Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[RamblingMad]

Me too. Sometimes ther is something that I want to buy that is cumbersome or heavy and I intend to pick it up on the way out, but you know how it goes sometimes, that you just don't get back over to that shop or whatever. It happens, and it loses them a sale.

I never return to a shop more than once. I don't like shopping on vacation. But I'll hit a shop to cool off.

And I always say I'll buy something on the way out, but the shops are packed then.

 

[Naomeri]

I go home the day before these become available. That's annoying.

I arrive the day after they stop being available

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Eats Foodie Guide to Lunar New Year Delights 2023
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Foodie Guide to the Lunar New Year celebrations!

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

Main Street Bakery (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Duffy Mango Mochi Dessert Cup: Fresh mango, milk pudding, mochi, and edible gold leaf (New)
• Shellie May Red Bean Mochi Dessert Cup: Red bean, milk pudding, mochi, and edible gold leaf (New)

Main Street Corner Cafe Hosted by Coca-Cola (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Lo Hei served with Sesame Sauce and Chili Soy Sauce: Smoked salmon, cooked shrimp, abalone, carrot julienne, cucumber julienne, seaweed, Japanese turnip, Japanese ramen, crispy fritter, and deep-fried shallot served with sesame sauce and chili soy sauce
• Iced Sweet Purple Potato Milk: Purple potato powder, fresh milk, honey, and milk top (Non-alcoholic) (New)

Midtown Delights (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Kyoto Grape & Hokkaido Milk 5.0 Soft-serve: Swirl soft serve in Kyoto Grape & Hokkaido Milk 5.0 flavor topped with a Stella Lou Lunar New Year-themed chocolate plate (New)

Royal Banquet Hall (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Chinese Treasure Pot: Abalone, sea cucumber, smoked duck breast, roasted chicken, shrimp in tomato sauce, broccoli, mushroom, fish ball, pork skin, and turnip with steam rice and Chinese tea (New)

Starliner Diner (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Chinese New Year Platter: Seafood spring roll, pork dumpling, deep fried scallop, chicken wing, and nacho chip (New)
• Peach Soda: Peach, peach syrup, and soda water (New)

Outdoor Food Carts (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Golden Salted Eggs Flavored Popcorn (New)

Disneyland Hotel

Crystal Lotus (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 12)

• Prosperity Year Dinner Set: Honey-glazed Iberic barbecue pork; roasted goose with lotus seeds, chilled beef shank with plum wine; double-boiled with sea whelk, cordyceps sinensis and maitake mushroom soup; baked king prawns with toasted cashew nuts; abalone with sea cucumber, black moss, dried oysters and shiitake mushrooms in casserole; steamed-spotted garoupa; crispy chicken served with preserved red bean curd; wok-fried sticky glutinous rice with abalone cubes and diced chinese air-dried meat; red bean sweet soup with glutinous rice dumplings; and lava custard sesame balls (New)
• Chinese New Year Seasonal Dishes: Pan-fried candied golden oyster; braised fresh crab claw with shrimp mousse in supreme soup; wok-fried scallop with kale in preserved olive sauce; baked king prawns with toasted cashew nuts; and Mickey lotus seed paste bun (New)

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disneyland

CookieAnn Bakery Café (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 10)

• Candied Fruits Cookie (New)

Mickey & Pals Market Café (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 10)

• Spring Festival Afternoon Tea for Two (New)

Royal Banquet Hall (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 10)

• Spring Festival Family Feast Set (New)

Outdoor Vending Carts (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 10)

• Disney StellaLou Train Popcorn Bucket (New)

Quick-service Restaurants Throughout the Park (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 10)

• Donald Duck Tumbler (New)

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

Lumière’s Kitchen

• Mickey Pork Jelly (New) (Available Jan. 4 through Feb. 10)
• Eight Treasure Duck with Glutinous Rice (New) (Available Jan. 21 through Feb. 24)

Disneyland Resort

Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park

For some added flavor to your celebrations, you can purchase the Sip and Savor Pass, which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplaces and dining locations.

