Newly redone Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure is home to many of our favorite Pixar Characters. Throughout this land, you will find attractions, games, restaurants, and shopping that is based on Toy Story, The Incredibles, and various Pixar Shorts.
A new addition to this land has just been announced: Jessie’s Critter Carousel. You can join Jessie and some of her favorite varmints on a wild ride! These characters are those featured in the episodes of Woody’s Roundup, shown in Toy Story 2.
Look for Jessie and her little critters to be up and running this April. Yee Haw!
The 2019 Food & Wine Festival is back at Disney’s California Adventure. It kicks off today, March 1 and runs through April 23. We have already seen photos and review of a few offerings. Wow, some of it looks and sounds amazing. There will be 14 kiosks and in addition, there will be several seminars & kids activities a well. Some of the events do require reservations so be sure to look into it soon! Also, this year, the Sip & Savor Pass is available to all guests so that is also something to check out. Remember to pick up your Passport and check it off as you enjoy all the flavors the festival has to offer. For those of you with any restrictions or food preferences, they do offer Vegan, Vegetarian, & Gluten Free options.
Let’s see what is on the menu this year! See any of your favorites?
NUTS ABOUT CHEESE (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance) Food:
Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bread Bowl (V)
Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistachios
Creamy Oikos Yogurt Cheesecake (V)
Beverages:
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego
UNCORK CALIFORNIA (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance)
Food:
California Artisan Cheese Selection – Select from either Point Reyes
Blue of Fiscalini White Cheddar Hand-crafted California Cheese (V)
Beverages:
White Wine Flight
Twomey Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa-Sonoma County
Simi, Chardonnay, “Reserve,” Russian River Valley, California
Patz & Hall, Chardonnay, “Dutton Ranch,” Russian River Valley, California
Red Wine Flight
Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon
Klinker Brick Winery, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi
Rowen, Blend, Sonoma County, California
Mimosa Flight
Hibiscus Mimosa
Tropical Mimosa
Mixed Berry Mimosa
Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
Assorted Wine Varietals
CITRUS GROVE (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance) Food:
Orange Chicken and Rice
Citrus-brined Pork Roast with Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Lemon Pepper Slaw
Meyer Lemon Blue Diamond Almond Macaron (GF, V)
Beverages:
Meyer Lemon Ginger Mule
Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)
CALIFORNIA CRAFT BREWS (near the Cars Land Entrance) Food:
Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce
Beverages:
Bright and Balanced Beer Flight
Pizza Port California Honey Golden Ale
Hangar 24 Orange Wheat
Left Coast Pink Bikini Raspberry Wheat
Karl Strauss Columbia Street Amber Lager
Hobby and Bold Beer Flight
Smog City Sabre-Toothed Squirrel Amber Ale
Lost Winds Tropiclemente Tropical Ale IPA
Towne Park Blacksmith Black IPA
Asylum Rorschach Brown Ale
By the Glass – Bright and Balanced
Pizza Port Brewing Company, California Honey, Golden Ale, Solana Beach
Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Orange Wheat, American Wheat Ale, Redlands
Left Coast Brewing Co., Pink Bikini, Raspberry Wheat, San Clemente
Three Weavers Brewing Company, Day Job, Pale Ale, Inglewood
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego
By the Glass – Hoppy and Bold
Smog City Brewing Co., Sabre-Toothed Squirrel, Hoppy Amber Ale, Torrance
Stereo Brewing Company, Perfect Day, American IPA, Placentia
Lost Winds Brewing Company, Tropiclemente, Tropical IPA, San Clemente
Towne Park Brew Co., Blacksmith, Black IPA, Anaheim
Asylum Brewing, Rorschach, Brown Ale with Kenyan Coffee, Anaheim
BERRY PATCH (near the Cars Land Entrance) Food:
Strawberry and Coconut Rice “Frushi” with Sweet Oikos Yogurt Wasabi Sauce (GF, V)
Fresh California Berry Pie (V)
Beverages:
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk
Strawberry Float with Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Crunchy Cereal Garnish (non-alcoholic)
PEPPERS CALI-ENTE (near Wine Country Trattoria) Food:
Verlasso Sustainable Salmon Peruvian Poke with Cucumber-Lime Salad and Aji Verde Salsa (GF)
Ghost Pepper Mac and Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust (V)
Beverages:
Jalapeño-Lime Margarita
VEGGIE, VEGGIE, FRUIT, FRUIT (near Wine Country Trattoria) Food:
Grilled Asparagus Chicken Caesar Salad
Cauliflower Ceviche with Chile Corn Crumble and Tortilla Strips (VG)
Duo of Frozen Fruit Fruit Bars – Lime and Strawberry
Beverages:
Cool Lime Michelada with Frozen Lime Ice
Davis Bynum, Sauvignon Blanc, “Virginia’s Block,” Russian River Valley, California
If you are headed to Disneyland to participate in this festival and you need assistance with accommodations, tickets, or suggestions, please contact me. If you do attend, be sure to tell us your favorites!
