Dirk Wallen’s 10/10/14 Disney Springs/Downtown Disney Photo Report (The Landing, EPCOT Center, Food Truck Park, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 24, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney (Disney Springs as it will be known soon) yesterday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The large waterfront building in The Landing is coming along nicely

It was supposed to open Summer, but Food Truck Park still isn’t finished

The concept art

There’s an EPCOT Center bag hidden in the artwork…

A look at the new boardwalk and the large new structure in The Landing, which is currently still Pleasure Island

Originally, the Landing was supposed to be just new dining options, but some retail space has been built

New, small retail locations can be found in front of Fulton’s

The first one appears to sell bar accessories

The second is called Sublime… no idea what it is…

The Marketplace bridge will be completed by early 2015, maybe even for the 2014 holiday season

Even though it is only a year old, the Rainforest Café volcano is being fixed up

Ghirardelli has a new sundae

They also have some great holiday treats

MINI CHOCOLATE!

Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop to Join The El Capitan Theatre November 15th

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

The newest Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop will join with Disney’s The El Capitan Theatre and the Disney Studio Store on Hollywood Boulevard, and the Grand Opening will be November 15, 2013!

TheatreFront

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is considered America’s oldest operating chocolate manufacturer and this will be the first location in Los Angeles, giving locals, fans and moviegoers an opportunity to experience Ghirardelli’s world-famous and delicious floats, shakes, hot fudge sundaes, and their exciting assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest will also enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli SQUARES® chocolate. The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and Disney Studio Store will be located next to the legendary El Capitan Theatre at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard, and will be open seven days a week. This location will replace Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store currently in that location.

“Ghirardelli Chocolate is honored to join Disney on Hollywood Boulevard to bring visitors and moviegoers an unforgettable experience. We have been bringing quality chocolate to the public for over 160 years, and this iconic location in the heart of Hollywood is the perfect place to continue the tradition.”

~ Marty Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company

 

StoreAndTheatre

Ghirardelli Chocolate and Disney have teamed up for the Grand Opening Celebration, by offering a specially created sundae treat for the opening of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new animated movie “Frozen” this November. Original and speciality ice cream sundaes will be available to complement future film releases at The El Capitan Theatre, thereby providing moviegoers with an ongoing unique Ghirardelli experience. The new soda fountain and chocolate shop will join the existing Disney Studio Store which offers an assortment of merchandise from current film releases playing at The El Capitan Theatre, along with classic Disney character souvenirs, highly sought after collectible pins, and a large selection of Blu-Ray and DVD home entertainment.

Says Lylle Breier, senior vice president, Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures:

“The El Capitan Theatre has always been about giving guests the ultimate entertainment experience. And now, with Ghirardelli, an extraordinary experience becomes even more unforgettable. Families and movie lovers from all over can come to the El Capitan, see a great Disney movie, and enjoy a memorable, delicious after-movie treat. We’re thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli Chocolate to Hollywood. Ghirardelli chocolate and a Disney movie at the El Cap: How sweet it is!”

ChocolateSquares

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company, El Capitan Theatre, and Ghirardelli.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Open In Pacific Wharf

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Disneyland Resort today welcomed a new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop to Disney California Adventure park. The new location – the first to open inside a theme park – features Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and decadent chocolate products, and represents another milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure.

 

 

“As we celebrate the culmination of our resort expansion, we are thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli, and to make this unique chocolate experience available to our park guests,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort. “Ghirardelli is a perfect fit for our newly reimagined Disney California Adventure, as we both share a rich California heritage.”

The new soda fountain and chocolate shop is located in Pacific Wharf, the San Francisco-inspired area of Disney California Adventure. Guests can visit the location to enjoy treats including sundaes, shakes, and floats,  plus a delicious assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest can enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli Squares® chocolate.

“We are excited to partner with the Disneyland Resort to open our Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney California Adventure,” said Martin Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Consumers associate our premium brand with high quality, delicious chocolate and now they will have the opportunity to enjoy both our intense, slow melting chocolate and our decadent ice cream treats inside the park. Our rich heritage began in California 160 years ago this year and opening this store in Disney California Adventure is a perfect way to celebrate.”

Max Guggenheim 5/26/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

Max gets some shots of the progress on Matterhorn, Buena Vista Street, and Cars Land. We also get to see the new Mad T Party Merchandise, stunning shots of Carthay Circle Theatre & the new fountain. As we near DCA’s summer openings things are wrapping up.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Still working on the Blue Ribbon Bakery.

The Penny Arcade is looking beautiful.

Loving the Americana decorations along Main Street!

The Shooting Gallery has reopened.

Amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do.

Weathervane atop Village Haus.

More Fantasyland weathervanes.

Above Peter Pan’s Flight.

Will they be taking the turnstiles out for good? Or are these a new set coming in???

Bright colors on the ride vehicles.

