Babes in Disneyland

Big changes coming to Babes In Disneyland!

2014-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Babes In Disneyland is one of the oldest Disney blogs on the internet and it's due time for some changes. In order to make our site more user friendly (and pretty), we are transitioning away from Blogger to Wordpress within the next week or two.

What does the new blog platform mean for readers?
The new blog will be much easier to navigate with cool drop down menus and the like. We will have a fancy new slider with featured posts at the top and, quite frankly, it's so cheerful that you won't be able to read it without smiling.

Perhaps the biggest change is for those of you who subscribe to our blog via email. Once we move over we will be using a new service for email subscriptions, which means you will need to sign up again if you would like to continue having the blog sent to your inbox daily.

Our URL will stay the same and our RSS feed will also stay the same.

A slow down in posts
Once the transition begins within the next week or so, we will stop posting for a few days in order to let our incredible designer work her magic. During that time, we will continue to post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. We have some fun videos coming your way, so be sure to follow us so that you learn about them as they publish.

All of us at Babes In Disneyland are super excited for this big change and appreciate your patience during the transition process and while we are working out any bugs after we've moved to our new home.

2014 Holiday Season Guide for the Disneyland Resort: Everything families need to know!

2014-12-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

Is there anything more lovely than holiday time at the Disneyland Resort? If you will be heading to the resort for the 2014 holiday season or are thinking about planning a trip, here's what you need to know!

Attractions
We all love the rides at the Disneyland Resort and during holiday time, three rides get a major makeover to make them extra festive! The Jungle Cruise becomes the Jingle Cruise, "it's a small world" transforms into "it's a small world" Holiday and Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday--themed after the Nightmare Before Christmas.

Experience the Jingle Cruise below! If you went on it last year, rest assured they did WAY more theming this year! It is so much fun... and there is so much fruit cake!

Experience the merriest cruise that has ever sailed, "it's a small world" Holiday below! This is my favorite attraction at holiday time. I simply adore it... and yes, I love the music too!

One of the most popular attractions at Christmas and Halloween is the transformed Haunted Mansion. It is truly incredible and Nightmare Before Christmas fans flock to it year after year. Learn more about the attraction by clicking here.

Entertainment
The holiday entertainment at the Disneyland Resort cannot be missed. My favorite is "A Christmas Fantasy" parade, while pther guests love Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks, the twinkling transformation of Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle and World of Color Winter Dreams. Any way you slice it, there is something for everyone--even carolers and characters dressed in their holiday best! Learn more about all of the holiday entertainment fun below:

Our friends over at DAPS Magic have put together these beautiful videos of World of Color Winter Dreams.

Learn "A Christmas Fantasy" parade viewing tips and see photos of this year's parade by clicking here!

Food
YUM! The incredible food offered at the Disneyland Resort this time of year is absolutely amazing. My favorite are the gingerbread "shingles." My mouth waters just thinking about them! While I could tell you about all of the sweet treats, this videos shows you in a way I can't in words. I only wish it was in "smell-o-vision!"

One of the most popular food items during the holiday season are the handmade candy canes. Guests line up first thing in the morning to become eligible to by them! Learn more about the candy canes and when and where you can purchase them by clicking here.

Santa!
Yes! You and your kiddos can meet Santa at the Disneyland Resort through December 24! I had the distinct honor of interviewing the big guy! Daily he can be found a the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Disneyland Park, on Buena Vista Street at Elias and Company in Disney California Adventure Park, in "A Christmas Fantasy" parade at Disneyland and he can even sometimes be found at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa!

Merchandise
Do you like to shop 'til you drop at the Disneyland Resort? I do! If you are looking for the best stores to shop for holiday gifts and treasures, in Disneyland I recommend the China Closet and Emporium. Click here for some of the notable items that hit store shelves in December.

Other Great Guest Experiences
There are other incredible guest experiences that are not to be missed.

Want to learn about what goes into preparing the Disneyland Resort for holiday and to learn more about the specially-themed attractions (without waiting in line for them)? The Holiday Time guided tour might just be the perfect addition to your vacation. In addition to FASTPASS entry to several attraction, the tour includes special treats and reserved parade viewing. Click here to get all of the details on the tour!

Held at Big Thunder Ranch in Disneyland Park, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is fun for the entire family! Guests of all ages can enjoy a holiday-themed show, meet Santa and classic Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, make crafts, decorate gingerbread cookies and much more! The Jamboree is usually only open during the day, so be sure to refer to the show schedule available at the main entrance the day of your visit.

In Disney California Adventure Park, “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Paradise Gardens is the place to be for great food and lots of fun. It is a daily celebration inspired by the warmth and joyous spirit of Latino culture and holiday traditions, with festive music and dancing, vibrant colors, delicious food, Disney character appearances and the lively “Disney Viva Navidad! Street Party.” Learn 4 great reasons why you MUST visit ¡Viva Navidad! by clicking here.

Disney chefs creating the gingerbread replica of the Disney's Grand Californian in the hotel's lobby.

Downtown Disney and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa offer a lot of really wonderful holiday experiences for guests looking to add a little magic to their Disneyland trip outside of the parks for those who want a little Disney magic without the cost of theme park admission.

If you are a trivia nerd like me, you'll love these posts about holiday time at the Disneyland Resort:

Do you have a question about holiday time at the Disneyland Resort? Ask us on our Facebook page and we will answer it in an upcoming blog post!

Disneyland hosted my family for a special media weekend so that I could write in more detail about all of the wonderful holiday experiences at the Resort. All opinions are honest and my own and may differ from those of others.

Disneyland Resort Holiday Guided Tour Review

2014-12-17T19:48:00.003-08:00

When my friend Mindy asked if she could do a guest post on Babes In Disneyland on her recent experience taking the Holiday Time guided tour at Disneyland, I was thrilled! Thank you, Mindy!

Hi, my name is Mindy from Budget Fairy Tale, and I'm so excited to be here on Babes In Disneyland to give you all a glimpse of what you can expect from the Holiday Time Tour at Disneyland! I had the great pleasure of experiencing this tour a couple weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. If you're on the fence about taking the tour, I hope my recap helps you!

The Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour begins at the Disneyland Tour Gardens area between City Hall and the west park entrance. It is recommended to check in 30 minutes before your tour starts, as there will likely be a lot of people to check in! We had 15 guests in our group, but there were 2 or 3 more groups also taking the tour (each tour with a different guide).

