Christmas Treats At Downtown Disney & Disneyland Hotels

All images: Disney

Christmas sweets and treats have arrived throughout Downtown Disney snowy the Disneyland Hotels. There are so many tempting dishes that you won't know where to begin.

Disneyland Hotel

The Coffee House

• Mickey-shaped Gingerbread Cookie: Soft gingerbread Mickey cookie with sprinkles 
• Mickey-shaped Holiday Cookie: Shortbread cookie dipped in white chocolate with holiday sprinkles, and a chocolate Mickey decoration 
• Peppermint Crisped Rice Treat 
• Cinnamon Roll Latte: Espresso, milk, white chocolate sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon, and whipped cream 🎄🧋
• Eggnog: House-made eggnog
• Chai Ginger Latte: Espresso, milk, chai syrup, white chocolate sauce, and gingerbread whipped cream 🧋
• Eggnog Latte: House-made eggnog with a shot of espresso 🧋
• Peppermint Mocha topped with whipped cream 🧋
• Pumpkin Spice Latte: Espresso, pumpkin spice syrup, and milk 🧋
• S’mores Hot Chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow foam 🧋

• Holiday Christmas Tree Truck Bucket 🎄
• Holiday Stainless Steel Tumbler 🎄
• Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread House Bucket
• Mickey Mouse Santa Sipper 🎄

Broken Spell Lounge

• Shepherd’s Pie: Beef short ribs, mashed potatoes, vegetables, lemon zest, and demi-glace 🎄 
• Eggnog: House-made eggnog 🧋 
• Hot Chocolate: House-made hot chocolate 🧋 
• Chocolate-Marshmallow Old Fashioned: Graham cracker and chocolate-infused Woodford Bourbon, Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao, brown sugar molasses syrup, chocolate bitters, wood smoke, and mini marshmallows 
• Coal Manhattan: WhistlePig PiggyBack 6-Year Rye, Amaro Averna, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, and bitters 
• Eggnog Cocktail: House-made eggnog, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, and Smith & Cross Jamaican Pot Still Rum 
• Five Golden Rings: Golden Eagle Vodka, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, ginger, rosemary, cranberry flavors with edible shimmer glitter 
• Hot Chocolate Cocktail: House-made hot chocolate with Plantation Dark Rum and Drambuie Liquor 
• Mulled Wine: The Fableist Wine Company The Silkworm and the Spider Pinot Noir with mulled spices served over ice 
• Peppermint Kiss: Peppermint-infused Golden Eagle Vodka, Crème de Cacao, Crème de Menthe, Coco Lopez Coconut Crème, and house-made Frangelico whipped cream 
• Prickly Pear French 75: Condesa Prickly Pear Gin, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, Piper Sonoma Brut, honey, and lemon juice 
• Thanksgiving Mule: Tequila, Liquid Alchemist Ginger Syrup, cranberry sauce, celery salt, lime juice, and sage leaves 

• Holiday Striped Mickey Mouse-shaped Glow Cube 🎄

Goofy’s Kitchen

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: Espresso, pumpkin spice syrup, and milk 🎄🧋
• Chai Ginger Latte: Espresso, milk, chai syrup, white chocolate sauce, and gingerbread whipped cream 🧋
• Eggnog: House-made eggnog 🧋 
• Eggnog Latte: House-made eggnog with two shots of espresso 🧋
• Eggnog Cocktail: House-made eggnog, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, and Smith & Cross Jamaican Pot Still Rum 
• Mulled Wine: The Fableist Wine Company The Silkworm and the Spider Pinot Noir with mulled spices, served over ice 
• Holiday Chip ‘n’ Dale Straw Clip 🎄

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

• Crisp Nights: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup 🎄  
• Holichata: Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, Frangelico Liqueur, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram Liqueur, house-made Colibri mix, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice 🎄 
• Old Fashioned Joy: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Giffard’s Banana Liqueur, maple syrup, and walnut bitters 🎄 
• Yuletide Cheers: Zaya Rum, Avissi Prosecco, pomegranate and cranberry juices, and cinnamon syrup 🎄 
• Zombie Toddy: Hamilton 151 Rum, Mt. Gay Eclipse Rum, Pernod Absinthe, cinnamon syrup, falernum, heavy cream, and grapefruit bitters 🎄 
• Holiday Zombie Mug

