From September 14th through October 18th, Disney and AMC Theatres are bringing back the popular “Dream Big Princess” series, which will give fans of all ages the opportunity to relive the magic of their favorite Disney Princess movies on the big screen.
Starting with the live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, each film will run on a limited one day engagement at all participating AMC Theatres. The series will blend both live action and animated favorites in their lineup, bringing the best of Walt Disney Studios center stage for the engagement.
AMC is also teaming up with Hasbro and Walmart to include an added bonus promotion for those seeing the films. If guests purchase 4 tickets for any “Dream Big Princess” title online, they will receive a $5 Walmart Gift Card good towards any Hasbro Disney Princess Doll while supplies last.
You can purchase your tickets and find out if your local AMC is participating by checking out the official event page. Take a look at the full schedule below!
Why celebrate the spookiest time of the year for only 13 nights when you can celebrate for 31!? Freeform has expanded their annual Halloween programming event to “31 Nights of Halloween” bringing more thrills and chills to the entire month. From Oct. 1, the network will be invaded by everyone’s favorite witches, a murderous barber, out of control dinosaurs and everything else that goes bump in the night.
This year’s event will also be the exclusive television home for the film “Hocus Pocus,” which is celebrating its 25 anniversary, and will end with an all-day marathon featuring the hauntingly beautiful Sanderson Sisters. Also marking a huge milestone, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” will celebrate its 25 anniversary on Oct. 29!
“Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic,” premiering Oct. 14, will give audiences a spooky behind the scenes tour on how Halloween “spirits” spread throughout the Disney parks. From the executive producers of the “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings” series and last year’s special “Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic,” viewers will learn how the dedicated team of Disney cast members bring Halloween to life with pumpkins, ghosts and ghoulish delights around every corner of these magical destinations.
Below is a night-by-night list of the movies airing during “31 Nights of Halloween”:
Hidden in the sea of pumpkins, orange, and Halloween-themed merchandise, Disneyland guests may start to see a glimmer of Yuletide treasures as Disney has given us our first look at what’s to come for this year’s Christmas merchandise collection. The series is a perfect mix of classic Disney and vintage holiday themes.
Mickey and Minnie are center stage, being featured on various items such as candles, ornaments, and other fun additions. Though it may come as a surprise to see these pieces out so early, it’s definitely a pleasant throwback to the iconic “pie-eyed” Mickey era. Take a look at the complete collection below!
2018 Disneyland Christmas Merchandise Preview
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Though before you start singing Jingle Bells, don’t forget that Halloween time is about to begin at the Disneyland Resort! You can learn more about all the spooky and fun holiday offerings and merchandise by checking out our helpful food and merchandise previews. Stay tuned for all the latest Disney news and surprises!
Turn on your television sets and return to an era of nostalgia with Disney Parks latest release, a limited edition pin collection featuring the legendary moments of Walt Disney. The entire run is split into three collections that include a boxed set, individual pins, as well as mystery pin boxes. Each piece weaves the tapestry and evolution of Walt’s original broadcasts into the modern television hits that currently dominate the Disney Channel scene.
Each series focuses on different milestones, such as the original Disneyland television series, which was Walt Disney’s promotional push to prepare guests for the opening of the theme park back in 1954 on ABC. Each special, headlined by Walt and Tinkerbell, gave us a tease of what was to come, what lands were to be discovered, and how far along the Disneyland project had come.
Other prominently featured series include the original Mickey Mouse Club, DuckTales, as well as Winnie the Pooh. This set is vast, and is an unexpected surprise for anyone in the pin collector field. Though, even for non pin enthusiasts, this is a great opportunity to look back on the amazing legacy Walt help start, leading us to all the great television moments we treasure today. Prices range from $16.99 to $119.99, so make sure to take a look and make room in your pin collection before these limited pins fly off the shelves.
