Downtown Disney Announces Delicious New Experiences

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

We have several tantalizing and tasty new updates to share with you from the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! This dynamic destination offers something for everyone and will continue to evolve with several exciting new additions. Take a look at what’s new and what’s coming!

Now Open! Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio and Beignets Expressed

For more than two decades, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has been revered for its warm hospitality, French Quarter flair, bold flavors, and famous, hot beignets! Building on this rich tradition, the iconic restaurant has evolved with a fresh new look, new name and new menu! The location is celebrating its reopening as Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, a modern, casual and fun celebration of the Gulf and Pacific coasts, and Beignets Expressed.

The restaurant’s all-day menu features long-time fan favorites alongside new selections such as Lobster & Crawfish Sliders, Chile-Spiced Honey Glazed Grilled Salmon, Gumbo LA-LA filled with succulent seafood, the Grilled Open Faced Lobster BLT Po-Boy and the Reef & Beef, a delectable entrée of grilled shrimp and braised short ribs. This contemporary menu pairs perfectly with a newly expanded wine list from California vintners, and seasonal, seaside-style cocktails.

And let’s not forget the famous beignets! Beignets Expressed is a fast, friendly, and fun counter-service spot, bestowing the much-loved New Orleans confection served classically (fried and topped with heaping mounds of powdered sugar) and the specialty glazed beignets, dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled in infinitely delicious flavors. Signature and seasonal glazed selections include Snickerdoodle, Fruity Crunch and Bananas Foster.

New! Clyde’s Hot Chicken

Have your clients had a chance to taste Clyde’s Hot Chicken yet? It’s a new cart located in the district near the Disneyland Monorail that serves scrumptious Nashville hot chicken on a stick, handmade fresh daily and available in three different heat level seasonings. If guests really want to turn it up a notch, they can try the Hot as Cali with cayenne and habanero spices!  Wowza!

Coming soon: The Alley!

The courtyard next to Splitsville Luxury Lanes is being transformed into an exciting space — The Alley — with interactive games, live music, lounge areas and seats for dining. This summer, your clients can relax, play games and create memories in this fun new spot, and enjoy all the delicious food and beverage offerings from Splitsville.

Shopping is always on the menu in the district! Disney Home and WonderGround Gallery have recently reopened with unique selections of Disney décor. Down the way, guets can pop in to Lovepop for the coolest 3D pop-up cards, and Pelé Soccer for the latest in soccer gear and apparel.

It’s an exciting time as Downtown Disney District continues to be reimagined with new dining, shopping and entertainment experiences, along with long-time favorites throughout the promenade. Future plans for the district also include the addition of Din Tai Fung, a world-renowned Chinese restaurant known for its soup dumplings and noodles, plus masterful Mexican cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán at Paseo and Céntrico, and the oh-so-yummy California-Cuban cheese rolls and pastries from Porto’s Bakery and Cafe. 

Legendary Disney Imagineer Says Goodbye to His Creation

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The iconic yet controversial attraction Splash Mountain at Disneyland Resort in California has now been shutdown. Legendary Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter was seen bidding farewell to his creation.

Born in 1947, Tony Baxter led the creative and design efforts for many iconic rides we know and love today. Rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, The Indiana Jones Adventure, and Splash Mountain.

Baxter was also the former Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering. He became responsible for overseeing the creation of many rides across all the Disney Parks around the globe.

Baxter was first hired at Disneyland Park in 1965 as an ice cream scooper on Main Street, U.S.A., at 17. He slowly climbed the ranks as he worked many different positions throughout Disneyland until he caught the attention of WED Enterprises, where he created the rides mentioned in the first paragraph above.

For the upcoming Splash Mountain redesign, former Imagineer and Disney Legend Baxter will be Creative Adviser to Imagineers. Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter is leading the project. He announced in 2020 when news first broke out about the redesign for Splash Mountain.

In regards to comments he made about the redesign, Baxter had this to say:

The attraction will be one to be proud of. I look forward to being a part of a new adventure in Disney magic and fun.

– Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter

We are thrilled to see Tony Baxter return to assist in redesigning his memorable ride, despite the controversy surrounding Splash Mountain.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will soon open at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and begins construction today at Disneyland California.

Amidst all the chaos and drama surrounding Splash Mountain, though, Tony Baxter went through the line to ride his creation one final time.

Tony Baxter - Disney Imagineer - Splash Mountain

NBA Star Allegedly Assaults Guest in Disneyland

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

NBA Star Robin Lopez was unhinged after he went after a Disney Guest.

Disneyland Resort is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Being the happiest place, Guests heading to the Disney Parks expect to feel Disney magic around them. Disneyland has always captivated people from all walks of life, including celebrities who often seek a magical escape from their busy schedules.

Disneyland has always been a magnet for celebrities looking to relive their childhood memories or create new ones with their families. From A-list actors and actresses to renowned musicians and sports icons, the allure of Disneyland transcends the boundaries of fame and success. Imagine strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., and suddenly spotting a well-known face amidst the crowd. You might see an actor like Tom Hanks, known for his timeless performances in movies like Forrest Gump and Toy Story, enjoying a churro while exploring the shops and soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere.

Not far away, you might glimpse Taylor Swift, the global music sensation, dancing and singing along to the tunes of “it’s a small world” or joining the line for a thrilling ride on Space Mountain. Her infectious energy and love for the theme park would undoubtedly spread joy to those around her. On any given day, you might witness the excitement of the Kardashian-Jenner clan as they embark on a whimsical adventure through Disneyland. Whether it’s Kim Kardashian snapping selfies in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle or Kylie Jenner indulging in some delicious Disney treats, their presence adds a touch of glamour to the already dazzling park.

Sports stars are not immune to the allure of Disneyland either. Robin Lopez was one the latest sports stars spotted in Disneyland. Robin Lopez is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was selected with the 15th pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, and was traded to the New Orleans Hornets.

1/5 stars mickey

One Disneyland Guest recently complained about Robin Lopez for “attacking” them. Mr. Lopez was seen with his family at Disney on the closing of Splash Mountain when a Guest recorded saying hello, then a Disney VIP Cast Member informers the Guest not to take pictures of Lopez and his family. Later in the TikTok, this Guest can be seen talking to the Imagineer Tony Baker, the creator of Splash Mountain, when Robin Lopez sneaks up behind the Guest and aggressively takes away his phone and cuts off his live stream. This Guest had to plea to get his phone back from Mr. Lopez. This Guest wrote that this ruined his day and traumatizing for him and his viewers.

Though the TikTok has now been deleted, the video had already circulated around social media. The influencer, known as Joy Of Everything posted on Twitter that he “wasn’t able to record his assault” due to his phone being snatched.

Of course, A-List celebrities aren’t immune from facing punishment at Disneyland. As a matter of fact, there is an entire list of celebrities who have been banned from Disney for not following the rules.

New Details, Concept Art Revealed for Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via Disney Destination

Watch the magic of storytelling unfold, as Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is being reimagined and transforms into Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort! We want to bring Guests along on the journey, and today share some new artist concept renderings and details, as they begin to see touches of Pixar popping up here and there at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, with much more to come!

This 15-story high-rise hotel overlooks Disney California Adventure Park. Guests may have already noticed the hotel’s exterior has a bright new look! While Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel continues to welcome Guests during this transition, we want to share a colorful glimpse of what Pixar Place Hotel will look like in the future once the transformation is finished this winter. When complete, Pixar Place Hotel will be the only fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States!

The lobby will continue to evolve over the next few months and will begin to blend beloved Pixar imagery with the hotel’s contemporary setting. When the transformation is complete, iconic images from Pixar films will be at the front desk, with characters pictured larger than life in curated artwork.

This winter, as Guests enter the hotel lobby, they will be greeted by the Pixar Lamp playfully balancing atop its ball!  A whimsical, colorful character-inspired mobile will hang above, welcoming Guests to the new, reimagined lobby atrium.