After getting situated with our name buttons and personal audio system, our guide Michelle gave us a brief introduction before leading us out of Disneyland and into Disney California Adventure. We spent some time admiring the holiday decor on Buena Vista Street, learning about the gorgeous Christmas tree near Carthay Circle, and stopping at Trolley Treats for a yummy snack!

Next we headed back into Disneyland and we learned how the massive Christmas tree on Main Street, USA is constructed each year. After heading down Main Street and stopping to admire the decor and snow on Sleeping Beauty's Castle, we went on our first ride - Jingle Cruise! In my opinion, the best part of the tour was being able to walk right on the rides! So V.I.P.! I remember being a little let down by the Jungle/Jingle Cruise transformation last year (the first year for this overlay) but they certainly stepped it up this year! There is a lot more decor now, and even more holiday themed jokes and puns. I loved it! Right after Jingle Cruise we experienced our second attraction - Haunted Mansion Holiday. While we walked between attractions, we listened to trivia and "fun facts" from Michelle, as well as faint holiday music. We were never short on information or entertainment!

From here we walked around behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and had a 10-minute "comfort break" by the restrooms next to Village Haus in Fantasyland. You can probably guess where we were headed next... the merriest cruise on earth! After a brief introduction by Michelle, we were led to the front of the line for "it's a small world" Holiday! Personally this is my favorite holiday attraction at Disneyland and it was so cool to walk right on. As an added bonus, as soon as we got off the ride, we heard the announcement that the lights were about to turn on! We had the perfect viewing spot. Seeing the facade of "it's a small world" light up never fails to bring a tear to my eye. It's so stunning!

Right after exiting from "it's a small world" Holiday, Michelle led us to our preferred parade viewing section (with chairs!) adjacent from the attraction. You usually have

to wait two or three hours for a spot like this! We waited about 30 minutes before the parade finally reached us, and while we waited we received a special Holiday Time Tour pin, a yummy Mickey Mouse gingerbread cookie, and some hot chocolate in a Holiday Time tumbler, which we got to keep! Michelle also offered to take photos of us with "it's a small world" in the background, and she also showed us some pictures from a book highlighting the holidays at Disneyland throughout the years. The wait flew by and soon the parade was rounding the corner! The "A Christmas Fantasy" parade is my favorite Disneyland parade. I have always loved the ballerina at the beginning because I had a ballerina jewelry box as a little girl and seeing the ballerina instantly takes me back. And of course, who can resist Santa? I'm not sure if it was because we were in the "preferred" seating or simply because we were in the front row, but we received a lot of attention from the performers. It was really wonderful!

Overall I really enjoyed the Holiday Time at Disneyland tour and would recommend it for anyone who wants to get a little behind-the-scenes info about all the effort that goes into transforming the parks for the Christmas season. I will say I think very young children would be a little bored during certain parts of this tour. We had a 6- or 7-year-old adorable girl in our group and while she was well behaved, she was clearly bored out of her mind whenever we stopped to listen to Michelle. But for older kids, teens, and adults, the tour is a great way to see all of the spectacular holiday attractions without waiting in queues!

The Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour is offered up to six times per day, on select days, through January 6, 2015. The price is $80 for adults and Annual Passholders can save 20% off the regular price for up to six guests per pass. Keep in mind this tour price is in addition to the cost of regular theme park admission. The tour also involves a lot of walking and spending time on your feet, so plan ahead if anyone in your group has mobility issues. You may visit the official Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour website for additional information and tour availability. Call (714) 781-TOUR (8687) to make reservations.

I want to thank Lisa and everyone at Babes In Disneyland for having me visit today! I would love if you also stopped by my blog and said "hi!" Budget Fairy Tale features musings about my life as a regular girl trying to live the fairy tale lifestyle. Budget Fairy Tale also features Disneyland weddings (including our own!), Disneyland news, DIY projects, style posts, pictures of my cat Vela, and whatever else I think is interesting at the moment.

4 Great Reasons to Visit ¡Viva Navidad! at Disney California Adventure

2014-12-17T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today I am thrilled to feature a guest post by one of our long-time readers, Caryn Burroughs. When I saw all of her personal posts about her love for ¡Viva Navidad!, I knew we just had to ask her to write a guest post about it! Thank you, Caryn!!!

One of my favorite holiday attractions at Disneyland during this time of year is the ¡Viva Navidad! celebration. My family has spent significant time taking in this special event already this season and will certainly make sure to stop by again before it goes away after January 6th. If you haven’t had a chance to head over to the Paradise Garden area of Disney California Adventure to check it out, here are four great reasons to go.

1. The ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party - For me, this show is one of my absolute favorites at the Disney Parks. The Three Caballeros are the stars of this show full of dancing and live music with from both Mexico and Brazil. On one visit recently my three year old got to play alongside one of the samba drummers. The costumes are colorful, the music is festive and you can’t help but dance as you watch. Mickey and Minnie are a part of this show too!

A tip for a great viewing spot: Try to stand near Bayside Brews facing the Paradise Garden Grill and you’ll be right up front in the middle of the show. Dancers and musicians face both directions but the float faces Bayside Brews. The party stretches from approximately Silly Symphony Swings to the end of the Paradise Garden area.

2. The food! - There is a special menu for ¡Viva Navidad! over at the Paradise Garden Grill. Our family favorites include the Sopes De Barbacoa and the Street Style Tacos. Both are served with rice and chips. My husband would make a special trip over to this area just for the ceviche too. Our picky eater loves grabbing a Kids Power Pack over this way though they also serve a cheese quesadilla.

Street-style tacos at Paradise Garden Grill.

3. Character Meet and Greet – For me, it’s so fun having a chance to see Mickey and the gang dress up in different outfits and what they wear for the ¡Viva Navidad! Meet and Greet is so fun. Over in the Paradise Garden Grill area there is a gazebo all decked out for Christmas where you can see Mickey and Minnie together, The Three Caballeros plus Goofy whose shoes are decorated with real maracas!

4. Live Bands – While you’re enjoying a meal or snack over at the Paradise Garden Grill you are also treated to more live music. Several groups come in and play at the bandstand. We’ve heard a couple different Latin groups so far. Jack loves to dance alongside of them and shake his maracas.

