Welcome back to another monthly recap! April brought a LOT to the resort – new celebrations, new restaurants, new characters, new tours…even new possibilities thanks to the Anaheim City Council. Let’s dive right in.
PIXAR FEST KICKS OFF
Pixar Fest is officially underway, and just a few days in the crowds seem to be LOVING the celebration.
Source: Scott Gustin
With a new parade, new fireworks show, new character experiences, and new decor – there’s lots to explore. But perhaps the biggest fan favorite offering during Pixar Fest are the 50 Pizza Planet Trucks, hidden throughout the resort.
Source: Brooke Geiger McDonald
Pixar Fest runs now through August 4. For more information about the event, check out the official page here.
Source: Laughing Place
SECOND BATCH OF CRITTERS
In March, the Disney Parks Blog gave us a sneak peek at some new critters coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Well a few weeks ago, the blog shared yet another batch of friends you’ll be able to meet within the ride.
First, the Rara musicians:
Source: Disney Parks Blog
And their official bios:
- Octavia the Bobcat – Octavia plays the vaksin, a single-note horn instrument popular in Rara music. She’s an adventurous bobcat kitten, and she loves climbing and hanging out in trees almost as much as she loves performing. This daredevil almost never gets scared.
- Pawpaw the Bobcat – Not only is Pawpaw Octavia’s devoted grandfather, but he also taught her how to play the vaksin! Pawpaw lives to make Octavia smile and has the view that everything has a way of working itself out – he’s seen it all but isn’t jaded.
- Claude the Louisiana Black Bear – Claude is a salt of the earth kind of bear (or, as they say in the bayou, “salt of the mound”) who plays his horn along with the other members of his family. He’s a tinkerer who loves to create with things found in the forest, and is frequently funny without intending to be, especially when it comes to his home-grown creations.
- Bernadette the Louisiana Black Bear – Bernadette loves to enjoy life, from splashing in the waters of her bayou home with her cub, Sebastián, to playing the horn with her mate, Claude. She’s a clear thinker and is warm and supportive. Bernadette loves to sink into the bayou waters and munch on plants (so long as Sebastián is clearly within sight).
- Sebastián the Louisiana Black Bear – Though he’s definitely a “mama’s cub,” Sebastián charted his own musical course as a drummer, despite his parents being devoted horn players. He’s happy to follow his friend Octavia’s adventurous lead as they explore and play, and is fascinated with the small details in the bayou, like the insects and mushrooms.
- Phina the Gray Fox – Phina’s enthusiasm extends beyond her drumming, as she’s constantly thinking of new ideas with optimism and energy! This imaginative fox is continually starting new projects with excitement, and her friends accept and celebrate her unique thinking.
Finally, we meet our froggy friends:
Source: Disney Parks Blog
And their official bios:
- Felipe the Frog – Deep among the cypress trees, you’ll hear band leader Felipe making musical magic on the piano! Felipe is also the proprietor of an exclusive bayou night club, where the local fireflies love to dance the night away to a musical recipe of hot rhythms and spicy melodies. He’s an old-school family guy, especially to his “family” in the band.
- Mayra the Frog – Have you ever seen a frog play a flower blossom like a trumpet? You will when you meet Mayra; be sure to stick around for one of her toe-tapping solos. Mayra’s the most ambitious of the four frogs and has been practicing her instrument since she was just a tadpole!
- Mondo the Frog – Mondo is a natural on the conga drums, which he made as a happy accident when his favorite bottle cap got stuck on his second-favorite acorn. From there, the rhythm in Mondo’s soul took over! He’s very copacetic and accepts what comes, a trait as steady and reliable as his drumbeat.
- Isabel the Green Tree Frog – Learning from Mondo’s example, Isabel loves getting lost in the music playing her congas. She’s the youngest member of the group, and there’s nothing she loves more than “going with the flow” and getting to play drums all night long!
DISNEYLAND FORWARD GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
I got a lot of DMs in the last few weeks asking questions like “so is Avatar Land confirmed? Is California Adventure going to add a new land? Will there be a third park at the resort?” And my answer to all of those questions is a super unhelpful “it’s possible!”
You might remember my post about DisneylandForward a while back. This is a nearly $2 billion project to expand the Disneyland Resort – but the specifics have never been announced. That’s because first, the project has to be approved. On April 16, Disney made major progress when the Anaheim City Council voted unanimously to approve it. The next step will be another approval vote in May, followed by a 30 day waiting period before Disney would be allowed to commence work.
Assuming the project gets approved again (thus formally green lit), we can expect to see more specifics about what’s to come in the next few months. But at a shareholder meeting this month, Disney did share some concept art for a potential Avatar expansion as part of the project.
OTHER UPDATES
In the mood for a new experience during your next trip to Disneyland? Starting May 11, guests can now purchase tickets for two new guided tours in the park: Cultivating the Magic (focused on the plants that bring the park to life) and the Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour. For more information about the tours or to purchase tickets, visit the official tour page here.
Happy news for Downtown Disney fans – Centrico (the replacement to Uva Bar) is now open! I can’t wait to visit – so far I’ve had three friends try it and all came back with positive reviews.
This month, both US Disney Parks rolled out some changes to the disability access service (DAS). These changes include doubling the enrollment eligibility, limiting party sizes, and a stricter “return to queue” process. For more information about the service’s policies, check out the official page here.
Despite some rumors in recent months that Autopia may be leaving Disneyland, the resort appears to be investing in the attraction long term. This month, Disney confirmed all Autopia vehicles will convert from gas engines to electric by 2026.
And finally, the BD-X free-roaming droids have finally started making rounds in Galaxy’s Edge. You’ll be able to see them throughout Season of the Force (which ends June 2). Check out this awesome video from Laughing Place to see them in action!