Later this summer, overnight Guests can splish and splash at an all-new water play area inspired by Nemo and his friends, where Crush the sea turtle goes with the flow atop a 186-foot-long waterslide and Hank can be seen hanging out at the pop-jet splash pad.

Later this year, a family play court will be added to the deck with activities inspired by Pixar’s famous short films. Interactive games and imaginative free play celebrate favorite friends from “La Luna,” “Bao,” “For the Birds,” and “Burrow.” And when it’s time to relax, Guests may enjoy food and drinks under the love-struck umbrellas from “The Blue Umbrella.”

By night, the pool deck is the ideal spot to take in amazing views of the Disneyland Park fireworks, and lounge by cozy character-inspired fire pits with family and friends.

This fall, the hotel will unveil a new restaurant at the resort, Great Maple. This Southern California-based modern American eatery specializes in playful takes on upscale comfort food. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day, the ground-floor restaurant — with a beautiful outdoor patio — will be easily accessible to Hotel Guests, local diners and theme park goers!

Signature dishes to start dreaming about? Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Maple Bacon Doughnuts, the Cajun Shrimp & Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, and the Soda Pop-Braised Baby Back Ribs! Great Maple will also have a full bar including beer, wine and cocktails.

Great Maple’s culinary creativity will abound throughout the hotel, offering food and beverage service at the pool, as well as a new grab ‘n’ go coffee shop and café near the lobby, and eventually at the hotel’s new concierge lounge.

During the refurbishments of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, overnight Guests still enjoy the great benefits of staying on property at the Disneyland Resort such as early park entry and a special entrance to Disney California Adventure Park, along with close proximity to Disneyland Park and the Downtown Disney District.

Recent Statement from Disney Sounds Like It’s Curtains for “Fantasmic!”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! is one of the most beloved shows in Disney Parks. With shows at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and soon, Disneyland Paris, it’s also one of the most popular. Fantasmic! originally opened at Disneyland in 1992, and Disney World followed soon after in 1998. In 2011, it opened at Tokyo DisneySea but went dark for good in March 2020. This December,  it will open at Disneyland Paris as part of the Disney100 celebration.

The show follows Mickey into his dream world, where he is sucked into the magic mirror and sees his dreams turn to nightmares as he must battle evil villains. The biggest, baddest villain of them all? Maleficent, who, as a dragon, breathes fire and puts up a ferocious fight. 

Maleficent dragon fire fantasmic! disneyland

Credit: CNN

Not long ago, the Maleficent animatronic dragon caught fire at Disneyland. The fire raged as the theater was evacuated. Thankfully no one was hurt, but Disney recognized that someone could have been seriously injured. The fire could’ve turned absolutely tragic if not for the quick thinking of Cast Members both on stage and behind the scenes.

The show has been on hiatus since the fire in April. Out of “an abundance of caution,” Walt Disney World’s Maleficent dragon suspended its fire-breathing effect in the Festival of Fantasy parade. As of the time of this publication, that effect is now back.

It seems, however, that  Disneyland’s Fantasmic! will be unavailable for the long term. Disney released a statement on Friday, saying that the show will be paused until at least Labor Day. “Cast Members have been notified, and teams are working to support their next steps, such as re-deployment and cross-training opportunities,” Disney officials said. 

Disneyland’s website also includes a message to Guests explaining that the Park is “working hard to assess when we can bring back an adjusted show as quickly and safely as possible.”

Could this disaster be the death knell for Fantasmic! at Disneyland? It seems likely. With Cast Members being redeployed (sent to other locations), it seems likely this is truly the end of the Guest-favorite nighttime experience. Disney’s statement also seems to point to the show’s demise. 

While at the moment Disney is saying the alternative offerings are temporary, it would not surprise us to soon see a brand-new experience take its place permanently. Here’s hoping Mickey’s nightmare doesn’t become a reality.