Peppermint Marshmallow Wands Recipe from Marceline’s Confectionary

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

No matter what time of year, you can’t go wrong with peppermint! Disney has shared the recipe for Peppermint Marshmallow Wands, which can be found at Marceline’s Confectionery located at Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort.

From Disney Cast Member;

Holidays are truly sweet at Marceline’s Confectionery, a delightful candy shop named after the small Missouri town where Walt lived as a boy, located at Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort.

The talented candy makers have been busy dipping apples, crisped rice cereal treats, and marshmallows into warm chocolate, with some confections getting a second dip into creamy caramel. The candy makers then artfully embellish with holiday candies to create adorable treats almost too cute to eat!

As a sweet gift to our readers, we asked the candy makers to give us their recipe for Peppermint Marshmallow Wands, an easy (and yummy) holiday recipe the entire family can make and enjoy at home.

Happy Holidays from our Disney Kitchens!

Minnie Holiday Crispy: Crisped rice cereal treat dipped in milk chocolate decorated with red sanding sugar, green candy-coated chocolate candies, and a red chocolate bow with green polka dots.

Minnie Holiday Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel and milk chocolate decorated with red sanding sugar, green candy-coated chocolate candies, and a red chocolate bow with green polka dots.

Mickey Snowman Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel and vanilla white chocolate decorated with dark chocolate, sour belt scarf, and chocolate top hat.

Peppermint Marshmallow Wand: Fluffy marshmallows dipped in caramel and dark chocolate covered in crushed peppermint candy.

Peppermint Marshmallow Wands
Marceline’s Confectionery
Downtown Disney District
Disneyland® Resort
Makes 8 

  • 2 (12 ounce) jars hot caramel topping
  • 8 large lollipop sticks
  • 24 large marshmallows
  • 1 (10-ounce bag) dark melting chocolate
  • 1 cup crushed peppermints (15 candy canes, crushed)
  1. Melt caramel in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Keep warm.
  2. Dip one end of each lollipop stick in 1 inch of water. Skewer 3 marshmallows onto each stick, starting at the wet end.
  3. Dip marshmallows into caramel, gently tapping to remove excess caramel and place on parchment paper. Cool caramel at room temperature for 30 minutes, until caramel is set.
  4. Melt dark chocolate in medium saucepan over low heat. Keep warm.
  5. Place crushed peppermint in shallow bowl.
  6. Dip caramel-coated marshmallows into melted dark chocolate, gently tapping to remove excess chocolate. Gently roll wand in crushed peppermint; place on clean parchment paper. Repeat for all wands.
  7. Cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, until chocolate is set.

Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. 

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Disneyland After Dark is Back with More ‘Nites’ of Fan-Favorites

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via Disney Destinations

Guess what, Disneyland fans?! Disneyland After Dark events are returning to the Disneyland Resort in 2022! We’re thrilled to bring back Sweethearts’ Nite, Villains Nite and Star Wars Nite, offering more nights than ever before of each of these awesome limited-time, after-hours events!

For those who might need a refresher, Disneyland After Dark events take place after regular park hours and feature unique themes, fun festivities, special nighttime entertainment, access to most attractions* with reduced wait times and so much more! Guests will experience special offerings that are not typically available during a regular park visit.

With each separately ticketed Disneyland After Dark event, Guests get four hours of non-stop fun after the parks close to day Guests. Plus, they’ll get even more time to play during the three-hour pre-party mix-in at the same park as the event takes place in, which is included with each ticket!

2021 Disneyland After Dark Dates: Villains, Valentines & Star Wars Nites - Disney Tourist Blog

Additionally, at each of these events, Guests receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos** taken during the party, plus commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map, so they’ll have lots of fun ways to remember their Disneyland After Dark experience!

Here are the details for each of the upcoming themed nights:

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite

Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14, 2022, at Disneyland Park

(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Dec. 9, 2021, no earlier than noon PT)

Sweethearts’ Nite will be hosted at Disneyland Park on five separate evenings in Feb. 2022. There’s sure to be heartfelt fun for everyone as Valentine’s Day is celebrated during Sweethearts’ Nite. Here’s some of what Guests can expect:

  • A special themed fireworks show
  • Projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
  • A jazz ensemble aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, plus other live entertainment, including a Royal Ball and a dance party with a DJ
  • Spot the most darling Disney couples, and take selfies with your favorites
  • Fun photo opportunities featuring romantic scenes from iconic Disney films
  • Lovely décor, along with food and beverage offerings around the park
  • Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation required

 Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite

March 8 and 10, 2022, at Disney California Adventure Park

(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Jan. 11, 2022)

At Villains Nite, Guests will get to party with some of Disney’s most mischievous misfits at Disney California Adventure Park. These wonderfully wicked events will take place on two separate evenings in March 2022, and include:

