Disneyland

Pixar Fest 2024 at Disneyland Resort

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


It’s finally back! From April 26 through August 4, 2024, Disneyland Resort will finally once again present Pixar Fest featuring and celebrating the characters and films from Pixar. Audiences have been entertained and connected with the stories and characters from the beloved animated films. Most people have their favorite films and characters, but when it comes down to it, the films from Pixar have touched our lives for 30 years. Yes, it was just about 30 years ago when Woody, Buzz, and the gang first appeared on the big screen, and they, along with plenty other characters (human, animal, alien) have endeared themselves to generations of people around the world. These characters have touched our emotions, made us laugh and cry.

Pixar Fest is a celebration of all of this. With characters meeting and greeting visitors, merchandise, and special food offerings, this celebration is a fun event and one many guests have looked forward to and planned their visits to the resort accordingly. There has not been a Pixar Fest since 2018 and those in the know are not sure if or when there will be another, so this is the summer to enjoy all that the shows and characters have to offer. 

Celebrate Friendship and Beyond!

Pixar Pals join together for a new parader

“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” is a new parade that winds through part of Disney California Adventure. Soul’s Joe Gardner and Red’s Red Panda Mei are part of the parade along with Luca, Alberto, and Giulia (on her Vespa). Inside Out’s Joy and Sadness, Up, Miguel and Dante from Coco, Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc., and some of the toys from Toy Story are also part of this celebratory parade. One of the adorable moments is when Russell (Up) rides down the street on Kevin, while Carl Fredricksen waves from the float with Dug enjoying the ride from the rear. The Incredibles come through on their special transporters, and, well, there is much more. And for an additional price, there is a Parade Viewing Dining Package that includes special treats and a reserved viewing section for the parade. As always, check with the park to make reservations and get more details.

Creative and Show Director Robin Trowbridge said the message in the parade, as well as the entire Pixar Fest, is “friendship matters.”  The Pixar lamp leads the procession followed by all the fun floats and between the floats are dancers and skaters. It’s definitely a musical experience that weaves parts of the film’s themes into the new music, “Better Together” representing friendship.

 

The Nighttime Spectacular is just that

“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” returns with some all-new scenes to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., as highlighted entertainment for Pixar Fest in 2024. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

The nighttime spectacular is awe-inspiring. “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” returns with scenes from the films complete with lasers, projections, and music help to bring the love of these films to the castle, the facade of “it’s a small world”, the buildings on Main Street, and night sky in Disneyland Park. As KC Wilkerson, media director, explained, the projections are richer in color with new pyrotechnics most nights. And for guests with a magic band plus, those bands will be synchronized to the colors and music in the spectacular.  His excitement about the show is evident. “I was getting paid to watch Pixar films” in preparation for the creation of the spectacular. “That was awesome.” In total, there are 76 Pixar characters in the show, which begins with Buzz Lightyear flying through the air and later the Up house floats above the castle. This is an all-encompassing representation of Pixar  as every film is represented in this colorful, imaginative, musical, fun, and memorable spectacular.

Family Fun Zone

Kids (and adults) will enjoy the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at the Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland Park. This event for the entire family offers plenty of photo opportunities, meet and greets with characters, and some of the Pixar shorts play on the screen. Tracy Halas, creative director describes it as “a family zone.”

At the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland Park, guests will be able to get into the groove at a high-energy show, enjoy interactive games, photo locations and activities inspired by Pixar feature films, and even watch a selection of iconic shorts on the big screen during Pixar Fest, from April 26-Aug. 4, 2024 at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)

Club Pixar is a hoppin’ place

Club Pixar at the Hollywood Backlot in Disney California Adventure has music and dancing with the flair of the Pixar films. This is a hopping place in the evening.

