Disney California Adventure – Page 2

REVIEW: Giant Yule Log Cronut, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie at Schmoozies, Disney California Adventure Holidays 2017

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Schmoozies in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure is offering a number of seasonal specialties this holiday season. Among them is a Yule Log Holiday Doughnut and Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.

Yule Log Doughnut ($8.99)

I’ve become so desensitized to Disney Parks food prices that I didn’t even think about this being $8.99 when I ordered it. With that being said, I was thus unprepared for the giant pastry I would be handed…

This thing is giant, at least shareable between 3 people (at minimum) if you don’t want to feel like death afterwards. It is also quite good.

It is basically a croissant doughnut (similar to the one we had at Schmoozies for HalloweenTime), but this time a larger version filled with a Pecan Praline cream and covered in chocolate. The exterior is flaky and delicious, the Pecan Praline cream adds a nice flavor, and there’s just enough chocolate on top to make this just about perfect for every bite. Everything is balanced properly and the cream filling is present just enough to not over power all of the other flavors.

If this sounds good to you, then bring a small horde over to the park to share this with you. Or try to eat it all yourself, I won’t judge.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie ($5.99)

I have had many a smoothie from Schmoozies in my time, and I typically enjoy them quite a bit, but this was horrendous. It didn’t taste like pumpkin pie, but rather as if you were drinking a blended version of the metal tin that the pie came. So yes, there is a pumpkin pie flavor, but it is followed by a strong metallic, or even chemical-like flavor. I had to throw half of this out, and I only drank the other half because I felt bad wasting so much of it.

They’re also serving a Peppermint Malibu Mocha beverage right now, so I would probably go with that if you want a seasonal specialty drink.

BREAKING: California Screamin’ to Become Incredicoaster, Disney Shares Full Plans for PIXAR Pier at California Adventure

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park when Pixar Pier opens along the southern shore of Paradise Bay, with newly themed attractions, foods and merchandise throughout. This new, permanent land in the area that is now Paradise Pier will introduce four new neighborhoods representing beloved Disney·Pixar stories.

PIXAR PIER (ANAHEIM, Calif.) –Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land when Pixar Pier opens for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park, featuring the new Incredicoaster inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” This artist concept illustrates the four new neighborhoods that will represent beloved Pixar stories and the newly themed attractions that will be found throughout the permanent land of Pixar Pier. (Disney•Pixar)

The first neighborhood is inspired by Disney·Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and it will open in summer 2018 with the Incredicoaster. Permanently transformed from the attraction that is now California Screamin’, Incredicoaster will invite guests into a mid-century-modern-style loading area where they board vehicles with a distinctive, new look. New character moments, new scenes and special effects, and an exciting musical score will connect the attraction’s story to Pixar’s “The Incredibles 2,” which opens in theaters June 14, 2018. To prepare for this transformation, California Screamin’ will close January 8th, 2018.

PIXAR PIER (ANAHEIM, Calif.) Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land when Pixar Pier opens for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park, including the new Incredicoaster, inspired by DisneyPixars The Incredibles. Pixar Pier also introduces four new neighborhoods representing beloved Pixar stories. This artist concept captures a scene from one of the neighborhoods inspired by The Incredibles. Here, guests will find the new Incredicoaster featuring a mid-century-modern-style loading area, new character moments and a new look for the ride vehicles. ( DisneyPixar)

Toy Story Mania will anchor the “Toy Story”-inspired neighborhood. A neighborhood inspired by “Inside Out” will be found on the western side of the boardwalk and will welcome a new family-friendly attraction, scheduled to open at a later date.

The fourth neighborhood will be a celebration of many Pixar stories. In this neighborhood, Mickey’s Fun Wheel will have a new look, with each of the 24 gondolas featuring different Pixar characters and the iconic face of Mickey Mouse remaining on the Paradise Bay side of the wheel. At the Games of the Boardwalk, which already includes the Bullseye Stallion Stampede game, all of the midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters. New games are expected to include characters from “A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” and “WALL·E.” Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Games of the Boardwalk and Sideshow Shirts will close January 8th to begin this transformation.

Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar will be transformed into a new lounge and grill offering sparkling views of Paradise Bay and the new Pixar Pier. Both locations will close January 8th, with Cove Bar reopening briefly in April before closing again for its permanent transformation. Guests wishing to reserve “World of Color” dining packages after January 7th may consider Carthay Circle Restaurant or Wine Country Trattoria.

The remaining areas of the land that is now Paradise Pier, including Paradise Gardens, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, will become a new land called Paradise Park.