Grand Californian Hotel

Great Hall Cart

• Christmas Jumbo Cake Pop: Chocolate cake pop dipped in white chocolate 🎄 
• Holiday Tea Cake Variety Box: Vanilla Bean, Double Chocolate, Gingerbread, and Orange-cranberry individually wrapped tea cakes 🎄 
• Mickey Snowman Macaron 🎄 

• Raspberry Coconut Wreath: Almond shortbread cookie with coconut macaron ring, filled with raspberry jam 🎄 

• Santa Jumbo Cake Pop: Chocolate cake pop dipped in white chocolate 🎄  
• Holiday Cookie Box: Assorted cookies 
• Holiday Crisped Rice Treat 
• Mickey-shaped Gingerbread Cookie 

• Mickey-shaped Poinsettia Cookie 
• Seasonal Loaf Cake 
• Eggnog: House-made eggnog 🧋
• Hot Apple Cider 🧋 
• Hot Chocolate: House-made hot chocolate 🧋

• Mickey Mouse Santa Sipper 🎄
• Holiday Christmas Tree Truck Bucket 🎄

GCH Craftsman Grill

• Chocolate Peppermint Long John Donut 🎄 
• Christmas Tree Cupcake 🎄 
• Cranberry Orange Muffin 🎄 
• Eggnog Muffin 🎄 
• Holiday Cake Donut 🎄 
• Holiday Stainless Steel Tumbler 🎄
• Holiday Striped Mickey Mouse-shaped Glow Cube 🎄
• Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread House Bucket

Storytellers Cafe

• Holiday Chip ‘n’ Dale Straw Clip 🎄

Pixar Place Hotel 

Great Maple Modern American Eatery 

• Great Maple Holiday Prix Fixe  
• Celebrate the season with a festive holiday prix fixe dinner menu, served nightly from December 24 – 28. This menu brings together holiday comfort favorites and refined seasonal dishes, like yellowfin tuna crudo, brown butter gnocchi, and sticky toffee pudding. 🎄

The Sketch Pad Café

• Dark Chocolate Cranberry Overnight Oats: Overnight oats layered with dark chocolate, cranberry chutney, and crispy oats 
• Gingerbread Whoopie Pie: Vanilla buttercream and holiday sprinkles 
• Holiday Brownie: Holiday icing and crushed peppermint 
• Holiday Sugar Cookie: Vanilla shortbread and holiday icing 

• Cookie Butter Latte: Espresso, cookie butter, condensed milk, and whipped cream 🎄🧋  
• S’mores Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate with toasted marshmallow syrup 🎄🧋
• Caramel Apple Cider: Mulling spices and caramel sauce 🧋 

Downtown Disney District 

Vista Parkside Market

• Clark’s Nutcracker: Rum, lime juice, agave, cranberry, orange clove syrup, and cinnamon all served in a nutcracker glass (Novelty glass available for purchase) 🎄 
• Fancy Bird: Rye Scotch whisky, lime juice, orgeat, and orange curaçao all served in a Vista Holiday Rocks glass (Novelty glass available for purchase) 
• Michael in a Pear Tree: Tequila blanco, pear nectar, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup all served in a bird glass (Novelty glass available for purchase) 🎄  
• Scarlet Tanager: Bourbon, amaro liqueur, orange-flavored liqueur, and cinnamon bitters all served in a Vista Holiday Rocks glass (Novelty glass available for purchase) 🎄 