 

 

Something to eat or drink? 80 new recipes for Pixar Fest

The food (sweet and savory) was created to blend with the theme of the celebration. Portorosso Pasta was inspired by the Italian story of Luca. There are selections inspired by Ratatouille, Inside Out, Elemental, Soul, Turning Red, and more. According to the resort’s culinary director, Chef John State, they found a way to tie the food together with the characters and stories of the Pixar films. With 80 food items created for Pixar Fest, there is something for everyone throughout both parks, whether guests want a delicious meal, snack, or a flavorful dessert. The food tells the story of the Pixar films. For example, for Cars there is a bleu cheeseburger, Coco is represented by a delicious cupcake, Luca has a parfait, for Up there is a fried bologna sandwich, Toy Story is represented by a pizza cheeseburger, and the list goes on. And beginning May 10, there will be six marketplaces in Disney California Adventure with more Pixar-themed food and beverages. Note: there is not a Sip and Savor Pass for this event. 

Here are some samples of the sweets to enjoy during the festival. And yes, there are plenty of savory items as well.

The Marigold bridge inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” will be at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante at Disneyland Park – tri-colored white sponge, cinnamon croquantine, cinnamon mousse and cream cheese frosting, decorated with a chocolate bridge and orange chocolate shavings. (David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort)

Sea monster friends parfait inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Luca” will be at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland Park – layers of graham cracker crumbs, mascarpone cheesecake, berry blue gelatin and blue Chantilly topped with a Luca chocolate decoration. (David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort)

Pixar Fest Cake available during Pixar Fest from April 26-Aug. 4, 2024, at Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park. (David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort)

Open your wallets, there are some great items you’ll want to purchase

Keeping up  with history of merchandise from Disney (you know you’re going to buy something) there are plenty of things to purchase as mementos from the celebration. The Pizza Planet (Toy Story) popcorn bucket is sure to be a favorite. Also, there is special Pixar Fest clothing, medallions, backpacks, and more available during the fest. An adorable headband with velcro characters makes it fun and easy to design a personalized item.


Pixar Fest 2024

For fun, try to find the hidden Easter Eggs throughout the resort, and when viewing the “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” look for the six hidden Mickeys on the projections. 

Pixar Fest manages to include all of the films. It was a daunting task but those who created it are excited to share the fun with guests, and most likely guests will experience this event several times before it closes in August. Whatever film or character is your favorite (as if you could chose one favorite!) the festival is all inclusive. Say “hi” to Sully for me. And give Luca a big “hello” when you see him. Perhaps Russell will show you his badges. Look for Joy and Sadness, and maybe you can cheer her up a bit. Maybe not, but it’s worth trying. She’s so darn adorable.

  • Toy Story (1995)
  • A Bug’s Life (1998)
  • Toy Story 2 (1999)
  • Monsters, Inc. (2001)
  • Finding Nemo (2003)
  • The Incredibles (2004)
  • Cars (2006)
  • Ratatouille (2007)
  • Wall-E (2008)
  • Up (2009)
  • Toy Story 3 (2010)
  • Cars 2 (2011)
  • Brave (2012)
  • Monsters University (2013)
  • Inside Out (2015)
  • The Good Dinosaur (2015)
  • Finding Dory (2016)
  • Cars 3 (2017)
  • Coco (2017)
  • Incredibles 2 (2018)
  • Toy Story 4 (2019)
  • Onward (2020)
  • Soul (2020)
  • Luca (2021)
  • Turning Red (2022)
  • Lightyear (2022)
  • Elemental (2023)

Upcoming Feature films

  • Inside Out 2 (2024)
  • Elio (scheduled for 2025)
  • Toy Story 5 (scheduled for 2026)

This is an event Pixar fans have been craving. And it’s here now! Enjoy all your favorite characters through shows, interactions, food, mementos, merchandise, and fun at the Disneyland Resort. My favorite? Hmm. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!,” and I also loved the energy at “Club Pixar,” however the “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” is always a great way to end a day at the resort, and I can’t leave out the food. So let’s just say, it’s hard to chose a favorite part of Pixar Fest. It’s Incredible (no pun intended.)

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 32 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Disneyland offers special kids prices for a limited time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

If you thought it would never happen, boy were you wrong. Disneyland Resort has discounted tickets for kids ages 3-9. For as low as $50 per child per day, this special kids’ ticket offer will definitely help parents during this run-up to the holidays when it’s time to keep expenses low to save for special holiday gifts. But this offer is limited for use between January 8 to March 10, 2024 and there are NO blockout dates. The tickets are subject to park reservations, however.

