Disney Halloween App for Facebook

Halloween is almost here and I thought I'd share this fun Facebook Application directly from Disney:

Turn yourself into a villain

Disneyland -> http://apps.facebook.com/disney-villainize-dl/entries/new
DisneyWorld -> http://apps.facebook.com/disney-villainize-dw/entries/new

1. Select favorite Disney villain and scene
2. Add a photo (either from FB or uploaded)
3. Position the photo to fit in the image
4. Share your “villainized” self with friends and family

Be sure to comment on the Kids and Mice Facebook fan page here so we can all see your Disney Villain photo!

ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure

To commemorate the release of Disney's Tron: Legacy this December 7, 2010.  Disney California Adventure park is now featuring the dynamic music and dance, fun food and drink, and the computer-world environment of “TRON: Legacy,” the “ElecTRONica” festivities take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights this fall, plus all week Thanksgiving week, Nov. 19 -28, and nightly during the Christmas vacation period  Friday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Jan 2. “ElecTRONica” is expected to continue through mid-to-late April 2011.

The adventure will begin in Sunshine Plaza at a “TRON”-themed stage where, at 6 p.m., an exciting music, video and dance show welcomes you to enter the world of TRON.  When the high-powered Sun Plaza welcoming show has concluded, the party will transition into Hollywood Pictures Backlot. You pass through an “ElecTRONica” archway to a street alive with a computerized color grid. There, they will have the sensation of being digitized and transported into the computer mainframe world of “TRON: Legacy.” 

Some exciting features include Laserman, a performer who does amazing tricks to music with impressive lasers and light as well as a re-creation of Flynn’s Video Arcade from “TRON: Legacy.” At Flynn’s, gamers will shoot for the highest scores as they enjoy classic 1980s arcade games.  Another feature is the “TRON: Legacy, Exclusive 3D Sneak Peek” (inside Muppet*Vision 3D). This is a 3D preview of the new movie and it has special effects exclusive to this theater.


All of this Tron excitement is in addition to the weekend performances of World of Color. 

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

Today is the first full day of Autumn and last weekend HalloweenTime began at the Disneyland Resort. At Disneyland, this means the return of Haunted Mansion Holiday with new effects and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy with the same cool effects from last year.

Fireworks will be presented weekends but the Halloween Screams fireworks show that debuted last year, will be presented this year only during the Mickey's Halloween Party, which is featured at Disneyland this year and is a separate ticketed event. 

Due to construction at DCA, Disneyland received the vast majority of decorations for Halloween this year. Main Street has never before had so many jack-o-lanterns and just about every other land in the park feature a Halloween display.

HalloweenTime is lasting a full six weeks this year and will likely continue to grow in the years to come.

Self Serve Stroller Rental

From DisneyParks blog:

The Disneyland Resort has made stroller rental easy.  There are now four self-service stroller rental kiosks at the Stroller and Wheelchair rental booth in the Esplanade, located just to the right of the Disneyland entrance.
It's easy to use, just bring a credit card, go to a kiosk, select your language (English or Spanish) and rent up to five strollers for up to six days.

See you there.

World of Color at Disney California Adventure

The premiere of Disney World of Color took place on June 11th. I don't think I can properly describe or rave enough about the amazing and beautiful show. World of Color is Disney California Adventure's newest attraction and it will definitely not disappoint! The new water show is made up of different color lights, your favorite Disney characters and the most incredible music.

The show features 1200, new animation projected on one of the world's larges projection screens and which is 380 ft by 50 ft high. It is an incredible show to watch and one that the entire family will love. The show features some of my favorite  Disney characters such as Wall-E, the gang from Toy Story and The Little Mermaid. My kiddos were able to watch the streaming podcast from the premiere and they haven't stopped talking about and are looking forward to watching it in person!

There are a couple of ways to watch the show. The first is to pick up a FASTPASS at Grizzly River Rapids. If you are planning to watch the show this way, make sure to get your fast pass early, because there are limited tickets available and they will run out fast.

The second and in my opinion the best way, because you can take care of two things at once, is to order a picnic lunch with comes with reserved viewing. Picnic meals are $14.99 and include dessert and choice of beverage. Children's meals include a Souvenir World of Color light-up bracelet. Pick up orders or purchase picnic meals at the Sonoma Terrace between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You can order your picnic lunches up to 30 days in advanced. Annual Pass holders will receive an additional discount. To order your meals head over here.

The third option and one that we hope to try out next week is to receive preferred  viewing from Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria. There will be two seatings. One for the first show from 4pm to 7pm for the first show and from 7:05pm to 830 for the second show. Reservations can be made by callingcall (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463.

The show is 25 minutes long and show times vary each day. For example there are two shows scheduled for today, one at 9pm and one at 10:15pm. To check the schedule, make sure to visit the daily calendar by clicking here.

Since opening, the show has also announced 11:15 PM performances which following the park's extended closing hours of 11 PM.  A Fastpass is also needed for the 11:15 PM performance.

New Tram? - Wordless Wednesday

Spotted this new style of Tram car at Disneyland Resort ...

