Classic favorites and creative cuisine
A Touch of Disney offers a selection of iconic food and beverage items from both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, from the world-famous DOLE Whip® to the classic Monte Cristo sandwich that is usually found in New Orleans Square. Many items will be served snack-sized, ideal for enjoying a variety of bites and sips from mid-day through the evening. Guests will find these favorites at locations around the park, including six seasonal and creatively themed marketplaces.

For something savory, guests can’t go wrong with lobster nachos, torta de papas street tacos, or an item that’s usually found at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar: sweet and spicy chicken wings. On the sweeter side, guests might choose a specialty churro or the new carrot cake funnel cake fries. Many kid-friendly menu items also will be available, like the Chieftain chicken skewer imported from Bengal Barbecue, the PB & J roll from Lamplight Lounge and the “Route” beer float in Cars Land.

Beginning March 11, table reservations for Lamplight Lounge and Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining will be made available for A Touch of Disney. Table reservations do not provide admission to A Touch of Disney and dining at those locations requires A Touch of Disney ticket that is valid on the same day as the table reservation. Reservations are recommended, and additional details are coming soon.

Guests may enjoy wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails, along with non-alcoholic beverages, at select marketplaces or dining locations. The Sequel is a favorite at Lamplight Lounge, and the Ginger Rogers is found at Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining.***

For added convenience and contactless payment, guests can take advantage of mobile food ordering on the Disneyland mobile app.**** Mobile order makes it easy to schedule when guests want to pick up favorite treats from the marketplaces, or from select participating locations inside the park such as Smokejumpers Grill, Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, Award Wieners and Cocina Cucamonga. Placing a mobile order on the Disneyland App does not provide access to A Touch of Disney. Only guests with A Touch of Disney ticket valid for the date selected will be permitted to enter the experience.
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Wave hello to Disney and Pixar characters
Once again, it’s time to wave hello to some favorite Disney and Pixar characters inside Disney California Adventure. As guests stroll through the park, they may see Mater and Lightning McQueen in Cars Land or Joy and Sadness at Pixar Pier. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are part of the magic, too, and you might be surprised as some of their fun-loving pals show up in unexpected settings.

In addition, guests will discover unique, new photo spots, and some will be available only to guests who attend A Touch of Disney. For example, they may get to pose for a photo in front of a Pixar Play Parade float, or with one of the colorful convertibles from Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, near Casa della Tires in Cars Land.
Disney PhotoPass photographers will be at select locations throughout the theme park to help guests create new memories at Disney California Adventure during its 20th anniversary year. Unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the day of the experience are included with admission.

Shopping from Buena Vista Street to Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff
Select retail locations also will be open, selling the latest apparel, accessories, souvenirs and even Disney Parks Designer Collection ears. Guests will enjoy popping in and out of the shops along Buena Vista Street, where the animator’s studio in Off the Page invites guests to peruse its selection of imaginative keepsakes. One of the newest retail trends are Disney NuiMOs, miniature character plush that can strike a pose in adorable mix and match styles. Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, the whimsical merchandise and confectionery shop at Pixar Pier, offers a scrumptious selection of treats including specially themed candy apples.

Outdoor carts will carry Disney treasures, too, including themed balloons that have become a must-have for many guests.

Downtown Disney District remains open seven days a week
Downtown Disney District will remain open seven days a week with unique shopping and dining that includes Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Naples Ristorante e Bar and LaBrea Bakery. Star WarsTrading Post recently opened in a new location as a destination for all things Star Wars. Guests are advised to check Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app for hours and details at Downtown Disney District.

Buena Vista Street will remain open as an extension of Downtown Disney District through March 14, and will be closed as of March 15. Beginning March 18, Buena Vista Street will become part of A Touch of Disney.

Health and safety measures designed for a magical Disney experience
With the health and safety of everyone in mind, A Touch of Disney will operate with limited capacity and enhanced health and safety measures in place based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.