Pixar Pier will open during the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration, which begins April 13th.

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PIXAR Fest Begins April 13th, 2018 at the Disneyland Resort, Paint the Night Returns, New Fireworks Debut

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

As Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced at the D23 Expo in August, Disneyland Resort guests are invited to celebrate their favorite Disney·Pixar stories during Pixar Fest. Beginning April 13, 2018, this limited-time celebration of friendship and beyond will feature the debut of an all-new fireworks spectacular and the return of two favorite parades as well as even more beloved Pixar characters, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, themed food and beverage and new merchandise items.

“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will light up Disneyland park beginning April 13. In addition to dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music, the theme of friendship, ever-present in most Pixar films, is celebrated in this nighttime spectacular. Guests are invited to embark on an emotional journey that starts when unlikely Pixar characters first meet. As they set out on adventures and overcome obstacles together, “Together Forever” celebrates the everlasting friendships forged by beloved Pixar pals. The story comes to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the facade of “it’s a small world” and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. This nighttime spectacular will even feature a special flyover by Buzz Lightyear at Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Also on April 13th, the popular “Paint the Night” parade will return, this time to Disney California Adventure park. The parade features many Pixar stories, including characters from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars,” and another Pixar story will join “Paint the Night” parade later in the year.

With the launch of Pixar Fest, “Pixar Play Parade” will make its way through Disneyland park for the first time. The parade will begin as most Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar lamp. Other new parade elements will feature characters from “UP” and “Inside Out.”

The Pixar Shorts film festival will feature rotating favorites such as “For the Birds” and “Lava” at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure park throughout most of Pixar Fest. The Paradise Gardens area will feature a new Pixar-themed musical troupe along with Pixar character greeting opportunities as well as crafts and activities for younger guests.

Guests can get into character and celebrate friendship with a host of new merchandise, including an exclusive Pixar Fest charm bracelet. With multiple bracelet options and a variety of charms with fun friendship messages and favorite Pixar characters, guests can mix and match for themselves, or friends and family!

All of these exciting new experiences come in addition to the many attractions and entertainment throughout the Disneyland Resort that includes favorite Pixar characters. Join the celebration when Pixar Fest begins April 13, 2018!

Cars Land Attractions Getting Christmas Overlays for the First Time in 2017

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

With the success of Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, it seems that Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will be transforming for Christmas now.

If rumors are true, beginning November 10th, guests will find Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree overlays of the popular Cars Land attractions.

While Cars Land has been decorated for Christmas before, this will mark the first time that the attractions are receiving Christmas soundtracks.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begins November 10th, 2017.

CONFIRMED: All RunDisney Races for 2018 and Beyond Cancelled for the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

As we speculated over the weekend, Disney has now officially stated that all RunDisney race events in 2018 and beyond at the Disneyland Resort have been cancelled.

A Disney spokesperson cited the multitude of construction projects we presented on Sunday as the reason, despite much speculation from outsiders as to the contrary.

“While construction for the next several years will impact our ability to deliver the runDisney experience our guests love, we are excited about our future as the Disneyland Resort continues one of its largest multi-year expansions. For fans who love to be part of runDisney events, we will continue to offer races at our other properties around the world in 2018.” – George Savvas, Disneyland spokesman.

While we stated it would be more than 2-3 years before a race returns to Anaheim, Disney is unwilling to mark a possible return date for any of these events at this time.

The Disneyland Resort will host its last runDisney event November 9th through 12th, 2017 (the Super Heroes Half Marathon weekend).

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Experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark All Day on Halloween at Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! has been transforming nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, but never during the day. Well, until now…

Disney is now giving guests the chance to experience this limited-time transformation all day long, at least for one day. On Halloween, October 31st, Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark will take over The Collector’s Fortress throughout the entire Disney California Adventure park operating day.

Paint the Night Electrical Parade Return Set For “Summer 2018”, PIXAR Fest

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

At the D23 Expo 2017, Disney announced that Paint the Night would return in 2018 at the Disneyland Resort. As of today, the parade is not slated to debut at California Adventure until Summer 2018.

Next Summer, Disneyland Resort will celebrate PIXAR Fest with the new PIXAR Pier area at California Adventure, the move of the PIXAR Play Parade to Disneyland Park, and a PIXAR fireworks spectacular over Sleeping Beauty Castle. Paint the Night will add a PIXAR-themed float (rumored to be Inside Out) when it returns, now performing during the evenings at Disney California Adventure.

Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announced a return for Paint the Night at the D23 Expo in July. The parade has not performed since January 2017.

