Hidden Mickey Monday!

Today's Mickey can be found in the crystal room inside Matterhorn Mountain. The rope is often moved around the room, and you zoom by it pretty fast, but it is quite large and easy to spot if you are looking for it!

Hidden Mickey Monday!

Today's Mickey can only be found when Small World is decorated for Christmas. The Mickey is in the white fluff of the brim of the Santa hat, on the left half near the top.

I had heard rumors of this Mickey, but in person I just couldn't really tell if it was there. Thanks to my super powerful zoom on my DSLR however, I certainly agree with this Mickey find.

The best view of this Mickey since it is so high up is from across the water, near the Small World sign surrounded by the dolphin topiaries.

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey can be a pain to capture, but is relatively easy to find.

Each year during the Haunted Mansion's holiday makeover, there is a Hidden Mickey snow drift somewhere in the ballroom.  Every year it is in a slightly different place, so it's always fun to look for it. However, pictures without flash seldom come out well in the mansion since it is so dark, and this room is separated by a glass wall so using flash just comes up as a huge glare. So, sorry for the blurry picture, but you get the idea! Wonder where it will be next year?

Hidden Mickey Monday!

Today's Hidden Mickey can be found on the Haunted Mansion Holiday sign itself!

Ryan first spotted this Mickey as we were queueing up for the ride.

It is located on the right pillar as you enter the mansion's front yard.

Disneyland Candy Canes

One of the rarest treats at Disneyland are their handmade Candy Canes at Christmastime.
The process of obtaining these elusive treats can be a bit confusing and requires a lot of research. Last year Ryan and I decided to experience what all the fuss about a "hand-made" candy cane was like. We decided early in the season to figure out exactly how to get one.

They ended up costing $12.95 per cane. Each one was quite large and much thicker than a traditional cane. Since there were two of us, we could each have purchased one, but decided not to because of the price. After the first lick, we both immediately regretted not purchasing another! They were delicious! So light and sweet, and after all that hassle we went through to get one.

One more thing, don't be tricked by the signs in the store with canes on the shelves reading "hand-made." These are NOT the canes made in the park, and are not nearly as delicious!

The only way to get one made there, is by following this step-by-step guide. Trust me, it's worth it to do at least once in your lifetime!

1) Check online for the schedule to find out which dates the candy canes will be made each Christmas season, and plan your visit accordingly.

This year's dates are:

Disneyland’s Candy Palace Dates:               Disney California Adventure Trolley Treats Dates:
November 23 (8:00am park opening)               November 24 (8:00am park opening)
November 26 (10:00am park opening)             November 27 (10:00am park opening)
November 30 (8:00am park opening)               December 1 (8:00am park opening)
December 3 (9:00am park opening)                 December 4 (9:00am park opening)
December 10 (9:00am park opening)               December 8 (8:00am park opening)
December 14 (8:00am park opening)               December 11 (9:00am park opening)
December 17 (8:00am park opening)               December 15 (8:00am park opening)
December 21 (8:00am park opening)               December 18 (8:00am park opening)
December 23 (8:00am park opening)               December 22 (8:00am park opening)
December 24 (8:00am park opening)               December 25 (8:00am park opening)

2) Show up EARLY! I always advise getting to the park early, but seriously, get there well before opening. Main Street opens 30 minutes PRIOR to the park's general admission hours. So that means, get there even before the extra 30 minutes! There will be a separate line for those wanting to purchase candy canes. Everyone will rush down Main Street to the candy shop and you don't want to be a few people too late!

3) The first so many people will receive a special wristband with the date on it, and what time to come back to the store to pick up your candy cane. Keep your group together to get wristbands! Do not remove this wristband! We had until 11:30am to return.

4) Come back a while before your allotted time. Of course you will get a cane if you are on the dot, but there will be a whole group picking up when the batch is done at the decided time. We ended up being last in line for our time period and had to wait quite a while for each person to make their purchases. Also, even though the wristband guarantees you a candy cane, you must pick it up before 4pm. At that time remaining canes will be sold to a stand-by line.

5) Enjoy! Ryan and I strolled out on Main Street and sat on my favorite bench across the street.

Throughout the day they will be making the canes, so stop by the windows outside to watch them make your canes! It's pretty fascinating watching them work.

One thing that has changed as of this year, is the Candy Canes will be alternately made in DCA and DL. 

To find out more, or check the candy-making schedule you can always call Disneyland's Candy Kitchen Hotline at (714) 781-0112.

Here is a fun video featuring Disneyland candy-makers showing how the canes are made.

Jack's Gingerbread House

Each year the Imagineers come up with a new Gingerbread house to feature in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ballroom. The gingerbread house is made out of REAL gingerbread, and it always smells amazing passing by. This is one of my favorite things about Haunted Mansion Holiday, the design is always different, always creative, and always does something to surprise you! The 2010 design featured a tombstone where Jack popped out, and the 2011 monster house came to life! This year Jack's house doesn't move, but there is a little Zero circling around Jack's window and it is the tallest house built so far!

2009

2010

2011

2012

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey was spotted by Ryan last Christmas season. Just after the Christmas parade while the cast members were sweeping up confetti he pointed to one of the brooms and shouted, Hidden Mickey! I thought he was joking, but turns out he was right! There are various things painted on each broom, and this one happened to have a snowman wearing a Mickey ears hat! We were so excited, and Ryan promptly ran after the cast member trying to take a picture of his broom without looking too crazy.

