Disneyland kicks off 2019 with Get Your Ears On – A Mickey & Minnie Celebration
To commemorate the 90th birthdays of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Disneyland Resort guests are invited to experience “Get Your Ears On,” the biggest, most immersive celebration of Mickey and Minnie in the theme park’s history.
By Melanie Gable
Lighting up the night is “Mickey’s Mix Magic,” a dazzling new show that transforms multiple locations in Disneyland Park into a lively, family-friendly dance party.
“DJ” Mickey kicks off the nightly celebration with a brand new song – “It’s a Good Time” – written just for Disney Parks, followed by remixes of music from “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “The Jungle Book,” “Frozen,” and more.
The show integrates state-of-the-art projections, lights, lasers, and “snow” all year round, with fireworks on select dates. Guests can join the party on Main Street, in front of “It’s a Small World,” and, later this year, on the shores of Rivers of America, with projections customized for each location.
“I think ‘Mickey’s Mix Magic’ is really going to surprise our guests,” said Steven Davison, executive creative director of parades & spectaculars for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. “It’s unlike anything we’ve done with a projection show before, both visually with bright kaleidoscope colors and musically with the fun, electro-swing tunes that ‘DJ’ Mickey spins. It’s such a good time, and I can’t wait to see kids of all ages enjoying this massive dance party throughout Disneyland Park!”
Returning Jan. 25, the fan-favorite “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will once again wind its way down Main Street, U.S.A. – this time with a rollicking new opening. The updated opening will feature a new Mickey pull-toy float, which will tower over the crowd at 19 feet tall, and a giant, sunset-hued celebration cake float covered in confetti.
“We can’t wait for guests to see how we’re going to rock the opening of this parade,” enthused Davison. “These colorful new floats kick off the parade with a really invigorating new energy. And this crowd-pleasing processional is filled with tons of excitement, including many of your favorite Disney characters, high-spirited performers, live musicians and so much more.”
Also, starting Jan. 25 is the “Get Your Ears On” Celebration Dance Party, which will take place nightly at Tomorrowland Terrace. This all-ages party gives guests the opportunity to dance with some of their favorite characters to popular Disney music.
Disneyland dates will be even sweeter during Valentine’s Month, when the resort will celebrate the love between Mickey and Minnie. Guests will be greeted by a new Mickey Mouse flower “portrait” in front of Main Street Station and valentine decor will adorn Main Street, U.S.A., and Small World Mall.
From Jan. 22 to Feb. 18, Disneyland Park guests of all ages can enjoy Minnie’s Valentine Surprise, a scavenger hunt that sends participants on a search for valentines that Minnie has hidden for Mickey all around the park. To play along, guests can purchase a commemorative map and stickers and show their completed map at select merchandise locations to receive a special Valentine’s surprise.
Specialty Foods
The limited-time offerings also include special eats and treats, and Disney foodies will be delighted by the variety of Mickey and Minnie-inspired fare available at multiple locations around the resort.
“This is amazing, this partnership that we have with our merchandise team to help us bring this story to life and celebrate,” said John State, culinary director of food & beverage for the Disneyland Resort.
Some of the celebratory sweets guests can try include the Celebration Cake (lemon mousse and raspberry jam layer cake) at Plaza Inn; the Mickey Mouse Club Hat Dessert (vanilla creme brûlée) at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe; Mickey’s Chocolate Cup and Brownie at Fiddler, Fifer, & Practical Cafe; and Cookies ’N Cream Bread Pudding from Pacific Wharf Cafe.
Mickey-shaped donuts, whoopee pies, and macarons will be offered exclusively at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Mickey and Minnie-shaped caramel apples can be found throughout the resort.
For guests who want something a little more savory, “Get Your Ears On” has plenty to try, like the “Share Your Ears” Cheeseburger at Smokejumpers Grill, Bacon Mac & Cheese Footlong Hot Dog at Pluto’s Dog House, Pad Thai Spring Roll (complete with hidden Mickey) at Bengal Barbecue, and A Cheesy Celebration Hot Dog and the Vegan Hot Diggity Dog at Award Wieners. Resort guests can obtain an official “Get Your Ears On” Food Guide to see the full list of menu items and locations.
From Jan. 22 to Feb. 18, Valentine’s themed treats and dishes will be offered at multiple locations in Disneyland Park. These include donut sundaes at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, heart-shaped mousse desserts at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, strawberry bundt cakes at Plaza Inn, heart-shaped Linzer Minnie cookies at Market House, strawberry beet salad and pillow cake desserts at Blue Bayou Restaurant, roasted vegetable spring rolls at Bengal Barbecue, specialty funnel cakes at Hungry Bear Restaurant, molcajete platters and chocolate tamales at Rancho del Zocalo, and Southern pork belly sliders and chocolate lava cakes at River Belle Terrace.
For a more elegant dining experience, Disneyland Resort guests can reserve a seat for Mickey’s Tea Party Celebration afternoon tea service at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel. Only offered through March 31, the menu includes limited-edition Mickey and Minnie-inspired desserts, traditional scones, tea sandwiches, loose leaf teas, herbal infusions, and more. Diners can choose between classic, premium, and kids tea parties.
Merchandise
Disney merchandise fanatics will be thrilled to get their hands on many of the Disney Parks-exclusive items available only during the “Get Your Ears On” celebration.
Some of these items include new Mickey and Minnie Mouse popcorn buckets, a celebration sipper, and specialty items for Valentine’s month. The Celebrate Mickey merchandise collection features birthday-themed apparel, accessories, ear hats, pins, light-up Mickey wands, 18-inch Mickey plush, and more.
For Minnie lovers, Rock the Dots is a colorful, fashion-forward collection of apparel, accessories, and souvenirs embellished with Minnie’s signature polka dots. Guests can pay tribute to Mickey Mouse’s history and many transformations with the Mickey Through the Years collection of T-shirts, tote bags, ornaments and mugs.
Guests who love Mickey-shaped food will adore the D-Lish collection with treat-inspired housewares, ear headbands, garments, and accessories that look good enough to eat. Spirit Jersey fans can look forward to a new on-trend color in the spring and will even be able to match with their animal companions, as Disney will release Spirit Jerseys for pets later this year.
The Downtown Disney District is also celebrating Mickey and Minnie in style. Pandora will debut a 14-karat gold “90” Disney dangle charm, Dooney & Bourke will offer new Mickey Mouse bags, and a special Mickey Through the Years dress can be found at The Disney Dress Shop.
Stay tuned for more updates on “Get Your Ears On – A Mickey & Minnie Celebration.” To learn more about this limited-time event, visit Disneyland.com.
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