Haunted Mansion turned 50, CHOC Walk continued a cherished tradition, new Disneyland-exclusive drinks debuted at Starbucks, and construction on the Marvel-themed land were just some of the big highlights for our pictorial this week. We’ll also take a magical “Blue Hour” walk around Batuu and stop to taste a few more dishes that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge has to offer.
Plus, we’ll take a look at other projects around the parks including continuing work on the Pixar Pals parking structure and an ENORMOUS merch run for you cram-packed with goodies celebrating Haunted Mansion and featuring brand-new must-haves! All of this and more in our latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
Haunted Mansion Turns 50
On Friday August 9, the Haunted Mansion turned 50 years old and Disneyland didn’t let the anniversary go un-noticed. A bunch of special food and merchandise options debuted in celebration but that’s not the whole of it! There was a swinging wake up-charge party ahead of its anniversary and also Midsummer Scream which kicked off celebrations with a Grim Grinning Gala and several events through-out the weekend.
We spent a whole week looking into the Haunted Mansion’s history and legacy, check out the articles below in case you missed any!
- History and legacy of Disneyland’s classic HAUNTED MANSION
- A ‘By The Numbers’ look at the humble home of Disneyland’s happy haunts
- Spotlight on the happy haunts that materialize inside Disneyland’s HAUNTED MANSION
- Behind the Scenes at Disneyland’s classic HAUNTED MANSION
- #HauntedMansion50: Shh, Listen! The voices of Disneyland’s HAUNTED MANSION!
Not much is known about Madame Leota at the Haunted Mansion but this past week Disney gave us some official backstory for the incandescent medium. Find more videos and photos from this event here.
Starbucks Exclusives
If a stop to Disneyland’s Market House Starbucks is usually in your itinerary, then you might be excited to know that two Disneyland exclusive drinks — crafted by Cast Members at the location — will be available through the run of the Main Street Electrical Parade (September 30, 2019)!
The two concoctions are the Neverland Sunset (lemonade, peach juice and passion fruit tea) and the Wonderland Frappuccino (mocha frapuccino with a swirl of strawberry puree) paying tribute to iconic floats from the twinkling spectacle of nighttime magic and imagination!
More Mobile Order Dining Options
Showing no signs of slowing, Disneyland Resort confirmed that SIX more locations have been added to the growing list of dining locations at the Happiest Place on Earth that offer Mobile Order payment!
MORE INFO: Six total Mobile Order locations added at Disneyland Resort!
Marvel-themed Land
Walls remain up in front of the Mission Breakout with the standby entrance moved over to the side of the tower. The front access remains available for FastPass only.
Stark Industries construction walls.
Main Street Electrical Parade
A refillable popcorn bucket for the Main Street Electrical Parade has also debuted. It’s $16 and includes unlimited $1.50 day-of refills.
If you’re looking for something sweeter to commemorate the parade’s return, there’s cake pops and other treats to indulge…
Around Disney California Adventure
Red Car Trolley station is behind walls on Buena Vista Street.
The refurb walls have turned the bathroom and lockers into a little closed-off nook.
Award Wieners dining area is STILL behind walls. Hard to tell what if anything is going on back here.
We’re ready to abandon Mickey Watch on the Silly Symphony Swings. He’s still gone.
Single switchback queue at Smokejumper Grill helps organize the chaos that typically befalls the popular eatery. They also removed the hand rails that framed this entrance more narrowly.
The Awanahee Circle at Redwood Creek remains off limits as Disney readies the area for the Villains Grove during the OOGIE BOOGIE BASH up-charge parties.
Summertime favorites.
The DCA exit was moved to the opposite side of its normal placement. Not sure if it had to do with this weekend’s CHOC Walk or if this is a new permanent change.
Around Disneyland
Main Street Cinema is still a relaxing respite of nostalgia and still bringing in the crowds following the addition of benches and removal of the curtains blocking the entrance.
Green boxes, eh?
One half of the Matterhorn Bobsleds has closed unexpectedly after a piece of the mountain reportedly fell off.
Looks like work has resumed once again on the new entrance for Adventureland. Some tarps are blocking the pump system located between the entrances for here and Frontierland.
Moana at Tarzan’s Treehouse.
The Caretaker sandwich at Hungry Bear features Crispy Pork Belly seasoned with House Spices, layered with BBQ Sauce, Grilled Onions, Cheese Sauce, House-made Pickle, crispy Slaw on a Potato Roll. This is one of the best things we’ve seen come out of the Disneyland Resort in quite some time. A fantastic blend of flavors and textures, it’s absolutely a must try. It comes with fries but for $2.59 extra you can upgrade them to Loaded Onion Rings…
Loaded Onion Rings are new to the Hungry Bear menu but not specifically for the Haunted Mansion 50th celebration. The onion rings feature Cheese Sauce, Bacon, Scallions, and Cilantro Lime Crema. They are also a truly fantastic and memorable dish that you’d be remiss not to try!