Bamboo Blessings

• Mickey Mouse-shaped Hot Dog Bun: Brioche-style Mickey Mouse-shaped buns stuffed with hot dog and finished with sesame seeds and scallions
• Mickey Mouse-shaped Purple Sweet Potato Macaron: Red macaron filled with purple sweet potato buttercream and a crème fraîche center
• Young Master Brewery Pale Ale with mandarin and bergamot zest
• Kloud Brewery Original Gravity Lager
• Master Gao Brewery Baby Jasmine Tea Lager
• Three Weavers Brewery Moon Rabbit: Golden stout with vanilla and Vietnamese cinnamon (New)
• Stereo Brewing Co. Gingerine: Ginger wheat ale with tangerine, honey, and lemon juice (New)
• Brewery X Green Tea Rice Lager (New)
• Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Black Rice Ale (New)
• Tsingtao Brewery Premium Lager (New)
• Tsingtao topped with a frozen mango beer foam (New)
• Lucky Flight: Tsingtao Brewery, Young Master Brewery, Stereo Brewing Co., and Three Weavers Brewery (New)
• Prosperity Flight: 4Sons Brewing Co., Master Gao Brewery, Brewery X, and Anderson Valley Brewing Co. (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Lucky 8 Lantern

• Quesabirria Eggroll with Guajillo pepper consommé filled with Oaxaca cheese, beef birria, and a side of guajillo pepper consommé (New)
• Mandarin Mousse Cake: Layers of mandarin mousse with vanilla cake and clementine compote finished with white chocolate crunch balls and a tangerine glaze (New)
• Coconut-Lavender Matcha Foam Iced Coffee: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. French Bistro Blend, coconut milk, coconut cream, and white chocolate sauce garnished with lavender matcha, coconut foam, sea salt, and purple sanding sugar (Non-alcoholic) (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Red Dragon Spice Traders

• Gochujang Elote: Steamed corn on the cob rolled in gochujang aїoli and cotija cheese drizzled with spicy gochujang sauce (New)
• Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites: Fried chicken chicharrones in spicy red chile sauce (New)
• Guava Ginger Whiskey Cocktail: Whiskey, ginger liqueur, guava nectar, coconut cream, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel (New)
• Dancing Firecracker: Pineapple and lime juices, guava nectar, spicy honey, and house-made hibiscus syrup garnished with a lime wheel (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Wrapped in Love

• Pork and Shrimp Wontons with a black garlic sauce (New)
• Bok Choy & Mushroom Dumpling with a black garlic sauce (New) (Plant-based item)
• Pineapple Baijiu Cocktail: Dark Rum, baijiu, Allspice Dram, pineapple and orange juices, and falernum syrup garnished with a dried red pineapple chip (New)
• Grapefruit-Melon Wine Cocktail: Sauvignon blanc, grapefruit liqueur, watermelon purée, rock melon syrup, and lime juice garnished with skewered grapes (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Prosperity Bao & Bun

• Pepperoni Pizza Bao Bun served with marinara (New)
• Char Siu BBQ Pork Bao with pickled red onion and jalapeño
• Peach Yuja-Ade: Yuja-lemongrass purée, dragon fruit and peach syrups, lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower tea garnished with a lemon wheel (Non-alcoholic)
• Soju Peach Yuja Ade: Soju, yuja-lemongrass purée, dragon fruit and peach syrups, lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower tea garnished with a lemon wheel (Non-alcoholic)
• Lychee Celebration: Gin, prosecco, lychee syrup, yuja-lemongrass purée, and grapefruit juice garnished with an edible purple orchid
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Longevity Noodle Co.

• Garlic Noodles: Long noodles tossed in zesty garlic butter with parmesan
• Spicy Pork DanDan Noodles: Pan-fried noodles with ground pork and spicy tri-chile sauce
• Raspberry Oat Milk Tea: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon Tea, raspberry and demerara syrups, and oat milk garnished with skewered raspberries (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Lunar New Year Offerings Throughout Disney California Adventure Park

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta

• Milk Tea Taro Cheesecake: Milk tea cheesecake with a taro mousse (New)

