Celebrate the New Year With Your Favorite Disney Babies!

January 5, 2017

By Jocelyn Buhlman

As we ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old one, that change has classically been personified in the form of little Baby New Year, while the outgoing year is often depicted as an elderly man. Here at D23, we’re putting a Disney spin on the new year with some of our favorite—and cutest—Disney babies, to help us get excited for the new start promised with 2017! Read on to coo at the cartoon cuties, and make sure to check out the Disney Gif app for Apple and Android to see more moments from your favorite Disney films!

Bambi
This woodland prince is so deer to our hearts as he learns to befriend other young animals and master traversing through nature’s challenges—like walking on ice!

Dumbo
The little elephant who could fly straight into our hearts as a baby—and who can keep a dry eye when the classic lullaby “Baby Mine” is sung while Mrs. Jumbo comforts our precious pachyderm?

Kuzco
This little emperor has yet to learn his lesson about self-centeredness as a talking llama, but as a baby we can’t help but think that maybe it is all about this cute little future ruler.

Hercules
This demigod may be in competition with the rest of our list for the cutest baby ever, but one thing’s for sure: He’s definitely the strongest baby ever! And with tiny little Pegasus flying by his side, we know he’s the little hero our heart needs!

Jack Jack
We don’t even need to discover his superpowers to know that this incredible baby is super cute!

Puppies
With parents as fluffy and sweet as Lady and the Tramp, of course their pack of puppies would be just as cute! We can’t resist these little scamps and their fun-loving attitudes!

Simba
Now here’s a baby so cute that he’s the pride of the family! Simba would grow up to be the king of the savanna, but for now he’s just the king of the kittens (and our hearts!).

Tarzan
We’re wild about baby Tarzan, who may be too little to swing on vines but just the right size to swing into our hearts.

Rapunzel
Audiences everywhere fell in love with the golden-locked lost princess when baby Rapunzel giggled her way onto the screen.

Tod
Try to hold back your tears when thinking of The Fox and the Hound and instead think of baby Tod, rescued by kindly Widow Tweed and stealing our hearts by being too cute!

Get Inspired by These Disney “Fresh Starts”

January 4, 2017January 4, 2017

By Courtney Potter

Welcome to 2017—the perfect time to make new goals, to devise new dreams, and to celebrate new beginnings. In need of some New Year’s inspiration of your own? Look no further than your favorite Disney films! Countless characters have faced all manner of trials and tribulations before conquering adversity and stepping—often with a smile and a song!—into an uplifting future.

Everyone could use a little encouragement as we head into the next 360+ days… so D23 chose nine of our most cherished “fresh starts” from Disney movies. One thing to note: We figure the vast majority of you have seen all these flicks, and know how they end—but in the very off chance you haven’t, be advised that there are some spoilers ahead.

Do you have some favorite Disney-related new beginnings? Let us know over at Facebook and Twitter!

Tiana in The Princess and the Frog
Poor Tiana… all our selfless heroine ever wanted was to open her own restaurant. But then a selfish prince, a voodoo curse, and a very evil witch doctor got in the way! Thankfully, true love brought Tiana a second chance—and she eventually opened her lovely, upscale Tiana’s Palace, with a sincerely transformed Naveen by her side. When you follow your heart, you can never go wrong.

Riley and her Emotions in Inside Out
Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out is full of new beginnings. Riley’s big move across country—not to mention her (mis)adventures at an unfamiliar school—make her question whether running away might solve her problems. Thankfully, it’s Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear to the rescue! Working together, they help Riley reconnect with her parents and start life anew in San Francisco.

Nick Wilde in Zootopia
One of Disney’s latest entrants into the “fresh starts” camp, Nick Wilde was a wily, ne’er-do-well fox who believed he had to con his way into a successful life. But meeting optimistic bunny cop Judy Hopps changed all that—and by the finale of the 2016 film, Nick’s newfound love of solving mysteries and enforcing the law (instead of breaking it!) brought a badge to his chest and a best friend to his side. Taking chances can often lead to triumph.

