION KING offering in Paradise Gardens Park this weekend, it certainly seems to be drawing quite a crowd!
The back sides (not backsides) of the flat animal decorations are not decorated. You can see them more clearly from the Pixar Pier bridge including the backside support structures for them. A simple fix but for a short-lived show like this one, we probably won’t see it addressed.
The INSIDE OUT: EMOTIONAL WHIRLWIND is really starting to come along with more and more thematic elements appearing as it gears up for its opening this summer.
Cotton Candy Bing-Bong memory.
Fear and Anger graphics have appeared on the attraction buckets.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge photo-ops backstage.
New bags from HARVEYS.
Fans lined up in Pixar Pier to meet with the designers!
Fans were also lined up to buy a new specialty popcorn bucket that’s only available in DCA.
They’re shaped like a drum and decorated in celebration of THE LION KING. We suspect the beautiful creations will appearing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at some point this summer, too.
Are you ready to go Soarin’ Over California again? You can charter your own flight now through June 30, 2019.
The strollers parked in front of the marquee have always bothered me. Weird quirk, I know.
The dining area for Award Wieners is currently unavailable.
Both entrances are blocked off as the whole facade is covered in scaffolding and scrims. We’d HOPE for an enclosed and possibly air-conditioned dining area but the most we can likely expect here is some fresh paint.
Meanwhile, the stroller parking area for Mickey’s Philharmagic has become a new dining area.
Around Disneyland
Two additional podiums outside of City Hall help increase capacity of this very guest relations hub.
The hand-painted mural on Main Street finally appears to be completed! What a beauty!
It looks like the marquee for Alien Pizza Planet is finally complete now that the little green alien has flown in.
Each planet on the facade is a different ingredient. Olive, tomato, red onion, pesto (?), and cheese. Each planet has a poster inside the restaurant. Olio-V, Otamot, Mozzar-114, Pepperonia, Bakkonn, Garlon, and Alpha Broccolius are just some of those planets you’ll find.
There’s one rogue i-beam sticking out right underneath the Alien and it’s driving me nuts. Weird quirk, I know.
The former Fantasy Arts area-turned-shade-structure would benefit greatly from the addition of tables and/or benches.
You can now find your face painting and letter art needs fulfilled at the other side of the Matterhorn near the exit to Pixie Hollow.
Water is still looking pretty grimy around Central Plaza.
Missing: CAT. See Also: Bluebird has flown the coop.
No one arches like Gaston.
And now, some golden hour shots. Just cuz.
Back to Batuu
You might be sick of coverage but we’re obsessed with the new STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE and we got another chance to visit again! Enjoy a select few images from this weekend!
Reality vs. Concept.
Those numbers sounding familiar? 77, 80, and 83? Release years for the original trilogy of films!
There were still Batuu Spira available on Saturday although we’ve heard that they might actually be sold out completely at this point. The metal coins are an ancient form of currency on Batuu but can be used as a Disney Gift Card anywhere they’re accepted including your local Disney Store. They can be reloaded but the minimum amount to activate is $100. There’s no cost for the coin itself once it’s been activated.
If you buy a red kyber crystal from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, you might just find yourself with a stone that’s actually jet black! They behave in the same way as a red kyber crystal although popping one into a holocron provides input from a sinister voice.
Making payments anywhere in the land feels decidedly on-brand yet still with all of the Earthly requirements and conveniences of a touch bad and a contact-less pad.
Even the PhotoPass cards in the land have a little bit of Batuu instilled in them.
We had lunch at Docking Bay 7 and really enjoyed these new menu items. This weekend, we tried the Felucian Garden Spread ($12.99) which features balls of a plant-based “Kefta” that is honestly fantastic. It tastes super great, well-seasoned, and you’d probably be hard-pressed to discern it wasn’t meat if you weren’t told ahead of time. It’s served over an Herb Hummus with Tomato-Cucumber Relish and toasted Pita triangles. Great flavors but not super filling. It’s a solid choice if this flavor profile is something you’re into.
