Category: Disneyland Resort

Make-A-Wish Child Grows Up To Become a Disneyland Cast Member

For Lexi Marincovich, making wishes come true is part of the job. As an entertainment host at the Disneyland Resort, Lexi facilitates wish visits for children with life-threatening medical conditions, in partnership with Make-A-Wish and other wish-granting organizations.

When she was a little girl, Lexi had no idea she would someday be working as a Disneyland Resort cast member.

“I was a wish child,” she said. “So when I was little, my mom said she wanted to see an older version of me. This is my shot to show these families that one day their child can work and be healthy.”

Each year, the Disneyland Resort grants approximately 750 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. More than half of the wishes include character encounters, hosted by cast members like Lexi.

According to Lexi, Disney characters can be a family’s symbol of hope. One wish visit that stood out to her was a child who met Oswald the Lucky Rabbit on Buena Vista Street. The child’s family considered Oswald their lucky rabbit because they would watch his cartoons and read his comics during medical treatments.

“Depending on the situation, I will tell the families I was a wish child,” Lexi said. “Working here and still being able to be involved with wishes is the best of both worlds. It means so much to me to give these families the hope and strength they need to get through whatever hardship they’re going through,” she said.

Kaavya Chanamolu, age 4, recently had her wish granted at the Disneyland Resort. Kaavya’s wish was to receive a transformation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, experience “World of Color” and stay at the Disneyland Hotel with her family. A favorite moment was when Kaavya walked hand-in-hand with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse down Main Street, U.S.A.

“To feel the goodness coming from everyone reaffirmed our faith in humanity,” said Kaavya’s mom, Priyanka. “We saw so much joy in Kaavya and the normalcy in her again. Make-A-Wish is so important because emotional healing is what these families need. This was an emotionally elevating experience for us.”

March 22, 2018
Now Open! Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Downtown Disney Rolls Into Disneyland Resort

If you have always wanted to bowl that perfect game, well now you can give it a shot while you’re in Disneyland. The original opening date of January 29th was delayed, but now it’s finally here and Splitsville Luxury Lanes has officially rolled into Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!

The development team has created a lively, yet comfortable atmosphere for guests of all ages to enjoy. The environment fuses modern elements with a mid-century vibe, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, an expansive outdoor patio and two state-of-the-art kitchens.

From family fun to date nights, Splitsville is an exciting destination for all ages. The 40,000-square-foot, two-story venue houses 600 dining seats, two craft cocktail bars, 20 bowling lanes and an outdoor patio with live entertainment 365 days a year!

The dynamic menu offers everything from top-notch sushi and expertly grilled salmon, to loaded nachos and mouth-watering burgers.

The opening of Splitsville is a part of the continuous, promenade-wide transformation at the Downtown Disney District in 2018. Multiple new venues and significant refurbishments to dining and retail locations will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney District remains open to guests. The result will be a fresh, one-of-a-kind Disney experience, immersing guests by day and night in the greatest mix of family-friendly dining, shopping and entertainment.

Be sure to stop by Splitsville when you visit Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!

March 18, 2018
First-Ever Pixar-Themed Package Available at Disneyland Resorts

Pixar Fest is coming to the Disneyland Resort, April 13 through September 3, and in addition to the dazzling new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and the return of “Paint the Night” parade and Pixar Play Parade, the celebration can also extend to the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort with a special Pixar-themed room and ticket package.

This special Pixar Decorated Room and Ticket Package includes an enhanced in-room and in-park experience with the included purchase of 2-Day or more theme park tickets! In your hotel room, our team can create a colorful Pixar-filled welcome, complete with a door banner, themed blanket and balloons, as well as a limited-edition Pixar Fest print all to take back home to remember the magic. This premium package also includes reserved viewing** for the highly popular “Paint the Night” parade in Disney California Adventure park!

With so many unique offerings, the Pixar Decorated Room and Ticket Package is very limited in quantity. The package is available for guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for two nights or more, most Sunday through Thursday nights between April 15 and June 14, 2018. All interested guests can book now through June 13, 2018 with a personal vacation advisor by calling (866) 858-1865 or booking through a travel agent.

We also have a special booking offer available this spring. Guests can save up to 20 percent on select rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel, and 10 percent on select rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, on most Sunday through Thursday nights between April 15 and June 14, 2018.* Book now through May 31, 2018.

The off is not valid for stays at Disney’s Paradise Pier hotel and travel must be completed by June 1618. Requires the purchase of a 2, 3, 4 or 5 day Disneyland Resort Theme Park ticket for each registered guest (ages 3 and older) in the reservation.

