It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago, Disney Parks Moms Panelist Amanda Ficili and I were at Disneyland Resort filming a commercial in the not-yet-opened Cars Land. As we walked down the vacant Route 66 that morning, we were beyond giddy with excitement. In just a few days, the grand opening was planned and we were running on all pistons. Not far from that spot, Courtney Bautista was also giddy in anticipation for the park that would thrill her then 2-year-old moto-tot Mason.

What a difference a year makes! Courtney’s dreams came true and she became our third Disney Parks Moms Panelist representing the Disneyland Resort. Now that Mason is turning three this summer, Courtney and her family have made it a must to visit Cars Land whenever they can.

“From the moment we entered Cars Land, it was like stepping into the town of Radiator Springs. The look on Mason’s star-struck face when he spotted his favorite characters, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, was one I’ll never forget.”

Cars Land has become one of Courtney and Mason’s favorite places to visit at the Disneyland Resort, but for Courtney, it’s the snack fare that gets her motor revving.

“Every time we are there, the Disney foodie in me has to grab one of the tasty ‘cone-coctions‘ from the Cozy Cone Motel. My favorite? The dill pickle flavored popcorn.”

Courtney says the evenings are a great time to visit. “Cars Land is especially stunning at night. The countless colorful neon lights and the Cadillac Mountain Range in Ornament Valley truly look like the skyline of a bygone era. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the six peaks of the mountain range represent Cadillac tail fins from 1957-1962!”

What is your favorite blast from the past at Cars Land?

Tagged: Cars Land, DCA, DLR, Moms Panel

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort, Vacation Planning

It’s a beautiful afternoon here in Carthay Circle at Disney California Adventure park. This is the kind of day when I like to grab a cup of coffee from Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, take a seat on the fountain in the middle of Carthay Circle, and watch people walk by. It’s a great spot for people-watching, because no matter where you are going at Disney California Adventure park, it seems all roads eventually lead through Carthay Circle.

What is your favorite people-watching spot at the Disneyland Resort? Let me know in the comments!

Tagged: DCA, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

Earlier this week, legendary singer-songwriter Rod Stewart brought his family to the Disneyland Resort to celebrate his son Aiden’s second birthday. We caught up with the Stewart family in Disney California Adventure park where Goofy stopped by for a photo aboard the Red Car Trolley. Rod, one of rock’s style icons, let Goofy know how much he liked his suit and it was obvious that the birthday boy immediately recognized him from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Junior – the two even danced a little jig while singing the show’s catchy theme song – hot dog!

Rod is a huge model railroad enthusiast, and before he and Aiden disembarked the Red Car Trolley, they couldn’t resist blowing the whistle of car 623. All aboard for a special rockin’ birthday memory!

Tagged: DCA, DLR

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

If you’re – like me – counting down the days until “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in theaters March 8, I’ve got exciting news for you. From February 16-March 31, Disney California Adventure park guests can experience a special sneak peek of Disney’s new fantastical adventure as part of “Limited Time Magic.” Throughout the day at the Muppet*Vision 3D theater, guests will have the opportunity to see an Exclusive 4D Sneak Peek of the film.

And don’t forget – you can experience these “Limited Time Magic” offerings and more at the Disneyland Resort for less with our special limited-time ticket offer.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Limited Time Magic

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

In a tribute to True Love Week, we’re showcasing 13 romantic places at the Disneyland Resort, hoping you’ll discover them this week for a special date, and enjoy them all year long. Some are classics and some may surprise you.

At Disney California Adventure park:

1. Two seats in the balcony of Hyperion Theatre: Great for holding hands and watching “Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular,” starring Jasmine and Prince Ali.
2. A booth at Flo’s V8 Café: Arrive just before dusk and watch the fun on Radiator Springs Racers as you sip a soda, with two straws.
3. Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge: A terrace table overlooking Buena Vista Street at dusk captures the romance of a bygone era, a perfect match for a delicious meal with wine pairings.
4. “World of Color”: Many a kiss has occurred during the “Love” sequence of this nighttime water show on Paradise Bay. The sequence features some of Disney’s romantic film couples.