We still need to go back and check out the crafts and do some more shopping. My husband picked up a great ¡Viva Navidad t-shirt and Jack got a new pair of maracas. I have my eye on a couple Christmas ornaments that I think I need to pick up before Christmas.

Someone asked me recently what it was overall that I loved about this event so much. “Feliz Navidad” is my all-time favorite Christmas song. The Disneyland Resort brought this song to life in vivid, festive color with my favorite Disney characters leading the party. How could I resist?

You can celebrate the holidays with ¡Viva Navidad! at California Adventure daily from 11:00am to 7:00pm through January 6th. January 2nd through the 6th additional treats, activities and displays to celebrate Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes) will also be available.

Pictopia Disney Edition: A must for every Disney family!

2014-12-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

As a game-loving family we were thrilled when Wonder Forge asked us to review their game Pictopica Disney Edition. We had a blast playing as a family and recommend this game for ages 7 and older. That being said, although game play may be too difficult for younger children, our 4-year-old was able to answer a lot of the questions and worked with me to play and got really wrapped up in the fun.

In this trivia games, players take turns being the host and asking the questions. Other

players "wager" coins valued 1 to 5 (spaces on the board) based on how well they think they know the images on the card shown to them. Those images depict possible answers to the question that may be asked. Sometimes players answer questions on their own and other times they work as a team. Players who answer correctly advance their game token toward the finish.

Here's what I love about the game:

The questions were fun and encompassed a wide variety of Disney entertainment properties. They weren't too difficult for my kids but not so easy that there wasn't a bit of drama.
I love how Wonder Forge's games include team work. Their Star Wars Rebel Missions game is all about team work and I think games like this are a lot of fun for families--especially siblings who can often be competitive with one another.
The game is very well constructed with durable pieces, cards and game tokens.
The game didn't take us that long to play--and with little kids, long games like Monopoly and Life can be a bit much for family game night.
There are more questions than I can count and I can't imagine ever repeating a question during the times we will be playing in the future!

Pictopia-Family Trivia Game: Disney Edition is available on Amazon and a variety of other retailers like Target, Toys R Us and Walmart! If you are trying to figure out what to get the Disney trivia buff in your family for the holidays, this is the gift to grab now!

Holiday Gift Picks 2014: Star Wars Force Grab and Star Wars Rebel Missions Games by Wonder Forge (video reviews and how-to)

2014-12-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

To say we are a game family would be an understatement. In fact, my husband creates games and challenges for television shows, which I suppose makes him an expert. When we were contacted by the company Wonder Forge to try out some of their games, we jumped at the chance.

My kids and I recently tried out two of their Star Wars games: Star Wars Force Grab Game and Star Wars Rebel Missions. We had a lot of fun playing them and I think you and your kids will too.

My son Aidan explains Star Wars Force Grab is a super simple game my kids (ages 4, 7 and 9) have been playing together and having a blast. Because of its simplicity, they are able to play without an adult and even have made their own variations. While I could post tons of photos and descriptions of the game, I thought it would be best to shoot a video explaining how it works and why my 9-year-old loves it.

The other game we reviewed is Star Wars Rebel Missions. This game is quite a bit more complex and really requires an adult to sit down and read over the instructions very carefully. It isn't like a tradition game in that everyone playing is working together to complete "a mission" before the time is up. It is really great for team building and teaching kids who to strategize and prioritize as they play. After we got the hang of it, my 9-year-old and I had a BLAST playing it. We got really wrapped up in it.

Here's how to play and my 9-year-old's thoughts on the game.

If you have kids who love Star Wars, these games are a blast and should be put on Santa's list. They can be purchased at a variety of retailers, including Amazon.

Click here to purchase Star Wars Force Grab Game
Click here to purchase Star Wars Rebel Missions Game .

These games were supplied to me for free so that I can review them. The opinions expressed here are those belong to me and my family. They may differ from the opinions of others.

Fun Fact Friday: Walt Disney and the Sport of Kings

2014-12-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney playing polo (on the right).
Photo credit: www.cobbles.com

Walt Disney was many things--an artist, a shrewd business man, a train enthusiast. What you may be surprised to learn is that Walt was also a polo fan. In the 1920s and 1930s, polo was a very popular sport in America, and Walt Disney was known to play polo with Hollywood's elite, including the likes of Spencer Tracy, Will Rogers, and Clark Gable. Although said to not be the most coordinated athlete, Walt was highly competitive and indulged in his love of the game until he sustained a neck injury.

The Disney animated short, Mickey's Polo Team (1936) was inspired by Walt's love of polo. Watch for his celebrity friends in the cartoon!

2014 "A Christmas Fantasy" parade viewing tips and photos of additions and changes

2014-12-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

It isn't the Christmas season for me until I see "A Christmas Fantasy" parade at Disneyland. Seeing those familiar floats make their way down the Magic Kingdom's parade route really gets me motivated to start celebrating the magic of the season.

The opening music box float is back
for 2014.

One of the most frequent questions I get about the parade is where to sit. Typically, parade seating on Main Street and Central Plaza is typically most crowded and last minute seats can often be found in Town Square or near "it's a small world." If you want a "front row seat" (i.e. no heads in front of you), you definitely need to get there at least 30 minutes before parade time. I know 30 minutes seems like a long time, but I like to think of it as time to recharge our batteries by resting our feet and nibbling on a snack, like the soups in to-go cups now served at Jolly Holiday Bakery, a churro from one of the many outdoor vending carts along the parade route or, if you are really starving, a dinner-to-go from the Corn Dog Cart or Stage Door Cafe.

If you are a shutterbug, be very mindful of where you sit for the parade. I almost always forget to take the lighting into consideration and end up dealing with spotted shade, back light or flood lights shining right into my lens at night.

Anyway, back to the action. This year's parade has some big changes and old favorites. First for the old favorites.

It wouldn't be "A Christmas Fantasy" parade without the toy soldiers, and of course Woody and Buzz are back this year on their toy-themed floats, as are all Pinocchio, Gheppeto and Jiminy Cricket.

The princess unit is always a show stopper and so incredibly beautiful.

Santa is, as always, preceded by his dancing reindeer.

There aren't too many "A Christmas Fantasy" changes, and to the casual guest, they shouldn't be too noticeable. If you are a mega fan like me, however, who sings the parade theme song year round... well... you'll notice.