March 16, 2018
Spring Savings Up To 20% Off On Select Rooms At A Disneyland Resort Hotel
At the Disneyland Resort spring has officially started, making it the perfect time to take advantage of great rates on select stays in the middle of the magic.

For example, you can save 20% on Premium rooms and 15% on Standard rooms at the Disneyland Hotel most Sunday through Thursday nights from April 15 through June 14, 2018 when you book now through May 31, 2018 (travel must be completed by June 15, 2018).

Explore room savings available at all 3 hotels during select dates this spring:

Disneyland Hotel
- Save 20% on Premium rooms, April 15 through June 14, 2018
- Save 15% on Standard rooms, April 15 through June 14, 2018
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Save 15% on Premium rooms, April 15 through May 24, 2018
- Save 10% on Standard rooms, April 15 through June 14, 2018
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
- Save 10% on Premium and Standard rooms, April 15 through June 14, 2018
Interested in creating a vacation package? Consider adding theme park tickets to this room offer. Staying at one of these Disneyland Resort hotels makes it easy and convenient for your family to experience all there is to see and do at both parks—including Pixar Fest, a limited-time celebration kicking off April 13, 2018 at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Plus, each day during your stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, you’ll receive special benefits and a host of welcoming amenities with distinctive Disney touches that will enhance your overall experience.

Important Details
- Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel for most Sunday through Thursday nights from April 15 to June 14, 2018.
- Book from March 14 through May 31, 2018; travel must be completed by June 15, 2018.
- Premium room types included in offer are Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and only Paradise, Artisan, Junior and Regal suites.
- Offer is not valid on previously booked rooms.
- Advance reservations required.
- Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
- Excludes applicable fees and taxes.
- Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room.
- Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers.
- Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
- Separate theme park admission required to enjoy the parks.
The offers can be booked through May 31, 2018 and are valid for most nights from April 15 through June 14, 2018
March 15, 2018
Sneak Peek of Limited-Time Pixar Fest Food and Merchandise at Disneyland
Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort will be turning things a little inside out as they celebrate all things Pixar from April 13 through September 3. The the return of “Paint the Night” parade and Pixar Play Parade and the dazzling new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” is just incredible, but the limited-time foods, beverages and merchandise will take you to infinity and beyond.

Check out how some of your favorite Pixar pals and stories are inspiring delicious treats in unexpected ways:

“Up”
- Fried-ricksen Bologna Sandwich – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
- Fredrickson TV Diner – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
- “Up” Merit Badge Éclair – Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Disneyland park
- “Up”-Tart – Nutella Pop Tart Chocolate Fredrickson House & Balloons – Capuccino Cart, Disneyland park
“Toy Story”
- Boot Beer Root Beer Float served in a Souvenir Woody’s Boot – Golden Horseshoe, Disneyland park
- Jessie’s Berry Jubilee Funnel Cake (House-made funnel cake topped with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate cookie crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate, and gold-dusted whipped cream) – Stage Door Café, Disneyland park
- Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Funnel Cake (Strawberry-cherry topping, strawberry butter and streusel, with spiced syrup drizzle) – Hungry Bear Restaurant, Disneyland park
- Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Churro – Tomorrowland, Disneyland park
“Coco”
- Coco Churro (Chocolate and vanilla bean dust and salted cinnamon sugar served with a spiced Mexican chocolate dipping sauce) – Frontierland, Disneyland park
“Monsters, Inc.”
- Mike Wazowski Bread – Pacific Wharf Café, Disney California Adventure park
- Sulley Premium Popcorn Bucket – All Disneyland Resort popcorn carts
- Mike Wazowski Sipper – Disney California Adventure park quick-service restaurants
You can take this first-ever celebration of friendship home with you – or share it with a friend – with new, limited-time merchandise. Apparel includes Pixar Fest logo tees for adults and kids as well featuring some of your favorite Pixar pals Woody, Buzz, Mike and Sulley – to name just a few. Loungefly is creating a special Pixar Fest leather tote, and a limited release pin will feature the event logo. Be sure to choose this adorable tumbler featuring an illuminated claw reaching down toward an excited alien from “Toy Story.”
March 13, 2018
‘Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular’ Is Coming to Disneyland

Pixar Fest is the biggest celebration of Pixar to ever come to Disney Parks and it all starts April 13 at the Disneyland Resort. Among the festivities is a brand-new fireworks spectacular that celebrates friendship through dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music. “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will light up Disneyland park throughout Pixar Fest connecting guests to their favorite Pixar characters and adventures like never before.

The nighttime show creates an emotional journey told with light, music, and magic—one that begins with the meeting of unlikely pals and follows along as they overcome obstacles and form lasting relationships.