  • The Cauldron, a cunningly-crafted cabaret featuring a cast of villainous virtuosos showing off their talents through song and dance
  • Ursula’s Seaside Sing-a-long, where you can find your voice and sing along
  • The Underworld Dance Party, which allows you to bust a move at a dastardly DJ dance party in the Hollywood Backlot
  • Special photo backdrops, featuring scenes inspired by some favorite villains
  • Some of Disney’s famously nefarious fiends – or their henchmen – at special locations around the park
  • Delightfully decadent food and beverage offerings
  • Early admission to Disney California Adventure park beginning at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation required

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite 

May 3, 4 and 27, 2022, at Disneyland Park

(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Jan. 11, 2022)

Star Wars Nite will be the ultimate Star Wars extravaganza, packed with galactic fun on three separate nights at Disneyland Park in May 2022. Highlights of Star Wars Nite include:

  • An amazing pyrotechnical spectacle that will illuminate the skies with a Star Wars-themed fireworks show
  • March of the First Order, featuring Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers
  • A Galactic dance party
  • Sightings of various Star Wars characters throughout the evening  
  • Star Wars-themed attractions, usually with shorter wait times
  • Star Wars-themed eats and treats, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more
  • Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required

Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ Service Coming to Disneyland Resort Beginning Dec. 8

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via Disney Destinations

Attention, Disneyland Resort fans! We are excited to share that Disney Genie service will be available here at the Disneyland Resort beginning Dec. 8, 2021.

Built right into the existing Disneyland app, the Disney Genie service offers new features to help Guests create their best Disney day. With the Disneyland app, Guests should be sure to download the latest version and make sure that their notification and location services are turned on so they can get the most out of the app’s features.

The new service will include:

Complimentary Disney Genie Features

At the heart of the Disney Genie service are features like a personalized itinerary creator inspired by the things you tell us you love, helping Guests make the most of their park time so they can have more fun! Guests can tell Disney Genie their favorite things – foodie experiences, must-do attractions, Super Heroes or princesses – experiences that make their Disneyland Resort day special, and Disney Genie does all the work to suggest fun options tailored to each Guest. 

The Disney Genie service will also offer great additional features like a personal tip board to see attractions and dining options in one central place, and forecasted future attraction wait times, helping Guests predict the best time to visit during the day.

These features are created to help Guests spend less time waiting in line, so they can enjoy more of what they love. What’s more, Disney Genie service even works around existing plans, like dining reservations! 

Similar to a navigation app on a phone, Disney Genie does all the work behind the scenes and updates itineraries continually from morning to night so Guests can stay spontaneous and make the most of their time in the parks!

Ability to Access the new Lightning Lane Entrance

For Guests that have been to the Disneyland Resort lately, they may have noticed some new signs being installed for Lightning Lane entrances at a number of popular attractions. The Lightning Lane offers the convenience of saving Guests time waiting in line. Lightning Lane entrance can be accessed for select attractions two ways:

  • Disney Genie+

Disney Genie+ will be available for $20 per ticket per day, and allows Guests to select the next available arrival window for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane entrances at a variety of attractions, one at a time (subject to limited availability; limit one Lightning Lane selection per experience each day). Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane entrances are available at select attractions at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – great for those who have Park Hopper tickets. Disney Genie+ also includes unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the day, as well as fun new audio experiences that let Guests discover the parks in cool new ways—through fascinating fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights.

Disney Genie+ service may be purchased in the Disneyland app after Guests have entered the park and have linked their park ticket. After Dec. 8, Guests may also choose to purchase Disney Genie+ prior to their visit when they purchase a park ticket. Guests can begin making their Lightning Lane arrival window selections as soon as they enter a theme park! For Clients traveling with a 2022 vacation package booked after Nov. 4, Disney Genie+ can be added to the package tickets as long as any modifications are made more than five days prior to their visit. 

AND/OR

  • Individual Lightning Lane Entrance Selection.
Disney Genie+ at Disneyland

This new “a la carte” option allows the individual purchase of Lightning Lane entrance arrival windows for some of our most popular attractions: Radiator Springs Racers and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing for the “a la carte” option will vary by date and attraction. Guests should be sure to check the Disneyland app on the day of their visit for the latest pricing for each available Lightning Lane attraction entrance arrival window. For Guests that choose this option, they may purchase the next available arrival window, one at a time, for up to two (2) attractions per day upon entering a theme park.

Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, and are not guaranteed. To enter a theme park, both a valid admission and theme park reservation for the same park and same date are required. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability, and are not guaranteed for any specific dates or park. Wait times are estimates, can vary, and are subject to frequent changes within each day. Guests are responsible for reviewing all attraction restrictions, health and safety advisories, and accessibility guidelines, prior to purchase as certain experiences may not be appropriate for some Guests with health conditions. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. TBD – Details. 

Disney Photopass service is subject to the Disney Photopass Terms & Conditions and expiration policy found at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required.

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere.  If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Two Festivals to Return to Disney California Adventure in 2022

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disneyland has announced that two fan-favorite festivals are returning next year at Disney California Adventure!