Mickey and Minnie no longer skate in the parade. Instead, they share a toy-covered float with Duffy and Donald and Daisy. Their snow-capped float from years passed now belongs to Elsa, Anna and Olaf. With this change, also gone are the rollerskating snowflake girls, one of my favorites in years gone by. While I love all of the changes, this change is very disappointing. There are still gals dressed in white on roller-skates leading the float--just no big snowflakes on their backs.

This is just a sampling of what you'll see in this year's parade! Do you have a question about holiday time at the Disneyland Resort? Leave your question below or over on our Facebook page and we will answer it in an upcoming Holiday Q&A post!

Disney at Home: Disneyland's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (With M&M's!)

2014-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of my very favorite Christmas cookies is a cookie with red and green M&M's! My mom always made them - and I just thought they were somehow so much better than regular chocolate chip cookies. So now that I make them for my kids, I've decided to use my favorite cookie batter recipe... Disneyland's of course! Here's my holiday version of Disneyland's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe - they go perfectly with a cup of milk or hot cocoa!

these cookies have the perfect texture

Disneyland's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (with M&M's)

Ingredients:

6 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
2 1/4 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 tbsp water or milk
4 cups M&M's (red / green)

Instructions:

Do you see how full this bowl is?!

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine flour, soda, and salt in bowl.
In other large mixing bowl cream butter, shortening, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and water, beat until fluffy, about five minutes.
Add dry ingredients and combine only until well blended, about three minutes.
Add M&M's and mix well.
Drop by large spoonfuls.
6 scoops on a cookie tray, flatten and bake for 9-14 minutes until light golden brown.

My Baking Notes:

Use a very large mixing bowl, trust me.
Use smaller portions when you scoop and your cookie dough will stretch further, to between 80-100 cookies per bath! And you will be able to bake 8-11 cookies on a pan, instead of 6.
I didn't add the full amount of M&Ms, maybe just 2-3 cups, I kind of eyeballed just how many I wanted.

Don't let them get too dark in the oven - pull them out when they just start to get brown at the edges, to keep them chewy.
Don't bake them all at once, if you don't need to. Scoop the remaining dough in balls and line them up on a baking sheet. Freeze, then transfer to a couple of gallon-sized baggies. You don't even have to thaw them, just add about a minute extra to the baking time. This will provide you with fresh, soft, warm cookies anytime you want to pop a few in the oven!

Outcome & Opinion:
This is now the only recipe my family uses anytime we make chocolate chip cookies, M&M cookies, or any other type of cookie that needs this type of cookie base (you could add any variety of mix-ins!). They are perfectly crispy and yet chewy! Can you tell I love them?! I think the red and green M&M's really make them the perfect Christmas cookie! **Plus, some pre-baked cookies or even a container of frozen cookie dough - ready for baking - would make an excellent hoilday gift!**

If you make this recipe, post a picture on our Facebook wall or tag us on Instagram - we would love to see!

Click here, if you want to see the original post, using chocolate chips instead of M&M's.

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.

Holiday Gift Picks 2014: Disney Frozen 6 in 1 and Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Board Games

2014-12-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve game nights. My Brother, Dad, and I spent endless hours around a Monopoly board with lots of snacks, lots of laughs, and lots of great time spent together. So, it’s no surprise that all of these years later, I love to have family game night and make the same memories with my kids.

This holiday season we were provided with two fun Frozen games to review- and made an afternoon of it.

The first game, Disney Frozen 6 in 1, was by far and away the kid’s favorite. They enjoyed the variety and were excited about being able to play multiple games from one box. We spent quite some time playing Go Fish, Bingo, and matching our favorite characters using matching cards. Other games included are Crazy 8’s, Four-in-a-Row, and Dominos. The pieces and cards were all well-made and sturdy. At $14.99 this game is an excellent value, especially considering all of the different game options.

From Target’s Website:

Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 Years and Up

Includes: Game Board, Instructions, Tiles, Game Pieces

Material: Paper, Plastic

Playing Time: 20-40 minutes

Number of Players: 1 or More Players

Level of Difficulty: Beginner

The second game we reviewed, Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game, is also a Target exclusive. This game is a modern day take on Chutes and Ladders with the added twist of being able to “modify” the course of the game during play by switching and flipping the tiles located in the center of the game. Again, the board and pieces were well-made and perfectly Frozen themed. Switching and flipping the tiles was a bit of a challenge at the beginning, but we quickly got the hang of it and had lots of competition going on. With a suggested retail price of $11.99- this game would make a great gift.

From Target’s Website:

Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 Years and Up

Includes: Instructions, Game Board, Tiles, Game Pieces

Material: Plastic, Cardstock

Playing Time: 20-40 minutes

Number of Players: 2-4 Players

Level of Difficulty: Easy

We truly loved both games and were thankful for the time to come together as a family and make some memories.

While I was provided a complimentary sample of the products listed above in order to write this review all opinions are my own and may differ from those of others. Please see the disclosure statement at the top of the blog for more information.

Be sure to follow Kendra on Twitter and on Instagram @kendrakuske for more updates and photos.

Merchandise Monday: December 2014

2014-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Holiday gift shopping is officially in full swing, and if you you have a few Disney-lovers left on your list, here is some of the brand new merchandise offered at the Disneyland Resort right now!

image via Disney Parks Merchandise

The Disney Collection by Alex & Ani - The Disney Collection features signature expandable wire bangles adorned with Disney icons and characters. They will make the perfect stocking-stuffer for fans of all ages!

image via Disney Parks Merchandise

Vinylmation Releases - 12 new Vinylmations are releasing at Disney Parks, and they are:

12/5 - Marvel Vinylmation - Iron Patriot & War Machine Set, $24.95
12/19 - Villainous Duos - Pain & Panic Set, $29.95
12/19 - Villainous Duos - Flotsam & Jetsam Set, $29.95
12/19 - Disneyland Resort - 2015 Eachez, $14.95 apiece (2 figurines)
12/26 - Marvel Vinylmation - Ant Man - Eachez, $16.95 (2 figurines)

image via Disney Parks Blog

Pin Releases - Also this month, 10 new pins are set to release, here is the line-up:

12/4 - Happy Holidays Stockings 6-pin set, $86.95.
12/6 - Candlelight Processional 2014, $14.95.
12/6 - Disney's Grand Californian Gingerbread Display, $14.95.
12/11 - Happy Holidays: Mike & Sulley Present, $14.95.
12/18 - Walt Disney Day 2014, $12.95.
12/18 - Eau de Magique - Anna, $15.95.
12/25 - Merry Christmas 2014, $14.95.
12/26 - Happy New Year 2015, $14.95.
Open Edition Pins - 2015 Mickey & Minnie, $9.95. Grizzly River Run, $8.95

Photo courtesy of Heather Sievers at
The Disney Food Blog

Featured Treat: Seasonal Holiday Treats - This holiday season, you can enjoy many holiday treats from the candy kitchens around the Resort.Also, experience live candy cane making at select locations throughout the Disneyland Resort and purchase hand crafted Candy Cane Items.

