Artsy Photo-Ops Allow You To Be Part Of A Masterpiece Painting During Epcot’s International Festival Of The Arts

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January 22, 2017

Have you ever looked at people in a painting and wondered what may have inspired the artist to paint that particular moment on canvas? Now you can imagine being one of the characters in a famous painting by placing yourself into the painting. The artsy photo-ops around World Showcase allow you to be part of a Masterpiece Painting during Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts.

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The America Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase is hosting the photo-op for Artist Emmanuel Leutze’s George Washington Crossing Delaware. Of course, if you are traveling alone, it will just be you and George Washington crossing the Delaware but it is quite fun.

Between Italy and Germany you will find a really fun Artsy photo-op spot. Here you place yourself into the artwork as the characters depicted in the paintings. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is one of the painting options. The idea is to try your best to hold that Mona Lisa smile for your photo. The other side of this photo-op spot features Edvard Munch’s Scream. You are given the picture, behind the wall of the photo-op spot, to try your best to pose with a frozen Scream. This was really a great photo-op location. Be sure to have the photographer double-check that your photos are loaded onto your band. Not sure what happened but my photos from this photo-op spot were never loaded to My Disney Experience account.

Whether you are jumping in as an extra for Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party (located near the International Gateway), riding in a boat with George Washington in Emmanuel Leutze’s George Washington Crossing Delaware, holding a smile in Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or holding a silent scream in Edvard Munch’s Scream you are sure to find just the right part for yourself. There are no really serious moments in paintings as these visions on canvas are derived from the imaginative minds of the Artists themselves. Be sure to strike a pose for these Artsy photo ops that allow you to become part of a Masterpiece Painting during the 2017 inaugural Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

Which Artsy photo op Masterpiece Paining will you choose to become part of? Please leave your comments in the box below.

Ohana Bread Pudding now being served at the Tambu Lounge

By

Chip

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January 22, 2017

Great news! The World Famous ‘Ohana Bread Pudding is now available at Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian Resort!

For those of us who are not online exactly 180 days out to make Advanced Dining Reservations at ‘Ohana, now is your chance to get this yummy treat served with Vanilla ice cream and Bananas Foster Sauce at the Lounge just outside.

Actually the photo above is from Kona Cafe just next door to ‘Ohana. While dining at Kona I have asked the wait staff a couple of times for the Bread Pudding and one time our server hooked us up and the other time they were unable. So try it at your own risk.

But for now head on over to the Tambu Lounge and grab a Lapu Lapu and for dessert grab a delicious Bread Pudding!

Fabulous Scrollwork Hidden Mickey Key Necklace

By

Danielle

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January 21, 2017

They key to some girls’ hearts is food, some bling, others it’s flowers. They key to my heart though? Well, that’s simple, Disney! This Hidden Mickey Key Necklace by AOSDesign on Etsy is a fabulous token of that.

This beautiful pendant features a delicate Mickey head created with an intricate scrollwork design. The charm is an inch and a half long which makes it perfect for a statement piece. The Mickey key comes on a 19 inch chain, but I think I might put mine on a longer necklace for a more dramatic effect. This is a super affordable jewelry item too, at only $6.00 each! I would be so delighted with this trinket of Disney love.

What do you think of this Hidden Mickey Key Necklace? Is Disney also the key to your heart?

Your First Taste of the Food Booth Menus for California Adventure Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 21, 2017

If you’ll be at Disneyland between now and February 5th you won’t want to miss your chance to sample some of the amazing dishes on offer as part of Disney California Adventure Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration. The marketplace can be found at Paradise Pier and there will be three booths serving up holiday -inspired cuisine. Here’s a rundown of what’s on offer:

Korea Marketplace

Kimchi Bokkeumbap – Kimchi-vegetable fried rice
Yachae Mandu – Steamed vegetable dumplings with sesame-garlic soy sauce
Yasik – Sweet rice and dried fruit cake
Banana Milk (non-alcoholic)
Black Beer Stout
Hite Pale Lager

Vietnam Marketplace

Banh Chung – Sticky rice cake with pork
Chao Tom Voi Nuoc Cham Chua Ngot – Sugar cane shrimp skewer with sweet and sour sauce
Purple Sweet Potato Macaron
Ca Phe Da – Vietnamese iced coffee

China Marketplace:

Xiao Long Bao – Pork soup dumplings with black vinegar and ginger
Luo Bo Gao – Turnip cake with sausage and oyster sauce
Egg Tart
Passion Fruit Green Iced Tea with Lychee Popping Pearls (non-alcoholic)
Tsingtao Lager

Guests may also want to swing by Paradise Garden Grill as they too will be serving up some special dishes to commemorate the occasion. These are as follows.

