Disneyland is test driving a new kids festival geared toward preschoolers and their families during the back-to-school season that could eventually expand into the annual kickoff of the busy festival season at Disney California Adventure.
The Disney Junior & Friends Playdate three-day event kicked off at DCA on Friday, Aug. 18 with a parade, shows, food, music and games.
SEE ALSO: Her journey from life-saving heart surgery to Disneyland’s CHOC Walk
At the moment, the Disney Junior festival is little more than repurposed retreads and salvaged parts from other seasonal events cobbled together for young kids who don’t know any better and parents just looking for a way to keep them entertained on a sweltering hot day in late summer.
For now, the Disney Junior Playdate remains a work in progress with just enough newness to make it worth checking out this year and enough potential to hold out hope for next year.
Disneyland is trying out a new location, season and name this year for the Disney Junior kids festival geared toward kids 2 to 7 years old.
Last year’s event — dubbed Disney Junior Fun Fest — ran in April just a few days after the DCA Food & Wine Festival and was set at the edge of Paradise Bay. This year’s event moves to Hollywood Land and kicks off just before the start of DCA’s festival season that typically runs from September to April.
The highlight of the this year’s festival was the “Disney Junior Live Playdate” show at the Hollywood Backlot Stage. Disney dancers got the kids jumping, spinning, clapping and playing along as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Pooh and Tigger joined in the fun.
The 15-minute show was perfect for the little ones teetering between naptime and a sugar high who just needed to get their wiggles out and their groove on. The dancers led the kids in participatory games like head, shoulders, knees and toes as well as call-and-response cheers tied to Disney Junior shows.
After the first performance of the…
Read the full article here