Candy Palace - December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 23 & 24
Trolley Treats - December 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 & 25

December 2014 Resort Sketch - "Love Can Weather Anything" is $64.95 and is available at Disneyana in Disneyland and Off the Page at California Adventure.

December Merchandise Events -

Noah at WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney. Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 27, from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Dooney & Bourke Release with Ian Ray at Disney Vault 28 in Downtown Disney. Dec. 13, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

image via Disney Parks Merchandise

Dave Avanzino at Disneyana in Disneyland Park. Dec. 13-14, from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Precious Moments Dolls at World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney. Dec. 19-20, from noon -10 p.m.
Temecula Olive Oil Company at WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney. Dec. 20-21, from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Yo Ho! A Jake and the Never Land Pirates #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

2014-12-08T02:19:00.000-08:00

Some of the products featured in this post I received for free to host my Jake and the Never Land Pirates #DisneySide Preschool Playdate, but the opinions expressed here are my own.

It's easy to create a festive table without breaking the bank.

My family loves to entertain—from themed birthday celebrations to a holiday party we look forward to hosting annually. After moving to a new home this past spring, we finally finished getting unpacked and (mostly) organized. When I learned we’d been selected to host a #DisneySide Preschool Playdate, I was so excited for an opportunity to make new memories here. My 4-year-old son, Mason, started preschool this fall and was thrilled to invite some of his school buddies over to play for the first time!

My son’s current favorite Disney Junior show is Jake and the Never Land Pirates, so we really had a great time getting into the swashbuckling spirit! I drew upon some ideas and materials I originally used for his second birthday party, which had a pirate theme, and incorporated some new decor and game ideas using items provided to me.

Small trinkets like beads, rings and gold coins made for an engaging table setting.

I set up an inexpensive but festive tablescape for the kids using Jake and the Never Land Pirates tablecloths, plates, napkins, cups and party hats. I added a few Jake-themed paper centerpieces and finished off the look with treasures like beads, jewel rings, bouncy cannon balls, mini telescopes and chocolate gold coins, all available at party supply or discount stores. I also used wooden treasure chests (purchased at a craft store and then stained brown) in various sizes. We cued up an episode of Jake and the Never Land Pirates on TV to set the mood for our little mateys.

Gold coins and rings added some pizzazz to simple cupcakes.

The largest treasure chest was the focal point of my dessert table (yes, I have a thing for dessert) and was overflowing with pirate’s loot! An amazing local baker, Will Run for Sweets, created custom cookie favors inspired by Jake and the Never Land Pirates, including a treasure map, Mickey Mouse gold doubloon, Jake’s spyglass, and an “X” to mark the spot for #DisneyKids fun! (Thank you again, Sarah!) Rounding out the sweet options were some cupcakes I purchased from the grocery store bakery and jazzed up with gold coins and rings. I was really pleased with how they came out in spite of being a simple, inexpensive concept.

A local cookie baker created four custom favor designs inspired by Jake and the Never Land Pirates.

Our playdate was scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., so lunch was served. We offered Pirate Pizza, Skully’s Salad, Gold Nuggets (chicken tenders), Bucky’s Blueberries, Pirate’s Booty, Fish ‘n’ Chips (potato chips mixed with Goldfish crackers), Shark Bait (Finding Nemo fruit snacks), and Izzy’s Tropical Punch.

The kids chowed down on pizza and chicken tenders.

The food and snack name cards helped add to the pirate theme.

Along with pizza, we offered chicken nuggets and fruit to accommodate those with a dairy allergy.

The kids worked together to create the Mega Bloks Hot Wheels Monster Truck.

In addition to some free play, the kids had a great time floating between the activity stations set up for them to explore. They could build with Legos or Mega Bloks, play games of Disney card matching with a partner, color, or dig for hidden treasure in the Kinetic Sand tabletop sandbox. We also played a few lively rounds of Disney Side-inspired bingo as a group, and I was seriously impressed by the kids’ ability to pick out locations and attractions they’d never seen in person (many were Walt Disney World Resort-focused, and this crowd was mostly familiar with Disneyland Resort here in California), especially considering most of them aren’t old enough to read! For game prizes, the kids were invited to pick a treasure from the table decorations to take home. Each child also received a Mickey Mouse chore chart and luggage tags, generously provided by Disney Parks, in addition to other snacks and goodies like Clif Kids ZBAR Protein and Crunchmaster Grammy Snacks.

Disney Side Bingo was a big hit! We used Cheerios for game markers.

Digging in the Kinetic Sand for buried treasure was a must-do.

I was lucky to have lots of helpful moms on hand to assist the little buccaneers!

I loved having our house filled with the happy sounds of Mason’s

#DisneyKids Mason, Michael, Ava, Allison, Marissa and Chase.

pirate pals, and the other moms and I had a great time visiting outside of the normal hustle and bustle of preschool pickup and dropoff. Thanks so much to the playdate sponsors (Walt Disney World Resort, BSM Media, MomSelect, Clif Kids, Crunchmaster, Spin Master, Mega Bloks, and Kellogg’s) as well as all our guests! If you’re on the hunt for ideas for hosting your very own #DisneySide Celebration, be sure to visit www.disneysidecelebrations.com for more great tips, like theme ideas, recipes and activities.

Some of the products featured in this post I received for free to host my Jake and the Never Land Pirates #DisneySide Preschool Playdate, but the opinions expressed here are my own.

In addition to being a Babes In Disneyland contributor, Courtney is a member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel. You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter (@2Courtney).

New "Frozen Fun" to Open at the Disneyland Resort January 7th

2014-12-05T08:05:00.001-08:00

In response to the mega-success of Disney's "Frozen" the Disneyland Resort will be bringing even more "Frozen Fun" to the Disneyland Resort this winter. The all new immersive experiences are truly incredible and will span both Parks and Downtown Disney as well.

