Limited Time Magic: Kookie Cookie

For a limited time these skeleton zombie gingerbread cookies are available in New Orleans Square, celebrating Halloweentime, and the 13th season of the Holiday Haunted Mansion makeover.

They are delicious!

Limited Time Magic: Unleash the Villains!

This month, Disneyland hosted a special Friday the 13th event welcoming the Halloween season into the parks. There were a lot of special events, limited time treats, and guest villains throughout the park. Ryan and I Disneybounded as Vanessa and a hypnotized Prince Eric. One of the special dance clubs going on was at the New Orleans Square train station. There was a dance floor placed on the tracks, and quite a few rare villains came out to party including Hades, Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, and Judge Frollo. The park stayed open until the 13th hour. It was super crowded and super fun!

Limited Time Magic: Oswald Sundae

This week only, head over to Clarabelle's Ice Cream shop at the end of Buena Vista Street in DCA, to try your own Oswald inspired ice cream sundae. It's been incredibly hot in SoCal this past week so this treat was just in time. It comes with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, fudge, ship cream and chocolate chips, chocolate covered frozen bananas for the ears, a waffle bowl, keepsake trolley cup, and of course a cherry to top it off. Very fitting, considering Oswald's first appearance was in a cartoon called, Trolley Troubles!

In February, Disneyland celebrated "True Love" weekend, in honor of Valentine's day. I drove down to SoCal to visit Ryan, and we spent a day in the park. There were a lot of special events going on for the weekend which was exciting since this was the first time the park has really celebrated for Valentine's. Last year we went to the park after classes, and Disneybounded as Carl and Ellie from Up.

The park featured special decorations along Main Street.

There were also special food options, like the "True Love" cupcake at Jolly Holiday, and the strawberry chocolate chip pancakes at the Carnation Cafe.

But the highlight of the day was the character lineup. All the princesses were joined by their princes at the temporary Princess Walk in Fantasyland! One of Disney's favorite characters who is practically never seen in the parks (except for the Christmas parade), THE BEAST was out with Belle. I know we are crazy for waiting 4 hours to see him, but it was worth it!

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.