Christmastime in Instagrams

You may already know about my love of Instagram. 

This post is dedicated to Christmas Instagrams! 

You can follow me on Instagram @samara0nvr0slps.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Poinsettas on Main Street

Reindeer at Santa's Roundup

Small World facade

Cranberry bread pudding with egg nog sauce

Lights in Frontierland and the moon

Mickey gingerbread beignets

Main Street lit up

Hand made Candy Canes

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey can be a tough one to capture. While riding Thundermountain just as you are about to go up the first large incline, this Mickey can be seen on the left-hand side, just at the bottom of the tracks. Be careful picturing this Mickey as you don't want your camera to go flying!

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey is another of my favorites. I found this one early on with the help of the Hidden Mickey Guidebook.

When riding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride, just as you get going and enter through the swinging doors, the post on the right-hand side, just at eye level, is this Mickey hidden in the wood texture.

Disney Secrets: Finding Nemo, literally!

Today's Disney Secret can be found in the Smoking Area between Mattahorn Mountain and Nemo's Submarine Voyage.

One day while searching the area for Hidden Mickeys, I was shocked to find this little Nemo, just about to blend in with the surrounding plants. Cast Members explained that little Nemo markers were originally placed for the extended lines on the grand opening of Nemo's Submarine Voyage, and only a few remain as permanent hidden Nemos. 

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey can be found just outside the Brother Bear Spirit Cave in DCA. It is a stepping stone amidst the tiny river going throughout the area.

Disney Secrets: John Lasseter

Along Main Street around the Emporium there are window displays featuring scenes and characters from classic Disney films. In the Ratatouille window there is a small homage to John Lasseter, Pixar's creator. The wine bottle on top of the refrigerator has a label with the name Lasseter. I have seen the bottle moved around to different spots in the room, but it's always there!

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This picture contains two Hidden Mickeys! The smaller horseshoe Mickey is the original, and the larger horseshoe Mickey is quite new. This pile of horseshoes can be found behind Thundermountain near the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo.

The Happiest Turkey on Earth!

"Each year at Thanksgiving, the President of the United States pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey during an official White House ceremony. This ceremony signals the beginning of the Holiday Season."

The turkey is flown to Disneyland and acts as the Honorary Grand Marshall in the "Thanks for Giving Parade" on Main Street U.S.A. Afterwards, the Turkey is kept in the Park for the rest of the year.

His pen is located behind Thunder Mountain in the Big Thunder Ranch Petting Zoo area. Next time you're there stop by to see the luckiest Turkey in America.

Disney Secrets: Evil Queen

Today's Disney Secret can be found in Fantasyland, above Snow White's Scary Adventure.

 Did you know that every few minutes, the Evil Queen draws back the curtains from her window and spies down at the people in Fantasyland? Just like in the movie when she sees Snow White with Prince Charming! This is an easy detail to miss since she is up so high and only peeks out for a few seconds.

Hidden Mickey Monday!

Today's Hidden Mickey is a very rare one to find!

During certain times, like Halloween of course, cast members outside the Haunted Mansion will walk the invisible ghost dog. And what is that hanging off his leather collar? A Mickey of course!

This Mickey is one of my absolute favorites!

Halloween Treats

What's Halloween without some special treats? Disneyland does not disappoint with their selection of Halloween themed desserts. Here are some of my favorites and where to get them.

This pumpkin parfait in a Mickey mug is a great small treat, and you get to keep the mug! I have quite a few of these at home, and out on display for Halloween.

You can find these at the Rancho del Zocalo, French Market, and select venues in DCA.

My favorite Halloween special treat is the pumpkin muffins! Moko and I always start the day off with a coffee or hot chocolate and a muffin. It's perfect for a cool autumn morning!

Sometimes the muffins have raisins, and sometimes they don't. You can always ask at the counter.

These muffins can be found in any bakery, including Jolly Holiday, and the bakery on Buena Vista Street in DCA.

The Boudin factory located in DCA always feature special baked goods for holidays and special occasions. Around Halloween they have really cute jack-o-lantern themed buns. All their bread is super good!

Pooh's Corner in Critter Country is one of the best places to find special treats that Main Street might not carry, or have run out of. Since the location is way in the back of the park, not many people frequent it for treats. During Halloween they have a lot of great stuff, most of which can be found on Main Street as well. Some of my favorites are the ghost Mickey marshmallow stick, spooky cupcakes, candy corn sticks, and of course the gourmet caramel apples. This year they even have poison apples!

Disney Secrets: Indi Script

Did you know that the ancient script found in the Indiana Jones queue can be decoded? Here is an encryption guide for your next trip to the park. Also, be sure to look for the Hidden Mickey: MM (for Mickey Mouse) written in the script!

Hidden Mickey Monday!

This Hidden Mickey can be found in Duffy's Halloween themed meet-and-greet area on Paradise Pier in DCA.

Always be sure to look for special Holiday Hidden Mickeys that can only be seen during special times at the park!

Disney on Ice

I just saw Disney on Ice! This is opening weekend in Northern California. My mom took me for a late birthday present! I was really impressed with some of the costumes and variety of characters in the show.

It was fantastic! Just wanted to share some pictures, enjoy.