The Banks family in Mary Poppins
“Winds in the east, mist comin’ in…” One could argue that Mary Poppins herself was a new beginning for the entire Banks clan—but it took her gently guiding each character, especially father George, back to what “family” truly means for the fresh start to really commence. (We’re pretty certain Mary Poppins has a carpetbag full of new beginnings for folks in need.)

Remy in Ratatouille
Another Disney film chockablock with reinvention, Ratatouille follows little Remy, who—initially due to his accidental separation from family—finds himself at his favorite chef’s Parisian restaurant. After boosting his new pal Linguini’s self confidence in the kitchen, Remy becomes a foodie force to be reckoned with. With drive and determination, dreams can come true!

Giselle in Enchanted
At first blush, Giselle is a prototypical princess—hoping to marry her charming Prince Edward and to live “happily ever after” in Andalasia. However, our Giselle is no shrinking violet; even after finding herself in scary, unpredictable New York City, and almost meeting an untimely end at hands of evil queen Narissa, she realizes her true “happily ever after” is with handsome (but decidedly more down-to-Earth) Robert.

Hiro in Big Hero 6
It’s fair to say the whole theme of Big Hero 6 is “endings and beginnings.” Not long after the film begins, young Hiro is suddenly faced with a huge life hurdle: figuring out a future without big brother Tadashi. But with Baymax by his side, Hiro finds a group of amazingly supportive friends. As he himself admits, “Sometimes life doesn’t go the way we planned. The good thing is, my brother wanted to help a lot of people… and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Peter Quill/Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy
Peter was a little boy when he was mysteriously whisked away into outer space. Now an adult, he believes conning his way through the universe (with a cool nickname and a groovy ’70s soundtrack) is the key to happiness… But after meeting—and finding some surprising common ground with—a few alien misfits, he realizes that keeping space safe is his true calling. (This “fresh start” is sure to carry over into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.)

Beast (and his castle staff) in Beauty and the Beast
A vain prince is cursed to live out his days as a gruff beast (with his entire staff enchanted into household objects) unless he can learn to love another… and to be loved in return. Enter Belle, our strong-willed heroine who refuses to see a book only by its cover. By the end of the film, everyone (well, except Gaston) has earned their “fresh start” with their truly indomitable spirit—and just a touch of joie de vivre.

17 Disney Kisses to Count Down to the New Year

December 29, 2016December 22, 2016

It’s almost time to count down to the new year! We’ve reflected on our favorite moments from 2016, figured out the guest list for an unbelievable New Year’s party… we’re ready to ring in 2017. But before the clock strikes 12, “aww” over some of the sweetest Disney smooches. We hope you have a happy new year! And make sure to check out the Disney Gif app, for Apple and Android, for more moments from your favorite Disney films.

Go Wild with 11 Disney “Party Animals”

December 29, 2016December 23, 2016

By Courtney Potter

“We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne…” Well, this is it: We’re about to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to a brand-new year. And like people around the country (and the globe), we’re ready to welcome 2017 with a good ol’ fashioned party—full of music, mirth, and merriment. Which got us to thinking… if we wanted to have a totally rockin’ New Year’s Eve celebration (or really, any kind of festivity), which Disney characters would be the most fun to invite?

There are so many awesome characters to choose from, we could’ve created this list about 12 times over. But we chose, in no particular order, the best of the best—the true Disney “party animals” (human, non-human, and everything in between!) who would bring laughter and joy to our next shindig. Did your favorite reveler make the list?

The Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland)
We’re starting our list with someone who is—quite possibly—the biggest “party animal” in Disney history. His life is a nonstop tea party, full of best friends (including the March Hare and Dormouse) and all manner of nonsensical cheer! He’s also a snappy dresser, with his bow tie and oversized top hat… We imagine he’d liven up any celebration he’s invited to.

Tigger (Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day)
He’s fun-loving, perpetually optimistic, and can brighten up even the darkest day. He’s Tigger—and the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is that he’s the only one! Despite his recklessness and penchant for mishaps, we’d happily invite him to our next bash. (He likes ice cream sundaes, so we’d suggest having plenty on hand.)