The fun officially begins January 7th, however, the Disney Parks Blog is reporting that sneak-peaks will begin December 20th!

Some of the highlights coming to Disney California Adventure park include:

“For the First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” – The Muppet*Vision 3D theater in Hollywood Land has been transformed for this event into the beautiful Crown Jewel Theatre from Arendelle. You’re invited to step inside and join the Arendelle Historians – along with special appearances by Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff – for a fun and comedic retelling of the unique history of their kingdom, filled with delightful, sing-along moments from “Frozen.”

Olaf Meet-and-Greet (Photo Courtesty of Disney
Parks Blog)

“Olaf’s Snow Fest” – Stage 17 in Hollywood Land plays host to an immersive winter wonderland straight out of the Kingdom of Arendelle, complete with a giant snow play area and musical performances by The Frolicking Fjords and The Tubadors. You can glide down a snow slide, build a snowman of your own and visit everyone’s favorite snowy pal, Olaf and give him a warm hug. “Olaf’s Snow Fest” has so much to offer, from beautiful photo opportunities to scrumptious treats and special “Frozen” souvenirs. It’ll be a great spot for making memories that’ll warm your heart.

Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post – Head back outside, and nearby you’ll find Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, where you can pick up the latest “Frozen”-inspired apparel, plush, toys, mugs and more.

Elsa and Anna Meet and Greet to Move to Disney California Adventure Park (Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)

“Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome” – Anna and Elsa, the beloved sisters from “Frozen,” move from Fantasyland to an elegant new location inside the Disney Animation attraction at Disney California Adventure park, where you can meet them as part of a special royal greeting. The colorful and varied display in the Animation Courtyard will also now include scenes and music from Disney’s Academy Award-winning blockbuster hit, “Frozen,” and at Animation Academy, a Disney artist asks, “Do You Want to Draw a Snowman?” It’s a unique opportunity to learn how to draw your very own sketch of Olaf or Marshmallow.

“Freeze the Night! A Family Dance Party” – Each evening, you’re invited to “chill out” in Hollywood Land with music, dancing, interactive fun and more in this new, family-friendly experience. You’ll arrive at the party through an icy archway to find wintry décor, dazzling lighting effects, cool photo spots, yummy treats and frosty beverages for all ages. Throughout the night, a giant thermometer registers the drop in temperature, as things get so cool they ultimately reach the freezing point when everyone lets it go in a spectacular “Frozen Fun” crescendo!

Some of the highlights coming to Disneyland park include:

Fantasy Faire Theater - The Royal Theatre’s resident storytellers, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, present the tale of “Frozen” in a fun-filled, fast-paced retelling of the story, featuring their own wacky performances in key roles, along with Anna, Elsa and the Faire Maidens.

Storybook Land Canal Boats returns later this month, there will be a new addition to this charming and beloved Fantasyland attraction, with excursions through the world of “Frozen” offering views of the fjord-side village of Arendelle, including the stately castle where Anna and Elsa grew up, Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, and Elsa’s mountaintop ice palace.

In Downtown Disney District:

Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink will continue through February 22, 2015

Anna & Elsa's Boutique- your one stop shop for all things Frozen, and your little ones can also have an Elsa or Anna makeover.

We are super excited about all of the new Frozen offerings and will be sharing more information with you as it becomes available. Be sure to tag @babesindisneyland on Instagram when immersing yourself in the "Frozen Fun (#FrozenFun on Social Media Sites) experience for a chance to be featured in upcoming posts!

Fun Fact Friday: Disneyland Resort Holidays By The Numbers

2014-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Just a few of "it's a small world" Holiday's more than 300,000 twinkling lights

The holiday season is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort and the parks and hotels could not be more beautifully decorated.

Have you ever wondered just how many ornaments adorn the Main Street U.S.A Christmas Tree or how many poinsettias are planted throughout the parks? We've got the inside scoop on all things Christmas decor and the numbers will amaze you.

Gorgeous Poinsettias Surround The Partners statue

Main Street U.S.A.'s Christmas Tree and Garland

At Disneyland Park:

On Main Street, U.S.A., nearly 79,000 ornaments, more than 2,000 feet of garland and nearly 10,000 lights deck the thoroughfare with holiday cheer. In addition, more than 7,400 feet of ribbon decorate Main Street, U.S.A. That’s more than 1.4 miles of ribbon to make more than 800 bows!

Approximately 1,800 ornaments adorn the nearly 1,200 branches of the 60-foot Christmas tree at Main Street, U.S.A. It’s a favorite holiday photo spot.

More than 2,000 ornaments decorate Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at Disneyland Park.

The façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday features more than 300,000 twinkling lights. Bringing the global celebration of the Holidays to life are roughly 150,000 lights that illuminate the interior of the attraction.

A 14-foot snowman wishes guests “Happy Holidays” at “it’s a small world” Holiday.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle Lights Up the Night Sky

At Disney California Adventure Park:

Nearly 3,000 multicolored LED lights illuminate the 50-foot Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street.

The “Cars” characters of Radiator Springs have special décor in Cars Land that reflect their personalities. Sally’s cone tree at the Cozy Cone Motel is 9 feet tall.

More than 50 dancers and performers bring the “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” to life at Disney California Adventure Park.

Olaf, the huggable snowman from Disney’s “Frozen,” plays along in “World of Color – Winter Dreams” as 6 “snowflake makers” create the giant, floating snowflakes in the viewing area. Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” also appear in scenes on the mist screen.

Olaf in "World of Color - Winter Dreams"- Photo Courtesy of Disney

Evan and the Grand Californian Christmas Tree

At the Disney Hotels:

Under the tree at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, 52 presents are wrapped and waiting to be opened.

A talented team of 25 artists, engineers and bakers created the new gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The house is 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide, with more than 500 pounds of gingerbread and 60 gallons of frosting and icing.

Which figure surprised you the most?? We're still reeling from the nearly 79,000 ornaments on display on Main Street U.S.A. If you haven't already, we hope you're able to visit the Disneyland Resort this holiday season to check out all of the amazing decor. Happy #DisneyHolidays!

Be sure to follow Kendra on Twitter and on Instagram @kendrakuske for more updates and photos.

