There are endless beautiful sights in Monterey, California – from the beautiful beaches and hiking to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. See what else there is to do!
Can you believe they actually had this show at Disney California Adventure? It was a great show, and I am so sad it's no longer playing...Honestly, I'm sad nothing is playing in that theater currently!
Rogers: The Musical is a limited time showing of a 35 minute production about Captain America and a brief glimpse of the rest of the Avengers, too. This was my view from the balcony, on the left hand center-ish side of the stage. Honestly, I really liked this show. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, and it was not worth the cost of getting the $29 VIP seat, as this view was fine.
I showed up about 45 minutes ahead of the show and got a seat easily.
"A Timeless Story of a Timeless Hero
“I don’t like bullies; I don’t care where they’re from.” (Captain America)
In theatrical splendor, relive the life of Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America! The musical retelling takes you from Steve’s humble beginnings during World War II to becoming Captain America and leading the Avengers.
Be on the lookout for appearances by Peggy Carter and Nick Fury—and watch some of your favorite Avengers assemble in epic, show-tune style.
It’s a larger-than-life one-act musical coming this summer for a limited time to the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park."
Have you seen the new fireworks show at Disneyland, called Wondrous Journeys? It's fantastic! This is the opening night show, from Jan 27, 2023. The location for this view was to the left of the castle, right in front of the turkey leg/corn on the cob cart. It was an excellent view! My favorite part of the show was the mash up of classic Disney songs...seriously awesome. Fans were crying, this show was so touching!
Check out my video below:
Here is a map, showing my view. If you look on Google, you'll see the turkey cart listed. We were directly in front of that, on the curb. You can sit most of the waiting, but about the last 30 minutes to an hour before the show, they try to make you stand.
A Spark of Inspiration
Gaze
in wonder as Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. become a
marvelous canvas for 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios
storytelling. Thrill as talented artists transform empty pages brimming
with possibility into beloved Disney characters and vivid animated
worlds awash with magic.
All of this and more is brought to life
by soaring music, stunning state-of-the-art projection technology—and on
select nights, sensational pyrotechnics!
100 Years in the Making
For
over 100 years, Walt Disney Animation Studios has unlocked a special
kind of wonder in our lives. These films have inspired us to dream
bigger, unleash our spirit of adventure, discover the power within—and
realize that it’s kind of fun to do the impossible.
Wondrous
Journeys is an enchanting celebration of the wishers, dreamers and
artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios who have shared their
imagination and talents with the world.
This was one of my favorite shows at Disneyland! I am sad to say, it seems like they are retiring this show and not bringing it back. I am so glad I filmed it, so I have this reminder of what a great show this was. So entertaining for kids, and enjoyable for all.
This 25-minute musical, which casts Mickey Mouse in his classic role of the Sorcerer's Apprentice from Fantasia, features songs from half a dozen Disney animated films. The show was arranged by Timothy Williams.
The story begins with Mickey once again in the studio of Yen Sid,
as a team of mapmakers puts the finishing touches on an enormous map
using giant paintbrushes. Trouble ensues when the mapmakers quit for the
day, leaving a curious Mickey alone in the studio with a nearly
complete map capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable. Before
long, a paintbrush-wielding Mickey is absorbed into the world of the
animated painterly map (an ingeniously disguised LED screen spanning the
width of the stage, along with a trapdoor to initiate the shrinking
effects). His nemesis throughout the story is an amusing and stubbornly
unfinished portion of the map named Spot.
From here, a series of choreographed set pieces
starring a succession of Disney characters leap from itinerary stops
made during Mickey's journey through the magic map. After Mickey paints
his way out of the map, the show concludes with a pair of big production
numbers set in Hawaii and New Orleans.
In the end, Mickey realizes his mentor has been watching over him
the entire time, when the adversarial Spot is revealed as the pupil of
Yen Sid's eye.