From a Disney Cast Member;

I know many of us are looking forward to a fresh, new year in 2022, especially after missing some of our favorite theme park experiences this past year! Today, we are delighted to share that two fan-favorite, limited-time festivals will be back next year at Disney California Adventure park! The Lunar New Year celebration will take place from Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022, and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will run from March 4 through April 26, 2022. Mark your calendars!

There’s something so special about the limited-time festivals at Disney California Adventure park. For some, it’s all about the decadent food and beverage offerings. For others, it’s the unique festival experiences and fun characters. No matter what your festival delight, one thing is for sure – there’s no shortage of Disney magic! Here are some highlights for what to expect when these festivals return.

Lunar New Year, Jan. 21 – Feb. 13, 2022

Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure park is a joyous celebration that commemorates traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. The festival is filled with multicultural performances, special activities, culinary delights, beautiful décor, celebratory merchandise, and more!

In 2022, we will be celebrating the Year of the Tiger at the Lunar New Year festival. New this year, Tigger will join in on the fun, along with beloved Disney characters including Mulan and Mushu, Mickey and Minnie, the Three Little Pigs and more, all donning their festive attire.

Adding to the excitement of Lunar New Year, Raya from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film, “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be appearing for the very first time at Disneyland Resort during the celebration! You’ll be able to see Raya in a setting inspired by her native Kumandra, recreated in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

The captivating “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” will return. This bright and bold performance hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu, will feature dozens of spirited parade performers as they honor family, friendship, and the potential for a fortune-filled new year. Live musical entertainment will also be enjoyed at the Paradise Garden Bandstand.

The Sip and Savor Pass will also be back, for extra enjoyment as you taste your way through the four Lunar New Year marketplaces, all featuring delicious Asian cuisine. Additionally, there will be special Lunar New Year-inspired food and beverage offerings at select dining locations throughout the park.

Other cherished Lunar New Year traditions including the Lucky Wishing Wall and craft activities will also be enjoyed at this year’s celebration.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, March 4 – April 26, 2022

In 2022, family and friends will come together to get a taste of what they’ve been missing at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! At the festival, you will be able to explore California regions and neighborhoods in a number of ways, from the delicious fare, to the vibrant entertainment, fun festival merchandise and more.

During the festival, you’ll get to taste your way through a dozen festival marketplaces that offer an assortment of mouthwatering bites and beverages for every palate. There will also be the option to purchase a Sip and Savor Pass to enjoy the unique marketplace offerings. Complimentary culinary demonstrations with local, celebrity and Disney chefs will return for the whole family to enjoy on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival. And for those looking to enhance their festival experience

, special signature events will also be available to book and purchase, including the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions, and Wine, Beer and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars.

Entertainment will fill the festival’s stages, with live musical performances at the Palisades Stage and Paradise Gardens Bandstand, visits with Chef Goofy and friends, and craft activities.

Additional details about the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will be shared on Disneyland.com soon.

Merchandise Mobile Checkout Is Now Available at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Since last year, we’ve been testing a new mobile checkout option at select merchandise shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, available through our mobile apps. And just in time for holiday shopping, Guests can enjoy this feature at even more locations!

Mobile checkout is currently available or coming soon to the following merchandise locations:

Walt Disney World Resort

  • World of Disney at Disney Springs
  • Creations Shop at EPCOT
  • Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park – New!
  • Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Coming soon!
  • Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Coming soon! 

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

  • Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza Point
  • Emporium
  • Pioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New!
  • The Star Trader – New!

Disney California Adventure Park

  • Elias & Co.
  • WEB Suppliers – New!
  • Knick’s Knacks – New!

Downtown Disney District

  • World of Disney 
NEW "Scan-and-Go" Merchandise Mobile Checkout Now Available at Walt Disney World - WDW News Today

Guests should check the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app* during your visit for the latest location availability.

If Guests haven’t tried it yet, merchandise mobile checkout is a convenient shopping option available at select shops – it helps Guests save time by scanning and paying for items right from their phone. When Guests are ready to shop, they can simply open the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app and scan the barcodes on their souvenirs as they add them to bag. Once their shopping experience is complete, Guests can show their purchase QR code and selected items to a Cast Member at the designated exit, and they’re all set! 

Shopping with an eligible Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club discount?** Guest should make sure their pass or membership is linked to their Disney account, and valid discounts will be applied when they use mobile checkout.

Mobile checkout is just one of the recent enhancements and planning features available in our mobile apps. Mobile order service continues to add new locations for both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort including candy kitchens, where Guests can save time and order holiday treats in advance.

For Guests shopping from home, be sure to check out shopDisney.com for a great assortment of holiday merchandise!

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.  Some app features require valid theme park admission and park reservation.

**At this time, Disney Visa Cardmembers should check out at an in-store register to receive the Disney Visa Cardmember discount of 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more.