Baloo (The Jungle Book)
Baloo is a cuddly “jungle bum” with nary a care in the world… that is, until he meets Mowgli and wants to help protect him from Shere Khan. As such, we can deduce two important things: 1) He’d be a totally laid-back party guest who’s ready for a good time, and 2) He’d have our back no matter what. Plus, we’re sure he could lead a truly delightful sing-along.

The Three Caballeros
This trio of festive feathered friends—Donald Duck; José Carioca, a parrot; and Panchito, a Mexican charro rooster—fall under the no-brainer category for our “party animals” list. They absolutely love to have a good time… And we know they can dance—just take a gander at Donald’s fiery number with Aurora Miranda (sister of legendary Carmen Miranda) in the short film Baia!

Scat Cat (The Aristocats)
Need a band for your party? Scat Cat and his Alley Cats, from 1970’s The Aristocats, have a totally “hep” jazz sound that’s sure to get your guests groovin’. But Scat Cat’s more than just a talented musician; he helps rescue the beautiful Duchess and her kittens from Edgar (the nefarious butler who’s holding local cats for ransom) before getting adopted into a lovely home himself.

Kuzco (The Emperor’s New Groove)
In The Emperor’s New Groove, Kuzco (the teenage emperor of an Incan empire) started out as self-centered, greedy, and stubborn. But (spoiler alert!) his time spent as a llama—while managing to thwart Yzma’s plans to take over the empire—rendered him a more affable and fun-loving dude. If we invited him to our party, we think he’d be the one to bring a delicious seven-layer dip to share.

Uncle Albert (Mary Poppins)
For years and years, we’ve wished for a family member like Mary Poppins’ Uncle Albert—as portrayed by celebrated actor (and Disney Legend) Ed Wynn. Who wouldn’t want to soar into the sky, roaring with laughter? We’d have to give our fellow party guests a warning, though; Albert’s “condition” is pretty contagious, as evidenced by Bert’s guffaws halfway through “I Love to Laugh”!

The Muses (Hercules)
If your parties include gathering around the piano for a sing-along, don’t hesitate to invite the Muses from Hercules. These ladies (goddesses of the arts, of course!) seem eternally primed for a good time—they’re glamorously dressed, their harmonies are on point, and they’re ready to spill all the best stories.

Pub Thugs (Tangled)
This rowdy bunch, who’ve set up shop at The Snuggly Duckling, would be a hoot and a half at any bash. Sure, they look a little surly and rough around the edges—but they’re quick to open up about their dreams and aspirations… and they’re really great at putting together a full musical number on the fly (accompanied by Hook Hand on the piano, of course).

Joy (Inside Out)
She’s bubbly and kind, she finds the fun in any situation, and she’s always looking out for her friends. We have a feeling Joy likes a good party—especially one that includes tasty pizza, lacks any kind of broccoli whatsoever, and maybe (just maybe) features Riley’s dad rocking out to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” on air guitar.

Maui (Moana)
The mega-muscled costar of Moana is a recent addition to the Disney lexicon, and one of the biggest “party animals” on our list. (He can even shapeshift into an actual animal; how’s that for a party trick?) He’d certainly bring a cool “demigod” cachet to your next shindig… plus, he can carry a tune—and he’s up for any kind of adventure you could throw at him.

Celebrate Disney’s “Nine Old Men” with D23’s 2017 Gold Member Gift

December 28, 2016December 28, 2016

“I am in no sense of the word a great artist, not even a great animator,” Walt Disney once said. “I have always had [people] working for me whose skills were greater than my own.” In celebration of Walt’s great animators, D23 presents its 2017 Gold Member Gift: Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men.”

Les Clark, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, Frank Thomas; this core group of animators earned their nickname from none other than Walt himself. Though the “Nine Old Men” is in reference to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s terming the U.S. Supreme Court justices, as in “nine old men, all too aged to recognize a new idea,” these animators were truly innovators—recognizing and putting into action new ideas, and bringing personalities to life through a craft that they helped create and continued to develop throughout their careers. The “Nine Old Men” are responsible for countless Disney characters, including Peter Pan (Milt Kahl), Maleficent (Marc Davis), and Jiminy Cricket (Ward Kimball).