Lamplight Lounge

• Surf & Turf Fried Rice: Five Spice-rubbed New York steak, sautéed shrimp, fried rice, ginger pea purée, and chile oil topped with a carrot salad (New)
• Sesame Seed Donuts: Maple-glazed donuts topped with sesame seed brittle and served with a kaya jam dipping sauce (New)
• Three Weavers Brewery Seafarer Kolsch-style (New)
• Lamplight Lounge Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Aperitivo Aperol, carrot and orange juices, and cream of coconut garnished with a raspberry and mint (New)

Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining

• Pork Dumplings with Chinese broccoli, roasted mushrooms, Fresno chiles, and fried shallots (New)
• Lamplight Lounge Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Aperitivo Aperol, carrot and orange juices, and cream of coconut garnished with a raspberry and mint (New)

Lucky Fortune Cookery

• Mango Sticky Rice: Taro and coconut sticky rice with mango gel, toasted coconut, and fresh mango (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube

Magic Key Terrace

• Pork Spare Ribs with peanut-chile sauce, Asian slaw, toasted peanuts, and crispy noodles (New)

Pacific Wharf Cappuccino Cart (Mobile order available)

• Green Tea Horchata (New)
• Dalgona Coffee Bundt Cake: Coffee Bundt cake filled with sweet milk and topped with dalgona foam (New)

Pacific Wharf Café

• White Chocolate Apple Bread Pudding: Granny Smith Apples and white chocolate with crème anglaise and whipped topping (New)

Paradise Garden Grill (Mobile order available)

• Kimchi Bokkeumbap: Kimchi, potato, carrot, and onion fried rice with egg and Korean chili paste topped with crispy sweet and sour tofu and black sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based Item)
• Shrimp Lo Mein: Lo mein noodles tossed with shrimp, mushrooms, onions, carrots, and bok choy (New)
• Dak Bulgogi: Korean BBQ chicken served with rice and kimchi
• Bánh Mì: Grilled pork belly with pickled carrots, cucumbers, daikon, and jalapeños with a spicy mayo
• Sweet and Sour Whole Fish served with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables (served family-style for two) (New)
• Tiger Milk Boba Tea with brown sugar (Non-alcoholic) (New)
• Hite Beer
• Blackberry Soju Cocktail: Soju, blackberry purée, and lemon juice with a hint of ginger (New)
• Lotus Flower Glow Cube (

Sonoma Terrace (Mobile order available)

• Pad Thai Spring Roll: Shrimp with scrambled eggs, noodles, crushed peanuts, and Thai basil served with tangy slaw and pad Thai sauce (New)

Goofy’s Churro Cart

• Almond Cookie Churro coated in cookie crumble and topped with almond icing (New)

Outdoor Food Carts (Available Jan. 19 through Feb. 12)

• Chicken Bao with Curry Dip: Steamed bao with chicken, butternut squash, and kaffir lime served with a spicy red curry sauce (New)
• Teriyaki Turkey Leg (New)
• Baked Coconut Almond Nian Gao: Baked sticky rice cake topped with coconut and almonds (New)
• Blackberry Cotton Candy (New)
• Mandarin Orange Cotton Candy (New)
• ACE High! Hard Cider Imperial Apple Cider
• Master Gao Brewery Puffed Rice Chinese Pale Ale

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Hearthstone Lounge

• Rabbit Firecracker: Spiced rum, orange brandy, lemon oil, honey, and black tea garnished with star anise and pink peppercorns (New)

GCH Holiday Cart

• Lunar New Year Cookie (New)
• Assorted Pretzel Sticks

Storyteller’s Café

• Offering Lunar New Year-inspired offerings such as fried rice and spring rolls

Disneyland Hotel

Goofy’s Kitchen

• Offering Lunar New Year-inspired offerings such as fried rice and spring rolls

Downtown Disney District

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)

• Year of The Rabbit CrazyShake: Vanilla-frosted rim with red and gold sixlet, Chinese zodiac rabbit vanilla cupcake, red and gold rock candy, whipped cream, red sprinkles, and caramel drizzle

Catal Restaurant (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)