But this is just a very very small portion of Haunted Mansion food, drinks, and snacks to try for a limited time at the Disneyland Resort. Check out a full look at the Disney Parks Blog below.
MORE INFO: DBP: Foodie Guide to Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary 2019 at Disneyland Park
Back to Batuu
Dok-Ondar is still requiring purchase of a holocron to pick up a kyber crystal. Red, Blue, Green and Violet are the only colors available.
The Droid Depot personality chips are sold out again.
Braised Shaak Roast ($18.99) is a Beef Pot Roast with Cavatelli Pasta, Wilted Kale, Mushrooms. The meat is tender and the breadcrumbs a nice complement. The whole dish works really well, just wish there was a little more sauce or gravy but overall an incredibly satisfying dish!
Ithorian Garden Loaf ($14.99) features a plant-based “Meatloaf”, Roasted Vegetable Potato Mash, Seasonal Vegetables, Mushroom Sauce. We were told this is Impossible brand plant-based meat which is no surprise to us as it was flavorful, tender, and absolutely delicious. Sure, it’s just a “meatloaf” but you would be hard-pressed to identify it as such if you didn’t know it when you were eating it! The carrots were slightly overcooked for my preference but the potatoes are a sturdy stratchy complement to tie it all together.
Blue Hour in Batuu!
Around the Resort
Disneyland didn’t open until 10am on Sunday due to the CHOC Walk event. The crowds were pretty heavy in the morning.
There is no middle of the Esplanade, just chaos. pic.twitter.com/7vad7vXr3S
— MouseInfo (@MouseInfo) August 11, 2019
Another project which seems to have been completely halted in progress for a few weeks now.
The plaza in-between Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures continues moving along. You can see the round base for the giant new Mickey head that will identify this side of the Parking structure. It complements the giant Pixar Ball near the Pixar Pals escalators.
Elevator progress continues.
Merch Run
Haunted Mansion
Here’s a select bit of Haunted Mansion merchandise. For a full look at everything we captured this weekend, check out our PICTORIAL: Haunted Mansion at 50 — A week of festivities and surprises for Disneyland’s ghostly abode.
Host a Ghost.
Hocus Pocus
More in Store
Star Wars X TOMS
If you’re at Curl Surf in Downtown Disney, you can pick yourself up one of several different kinds of STAR WARS X TOMS shoes. The kind folks at TOMS sent us some shoes in return for sharing it with our readers here on MouseInfo. After we got them in the mail, we couldn’t help but to take them with us straight to Batuu!
MORE INFO: The Force is strong with the new #StarWarsxTOMS collaboration
Protect the Pride
These special edition Nala and Simba plush support The Lion King Protect the Pride campaign. They are also available at certain Disney stores, on shopDisney.com, and in select U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts locations
MORE INFO: Disney to raise up to $3 million for conservation with new The Lion King PROTECT THE PRIDE campaign
Imagineer That!
Many people are fascinated by Disney Imagineering and now Khan Academy is giving you a peek behind the storied walls and processes with Imagineering in a Box. This free online educational curriculum compiles expertise of Disney Imagineers from hundreds of career disciplines around the world and shares with learners of all ages. As part of the 35 educational videos, the curriculum features project-based exercises that apply science, technology, engineering, art and math that allow learners to create themed experiences.
MORE INFO: WATCH: Disney’s ‘Imagineering in a Box’ launches offering hours of instructional curriculum
Halloween Early
Disney released a bunch of new information, teasers, and pictures of what we can expect for the upcoming Halloween Time season at Disney California Adventure. From villainous new entertainment to first-time arrivals of Disney characters plus food, merch, and more… there’s a whole lot more treats than tricks this year for Disney’s Halloween Time!
Glowing Again
The Main Street Electrical Parade is back for a special summer encore and it brings with it special treats and merch options but enjoy it while you can! ENDS September 30, 2019.
California Soarin’ Away
Are you ready to go Soarin’ Over California again? You can charter your own flight now! Due to popular demand, the attraction’s return has been extended! ENDS August 31, 2019.
MORE INFO: SOARIN’ OVER CALIFORNIA to return to Disney California Adventure for limited time this summer
Popping Out
Pop-up Disney! A Mickey Celebration at Downtown Disney is delightful and bright space ripe with literally countless photographic opportunities. If you haven’t seen it yet your window of opportunity is closing! ENDS September 2, 2019.
MORE INFO: Inside and In-Depth: POP-UP DISNEY! A MICKEY CELEBRATION at Downtown Disney
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.
- AP PERK: Summer Bring-A-Friend ticket offer, $99 for 1-day Hoppers. 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 and apparel, you can also find stickers, phone & laptop cases, mugs, and more!
SHOP NOW: Find more designs and products at our store: mouseinfo.com/tees.
THE END!