D23 worked with the Walt Disney Archives and Disney Animation Research Library to curate 23 artifacts that honor the careers and legacies of the “Nine Old Men.” Included in the array of treasures are a behind-the-scenes studio production report marking Disney’s entry into weekly television, including episodes spotlighting the animators, a pinback button saluting Eric Larson on his 50th anniversary at Disney, the distinctive program from the 1989 ceremony inducting the “Nine Old Men” as Disney Legends, and faithfully replicated animation drawings actually penciled by the iconic animators. The gift is housed in a beautiful keepsake, a book-like box, perfect for display or safekeeping on your Disney bookshelf.

The gift, exclusively for D23 Gold Members, is available for Gold Members who join in or renew for 2017. For more information on membership, click here. Stay tuned––we’ll be taking a closer look at the wonderful work of these great animators in 2017.

Disney Things We’re Most Excited for in 2017

December 28, 2016January 3, 2017

By D23 Team

There’s so much good stuff in store for Disney in 2017! Take a look at the things we’re most excited for.

All The Movies You’ve Been Waiting For
2017 is going to be a magical year for all kinds of Disney movies you’ve been waiting to see. If you love animation, you’ll be on the edge of your seat when Cars 3 speeds into theaters in June, and you’ll be celebrating Dia de Los Muertos with Pixar Animation’s Coco, coming to theaters in November. Along with those new animated classics, revisit a favorite Disney classic when the tale as old as time gets a live-action twist when Beauty and the Beast premieres in March. If you prefer beasts that are more friendly than fierce, you’ll need to see Born in China in April to learn about the endangered animals of China.

We’ve all been obsessed with Baby Groot since he danced his way into our hearts in 2014, and now we can finally watch our favorite tiny, talking plant save the galaxy with his gang of unlikely heroes when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 zooms into theaters in May. If you need even more intergalactic, world-saving action, Thor: Ragnarok in November brings together Thor and the Hulk (and based on Doctor Strange‘s mid-credits scene, maybe even the Doctor himself!) to face off against intergalactic baddies both familiar and new. Of course, we can’t talk about fighting off bad guys in space without mentioning a certain movie about the war in the stars… We may have wait until December, but Star Wars: Episode VIII will finally reveal what happens next to our favorite characters from The Force Awakens.

D23 Events
In the world of D23 events, we’re excited to bring the magic of Disney across the country! Some events we look forward to in 2017 include celebrating some of the Disney Afternoon television favorites on the Studio lot, sailing the seas again during special screenings of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and commemorating 35 years of Epcot magic during D23’s annual Fanniversary celebration!

Of course, D23’s biggest event of the year will take place July 14–16, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center during the D23 Expo 2017! For three magical days, all of Disney’s wonderful worlds come together once again for once-in-a-lifetime live performances, star-studded presentations, exclusive collectibles, and more.

Disney Parks
What isn’t in store for Disney Parks and Resorts in 2017? From the opening of Pandora—The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to the launch of Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure Park (both debuting in Summer 2017); from the awesome new Iron Man Experience that inaugurates a Marvel-themed area at Hong Kong Disneyland just a few weeks from now, to Disneyland Paris’ big 25th anniversary celebrations beginning this spring; and all the fan favorites returning to Disneyland Park (including the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Disneyland Railroad, and Rivers of America)… there’s newfangled Disney fun to be had all over the globe next year!

Disney Television
Return to the Isle of the Lost with Descendants 2—The sequel to the hit Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants will premiere in the summer of 2017, and we can hardly wait! Villain kids Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay are learning how to adjust to a less wicked way of life in the peaceful kingdom of Auradon, but what will happen when some new villain kids decide to stir up some trouble? Get ready to meet Uma (China Anne McClain), the daughter of Ursula; Harry Hook (Thomas Doherty), the son of Captain Hook; and Gil (Dylan Playfair), the son of Gaston. The new troublesome trio plan to release all the villains on the Isle of the Lost, and in order to stop them, Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay must return to their former home. We can hardly wait to see what kind of magic, mayhem, and musical numbers are in store in this continuation of one of our favorite DCOMs!