At Disneyland park:

5. Sleeping Beauty Castle: Day in and day out, this one of the most popular places for a future groom to drop to one knee and ask for the hand of his fair princess.
6. Hungry Bear Restaurant: A table by the water offers a quiet spot for an important question or a sweetheart photo.
7. Blue Bayou: Be sure to reserve your table early at this popular restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean, and speak with a manager to assist in coordinating a special moment or table-service dinner proposal. (Cast members are a great resource at any of the Disneyland Resort table service restaurants.)
8. Snow White Grotto (next to Sleeping Beauty Castle): Making a wish is a romantic notion, and it’s even dreamier at this special wishing well.
9. Mark Twain Riverboat: How could your true love resist a nighttime ride on a riverboat, with twinkling lights, the splash of a paddle wheel, and a view that stretches across Frontierland and New Orleans Square?
10. Court des Anges, New Orleans Square: One of the most beautiful places at the Disneyland Resort, the “Court of Angels” is a secluded courtyard with a winding staircase – an ideal spot for photos.

At Disneyland Resort hotels:

11. Napa Rose patio: Dinner at Napa Rose can be romantic from any seat. Grab two spots around the firepit, on the patio just outside the lobby, and enjoy appetizers with a glass of wine on a starry evening.
12. Fairy Tale Suite at the Disneyland Hotel: The décor and magical touches, fit for royalty, are a dream come true for your special occasion.
13. Disneyland Hotel Rose Court Garden: Often the site of weddings, the garden is also alluring for a romantic stroll, with more than 800 lovely rose bushes.

What’s your favorite romantic place at Disneyland Resort?

Tagged: DCA, Dining, DL, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disney Dining, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Hotels & Resorts

If you’re a foodie, you know how delicious the Disneyland Resort can be. And if you’re not a foodie, there are so many flavors at the new Disney California Adventure park that the food itself becomes an experience to savor. Whether it’s the sauces at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, the grilled meat and pita bread at Paradise Garden Grill or the handcrafted cocktails at Carthay Circle Lounge, there’s so much to please your palate.

This is the last in our series about fun ways to enjoy the newly reopened Disney California Adventure park. With the park’s grand reopening last June, Cars Land and Buena Vista Street brought even more tempting food and beverages to the menu.

Today’s list of places to visit at Disney California Adventure park is for guests who appreciate small bites and fine dining, gourmet meals and comfort food, specialty chocolate and fresh fruit.

• Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café (Find Starbucks coffee, ice cream and more on Buena Vista Street.)
  

• Trolley Treats (My favorite is the chocolate-covered toffee with nuts; others prefer the gourmet marshmallows, on Buena Vista Street.)
  

• Flo’s V8 Café (The milkshakes come with “gravel” at this Route 66-inspired diner in Cars Land.)
  

• Cozy Cone Motel (Flavored pop“cone” and other “cone”-themed snacks in Cars Land.)
  

• Fillmore’s Taste-In (Fresh fruit and juices are so refreshing, near the entrance to Cars Land.)
  

• Wine Country Trattoria (A great menu with lots of choices in Mediterranean-style cuisine; across from Cars Land.)
  

• Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge (Menu by Andrew Sutton, wine pairings with meals and great service all inside a theme park – on Buena Vista Street.)
  

• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (It’s all yummy here at Pacific Wharf.)
  

• Ariel’s Grotto (A fun atmosphere for character dining, both breakfast and lunch, at Paradise Pier.)
  

• “World of Color” picnic dinners (Tip: Get reserved viewing for the show and a tasty meal with this deal.)

 
Check out more posts from the “Eight Ways to Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park” series:

• Eight Ways to Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park: A Shopper’s Paradise
• Eight Ways to Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park: Find a Favorite Character
• Eight Ways to Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park: Nature Lovers

Tagged: DCA, Dining, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort

I’ve been a fan of the new Buena Vista Street even before it opened last summer at Disney California Adventure park. I love grabbing a mocha (tall, non-fat, no whip) from Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe and catching a performance by Five & Dime in Carthay Circle. It’s hard to count all the things to love about Buena Vista Street, but it’s easy to put numbers to some of its impressive highlights:

89.5 – Height in feet to the top of the cupola on Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

12.5 – Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge is 12.5 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty Castle

200 – Number of seats in the Carthay Circle Restaurant dining room, in addition to a 56-seat terrace and the 68-seat Carthay Circle Lounge

235 – Approximate number of wines offered at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

20 – Number of passenger seats on each Red Car Trolley

Tagged: DCA, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park