Disney has released more details about the new land coming to Disney World & Disneyland – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
This is what we have known for a short while. There will be two main attractions in the land – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run (What is the obsession with the “:” all about?). They have also told us about one of the eateries – Oga’s Cantina. Overnight, Disney released more information about a section of the land called Batuu. This is the home of the “Black Spire Outpost” and is the section you will first come into when you enter Galaxy’s Edge. They have also revealed that the Play Disney Parks App will play a big role in guest’s interaction with the land. Sounds fun!
So first things first- FOOD!! Here is what they have informed us about:
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo – Exotic and unusual dishes will be served by Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs. He has cruised the galaxy with his traveling diner “Tugg’s Grub”.
Ronto Roasters – This looks pretty amazing. They cook various kinds of exotic meats using an old podracing engine as the heat source.
Milk Stand – Here you can purchase blue or green milk from the Bubo Wamba Family farm.
Kat Saka’s Kettle – This street merchant will sell a popular Outpost Mix. This mix is made up of different types of popcorn.
Next – Merchandise! There is no shortage of places to get all your Star Wars needs – from costume attire to sweet cuddly friends that you can take home with you.
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – Here, travelers can find unique items from all across the universe.
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuild Lightsabers – At this shop, travelers can find a group known as the Gatherers. This group passes on their knowledge of Jedi Lore and tries to keep the balance in the universe. You will also find a Master Guide that can assist you in building the Lightsaber that will best suit you.
Droid Depot – At Mubo’s Workshop, you will find various parts of droids. Travelers can build a droid to bring home with them.
First Order Cargo – This temporary landing base is the current location of the first order. They have brought containers and crates of attire, supplies, and gear to share to win the hearts of travelers and guests that come to the Black Spire Outpost
Resistance Supply – Here, followers of the resistance can find supplies, gear, food, and different types of attire.
Now that we know several attractions & merchants that will be a part of Galaxy’s Edge, we need to answer the biggest question – When will it be open to visit?!!? More to come! I know there are a lot of you holding out on booking your trip until the dates are released. Once they are, those resorts will book up faster that you can imagine! Follow me to be one of the first to know when it will open!!
This Spring, Captain Marvel is coming to Disney California Adventure! She will be arriving in a S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle surrounded by several of her agents. She is looking for a team of recruits so that she can teach and inspire them. Will you join her team for this heroic encounter?
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is just around the corner. This year, it will run March 6th through June 3rd. This Limited Time Magic is not something you want to miss. The flowers are stunning and we love walking through all of the gardens, but now let’s talk about the food offerings!
This year, 17 Outdoor Kitchens will be serving as well as other areas for tastings throughout Epcot. The food will all be inspired by fresh ingredients that you can find in gardens. They do have vegetarian and gluten free options if that is something someone in your party prefers or requires. Don’t miss out on all the delicious offerings and fun beverages!
2019 Menu’s:
ARBOR (Located at The Gardeners Terrace in The Odyssey Center) Food:
Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil
Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar, and Focaccia Crostino
Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake with Apple Cider Sorbet (GF, V)
Beverages:
Original Sin Brewery Black Widow Hard Cider, New York, NY
Florida Beer Company Caribé Strawberry Rose Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
3 Daughters Brewing Key Lime Apple Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Karbach Brewing Lemon and Ginger Radler Houston, TX
Seadog Brewing Company Sunfish Ale, Clearwater, FL
Shipyard Brewing Company Grind the Rind Watermelon IPA, Portland, ME
Cider Flight
Beer Flight
LA ISLA FRESCA (Located in Showcase Plaza East) Food:
Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauc
Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse, and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple
Beverages:
Tropical Freeze (non-alcoholic)
Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
Tropical Freeze with Mango Rum
THE CITRUS BLOSSOM (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado, and Pappadam Crisp
Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF)
Orange Cream Slushy in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper (sipper only available while supplies last) (non-alcoholic)
Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL
Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MD
Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
Beer Flight
PINEAPPLE PROMENADE (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream (V)
Beverages:
Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Fanta (non-alcoholic)
Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA
Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Coconut Rum
Pineapple Beer Flight
THE HONEY BEE-STRO Hosted by National Honey Board (Located near Refreshment Port) Food:
Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice
Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle, and
Coriander Flowers (GF, V)
Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, Charred Vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream, and Micro Citrus Greens
Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom
Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and Petite
Lavender Shoots (V)
Beverages:
Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (non-alcoholic)
Goodwood Brewing Company Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, Louisville, KY
TASTE OF MARRAKESH (Located in the Morocco Pavilion) Food:
Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley, and Chili-Ranch Sauce
Walnut Honey Baklava
Beverages:
Casa Beer
Larroque Chardonnay, Meknes
White Sangria
Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
HANAMI (Located in the Japan Pavilion) Food:
Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry, and Melon rolled with Coconut
Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut, Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce
on the side (V)
Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing
Chicken Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken
served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and
Vinegar-based Dressing
Beverages:
Kirin Draft Beer
Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake
“Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée, and Lemonade
FUNNEL CAKES (Located in The American Adventure)
Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream
Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
Short’s Brewing Company Local’s Light Lager, Bellaire, MI
Dogfish Head Brewery American Beauty Pale Ale, Milton, DE
Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA, Brooklyn, NY
Golden Road Brewing Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
3 Daughters Brewing Hard Rosé Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Beer Flight
THE SMOKEHOUSE: BARBECUE AND BREWS (Located in The American Adventure) Food:
Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle
Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue, and Green Tomato Relish
Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)
Beverages:
Frozen Simply Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, CA
Frozen Simply Lemonade with Blackberry Moonshine
Beer Flight
FIFE & DRUM (Located in The American Adventure)
Short’s Brewing Company Soft Parade Shandy, Bellaire, MI
PRIMAVERA KITCHEN (Located in the Italy Pavilion) Food:
Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan Cheeses
Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Balsamic Reduction
Tri-colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter, and Chicken Veloute
If you would like to escape to Epcot in the next few months to experience all the Food & Garden Festival has to offer, contact me and we will get you on your way!
