A hockey team inspired by a Disney movie will visit fans on Jan. 24 at Disney California Adventure and nearby Downtown Disney.
Anaheim Ducks Day will feature appearances by players, themed games, and more, according to disneyland.com/anaheimducksday.
Guest will see current Ducks players in a cavalcade along the Disney California Adventure parade route between Paradise Gardens Park and Hollywood Land, where mascot Wild Wing will visit with fans in Hyperion Courtyard. Guests in the same area can test their hockey skills and party with a DJ.
Fans can also take photos with Anaheim Ducks players and buy special merchandise, beverages, and food. Hungry for a chicken-fried steak burrito? Disney says it includes sautéed vegetables, egg, and country gravy with potato bites.
Guests will also learn to draw some popular Disney ducks at Hollywood Land’s Animation Academy. There are no erasers on the pencils but fear not. A cast member will show you how to draw by sketching lightly and then darkening the lines as the shapes become characters. You’ll make Donald proud.
Anaheim Ducks Day Overtime will start that afternoon in Downtown Disney, dancing to DJs and a band, appearances by legacy players, games, giveaways, photo opportunities, and more.
The story behind a Disney-inspired hockey team
In 1993, the Walt Disney Co. started the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, based on its hockey film from the previous year, “The Mighty Ducks” starring Emilio Estevez. The film set the stage for sequels with Estevez, live-action and animated TV shows, and podcast episodes, according to Amazon-owned Internet Movie Database.
Disney sold the hockey squad in 2005 to Henry and Susan Samueli, whose biographies are at nhl.com/ducks. The team’s name was simplified to the Anaheim Ducks.
The website noted that in 2007, the Ducks became the first hockey team from California to win the Stanley Cup.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.