Tangled: The Series—We’ve been all tangled up in the romance of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider—or, we should say, Eugene—since the golden-tressed princess first whacked him with a frying pan in the feature film Tangled. Walt Disney Animation Studios gave us an extra helping of happily-ever-after when they gave us their 2012 short Tangled Ever After, and we’re beyond thrilled that Disney Television Animation is continuing the couple’s adventures in a new series debuting in 2017, which takes place between the end of the feature film and the start of the short. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi are lending their voices once again, and we can’t wait to see what happens as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona.

DuckTales—Not ponytails or cottontails, no, it’s DuckTales, one of our favorite Disney Afternoon series, now being reimagined for a 2017 debut on Disney XD! The new voice cast includes David Tennant (Dr. Who) as Scrooge McDuck; Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan as Huey, Dewey, and Louie, respectively; Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack; Toks Olagundoye as Mrs. Beakley; and Kate Micucci as Webby Vanderquack. DuckTales is slated to premiere this summer—here’s hoping the time goes by in a duck blur!

Big Hero 6—The best films tend to leave you wanting more, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Big Hero 6 was no exception. And, in a heroic move that Disney fans can surely appreciate, Disney XD is continuing the adventures of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro Hamada, everyone’s favorite inflatable health assistant, Baymax, and their friends in a brand-new animated series premiering later this year. The series will follow Hiro as he enters the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology and faces the challenges that come with starting a new school—and facing high-tech villains, as well!

Updated 01/03 at 5:15 p.m. PT.

Star Wars Actress Carrie Fisher Passes Away at 60

December 27, 2016March 26, 2018

By Jeffrey Epstein

Legendary actress Carrie Fisher passed away today at the age of 60, after having a heart attack on Friday, December 23. Fisher was best known to legions of fans as Princess Leia from the Star Wars saga.

“Carrie Fisher was one-of-a-kind, a true character who shared her talent and her truth with us all with her trademark wit and irreverence. Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans as well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally. She will be sorely missed, and we join millions of fans and friends around the world who mourn her loss today,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company.

“Carrie holds such a special place in the hearts of everyone at Lucasfilm—it is difficult to think of a world without her,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart. Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role as Princess Leia served as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere. We will miss her dearly.”

Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, made her film debut in 1975 in Shampoo and two years later took on the iconic role of Princess Leia, a role that would reshape the way women are portrayed on screen today—including characters such as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Jyn in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Fisher starred in films such as The Blues Brothers, The Man with One Red Shoe, Hannah and Her Sisters, and When Harry Met Sally. She was also a prolific writer, penning such books as Postcards from the Edge (later turned into film), Delusions of Grandma, Wishful Drinking, and this year’s The Princess Diarist, based on diaries she kept at the time she filmed 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope.

Fisher is survived by Reynolds and her daughter, Billie Lourd.

Favorite Disney Moments from 2016

December 27, 2016January 27, 2017

By D23 Team

Before we welcome in the new year, take a look at some of our favorite Disney moments from 2016!

Groundbreaking of Star Wars-Themed Lands
While the news of these galactic expansions to Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida first broke back at D23 Expo 2015, construction on the lands started in the spring of this year. Full immersion into our favorite Star Wars worlds is only a lightspeed jump away! We can’t wait to finally live out our dreams of being a rebel or a Jedi in the heart of some of our favorite Disney theme parks!

Disney Movie Magic
This year we explored the depths of the jungles, sailed across the ocean, discovered a city run by animals, and even blasted off to a galaxy far, far away. In 2016, there’s always been a reason to go to the movies, from letting everyone know whether you’re #TeamCap or #TeamIronMan for Captain America: Civil War; to preparing to try everything with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in Zootopia; to watching your favorite childhood book come to life with The BFG. We’ve gone on adventures to far-off worlds and amazing locations with Moana, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, and Alice Through the Looking Glass. With the help of Doctor Strange and Pete’s Dragon, we’ve uncovered the magic hiding in our very own world. And there’s no better way to end the year than with a little bit of hope from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, bringing us a thrilling tale of rebellion we’ll be talking about for the rest of this year and into the next!

An Emotional Win
Speaking of amazing movies, Inside Out captured our hearts in 2015, but we were even more emotional when the Disney•Pixar film won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film in February.