The first step in the larger world of Disney Parks’ Star Wars themed lands has begun, revealing a brand new Cantina scheduled to open in 2019. The Disney Parks Blog stated that Oga’s Cantina will be welcoming travelers from all across the galaxy, creating a haven for all those needing refuge from the epic war among the stars.
The cantina will be run by a new alien character, Oga Garra. According to the latest reports, the location will also adhere to a strict code of conduct, meant to keep the criminal element, scum, and villainous types at bay. Part of the larger Black Spire Outpost, Oga will be serving up exotic and highly sought after concoctions. Served in “unique vessels”, each item will be a rare treat worth exploring. The post also hinted at possible adult beverages, which will be a Disneyland first.
In pure Star Wars fashion, music will also be found at Oga’s, courtesy of RX-24, who you may recognize as the rookie pilot from the original Star Tours journey to Endor. All these years later, RX has found his home as the cantina’s DJ. This touching tribute is one of many amazing things that will be found both at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will open 2019!
Dole Whip is now on the go with Disneyland’s latest update to their Mobile Ordering Service, giving park guests a whole new reason to sink their teeth into the app feature that debuted earlier this year.
Two locations will be added in Disneyland with one in Disney California Adventure. Here’s a look at each new spot:
Tiki Juice Bar- Disneyland Park
Harbour Galley- Disneyland Park
Bayside Brews- Disney California Adventure Park
Tiki Juice Bar joining the list is the big news, as the world famous quick service location has a constant and overwhelming demand. Dole Whip is one of the most sought after Disney Parks food items, generating nonstop lines that last throughout the day.
This news comes shortly after the release of new information on Adventureland’s Tropical Hideaway, opening this fall. Next month more options will become available, including Edelweiss Snacks, Stage Door Cafe, Refreshment (“Coke”) Corner and Royal Street Veranda. There appears to be no shortage of new surprises, so stay tuned for more as the Disneyland Resort transitions into Fall Mode.
Anaheim GardenWalk, a unique “eatertainment” destination just steps from Southern California’s Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Convention Center (www.anaheimgardenwalk.com), announced the addition of Soccer Wearhouse, a specialty retailer offering soccer equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. The 6,363-square-foot Soccer Wearhouse is scheduled to open at Anaheim GardenWalk this fall and will be located on the Main Level near O’Neill.
“Soccer Wearhouse will be a welcome addition to the Anaheim GardenWalk retail lineup,” says Robin Weeks-Wynne, Senior Director, Marketing and Tourism, Anaheim GardenWalk. “The store caters to local families involved in soccer as well as dedicated soccer fans and visitors attending sports conventions at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center.”
“Because it’s within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Convention Center and only a short drive from dozens of well-known area hotels, Anaheim GardenWalk provides the perfect venue for our newest retail location,” says Diego Portillo, co-owner, Soccer Wearhouse. “With its unique ‘eatertainment’ offerings, Anaheim GardenWalk has become one of the area’s most significant and most conveniently located hot spots drawing guests that are a perfect match for our store’s ‘extreme sports’ demographic.”
From a sizable selection of over 250 styles of soccer cleats to the most sought-after European and North American soccer team jerseys and fan gear, Soccer Wearhouse is the place to go for all-things-soccer. The store carries a wide array of the industry’s top name brands – including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Under Armour and New Balance – and has developed a stellar reputation for its knowledgeable sales associates and competitive pricing.
The next time you’re on safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be on the lookout for Aella (pronounced “eye-la”), a two-month-old Masai giraffe calf who just made her debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna. Guests and Cast should be able to easily spot her as she is the youngest and smallest giraffe in the herd.
Born on June 29, Aella was more than five-feet-tall at birth. Up until now, she has been spending precious moments bonding and nursing with her mom Lily in a backstage habitat.
Named after an Amazon warrior, Aella is known to be a brave and bold young giraffe with a curious and independent spirit. She’s adventurous enough to explore on her own, sometimes leaving mom a few paces behind.
Aella’s birth marks a first for her parents – mom Lily and dad George. The pair was chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. Breeding this pair is important to the long-term survival of the species because it adds more genetic diversity to the giraffe population, which helps ensure future generations.
