Holiday Time at Disneyland

The holidays are in full swing at Disneyland.  The Very Merry Christmas Parade returns with twice daily performances.

Bring the kiddos to meet Santa Mickey as well as the real Santa Claus, appearing at both DCA and Disneyland through the holidays.  After dark, "Believe in Holiday Magic" fireworks complete with the snow finale. It's really something special to experience.  The snow fall is only on Main Street, in front of the Castle and in front of Small World.  I've found that the Small World plaza is the best spot to be.


My favorite thing about this time of the year at Disneyland is the chance to buy tamales and freshly made candy canes.  It's a real treat. Take the family out and experience holiday magic, Disney style!

D23 Events for 2012

The crew from DayTrippingMom and Kids and Mice had the opportunity recently to visit the Walt Disney Studios for a preview of coming events for members of D23, The Ultimate Disney Fan Club.  With each passing year of the club, more and more exciting activities have been planned.  2012 proves to be no exception.

First up in 2012 is the Smoke Tree Ranch Roundup.  In case you don't know, Smoke Tree Ranch was where Walt Disney had a vacation home, located in Palm Springs, California.  According to the internet, "STR is a very private resort, membership is by recommendation of a committee only.  To prove his love of the ranch, Disney had his designers design and build three cottages on the ranch, and they let him join. Those cottages are still there today. There are plenty of homeowners still living there that were friends of Disney and knew him well."  D23 members are invited to take part in a weekend getaway to STR in January 2012. Surprises are guaranteed.

D23 Fanniversary events will be held throughout the year.  Everyone has their favorite Disney "thing."  Well every year there are various anniversaries of those "things."  D23 enables everyone an opportunity to celebrate their favorites with special events and activities.  Next year will feature anniversaries of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pirates of the Caribbean and even Duck Tales.

Right on the heels of the second D23 Expo, the club has announced that the Destination D events will now be annually held.  If you've never been to a Destination D event, you're in for a treat.  There are panel discussions and meet and greets with all sorts of Disney personalities.  It is somewhat similar to the D23 Expo but on a much smaller scale.

Destination D returns August 11-12.  This year it will be held in Anaheim.

The extremely popular studio tours are returning in 2012. They will be held February 11-12, April 28-29, September 8-9 and November 10-11.  They are doubling the number of opportunities to visit the studio.  Don't miss out.

If you aren't already a member, join now. If you are, why not give the gift of D23 to that special Disney fan in your family?

Edible Plants in Tomorrowland

Have you ever noticed that most of the decorative plants in Tomorrowland are actually edible plants? It's called Agri-Future! I'm not sure if we'd actually want to eat them, but I've spotted lettuce plants,

dwarf chili plants,

strawberry plants,

cabbage plants, rosemary bushes, sage plants and many more.  I just think that's plain cool and it makes for a great teaching opportunity for the kids while you are waiting in line!

What ones have you spotted while waiting in line for Astro Orbiter, Finding Nemo Submarines or Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters?

Happy Halloween!

 

Be Safe Everyone!

Halloween Screams Fireworks

Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade - Mickey's Halloween Party

 

In this unique parade, exclusive to Mickey's Halloween Party, you can see all your Disney favorites decked out in their favorite Halloween costumes.  Surprises included seeing the County Bears and a certain famous female pig star!  Make sure you watch the entire parade to catch all the surprises. Just a few days remain.  Get you tickets ASAP.

Jack Skellington and Zero - Halloween Screams Fireworks

The Halloween Screams fireworks are not to be missed, however, they are only displayed during Mickey's Halloween Party.  Tickets are going fast.  Get yours here.

Halloween Time at Disneyland

Hanging Out at Mickey's Hallloween Party

Not-so-scary scarecrows are just part of the entertainment at Disneyland during Mickey's Halloween Party throughout October.

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland

It's already that time of the year? Yes! Fall is upon and the Disneyland Resort is crawling with thrill, chills and smiles for Halloween Time.

Mickey's Halloween Party
$49 per person for Advance price (September 30, October 3, 11, 18 & 25) 
$59 per person for Day-of-Event price (September 30, October 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 & 25) 
$64 per person for Premium price (October 18 & 31)

Some unique features of this event include:

• Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular (9:30 each night)
• Photos with favorite Disney Villains
• Special treat stations offering both candy and healthy goodies
• Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade (8:30 and 10:30 each night)
• Piratepalooza in Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, kick up your boots with Goofy and other swashbucklers
• Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Space Jam -- a high-energy dance party that goes to infinity and beyond

See you there!