Paradise Garden Grill

Japchae – Stir-fried vegetables and noodles with tofu
Galbi – Grilled beef short rib with steamed rice and kimchi
Cach Chien Ca Gion Ngon – Whole crispy tilapia with chili-lime vinaigrette and steamed rice
Pho – Beef Noodle Soup
Mango Pudding
Banh Khoai Mi Nuong – Cassava-coconut cake
Almond Milk Tea with Fruit Jellies (non-alcoholic)
Max Beer Lager

And don’t miss all of the exciting special events that will be occurring at Disneyland to ring in the Year of the Rooster including: culturally inspired music, acrobats, a procession with Mulan and Mushu and Disney characters dressed up in traditional garb.

Check out this article for further details on all the Lunar New Year happenings.

Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with Mickey Travels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect resort to sharing tips and trips to help you get the most out of your time at the parks. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email at [email protected] or follow along on Facebook.

Images copyright Disney.

“Moana” Sing-Along Sequence “How Far I’ll Go” Is Online

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 21, 2017

If you didn’t know there is a special sing-along engagement of Disney’s “Moana” in select theatres nationwide January 27th.

To celebrate that Disney has released a sing-along sequence of “How Far I’ll Go,” featuring music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Man trampled at Disney Springs is suing Walt Disney for unresponsive security

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Disney News

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January 21, 2017

While in Walt Disney World on December 25^th 2015 an Orange County man named Tan Bui claims he was trampled in Disney Spring by an unknown person. He has now filed a complaint against Disney for this incident.

Bui say he was at 1486 Buena Vista Drive in Disney Springs when he was knocked down and suffered physical injuries to his neck and shoulder. He is claiming Disney did not provide properly trained guards and that the guards didn’t provide adequate security and failed to evaluate criminal activity.

Bui wants a trial by jury and is looking for a judgement against Disney for damages caused. We will update this article as more news comes out.

Bui is represented by Derek L. Metts of Metts Legal PA in Winter Park.

Source

How to make Disney’s Tonga Toast at home

By

Chip

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January 21, 2017

While this is a must for us on every Disney World Vacation I imagine there is probably a few new Disney Addicts that have not tried the Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe or Capt Cooks. If you have never heard of Tonga Toast check out a few of our past articles to get you up to speed.

In the video below Chef Lawrence Searl from Disney’s Kona Cafe shows you how to make this delicious breakfast treat at home.

Oh and it is also available at Capt Cooks for around $6, but in my opinion, I don’t find it to be as good!

Be sure to check out how to make Mickey Waffles at home too!

How to make Disney's Tonga Toast at home

Disney Artist Thore Paints 108 Foot Mural During Epcot International Festival of the Arts

By

Lisette R

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January 21, 2017

One of the many things that Disney is really good at is Art. They have taken their talent for Art and introduced a new Festival for guests to explore in 2017. We were thrilled to discover that Disney Artist Thore, and Artist Team Member Doreen, are painting a 108 foot mural during the inaugural Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

As this was opening weekend for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, Thore and Doreen were just beginning work on the mural. Thore shared with us the Disney design concept art for the mural and explained that it will take 6 weeks to complete the 108 foot mural. He spent much of the morning drawing and measuring the first section. Artist Team Member Doreen Muir was mixing and measuring paint colors while we were there.

We checked back with Thore around 4:00pm and saw that they had begun painting the first section. He had also been working on the drawing that leads into the second section. On our way out at 8:30pm, we were able to see the additional progress that had been made with the painting of the mural.

You can find Thore and Doreen’s mural along the walkway beside Club Cool as you head towards the Imagination Pavilion. Be sure to walk through and check the progress of this beautiful mural during your visit to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Stay tuned here to Chip and Company as we present updates on Disney Artist Thore and Artist Team Member Doreen’s 108 foot mural painting during the next 5 weeks of the Festival of the Arts.

You can see our video conversation with Disney Artist Thore here:

Here is the mural progress from today

What do you think of Disney Artist Thore and Artist Team Member Doreen’s 108 foot mural painting? Please leave your comments in the box below.

5 Reasons to LOVE Garden Grocer Delivery Service

By

Chip

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January 21, 2017

What is a Garden Grocer and why are we so in love with it? Garden Grocer is a local supermarket outside the Disney World properties in Orlando. There are many grocery stores in the area that will make your deliveries but Garden Grocer does the best job by far!