Aella will nurse for about a year, and then, as a herbivore, she will move to the lush vegetation available throughout the savanna. When full grown, she will use her 18-inch tongue to strip leaves off thorny branches from the tops and sides of trees to consume up to 75 pounds of food a day. That’s a tall order!
The Masai giraffe is a vulnerable species found primarily in Kenya and Tanzania. There are believed to be roughly 32,000 Masai giraffes left in the wild, and their population continues to decline because of poaching and habitat loss.
The Disney Conservation Fund supports conservation efforts in Africa to protect wildlife habitats, including those of giraffes. Earlier this year, several Disney animal care experts went to Uganda to help relocate a herd of giraffes across the Nile River to establish a newer, safer habitat away from oil-drilling fields. Another team went to Kenya to support a giraffe and zebra population census.
To learn more about giraffes and the threats they face in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com.
This post was written By Dr. Scott Terrell, Director, Animal & Science Operations
Nestled deep in the jungles of Adventureland, a new journey awaits with Disneyland’s Tropical Hideaway. The Disney Parks Blog just revealed the new location will open later this year, giving us our first tease of the new spot since the reveal earlier this year. A variety of unique food, beverage, and snack items will be available, quoted as “extraordinary eats”.
You will be able to explore exotic eats, such as a plethora of bao buns. There will be three to choose from: Spiced Vegetable Bao, Kaffir Lime Chicken Bao, and Bulgogi Beef Bao. Chilled Ramen Salad will also be on the menu along with a tropical inspired set of snacks. The blog also teased some sweet options, including Pineapple Lumpia, a spring roll filled with pineapple and sweet cream cheese.
This new spot will serve as an exotic marketplace for discovering extraordinary eats from all corners of the world. A variety of unique food and beverage items will be available for adventurous palates of all types!
The concept will also bring a new rest area to the park, which will be an open air dock that looks directly out to the Jungle River waterfront. The area will transform at night into an enchanting nighttime venue, filled with lights and music. More details will be revealed as we get closer to the debut of Tropical Hideaway. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will also be closed to assist in the transformation, reopening later this year.
Since officially debuting in June at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, guests have been enjoying the all-new #PlayDisneyParks app – from interactive experiences and activities created for select attraction queues, to Disney trivia that allows the entire family to discover fun facts about their favorite theme parks. And with integrated music playlists through a connection with Apple Music®*, guests are experiencing the magic from home.
We’re excited to share that guests can enjoy a brand new playlist, guest curated by Disney Legend Richard Sherman! The “Disney Parks Hits” playlist features songs specially selected by Richard based on his rich experiences writing music for revered Disney Parks attractions. The playlist is now available in Apple Music®* and in the Play app.
“Walt Disney always knew music could deliver far more emotional impact than merely words. We teamed his unparalleled optimism with our own to fuel the creative process. We will forever be grateful for the many wonderful opportunities Walt afforded us.” – Richard Sherman
The Play Disney Parks app has allowed users to celebrate the songs of Disney in a whole new way. By accessing Apple Music®* from within the app, users can tap into a curated audio experience featuring official playlists inspired by beloved theme park lands, attractions and characters – and some favorite memories too. =
But don’t just take our word for it – check out the new “Disney Parks Hits” playlist below!
The Play Disney Parks app features more than 30 unique playlists that celebrate the history and heritage of Disney Parks. From beloved classics featured in the Main Street, U.S.A. and Happily Ever After playlists, to newer favorites in the Frozen Ever After and Pixar playlists – there is sure to be something for every Disney fan to enjoy.
Apple Music subscribers will be able to add favorite Disney playlists direct to their Apple Music library, allowing them to live and re-live the musical magic of Disney parks at home. New users can sign up for a free three-month trial from within the app and enjoy full-length versions of their favorite Disney songs.