Disney’s H2O Glow Nights are back this summer at Typhoon Lagoon!
Partysaurus Rex has outdone himself this year! With the popularity of this limited-time offering of magic, he wanted to bring it back in a big way. On select nights starting May 30th, guests can enter Typhoon Lagoon for an evening of music, dancing, Toy Story Characters, yummy limited-time food offerings inspired by Toy Story, and best of all – some of your favorite water rides in the dark! Like other Extra Magic Events, a limited number of tickets are sold for each party so the lines will be shorter for your favorite attractions.
There will even be an adult only section for party-goers that have no little skippers with them. “The Wharf” will have its own entertainment, a private bar area, and refreshing beverages!
The party is from 8-11pm but guests can enter as early as 6 with their ticket. Party Nights are Thursday and Saturday and this runs through August 24th. (no party June 20th). Get your tickets now for your Disney Summer Vacation and come join Partysaurus Rex and the gang!
Little girls everywhere are going to be super excited when they hear about the magic going on over at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Cinderella Castle. They are adding more chairs and fairy godmothers so that they can help more little girls live out their princess dreams. Along with expanding the castle, they are adding a very special magical mirror!
In addition, a brand new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be opening up at Disney’s Grand Floridian! Starting this summer, guests will be able to visit the Boutique and receive the full princess experience. It will be as easy as hopping on a monorail to get to the boutique and then you can head right back to the Magic Kingdom to continue the day dressed as a Disney Princess. I like to make dinner reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest, or 1900 Park Fare the same day we do Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique so we can get pictures with the princesses. What a wonderful addition this will be! Stay tuned for opening details.
A whole new celebration is coming to Disneyland this Spring!
Our favorite mouse is turning 90 this year. 90!! To celebrate, Disneyland will have a new limited-time exhibit at the Down Disney District. This immersive experience will take you through several rooms all featuring different whimsical themes. The vivid displays will allow guests to be a part of the magic and put themselves into Mickey & Minnie’s world! This experience provides plenty of selfie & photo opportunities.
In this particular room, guests will be able to enter the scene and sit on Minnie’s Bow-Couch or stand under one of the many large Minnie Bows. Imagine the possibilities!
It is a beautiful & imaginative interactive art exhibit that is not to be missed! This will be a separate ticket event and can be found over by the Downtown Disney District Monorail Platform.
Coming June 13th – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Photo Credit: Derek Funk
This thrilling new coaster will be in Islands of Adventure where Dueling Dragons used to be. Knowing how amazing and immersive the other Wizarding World attractions are, I am so excited to go visit again and ride this new coaster.
Universal happens to have a promotion and it is still available for purchase till March 14th. With this offer, you purchase a 2 day, 2 park pass and you get two additional days free! This reduces the daily rate to $69! The tickets purchased through this promotion are valid through the end of June. You can take advantage of it and go see the newest addition.
Tip: When you stay on property, you gain access to the Wizarding World an hour earlier than the general population. This will give you a huge advantage with the line for this new ride as well as the other Wizarding World attractions. Contact me and we can put a package together for you!
This new interactive Play Pavilion is coming to Epcot! Not many details have been given yet but we do know that it will be in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion. I am so glad they are finally re-purposing that area with new content. It looks like it will be a great place for families to interact and play. I got very excited when I saw the word “Wedway” (what Tomorrow Transit Authority used to be called) up above the 3 glass windows in mid-upper right quadrant. I have no idea what it means yet but I am super excited! More details to come so stay tuned!
Disney is also re-imagining the entry to Epcot. The Leave a Legacy monuments will be moved just outside the park’s gateway and can still be admired.
They are adding greenery and will update the existing fountain to closer resemble the original. It looks beautiful!
Check back for more information on all the other exciting things coming to Epcot including Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster and the space themed restaurant next to it, a limited-time night time show over the World Showcase Lagoon featuring classic Epcot music, and coming soon in 2020 a brand new nighttime spectacular.
Turning Dreams Into Memories 