The summer season has officially landed at the Disneyland Resort and it brings with it a slew of activity buzzing from every corner of the Disneyland Resort. While Pixar Pier and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continue to dominate the most buzz-worthy and noticeable changes coming to the Happiest Place on Earth, there’s still a whole lot of other things going on, too.
For one, Pixar Fest continues the party but we’ll also take a look at new menus across the parks including Golden Horseshoe, Stagedoor Cafe, and Flo’s V8 Cafe. It’s good timing for new food options as Disney also launched the handy Mobile Order feature in the Disneyland App that — for now — is only available for Annual Passholders and makes ordering food as easy as a few taps on a mobile device.
Also on our visit this past holiday weekend, we made a visit to the Cove Bar for a final farewell and to taste some of the surprisingly awesome upcoming menu items for the Lamplight Lounge. We’ll also jump around both parks and in Downtown Disney too where we will quickly start to see major changes in the following weeks as work gets underway for the fourth hotel coming to the Disneyland Resort.
Of course, we’ll have a nice merch run for you at the very end plus much much more in our latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
Pixar Pier
Construction continues at hyperspeed to bring the land to a presentable state for its June 23 debut.
The marquee for the new land is finally getting setup. The last we heard, the Luxo Jr. lamp shown in concept art and promotional materials will not be ready in time for June 23.
Knick Knacks
Exterior work seems close to finished on the updated gift shop.
Lamplight Lounge
Pixar Pal-Around
Scaffolding is mostly down around the attraction.
On closer inspection it looks like something’s appeared…
The gondolas are back, now with Pixar characters. Here’s a few of the designs we were able to spot:
The attraction marquee is coming along, too.
World of Color
A return in time for Pixar Pier for the popular evening water show might not be possible following some unexpected issues during the refurbishment.
Incredicoaster
Finishing touches and major construction are still going on all over the Incredicoaster.
The new archway near the attraction entrance has started to appear.
The new shade structures have also started to appear.
I’ve got no roof, but my home was never on the ground. I count gates and numbers, then play the guessing game. It’s just the place that changes, the rest is still the same but I’ve got memories and travel like gypsies in the night.
There’s A LOT going on inside of those newly enclosed scream tubes. Check out our posting below to learn just what new show elements you can expect to find when the Incredicoaster debuts officially on June 23!
MORE INFO: More details about the INCREDICOASTER coming to #PixarPier🎡
Toy Story Midway Mania
Still no signs of progress here.
Games of the Boardwalk
But plenty of signs here…
Pixar Promenade
Poultry Palace
The building still massively throws off the scale of everything else around it.
Angry Dogs
Not much to be seen here for now.
Pier the First to See It
Disney is asking for $299 per person for access to the to the June 22nd “VIP-style premiere event” the day before the public grand opening of Pixar Pier. Are you down?
MORE INFO: Ready for the $299 upcharge preview event to PIXAR PIER?
Sunsetting the Cove Bar
We hopped in this weekend for the final weekend of the Cove Bar before it closes forever to become part of the Lamplight Lounge.
The menu currently features some of the new items that will be featured on the menu at the Lamplight Lounge and if they are ANY indication of what to expect, we should prepare ourselves for some pricey but VERY tasty exciting new options to indulge.
Deviled Eggs & Toast ($12) feature the classic picnic favorite with a creamy Egg Salad featuring Manchego Crisps set atop a Toasted Almond Romanesco Sauce with Dill and Toast Points served with pickled vegetables. The flavors here are phenomenal. I was worried how an entree featuring just two eggs would satisfy when eggs are the point of the dish and Disney has found a way here. All the flavors pair together so well, this was a really fantastic treat. We were also super impressed by
Tuna Poke is an unassming name for a dish that is truly a delight. Yellowfin tuna is assembled with compressed watermellon, edamame, avocado, shishito peppers and a spiced mango nector and presented unerneath a “rice bowl” dome that you crack with a spoon to create chips to accompany the dish. The presentation here is phenomenal and the flavors are really fantastisc. It’s a refreshing change to typical theme park fare and it’s great to finally see the Disneyland Resort embrace the magic of raw fish entrees.
