Tom Bricker

Thematically, the new-look Napa Rose isn’t 100% to my tastes, but there was never any chance of that. Given practical realities, they did a good job of threading the needle on themed design and comporting with guest expectations for a fancy & expensive restaurant.

Disneyland's Best Restaurant is Back & Better Than Before! After a year-long reimagining, Disneyland Resort's #1 restaurant at its flagship Grand Californian Hotel is finally ready to welcome guests. We had the opportunity to preview the prix fixe menu and ne...

I was nervous about this reimagining, but after a year-long closure, what was once the second-best Disney restaurant is back on top! Here's my comprehensive look around & thoughts after previewing the new menu & dining rooms... www.disneytouristblog.com/napa-rose-re...

Thanks for the kind words! Moving fast on Pokemon makes sense, as does putting it at IoA (bigger franchise & faster build at the park that needs it more) and Zelda at Epic. Pieces seem to be falling into place for the next development cycle!

Thanks for the heads up on this! Nice to see them finally offering more clarity, as this has been a big source of confusion since the DAS overhaul, and the mechanics had been overly opaque.

Why Star Wars Land Finally Breaking the Rules is Great, But More Changes Are Needed. Four years ago, I wrote "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Needs to Break the Rules." That frankly felt overdue even at the time, as the land had a lot of squandered potential outside of Rise of the

NEW: I’m on board with Disney breaking the rules of Galaxy's Edge, and like the changes. The big problem is they don't go far enough. Here's what's on my wish list for SWGE to live up to its promise: Starcruiser stuff, dinner show, overhead action & more! www.disneytouristblog.com/star-wars-ga...

We’ve stayed here a couple of times, but have never had the kitchen. The standard rooms are absolutely massive, though. I’m surprised it hasn’t been bought out and redone. That hotel could fetch double or triple the rates it does with the ACC location.

Check out the bar/restaurant in the lobby—they could set an 80s period piece in there! At least it has interior hallways, though?

How was it????

Why to Skip Super Nintendo World's Morning Madness During Epic Universe's Early Entry - Disney Tourist Blog Early Park Admission at Epic Universe is a popular way to beat the rope drop rush, entering the park an extra hour earlier than regular guests and getting to a headstart on rides in three lands. This ...

Takeaways from my recent morning racing around Epic Universe during EPA. Definitely a big gamble starting with SNW, especially if you’re slow. This shares an easier & superior alternative. www.disneytouristblog.com/why-to-skip-...

Brooks Ghost *Max.* I love those so much, and you can find solid deals on last year’s model!

Ugh, Eastern Gateway. The start date on that is really frustrating, especially since Monsters Inc is closing so much earlier. Feels unnecessarily drawn out (or an OpEx savings with closing Monsters).

These stats aren’t even padded FWIW. Could’ve logged a far higher ride count if I wasn’t running around taking pics, and didn’t spend so much time eating.

My Excellent Epic Universe Experience - Disney Tourist Blog I just had my best day yet at Epic Universe, knocking out 20 rides, 2 stage shows, 2 casual restaurants, and 1 fine dining spot. All over the course of 14 hours from Early Park Admission to after park...

There’s a golden window of opportunity for visiting Epic Universe right now, and id highly recommend visiting before it closes. Even if (*especially* if) you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for APs. www.disneytouristblog.com/low-crowds-e...

I’d like to think so, but it’s already too late for this year. But if this is pushed all the way until next summer (which I could totally see happening), then yeah. Not many marketable additions on the horizon in 2026, so little wins like this, reimaginings, etc will do heavy lifting.

Really sorry that you’re going through this. Can’t imagine how terrifying it all is. But you’ve got this.

We cannot—we will not—let the Italy booth win. (Can only assume it’s the culprit since you don’t smoke.)

You’ve got this.

Great list. Hard to quibble with any of it (skeptical of the grilled cheese, though). I’d agree that the Monte Cristo is overrated. But it’s still highly rated and a DLR rite of passage food, especially the snack sized one from Royal St Veranda. GUESS I AM NOT A SERIOUS ASSIGNMENT-TAKER!

Kind of undercuts the whole “here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday” conceit on a different and more iconic plaque mere feet from this.

Exactly this. Newsom is incredibly talented at debating and getting under opponents’ skin. He’s a great campaign surrogate. But he stands for nothing and has a poor track record at actual governance.

Between making the Lincoln AA and Walt’s constant television presence as the face of his company, and absent published claims to the contrary, I find it impossible to take such arguments even remotely seriously.

WDI claims they couldn’t find anything he said about being enshrined as an AA. We’ll never know for certain at this point, but I think it’s most instructive to look at his actions: he honored Lincoln in the same way, and with similar underlying motivations.

Thanks…I think?

I’m always nervous when they tell media something but don’t publish it anywhere themselves. It’s like “no plans to…at this time,” but with even less accountability. If it ends up being wrong, it just makes me look bad—not them.

Walt Disney - A Magical Life Audio Animatronics Show Review: Good, Bad & Ugly - Disney Tourist Blog “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” is the new stage show opening for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary to preserve the history and legacy of the company’s founder. It’s a labor of love that introduces the man...

After seeing the show in-person a couple of times, here's my take on the strengths & weaknesses of the new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics show. (Plus my photos & video.)

www.disneytouristblog.com/walt-disney-...

Thanks for the kind words, but that’s definitely not accurate. You have a distinct voice and every line is packed with humor that you make seem effortless.

Why Rivers of America Is Worth Saving. - Disney Tourist Blog Walt Disney World is gearing up to demolish Tom Sawyer Island and commence construction on the Piston Peak ‘Cars’ area of Frontierland this month. The Rivers of America will not be saved, let’s be cle...

"Theme parks are not just the sum of their ride rosters, to be raced around and checked off one by one. They are as much defined by the spaces in between; by the absence of attractions, too."

More here on why RoA matters: www.disneytouristblog.com/rivers-ameri...

Very DisnetQuestesque, right down to green lighting the second location before assessing the first. At the very least, I’d imagine development and other sunk costs are lower, but labor costs…that’s a different story!

Universal's Second New 'Horror Unleashed' Attraction Opening in Midwest in 2027! - Disney Tourist Blog Comcast has announced the second location for Universal Horror Unleashed, the new year-round entertainment experience that’s basically a permanent Halloween Horror Nights, before the first has even op...

Would love to be wrong about this, but I feel like there’s a bit too much frothiness over regional concepts & viewing pent-up demand as new normal, when it’s already clear it isn’t. Skeptical this is viable long-term. More thoughts: www.disneytouristblog.com/universal-ho...

Here’s Push from last November at HKDL.

This is exactly it. Epic Universe’s opening is (understandably) attracting a lot of casual tourists, many of whom are being hyped up by locals with more time & tolerance for problems. It’s a recipe for expectations that current ops do not meet.

That’s the Disneyland version, so what we really need is a new one to go alongside this for Magic Kingdom. I guess Guy and I will also have to compete on the Wreck-It Ralph and Ant-Man versions too. For research.