WDW Daily News

Did you know Disney has 12 theme parks throughout the world? With so much magic to experience, 2019 is definitely the year to spread your Tinker Bell wings and visit one of their international parks. With options in France, Japan, and China, there’s quite a few places to get both your Mickey fix and a completely different cultural experience for your family. Whether you want to feel like you’re right in the middle of Ratatouille in Disneyland Paris or be transported to a whole new world at Tokyo Disney Sea, there really is something for everyone. So pack up the kiddos, keep reading, and we’ll see you around the world!

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Professional athlete and sports analyst Tim Tebow and fiancée Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters strike a pose with Cinderella and Prince Charming at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, while celebrating their recent engagement with family and friends. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

The excitement is brewing! Ballast Point, a pioneer in the California craft brewer scene, is putting the finishing touches on its first Orange County location in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland® Resort!

We visited the experts at Ballast Point in their San Diego headquarters to learn more about the art and science behind their brewery, their culture of quality, innovation and their love of the sea. Then, we were granted a sneak peek of the new Downtown Disney District location, featuring distinctive dining and bar spaces, with clever nautical details at every turn.

This family-friendly eatery houses 4,000 square feet of restaurant and bar space, in addition to 3,000 square feet of outdoor dining. The rooftop features festive lighting and cabana-style seating, all with fantastic views of the Downtown Disney District.

Ballast Point will offer more than 50 styles of its adventurous beers across 100 taps and is creating specialty brews which will be exclusive to the Downtown Disney District. The menu will excite the entire family with a mix of Southern California favorites such as Baja-style fish tacos, “Black Marlin” BBQ flatbread, the California “Kolsch” steak burrito, a variety of burgers, gluten-free options, vegetarian dishes, desserts and a kid-friendly menu.

Marvel fans are gearing up for the big blowoff finale of Avengers: Endgame, but some Marvel heroes will be showing up a lot sooner than that. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle is the newest Disney theme park attraction to star Marvel characters and the new ride, which will be opening in March at Hong Kong Disneyland, will also include Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, reprising their roles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Runners who simply can’t get enough of the magic during the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna are in for a special treat in January.

In addition to more entertainment and surprises, the race weekend will feature cool medals that showcases classic Disney characters.

New this year are 5K medals featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and for the first time, participants in the runDisney Kids’ Races will receive their own medals, featuring Mickey and Pluto.

Runners who complete the 26.2 miles of the Disney World Marathon race will receive a new medal featuring Mickey Mouse “spinning” in the middle, and for those seasoned runners who are looking to take on one of the weekend’s endurance challenges, this year’s medal for Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (39.3 miles) medal features Goof “spinning” inside the hardware as well.

And celebrating its 5^th anniversary, the Disney Castaway Cay Challenge returns for runners who are looking to get in a run before they set sail aboard Disney Cruise Line.

For more on the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna and to learn more about runDisney, visit the runDisney website.

Naples Ristorante e Bar and Napolini Pizzeria Celebrate Grand Reopening in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland® Resort.

Naples Ristorante e Bar and Napolini Pizzeria showed off their brand new look with a grand reveal ceremony yesterday in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland®Resort. Special guests Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy lent a hand to celebrate! 

Naples Ristorante e Bar

After extensive renovations, the two-story Italian restaurant has a fresh modern feel along with new menus the whole family is sure to love. The first floor is a classic Italian pizzeria with fire-themed mosaic glass tile above a trio of new wood-burning pizza ovens. In addition, a mural of photographs by Naples-based photographer Mimmo Fontanella dot the walls. Be sure to also relax on the expanded outdoor patio and bar area.

The second floor features more seating and a lovely balcony with gorgeous views of the promenade. Chef Umberto Rubelli, who is from Milan, brings authentic Italian favorites such hand-crafted pasta and wood-fired Neapolitan pizza paired with an extensive wine list for a most memorable lunch or dinner.

Napolini Pizzeria

At Naples’ sister restaurant, Napolini Pizzeria, you can now create-your-own Neopolitan-style pizzas and savor delicious sandwiches, fresh salads and Italian desserts from Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo.

The new Naples and Napolini are part the Downtown Disney District’s promenade-wide transformation. Several new shops and restaurants have recently opened, including the reimagined World of Disney, Salt & Straw scoop shop and the re-designed Wetzel’s Pretzels. The highly anticipated Ballast Point brewery and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes are coming soon!

You can explore California-inspired cuisine and beverages, plus live entertainment, family-friendly seminars and cooking demonstrations at this culinary festival, March 1 through April 23, 2019. More than a dozen mouthwatering Festival Marketplaces feature small plates, specialty wines and craft beers. The Sip and Savor Pass will be available to Guests looking to taste their way through the festival.

Lunar New Year
You can ring in the Year of the Pig during Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney California Adventure® Park, Jan. 25 through Feb. 17, 2019. A joyous celebration of Asian cultures, Lunar New Year encourages Guests of all ages to enjoy multicultural performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful décor, delicious cuisine and themed merchandise. “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” will feature the Three Little Pigs as a special treat for the Year of the Pig.

Guests looking to feast on authentic Asian fare can check out the marketplaces like Longevity Noodle Co. and Prosperity Bao & Buns. A Sip and Savor Pass will be also available for adventurous palates interested in tasting six culinary creations.

We get it: Some days just suck, plain and simple. The good news is they won’t always suck. But, hey, don’t take it from us. We’ve compiled inspiring quotes from some of your favorite (and lesser-known/underappreciated) Disney animated movies to keep you motivated and pumped all year long.

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Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration
During the biggest celebration of Mickey and Minnie in Disneyland history, you can enjoy new and enhanced entertainment plus limited-time décor, specialty foods and merchandise. Kicking off later this month, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will light up Disneyland park with a new high-energy projection show, creating a family-fun dance party atmosphere. The fan-favorite, “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade,” also returns with a rockin’ new opening to kick off the party.