A Taste of Epcot Comes to the West Coast

Are you a fan of all the cultural activities, music, and food that can be found in the various countries of Epcot's World Showcase pavilions? I am! Do you wish some of this could be found at the Disneyland Resort? Well, good news! Disney's California Adventure hosts the Lunar New Year festivities, and it brings the flavor of Epcot to California. Though not nearly as extensive as what can be done around the World Showcase Lagoon, at Disney's second California park, from Paradise Park down to  the Pacific Wharf and even Grizzly Peak, the cultures, music, and flavors, of China, Vietnam and Korea can be found. A colorful parade featuring Mulan and Mushu sets the park aglow with a blaze of color and music fills the air. 

Bringing other festivals to the forefront such as El Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) makes California Adventure feel a bit like World Showcase few weeks a year. There's no matching architecture or even culturally based rides, but it is still with a visit when these are in the calendar. Perhaps one day that rumored Coco boat ride will debut, but for now these festivals bring some true diversity to a park that doesn't really know what its theme is anymore. I call it making the most of what you've got.

The great photo site Westcoaster provided the photos above and has tons more to see. Go there now to see more. 

(Photograph copyright Westcoaster.)

 

A Taste of Epcot at California Adventure

Back in the early days of California Adventure 1.0, the park seemed to truly celebrate the beautiful cultural diversity of the state. Once the park began seeking for an audience (it had an identity), the California Food and Wine Festival came in, bringing with it a classy and warm presentation of some of the best aspects of the state's foodie culture.

When the suits saw a significant investment would have to be made and much of the park placed behind construction walls to do it, the Food and Wine Festival went away. 

Now that 2.0 is a great success, the park is slowly returning to its cultural presentations. Mouse Info has a great look at the celebration for the Lunar New Year. This festival, which is celebrated by various Asian cultures, brings an exciting taste of Epcot to California. Go right to the Mouse Info link to see the photos.

(Photograph copyright Mouse Info.)

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with the Disney Geek

The Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure concludes this weekend, so there is not much of a chance I'll get to see it. Maybe you won't either, but a look at the dozens of photos from the Disney Geek should help ease the pain.  The way the newest West Coast park celebrates the various cultures of California makes me think of Epcot and World Showcase. I'd like to see them bring back the California Food & Wine Festival. Wouldn't you?

(Photograph copyright DisneyGeek.com)