• Pork Belly Bao Bun: Pork belly, soy Gochujang glaze, baby mixed greens, spring onions, spicy mayo, and charred lemon (New)
• Kung Pao Paella: Valenciano paella rice, kung pao chicken, lemon vinaigrette, spring onions, water chestnuts, roasted peppers, roasted peanuts, and chiles (New)
• Lunar Eclipse: Gin, cherry liqueur, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and bitters and topped with soda and gold glitter (New)

Mad Dumplings Food Truck (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 5, starting at 3 p.m. daily)

• Food truck serving unique dumplings and rice dishes (New)

Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)

• Firecracker Chicken Pizza: Hoisin, mozzarella cheese, marinated chicken, carrot strings, and a firecracker sauce drizzle topped with a sliced green onion garnish (New)
• Lunar New Year Margarita: Tequila blanco, pomegranate juice, lime juice, agave, and simple syrup with a pinch of salt (New)

Sprinkles (Available Jan. 16 through 29)

• Lunar New Year Gold Bunny Almond Red Velvet: Red velvet cake with slivered almonds lined with an almond cookie crust and topped with almond cream cheese frosting (Available while supplies last.)
• Lunar New Year Red Box: Three Lunar New Year Gold Bunny Almond Red Velvet cupcakes, Three Almond Red Velvet cupcakes, Three Dark Chocolate cupcakes, Three Strawberry cupcakes, and Eight Limited-edition red envelopes (Available while supplies last.)

Tortilla Jo’s (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)

• Asian Tuna Nachos: Tuna marinated 24 hours in a Vietnamese-style sauce with diced tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, avocado cream, Asian spiced aïoli, and Vietnamese-style glazed sauce (New)
• New Year Sunrise: Rum, grenadine, lime juice, orange juice and pineapple juice (New)

Uva Bar & Cafe (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)

• Lunar Eclipse: Gin, cherry liqueur, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and bitters topped with soda and gold glitter (New)

 

[sherlockmiles]

One of each please! yum!

 

[Gusey]

Universal have just announced a new theme park coming to Texas:
"JUST ANNOUNCED: Universal Parks & Resorts plans to bring a new concept for families with young children to Frisco, Texas!"
"The new park concept, set in a lush green landscape and featuring immersive themed lands, celebrates Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor, and innovation and brings to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1613226021066575896

 

[Smugpugmug]

Universal have just announced a new theme park coming to Texas:
"JUST ANNOUNCED: Universal Parks & Resorts plans to bring a new concept for families with young children to Frisco, Texas!"
"The new park concept, set in a lush green landscape and featuring immersive themed lands, celebrates Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor, and innovation and brings to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1613226021066575896

Sounds pretty cool for families with kids. Top right in the concept art looks a little bit like Shrek's swamp + Far Far Away. A Shrek land could be really cool.

 

[fatmanatee]

Universal have just announced a new theme park coming to Texas:
"JUST ANNOUNCED: Universal Parks & Resorts plans to bring a new concept for families with young children to Frisco, Texas!"
"The new park concept, set in a lush green landscape and featuring immersive themed lands, celebrates Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor, and innovation and brings to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1613226021066575896

Also announced a year-round HHN location in Las Vegas. A couple of very smart expansions IMO.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1613231361002725378

 

[Gusey]

This really is turning into a big news week, and its only Wednesday

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Also announced a year-round HHN location in Las Vegas. A couple of very smart expansions IMO.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1613231361002725378

Now this horror-themed locale sounds interesting/promising. Looking forward to more details.

 

[BrianL]

This really is turning into a big news week, and its only Wednesday

Yeah, good stuff from both sides of the aisle. I think Uni is smart not putting full-fledged parks in those locations, but it does help spread their brand. Frixso is hte perfect place for a younger kid's park, and LAs Vegas willd efinitely have a crowd getting into the Horror Nights vibe.

They're trading news bites this week - ball's in Disney's court for tomorrow!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Henna Tattoo Art Returns to Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT
You can find Henna artists next to Lamps of Wonder, which houses the Princess Jasmine (and sometimes Aladdin) meet and greet.

 

[NJlauren]

All this amazing news and now I’m trying to guess when AP previews will be, if there will be a D23 event for Tron, or if I should plan on going opening day…

 

[HokieRaven5]

5 Favorite EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Photo Ops
There are quite a few places around EPCOT to capture works of art during the festival with Disney PhotoPass Service, but below are my top 5.

