School’s out and summer is officially underway!  If you’re planning on spending your summer at Disneyland you have some amazing new celebrations as well as returning favorites to look forward to.

I can’t start this blog without mentioning the addition of the Disneyland Hotel Villas and the Pixar Place Hotels.  Both offer gorgeous new state of the art rooms for your next Disney vacation.  The Villas include a full kitchen and washer and dryer right in the room, which can be a game changer for families.  There are fun new pools and splash pads at both hotels and Disney will have summer activities for families to enjoy throughout the day and night.   And no matter where you choose to stay, both Disneyland and California Adventure have an array of festivities for you to enjoy this summer.

1. Pixar Fest: This is an awesome new celebration that pays homage to all your favorite Pixar characters.   This festival includes new character meet and greets, fun themed food offerings, a new fireworks show in Disneyland and a brand new parade in California Adventure.

To get the most out of Pixar Fest in Disneyland, make your way over to the Fantasyland Theater.   There you will find all of your favorite Pixar characters waiting and ready to party!  Expect fun dancing, new food and most importantly plenty of photo ops.  I was pleasantly surprised to see characters from Inside Out and also my one of my favorite new Pixar movies, Luca.

Over in Hollywoodland in California Adventure, they have set up a “drive-in theater” with stationary cars that guests can sit in and enjoy all of the Pixar short films that will be playing throughout the day.  Scattered throughout the area are new foods and fun carnival games; a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Last but certainly not least Disney surprised us with a mini Pixar food festival!  Over in California Adventure are 8 new foodie booths each themed for a different Pixar movie.  Soul, Luca and Rataouille are just a few of the foodie booths featured.  There is so much offered throughout both parks during this festival and it’s running through August 22nd, so you have plenty of time to check it out!

2. Return of Fantasmic: You may have heard that Fantasmic shut down last spring due to an accidental fire, and Disney decided to take the show out of the nightly line up, so they could rework a few things.  Well it’s been reimagined and it’s back and better than ever!  In addition to a completely revamped show Disney has brought back the Fantasmic Dining Package with a new restaurant offering: Ranchero Del Zocalo!  River Belle Terrace and Blue Bayou will be returning as options as well.  This is my favorite way to view this show.  Along with dinner you and your family will get a voucher for preferred seating for the nighttime spectacular.  No wasting time fighting for a place to sit.  These reservations can be tricky to get, but your favorite Mystical Dream Travel agent would be more than happy to help you with that!

3. Opening of Centrico and Paseo in Downtown Disney: Downtown Disney is undergoing a complete overhaul of it’s restaurants, and the first 2 restaurants of the renovation are now open!

Centrico is a brand new Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Disney.  I love the central location and the outdoor seating at this restaurant.  You can sit down and relax and still feel apart of the fun and lively Downtown Disney atmosphere.  The food here is authentic Mexican and supposed to be amazing.  They also have their own mocktail menu!

If you’re in the mood for a nicer sit-down experience, then you need to make a reservation at Paseo.  It’s upstairs location boasts gorgeous views overlooking all of Downtown Disney.  Paseo is the vision of Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan.  Like Centrico it is an authentic Mexican restaurant that blends cultural legacy with the present day.  Both of these are can’t miss experiences.

When it comes to summer vacations. Disneyland is always a good idea, and with all of the exciting additions this summer you and your family are bound to have a magical time.

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