Olivia's Disney Adventures

Disneyland Resort
 
Santa's Seaside Pavilion
Paradise Pier: 10:30 a.m - 5 p.m.

Flik's Oversized Ornaments
A Bug's Land


Santa Greetings
Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort (Nov. 25 - Dec. 24)

Holiday Carolers
Disneyland® Hotel
Nov. 25 - Dec. 30 (Daily)
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
Nov. 26- Dec. 26 (Friday-Sunday only)

Thanksgiving has passed and now on to the final steps of vacation planning and preparation. As I countdown I love having a fun countdown ticker to add to the excitement. I searched for a fun Disney themed ticker and came across www.myvacationcountdown.com. There are many out there so search for Disney countdown tickers and see what you find.

With each visit to the Disney parks I think about what Disney cast member I want to be. Sometimes I want to be a princess, sometimes I want to be the ride operator for Mr Toads, other times I want to be a tour guide who knows all the secrets of Disneyland. More often than not I want to be Mickey Mouse. I want to be playful, the most recognized character in the park, and one of the most overly exaggerated character there is. Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney were my inspiration in college so being Mickey Mouse would be an honor.

Who would you want to be at the Disney parks?

While at Disneyland right before Christmas, I have been watching and looking for special events during this festive time. I found this event on the Disneyland Facebook page.

Decorate Gingerbread Houses at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney Dec. 11, 12 and 18.

Kids of all ages are invited to participate in this festive holiday event. At the Gingerbread Workshop, kids can be involved in the entire process of creating their very own gingerbread house — from the actual construction to the decorative touches.

The workshop kicks off with each participant decorating his or her own chef’s hat in preparation to be “Chefs for the Day.” Afterward, Chef Darrin Finkel will lead a hands-on demonstration of the proper assembly of a gingerbread house. And then, they’ll dive into the fun stuff — decorating the gingerbread houses with handfuls of holiday candy personally procured by Santa's elves.

Price is $45.00 plus tax per Gingerbread Kit (includes gingerbread house and candy, decorated chef’s hat, unlimited sodas and 2 reserved seats.) Additional seats sold for $10.00 each.

Reserve today by calling 714-776-5200 Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Advance Payment by credit card required for reservation confirmation. Jazz Kitchen will not be responsible for the assembly, holding or transporting of Gingerbread houses.

When:
Saturday, December 11, 2009, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sunday, December 12, 2009, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 18, 2009, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

You want to see all the characters and take pictures but don't have time to view or purchase the professional ones? Not to worry. Disney has that taken care of for you. During your first character visit ask the photographer for a photopass. Its free! Every time you get a new picture taken give the card to the photographer. You have up to 30 days to view your photos online, make fun edits with borders or add to merchandise, and place an order. You can even add those ride pictures to your photopass! No more passing up those photos because you are afraid you will spend too much.

Even better is you can order a CD of all those pictures for 1 great price! This is a fabulous way to share the cost with other family members who vacationed with you.

Lose or forgot your card? That's ok because you can get another. You can add more than one card to your photopass account.

Visit http://www.disneyphotopass.com prior to your next visit to the Disneyland resort for more great tips!

Dole whips floats are undoubtably my favorite Disneyland treat. You will find this delicious treat in very few places (Disneyland, Disney World, and 2 or 3 vendors in Hawaii) so it is a treat you may never experience away from the Disney parks.

A dole whip is a pineapple soft serve frozen dessert. A dole whip floats includes dole pineapple juice. If you have never tried this treat may I suggest you arrive at the Enchanted Tiki Room found in Adventureland early, share and savor this treat, and move on to a fun and energetic atmosphere found inside the Tiki Room.

This is a unique experience found only at the Magic Kingdom. Enjoy, dance, laugh, savor.

Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, family reunion, first time visiting the park? Disney offers special occasion buttons. Visit City Hall on Main Street and get a free button! You can also visit guest services in Disney's California Adventure Park.

Arrive early because these buttons are limited.

A FASTPASS is a service that allows you to enjoy the rest of the Disneyland Resort while your place in line is saved. You go to select popular rides and get a fastpass for a later time in the day. This allows you to ride other rides instead of standing in a long line.

Here is info right from the Disney FASTPASS site:

Using Disney's FASTPASS Service

   1. Look for the FASTPASS distribution area near the entrance of an attraction.

   2. Check the FASTPASS "Return Time" display to learn when you can return to experience the attraction.

   3. Insert your Disneyland Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket or Annual Passport into the FASTPASS machine.

   4. A FASTPASS ticket will be printed with your Return Time.

   5. Enjoy the rest of the Disneyland Resort.

   6. Go to the "FASTPASS Return" queue at your Return Time, show your FASTPASS ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction!

Disneyland Park

    * Autopia, presented by Chevron
    * Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
    * Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
    * Indiana Jones Adventure
    * Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
    * Space Mountain
    * Splash Mountain

Disney's California Adventure Park

    * California Screamin'
    * Grizzly River Run
    * Soarin' Over California
    * The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
    * World of Color (distributed at Grizzly River Run)

If you are vacationing with young children, you will want to learn about and utilize the rider swap program available on some rides. This allows a group with 2 or more adults allows your party to enjoy the attraction while 1 adult waits with the child then swaps when the remaining groups completes the ride.

Click here to see what Disneyland resort attractions offer the rider swap - Rider Swap

This engaging documentary looks at the exciting array of family fun and entertainment that awaits visitors at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., including the original Disneyland, the first venue in what is now a global family of theme parks. Since then, other attractions -- including California Adventure -- have opened adjacent to the original park, reinvigorating the area known as "the happiest place on Earth."

If you have never visited the Disneyland resort, been several years since your last visit, or want to learn a new tid bit about the Disneyland Resort, you will want to check this out. I found this while browsing for something to to watch on Netflix's instant watch.