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives at D23 Expo

One of the many highlights to visiting the D23 Expo is a visit to the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.  Last time in 2009, there were costumes from Mary Poppins, Captain Eo and Enchanted, to name a few.  This year the archive display was more than twice as big with even more artifacts from over the years.  Here are some recognizable items from the display.

from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

The actual book from the opening sequence of Sleeping Beauty.

The costume display from the original Tron.

Annette's Mickey Mouseclub costume

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at DCA from D23 Expo

At the D23 Expo, inside the Carousel of Projects, was a full size vehicle from the upcoming ride in Cars Land, set to open next year.  Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is a "whip-style" ride that should be accessible to kids of all ages.  The Expo also gave previews of upcoming additions to Walt Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland.

Magic Mondays

D23 Expo is here!

c Disney

In just a few hours, hundreds of Disney fans from all over the world will converge on the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans.  Daytrippingmom Media will be there to cover all things big and small, especially the models and information on the additions to California Adventure.

We were able to attend in 2009 and had a fantastic time and are looking forward to all the surprises that this weekend holds.  The Expo is kid friendly and there is even a Baby Care Center, similar to those found in the parks, available.  Tickets are available at the door.  You DO NOT have to be a D23 member to come to the Expo (but why aren't you?).

We'll see you there!

A Goofy Place to Live

Main Street Penny Arcade

Esmeralda the Fortune Teller

What once was a dime now costs you a quarter, but regardless, Esmeralda remains an icon of the Main Street strip.

Captain Kid the pirate goat at Disneyland

Visit him at Big Thunder Ranch

Magic Monday

Disneyland Resort Parking

Next time you visit the park, I highly suggest skipping the Mickey and Friends parking structure and head down Harbor, past the old main entrance, pass over Katella and turn left when you reach the Toy Story parking lot.  It uses OCTD buses and moves swiftly to bring you to the old Lion King drop off area at the east end of the entrance promenade.  Parking is simple and now you can even purchase your tickets there at the parking lot (credit or debit cards only).

The other perk too is that if you are staying at a hotel in the area and they do not offer a shuttle service, you could walk over and take the buses, without any cost.

Did you know? This property where the Toy Story parking lot is, will be a third Disneyland Resort, if and when, they ever decide to build one.

Magic Monday

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Magic Monday

Monstro - Storybook Land, Disneyland

Magic Monday

Trader Sam - Jungle Cruise

Magic Monday

Pinocchio's Daring Journey - Disneyland

Magic Monday

Mickey's House - Toon Town

Big Summer at the Disneyland Resort

It's now official!  Star Tours - The Adventure Continues will open to the public on June 3, 2011.  For those that love Disneyland parades, Disneyland will debut the all-new Mickey's Soundsational Parade, Memorial Day weekend. 

The premiere of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure will also happen on June 3rd.  I guess we should start lining up now.

The Magic, The Memories and You!

 (c) Disney

‘small world’ Becomes a Big Canvas As "The Magic, The Memories and You!" Projection Show Conjures Vacation Memories at Disneyland

The façade of “it’s a small world” in Disneyland park is being transformed each night into a breathtaking display of moving, ever-changing photography, video, animation and music as Disneyland celebrates guests’ memories with an innovative new show – “The Magic, The Memories and You!”

Guests of all ages will be reminded of their Disney memories, and may even see themselves in the nightly show, as a kaleidoscope of larger-than-life images is projected onto the classic Fantasyland “it’s a small world” attraction. Included in the thousands of photographs each night will be approximately 500 photos of guests who made memories in Disneyland that very day – resulting in a different “The Magic, The Memories and You!” presentation every night.

“Disneyland has been making very special memories for families and guests of all ages for more than 55 years,” said Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis. “Now guests recalling and cherishing those memories will become stars of the show as well.”

After the sun goes down, the 10-minute spectacle combines that day’s photos with photos and videos taken from Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin” online hub, and brings them to life with the help of amazing new projection technology that transforms the architecture of “it’s a small world” in never-before-seen ways. Classic Disney music is woven into the new “Let the Memories Begin” theme song and, via some magical effects, even the singing dolls from inside the “it’s a small world” attraction find their way outside to appear in the show. The finale features a burst of fireworks over “it’s a small world.”

“We’re really taking it to the Nth degree and we’re doing it for our guests,” observes show director Alan Bruun, associate creative director, Disney Destinations Entertainment. “Some guests will spot their own photographs in the show, and yet our goal is for everyone watching the show to be able to say, ‘These are my memories. I recognize that moment, that emotion.’ ”

The visual and musical journey that takes place in “The Magic, The Memories and You!” traces the family vacation experience, from planning and travel all the way through arrival and fun in Disneyland. The show closes, appropriately, with a classic Disney memory. A similar show featuring guest images projected onto the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle premiered Jan. 18 in the Magic Kingdom park, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.