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Disneyland Resort will debut its all-new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland Park on Feb. 28, 2020. The incredible “Magic Happens” daytime spectacular celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories!
This new parade, led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, celebrates moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films as they are brought to life on a grand scale with stunning floats, artistic costumes and a surprising and energetic musical score combined with beloved Disney tunes.
“When you come to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, there are so many ways to
immerse yourself in our stories, but a parade is a unique experience because it’s the only way
for you, as the audience, to stay in one place and have so many stories, characters and magical
moments pass right in front of you. We’ve designed the ‘Magic Happens’ floats so that characters, scenes and surprises are revealed a little at a time, making each float a journey of discovery” – David Duffy, creative director for Disney Live Entertainment
“Magic Happens” includes something for everyone and will be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
This new parade features nine newly designed floats, highlighting magic from classic Walt
Disney Animation Studios tales such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping
Beauty,” to more recent stories including “Frozen 2,” “Moana” and “The Princess and the Frog,”
as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.” The new floats were created as pieces of moving art, with
their lines and aesthetic design working to tell a story along the parade route, while also evoking
a sense of magic.
In addition to the stunning floats, the parade route along Main Street, U.S.A., will be filled with
dynamic performers and more than two dozen Disney and Pixar characters. The parade’s
costume design draws inspiration directly from modern runways, making each costume look
fashion-forward, yet uniquely Disney. Many performers and characters in “Magic Happens” will
don all-new costumes, specifically made for this parade.
Watch this sneak peek of “Magic Happens”:
While the music and stories seen in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, the
soundtrack and choreography are heavily influenced by today’s pop culture designers, putting a
contemporary spin on the classic Disney hits. “Magic Happens” features an energetic musical
score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall. “Magic Happens” is a whimsical and joyous procession that allows the Disney magic to shine through. The parade features distinct stories with a mix of characters, making it feel contemporary and classic, fun and regal, and surprising and familiar – all at the same time.
Highlights of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade include:
- Mickey Mouse leads the way, gliding along on glistening swirls of magic emanating from
a giant, iridescent magical hat. Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n
Dale join in, dancing along with a group of eclectic and artsy performers representing
stylized aspects of magic. - On her voyager canoe, Moana journeys forth on the crest of a towering wave, inspired
by beautiful koa wood carvings, and inset with dazzling, animated glimpses into the
magic the ocean holds. This is the first full-scale “Moana”-inspired float to be created for
a Disney park. - Joining Moana on her journey is Maui, who travels along on his own magical piece of the
islands with Moana’s adorable pet pig, Pua. Maui makes his official Disneyland Resort
debut in “Magic Happens.” - Miguel appears in person for the first time, celebrating the magic that happens when he
strums the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz in the Disney and Pixar film “Coco.” This
spectacular float connects the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with a vibrant
marigold bridge, and fantastical alebrije spirit animals join the procession, along with
Miguel’s dog Danté. This is the first time the film “Coco” has inspired a float for a Disney
Parks parade. - From “Frozen 2,” Anna and Elsa explore the mysteries of the Enchanted Forest
protected by the Nokk, the mystical water spirit, as their friends Kristoff, Sven and Olaf
tag along.
The regal grand finale of “Magic Happens” celebrates magical moments from several
classic Disney stories. The start of the finale brings together a collection of many iconic
magical characters, including Genie, Aladdin, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, Blue Fairy,
Pinocchio and Fairy Godmother. These characters lead the way as more floats are
introduced, each highlighting the moments of magic that changed the characters’ lives.
- From “Cinderella,” guests watch the moment of “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” as
Cinderella is seen inside a grand pumpkin, just as it magically transforms into a
glistening carriage to whisk her off to the ball. - From “The Sword in the Stone,” Merlin wisely leads the way for young Arthur,
who finds the magic within himself as he pulls the sword from the stone, claiming
his place upon the throne. - Tiana and Naveen from “The Princess and the Frog” are seen amidst a swirl of
golden flowers where they share a kiss, completing their transformation back into
human forms. - The happily-ever-after scene from “Sleeping Beauty” features the three good
fairies and Princess Aurora, whose gown shimmers between hues of pink and
blue.
Spring is a great time to visit the Disneyland Resort and experience the new “Magic Happens” parade, as the resort is offering special, limited-time ticket and hotel offers. Kids everywhere* along with Southern California residents** may visit the theme parks for as low as $67 per person, per day with 3-day, 1-park per day tickets through May 21, 2020, which you can read more about HERE.
Are you as excited as I am about the debut of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland Resort? Tell me about your plans to visit and experience it.
Some images and video are property of Disneyland Resort and used with permission.
Do YOU have a visit planned soon to the Disneyland Resort? If not, why not plan one around these great offers?
This unique Lunar New Year celebration comes alive with a touch of Disney magic as transformative Asian celebrations dedicate the new year. Guests will experience inspired food, music and entertainment with loved ones as they celebrate the Year of the Mouse together. Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, celebrates the celestial journey of the sun and the moon on their journey towards another year.
Highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration this year at Disney California Adventure include:
In the evening, the spectacular “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and its magical snowfall finale create lasting holiday memories for guests.
‘Twas “The Nightmare before Christmas” and all through the Haunted Mansion, Jack Skellington and his friends are causing a collision between Christmas and Halloween to transform the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday.**Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Disney Festival of Holidays brings the spirit of the season to life through lively entertainment and special traditions. Children will enjoy craft stations and everyone will appreciate the delicious food at Festive Foods Marketplace, featuring a mix of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions.
The Three Caballeros host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration, featuring folklórico and samba dancers, live musicians, and Mickey and Minnie in their fiesta best.
The holidays are zooming into Cars Land and the residents are racing to celebrate the season. Two attractions rely on holiday magic to transform into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. The whimsical “Snowcar” greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs, and each “Cars” character also gets a holiday makeover at their Route 66 address to reflect their personality.
Santa Claus is coming to town! Guests will enjoy special holiday-themed activities with Santa and his sleigh full of mischievous elves at Santa’s Holiday Visit at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
As guests enter the park and stroll along Buena Vista Street, a dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle to help guests get in the holiday spirit. The tree and surrounding buildings are decorated with vintage-style ornaments in keeping with the theme of Buena Vista Street, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920’s. Pacific Wharf, Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak will also sparkle with holiday décor throughout the season.
Guests will drift into a wintry mood as they encounter the splendid sisters Anna and Elsa inside the Disney Animation building. Guests may also relive the story of the Disney blockbuster film “Frozen” as they immerse themselves in the wondrous magic and music in the spectacular stage musical, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.”
The new show will feature fireworks, lighting, lasers and choreographed, special effects kites, accompanied by a stirring collection of songs that paints a colorful picture of Epcot. Disney Parks Live Entertainment is collaborating on the show with noted conductor and composer Don Harper, who is producing all-new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to weave into the soundtrack of “Epcot Forever.”
Guests will be dazzled by the return of “World of Color – Season of Light”, a holiday-themed production of this nighttime spectacular that features lights, lasers, water, fire and hundreds of fountains bringing animation to life. Also returning are guest-favorite holiday experiences and entertainment, including Disney Festival of Holidays – which honors the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas/Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day (Jan. 3-6) – and the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. Guests may even partake in a “Frozen” adventure as they encounter Anna and Elsa in the theme parks, just in time to celebrate the release of Disney’s new animated film, “Frozen 2,” in theaters Nov. 22, 2019.
Guests plan their seasonal visits to Disneyland Resort year after year to experience beloved Holiday traditions and festive cheer, from snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., to glistening décor, Disney-themed treats and merchandise, holiday entertainment and the one-of-a-kind transformations that create “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.
At Disneyland Park
Throughout the resort, guests will also discover holiday culinary treats and festive fare, along with special merchandise for the merry season.
Also during the holiday season, the Downtown Disney District will be full of festive shopping, dining and entertainment and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also join in the yuletide celebration with twinkling lights and ornaments, holiday displays, special entertainment and holiday-inspired eats and treats. 
On a recent visit to Walt Disney World, we stayed at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. It was our first time staying there so I had no idea they had a SECRET MENU and I was SO excited to learn about it! The All-Star Movies is one of the 5 “Value” Resorts at Walt Disney World so the food options are set up “quick service” style in their “
We arrived late on the night we traveled to Florida and were famished when we stepped into the World Premiere Food Court. One of the Cast Members working that night, Josh, mentioned a “Secret Menu” and asked if we’d be interested in learning more about it? 
Um, YES! I felt so special as he brought out a metal briefcase, opened it and handed each of us a View-Master®. Not everyone will know what these retro toys are, including my own daughter, but we, adults, instantly knew what one was and became instantly giddy at this nod to my childhood!
The Secret Menu is actually listed inside of the View-Master, so you can’t see it until you peek into it! So cool, right? Since it was so late at night when we learned about this, we didn’t actually get a chance to try any of these items, but you can be sure we will on our next visit! I just love learning about things like this! Don’t you?
If you’ve already experienced this Secret Menu, share about it with me in the comments. I’d love to hear about your experience.
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a specially ticketed, spook-tacular celebration inside Magic Kingdom Park, returns for a record 36 select nights from Aug. 16-Nov. 1,
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed event that captures the spirit of the season with spooky décor, lighting and music parkwide, along with returning favorites such as “Mickey’s Boo to You Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular” castle stage show and trick-or-treating throughout the park. Also returning for this year’s party will be special attraction experiences for Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy the spirit of Halloween with their families.
Here are the 2019 event dates:
New for 2019
Our family was fortunate enough to attend this event a couple of years ago and my daughter has been asking to go again ever since. If you’d like to read my “Tips to Know Before You Go: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party post, please click 
That’s right, now through August 30, Disneyland Annual Passholders can purchase up to three (3) $99 Park Hopper tickets per day! Also, if a Passholder is blocked out on that day, they, too, may purchase a $99 Park Hopper ticket for entrance that day. This is an amazing deal for a Park Hopper ticket, especially with some of the newest offerings at the Resort right now: