Welcome to Disney Digest

Hey there! I just wanted to dedicate this post to explain what this blog is for. At first, this was just for an assignment. In my journalism class, we were given the assignment to make a blog and act like real journalists and update it and write about breaking news. We were allowed to pick any topic we desired.Of course, me being me, I decided to choose Disney.

Disneyland has always had a huge chunk of my heart. From the time I was little, I called Buzz and Woody my best friends. I would watch Toy Story every day, and carry my toy Buzz around everywhere I went. My parents then soon introduced me to the magical world of Disneyland. I was blessed to have an annual pass several times over the course of my childhood.

Whether it was picking me up early from school and getting me McDonald's for a surprise Disneyland trip; or the late night tram rides back to the car, every memory I have I hold dearly. I think the magical thing about Disneyland is that it's a place to escape. It's somewhere you can go that no matter what is going on in your life, you can still experience the magic of Disney.

You can go to celebrate various life milestones, to re-live memories, and to experience a world unlike any other. Like Walt Disney once said:

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

With this blog, I hope to share the love and passion I have for Disneyland with others. I am going to post updates on exciting news and upcoming events. I want to really make this blog a place where I can bring people the best Disney content that I can find. That being said, stay tuned for more magical blog posts!

Disney California Adventure Brings the Heat with New Smokejumpers Grill Menu

Disney California Adventure Park is bringing something new to the table at Smokejumpers Grill; with a re-designed menu featuring several new entrées. Pictured above is their new "BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich." Disney Parks Blog describes it as:

"This excellent vegetarian offering has Bear Paw slaw, house-made sweet pickles, and crispy onions and comes on toasted ciabatta. The sandwich also comes with your choice of onion rings or waffle-cut fries." 

The choice of fries is also a new change to the menu. They will now be offered with every main course. The burgers on the menu also got a facelift.

"The Bacon Cheeseburger now comes with American cheese and a new signature smoked sauce that’s sure to have your taste buds tingling, and the Campfire Chili Cheeseburger now has a Bison-black bean chili as well as Jack cheese," Disney Parks Blog reports. 

Smokejumpers' Campfire Chili is now available as a solo-dish that comes with cilantro cream and a cornbread muffin.

Featured below are more updates on the menu from the Disney Parks Blog.

"The Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich spices up the menu with Bear Paw Slaw, house-made sweet pickles, avocado-ranch and blue cheese sauce. And if you’re looking for a salad, try the new Grilled Chicken Salad topped with black beans, corn, peppers, queso fresco, pumpkin seeds, cornbread croutons and avocado dressing. And if you’re wanting to quench your thirst after one of these mouthwatering dishes, you can now find a seasonal lemonade in addition to assorted fountain beverages.

For the kids, Smokejumpers now offers a yummy Chicken Skewer (also a Mickey Check Meal), the Basecamp Burger, Chicken Tenders and a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. These items come served with baby carrots, a kid’s yogurt smoothie and a choice of low-fat milk or a small bottle of water."

Lastly, dinner is not complete without a sweet treat. Smokejumpers has a variety of new desserts to pick from including a fancy S’more pictured above. 

Other new treats include the Cobbler Shake, "a creamy vanilla milkshake topped with a scoop of seasonal cobbler, a rosette of whipped cream and a crumbly streusel topping." There are also classic milkshakes available in vanilla and chocolate. 

Disney Parks Blog Introduces Exclusive ‘12 Days of Disney Parks’ Christmas Series

Disney Parks Blog has announced that they will be releasing daily-updates on exclusive Disney offers this holiday season. From December 5 to December 16 audiences can read about special events, videos and attractions coming in 2018. 

More information about this special holiday series is featured below: 

“We’re launching our first-ever 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas here on the blog featuring daily updates on exciting new offerings coming to Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in 2018 and beyond.

From December 5 through December 16, we’re unveiling exclusive new details about events, entertainment, attractions and more at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, as well as new offerings aboard Disney Cruise Line.

And each day, you’ll be able to read about the news right here on the Disney Parks Blog. Updates will include:

• Never-before-seen images and video

• New resort hotel experiences

• Delectable new dining options

• Special Disney Parks events

• Updates about new attractions announced at D23 Expo

The first of our special ‘12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas’ begins Tuesday, December 5, at 11 a.m., so be sure to check back. And then continue to visit daily for first looks at some of the great projects and updates coming to Disney Parks and Resorts,” Disney Parks Blog posted on Monday. 