The stories of “Together Forever” will come to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of it’s a small world, and even the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. And in the grand tradition of everyone’s favorite resident of Pixie Hollow, Tinker Bell, flying over the castle, Together Forever will feature a flyover by Buzz Lightyear himself… and—incredibly—the house from Up!

“Together Forever is the crown jewel of Pixar Fest,” says the spectacular’s creative director, Susana Tubert. “In creating the show, the team and I decided on a format that reflects this idea of a ‘visual symphony’ or journey through the five stages of friendship. We have the first movement, called ‘Chance Encounters’; the second movement [is where] the characters fall ‘in like’ and go on adventures; they overcome adversity together; they forge everlasting bonds; and then we have the finale, which is a celebration of all the Pixar friendships.” says Tubert.

Don’t miss Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, debuting at Disneyland park on April 13!

March 13, 2018
New Wearable Disney Gift Card Designs Available At Disney Parks

From Disneyland Resort in California to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you’ll always find something being celebrated at the parks. And currently, Disney Gift Card is offering two wearable designs to make paying for the fun even easier at two celebrations taking place at Disney Parks right now.

While making your way through the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, have you ever wished you could take one of the flowers for yourself? The topiaries need to stay where festival-goers can enjoy them, but here are three flowers that were meant to be picked! Carry the beauty of the festival around your wrist by activating a Disney Gift Card with as little as $15. Available at festival merchandise locations throughout the park, the special-edition Disney Gift Card designs have a fresh, spring scent and are as photo-ready as ever!

Over at Disney California Adventure park, get ready to taste the culinary wonders of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Starting March 2, you can explore the unique flavors of California at Festival Marketplaces throughout the park. Keep an eye out for a special-edition Disney Gift Card design featuring Chef Mickey that, when activated with a minimum of $15, you can use to easily pay for everything the festival has to offer!

Disney Gift Cards are reloadable and never expire. Just stop by a merchandise or food and beverage location and ask a Cast Member for assistance. If you don’t spend it all at the festival, know that these and all other Disney Gift Cards can still be used for practically all things Disney from theme park tickets to Mickey merchandise at Disney Destinations nationwide!

March 5, 2018
Egg-stravaganza Returns to Disneyland Resort March 16

Hippity hoppity Easter’s on its way! And thats means that it’s once again time for Egg-stravaganza at the Disneyland Resort! This popular egg-themed scavenger hunt has become a springtime tradition at Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and Downtown Disney District.

Search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney and Pixar characters, and record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location.

Whether you choose to hunt for eggs or not, you can return your map to a redemption location for a special surprise. Redemption locations include the following merchandise shops: Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park; Disney Showcase in Disneyland park; World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District.

From March 16 through April 1, you can participate by picking up a map and stickers for $5.99 (plus tax) at select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland Resort.

March 1, 2018
New Lamplight Lounge to Open June 23 at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park

Pixar Pier opens on June 23 at Disney California Adventure park and when it does, guests will discover a new hot spot at the Lamplight Lounge. This seaside lounge will be an elegant yet fun gathering place for the whole family, located at the entrance of Pixar Pier.

Lamplight Lounge will serve California casual gastro-pub cuisine that is playfully presented along with unique signature cocktails. This seaside lounge contains a full bar with picturesque waterfront views from both upstairs and downstairs. At night, outdoor seating provides views of the illuminated Pixar Pier and “World of Color.”

Renovated from an old warehouse factory, the location has kept many features of the original two-story building. The steel structural elements as well as concrete and brick walls were exposed and repaired to tell the story of its past. The original wood boards from the factory were refinished and given new life as ceiling panels and floors. The furniture style echoes a relaxed feel and the end result is an open, airy and bright place that is organic yet sophisticated.

Lamplight Lounge celebrates the creativity, inspirations and personalities of the artists and storytellers who have brought Pixar stories to life. Guests will discover the artistic marks that the Pixar “regulars” have left throughout the lounge: concept art, a quick sketch on a napkin, knick-knacks and collectable toys of beloved Pixar characters will adorn the space.

Come discover the treasured keepsakes and tastes of Lamplight Lounge when it opens along with Pixar Pier on June 23. Guests wishing to visit the Cove Bar one more time are welcome to stop by as it reopens briefly beginning March 16 before closing again at the end of May for its permanent transformation.

February 23, 2018
Black Panther Now Appearing at Disney California Adventure Park

Now at Disney California Adventure park, guests can welcome the king of Wakanda! For this limited-time experience, Black Panther will arrive in the Hollywood Backlot area of the park flanked by his Royal Guards, the Dora Milaje.

Marvel Studios’ record-breaking hit, “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and Black Panther — is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

February 20, 2018