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Figment Magic Shots ​

Magic Shots are all about using your imagination, which of course leads us to Figment! This year, we’re introducing three new Magic Shots inspired by everyone’s favorite playful dragon. You can find these Magic Shots at the following locations:

• Figment Wings: Most Disney PhotoPass locations in EPCOT
• Figment Chalk Art: At the main entrance to the park and near the entrance to World Showcase under the Monorail beam
• Figment Flying: Most Disney PhotoPass locations in EPCOT

Tiny World Magic Shot: Festival of the Arts Edition ​

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This 360-degree shot near the main entrance of the park (now available both during the day and after dark!) has quickly become a fan favorite, so we’re giving it a bright splash of color during the festival. Even if you’ve taken this photo before, be sure to stop by for this limited-time edition.

Artful Step-in Frames ​

All around EPCOT, you can literally step into works of art. The more you have fun with it, the better your photos will be! I was going to include a photo in this blog post of me smiling just right in Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, but I couldn’t take the picture without laughing. Maybe next time! Disney PhotoPass photographers will be at select locations to help you strike a perfect pose.

Paintbrush Prop + Magic Shot ​

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No, these Magic Shots aren’t a figment of your imagination! After 6 p.m. at the main entrance of the park, a photographer can offer you a special prop that creates a beautiful light painting Magic Shot when the photo appears in your gallery. Art made easy!

Pixel Stick ​

When the sun goes down, the famous pixel stick comes out! In my opinion, this is the photo op where our photographers’ creativity really shines. Bask in the glow of the light while a photographer creates a painting around you. Every photo taken through this method is a completely unique work of art. This photo op usually draws an audience, because even if you aren’t capturing a photo, it sure is fun – and kind of hilarious – to watch the process. It’s available near Creations Shop on the pathway to World Showcase. When you see a giant light-up stick being masterfully twirled around, you’ll know you’re in the right place.

 

[LSUmiss]

Exactly! I have an AP and take two week long (or so) trips a year, which pays for it, but it's not like I can just pop down to DS or a park to pick up a new magnet when they're available.

That's actually one of the things they asked about when I received an AP Survey a few weeks back, and I told them this.

Yes! Our family has 3 APs & come down about every other month & stay on site!

 

[Leigh L]

I never even entered the resort in a car, only by resort bus and we took DME on the way out. It was the second resort in a split stay, so we didn't enter on DME. We went to a park from the first resort in the morning and came into the second resort on a park bus in the evening. Disney moved our bags between resorts. I have no idea why they flagged us as having a car.

They removed the charges once I noticed the night before checking out. Then when I got the final bill I had been charged for parking that last night.

We've been charged with no car as well, happened twice, I think.

Wdw does easily fix it though.

 

[SkyGuy]

We walked through Mitsukoshi department store yesterday and noticed this. I’m fairly certain this is new. I know the entire area had been ripped out. They even had the sign hanging. (If this isn’t new info, or I’m just incredibly unobservant, feel free to delete!)

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

We walked through Mitsukoshi department store yesterday and noticed this. I’m fairly certain this is new. I know the entire area had been ripped out. They even had the sign hanging. (If this isn’t new info, or I’m just incredibly unobservant, feel free to delete!)View attachment 731276View attachment 731277

it's new from october because i specifically took a pic here and said man i wish we could make another pearl!!!!

 

[voxparse]

Don't get excited. Don't get excited. Don't get excited.

 

[SkyGuy]

it's new from october because i specifically took a pic here and said man i wish we could make another pearl!!!!

That makes sense. Our last trip was in early October, and I’m almost positive it wasn’t there then. Thanks for the info!

 

[Geomom]

We walked through Mitsukoshi department store yesterday and noticed this. I’m fairly certain this is new. I know the entire area had been ripped out. They even had the sign hanging. (If this isn’t new info, or I’m just incredibly unobservant, feel free to delete!)

It would be great to have the pick a pearl back! We owe my youngest a pick a pearl. My oldest got one for her 16th birthday in 2016...the youngest turned 16 in 2020...so no pick a pearl for them yet!