There will be 1, 2, or 3 Day Park tickets available.

Guests are able to purchase these special child discounted tickets beginning October 24, 2023, and they make a great holiday gift (leaving a little spare change in your wallet for all the goodies to purchase while in the parks.)

This is the time to plan your Disneyland Resort visit.

Now it’s a little less expensive for families to head to The Happiest Place on Earth.

 
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Disney turns 100

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Did you ever wonder why the D23 Disney fan club is called D23? Well, it’s because the Disney Company was formed in 1923. That makes 2023 the hundredth year. Marking this great milestone there will be celebrations throughout all the Disney brands, including Disneyland. The whole shebang kicks off January 27.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort, a new platinum décor will be unmistakable. And Mickey and Minnie, as well as some of the other characters, will be sporting new looks. New food and beverages, as well as merchandise (remember we’re talking about Disney, the king of merch) will be available to mark the anniversary. And not only do the characters get a festive celebratory look, the entire park including Sleeping Beauty Castle will be dressed up for the occasion.

Two special nighttime spectaculars will impress guests of all ages. “Wondrous Journeys” in Disneyland celebrates the Disney animation through the years with fireworks, music and projections. This new show will wow guests not only at the castle and Main Street, U.S.A., but also on the façade of “it’s a small world” and at the Rivers of America. There will be brand new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that will play on select nights.  And over at Disney California Adventure, the new “World of Color – One” has a new song, “Start a Wave,” as well as a fresh story playing out over the water. So guests in both parks will be able to see the new spectaculars honoring the 100 years of the Disney Company.

As the year progresses new features will be unveiled, including the reopening in the spring of Mickey’s Toontown, which has been closed for a complete overhaul. Mickey’s Toontown will have plenty of fun areas for families to enjoy.

And the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction is scheduled to open on January 27 when the celebrations begin.

Also in the spring the “Magic Happens” parade returns to Disneyland. This parade has been absent since the park closed due to the pandemic. The return of this daytime parade celebrated the magic of many favorite Disney stories. And since the company has now been around 100 years, there are plenty of them. This parade was created to mark the 65th anniversary of Disneyland and debuted in 2020 but was immediately halted due to the park closing. It returns to awe guests for the 100th anniversary of the company.

As mentioned above, the celebrations will take place in all the Disney parks with new and commemorative shows and merchandise marking the milestone.

Walt Disney was born in 1901 and passed away in 1966. His legacy is more than his movies and theme parks. His legacy is part of our culture.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Thanks to Disneyland Resort for all the photos and concept art.

Disneyland Resort update for September 2022

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Disneyland Resort is always growing and changing. Imagination is the key, which the folks at Disney have plenty of.

With the upcoming reimagining of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, there was little doubt Tiana’s influence would be felt more than in the one attraction. There will soon be a restaurant in New Orleans Square with plenty of Tiana’s New Orleans tastes. Also, a new shop in the square features apparel, foods, and more. Eudora’s Chic Boutique is inspired by Princess Tiana’s mother Eudora. This shop is a much-needed addition to New Orleans Square. (photos courtesy Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

And Disneyland Resort will soon be supporting the Magic Band+. Finally! This is a welcome addition to the resort. Guests who have visited Walt Disney World know the advantages of having a Magic Band. It is hands free and allows guests to enter the parks and some attractions just by swiping the band next to the electronic icons, making entry to the parks and some lightning lanes fast and easy.

Magic Band+ adds additional elements, which add interactive elements for guests. For instance, some of the nighttime shows will be synched to the bands.  PhotoPass photographers will be able to tap the band to synch your photos.

In Star Wars: Galaxy Edge the bands bring a new interactive element to the galaxy far, far away. More features of the MagicBand+ will be revealed at a future date. If WDW is to be the example, statues around the parks will be interactive simply by waving the band in front of the statues. Let’s wait to see if this feature makes it to Anaheim. Needless to say, many of the new updates to the resort will be a great addition and add more enjoyment for guests as they experience all the fun of Disney.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 28 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Cars Land turns 10

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

It’s hard to believe that Cars Land at Disney California Adventure is now ten years old. To be honest, I remember the night before it opened when the media was treated to a spectacular preview of all the activities and the immersive architecture. It was just like stepping into the film. And it still is. Although there have been some changes over the past decade, Cars Land still holds a special attraction for guests.