Today, on the first day of the countdown, Disney announced new additions to the Pixar Play Parade that will be featured in Disneyland instead of its previous home in California Adventure. 

The Pixar Play Parade will feature the infamous Pixar lamp and ball, characters from "Up," along with some familiar faces from "Inside Out." The Pixar Play Parade will make its way down Disneyland's Main Street on April 13, 2018. 

Disney Parks Blog Releases New Floats Coming to Pixar Play Parade

In celebration of the "12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas" the Disney Parks Blog released new and improved Pixar floats that will be taking Disneyland’s Main Street, April 13. The Pixar Fest celebration will bring the world of Pixar to Disneyland featuring old and new fan favorites. 

To get the ball bouncing, the classic Pixar ball will roll down Main Street starting off the parade, followed by the famous Pixar lamp. With the Pixar lamp starting off so many movies, it’s only right to have it be the opening act for the Pixar Play Parade.  

“Up” next, the familiar faces from the Pixar feature film “Up” will parade down the street alongside all of the other familiar faces of Pixar. Disney Parks Blog shares some background on the “Up” characters that will be featured: 

“Wilderness Explorer Russel will appear astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin, with Carl Fredricksen and Dug following behind amid greed foliage and snipe chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above.” 

One of Pixar’s more recent stories, “Inside Out,”  will also join the Pixar Play Parade. 

“Perched atop colorful memory orbs, Joy and Sadness take flight aboard Bing Bong’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bomg himself cheering them on,” the Disney Parks Blog said. 

All of these floats and more can be found in the Pixar Play Parade coming to the Happiest Place on Earth beginning April 13. 

New Family-Friendly Attractions Coming to Downtown Disney in Early 2018

Disney just released a lot of new plans for Downtown Disney District, that intends to bring new excitement and attention to the popular Anaheim destination. It's out with the old and in with the New Year, and this project is expected to start it off right in early 2018. It will feature a new Star Wars hyper-reality attraction, bowling and dining venues, along with new retail shops. 

Exclusive details explaining the revamp are included below: 

"The new, groundbreaking hyper-reality experience, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID, will transport guests deep into the Star Wars universe, walking freely and untethered throughout the multisensory experience with friends and family. In groups of four, teams will go undercover as stormtroopers to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will open on January 5, 2018. Tickets available now at TheVOID.com," Disney Parks Blog posted earlier today. 

"Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a dynamic recreation destination offering a unique combination of dining, drinks, bowling and entertainment. The Downtown Disney District location will feature 20 bowling lanes interspersed throughout the location, four dining areas (indoors and out), more than 25 flat screen TVs, and the ability to host both live performers and DJs. Splitsville will open in early 2018."

Downtown Disney will be closing the doors to D-Street, an exclusive place to shop your favorite Disney and pop culture collectibles and merchandise, on January 2. In its place, a new home appliance shop will be opened, offering shoppers seasonal Disney-themed appliances and decorations. 

More updates and information about the Downtown Disney District can be found at DisneyParksBlog.com.  

Disney Donates to Make-A-Wish with #ShareYourEars

Get ready to take a selfie! This holiday season Disney will be donating $5 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million, for every Mickey-eared-photo shared using the hashtag #ShareYourEars. Disney Parks Blog shared earlier today how you can be apart of the magic. 

"From now until Christmas Day – December 25, 2017 – Disney Parks is hoping you’ll post fun and unique “ear photos” with the hashtag #ShareYourEars. You can post right now." 

  

A post shared by Whosits & Whatsits (@whositswhatsits) on Dec 4, 2017 at 3:27pm PST

Any photo with the hashtag #ShareYourEars that's posted to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram will be included in the donation. This isn't the first time Disney has done this fundraiser. Last year, devoted fans doubled the amount pledged and were able to reach $2 million in proceeds.

With Disney granting more than 9,000 wishes worldwide every year, this is a foundation that is very dear to their hearts. So grab some ears and a camera to help make some dreams come true. 

Holiday Sweets Arrive at the Disneyland Resort

The holiday season is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort and here are a few sweet treats that can be found exclusively inside the park. The Dinsey Parks Blog shared a few of the most memorable treats from this season.

