The Holidays at the resort are in full swing and they are firing on all cylinders.  Disneyland is offering Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world holiday, believe in Holiday Magic, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Jingle Cruise, The Jingle Jangle Jamboree and more.  Disney California Adventure is offering World of Color: Winter Dreams, ¡Viva Navidad! Buena Vista Street Carolers and a host of other offerings.  Both parks will be making Candy Canes too!  The thing is, that all if this stuff is actually very good.  But, even while all this holiday goodness is going on, there is still a good bit of news to note.

Candy Canes at the Disneyland Resort

Once again, the smell of peppermint and sugar will fill the air on Buena Vista Street and Main Street U.S.A..  Candy Cane making will be taking place both in the Candy Palace on Main Street USA in Disneyland and at Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure.

To get your mits on a few sticks of this tasty treat, guests are required to pick up wristbands to hold a place in line.  The wristbands are handed out at park opening. There will be 40 wristbands per batch and three batches per day making it 120 wristbands that will be given out at park opening. The earlier you are there, the earlier your batch, one candy cane per wristband.  Candy Canes should be done and picked up by 4:00pm the day they are made & cost is $12.99.

DATES
Candy Palace at Disneyland


  • Friday, November 29 (8:00am park opening)
  • Tuesday, December 3 (9:00am park opening) *Extra Magic Hour this day 8-9am
  • Friday, December 6 (9:00am park opening)
  • 
Tuesday, December 10 (9:00am park opening) *Extra Magic Hour this day 8-9am
  • Friday, December 13 (9:00am park opening)
  • 
Tuesday, December 17 (9:00am park opening)
  • 
Friday, December 20 (hours not posted yet)
  • Sunday, December 22 (hours not posted yet)
  • Tuesday, December 24 (hours not posted yet)

Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure

  • 
Saturday, November 30 (8:00am park opening)
  • Monday, December 2 (9:00am park opening) *Extra Magic Hour this day 8-9am
  • Saturday, December 7 (8:00am park opening)
  • Monday, December 9 (9:00am park opening) *Extra Magic Hour this day 8-9am
  • Saturday, December 14 (8:00am park opening)
  • Monday, December 16 (9:00am park opening)
  • Saturday, December 21 (hours not posted yet)
  • 
Monday, December 23 (hours not posted yet)
  • 
Wednesday, December 25 (hours not posted yet)

Guest Relations

The scaffolds were removed from a portion of the Guest Relations booths to the left of Disneyland’s gate.  Nothing new here.  Just the refreshed facade.

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Swanky ATMs
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Nice brass.

 

The View at Disneyland

While you were at home, snuggled up on the couch, The View was taping segments throughout the week.

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Artist Pit Bull joined the View for a chat in front of the castle.
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Whoopi was dressed as an orange pillow with a Peter Pan hat on while Barbara Walters tried to keep her composure.
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During the commercial breaks the cast would get up, reset, and chat.

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 Haunted Mansion Holiday

In the meantime, more was revealed at the Gingerbread house in the ballroom of the Haunted Mansion this week.  Let’s take a ride, shall we?

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Better not tumble down the back of that hill. It can get a little bit stabby.

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And the BIG reveal . . . another Jack face.
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Good old Jack has a lot of different faces.

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We cant wait until all of the presents in the attic are opened.

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Big Thunder Mountain

Testing continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  While the train and lift hills can easily be heard, none of the show effects are running as of yet.

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In fact, there is still no goat after the second lift hill.

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Dumbo Returns

Dumbo the Flying Elephant has returned to delight children of all ages once more.  However, many of the bright-eyed kiddies that go for a spin will notice that this refurbishment seems a little lackluster… literally.

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The normally shiny brass, inner workings of the attraction are now a dull metallic brown.  In certain spots in the filigree in the center, the paint job was left unfinished.  Weird.

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The center blue housing is already scuffed again.

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the storks look OK though, so that’s good.
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But those unpainted welded looking areas don’t look so great.

 

As a programming note, both Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybook Land Canal Boats will be going down for a tiny refurbishment from December Monday, Dec 2nd to Friday Dec 13th.

 YOU COULD BE A WINNER!

Before we move on to DCA, we have some great news for you. MiceChat partner, Anabella Hotel, is offering a special holiday contest. Simply complete the form below and you’ll be entered to win one of three great prizes.

Grand prize:

  • 2 night stay in a Concierge Room with breakfast for four each morning!

Runner up prizes:

  • Two runner ups will receive a Disney gift pack valued at $50

All you’ll need to do is enter your email. But for extra chances to win, you can Facebook and Twitter as well. Ohhhhhhhhhhh  . . .  we LOVE extra chances!

Winners will be selected at midnight on November 29th. What are you waiting for?  Sign up now:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

disneyland resort, A Holiday for Happy Play at the Disneyland Resort

Disney California Adventure is riding high on the two major successes of World of Color: Winter Dreams and ¡Viva Navidad! in Paradise Pier.  In fact, Annual Passholders are invited to special showings of the new World of Color on select nights.

Dates
November 22, 2013 and
December 2 through December 6, 2013

Show Times
On November 22 and December 6, 2013
9:00 PM show time

On December 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2013
7:00 PM show time

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To see the show, and get your free Frozen ornament, go to the World of Color fast pass distribution area on the same day of the show you would like to see.  After getting your special AP Fast Pass, cast members are waiting at the FastPass exit to hand you your gift ornament.

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Flik’s Fliers

Yay!  Flik’s Fliers has returned to service! It’s a cute enough ride and looks like brand new. Much better than Dumbo looks at the moment.

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¡Viva Navidad!

If you have not done so yet, get over to Paradise Garden Grill and enjoy some south of the border cheer with ¡VIva Navidad!  Seriously folks, this is one of the best mini-events DCA has done. REALLY fun and VERY well done!