Radiator Springs is a fun place to visit, even if you don’t go on any of the three attractions. There are many places to eat as well as a great store. I still use my Lightning McQueen sunshade for my car. It’s easy to spot in any parking lot. All I do is look for my little car sporting Lightning McQueen eyes.

The Radiator Springs Racers seem to be the most popular attraction in the land. Personally I enjoy Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (just don’t ride this if you have a sore back). Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters is the newest attraction replacing Luigi’s Flying Tires. Having ridden both of them, I am happy they replaced the tire ride with the dancing cars. It’s a fun experience where guests end up laughing in their cars while the cars do their dance to the music. How many times have you laughed when your car dances? With the price of gas these days, this might be the only time guests can really enjoy riding in vehicles.

Between the Cozy Cone Motel, Fillmore’s Taste-In, and Flo’s V8 Café, guests can find just about anything to satisfy their food cravings.

What Cars Land did ten years ago changed the way new areas of the resorts are created. As I mentioned earlier, it is like stepping into the movie. The same thing happened in Walt Disney World when they built Pandora – The World of Avatar. If you visit that land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you will be transported into the Avatar movie. And in Disneyland they continued that immersive experience with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It’s like stepping into another world, the world of Star Wars. These lands create the feeling of jumping into the movies and enjoying the atmospheres as well as the characters. And let’s not overlook the great recipes the creative Disney chefs concoct to enhance the experiences.

The 12-acre land gets transformed for Halloween and Christmas. And periodically guests will run into (not literally) Lightning McQueen as he makes his way down Route 66.

It’s been a fun ten years with Mater, Lightning McQueen, and the others.

Pick up a limited Mater popcorn bucket when you’re there.

 

Click below to see a roundup of Cars Land.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

The force is strong in Disneyland

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

For a limited time Star Wars fans have even more to be excited about in Disneyland. There are special events celebrating all things Star Wars!

Space Mountain has been turned into Hyperspace Mountain through July 4. And to celebrate its 35th anniversary, Star Tours: The Adventures Continues as guests experience the Star Wars galaxy. And in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there is a battle brewing between the Resistance and the First Order on the Millennium Falcon.

Guests always enjoy encounters with the characters, and for this special event R2-D2, Kylo Ren and Rey, Chewy, Ewoks, and more are on hand to greet guests and take photos. Plus special Magic Shots (with the assistance of Disney photographers) are offered featuring Grogu (the adorable child from The Mandelorian), Stormtroopers, and K-2SO.

During this celebration Disney has not forgotten the best part (in my opinion), which is the food! Ha. Disney Chefs are incredible and have come up with some imaginative and interesting offerings. Some of the offerings include: New Bubo Wamba Family Farms Cup (Milk Stand at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), Blue Milk: Mon Cala Swirl (Milk Stand at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), Parfait of Mustafar (Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland), Ishi Tib-style Pasta with Braised Beef Banthak (Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), and Sullust Garlic Chips (Jat Kaa’s Coolers at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge). And keep your eyes out for a Wookie cookie!

Over in Tomorrowland Stormtroopers are on the march. They will surprise even the most vigilant guest.

New merchandise will be on sale throughout the event and the Grand California Resort and Spa has decorated its lobby with a Star Wars theme.

This tribute to the movie and TV franchise does not stop in Anaheim. Even Alaska Airlines has changed one of its planes to celebrate Star Wars. Talk about out of this world. Well, I guess it’s not really out of this world, but it is off the ground.

The force is strong at the Disneyland Resort. And guests are really getting into the spirit. With special performances along the Rivers of America by The Cantina Band, a group of Stormtroopers marching through Tomorrowland, transformations of attractions, food and merchandise, this is what Star Wars fans have been waiting for. True fans are on top of the world with this event.

Click below to see a preview video of this event:

If you are a fan of Star Wars, this is a must-do for you. And on May 27, 2022 catch the Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite. This is a very special event:

Early Admission
Enjoy Disneyland Park admission beginning at 6:00 PM, no theme park reservation required.

