What Is New At Disneyland And DCA This Winter


We recently spent three days at our home away from home.  When people found out we were going I got a lot of "weren't you just there??" responses.  But the truth is we love Disneyland, we have annual passes, and we usually go every other month, but lately it has been monthly.  The reason we went last weekend is because I was invited to a blogger event at the Disneyland Hotel.  There was no way I was going to miss that.  I was so excited and honored to be invited.  More on that later this week.  We had a great three days in Disneyland, eating way too many churros and Mickey shaped pretzels,  celebrating the Lunar New Year, and literally running onto every ride (I have never seen Disneyland so quiet)!

How adorable is Kennedy in her new Freshly Picked Disney Moccs?!  More on those later this week.


January typically is a slow time at Disneyland in general.  They are currently doing maintenance on the Main Street tracks that is supposed to be done by April 1st.  Also Dumbo, Small World, Splash Mountain, and I believe a couple other rides are closed until spring for maintenance.









There is also lots of construction and changes happening in DCA at Paradise Pier, which will be changing to Pixar Pier.  There are walls blocking certain areas, but you can still ride Toy Story and King Triton's Carousel as of right now.  Pixar Pier will not open until this summer.  I personally think people have kind of steered away from visiting the parks until after construction and maintenance is done.  Here is an image of what it is supposed to look like.


I have gotten a lot of questions about visiting the parks and whether it is still worth it to go right now.  I would tell you yes, but we have annual passes and go all the time so not seeing certain areas or riding certain rides is not the end of the world for us because we know we will just catch it next time.  If you only visit once or twice a year you may want to save your money and come later in the spring or summer once everything is done and there is so much more to see and do!




Right now they are celebrating Lunar New Year in DCA.  It is located all around Paradise Bay/Park area.  There are food booths offering Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine.  There is a processional with Mulan, Mushu, Goofy, dragons, dancers and more.  This happens at 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm daily.  There is entertainment on the Paradise Garden Bandstand, with performances by the GuGu Drum Group in Paradise Park at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm.  There are character meet and greets with Mulan, Mushu, Pluto, Mickey and Minnie in festive wear for the Lunar New Year.  There is complementary face painting and an annual pass corner that allows annual pass holders a special photo back drop for pictures and a special button of Pluto.  There are crafts for the whole family.  There's also a special World Of Color show called "Hurry Home" Lunar New Year Celebration.  It is a 6 minute pre-show (only for the first performance of World of Color) before the traditional World Of Color begins.  All this fun will last until February 18th, so make sure you check it out!




They had an adorable Pluto lantern craft for anyone and everyone to do.  You can even take it to go and work on it when you want.  We never do the craft at the tables.  I usually take it to go and let the kids do it during dinner or back in the hotel room.




Make sure you add your wish to the lucky wishing wall




I follow thepixietraveler on Instagram.  I love her account.  She is a WDW local, but visits Disneyland often.  She has the best pictures and shares tips and I am obsessed with her account and her hair.  I was so exited to meet her in Disneyland, chat for a few minutes and get all the details on her gorgeous hair.  Did I mention that I just love her hair?!  Go follow her account and you can thank me later.  Kennedy in the bottom corner is like OMG my mom is so embarrassing!


Kennedy got to ride Jingle, the famous carousel horse.  It is the lead horse and Walt's favorite.




Most of you know we try to make Carter ride one new ride every time we visit.  We basically live in Fantasy Land all day and night and of course visit DCA as well, but breaking Carter out of his habits or his routine is hard.  Plus, I want him to experience everything Disneyland has to offer and he is now tall enough to ride everything.  I'm happy to say this time he rode two new rides!  We rode Autopia and he loved it.  We also rode Gadget's Go Coaster in Toon Town and Carter will probably not ride it again any time soon, but Kennedy loved it.




We also love meeting new characters.  I don't think we have ever met Mulan (who we met this time for the Lunar New Year) and we got to meet a bear from the Country Bear Jamboree.  The kids loved meeting the bear because they watch those Disney Sing Alongs from the 80's and the bears are in the videos.


We always eat at Naples and Tortilla Jo's for dinner each night that we are in Disneyland.  I love Naples, Blake loves Tortilla Jo's and the kids go for the balloon person that is at each restaurant.  Everyone wins!  The kids are coloring the Pluto lanterns that they were handing out in DCA for the Lunar New Year.



 Carter got Pluto for the first night


Kennedy went with Minnie Mouse for the first night


Kennedy got Elsa the second night and Carter got Mickey Mouse

 

Kennedy and her new Ariel doll.


Blake was in charge on Sunday since I had an event to attend and he took the kids to DCA.  They rode rides, visited with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and watched Frozen Live.  He did a great job!



The kids riding King Triton's Carousel for the last time.  It will close for good on March 2nd.


Pin This Image