Disney's Wonderful World of Sweets

• Gingerbread Mickey Mallow Pop: Mickey-shaped marshmallow dipped in milk and white chocolate, decorated with dark chocolate, red-colored white chocolate, and embellished with white chocolate and holiday sprinkles 🎄 
• Holiday Wreath Cereal Treat: Mickey-shaped cereal treat dipped in milk chocolate, decorated with green-colored chocolate, and embellished with red and green mini M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies and holiday sprinkles 🎄  
• Hot Chocolate Caramel Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallow ears, dipped in milk and white chocolate, decorated with graham cracker and hot chocolate powder mix with white chocolate drips, and embellished with holiday sprinkles and peppermint crush 🎄
• Penguin Cake Pop: Chocolate cake pop dipped in peppermint-flavored white chocolate, decorated with black-colored dark chocolate, an orange mini M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candy, and red-colored white chocolate 🎄 
• Santa Mickey Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop with dark chocolate ears and decorated with red-colored white chocolate, white chocolate, and white sanding sugar 🎄
• Santa Mickey Caramel Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallow ears, dipped in milk chocolate, and decorated with red-colored white chocolate, white sanding sugar, and white M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies 🎄 
• Santa Minnie Caramel Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallow ears, dipped in milk chocolate, and decorated with red-colored white chocolate, white sanding sugar, white M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies, and a white chocolate Santa hat with a bow 🎄 
• Holiday Marshmallow Wand: Marshmallows dipped in caramel and milk chocolate, drizzled with green and red colored white chocolate 
• Peppermint Patties: Mixture of fondant sugar, powdered sugar, and peppermint flavoring, dipped in dark chocolate
• Santa Minnie Cake Pop: Chocolate cake pop with dark chocolate ears, dipped in milk chocolate, and embellished with a white chocolate Santa hat with a bow

California Churro

• Peppermint Churro: Churro rolled in peppermint powdered sugar, with a peppermint icing drizzled on top, and covered in crushed candy cane pieces 🎄  

Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio 

• Three Course Christmas Dinner (Available December 24 & 25) 🎄 
• Starter – Reveillon Salad: Baby greens, frisee, sun-dried cranberries, roasted butternut squash, feta cheese, and spiced satsuma vinaigrette 🎄 
• Main – Grilled Ribeye: Dauphinoise potato, honey glazed baby carrots, butter poached asparagus, and blackberry merlot reduction 🎄 
• Dessert – Gingerbread Pudding: Ginger spiced bread pudding, maple pecan ice cream, and candy cane crème anglaise 🎄 
• Gingerbread Old Fashion: Spirited blend of bourbon and gingerbread spice syrup 🎄

Beignets Expressed

• Candy Cane Twist Glazed Beignet: Beignet coated in a frosty peppermint glaze with crushed green candy 

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

• Seasonal Mini Cheesecakes including Peppermint Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mango, and Strawberry  
• White Christmas Margarita: Tequila, coconut milk, lime juice, and orange liqueur topped with rosemary and cranberries 

Céntrico

• Chicken Tamal: Oaxacan style tamal, with mole rojo, braised chicken, and pickled jalapeños, carrots, and squash veggies 🎄  

• Tamal de Rajas: Corn husk tamal, rajas, Mexican cheese blend, and pickled jalapeños, carrots and squash veggies 🎄 

• Mexican Hot Chocolate: A rich, velvety hot chocolate served in the style of traditional Mexican “chocolate para mesa” — thick, luscious and spiced 🎄🧋  
• Berry MexMas: Tequila reposado, black cherry, and lime juice 🎄 

• Frosty Fiesta: Horchata cream liquor, rum, cinnamon whiskey, and horchata 🎄 

Paseo

• Holiday Special: Cornish game hen stuffed with a chorizo-date stuffing, orange beurre blanc, pickled jalapeño, and shaved fennel salad with chicken chicharron (December 24-25 Only) 🎄  
• Snowman: Cardamon cake, orange mousse, orange peel gel, coconut streusel, rosemary, and gruyère ice cream 
• Ponche: Dried fruit, cinnamon, piloncillio, hibiscus, and nanchas 🧋 

• Coco Navidad: Tequila blanco, rum, lime juice, grenadine, and cream of coconut 🎄 

Tiendita

• Holiday Buñuelo with holiday sugar candy and orange cinnamon sugar  

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

• Prime Rib Feast: 10oz slow-roasted prime rib encrusted in fragrant fresh herbs, paired with warm potatoes-apple hash, smoky chorizo crumble, and tender broccolini 🎄  

Wetzel’s Pretzels

• Tis’ the season for Pizza Bitz!: Buttery pretzel bitz, rolled in cheese, and adorned with a pepperoni slice  

Salt & Straw

• The Almond Brittle Cake: Double fold vanilla ice cream studded with Grandma Malek’s almond brittle, house-made salted chocolate ganache, topped with sweet and salty clusters of saltine Florentine cookies, drizzled with chocolate 🎄 

Naples Ristorante e Bar

• Diwali Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza: Neapolitan dough, tikka masala sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, marinated chicken, red onion, parmesan, and cilantro 🎄 