  • Star WarsFireworks Spectacular
    Fan of the dark side or the light side? Watch an amazing pyrotechnical spectacle illuminate the skies!
  • Character Experiences
    Enjoy sightings of belovedStar Wars Characters throughout the evening.
  • Galactic Dance Party
    Bust a move at an epic event sure to makeStar Wars history!
  • Strike a Pose
    Let Disney PhotoPass photographers capture shots—and incredible memories—against event-themed backdrops.
  • After-Hours Access to Attractions
    Ride some of the park’s most unforgettableStar Wars-themed attractions—including Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (subject to availability, which may vary and is not guaranteed) throughout the event, usually with shorter wait times.
  • Themed Eats
    Gobble goodies that are out of this galaxy—purchase unique dining experiences with sweet and savory menu options at select Disneyland Park locations.
  • Themed Merchandise
    Attendees will have the opportunity to purchaseStar Wars-themed items, while supplies last.
  • Commemorative Keepsakes
    Receive a souvenir credential and event guide as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos taken during the party*. (Credentials and guides are limited to one per ticketed person.)
  • Inspired Attire
    Dust off those lightsabers! Dress up as your favoriteStar Wars  (See Costume Guidelines on the website.)

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.  Follow her on Twitter.

‘World of Color’ is back at Disney California Adventure

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Another nighttime spectacular has returned to the Disneyland Resort. “World of Color” is nothing short of stunning.

For those of us old enough to remember the TV show Wonderful World of Color (1961-1969) hosted by Walt Disney and Tinker Bell, this is a throwback, in a way. It was originally conceived as a “living Fantasia” combining animation, color, light, water, and music. And the opening and closing music is the theme from the TV show. Wow, that definitely takes me back.

The water in Paradise Bay features about 12000 fountains that are programmed to coordinate with the music. Height, angle, and color intensity are altered to various positions throughout the show. And a wall of water provides the screen for projections, which show scenes from different Disney shows.  Besides the lights in the water the Incredicoaster and the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris Wheel also light up to harmonize with the show, immersing guests in all the magic.

WALL-E, Eve, Jack Sparrow, Dory, Marlin, Crush, Squirt, Ariel, Sebastian, Woody, Buzz, Aladdin, Jasmine, Belle, Beast, Simba, Mufasa, Scar, and more appear on the projections, accompanied by the memorable music we all know and love.

Music, water, and color are each uplifting elements in their own right, so combining them creates a spectacular worthy of the word. There is no way anyone can leave the show unhappy. It is pure delight.

Available for the first time is a dessert party package where guests can purchase a delicious dessert box (cheese, crackers, grapes, and several sweet delights) and also get a reserved location for the show. There is also a dining package complete with a 3-course meal at the Wine Country Trattoria or Carthay Circle Restaurant. Plus, the Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers an all-you-care-to-eat buffet with a reserved viewing voucher for the show. What a great combination. Food and a show beginning at $50 for adults and $25 for kids ages 3-9. Check the app or website for the various options and pricing.

Do I recommend “World of Color”? Definitely. It is a must-see for guests in Disney California Adventure. Check the Disneyland mobile app or Disneyland.com website for times and more information. Enjoy!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.  Follow her on Twitter.

Fun activities for kids at Disney California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival 2022

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

If you think the annual Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure is just for adults, you are wrong. There are many activities geared for kids during the festival that runs from March 4 – April 26, 2022. And in keeping with the theme of the festival, they are focused on food.

 

Jammin’ Chefs

Jammin’ Chefs is a fun and upbeat show featuring Daisy, Clarabelle, Chip, and Dale, plus a lively MC as well as some hoppin’ chefs. The characters dance and the chefs drum (on the pots and pans) and everyone has a great time. It’s an energetic show that will put a hop in your step. And if you are a bit tired from your visit to DCA, why not stop for a brief time and enjoy the music and the characters as they put on a fun show. It’s short but sweet (no pun intended). And the MC is filled with puns that adults will enjoy while the kids are busy dancing along with the four characters.