D23 Events
D23 Members kicked off 2016 as the first D23 group to tour Walt Disney’s newly restored office suite on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California! And Speaking of D23 firsts, members of the Official Disney Fan Club gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to be the first group ever to tour the birthplace of Walter Elias Disney and Roy Oliver Disney.

Highlights of D23 events also include the star-studded premieres of The BFG, Pete’s Dragon and Moana—where D23 Members were in attendance for the red carpet arrivals! Plus, D23’s Fanniversary celebrated 25 years of Beauty and the Beast by traveling to six cities across the country with complimentary screenings of the classic film and surprises from original cast members!

Our biggest event of the year took place at Walt Disney World Resort during Destination D: Amazing Adventures! During the two-day celebration, D23 Members took an inside look at Pandora – The World of Avatar with James Cameron, Jon Landau, and Joe Rohde, went beyond-the-waves of Moana with screenwriter Jared Bush, and took a historical look back at some of Disney’s amazing adventures with Disney Legends Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter!

Hello, Shanghai Disney Resort!
A top moment for us and an important moment in Disney history: Shanghai Disney Resort opened its doors on June 16, 2016. The sixth Disney resort in the world, Shanghai Disney Resort features some of the most innovative and immersive attractions ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering. The resort may have just opened this year, but we’re sure it will create magic for Disney fans around the world for years to come.

Holiday Happenings
The holidays got even happier at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort with a myriad of merry magic throughout both resorts. From an all-new World of Color and a foodie paradise at Disney California Adventure park, to an electrifying new nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s a lot to celebrate this season at Disney theme parks. We can’t wait for these new experiences to become part of our Disney holiday traditions.

Discovering Disney Springs
The reimagined shopping, dining, and entertainment hub of Walt Disney World Resort had its grand opening this year! New shops like Amorette’s Patisserie, The Ganachery, and UNIQLO are already on our must-do list each time we visit Disney Springs.

Rock Candy from Osh Popham’s General Store

December 23, 2016January 12, 2017

This magical rock candy will have you singing your favorite holiday tunes.

Ingredients

2 cups purified water
4 cups granulated sugar
Optional: 1 tsp. flavoring extract
Optional: 2–3 drops of food coloring

Special Materials

Tall glass jar
Wooden skewers
Clothespin or potato chip clip

Directions

Preparing the materials:
1. Wash glass jar thoroughly with hot water and let dry.
2. Wet the skewer and roll it in granulated sugar. Place on a clean paper towel and let dry.

Making the sugar syrup:
3. Place water in a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil.
4. Add sugar one cup at a time, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves before adding another cup. If the sugar stops dissolving, turn up the heat (this will help the sugar to start dissolving once more).
5. Continue to stir and boil the sugar syrup until all of the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup is clear. Remove from heat.
6. If you are using flavoring extract and/or food coloring, add them at this point. Stir syrup to ensure extract and food coloring are distributed evenly. Fun tip: Try to coordinate the color and flavor—red for strawberry, purple for grape, yellow for banana, etc.
7. Let sugar syrup cool for about 15–20 minutes. If there is still undissolved sugar, run the syrup through a strainer and keep only the liquid.

Making the rock candy:
8. Pour sugar syrup into the prepared jar almost to the top.
9. Fasten a clothespin or a potato chip clip to one end of the prepared skewer, then balance the clothespin (or potato chip clip) across the mouth of the jar so that the skewer is suspended about one inch from the bottom of the jar and away from its walls. (Be careful not to let the skewer touch the bottom or the walls of the jar or else the rock candy will grow there.) If necessary, you may use more than one clothespin or potato chip clip.
10. Cover the jar loosely with plastic wrap and store in a cool place away from noise or activity, allowing it to sit undisturbed. Any vibrations (such as from music or the television) may disturb the crystals and cause them to fall off the skewer.
11. You should start to see sugar crystals forming within six hours. If you don’t see any crystals within a day, try boiling the sugar syrup again but dissolve another cup of sugar in it. Pour sugar syrup into the jar once more and insert the skewer again.
12. Wait one to two weeks before removing the skewer from the jar. Resist the urge to touch the jar as it may cause the crystals to fall off. When you are satisfied with the amount of crystals on the skewer (or they appear to have stopped growing), carefully remove the skewer from the jar and lay on wax paper to dry.
13. If there is a crust on the surface of the syrup, use a butter knife to gently break through the crystals, avoiding the crystals near your skewer. If the rock candy on your skewer is stuck to the glass, run some hot water on the bottom of the jar. This should help loosen the sugar enough so that you can pull your skewer out without damaging the crystals.

