Towers with pipes, MaxPass, Food & Wine, must be a DCA Day! We have some beautiful, you might event say “Delicious,” photos for you today. But first, some really exciting news about a beloved MiceChat event . . .

The World Famous MiceChat Gumball Rally is returning on May 6th this year. And in honor of the 50th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean, thar be an extra bit of swashbuckling and adventure to be had by all.

ANNOUNCING THE 2017 GUMBALL RALLY

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Sign Up Today!

 

The Gumball Rally is a contest to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure in a single day. Are you the biggest Disney fan? Let’s find out. This year’s event pays tribute to the Pirates of the Caribbean, which turned 50 years old this year and remains beloved by generations of Disney fans. If you be brave enough to face a pirate’s curse, proceed!!! GUMBALL RALLY INFO AND TICKETS HERE

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects




Warehouse/Power Plant/Museum of Highly Reflective Elements

I’m trying very hard not to be sarcastic or negative. Really I am. But it’s getting harder and harder for me not to go snark raving mad.  😉  The title above are all words used by Disney to describe their Guardians of the Galaxy overlay of Tower of Terror.  They seem very excited that it’s “Highly reflective,” and that it is inspired by local oil refineries. These are seriously the words Disney uses when they describe what is slowly being revealed on the exterior of the tower. It’s no wonder that the fan reaction has been so loud and hostile. Generally, Disney’s marketing is so positive and well crafted that they can make a mud puddle seem like a magical portal to a world of fantasy.

Let’s see what’s looming above Buena Vista Street and the entire park. It’s big, it’s colorful, it’s covered in satellite dishes and it’s coming soon to DCA . . .

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
From the parade route next to Carthay Circle, you’ll now see the highly reflective pipes of Guardians tower.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Bug’s Land is dwarfed by a warehouse/power plant/museum
, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Perhaps all those colorful pipes will make the folks attending the Food and Wine Festival hungry.

 

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
There are dozens of workmen in orange or lime green construction vests all over the tower. This is a massive project which is just months away from opening.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The theme is clearly inspired by circuit boards. Even the pipes on the exterior have that look to them. And, of course, there are giant dishes everywhere.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

A Festival for All

The big surprise hit at the Disneyland Resort this Spring has been the Food and Wine Festival at DCA. Folks really seem to love the simpler food offerings, lower prices and larger portions. Lines at the booths have been long and the praise from guests borders on gushing. That’s got to be music to the ears of the hard working DCA events folks who made all the right adjustments to this year’s offerings to pack the park and keep the registers ringing.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
DCA has been busy throughout the week and generally feels more crowded than Disneyland during the day due to Festival attendance.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The grape vines at the Winery have really taken off in the last couple of weeks. It’s been fun watching them branch out so quickly . . . and just in time for the Food and Wine Festival.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
I really like all the little planters and shrubs that have been brought in to help dress up the Festival.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

The Paradise Garden Grill area continues to evolve. Some great new signage was added this week which has a neat blackboard in dark wood frame look. I’m a design geek and really love these little touches.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

A great group was playing the Paradise Garden Bandstand while we were there. They were just fantastic.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

In addition to all the fun foods at the booths out on the parade route, there’s also a new menu at the Garden Grill. Try the fish and chips; it is the best Disney has ever served. It’s even better than the one at the UK pavilion in Epcot.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Super crispy beer battered fish and chips. I want these to stick around after the festival. Even the steak fries are better than other french fries in the parks. Kudos to the culinary team!!!
, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The beer braised pork tacos are also interesting. Not a standout like the fish and chips, but good and with a tangy slaw on top.

 

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

If you see the Frozen Treats cart on the parade route, stop and ask if they have the Dole Whip cotton candy. It’s delicious. It’s really just pineapple flavored, but it’s more fun to think of it as Dole Whip flavored.  😉

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The number of locations offering this confection seems to be expanding. So you may get lucky trying other locations as well.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

New FastPass Machines for Midway Mania

Midway Mania is ready to enter the magical world of FastPass. New machines have been set up across from the attraction along Paradise Bay.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

The new FastPass signage is plugged in and ready to be used when needed.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

The new FastPass machines are under the covered hut. We love the themed sign!   , DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Covered and waiting for the word “Go”

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects


Star Wars Land

We saved one little bit from yesterday’s Disneyland News that we wanted to bring you today. It’s just a little something called . . . STAR WARS Land (or whatever the real name ends up being).

This thing is HUGE, really, really, HUGE.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The new train path in blue, entry/exit from Star Wars land in orange.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective ObjectsThe new train tracks at the back of the river have been built and the rocks are just starting to be completed.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
The new supports for the big ship’s guide rail has been installed.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

AT-ATs are under construction in one of the show buildings (the largest building closest to the Mickey and Friends parking structure).

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

It really is an interesting construction site. So many unique shapes and building designs.

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

Lots more Star Wars construction photos in our latest Star Wars Land News:, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects

ANNOUNCING THE 2017 GUMBALL RALLY

, DCA Update – Tower of Highly Reflective Objects
Sign Up Today!

 

Don’t miss your opportunity to play in the World Famous Gumball Rally. Compete in teams of 2 to 4 individuals as you race to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day. It’s magic to the max. Find out more information and sign up today: GUMBALL RALLY INFO AND TICKETS HERE

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Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]