More Insights into Lamplight Lounge
We got some more details on more menu items coming to the Lamplight Lounge when it debuts officially with Pixar Pier on June 23.
MORE INFO: Get a taste of the upcoming LAMPLIGHT LOUNGE at #PixarPier🎡
More New Menus
Last week we took at look at the new menu options available at Flo’s V8 Cafe and this time we moseyed on over to Frontierland for more new menu items.
Stagedoor Cafe
The new menu still features Chicken Tenders and Hand-dipped Corn Dogs but also includes a Grilled Chicken Spinach Wrap and a Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich. You can also still get funnel cakes!
Golden Horseshoe
Chicken Tenders and Ice Cream are still main stays here but new items are also available — some of which — we will take a look at here…
Chicken Wings with fries and choice of dipping sauce are $11.49. The wings were moist on the inside and crispy outside. You get four total which brings the entree out to nearly three bucks a wing. Granted that price is lumping in fries too but it seems just a little high for wings that are not incredibly noteworthy. By no means are they bad, they are not terribly special in flavor and having just four makes this a meal that will satisfy only if you were not terribly hungry to begin with.
Pepper Jack Chili Mac ($8.49) is made up of macaroni cheese balls that are topped with hearty meat chili. This is certainly a more hearty dish and the flavors are really great. I wish the macaroni balls were just a little more crispy but for the price this dish certainly satisfies. As with the wings, though, the portion might not satisfy more robust appetites. Still, this is a rich and hearty meal.
Loaded Potato Skins ($8.49) are probably the most disappointing of the new menu items. Despite their name they are far from loaded. We have three crispy pieces of potato skins that are topped with chili, cheese, sour cream, and chives. Breaking the price down each of these shells comes in at nearly $3 each which for our palate did not seem worth the investment.
So while we weren’t exactly head over heals for the new menu, we CAN say that the food DOES taste good. The value for each dish is in the eye of the beholder but we don’t see ourselves returning to the Golden Horseshoe specifically for these dishes. With that said, if we were on a guest for some AC and entertainment inside the Golden Horseshoe, any of these items would make great snacks to enjoy with the show.
Mobile Order
Mobile Order launched at Disneyland this week. For now, it’s just available to Annual Passholders but will eventually be rolled out to all guests. At launch, the service is available at 15 locations. Small signage has appeared at participating locations letting guests know where they can pick up the food from their mobile orders.
MORE INFO: Disneyland confirms 15 locations to support MOBILE ORDER via official app
I CANNOT WAIT for Mobile Order to come to the Dole Whip stand. In the meanwhile, there’s also new Pineapple Churros…
Pineapple Churro! So sweet! 🍍 pic.twitter.com/3CdJ9oLRIt
— MouseInfo (@MouseInfo) May 27, 2018
Around Disneyland
Fastpass signage and clocks have returned to Pirates of the Caribbean. New access points have also popped up ready for the digital FastPass onslaught to befall the attraction.
Scaffolding has gone up at Aladdin’s Oasis for the conversion into the Tropical Hideaway.
Nobody home.
A lot of the lighting in Never Land seemed to be out. =(
Looks like there’s still work outstanding on the parade gate.
Monorail red has made its debut with a host of green aliens on it.
Chilly.
The castle is still missing many of its thematic elements and pieces. Surprising that the castle is being kept in such a poor state, she certainly could use a refresh.
Ready for a busy summer season?
Around Disney California Adventure
Not much in the way of visible progress at It’s Tough to be a Bug, the first casualty for the upcoming Marvel expansion coming to the park.
Sour Lemon Cotton Candy at DCA. In case you can’t deal with the lines for lemon soft serve at the Adorable Snowman’s Frozen Treats.
Galaxy’s Edge
Black Spire Outpost
“Black Spire Outpost” is the name of the village in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land coming to both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios park. The remote outpost — as was already revealed — is set on the planet of Batuu. Here’s some more details, courtesy of Disney:
The largest settlement on the planet Batuu, Black Spire Outpost is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Off the beaten path, this outpost has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Widely known for the petrified remains of its once towering ancient trees, the spires now stand guard across the river valleys and plains and have long captured the imagination of travelers to this planet. To the first settlers, these petrified spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.
MORE INFO: ‘Black Spire Outpost’ confirmed as Galaxy’s Edge village name, 2019 opening seasons confirmed
Seeing Star (Wars)
Rey, Captain Phasma, and more Star Wars experiences including Hyperspace Mountian have landed for the summer at Disneyland. Get in on the fun while it lasts in Tomorrowland. Hyperspace Mountain closes June 3. That means there’s only 5 days left to enjoy it!
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: Star Wars brings new experiences to Disneyland
AP Corner
New decals for Pixar Fest at AP CORNER.
MORE INFO: AP-exclusive perks for Pixar Fest include new popcorn buckets, keepsakes, and more
Pixar Fest
This summer it’s a full-blown Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort and every inch of the property is ready for the celebration. A whole bunch of new entertainment, food, shopping, decorations, and more have debuted and are ready to enjoy now though September 3! That means there’s 97 days left to enjoy!
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: PIXAR FEST launches at the Disneyland Resort bringing entertainment, food and fun
Pixar Play Parade
There was nobody sitting out near the parade gate so we took a last minute seat in the shade and took in the Pixar Play Parade!
World of Disney, Too
Seemingly not content with less retail space at the World of Disney as it undergoes a massive redesign, Disney has expanded the shop out into the esplanade with a mega set of kiosks.
Hospitable Future
As Disney prepares for the upcoming fourth hotel to the property, we’re dawning near on the sunsetting of a large portion of Downtown Disney mainstays that will be going away to make room for this new hotel.
Upcoming Closures
Closures may be subject to change. An official list of closures has not been released.
- ESPN Zone – June 2
- Rainforest Cafe – June 16
- Disney Vacation Club Sales Center / Disney Travel – June 24
- Starbucks West – June 27
- Alamo Rental Car – June 28
- AMC Downtown Disney 12 – June
- Earl of Sandwich – June
Around the Resort
The main entrance for Naples is now closed but the expanded patio has opened!
Napolini remains open for now but will eventually also go down for a refresh.
Work continues on the two new eateries coming to Downtown Disney.
Progress continues on the new parking structure next to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.
Part of the Downtown Disney parking lot is being used as staging area for the construction across the street.
Safe-D begins with me!
Churrotastic!
Disneyland’s recent food obsession of late is taking churros and turning the cinammon sugar stick concept on its side by introducing OTHER flavor combinations and that trend continues with the new AP CHURRO CHALLENGE AT PIXAR FEST. Many thanks to MI contributor DyNaH428 for the pictures in this posting!
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: Disneyland introduces the AP CHURRO CHALLENGE
‘Incredibles 2’ Exclusive Sneak Peek
Disney California Adventure is currently playing host to an exclusive sneak peek of THE INCREDIBLES 2. The special engagement includes use of the theater’s special 4D effects that sync with the visuals. Plus, there’s also a great little set up in the lobby with concept art and character maquettes offering a behind the scenes glimpse into the making of the film.
MORE INFO: PICTORIAL: INCREDIBLES 2 exclusive 4D preview debuts at DCA
Halloween Time Returning
Seemingly earlier and earlier every year, Halloween Time is dawning soon at the Disneyland Resort bringing with it a host of spooktacular experiences from September 7 through October 31, 2018. The popular Mickey’s Halloween Party will also be returning this year to Disneyland Park for 15 nights of after-hours chills and thrills.
MORE INFO: Details: HALLOWEEN TIME 2018 at the Disneyland Resort promises return of fan favorites, party
Merch Run
Pretty rainbow ear headbands available now at Disneyland.
Talking Buzz are apparently the hot ticket item of late, flying off the shelves.
Disneyland Resort is holding out, we found jumbo and tiny Ufufy’s at our local Disney Store.
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, you can also find coffee mugs, phone & laptop cases, and more!
Find more designs at our store: mouseinfo.com/tees.
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