Ep. 733: Holidays at Disneyland Resort, Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Mousetalgia! - Your Disneyland Podcast
Deep Dive
What are the key highlights of the holiday season at Disneyland Resort in 2024?
The holiday season at Disneyland Resort in 2024 features stunning holiday decor, including the iconic It's a Small World Holiday with 50,000 lights, Haunted Mansion Holiday with Marc Davis' bat returning, and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Special dining experiences like the Rancho de Zocalo Fantasmic Dining package and the newly opened Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree are available. Additionally, holiday entertainment includes the Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends event in the Fantasyland Theater, where guests can enjoy snowfall and meet Santa and other characters.
What changes were made to Haunted Mansion Holiday in 2024?
In 2024, Haunted Mansion Holiday reintroduced Marc Davis' bat in a birdcage, now relocated to the Corridor of Doors for better visibility. The Sandy Claws portrait was moved to the right side of the attic, replacing the snake, which was moved further into the attic. Two jack-o'-lanterns were added to the left side, and the exterior music was changed from the traditional tingly music to eerie versions of holiday songs.
What is the storyline of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and how does it differ from the original Splash Mountain?
Tiana's Bayou Adventure follows a post-movie storyline where Tiana runs a successful restaurant and guests shrink down to help find musicians for a party. Unlike Splash Mountain, which featured a clear villain (Br'er Fox) and dramatic tension, Tiana's Bayou Adventure lacks a villain, focusing more on a celebratory and less dramatic narrative. The ride retains the same flume mechanism as Splash Mountain but with new animatronics and a more lighthearted tone.
What are the standout food items at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree during the 2024 holiday season?
The Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree offers standout items like the smoked beef brisket sandwich with beer-battered fries, which received a 10/10 rating for its generous portion and flavor. The plant-based corn ribs with coleslaw and beer-battered rice were also highly praised. The Snickerdoodle Cold Brew, featuring a soft Snickerdoodle cookie, was a hit, as was the banana pudding. The restaurant’s beer-battered fries were described as the best in the park.
What are the main criticisms of the 2024 version of Disneyland's Fantasmic nighttime spectacular?
The 2024 version of Fantasmic faced criticism for removing key elements like the dragon, Pinocchio, and the dancing girls, as well as reducing the use of fire effects. Half the show now relies on water projections, which are often hard to see due to environmental factors. The villains' segment was also shortened, with the removal of the crocodile float and the evil queen scene. These changes led to a perception that the show has been 'whittled down' from its original grandeur.
What is the Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends event at Disneyland, and what makes it special?
The Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends event takes place in the Fantasyland Theater and offers a festive experience with Santa, character meet-and-greets, and a sing-along that ends with a snowfall. Guests can take photos with characters like Chip, Dale, Clarabelle, and Pluto. The event is designed to be family-friendly, with activities and entertainment that create a magical holiday atmosphere. It also includes a 'Letters to Santa' station and is a great spot to experience snowfall during the holiday season.
What are the top gingerbread options at Disneyland during the 2024 holiday season?
The top gingerbread options at Disneyland in 2024 include the fresh-baked gingerbread cookies from Harbor Galley, which are soft, flavorful, and often still warm when purchased. The Mickey-shaped gingerbread man from Jolly Holiday is a popular Instagrammable choice, though it can become stale over time. The Haunted Mansion Holiday’s gingerbread house scent adds to the immersive experience, but the Harbor Galley cookies were declared the winner for their superior taste and texture.
- The hosts express gratitude for their annual passes, the Walt Disney Family Museum, and personal achievements and small joys.
Shownotes Transcript