This is only the beginning for the Play Disney Parks app, with even more experiences and musical journeys set to debut in the coming months. To receive the latest updates, follow these pages for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
Starting Sept. 7, Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort begins and there’s even MORE treats and eats this year than ever. With new items galore and some returning favorites, your 2018 Foodie Guide is finally here! I’ve got all the details you need, including where to find all of the scary snacks you could ever want.
Across the resort you’ll see some returning items like the Candy Corn Cotton Candy, which can be found at various outdoor vending carts in both parks, as well as the Bat Cookie, which is flying into Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café at Disney California Adventure park, Market House at Disneyland park, The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel, and Surfside Lounge at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
For all the churro fans out there, get ready to chart your creepy course to try all of these Halloween-themed churros. There are even a couple churro-inspired desserts this year that are sure to satisfy your sweet fang… I mean sweet tooth!
Disneyland Park Churros
Churros near Big Thunder Mountain – Orange Sugar Churro with Candy Corn Sauce
Churros near Haunted Mansion – Pumpkin Spice Churro with Cream Cheese Frosting
Hungry Bear Restaurant – Churro Bites Cereal Sundae with fruit cereal-dusted churros, cereal milk anglaise, strawberry ice cream, and raspberry sauce
Golden Horseshoe – Churro Sundae with cookie butter gelato garnished with a cinnamon sugar-dusted churro and topped with cajeta and whipped cream
Churros near Sleeping Beauty Castle and Town Square – Maleficent Churro covered with chocolate cookie crumbles blended with colored sugar (you can even add Marshmallow Dip!)
Churros near Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Sour Apple Churro (with the option to add Caramel Sauce to this one!)
Now if it’s candy you’re looking for, get your trick-or-treat bags ready for these dressed-up candies. You’ll find these sweets at Pooh Corner and Candy Palace at Disneyland park, Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park, and Marceline’s Confectionery at the Downtown Disney District.
Halloween Candy at Disneyland Resort
Minnie Witch Apple
Jack Skellington Apple
Skull Apple
Evil Queen Apple
Jack Skellington Cake Pop
Bat Cake Pop
Mickey Mouse Mummy Crispy Treat
Oogie Boogie Crispy Treat
Maleficent Crispy Treat
Mummy Marshmallow
Pumpkin Fudge
In addition to churros and candy, there’s EVEN MORE Halloween-themed bites at both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park. Whether you’re looking for savory or sweet, we’ve got it all—from pumpkin spice beignets and apple pie sundaes to special hot dogs and soups.
Disneyland Park
Red Rose Taverne
Black Rose Dessert – black truffle mousse with raspberry compote and crunch center with a candy spider
Troubadour Tavern
Cookie Decorating Kits
Rancho del Zocalo
Orange Sugar Skull Pot de Crème
Frozen Abuelita Horchata – frozen Mexican hot chocolate layered with frozen horchata and topped with whipped cream
Café Orleans
Crab & Corn Chowder
French Market
Halloween-Themed Dessert Trio – with worms & dirt, salted caramel pudding, and pumpkin pie
Mansion Spider Bundt Cake – chocolate Bundt cake with green icing and a chocolate spider
Mint Julep Bar
Pumpkin Spice Mickey Beignets
Bengal Barbecue
Musubi Special – spiced ham musubi with lemongrass jasmine rice and pineapple teriyaki sauce and served with pickled daikon and carrots topped with furikake flakes
Carnation Café
Haunted Firehouse Chicken Sandwich – red pepper coulis, white cheese sauce, crispy pancetta, and arugula on yellow sliced bread
Gibson Girl
Apple Pie á La Mode – vanilla ice cream with warm spiced apples, crumble topping, and caramel drizzle
Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
Sweet Potato Hand Pie – sweet potato pie filling topped with orange white chocolate glaze and toasted mini-marshmallows
Cruella de Vil Brownie – brownie in a spotted cup with black dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate mousse, and a Cruella de Vil logo
