This week we discuss Bing Bong’s Sweet Shop opens without Bing Bong, construction wraps up on some food locations, Patron Liz joins us to talk about traveling with her family to the parks, and more!
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News this Week:
At long last, Bing Bong’s Sweet stuff has opened… only without Bing Bong! The Bing Bong character is missing from the end of the rainbow and is currently just a curtained off section. Other than that, there is a TON to see in this new shop. One of the highlights is the Memory Refreshers, which are frozen slushy like drinks that come in many flavors and colors. These were so popular in fact, that they sold out for a time on Monday. If you want something else sugary, there is almost no limit on the choices. From Inside Out cake pops, to Krispy Treats, to Marshmallow wands, there is something for everyone. The Disney Food Blog has all the information on all the unique items, with a great write up that you can get to by following the link in the show notes. – http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2018/07/23/review-bing-bongs-sweet-stuff-confectionery-at-pixar-pier-in-disney-california-adventure/ or https://micechat.com/200650-heat-crowds-a-disneyland-update/ or https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/07/bing-bongs-sweet-stuff-now-open-in-pixar-pier-at-disney-california-adventure-park/
Construction at the Mint Julep is now finished. The bar now has two registers outdoors and the windows are only used for order pick ups. The update was done in hope to help speed up wait times. – https://micechat.com/200650-heat-crowds-a-disneyland-update/
The Dole Whip bar is trying to cut down wait times for guests. They had a cast member walking down the line, taking orders with a tablet. Once you reached the registers, you paid and received your Dole Whip right away! Its good to see that Disneyland is trying new things to help shorten guests wait times. – https://micechat.com/200650-heat-crowds-a-disneyland-update/
Ranch del Zocalo is offering a new drink to help beat the summer heat- Blended Horchata. Horchata is a plant based, typically rice, milk, flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. The horchata is blended with ice and topped with whipped cream, making this a refreshing, cold, and creamy treat! – http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2018/07/20/new-blended-horchata-at-disneylands-rancho-del-zocalo/
A new photo wall is taking flight over in Hollywood Land. The new wall is inspired by Disney/Pixar’s Up and is located over by the Buzz Lightyear photo wall. Guests can pose with the giant bunch of balloons that was attached to the Fredrickson’s house. – https://micechat.com/200650-heat-crowds-a-disneyland-update/
Special artist events are being held at the WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney in July and August. On July 28th and 29th, you can meet the July’s featured artisan of the month, Nidhi Chanani at the WonderGround Gallery from 11am to 1pm. On August 18th and Artist Showcase will be held featuring Brian Crosby, John Coulter, and Bill Robinson. The showcase goes from 2pm to 4pm. You can meet the Featured Artisan for the Month of August, Jeannie Schafer, on August 4th, 5th, 25th, and 26th from 2pm to 5pm also at the WonderGround Gallery. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/07/upcoming-artist-events-at-downtown-disney-district-at-the-disneyland-resort-july-and-august-2018/
The Pixar Shorts Film Festival has returned. The film festival is being help at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land. There are three heartwarming shorts being featured in 3D “Bao”, “La Luna”, and “Sanjay’s Super Team.” – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/07/now-playing-pixar-shorts-at-disney-california-adventure-park/
The old Starcade upstairs area has completed its conversion to a new extended queue for Space Mountain. This new area gets guests waiting for the attraction out of the heat and into something more themed than the upstairs deck area in the direct sunlight. It is minimally themed and has a couple of props that are reminiscint of the loading area of the attraction. – https://micechat.com/200650-heat-crowds-a-disneyland-update/
Discussion Info:
Planning
A. Stay as close to the park. It allows you to get to the parks early and allows you to go back to your room mid-day if your kid needs too. I read somewhere that if you don’t want to go back, but your kid is in need of a nap and is fighting it, take them on It’s s Small World.
B. If you can’t stay super close utilize the Uber Pick up lot. My husband walks much faster than the rest of us and was able to walk back to our hotel, while the rest of us walked to the Uber lot. He then drove back to the lot and picked up the rest of us so our littles didn’t have to walk all the way back to the hotel after spending all day in the park.
C. Plan, Plan, Plan, but know that it may get changed. Let your kids lead you. They will tell you when they can’t go any longer. Be prepared for your itinerary to be changed by your kids. Stay longer in the park or leave early when your kid ends up with food poisoning.
Souvenirs
A. If you want to do signatures, be unique. We used a tote bag with the kid’s name and Disneyland 2018 written on it. While you’re in line, prep your item so it’s ready for the signature when you get to the character. They are always in a hurry. You don’t want to waste your time flipping through pages or trying to find a spot while your child could be visiting with the character,
B. Purchase souvenirs online or at target. They are much cheaper and then your kids won’t be begging for them the entire time you’re in the park. If your child insists on purchasing something, make sure you keep your receipt. If your child decides they want something else, you can exchange it for the new thing. Just keep your receipts.
C. If you’re going to be there for a couple days try to convince them that the first couple days are just for checking out the souvenirs and deciding on what they want and the final day they will get the pick what they actually want.
Safety
A. We used tiles to keep track of our kids while in the park, just make sure you don’t lose the tile.
B. At a trip to the park years ago a parent had written her name and phone number on the kid’s arm in sharpie.
C. Take a picture of your kid as you go into the park so you know exactly what they are wearing in case they get lost. This will allow you to show security what they are wearing
Easibility
A. Bring a diaper bag that is easy to carry and won’t kill your back. Also, make it as light as you can.
B. Try to travel without a stroller. We have a 3 and 4 year old and spent most of our 3 days without a stroller and preferred the time we had without the stroller.
C. Make sure to apply sunscreen throughout the day.
D. Try to have more adults than kids. Having extra sets of arms or distractions was a life saver.
E. MaxPass and Rider switch are lifesavers. Even with kids that can’t ride all the rides it still was a big help
F. Know where the potties and free water is
Misc.
Let your kids talk to the cms, ride operators, and shop keepers. Ours enjoyed talking to everyone and telling them about their trip.
