The DisGeek Podcast

Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland Resort Holiday Season Begins Nov. 13 with Christmas Parade, ‘Holiday Magic’ Fireworks, ‘World of Color – Winter Dreams’ and ‘Disney ¡Viva Navidad!’

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Official Press Release:

Additional Highlights Include Snowfall in Disneyland Park, ‘Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink’ at the Winter Village in Downtown Disney, Spectacular Holiday Décor Throughout the Resort

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 09, 2014) – The Happiest Place on Earth gets merrier beginning Thursday, Nov. 13, when the traditional warm and festive Disneyland Resort holiday celebration begins, bringing themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, delicious treats and holiday shopping to locations throughout the Resort.

The season, Nov. 13 through Jan. 6, 2015 (ending with Three Kings Day) will welcome the return of the breathtaking “World of Color – Winter Dreams” holiday spectacular and “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” holiday celebration in Disney California Adventure Park along with beloved Disneyland Park holiday traditions.

At Disneyland, the popular “A Christmas Fantasy” parade will be presented daily, with Disney characters celebrating the holidays and a special appearance by Santa Claus who, through Dec. 24, will also be greeting guests and listening to holiday wishes at Big Thunder Ranch. Over in Disney California Adventure, guests may find Santa in a familiar department store setting, greeting guests at Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street.

Guests won’t want to miss the special seasonal transformations of “it’s a small world” into “it’s a small world” Holiday or Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday. And nighttime in Disneyland during the holiday season is highlighted by the lights of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle and the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks show followed by a holiday snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square and “it’s a small world” mall.

Returning to Disney California Adventure after its successful 2013 debut, “World of Color − Winter Dreams” is hosted by Olaf the snowman from Walt Disney Pictures’ hit animated feature “Frozen.” The holiday version of the popular nighttime “World of Color” show features classic winter scenes from such beloved Disney films as “Bambi,” “Fantasia,” “Toy Story” and, of course, “Frozen.”

Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks get spectacular seasonal makeovers with towering Christmas trees, wreaths and, in Disney California Adventure, festive – and often whimsical – holiday décor in Cars Land, “a bug’s land,” Paradise Pier and Buena Vista Street. “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure is a daily celebration inspired by the warmth and joyous spirit of Latino culture and holiday traditions, with festive music and dancing, vibrant colors, delicious food, Disney character appearances and the lively “Disney Viva Navidad! Street Party.” “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” will conclude with a five-day celebration of the traditional Three Kings Day, Sunday through Tuesday, Jan. 4 through 6.

In the Downtown Disney District, guests may take a break from their holiday shopping and dining to go skating on “Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink,” part of the seasonal Downtown Disney Winter Village where shoppers will find additional holiday gift items on sale from the windows of the charming village houses. Disneyland Resort hotels join in the holiday festivities with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining with themed menus.  Expanded hours at both Disneyland Resort theme parks extend the family fun and offer more time for guests to enjoy all there is to see and do at the Disneyland Resort. .

For more information about the Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com/holidays.  For ticket and hotel offers, visit www.disneyland.com/offers.

About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and the newly reimagined Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical 973-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

New Menu at Flo’s V8 Cafe at Disney California Adventure

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In episode 88 we discussed a little bit about the new menu at Flo’s V8 Cafe at Disney California Adventure. While we are disappointed at the removal of the Pork Loin and the Roast Beef, that doesn’t mean what the new offerings are bad. They are in fact very good and I can personally attest to the BBQ Ribs plate.

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When you look at the new menu you may be under the impression that you are stuck with the side dishes. But you are not. You can substitute with any side dish you want. Here is a slideshow of some of the new food offerings:

Here is what the Disney Parks Blog has to say:

We’ve always been big fans of the Veggie-Tater Bake and any of Flo’s pies, but now there are new favorites vying for top spot on the menu.

Fall-off-the-bone barbecued pork ribs, with house-made Coca-Cola barbecue sauce replace the pork loin, served with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of crisp slaw. Also new is a hearty sandwich with shaved roast beef and cheddar on a garlic-chive bun topped with sweet, caramelized onions and kicky horseradish aioli, slaw on the side. The turkey dip also debuts on a potato grinder roll, with provolone cheese and turkey au jus for dipping and a side of pasta salad.

Ah, another pie joins the sweet line-up: coconut cream, making it tough to decide how to end the meal – maybe share that and the chocolate mud pie (or maybe the strawberry-rhubarb) with a friend.

Flo’s also adds Grand Am Beer on tap, joining the Racer 5 Pale Ale IPA.

Staying on the menu are the crowd-pleasing rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies, ditto for the Citrus Turkey Salad, but with a twist: it’s now lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and Craisins (those delightful dried cranberries) and a kicky citrus-tarragon dressing. And our favorite Veggie-Tater Bake is still there, a riff on shepherd’s pie made with bulgur wheat, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and Cheddar cheese.

Overall the food looks good. Maybe if there is demand our old favorites will return, and Flo’s will return to it’s comfort food roots.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

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While Halloween Time is getting ready, Disney announced today that Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will be returning!

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“Holidays at the Disneyland Resort” as they are calling it is set to return November 13 and will continue through January 6, 2015. It should be noted that this announcement didn’t include anything about a Frozen Holiday makeover at DCA as rumors suguested. Looks like there will be an “Frozen” Ice Rink in Downtown Disney. So if that is the case then why do they need to build one inside DCA when people can skate at Downtown Disney? However it’s possible that it could still happen. Also noticed no mention of Jingle Cruise. Also according to a twitter post I saw from Erin Glover, Disneyland Resort Social Media Director, Winter Dreams will not have the virtual choir as they did last year.

Here is a list of the returning favorites:

Disney California Adventure
World of Color – Winter Dreams
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! (featuring Three Kings Day, January 4-6, 2015)

Disneyland
“A Christmas Fantasy” parade
“it’s a small world” Holiday
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle
“Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular

Downtown Disney District
Downtown Disney Winter Village
Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink

Disneyland Resort Celebrates Halloween Time 2014

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Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is chilling, family friendly fun. From Friday, Sept. 12, through Friday, Oct. 31, guests will explore their spooky Disney Side with special Halloween transformations of Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. Disney villains conjured by a magic cauldron; dance to the Mad T Party band and meet Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes. [Read more…]