New Alex & Ani Bangles Announced

2014-12-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Disney Parks Blog announced today that a new line of Alex & Ani Bangle Bracelets will be released just in time for the holidays- and we couldn't be more excited!!

We've gushed over these awesome bangles previously (click here) and positively LOVE the new styles!!

Photo Courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog

The new collection is inspired by popular Disney sayings- with the first two releases featuring Mickey Mouse and "It All Started With a Mouse" and Simba, Pumba, and Timon and "Hakuna Matata."

Be sure to stop by the following Disneyland Resort locations to check out all of the amazing Alex & Ani offerings.

Disney California Adventure Park- Elias & Co.

Disneyland Park- New Century Jewelry (Main Street U.S.A.)

Downtown Disney District- Disney Vault 28 and World of Disney

Which new Alex & Ani bangle are you most excited to see? Stay tuned for more Alex & Ani announcements as they are announced!

Be sure to follow Kendra on Twitter and on Instagram @kendrakuske for more updates and photos.

10 fun spots to take holiday photos at Disney California Adventure

2014-12-03T08:39:00.004-08:00

Still trying to figure out how to create that creative holiday card with a unique photo? Here are ten unique, fun places to take holiday pictures at Disney California Adventure.

Rev Your Engines in Cars Land
Consider putting together a Cars-themed holiday card with in these locations in Disney California Adventure's Cars Land.

Lightning McQueen is a Sally's Cozy Cone

Take a pic with a baby tractor outside Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Snowy the Snow Car is a great place to take a photo, as is the Season's Speedings sign next to him at the entrance of Cars Land. Although it can be tough to get a really great photo at night, you cannot beat the beautiful lights in Cars Land after dark.

Go Classic
Is there anything better than a great Santa pic? I think not! The backdrop behind jolly St. Nick at Elias and Company makes for a beautiful, festive photo.

The Christmas tree right outside where Santa can be found at Elias and Company is another wonderful classic spot. I love how Courtney and her husband and son incorporated the Mickey wreath!

Strike a Pose With Walt
Show your family and friends you are a true Disney fanatic and strike a pose with Walt on Buena Vista Street. The great thing about this spot is that there is a Photopass photographer close at hand to make sure you get just the right spot.

Viva Navidad

Get festive with classic characters at Viva Navidad. The colors are beautiful and you can get a photo with classic characters without having to worry about others getting in the way.

Go Iconic

There are so many beautiful sights in Disney California Adventure! Grab a photo in front with the beautiful Carthay in the background or the big cheese, Mickey Mouse on Buena Vista Street. You can't beat the characters dressed in their holiday finest this time of year! They can almost always be found--day or night--in front of Trolley Treats.

Where is your favorite place to take a holiday photo at the Disney California Adventure Park? Post your photo on our Facebook page or on Instagram and tag us (@babesindisneyland)! We might use it in a future blog post!

Ask the Disney Experts: Holiday Time Question Round-up

2014-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

With Holiday Time in full swing at the Disneyland Resort we thought we'd share a quick round-up of our past Ask the Disney Experts questions with Christmasy topics. Here are the questions we've already answered...

What is your favorite holiday treat at the Disneyland Resort? (Hint: there might be gingerbread involved)

What is your favorite thing about Christmastime at the Disneyland Resort? (How can we choose just one?.. Oh, we can't.)

What is the best reason to make a trip to the Disneyland Resort during the holidays? (So many reasons!)

What other Holiday-themed Disneyland Resort questions would you like us to answer? Just leave us a comment below or on our Facebook page and we'll be happy to all chime in with our answers in a brand new Ask the Disney Expert post!

Holiday Gift Picks 2014: Disney Jr. Super Stretchy Game & Disney Princess Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon Game

2014-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

December is here! Only 24 shopping days left - so Babes in Disneyland is starting our our Holiday Gift Picks right away! First up we have a few Disney games to share with you...

Although this past week was busy with Thanksgiving preparations, I wanted to make sure I made some time during my days off for relaxing and having fun with my kids. So one morning I pulled out two brand new Disney Junior games and promised them playtime first thing after breakfast - I've never seen them eat so fast!

They picked to play the Disney Jr. Super Stretchy Game first - it's a Target Exclusive, and the website has this to say:

"Get up and moving with the beloved character from Disney Junior, including Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Sofia the First, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! One player flips over cards and calls out characters, colors, and shapes on the giant floor mat and the parts of your body you need to touch them with! You stretch out and get creative physically. Can you reach them all?

Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 Years and Up
Includes: Instructions, Game Pieces
Material: Plastic, Cardstock
Playing Time: 20-40 minutes
Number of Players: 2-4 Players
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Battery: no battery used"

My thoughts: This game is basically a more fun Disney version of Twister! My kids totally loved calling different shapes, colors, and especially characters to put their hand/elbow/knee/head/foot on! The suggested age is 3 and up, however, A) the "and up" definitely has it's limits, while perfect for the littles, when I tried to play I found that my limbs were just too long for this small playing mat; and B) I would say my 3-year-old daughter wouldn't have been able to play this on her own or with other 3-year-olds, but having my 5-year-old son to help her with it was perfect. He caught on to it immediately and was able to help and guide her through several rounds. They really enjoyed playing this together, and I really enjoyed that it was a game that had them moving, and also that it required few pieces and was easy and quick clean-up.

Disney Jr. Super Stretchy Game

The next game we played was Disney Princess Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon Game. You can find this game at Toys R Us. The website says...

"Get regally pampered in the dreamy, 3D Royal Pet Salon. Move your adorable pet from room to room through doorways sized just for castle cuties. Look for posh pet products, from fancy soaps and shampoos to tiaras, collars, and sweet treats-all hidden throughout the salon! If you find something pictured on a face-up card, it's yours to keep! When the time is up, all of the Palace Pets leave the salon with the grooming goodies. The player with the most wins!