Pictured above is one example described as "Mickey Mouse- and Minnie Mouse-shaped gingerbread crispy treats." A trip to Disneyland is not complete without a candy apple. Disney Parks Blog shared two different apples that have been sprinkled with some extra holiday magic.

Disney Parks Blog gushes about these apples describing them as: "peppermint dark chocolate apple coated in candy-covered chocolate, a Sandy Claws apple, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse apples dipped in chocolate and coated in red sugar."

Other treats include the "peppermint marshmallow wand – marshmallows dipped in chocolate and coated with crushed candy cane pieces." Along with "peppermint bark and peppermint fudge and, of course, the famous Disneyland hand-pulled candy canes." 

All of these sweets and more can be found in most sweet shops inside the Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure. These candies and much more are available now until Jan. 7. 

#DisneyParksLIVE 'Believe...in Holiday Magic' didn't Shine as Bright as 'Likes for Lights'

Tonight the Disney Parks Blog hosted #DisneyParksLIVE featuring Disneyland's infamous Holiday Fireworks show. The live stream allowed fans to see the exclusive holiday-themed fireworks show; that is typically only available for park-goers. 

This isn't the first live stream Disneyland has done this holiday season. Previously Disney partnered with Facebook to help kick off the season by doing "Likes for Lights." Viewers could like or add a reaction to the live stream and based on how many likes there were, the tree on Disneyland's Main Street would light up in correspondence. 

The "Likes for Lights" live stream received over 59 thousand live views, while #DisneyParksLIVE only got seven thousand views. Both shows were accessible thorough Facebook and Twitter. Taking into consideration the amount of fan-interaction the "Likes for Lights" promoted, that could have been the main reason why it received so many views. 

While helping light up a Christmas tree is  be a big task, sometimes it's nice to stand (or in this case sit back) and watch the show. 

Highlights of tonight's event can be viewed below: 

Disneyland's 'Believe...in Holiday Magic' Fireworks Spectacular Streaming Live Nov. 30

The Disney Parks Blog announced Tuesday that they will be streaming the highly anticipated holiday fireworks show from Disneyland this Thursday. Information about the live stream is featured below:

"The holidays begin here at the Disneyland Resort, and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is in full swing, with returning favorites such as “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks, “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at Disneyland park; and Festival of Holidays, including Disney ¡Viva Navidad! and “World of Color – Winter Dreams” at Disney California Adventure park. There is even new festive holiday decor at Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort."

Dinsey fans can tune into the live stream on Nov. 30 starting at 8:40 p.m. PST.

‘Incredibles 2’ Trailer Released and Disney Fans are Ecstatic

Disney released the trailer for the new upcoming installment of The Incredibles today. Considering it’s been 13 years since the last movie, the long-awaited trailer has excited Disney fans of all ages. The first movie earned an Oscar for the best-animated feature film of the year in 2005.

The trailer for #Incredibles2 is here. See the film in theatres in 3D June 15th, 2018. pic.twitter.com/uvB4NbaNQB

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) November 18, 2017

The trailer features the youngest member of the Parr family, Jack-Jack, testing out his newly discovered powers. With lasers shooting from his eyes, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of mischief this super-baby will get himself into.

Fans took to Twitter Saturday afternoon to share their reactions to the trailer.

Me right now #TheIncredibles2 pic.twitter.com/odI7Tsuu5D

— Devin Colson (@DevinColson) November 18, 2017

FINALLY pic.twitter.com/Kihrj3scFx

— BATMAN (@Batmancanseeyou) November 18, 2017

 Incredibles 2 will be released June 15, 2018.

Disneyland Lights Tree with Likes

Disneyland partnered with Facebook to create a fun and interactive way for fans to help kick-off the holiday season from the comfort of their own home. "Likes for Lights" let Disney-lovers help light the Main Street Christmas Tree by liking and adding reactions to the Facebook live video that aired tonight at 5 p.m. PST. 

The more audience viewers liked the video and added their own reaction, the more the tree would light up on Main Street. Disney also included fun facts and riddles for viewers to answer while they tapped away at their screens. 

By going live on Facebook, Disney was able to bring the magic of the Christmas tree lighting to thousands of viewers that typically would only be available for individuals in the park to experience.