Here are 5 Reasons why we love Garden Grocer:

Online ordering. It’s so much easier to peruse the selections online than try to explain something over the phone. Their system is very user-friendly and their selection complete. Coming from “up North” some of the brands were unfamiliar, but they had everything I was looking for.
Delivery. Right to your Disney Resort. With a delivery to our Disney Resort we didn’t even need to be in our room. Your groceries are left with luggage/bell services and the cold items in refrigerated storage. At most of the moderate or deluxe grade resorts you may have the groceries then delivered by bell services upon your return. Otherwise you can pick them up at the luggage rooms. Check with your resort ahead of time if you think there may be an issue.
Selection. Garden Grocer has a huge selection of products. They have baby items, snacks and even alcoholic beverages. The online ordering section is divided into “aisles” just like your grocery store at home. My favorite section…”Park Essentials”.
Savings. Buying these same items are a fortune at Disney’s gift shops. If all you want is a half-gallon of milk you can go into any Disney gift shop and get one. We even found we were able to use snack credits for boxes of crackers and cookies. However, if you are looking to save on snacks to bring to the park or have breakfast items on hand you will not save any money by going to the food courts.
Time. We don’t rent a car while at Disney. If we did, the LAST thing we would want to do is running to the grocery store. We would rather be relaxing by our resort pool or enjoying the parks. You are on vacation, for a small delivery fee and a little planning ahead you really can enjoy it!

The Facts

Order at least 72 hours in advance, longer if possible. There is a 36 hour minimum. You will select a 2 hour delivery window and the earlier you order, the better your selection will be. You will receive a courtesy call once your order is placed.
Delivery Fee is $14 and minimum order is $40. Deliveries over $200 are only $2.
You have to use a credit card to have your groceries left at the resort. COD orders require your attendance. The store will call to confirm with you before delivery.
Tipping is optional according to their website. We always leave a tip for the driver.
If you cancel your order before the 48 hour mark there is no fee. Inside 48 hours there is a restocking fee. It gets gradually higher the later you cancel.
Delivery times are between 8am and 9pm, 7 days a week. You select a 2 hour window but keep in mind they may deliver a little earlier.
Refrigerated items will be kept cold at a Disney resort. If not staying at a Disney resort, please check with your hotel/condo for their policies on delivery.
Visit Gardengrocer.com for additional and current information.

Insider Tips

Don’t go nuts with the refrigerated and frozen items. There just simply isn’t the space to keep them cold. Value and Moderate resorts have tiny, dormitory style refrigerators. For Milk or Juices do not order larger than a half-gallon.
Do go nuts with snack items. Order things your child wouldn’t normally have at home. This makes the snack special and can hold them until you are ready to splurge on the Mickey Ears Ice Cream Bar. Get those Disney gummy fruit snacks and Cars shaped pretzel bags. Put a few in your backpack every day for happy children (which equals happy parents).
Do order bottles of water by the case. Put a few in the fridge each night. No need to waste snack credits or cash on bottled water at the parks. Same goes for sodas or juices for the end of the day.
Do order baby supplies. This has been a packing lifesaver for us. We’ve ordered formula, diapers, wipes, gallons of water, etc for our little one when we traveled. Don’t forget to pack enough until you get that delivery though!
Do order breakfast items. Depending on your dining plan you may want to have some breakfast items available. Makes for savings and a quick exit from the resort in the morning. Bagels, Nutri-grain Bars, and Cold Cereal make great choices. Don’t forget the cream cheese!

5 Reasons to LOVE Garden Grocer Delivery Service

Pro Bowl Festivities to Kick-off at Disney World In a Few Short Days.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 21, 2017

Walt Disney World will be welcoming football fans by the droves later this week as the the Resort plays host to the a wide range of Pro Bowl Week festivities starting at ESPN Wide World of Sports starting Wednesday, January 25th. The venue will serve as the practice space for both AFC and NFC teams in the lead-up to the the Pro Bowl itself which will take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, January 29 and televised live at 8 PM ET on ESPN

Here’s a sneak peek of the various events that will be on offer during the days ahead.