Guests may visit Disneyland.com/ATouchofDisney to learn important details about the experience and about health and safety measures prior to arrival, such as the requirement for temperature checks and for all guests, ages 2 and older, to wear an appropriate face covering. Guests will find everything they need to know before they go!
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* Tickets are required for all guests ages 3 and up, and prices are subject to change. Tickets for the experience will not be available at the Resort, are non-refundable, and may not be resold or transferred for commercial use.  The number of tickets available are limited and no discounts apply. Each guest may purchase up to eight tickets.  Experience elements and information including, but not limited to, offerings, menu items, merchandise, and services, are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice. No refunds given for any such changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise.
** Disney PhotoPass is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions.  Online registration is required.
***Guests must be age 21 or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Limit 2 alcoholic beverages per Guest per transaction. A valid form of government identification will be required to verify age. A Touch of Disney dining card will not be valid towards the purchase alcohol.
****Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.
DOLE WHIP is a trademark of Dole Food Company, Inc. Used with permission. ​

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2021) – On Oct. 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened to guests for the first time, the culmination of years spent imagining, planning and developing Walt Disney’s magical dream. In the five decades since, the vacation destination continued to expand with new stories and characters and adventures to cherish for a lifetime. And now with a major milestone approaching, guests can share in “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, 2021, in honor of the resort’s 50th anniversary.
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This 18-month celebratory event will feature new experiences at the resort’s four theme parks and beyond, where shimmering EARidescent décor will appear as if by magic. Shining at the center of it all will be Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, which will add to its royal makeover from 2020 with new gold bunting, sparkling golden embellishments and other new enhancements, including a 50th anniversary crest warmly welcoming guests to the join the festivities.

Beacons of Magic at All Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks
As part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” icons at each Walt Disney World theme park will transform into magnificent Beacons of Magic at night, coming to life with their own EARidescent glow.

• Cinderella Castle will illuminate Magic Kingdom with a dazzling radiance that sparkles with pixie dust.
• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a warm light will emanate from the Tree of Life as magical fireflies gather to usher in the magic of nature.
• The Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be awash in a brilliance evoking the golden age of imagination and adventure.
• And at EPCOT, new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another in a symbol of optimism resembling stars in a nighttime sky. The iconic structure’s permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.

Mickey and Minnie: Dressed for the Occasion
As hosts of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be dressed in sparkling new looks, custom-made for this special occasion. Highlights of these celebratory designs include beautifully embroidered impressions of Cinderella Castle backed by fireworks, as well as a brocade in multi-toned, EARidescent fabric – all punctuated with pops of gold.
Joining Mickey and Minnie, Walt Disney World cast members will be at the heart of this event. They will demonstrate yet again why they are renowned for their commitment to service, consistently exceeding guests’ expectations by going above and beyond to make visits to The Most Magical Place on Earth special.
More details about “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will be announced in the future. For more information, visit WDWNews.com, DisneyWorld.com/50 and DisneyParksBlog.com, plus follow #DisneyWorld50 on social media platforms.

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Today is the 20th Anniversary of Disney California Adventure. And sadly, just like when the park actually opened, it's passing with very little fanfare. 

Nonetheless, we figured we'd take a look a look back at one of the more interesting and different parks in the Disney family. We hope you enjoy!!! 

We'll start our look at one of the AP Preview days they held before the park was open, aka, one of the very few days the park was busy during it's first few years. 

You've come a long-long way baby. 

We also did a "Theme Park Retrospective" of the park in 2001 last year. 

Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version. 

This first set is going WAY back to the earliest days of Disney's California Adventure. 

How about some DCA 1.0 night shots. The park always did look better at night. 

As the years went on, they added more seasonal decorations, attractions and shows. Looking back on this now, the "postcard" thing does kind of make sense. 

Of course, the big change came in 2012, and really continues through this day. Only a few things at the park are in their original 2001 state at this point. 

Marvel made it's way into the park a few years ago, and an all new Marvel attraction will (hopefully) open this year. 

The last big change at the park was Pixar Pier. I do actually miss "Paradise Pier". 

I've loved most of the changes at the park, but this one was a step back IMO. Still, it doesn't change the fun or excitement of the star attraction in the area. 

We hope you enjoyed this look back at Disney California Adventure. We can't wait to visit again, hopefully soon. 

​Related Updates 

• Grogu's Day Out at Walt Disney World - January 28, 2021
• Walt Disney World: Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Update - February 3, 2021
• ​Disney's Animal Kingdom Re-Opening Pre-Opening Cast Member Preview - July 7, 2020
• Disneyland Resort Update - Food and Wine, Avengers Campus and more - March 4, 2020
• Disneyland Resort Update - Lunar New Year and Rise of the Resistance - January 22, 2020