Wow! I can't believe I haven't updated the blog in 2 years, almost to the date. With the crazy world out there, I just haven't remembered to post here. There also hasn't been a lot of new stuff or traveling going on for me to post about. That being said, I've got a new video all about the Disney Food and Wine Festival held at Disney California Adventure this year. Running from March 4, 2022 to April 26, 2022, it's going to be an event you don't want to miss.
My favorite part? Soarin' over California is making a return! The fan favorite version will be running while the food and wine event is going on, so make sure to check it out! Take a deep breath when you soar over the orange groves, because that's the best smell in the park :)
Check out my video, and let me know what you think; I love reading comments!
From Disney about the event:
Culinary Delights with a Disney Twist
The
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is back! Through
food and beverage, art and entertainment, we welcome you back and give
you a taste of what you’ve been missing.
During the festival, your
whole family will get to experience local, celebrity and Disney chef
demos and delight in a smorgasbord of delicious dishes curated by Disney
chefs.
Whether you’re a seasoned home gourmet or simply eager to
glean pro tips and tricks, the Disney California Adventure Food &
Wine Festival serves up heaping helpings of culinary fun for all. Here’s
a look at highlights for this year’s festivities:
Festival Experiences
Culinary Demonstrations – Local, visiting and Disney chefs prepare a few of their favorite recipes on stage––available weekends only!
Festival Marketplaces – Outdoor kiosks offer an assortment of mouthwatering bites, wine, beer and specialty beverages.
Family Programming
– Throughout the duration of the festival, find something fun for
everyone in the family including special activity zones and
demonstrations.
Festival Merchandise – Select shops and kiosks feature apparel, gifts, souvenirs, signed art and Festival Gift Cards.
*Additional
fees for seminars and events may be required. Space is limited for all
such ticketed events; advanced reservations are recommended. Full
payment for separately priced events is due at time of booking and there
are no cancellations, exchanges or refunds.
All events and experiences represent offerings available in 2022 and may not necessarily return for future festivals.
I don't know about you, but I had not realized that it's been 10 years since Disneyland last created an original parade! That's a lot of Mickey's Soundsational Parade, The Electric Light Parade, Paint the Night and Pixar Pal's Parade that I've seen over and over...so Magic Happens was a breath of fresh air.
This larger than life, super colorful and catchy music-filled parade is one you won't want to miss on your next visit to Disneyland. There are lots of good spots to view this parade, as characters and dancers interact on both sides of the street.
So check out my video below and leave me a comment telling me what you think!
I was lucky enough to be invited to experience Rise of the Resistance on media day at Disneyland, and it was awesome! I got to the park earlier than I have in many, MANY years, arriving at 7:30am. We had a continental breakfast in the Opera House, aka Moments with Mr Lincoln, before a panel headed by artistic and creative directors for the experience ensued.
After that we walked over and rode the ride. It was amazing. I didn't think I would like it that much, but the immersive experience is very unique. I am excited to be able to take the rest of my family on it with me once all the chaos dies down and it stops "selling out" the virtual queue fast passes within 5 minutes of opening.
Check out some of the photos I snapped while experiencing this attraction, and don't forget to watch my video! It gives you the entire ride, from queue to thrilling drop to end. Please leave a comment and let me know what you liked best about the ride, if you have already been on it, or what you are looking forward to most! Thank you!
Have you heard about Oogie Boogie Bash, the Halloween Party at Disney
California Adventure? This is the new show, Villainous! that takes the
place of the World of Color water show. It's brand new for this years
Halloween party. Villainous! is an all-new World of Color show on
Paradise Bay. It is a nighttime spectacular exclusive to Oogie Boogie
Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. You’ll be spellbound as fountains sweep
across the water in an electrifying display of lights, lasers,
projections and special effects.
"Shelley Marie wonders if she has what it takes to be as strong and
unique as some of her favorite, infamous Villains from Disney movies.
Stepping through the Magic Mirror, she encounters the Queen, Ursula, Dr.