Team Practices:

AFC Team Practice Schedule:

Wednesday January 25: 11:45AM – 12:45PM
Thursday January 26: 9:45AM – 10:45AM
Friday January 27: 11:20AM – 12:20PM
Saturday January 28: 9:45AM – 10:45AM

NFC Team Practice Schedule

Wednesday January 25: 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Thursday January 26: 11:20AM – 12:20PM
Friday January 27: 9:45AM – 10:45AM
Saturday January 28: 10:00AM – 11:00AM

2017 NFL Pro Bowl Experience – Taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on January 25 – January 26th from 10am – 6pm, and on Friday January 27th – Saturday, January 28th from 10pm -7pm. The NFL Pro Bowl Experience will run a series of family friendly activities celebrating the NFL including the following highlights:

EA Sports Madden Tournament – A chance for fans to enjoy both Madden NFL 17 as well as Madden NFL Mobile so get your gaming fingers ready.

Pro- Bowl Trophy Photo Op- Guests will be able to get up close and personal with the Pro Bowl trophy and snap a photo or two.

Airbrush Tattoos – Support your favorite team with NFL and Pro Bowl themed face painting and airbrush tattoos.

40-Yard Dash – Guests can try to out-run virtual NFL players on a 40 yard long LED wall.
Family Football Zone – This family friend, interactive area provides NFL fans of all ages with an opportunity to play together whether its through a game of catch or a range of other football or tailgating themed activities.

Virtual Reality Experience – Use the latest virtual technology to experience the NFL like never before.

There will be additional offerings available on the day including food trucks serving up Game Day favorites like BBQ, donuts and cheesesteaks. There will also retail shops where fans can stock up on the latest NFL and Pro-Bowl merchandise.

Admission to the event is FREE.

Pro Bowl Parade – On Friday January 27th, the Magic Kingdom will host a special parade in honor of the current Pro Bowl players. The four team captains will be joined by Mickey and his friends as well as children and their families from Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) in a colorful afternoon parade starting at 2.30pm.

Guests will be able to watch the parade live streamed on the Disney Parks Blog.

Pro- Bowl 5K – Don the jersey of your favorite team and head on over to Epcot for a 5K race present by Aquafina in celebration of the 2017 Pro Bowl. The race will take place on Saturday, January 28th at 7am. In addition to the fantastic views that runners will get to enjoy en route, there will also be live entertainment at the start and finish lines. The Pro Bowl 5K Run benefits Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida.

Mike & Mike – Live Broadcast – If you’re in the Disney Springs area this coming weekend you may catch a glimpse of Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic recording one of their much-loved broadcasts live form Disney Springs. The recording will take place on Thursday, January 26th from 6 am – 10am and again on Friday, January 27th from 6am – 10am.

Cant make it? Then be sure to tune into ESPN Radio.

Disney Springs Pro Bowl Dance – Get into the spirit of the game with this Disney Springs Pro Bowl celebration. The event will take place on January 28th from 4-7pm and will feature dancing, live radio broadcasts, NFL cheerleaders and Team Mascots. Visitors will get to participate in giveaways and dance the night away to the tunes spun by a Disney DJ.

This is just a sampling of the many events that are going to be available in the lead-in to Game Day. Others include: Special Olympics Flag Football, Pro Bowl Skills Shakedown as well as the Punt, Pass and Kick National Championship.

For more information on these and other offerings please check out www.ProBowl.com.

Planning at visit to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

Do you find tips like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I love sharing tips and tricks with my clients to help them get the most out of their time at the parks. I can also help you find your perfect package, make dining and Fastpass reservations and monitor for discounts so that you can save even after you’ve booked. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. You’d pay the same as if you were to book directly with Disney. Get in touch at 1-800-801-4025 at [email protected] or follow along on Facebook to find out more.

Image copyright Disney.

There’s Much To Celebrate About Disneyland’s On-Site Resorts

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 20, 2017

Disney is kicking off the New Year with a celebration of all things Disneyland and what better place to start then with the 3 fabulous on-site hotel options. Each of these hotels offer something distinctly different from the retro charm of the Disneyland Hotel, to the sunny beach vibe at Disney’s Paradise Pier or the luxurious California Craftsman-inspired Grand California Hotel and Spa. There’s also a fantastic list of perks making any of these onsite properties a worthy home away from home. These include:

Morning Extra Magic Hours.
Close proximity to the parks.
Private park entrance at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Disney character wake-up calls.
Merchandise delivery to your hotel.
The ability to charge purchases and meals to your room.

There’s definitely something to be said about having both Disneyland theme parks at your doorstep with a range of terrific benefits designed to make your time at the parks as magical as possible. To help you decide where you’ll be spending your Disney nights, here’s a brief run-down of each of the resorts on property.