Graveyard Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with cherry filling, dark chocolate mousse, Halloween sprinkles, and a chocolate tombstone
Spice Bundt Cake
Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake
Pumpkin Muffin
Mickey Mummy Macaroon
Refreshment Corner
Halloween Hot Dog – with spicy meatballs, cheese sauce, and oven-roasted tomatoes
Plaza Inn Restaurant
Main Street Mickey’s Pound Cake – pound cake filled with blueberry compote and cookie crumbles surrounded by whipped cream and garnished with black sugar and mint
Halloween Minnie Mouse Cake – cinnamon-praline Bundt cake with an apple center and finished with an orange glaze and sprinkles
Galactic Grill
Spider Parfait – chocolate cake, vanilla and chocolate pudding, and a thick layer of ganache
Alien Pizza Planet
Cosmic Chili Pasta – pinwheel pasta, chili, cheese, and green onion
Alien Spider Parfait – chocolate cake, vanilla and chocolate pudding, and a thick layer of ganache
Disney California Adventure Park
Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café
Sleepy Hollow Cupcake – red velvet cupcake with Headless Horseman chocolate piece
Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream
Purple, Orange, Green, and Black Sprinkles to Dip
Spider Silk Macaron Sandwich – black macaron with charcoal-tart cherry spun ice cream topped with popping candy and raspberry sauce
Bat Wing Raspberry Sundae – white chocolate raspberry swirl ice cream with raspberry splatter, red sprinkles, whipped cream, and bat wing cookie
Mortimer’s Market and Boudin Bread Cart
Mickey Bread with Fangs
Smokejumpers Grill
Green Apple Spell Lemonade – lemonade with sour green apple syrup, cherry popping pearls, and raspberry sauce
Pacific Wharf Café
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Mickey Bread with Fangs
Bacon Cheddar Ale Soup
Pacific Wharf Beer Truck
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Anti Vampire Pizza – roasted garlic sauce, marinated chicken smoked gouda, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a tomato-harissa sauce drizzle
Bayside Brews
ACE Pumpkin Hard Cider
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer
Corn Dog Castle
Spicy Pepper Jack Dog – dipped in corn batter, drizzled with blackberry sauce, and topped with sweet pineapple salsa, pickled serranos, and crushed cheese puffs
Cookies and Cream Funnel Cake Fries – funnel fries dusted with crushed chocolate cream cookies and topped with cream cheese, chocolate cream cookie pieces, and whipped cream
Anaheim Brewery Oktoberfest Beer
Oktoberfest Dog – kielbasa sausage topped with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, Oktoberfest beer cheese, and green onions
Schmoozies
Croissant Donut – filled with peanut butter and jelly
Caramel Apple Smoothie – apple, caramel, and ice cream
Whoopie Pie – filled with espresso chip ice cream
Hollywood Lounge
Bone Chilling Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
Spitfire Cider – apple cider with cinnamon whiskey
Stone Vengeful Spirit IPA
Elsyian the Great Pumpkin Imperial Ale
Ballast Point Dead Ringer Oktoberfest Lager
Mystical Michelada
Sour Apple Slush with Vodka
Green Apple Slush (non-alcoholic)
Supernatural Spirit – cotton candy lemonade with vodka
Fire Dragon Tacos – pork belly tacos with kimchi slaw, Korean BBQ sauce, and Sriracha crema
Flo’s V8 Café
Candy Cone Pie – cream pie with vanilla, butterscotch, and white chocolate pudding
Pumpkin Spice Shake
Cozy Cone Motel
Slow-Burnin’ Mac and Cheese Cone – fresh-cooked pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce topped with crushed chile-cheese puffs and served in a bread cone
“Spokey”-Cone Macaron – filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn
Hyperion Cart
ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider
Sam Adam’s Oktoberfest
I bet you’re DYING to eat all of these SCARY GOOD snacks now, huh? Well, get your stomachs ready, because these items will be available during Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort starting Sept. 7 through Oct. 31. So, come on out and celebrate the spookiest time of the season with us – and don’t forget to keep this guide handy so you can find all of your favorite Halloween eats!