• Christmas Cider: Apple cider, hibiscus tea with edible glitter, lemon juice 🎄 

• Santa’s Margarita: Tequila blanco, peach schnapps, margarita mix, cranberry juice, and black raspberry liquor 🎄 
• Twisted Christmas Cider: Peanut butter whiskey, apple cider, hibiscus tea, edible glitter, and lemon juice 🎄 

Kayla’s Cake

• Chocolate Spice Macaron Croissant: Flaky butter croissant filled with silky chocolate custard infused with holiday spices, finished with delicate macaron shell 🎄 

🎄 - New 

🧋- Non-alcoholic 

🥬 - Plant-based

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Freedom From Want" by Norman Rockwell, 1943

A little more happiness,

A little more cheer;

With much cause for Thanksgiving

Every day in the year.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 

The Fantastic 4: First Steps on Digital and Blu-ray

All images: Marvel

Its nearly time to enjoy The Fantastic 4: First Steps at home. This retro inspired Marvel movie is headed to Digital on September 23rd and Blu-ray on October 14th.

There are a few different collectible Blu-ray editions, but all of them will include the following Bonus Features:

Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

• Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
• Fantastic Four Day
• Subterranea
• Birthday Sweater
• Taking Turns

Gag Reel – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Featurettes:

• Meet The First Family – The creation of the Fantastic Four saved Marvel Comics in 1961 and has only flourished as years have passed. Matt Shakman and the cast explain how they found themselves gravitating toward each role and creating the ultimate family unit.
• Fantastic Futurism – The filmmakers discuss the process of immersing the cast and crew in the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Join Matt Shakman and crew as they discuss the experience of shooting in gigantic mid-century New York sets and stepping into an otherworldly era.
• From Beyond and Below – The team explores bringing complex characters from the page to the screen, including a larger-than-life Galactus, grounded Harvey Elder/Mole Man, and an emotionally rich Silver Surfer.
• Audio Commentary – Watch the film with audio commentary by director Matt Shakman and production designer Kasra Farahani.

For those who prefer SteelBook, Amazon offers an exclusive bundle featuring a limited-edition SteelBook with a custom magnet-front variant cover, five collector cards, and a special The Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 comic.

The Walmart exclusive Blu-ray package features a striking slipcover and a pop-up that springs to life with the team soaring into action in the iconic Fantasticar.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Disney

There are so many fantastic Christmas movies. And many of them feature one of the most recognizable figures of Christmas: Santa Claus. Whether you know him as Santa, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas, his stories and adventures, both old and new, can make for great holiday watching. Here are a few of my favorite movies starring the loveable gift-giver with the belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly.

First up are several different versions of Santa's origin story.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Fred Astaire, as the Postman, tells the story of how a baby named Claus became Santa in this Rankin Bass movie. After he's taken in by a family of toy-making elves and renamed Kris Kringle, he begins bringing toys to the village of Sombertown to bring joy to the children there. A series of adventures, and misadventures, lead him to meet the future Mrs. Claus, move to the North Pole, and become the jolly fellow we know and love. 

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - In this story by L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz series, Santa began life as an infant abandoned near an enchanted forest. Baby Nicholas was taken in by a wood nymph named and raised him in a magical world. He learns about the sad and difficult world of humans, leading him to his lifelong gift-giving mission. This film features an amazing cast of voices, including Robby Benson, Dixie Carter, and Hal Holbrook.

Santa & Pete - This unique film has been one of my favorites since the first time I saw it. It tells the story of the Dutch Santa (portrayed by the amazing Hume Cronyn) and his helper, Black Peter. The story begins with master storyteller James Earl Jones as a Grandfather teaching his grandson about Santa and Pete. Full of wonderful references to the historical Santa, this story focuses on what happens when Santa and Pete arrive in the New World. Although Santa is rather set in his ways, their adventures in New Amsterdam force him to rethink his Christmas traditions.

Klaus - While rather unusual, this film is absolutely charming. Told by Jesper, the unwilling Postman of Smeerensburg, it's a story that proves "a true act of good will always spark another." Klaus is a lonely woodsman who lives far from town. Through a chance encounter, Jesper and Klaus begin delivering toys to the children of Smeerensburg, changing all their lives in the process.

And here are a few where Santa struggles with the dwindling Christmas spirit in the world.

