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cstephens
11-24-2014, 06:50 AM
For those who saw it and loved it last year and for those who haven't had a chance to see it, just wanted to make sure people know that Viva Navidad is back at DCA. They've taken over the menu at the place that normally serves mediterranean food. We didn't eat there this time, but I may go back and try some of the dishes. They have a lot of merchandise this year, which I don't remember having seen last year. This picture of a sweatshirt and t-shirt show the two logos for the event. (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/536733922470555648) Both the sweatshirt and t-shirt have the same design, with the smaller logo on the front left breast area and the larger logo on the back. They also have a kids shirt with the big design. They also have an ornament, a mug, and a pin. I wish they'd release Mickey and Minnie plush dolls dressed in the clothes they wear for Viva Navidad. I love their outfits, and I think that would be very popular as well.

If you go see the show, the best place to sit is just to the right of the beer kiosk, meaning if you're sitting or standing there, you're facing the seating area just in front of Boardwalk Pasta and Pizza and the beer kiosk is to your left. The one float in the show stops just about there, and it's a great view. I love the flamenco dancers and the brazilian dancers and the accompanying musicians to each. The Three Caballeros are on the float, and of course, Mickey and Minnie join the fun. Here's a picture I got of Mickey and Minnie as they were leaving the end of the show. (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/536735032652484608)

I'm so glad they brought the show back this year and my only problem is that I don't think I have much time to be able to see the show.

olegc
11-24-2014, 08:33 AM
^From your description it sounds like the same merchandise as last year (I bought an ornament and a mug last year and contemplated the shirt).
The show, and the food, are going on until Jan 6th (which is a tuesday) - 4 times a day.

I did not see yet - but last year they sold some of the snack options at a cart near Goofy's Sky School.

cstephens
11-24-2014, 12:19 PM
^From your description it sounds like the same merchandise as last year (I bought an ornament and a mug last year and contemplated the shirt).

Hmmm, OK, I must have missed them last year, then, or I'm just totally forgetting. Maybe they just changed the date to 2014. Thanks for the correction!

olegc
11-24-2014, 12:40 PM
Hmmm, OK, I must have missed them last year, then, or I'm just totally forgetting. Maybe they just changed the date to 2014. Thanks for the correction!

were they on that cart still in the back by the restrooms? that's where most of the items were sold last year.

Seashellmama
11-24-2014, 01:56 PM
We went on Nov 13 for my DD's 13th birthday- she specifically wanted to eat at the Mediterranean place- we didn't know about Viva Navidad- but fortunately was very happy with the interesting and different Mexican food. I thought it was quite good!

cstephens
11-24-2014, 04:13 PM
were they on that cart still in the back by the restrooms?

Yep.

Gone2Disneyland
11-24-2014, 05:16 PM
I tried the Pineapple and Raisin tamales from the Viva Navidad! menu. I loved them! Cornmeal isn't used but a sweet cake.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/15606417188_0133996a00_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pM5Y7q)
Paradise Garden Grill, November 10, 2014 (https://flic.kr/p/pM5Y7q) by Gone2Disneyland (https://www.flickr.com/people/8485215@N03/), on Flickr

olegc
12-07-2014, 09:46 PM
Hmmm, OK, I must have missed them last year, then, or I'm just totally forgetting. Maybe they just changed the date to 2014. Thanks for the correction!

I figured out the reason you may have forgotten. They totally changed the logo and design of mugs and ornaments for 2014. In 2013 the mug looked like this (http://www.mouseplanet.com/photos/data/500/medium/P1000864.JPG)and the ornament was a round ceramic blue disk with the same logo. This year the mug is white and gets wider at the top (and is shorter overall) and the ornament is more of an oblong rounded rectangular box.

Just thought I would point it out.

Oh - and for those wondering - I thought the Pozole was really really good.

tea4two
12-07-2014, 11:27 PM
...Oh - and for those wondering - I thought the Pozole was really really good.

Glad to hear that. The Parks Blog posted the recipe a few weeks ago, and I have been wanting to taste it first before attempting to cook it. It does seem to be getting good reviews overall.

olegc
12-08-2014, 09:11 AM
Glad to hear that. The Parks Blog posted the recipe a few weeks ago, and I have been wanting to taste it first before attempting to cook it. It does seem to be getting good reviews overall.

a small set of white onion, cabbage, and cilantro are on the side - throw those in. there's a lot of broth compared to the hominy and pork portion - so something has to mix in ;-).

stan4d_steph
12-22-2014, 09:44 AM
I tried the chicken mole and the sopes de barbacoa over the weekend. The mole was good, but I liked the barbacoa better. You can get a mild or hot sauce on the sopes, but the hot isn't "watery eyes and sniffling nose" spicy, in my opinion; it's just a nice amount of heat and flavor.

The show is fantastic, and cstephens' recommendation for where to stand is spot on. There is some green tape on the ground that marks off areas where you can't stand at the beginning of the show while the parade unit gets into position, but then you can fill in the space after about 4 minutes.

For characters, The Three Caballeros are there along with Mickey and Minnie in their Navidad garb. There are Mexican folklorico dancers and Brazilian samba dancers, along with some other small parade units that go along with the dancers. It's just a fun, high energy show that is worth taking the time to see. I only wish it were staged somewhere with a bit more space for viewing, but it happens more frequently than a parade so there are a lot of opportunities to see it if the crowd is too big at a particular show.