The long period of darkness for the parade is by design, being used to build up excitement for the 2018 Summer season, a last push to bring in visitors that might have held out on a trip before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019. Rumors also persist that World of Color will go dark next Summer for a massive refurbishment and overhaul while Paint the Night fills-in at DCA.

Today Marks the End of the Siemens & Disney Parks Sponsorship, Attractions Left Sponsor-less

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Today, the “strategic partnership” between Siemens and the Walt Disney Company comes to an end officially. Siemens has released a statement summarizing the twelve years of the deal coming to a conclusion today:

When Siemens and Disney began to explore the mutual benefits and opportunities of forming one of the largest marketing alliances in the technology sector for the entertainment space, it was a natural fit. The two organizations have many share values such as Innovation, Service, and Quality as well as a worldwide brand presence. Since 2005, the opportunities to leverage this technology alliance extended across The Walt Disney Company including theme parks and resorts, studios, networks, publishing, and digital. On October 10, 2017, the Siemens-Disney Alliance reached a mutually agreed upon conclusion.

Sponsorship Activation Timeline:

October 2005 Siemens US and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sign 12-year agreement
October 2005 ABC SuperSign at Times Square, presented by Siemens
October 2005 IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [July 2013, presented by Siemens]
November 2005 Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [November 2013 – 15, presented by Siemens]
January 2006 – April 2010 Disney’s Electrical Parade at Disney California Adventure, presented by Sylvania, a Siemens Company
January 2006 – November 2008 Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams at Disneyland, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company
May 2007 Siemens VIP Center at Epcot Opens [private executive meeting and guest lounge]
February 2008 Spaceship Earth, presented by Siemens
March 2008 Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future at Epcot, presented by Siemens
April 2008 – March 2015 Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future at Disneyland Innoventions, presented by Siemens
November 2010 it’s a small world at Disneyland, presented by Sylvania, A Siemens Company [August 2013, presented by Siemens]

About Siemens USA

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 351,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $88.1 billion in fiscal 2016. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $23.7 billion, including $5.4 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Siemens technology was also used to create several new theme park attractions, including Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land.

REVIEW: Cozy Cone Motel Snacks & More for Cars Land’s Haul-O-Ween Celebration

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

As part of Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, the Cozy Cone has a bevy of ghoulish-cious treats that will be offered only until October 31st, 2017. We tried them all (of course), and here are our thoughts on these seasonal offerings:

Halloween Churro – $4.50 (Cone 1)

How is it? Well, I’m not the biggest fan of pumpkin flavored snacks nor churros, so I was surprised and delighted when I enjoyed this one. The pumpkin flavor wasn’t overpowering and the churros tasted like it was fresh out of the oven.

“Slow Burnin’ Mac and Cheese Cone” – $8.99 (Cone 3)

“Pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce, topped with chili-cheese puffs, served in black cauldron cone”

I wish this would stay all year long, because it is fantastic. A spicy version of the solid Disneyland counter service mac and cheese with a lot more flavor from red pepper cheese sauce. The bread cone wasn’t bad either.

“Spoke-y Cone Macaron” (Cone 4)

A macaron filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn.

This is super sweet, but I really enjoyed it, especially when I would find a hidden piece of candy corn in a bite. The marshmallow cream is rather pleasant between the two soft pastry pieces. Personally, this is a must order for me.

Popcone with “Junkyard JamBOOree Mix” – $5.49 (Cone 5)

An optional add-on of M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate covered pretzels, boston baked beans, and ghost quins to any flavor of Popcone offered.

I’m not sure there are many flavors here that would go good with the mix, but butter should be fine. We went for white cheddar, which I also thought was enjoyable.

I really love snack mix and this one was absolutely delightful and a HUGE portion for the price. The Cozy Cone already offers a decent serving of popcorn, but it being mixed with all of these other items makes it much heavier, certainly enough for any family to share. The candy corn was the only item that doesn’t really mix well in a bite with popcorn, but otherwise, everything went together nicely. Again, I wish I could have this all year long.

16 ($10.99) or 32oz. ($12.99) Traffic Cone Sipper with Halloween Sticker (All Cones)

It’s kind of disappointing that they just offer a sticker pack with the cone cups for you to customize it, but the cone cups also haven’t been available to guests since May 2015, so its a good time to pick them up if you don’t have them.

I’m not going to lie, I did put some thought into buying 5 of these and decorating these like the actual Cozy Cones…

PHOTOS: New Starbucks “You Are Here” Paradise Pier Mug Released at Disney California Adventure