The Year Without A Santa Claus - This is another classic from Rankin Bass. When Santa wakes up with a cold in December, he decides he won't deliver gift this year. In an effort to change his mind and show him that he's truly needed, Mrs Claus sends two elves, Jingle and Jangle, to Southtown. They get into all sorts of trouble along the way, meeting the Miser Brothers and Mother Nature before finally convincing Santa to take his annual Christmas ride.

Miracle on 34th Street - This is a wonderful story that can make anyone believe again. When he is hired to be Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade, Kris Kringle is so wonderful, that they decide to keep him on as the official Santa of Macy's. With his help, everyone begins to put the spirit back into Christmas. But when he angers one of the employees, he is put on trial for insanity. Can his lawyer prove that he is "the one and only Santa Claus" or is he "just a nice old man with whiskers like mother said"?

Violent Night - This movie is definitely not for kids. It is rated R for violence and language. Santa is feeling very disillusioned with the world when he accidentally stumbles into a hostage situation involving a little girl who truly believes in Santa Claus, and her horrible extended family. In this version, Santa was once a Viking warrior, and he must put his old skills to work to save young Trudy and her family. It was recently announced that a sequel will be coming to theaters next Christmas. 

Next up, we have stories of new people taking on the role of Santa Claus, willingly or not.

The Santa Clause -  There's a lot to enjoy here with three movies and a two season series. Starring Tim Allen as Santa, these are great stories that support the existence of Santa Claus in an ever changing form.

• The Santa Clause tells how Scott Calvin, an executive for a toy company, became Santa, much to the delight of his son Charlie. 
• In The Santa Clause 2, Santa must seek a wife or he'll have to stop being Santa. 
• By The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Santa and Mrs. Claus are expecting a baby. Will Santa stay Santa or will he employ the "Escape Clause?" 
• The Santa Clauses Season 1 sees Scott Calvin once again struggling to stay Santa. He and his family love living at the North Pole, but worry that it might be time to hand the reins to someone new.
• In The Santa Clauses Season 2, Mad Santa seeks to take back the job of Santa Claus as Scott Calvin tries to prepare his son Cal for the role.

Arthur Christmas - This is a wonderful story about Christmas, magic, and the importance of family. Arthur is Santa's youngest son. He's a bit of a klutz and afraid of everything, but he has a good heart. On Christmas Eve, Santa and his oldest son, Steve, head out in a spaceship sleigh to deliver presents to the children of the world, with an efficient and modern flair. But this Christmas, a gift was left undelivered, and it seems only Arthur understands the importance of finding a gift from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning. So, Arthur, Grandsanta, and a wrapping elf named Bryony set out to make things right.

Noelle - Santa's daughter is full of the Christmas spirit, but a bit lost when it comes to her role at the North Pole. When her brother Nick begins training to become Santa, the results are disastrous, so she tries to help by suggesting he take a little vacation. Unfortunately, he decides not to come back, so Noelle must find him and convince him to return to save Christmas.

The Claus Family Trilogy - Young Jules is feeling lost after the sudden death of his father. His family has recently moved and he has just discovered that his grandfather Noël is Santa Claus. When he learns that he is meant to take over as Santa in a few years, he rebels, but eventually discovers the magic of Christmas. In the second film, Jules tries to help a young girl bring her family back together. And in the third, Jules' little sister Noor discovers that Noël is Santa, but can she keep the secret? 

And finally, we have the movies that are about Santa, but are told by Santa's companions.

Prep & Landing - When Prep and Landing Elves arrive in a child's home, their job is to get everything ready for the arrival of Santa. But when Wayne the elf is passed over for a promotion, he decides not to do his job, with disastrous results. 

Prep and Landing: Naughty vs Nice - There are two types of Elves that visit homes on Christmas Eve: Prep and Landing Elves who visit nice kids, and the Coal Elf Brigade who visit naughty kids. This year, Wayne must work with his Coal Elf baby brother Noel to stop a naughty kid from ruining Christmas for kids everywhere.

Red One - This is a wild and crazy ride of a movie, with lots of mythological Christmas characters and a fun story.   When Santa, code name Red One", goes missing, Calum Drift, his head of security, immediately begins searching for him. After reluctantly teaming up with bounty hunter (and Level 4 Naughty Lister) Jack O'Malley, they head off on an adventure to save Santa.