This show is presented several times a day in the Hollywood Backlot.

 

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery is a new show on Disney Junior, Disney+ and Disney Channel. For the Food and Wine Festival Alice and Princess Rosa help Minnie and the MC of this show as they instruct a select group of little guests how to decorate their very own cupcake. Yep, these little girls and boys get their own cupcake and decorating kit, which includes a vanilla cupcake, icing, and sprinkles. Why don’t they let adults take part in this activity? Just watching the kids and smelling the frosting is enough to make everyone yearn for a sweet, delicious treat.

The stage is in the Hollywood Backlot. There are festive tables in the front of the area where the new little pastry chefs get to work on their cupcakes while their parents and other guests to the park look on. Minnie gets in the spirit of the show while on screen Alice and Princess Rosa lend their support. This is definitely a cute idea and a great experience for the little kids.

Even if you do not have a child taking part in this activity, take a seat on the benches and watch as the little ones work intently on decorating their cupcakes. And you’ll probably see at least a few of them eating the icing right out of the tube. Hey, it’s something I would do!

The expressions on their faces is a combination of joy and intensity as they go about their business of making their cupcakes as pretty as possible. But some of the cupcakes might not make it until the end of the show. Let’s face it, kids love to eat them (and adults too), so once in awhile you’ll catch a glimpse of a child taking a bite. I wish they would let adults do this. Sigh. Anyway, it is a great addition to the Food and Wine Festival this year and something memorable for all the little pastry chefs.

 

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party runs a few times a day. Bon Appetite.

 


About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the travel and entertainment industries for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

The monorail returns to Disneyland

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

In 1959 The Disneyland Monorail debuted in Disneyland. Back then it was an amazing attraction and a look into the future. It took guests around Tomorrowland for a bird’s eye view of the attractions.

Later the monorail also became a transportation system to and from the Disneyland Hotel. Next the monorail added stops in Downtown Disney.

In the beginning, The Disneyland Monorail was simply another great attraction that folks hoped would be the transportation of the future. Imagine this taking people around Los Angeles or another major city.

The monorail is actually a transportation system in Walt Disney World in Florida. It is one of the several ways guests access the many parks and resorts.

For more information about the history of The Disneyland Monorail, check out the great documentary Behind the Attractions on Disney+.

“The Highway in the Sky” as it is often called, is now back in Disneyland after a long hiatus during the pandemic. And it is definitely a welcome site for all guests. After all, what is Disneyland without the monorail?

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Disneyland is back, baby!!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

For those of us who have been patiently, or impatiently, waiting to return to The Happiest Place on Earth, that wait is over. Yeah and yay. Disneyland officially reopens with some new additions and many Covid restrictions.

Space is limited and parking will only be every other space, so don’t expect the same experience when you go. But that only serves to make this an even better place to go since the crowd will be controlled.

So, what is new? First of all, the King Arthur Carousel has been repainted and represents the days of olde when knights were jousters and Arthur was king of Camelot. The carousel made its debut in 1955 and is the first thing guests see when they pass through Sleeping Beauty Castle. With upbeat songs from the Disney archive, this is a must see and must do for fans of carousels (and we know who we are) and Disney lovers.

Speaking of Disney lovers, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish has a colorful update as well. Not only are the colors more vibrant, but with new audio and visual technology the entire attraction is also updated. Plus, the storybook ending of “happily ever after” leaves guests with that happy feeling we all expect from this classic tale. The Snow White’s Enchanted Wish attraction is a fun and colorful experience for the entire family.

The Haunted Mansion has some new updates however they are just minor additions and improvements. Why mess with perfection, right?

Later this year something new and exciting will entice guests back to the park when the Avengers Campus opens in Disney California Adventure. This new land will start recruiting super heroes beginning June 4, 2021.

Join Mickey and all his pals for a return to “happy” after this horrible nightmare of Covid. We can all use a little magic and fun and there is no better place to go for fun, food, and fantasy than Disneyland Resort. “The Happiest Place on Earth” is the place to be. It’s time to enjoy your favorite restaurants, attractions, shows, and shops again. With the reopening of the resort, we can definitely say (and sing) “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow.”

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.