New LED menus at Tomorrowland Terrace

Work has begun in Carnation Gardens

Some of the progress on Buena Vista Street.

Oswald’s Gas Station

The front of Five & Dime coming along nicely.

Looking down Buena Vista Street towards the Carthay Circle Theatre.

The bridge looks great!

Loving the tile benches.

The walls around the Carthay Circle Theater and around the Carthay Circle Fountain recently came down

The front of the Fiddler, Fifer, and Pratical Cafe

The Carthay Circle Theatre is finally open and it looks amazing! Plus the fountain adds a bit of old Hollywoodland charm.

Side of FFP and Clarabell’s

Looking a little more right

No statue yet

This is beautiful tile.

Opening is just around the corner, looks like there is still plenty of work to do.

Hard to believe there was ever an elephant atop those red pillars.

Mad T Party merchandise.

The Mad T Party “soft opened” last Saturday

Um… psychedelic furniture?

All the change in the back here yet the Bountiful Valley Farms truck remains

Let’s head back down the street

Detail in Hollywoodland.

Beautiful tile on the Carthay Circle

A merchandise cart with a whole bunch of new DCA goodies

Junkyard Jamboree is testing daily now with cast members

Looks done

Soon, these postcards will be gone

Side of Cars Land facing Pacific Wharf

Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory opens on June 5th

Trees planted on the pathway from Pacific Wharf to Cars Land

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree!

One more look at Buena Vista Street

LaBrea Bakery fresh new look is open for business.

Thanks for reading!

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop Opening 6/7/12

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

Last week, we told you about the unveiling of Carthay Circle Theatre and the fountain in Carthay Circle. And today, just around the corner, the new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop has emerged in the Pacific Wharf area at Disney California Adventure park. In the photos above by Paul Hiffmeyer, you can see the new location – but you’ll have to wait until the shop opens on June 7 to taste the delicious chocolates and sundaes that will be served here!

Tim Alcoser 6/5/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser visited the Disneyland Resort on June 5th and has some great photos to share with us as we countdown to the re-opening of California Adventure in just a few days:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

There is a TRON themed trailer sitting in the Downtown Disney Parking lot, featuring a preview of TRON: Uprising

Brave banners up near the AMC

The new Sunglass Icon store is open

Cast members are really into the new Brave meet and greet…

Work continues on Fantasy Faire

Merida and the 3 bear cubs

Long lines to see Merida by It's a Small World.

Long lines to see Merida by “it’s a small world”

The skyline has changed a bit at California Adventure

Happy painters…

A photograph of more simpler times.

A photograph of a simpler time

The look ready for the premiere

Red Car Trolley looks ready to roll with all of its signage up

This park sure has come a long way

I think you’re going to need some more chains this summer…

No dancing on the Trolley

The facade of “It’s Tough to be a Bug” being repaired for the park re-opening

Some new fish should be swimming along soon

Speaking of new, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop has opened

Free Ghirardelli caramel filled, chocolate samples.

Free Ghirardelli caramel filled chocolate samples

Great look to the interior

An animated mural

Every small improvement goes a long way…

Rita’s was closed

The Cove Bar has reopened

Signs and pictures inside now fit the theme and backstory of the new Paradise Pier of the 1920’s

$10.00, extra, to sit at the Cove Bar during World of Color.

Step up and grab a Root Beer.

Some signs reflect the Pier attractions

More happy painting

Respectfully, I asked permission. I wonder if Anaheim P.D. officers fight to serve at the Disneyland Resort, or resist.

Respectfully, I asked permission. I wonder if Anaheim P.D. officers fight to serve at the Disneyland Resort, or resist?

Thanks for reading!

Hyeley Nance’s 3/16/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

DLNT Reporter Hayley Nance was at the Disneyland Resort this past Friday, and has some newsworthy photos to share…

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Some filming in the hub

And more in Frontierland

Matterhorn looking great…

Oswald’s looking good

Bridge looks fantastic

Chocolate Factory behind tarps so we really cant track its progress

Cars Land

Grizzly River Run recently reopened with a new clean look

Gone is the rustic feel of the attraction

New items have been placed in the rafts to fit the new theme

Thanks for Reading

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Coming To Pacific Wharf

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

Some exciting news from Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Ghirardelli is Coming to Disney California Adventure Park
I’m so excited to let you know that there will soon be a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth at the Disneyland Resort. In late spring 2012, a new Ghirardelli location will open at the Pacific Wharf area, inside Disney California Adventure park!

The soda fountain and chocolate shop, similar to the location at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort – which has been a must-do for me (and many of you, I’m sure) for 13 years – will feature Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and chocolate products. And each guest will be able to receive complimentary samples of their signature Ghirardelli Squares chocolate!

You can find out more about Ghirardelli – their chocolate treats, products and gifts – by checking out their Facebook page.

I know I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae! Who’s with me?