Facilier, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent and a society of other
scoundrels—before making her ultimate choice."
Villainous! is only available to Guests attending Oogie Boogie Bash – A
Disney Halloween Party, taking place on select nights from September 17
to October 31, 2019 at Disney California Adventure Park. A separate
admission ticket is required for this special after-hours party event.
The party is sadly sold out, but if you were lucky enough to get a ticket, let me know how you liked the party in the comments below! Or tell me when you are going!
Curious where the best view for fireworks are in the new Galaxy's Edge? Luckily for us, Disney thought of that same thing, and they built an amazing area to view fireworks from! Check out my video and see for yourself.
If you were lucky enough to visit Disney California Adventure on February 11, 2019 or closely follow the Disney Parks Blog, then you were able to celebrate Anaheim Ducks Day in the park! It was a fun day filled with a special parade featuring the hockey players themselves, specialty food items released for that day only, merchandise available that day only, and photo ops you never have otherwise! Check out my video and see just how cool it was.
The brownie was cream filled like a ho-ho and so delicious! Even better was the macaron, which was a sort of vanilla/marshmallow cream on the outside and in the center was a raspberry filling. The cast members and websites that talked about these food items literally had no idea what flavor they would be. An official page for the Anaheim Ducks said these macarons would be orange cream flavored...not even close! But still delicious :)
It was a great day to be a hockey fan at Disney California Adventure!
This year, Mickey's Soundsational Parade is making a return! With new floats and costumes to commemorate his 90th birthday, even repeat customers will enjoy this updated parade.
Here is the map I included in the video for a closer look at where you sit and the parade route for this particular view that my video includes.
In this video, the view is from the 3rd row in reserved seating for the
parade. This seating is primarily used for VIP tour guide guests.
What Disneyland has to say:
Strike up the band! In honor of Mickey’s 90th, the Soundsational Parade
triumphantly returns to Disneyland Park with all-new additions sure to
get toes a-tappin’. Mickey leads the way, followed by Chip, Dale and a
giant cake baked especially for the celebration—then keep your eyes
peeled for Goofy, who’s towing a larger-than-life pull-toy “gift”!
Look sharp as Mickey and his drum corps kick off this whimsical,
rhythmical, high-energy procession, which stars some of your favorite
Disney Characters. Wave to Minnie and Pluto as well as familiar faces
from Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and more. Costumed
musicians, syncopated dancers and spectacular floats follow Mickey’s
animated beat, encouraging Guests to sing along.
Plus, the royal procession of Disney Princesses—including Snow White,
Cinderella, Aurora, Belle and Rapunzel—is not to be missed!
Have you wanted to attend Mickey's Halloween Party but never had the chance? It's a wonderful event for Halloween lovers out there, and until you get your chance to go, check out the exclusive parade and fireworks show that Disneyland puts on only during Halloween party events!
Are you interested in learning what Disneyland's Mickey's Halloween Party is like? The video below will give you a great overview, starting with Toon Town!
This year for Mickey's Halloween Party in Disneyland, my family started in Toon Town. This area opens an hour earlier than the rest of the park for the party, so you can get a head start on candy and character pictures! Don't forget, you have an unlimited photo pass on your party ticket, so all photos taken with a Disney photographer are free to digitally download, no watermarks!
Have you ever wondered what Fantasmic looked like at Disneyland? It's easily one of my favorite shows ever produced at Disney. Check out the video below for a full front row POV!
On July 17, 2018 Disneyland turned 63 years old! It was celebrated by having a special parade that Disneyland only does once a year, on it's birthday. Disney Ambassadors, Dapper Dans, and 63 Disney friends joined guests in honoring the Park. Very rare Disney characters made an appearance in this show! Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Max, Marie, Doug, Woody, and more! Hundreds of people sang 'happy birthday' to the most magical place on earth, and confetti was fired out at the end! Watch this amazing and unique parade of characters in my video.