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We’ve already talked about how amazing the street show is here.  It’s not just good, it is GREAT.  But today we focus on the food offerings which are also quite exceptional.

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Yum

 

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Delicious

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So far we have tried the Torta, the Mahi and the Street tacos.  All were pretty decent with the Mahi being a stand-out.

Then there is the dessert.  The Buñuelos are ten different shades of delicious.  Seriously.  Just order two.  Trust us.

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There is also a nice little area to make crafts, color and so forth.

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Some of the CM’s at Paradise Garden Grill all have traditional ponchos on.

Let’s have a look at the merchandise.  These items are all sold at a small temporary cart near the gazebo.

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Don’t forget the meet and greet!

 

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And last but not least we end the update with a holiday Duffy.

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He could stand there taking photos with us for a long time because there was no one in line.  Poor little guy just can’t catch a break.

JOIN US AT FRUITCAKE FOLLIES

We’d like to invite you to join us as MiceChat rents out an entire performance of Fruitcake Follies on December 21st. It’s one of our favorite holiday events. So much so, that we now have our very own performance. The entire show takes place at the wonderful Casita Del Campo in beautiful Silverlake. It’s the most holiday fun you’ll have in the basement of a Mexican restaurant all year! disneyland resort, A Holiday for Happy Play at the Disneyland Resort

The follies is a one-of-a-kind holiday musical review that is Part Perry Como Christmas special, part Carol Burnett Show, part Pee Wee’s Playhouse and all holiday cheer.  Former Disneyland cast members will be among the cast to help jingle the bells.  Come along for a festive good time.

The Winter Village returns to DownTown Disney Anaheim

Disney’s newest animated feature (which we LOVED by the way), Frozen, is the theme for this year’s ice skating rink in DownTown Disney. Located between AMC Theater and the ESPN Zone, Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink will be available daily through January 11th, 2014.

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday through Thursday
    3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday
    3:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Prices
Includes tax and skate rental.

  • $17 – General Admission
  • $10 – Active Military
  • $12 – Admission for children, younger than 6 (sizes 10T through 13T) Double-bladed skates are available for young skaters.

Thanksgiving at the Resort

By the time you read this text, most of the more popular Thanksgiving day (Nov. 28th) offerings at the resort will be completely booked.  That would include the huge buffet inside the Disneyland Hotel and the other in the Paradise Pier hotel.  But there are alternatives to celebrating this bacchanalian bingefest at the resort.  Some of them are actually quite nice too!

Disneyland

Village Haus

On the run in Disneyland park, try the special holiday sandwich at Village Haus: grilled chicken topped with roasted mushrooms, Swiss cheese, arugula and basil-roasted garlic-Parmesan aioli. Add a slice of pumpkin pie. (Nov 8 – Jan 5)

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

Fresh roasted turkey pizza with craisins, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh sage and white sauce. (Nov 8 – Jan 5)

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

Authentic chicken tamales are on the holiday menu at in Frontierland at Disneyland park. (Nov 8 – Jan 5)

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Slow-roasted turkey roulade with truffle chicken liver fig stuffing, roasted garlic Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, Cognac turkey jus and cranberry jelly. (Thanksgiving day only)

Café Orleans

The turkey crepe stuffed with diced turkey, butternut squash, cipollini onions and peas with a side of giblet stuffing, cranberry coulis and orange oil. (Thanksgiving day only)

Disney California Adventure

Wine Country Trattoria

An old-fashioned turkey dinner at Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure park: herb-roasted turkey with garlic mashed potatoes, focaccia stuffing, haricot vert and orange cranberry relish.(Thanksgiving day only)

Pacific Wharf

Turkey pot pie soup in a sourdough bread bowl at Pacific Wharf Café at Disney California Adventure park. (Nov 8 – Jan 5)

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

StoryTeller’s Cafe

As of this writing there are a few spots left on Thanksgiving day for the traditional buffet they offer

Disneyland Hotel

Steakhouse 55

Roasted butternut squash with crème fraîche, turkey with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, herb dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin crème brûlèe. (Thanksgiving day only)

Downtown Disney

Catal

For a truly outstanding Thanksgiving day dinner Catal is one of our favorite options.  They offer a 3 course meal for $38 that includes Endive Salad, Slow-roasted, cider-brined turkey, and caramel pretzel bread pudding.  Full Menu Here

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

The Jazz Kitchen is a great place to give thanks and they even offer Turducken as one of their special, Thanksgiving Day specials!  Read the full Menu Here

The Knott’s Buffet Alternative

If there isn’t any room at the Disneyland Resort, our friends at Knott’s Berry Farm are also offering a pretty amazing spread of food at a much more reasonable price.

Knott’s Thanksgiving themed buffet menu offers more than 70 home-cooked dishes for you and family to enjoy. This buffet includes items from Knott’s pantry and salad kitchen; three hand-carving stations with slow-roasted beef, turkey and ham; holiday classics including Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken, country apple stuffing; a South of the Border station with cheese enchiladas and tamales; pasta station; dessert station and much, much more. Thanksgiving Holiday Buffet prices are $39.99 for Adults, $26.99 for Seniors (62+) and $17.99 for Children (3 -11). Call (714) 220-5055 for reservations. Reservations are strongly suggested as they will sell out. Thanksgiving Holiday Buffet will be served on November 28 from 9AM to 6PM at Mrs Knott’s Chicken Dinner Resturant Courtyard and Spurs Chophouse. Make a reservation here

That about wraps things up for In the Parks this week. We hope to see you this weekend at the noon meet in Disneyland park.  It’s a fun, relaxed, and no-prssure way of meeting your MiceChat friends.  See you In The Parks!

Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.