Everything You Need to Know About the Festive Foods Marketplace at Disney California Adventure

December 22, 2016March 26, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

When we start to ponder our favorite holiday traditions, it isn’t long before food comes to mind… whether that be mom’s cornbread stuffing on Thanksgiving or a treasured family Christmas cookie recipe that’s been handed down for generations. It was this connection between culinary memories and holidays that inspired the Festive Foods Marketplace that’s debuted this year at Disney California Adventure and invites guests to taste their way through different holiday cultures and celebrations.

The 14 marketplace kiosks—with tantalizing names like “Winter Sliderland” and “Spice Salutations”—are serving food that’s inspired by the holidays celebrated during Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays this year: Christmas, Navidad, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and Three Kings’ Day. “It’s really all about cultural comfort foods,” Gary Maggetti, the general manager for Disney California Adventure’s West area, tells D23. The Festive Foods Marketplace builds on the success Disney’s food and beverage team has had with the very authentic offerings of ¡Viva Navidad! and allows the chefs to take a little creative license in coming up with fun twists on traditional favorites. Rather than presenting latkes as traditional Hannukah fare at “Nibbles & Nosh,” for example, the chefs have created a Brisket Potato Croquette with horseradish crème; and the flavors of Thanksgiving all come together in one amazing Roasted Turkey Slider with cranberry sauce and gravy at “Winter Sliderland.” “They’re a nod to traditional holiday menu items,” Maggetti says, adding, “We think that Californians are playful, and that fits very well with the theme of the festival.”

The chefs began to put together the marketplace menus in the heat of summer, back in late July, Disneyland Resort Culinary Director John State says. “You would be amazed by how passionate the chefs were as they talked about the foods they grew up on,” State recalls, noting that many of the items that made it to the final menu were inspired by these memories—and sometimes even prepared using cast members’ personal recipes. The Warm Bourbon Cider at “Treats for Santa” and the Sweet Potato Pie at “Southern Home Holidays” have both been enjoyed by the chefs’ families for years. Maggetti adds that tastes and smells triggered a plethora of memories at the tastings. He remembers hearing from one of the samplers, “These remind me of making cookies with my mom, the ones that we always had to bring to holiday gatherings, and they’d be wrapped up in that colored cellophane…” And everyone, Maggetti says, had their own visceral reaction—the marketplace menu became very personal for all of the chefs.

With so many options to choose from, guests might think they need a strategy to avoid missing a single delicious bite. “The intent for our guests is to allow them to nosh their way all through the theme park, while they experience incredible crafts and entertainment,” Maggetti says. “If you want to make it a meal you certainly can, or in between meals you can stop by and grab a Seven Sharks A-Circling brew from Karl Strauss at ‘Brews and Bites.’ Or you’ll do cookie decorating with the kids at the ‘Treats for Santa’ marketplace. The idea is that in between the experience that you have, whether it’s riding attractions or watching really fun entertainment, you can also supplement with a [culinary] tour of multiple holidays.” The most popular item, State reveals, has been the Southern Mac & Cheese with jalapeño cornbread crumble, with the Adobo Pork Bao and the Roasted Turkey Slider both enjoying cult followings, as well.

Maggetti and State both stress that if guests like a seasonal or marketplace dish, they should make their opinions known. “We’ve had several menu items over the years that are just so popular our guests asked us to have it year round,” Maggetti says. “For Lunar New Year a couple years back, we offered these delicious potstickers, and now you can find them every day at Lucky Fortune Cookery.”

The Festive Foods Marketplace is just one part of the not-to-be-missed Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, which continues through January 8. And it’s a culinary celebration you simply can’t miss!