DLW 218: Lunar New Year

This week, D23 Expo ticket information, what is coming for Magic Key Holders next month, staffing shortages causing issues, new lightsaber accessories, a ton of new food at the parks, we talk about the upcoming Lunar New Year event, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. If you want some DLWeekly Swag, you can pick some up at https://www.dlweekly.net/store/. Book your travel through ConciEARS at no extra cost to you! Be sure to mention that you heard about ConciEARS from DLWeekly at booking! If you want some awesome headwear or one of a kind items, be sure to visit our friends over at All Enchanting Ears! You can use the promo code DLWEEKLY10 to get 10% off your order!

News:

The D23 Expo is coming up later this year, and the ticket details have finally been released. For D23 Gold Members, a 1-day ticket is $89 for an adult and $79 for children aged 3-12. The 3-day ticket is $229 per adult and $209 per child. This year, all ticket purchasers must be at least a D23 General Member to buy tickets. Becoming a General Member is free. Ticket pricing for General Members is $99 for a 1-day adult ticket, and $279 for a 3-day adult ticket. Children’s tickets are the same price. Also new this year is the Hall D23 Preferred Seating package that is available for $899 for a 3-day ticket. Tickets go on sale for Disney Visa Card holders at 10am pacific on January 19th. General availability opens at noon pacific on January 20th. – https://d23.com/d23-expo-2022-details/ Next month is Magic Key Holder Celebration Month at Disneyland. Two posters will be offered to Magic Key Holders, one featuring the mountains of the Disneyland Resort, and the other featuring transportation. The mountains print will be offered February 1st through the 15th, with the transportation print being offered February 16th through the 28th, while supplies last. PhotoPass magic shots were also announced. A Peter Pan shadow shot will be at Disneyland, while a Steamboat Willie shot will be at Disney California Adventure. Both Magic Shots will be complimentary for Magic Key Holders. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/01/disneyland-announces-free-printed-posters-and-special-photopass-magic-shots-for-magic-key-holder-celebration-month/ Some locations may have limited hours or modified menus around the resort in the coming weeks. This is due to the staffing shortages and rise in omicron cases in cast members. Without staff to work the kitchens or man the positions for different locations, Disney is unable to keep things running as normal. However, the resort has updated its protocols for positive cases in cast members to being able to return to work 5 days after a negative test, instead of the old policy of 10 days after symptoms resolve. – https://www.micechat.com/312204-disneyland-news-update-genie-crowds-holiday-removal/ Some more additions are now available for lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop in Batuu. Two lightsaber hilts, one with a Loth Cat grinning, and the other with a Rancor. These screw onto the bottom of any lightsaber offered for purchase and are $24.99 each. No discounts are offered. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/14/you-can-put-what-on-a-star-wars-lightsaber-in-disneyland/ This week is all about the food. In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a new dish has landed at Docking Bay 7 – the Dewback Chili Noodles. The dish is made up of spiced Papperdelle Noodles and Gingered Ground Pork with Brussels Sprout Leaves and Shredded Red Cabbage. Guests can try this for $15.49. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/14/review-star-wars-food-with-a-little-spice-we-can-get-behind-this-disney/ A new exclusive candy apple is available at Marceline’s Confectionary in Downtown Disney. The Grogu candy apple is a classic candy apple, inspired by Grogu, also known as “the child” from the Mandalorian. The apple is covered in green chocolate with large eyes, and, of course, cute little ears. The bottom is made to look like his brown outfit. Guests can pick one up for $12.99 for a limited time. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/14/we-thought-we-had-seen-disneys-best-baby-yoda-treats-until-now/ A new churro has taken the internet by storm this week. The Lemon Bar Churro has landed at the Grizzly Peak Churro Cart in Disney California Adventure. The churro is rolled in crushed vanilla wafer sugar with a tart lemon drizzle. The Disney Food Blog says it tastes just like eating a lemon bar in churro form. This version will set you back $6.75. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/15/review-disney-just-combined-2-of-our-favorite-desserts-and-were-in-love/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/15/review-disney-peanut-butter-chocolate-churro-need-we-say-more/ If beignets are your jam, then stop on by the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square for a new flavor. The Butter Cookie Mickey Beignets are the classic beignet, coated in shortbread cookie flavored powered sugar. The cookie butter dipping sauce is an excellent side for this beignet and is sold separately. They come in a 3-pack for $5.49, or a 6-pack for $8.99. The side of dipping sauce is $0.89. According to reviews, the dipping sauce is a MUST for this treat. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/01/14/we-didnt-think-we-could-love-mickey-beignets-more-then-disneyland-did-this/ Beignets aren’t the only thing with a new variation! The Royal Street Verana now has limited time Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno fritters. The fritters are served with a cheddar cheese dipping sauce. The jalapeno is not overly present, so it isn’t spicy. There is a good mix of flavors, but the fritter itself can be a bit greasy. For $5.99, guests can get 3 of the new item, sauce included. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/01/review-new-limited-time-bacon-cheddar-jalapeno-fritters-from-royal-street-veranda-at-disneyland/ A new take on a classic has appeared in Frontierland. The Strawberry Ice Cream Float is available at the Golden Horseshoe for $5.99. The treat is Sprite, with stawberry ice cream and topped with whipped cream. Basically, a root beer float, but with Sprite and Strawberry ice cream, instead of Root Beer and Vanilla ice cream. The drink is reported to be a bit messy, so be ready with a lot of napkins. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/01/review-share-a-new-sprite-strawberry-ice-cream-float-from-golden-horseshoe-with-your-sweetheart-for-valentines-day-at-disneyland/ With Valentines Day coming up in less than a month, a new sweet drink has come to Red Rose Tavern. The Strawberry Sweetheart Tea is black tea with lemon, and is sweetened with strawberries. Don’t let the name fool you, it is a frozen drink that looks more like a smoothie than anything resembling tea. The new drink tastes like sweet tea mized with strawberry puree. The lemon is not very pronounced at all. Guests can enjoy this sweetheart drink for $6.49 in Fantasyland. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/01/review-strawberry-sweetheart-tea-is-a-sweet-slushy-valentines-day-treat-at-disneyland-park/ Fans of the Hungry Bear and the funnel cakes at this location should get excited! A new Red Velvet funnel cake is offered for the Valentine’s season. The funnel cake is made with red velvet batter, and topped with cream cheese icing, strawberry ice cream, and whipped cream. It can be a bit rich, but looks like an excellent seasonal offering for $8.99. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/01/review-celebrate-the-season-of-love-with-red-velvet-funnel-cake-from-hungry-bear-restaurant-at-disneyland/

Discussion Topic:

Lunar New Year Disney Parks Blog – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/happy-lunar-new-year-festival-at-disneyland-park-feb-4-6-and-11-13/ AllEars.net – https://allears.net/2012/01/19/happy-lunar-new-year-celebration-at-disneyland-park-fact-sheet/ AllEars.net – https://allears.net/2012/01/21/disneylands-lunar-new-year-celebration/ AllEars.net – https://allears.net/2018/01/27/disney-california-adventure-lunar-new-year-celebration-the-year-of-the-dog/ MiceChat – https://www.micechat.com/312034-disneyland-merchandise-update-lunar-new-year-and-more/ MiceChat – https://www.micechat.com/312637-disney-california-adventure-lunar-new-year-eats-and-treats/ Disneyland.com – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/lunar-new-year/