World of Color Premieres June 11, 2010 at DCA

“World of Color” debuts this year at Disney's California Adventure as part of “Summer Nightastic!” (the resort's summer nighttime entertainment lineup) which includes Disney fan favorites Fantasmic! and "Magical" fireworks. “Summer Nightastic!” will run from June 11 through August 29. “World of Color” will continue entertaining guests year-round at Paradise Bay.

Kids And Mice will have a review posted for you prior to the big public debut.  Stay tuned for details!

Finding Nemo Ride Waterfall at Night - Wordless Wednesday

A gorgeous night time picture of the waterfall coming out of the Finding Nemo Submarine ride at Disneyland...

Strollers at the Disneyland Resort

There is now a central stroller location found just to the right of the main entrance to Disneyland.  This now allows you to rent your stroller before entering either Disneyland or DCA. You can pay at the rental locations or at the ticket booths when you buy your passports.

There are many benefits to renting a stroller. It can be difficult to get on and off the tram with your own stroller or you may not wish to bring your expensive carrier to the parks. Disneyland's strollers are very easy to maneuver and you don't have to worry about it getting stolen. If your stroller is taken, you can get a new one free of charge just by showing your receipt.

Remember that regardless if you are renting or using your own stroller, use a type of marker to easily identify it in a crowd of strollers, such as tying a ribbon around the handle. Disney will provide you a name card to place on the roof of your rented stroller. Since many strollers are similar, the ribbon will make yours easily visible, and also keep someone else from mistaking it as their own. We experienced this with the popular Winnie the Pooh umbrella stroller sold at Target stores.

Wordless Wednesday

Mickey Waffles at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street in Disneyland... Yumm!

All you wanted to know about the give a day, get a day promotion

Have you heard of the give a day, get a day promotion from Disney Parks? In case you haven't here is the 411 on this fabulous promotion.

Disney Parks is giving away free admission to one of the theme parks of the Disneyland Resort  or one of the parks of the Walt Disney World Resort when you sign up and complete a day of volunteer service with a participating organization. Ticket numbers are limited, so you will want to sign up and volunteer as soon as possible.

The first thing you need to do is head here to sign up. You pre-register and search for a volunteer experience that inspires you or is the right fit for your family. Local schools are participating and organizations such as your city's paint the day or Save Our Beach cleanup.

Once you sign up, you are ready to volunteer. Once you volunteer, the participating organization will let the Disney Parks know  when you've completed your day of service. Once the organization has verified your service with the park you will receive an email with your voucher.

It's a wonderful opportunity for service with your family and also be able to earn a fun day at the park. For additional information head over here. Have fun volunteering!

Captain EO returns

Captain Eo returns for a limited engagement to Disneyland, this Tuesday, February 23rd. It's exciting news to have this attraction back. I can't wait to watch this again! However, Captain EO is not recommended for the little ones. It's loud and there are some scary images. This attraction is definitely recommended for older children and adults.

From the official Disney Parks Blog: "While it’s not possible to replicate some special effects elements from the original presentation, it will boast a new 70mm print of the film, and it will sound better than ever thanks to acoustic enhancements made to the theater since the film last played there in 1997." There are no plans for it to return to any other Disney park, at this point.

Rumor has it that the moving floor system from HISTA will be implemented. No word on whether the lasers, fog or pinwheel will be back too. For now, the run is open-ended with no set ending date set for the movie.

Here is the original commercial from 1986 to enjoy:

Wordless Wednesday - Small Scale Splash Mountain

Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland

The Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland is one of our family favorites.  My boys are big Star Wars fans so being "officially" trained as a Padawan is heaven for them.  Being picked to be one of the Padawans can be tough if you go at the wrong time, but we've learned a few tricks.  Think of it this way... when Disneyland isn't busy - neither will the Jedi Training Academy and your children's chances of being picked sky rocket!  Although I have to admit there is something about the energy of the crowd on a busy day when the viewing area is packed!  The Jedi Master is always very entertaining and every show is slightly unique thanks to the creativity of the young Padawans.

If you have bashful or hesitant kids grab lunch or an early dinner and watch one of the shows first.  They serve burgers (including veggie), chicken tenders for kids, sandwiches and the usual walk-up window foods.

Jedi Training Academy normally runs about 6 times a day, (about once an hour- 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, etc.).  Be sure to check the exact starting times on the Disneyland website so you can plan accordingly.

Below are several clips from our most recent trip:

Wordless Wednesday

Do you know where this is? :)

2fer is Back for SoCal Residents

I just found out that 2fer Tickets are back at the Disneyland Resort!  If you aren't aware of the 2fer's, they are pretty simple, pay admission in to one park and you can return on another day to the other park free through April 12th.  If you've got friends, family or other are looking for a great way to enjoy both parks, this is a great deal.

More information about the 2fer Tickets can be found here.

Enjoy!


-Katie

Winner of Family 4 pack of Disney tickets

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you are all having a great start to the New Year.
The winner of the Disneyland 4 pack of tickets is Mormishmom. Email mom@ocmomactivities.com or mom@daytrippingmom.com.

Thank you all for commenting and entering!