The Tides Inn is an affordable Pismo Beach hotel perched on the bluffs of Pismo Beach (photo by Greg Aragon)
Sometimes I hear of a new hotel from a friend, an email tip or a news release. And once in a while, if I’m lucky, one will catch my eye while driving. The latter was the case, when a friend and I were recently heading home from a trip to Hearst Castle. As we approached the seaside city of Pismo Beach, I noticed a little inn squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and a giant, jagged rock standing along the 101 Freeway.
This scene was too beautiful to resist, so I pulled off the freeway to investigate. My suspicions were confirmed when we checked into charming room at The Tides Oceanview Inn & Cottages, located about a hundred yards from a bluff overlooking the beach.
To quote the hotel’s website, “the Tides Inn is an affordable Pismo Beach hotel perched on the bluffs of Pismo Beach, featuring sweeping ocean views of California’s golden coastline. Centrally located off of Highway 101, we offer a convenient, budget-friendly destination for everyone traveling to the coast.”
Our room was clean, cozy and efficient. It came with two queen beds, free Internet, coffee maker, mini-fridge and a couple lawn chairs outside the door, overlooking the property’s green lawn. The room’s best feature was its proximity to the ocean. At the end of the next street over from the hotel is a set of stairs leading down the rocky bluff to the beach. Once acquainted with the room, we took a stroll down the steps and relaxed on the Pismo Beach sand.
The historic Pismo Pier provides a iconic background to the beachfront town (photo by Greg Aragon)
It was a sunny August day and the sand was warm and the water cool, so we laid out a blanket and relaxed. After lounging we walked a quarter mile along the sand to the historic Pismo Beach Pier and Downtown. Here we found Pismo Fish and Chips (www.pismofishandchips.com), where we had a memorable lunch with fresh, white cod fish and chips, a light and delicious crab sandwich, and one of the best jumbo shrimp cocktails I’ve experienced.
After lunch we returned to the sand to look for the legendary Pismo Beach clams. Made famous by a great “clam rush” a few decades ago, the tasty shellfish were once so abundant that an estimated 5,000 people a day would come to town to harvest them. Unfortunately this led to overconsumption and endangered the population, causing an end to harvesting by the early 1990s.
But now Pismo Beach clams appear to be making a comeback of sorts. Officials are seeing thousands of them returning to the sand, but say that people must wait until the creatures are at least 4 ½ inches in length before they can be harvested.
Clams have become such a part of Pismo Beach that each year the city hosts the Clam Festival. Now in its 72nd year, the event will take place the weekend of October 19 – 21. This highly anticipated event attracts visitors from across the state. Highlights of the celebration include a local clam chowder-making contest, a clam dig, live music, a beer and wine pub, surf contest, food trucks, vendors, a family-fun kid zone, and more. Admission is free. For more information on the festival, visit: www.pismoclamfestival.com
Another exciting fall attraction in Pismo Beach is the arrival of majestic butterflies. Each year thousands of vibrant orange and black Monarch Butterflies flock to the town, seeking shelter from freezing northern winters. From late October to February, the little creatures cluster in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The grove is easily accessible and is located on State Highway 1 at the south boundary of the city limits.
The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of only five sites in the state that has counts of over 10,000. Spectators come from across California to view the Monarchs. Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable and well-informed volunteer docents offering daily talks and information.
The Pismo Beach colony is one of the largest in the nation, hosting an average of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years. For more information, visit: www.monarchbutterfly.org
The Tides Inn is located at 2121 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449. The property has 23 guest rooms and three private cottages overlooking the ocean. For more information and reservations, call: 805-773-2493 or visit: www.tidespismobeach.com
Each series focuses on different milestones, such as the original Disneyland television series, which was Walt Disney’s promotional push to prepare guests for the opening of the theme park back in 1954 on ABC. Each special, headlined by Walt and Tinkerbell, gave us a tease of what was to come, what lands were to be discovered, and how far along the Disneyland project had come.