Yobshrimp Noodle Salad ($15.99) which includes Chilled Shrimp, Marinated Noodles, Vegetables, and Cilantro. It’s very refreshing and comes with an impressive dozen shrimp atop the chilled noodles. The flavors are great and it gives vibes of a nice fresh shrimp ceviche. However, despite the generous portion of shrimp, the dish itself is not entirely filling. A larger portion of noodles and veggies would probably go a long way here. With that said, this worked to our advantage as we also really wanted to try some food from Ronto Roasters…
A bite at Ronto Roasters can include this winning combo of a Ronto Wrap and Meiloorun Juice!!
Meiloorun Juice is really good!! It uses Barrilitos Aguas Frescas Pineapple and Simply Lemonade with Blueberry, White Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice, and Desert Pear. It’s $5.49 a glass but so refreshing! The Ronto Wrap is a tasty snack. Great flavors all around here with a delightful combination of pork sausage and roast park in a peppercorn sauce with slaw, wrapped in pita.
This measuring stick is used to measure all precious cargo at Ohnaka Transport Solutions… or as you might know it… Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.
The Single Rider (and eventually FastPass) queue splits off into two separate hangars for immediate boarding.
If you ever see this button flashing red, be sure to push it!
If you’ve always wanted to send the fastest ship in the galaxy into hyperdrive, be sure you are the Right Pilot! This position is also responsible for piloting the ship up and down. Left Pilot guides the ship left and right.
So many details even just exiting the attraction!
We saw this brilliant little detail first pointed out on Twitter but this passage way which leads to a backstage area is labeled as DELIVERIES ONLY. The amazing level of detail here is that on both sides of the entry way into this delivery area, you can see accidental scratch marks on the walls caused by years and years of equipment and vehicles scrapping by with their deliveries.
There’s not much signage in the new land but there is SOME!
This gun turret marks the entrance into the upcoming Rise of the Resistance attraction that was announced to be opening later this year.
Makeshift fences line the queue.
Your wristband is expired. Move along.
Batuu Behind the Scenes
Here’s two great videos by Walt Disney Imagineering showcasing some behind-the-scenes footage bringing the land to life!
Finding Star Wars Land
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is finally here. In case you missed it, we have a WHOLE BUNCH of looks into the land, its shops, its dining, and its (for now) single premiere attraction! In case you missed it, check out our pictorial guides below below!
The Rides
Dining
Shopping
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Droid Depot’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Creature Stall’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Toydarian Toymaker’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Jewels of Bith’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Resistance Supply’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘First Order Cargo’
- SWGE GUIDE: ‘Black Spire Outfitters’
More to Explore
Have Your Own Reservation?
Guests who have reservations to access STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE should receive communication about how exactly the check-in process will work for accessing the unprecedented new expansion at Disneyland.
Below are the details on what to bring, how to check in and how to enter the land.
MORE INFO: HOW TO: Use your reservation to access STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE at Disneyland
Merch Run
Plenty of Galaxy’s Edge merchandise ready for the taking.
AP merchandise, still available, too.
New Mickey Ray-Bans.
New Jerrod Maruyama Loungefly.
Toy Story 4 comes to play
Disneyland (along with Disney Parks locations around the globe) have begun showing a TOY STORY 4 extended preview which includes a custom intro by actor Tony Hale.
MORE INFO: TOY STORY 4 at Disneyland brings extended peek of Disney-Pixar’s latest animated adventure
Wake the Dead!
Disneyland is inviting you to help come wake the dead with a special after-after hours party (from 1am – 4am!) to celebrate the Haunted Mansion! Commemorating 50 years of the chillingly awesome attraction, this “under the hill” soiree will take include a bunch of earthly delights including spirited sips and bites, special entertainment, character encounters, photo ops, and access to several west-side park attractions, plus a few other supernatural surprises.
Flexible?
In the ever-evolving world of Disney ticket levels, packages, and options the Disneyland Resort has added a new Annual Pass to the lineup: Disney Flex Passport. Priced at $599, this pass is different than the one you might have in your wallet today as it introduces a reservation system that effectively guarantees your visit (and potentially limits how many times you can come) with a flexible new system. It is available now for purchase.
MORE INFO: DISNEY FLEX PASSPORT: Everything you need to know about Disneyland’s new Annual Passport option
Magical Savings on Admission
It’s one of the questions we get asked the most, how can you save a little money on Disneyland tickets? Below is what’s available now.
- 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!
SHOP NOW: Find more designs and products at our store: mouseinfo.com/tees.
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