Disneyland Hotel – This AAA Four Diamond hotel offers a tip of the hat to vintage Disney and Hollywood. It consists of 973 rooms spread across three themed towers: The Fantasy Tower sporting the artwork of Mary Blair, The Frontier Tower which features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain in the Lobby and the Adventure Tower where you may spot a Jungle Cruise Character or two. Speaking of theming. This hotel also plays host to a series of larger-than-life themed suites ranging from the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean, to the Mickey Mouse Penthouse. Recent refurbishments to the regular rooms also introduced cool features like light-up headboards to make your stay even more magical. Those looking for that extra special service may also want to consider staying in a concierge-level room featuring upgraded amenities and VIP access to the concierge lounge.

For those looking to enjoy some downtime, the Disneyland Hotel, also features a waterplay area, two water slides with a delightfully nostalgic Monorail theme, Minnie Mouse themed outdoor spa as well as 6 cabanas that can be rented for those looking for that extra little bit of luxury.

When it comes to on-site dining options, guests will also be “wowed” by some amazing options from Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar mixing incredible Jungle Cruise theming with devilish cocktails, live music and tasty bites. There’s also Tangaroa Terrace featuring island-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Goofy’s Kitchen is also on property and is character dining at its best. Those looking for Fine Dining need look no further than the Signature Dining restaurant Steakhouse 55 offering a contemporary take on classic steakhouse dishes.

A standard room at the Disneyland Hotel start at around $350 and night.

Paradise Pier – Reminiscent of the beachfront boardwalks you may remember from your childhood, this sea-side themed hotel is found adjacent to the bustling Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure and features 481 guest rooms housed in a 15 -story high-rise structure. The seaside touches are carried throughout the rooms including the recently remodeled suites.

The hotel offers a range of fantastic amenities including a rooftop pool area, whirlpool, fitness center, lobby bar, coffeehouse, poolside roof bar, gift shop and arcade. Those sticking around at the resort in the evening may also be treated to a beautiful view of World of Color nighttime water pageant from the comfort of their own room.

There’s also a range of fantastic dining options from Disney’s PCH which offers a daily Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends and the Beach Side Bonfire Dinner Buffet where diners are able to enjoy food reminiscent of Summer picnics, BBQ’s and bonfires. Guests can also enjoy a cocktail at the Surfside Lounge or for those feeling indulgent, take advantage of the in-room dining service.

Paradise Pier is Disneyland’s most affordable property with prices starting at around $250 per night off-peak and escalating to over $450 (depending on the view) during peak periods.

Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – That brings us to the Flagship Hotel of Disneyland. Celebrating the spirit of early California with its amazing architecture and Craftsman-inspired features, the Grand Californian is the first Disney resort in the world to be technically located inside a theme park (Disney’s California Adventure) and also owns the distinction of being a AAA Four Diamond Hotel. Here guests will find 948 guest rooms including standard guest rooms, artisan suites, two vice presidential suites and two presidential suites. This luxury retreat also boasts a full spa where guests can enjoy a range of relaxing treatments including Balinese-inspired massages, facials and even couples massages.

This deluxe Disney property offers a range of enviable features including 24-hour room service, rooms that overlook both the theme park and Downtown Disney and also its own private entry gate whisking guests into the heart of Disney’s California Adventure Park. The hotel also has 3 pools including the Fountain pool with waterslide.

As you can imagine the Grand Californian also offers top notch dining options from Fine/Signature Dining at Napa Rose (easily the most-esteemed eatery on Disney property) to the Chip and Dale’s Critter Breakfast which happens at the Storyteller’s Cafe. Those looking for some grown-up time may also want to take advantage of Pinocchio’s Workshop, a children’s activity center where little ones can play nightly from 5pm onwards while the parents take in a meal or head to Downtown Disney for a bit of nightlife.

But all of these fantastic features do come at a cost. A stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will typically set visitors back at least $500 a night.

With such fantastic on-site options available on the doorstep of Disney’s 2 iconic theme parks, visitors to the West Coast Mouse are certainly spoiled for choice. Any of the above resorts can be booked directly through Disneyland at 714-781-4565 by visiting disneyland.com or by contacting your travel agent.

Planning at trip to Disneyland? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I can help with everything from creating your perfect package to sharing tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your time at the parks. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at[email protected] or follow along on Facebook.

Images copyright Disney

Main Street Electrical Parade Begins Limited-Time Run at Disneyland Park

By

Chip

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January 20, 2017

Tonight is the night! Main Street Electrical Parade has officially returned to Disneyland park. Check out the highlights below and see this “spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination” now through June 18!