PROMOTES: Imaginative play, Turn-taking and playing together, Counting
CONTENTS LIST: 1 Game Board, 4 Interlocking Wall Panels, 2 Plastic Wall Braces, 4 Pet Movers, 1 Spinner, 1 Clock Frame, 4 Clock Tiles, 49 Goodies Cards, Instructions"

My thoughts: The website also says that the recommended age for this game is 3-6 years. Let me tell you, it definitely took this 32-year-old a fair amount of time to set up the game, and read and understand the directions. It's a 3-D game, where you create the different rooms in the Royal Pet Salon, then move the little pets around to each room basically playing eye-spy on the floor and walls for different items on the deck of cards. It wasn't terribly tricky, just took some doing for the first time we played it (I had to reread the directions more than once) but after that it was quick and easy. My 3-year-old was in love with the little pets (nice plastic game pieces, not cardboard or cheap materials) - in fact I won't be surprised if they "mysteriously" disappear from the box so she can play with them separately. However this game was beyond her attention span, so my son and I were really the only ones left playing after a few minutes. This game is totally appropriate for adults to play with kids, I liked searching for the items so I could collect the cards and my son really loved it (he's not too macho to play a pink and purple palace pets game)! He is totally into "eye spy" games and this was no exception.

Disney Princess Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon 3D Board Game

Overall my kids enjoyed both games quite a bit and we had such a fun morning playing games together in our jammies. The Palace Pets game was probably both kids favorite game to play, although I preferred the Super Stretchy game because I could trust the kids to set it up and put it away on their own. Either game would make a little one very excited to find under the tree.

While I was provided a complimentary sample of the products listed above in order to write this review all opinions are my own and may differ from those of others. Please see the disclosure statement at the top of the blog for more information.

Support Small Business and Book a Disney Vacation!

2014-11-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

It's Small Business Saturday and while there are few companies in the world bigger than Disney, it is actually quite easy to plan a Disney vacation and support small businesses at the same time! Guru Travel is Babes In Disneyland's official travel agency. That means, that I vetted them (for hours on end) to make sure their agents have "what it takes" to provide Babes' readers with an exceptional level of expertise and customer service I want for all of you while planning your Disney vacation--whether it be to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Aulani, a Disney cruise or even a trip with Adventures by Disney.

Kelly and Tracey - owners of Guru Travel

Here is where the "small business" part comes in. Guru Travel is an independent, Disney-authorized travel planner. This means they work with Disney to provide personalized vacation planning and have access to the very best deals as they come up. Guru Travel is owned by two moms who had a dream to plan amazing vacations and employs other parents who are passionate about Disney travel. Some of those agents are some of the very bloggers I have referred many of you to when you to when you were looking for Disney vacation planning for destinations beyond the Disneyland Resort.

If you are considering a Disney vacation, I highly encourage you to give them a call at (877) 825-6146 (or at least check out their site). No vacation is too big or too small! And, if you think it's too late to plan something to enjoy holiday time at the Disneyland Resort, think again! They can help you book an amazing holiday trip and can even help you decide on lodging off property to help satisfy a tight budget.

So remember, as you are out supporting small businesses today, that Guru Travel--a small business I whole-heartily believe in--is just a click or call away.

Terrific Tip Tuesday: Dining Line

2014-11-25T12:02:00.000-08:00

Did you know you can make dining reservations before your next trip to the Disneyland Resort?

The resort's dining line can help you to make reservations at character dining restaurants and other table-service restaurants, in addition to answering questions about menus, food prep, special dietary requests, and so much more. (714) 781-DINE.

Just a small reminder: Be sure to ask the reservation agent about fees charged for dining reservation "no shows."

Disney at Home: Disneyland's Pumpkin Cheesecake

2014-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I promised you a new recipe last week, and it has arrived! If you haven't already planned what you are making for Thanksgiving dessert, you might want to add this Pumpkin Cheesecake to your list! I've long been a fan of Pumpkin Cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving (or if you can't buck tradition, you could have both!) - so I was really excited when this recipe rolled across the Disney Parks Blog. It's the same recipe they use for the Pumpkin Cheesecake found at the Jolly Holiday and French Market at Disneyland as well as Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta in Disney California Adventure. So you know it's going to be a crowd pleaser!

Disneyland's Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Supplies:

9 inch springform pan
large roasting pan
aluminum foil
cooking spray

Ingredients:

Crust-

1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker
3 tbl. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling-

3 - 8 oz. blocks cream cheese, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
15 oz. can pumpkin puree
2 tbl. cornstarch
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
5 oz. can evaporated milk
chocolate syrup - for drizzling (optional)

Instructions:

crust ready, pan foiled

For crust-

In a bowl combine the crushed graham cracker, sugar and ginger.
Melt the butter and stir into mixture.
Spray bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Press crust mixture into bottom of pan using your hands.
Place pan on a large piece of foil and wrap foil tightly up sides and around pan (this will be to keep the water out of the pan, later on).

For cheesecake filling -

mix, scrape, repeat

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Beat cream cheese, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Scrape down sides of bowl.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl.
Whisk together pumpkin purée, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl until well combined.
Add pumpkin mixture to cream cheese mixture, beating until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl.
Add evaporated milk, mixing well.
Slowly pour cheesecake filling onto crust mixture in prepared pan. If you want, drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Place foil-wrapped pan inside a larger roasting pan. Place on oven rack and carefully add enough hot water to reach halfway up sides of springform pan.
Bake 1 hour, or until center moves only slightly when shaken.
Turn oven off. Crack open oven door, and allow cheesecake to cool inside oven 1 hour (this prevents cracking in the surface of the cheesecake).
Remove pan from water bath and set on a wire rack to cool completely (if you cover too early, moisture will collect on the foil and drip onto your cheesecake).
Cover top of pan with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Remove the side of your springform pan. Slice, and enjoy!

Baking Notes

Cheesecake bath

Many of the baking notes I added into the instruction, and bolded them - I found that they were all pretty need-to-know... (in case you're like me you don't always read through all of the instructions before beginning the recipe.)
I used my food processor to crush up the graham crackers - a full sleeve was just exactly 1 1/2 cups.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl a lot - to prevent the cream cheese from forming lumps in your cake.
Start baking early in the day - this cheesecake takes a lot of time, at least 8 hours, before it's ready. {1/2 hour to make, 1 hour to bake, 1 hour to rest, 1.5 hours to cool, 4 hours in the fridge}
Really get that foil on the pan tight, even double it up - if any water can get through the foil it will seep up into the cheesecake through the bottom, and ruin it.
I omitted the chocolate syrup in favor of going with a more traditional whipped cream topping.
I had to keep adding another 5 minutes, and another because the center was still too jiggly - so make sure you test it before you pull it out of the oven.

my Thanksgiving table is ready!

Outcome & Opinion

Of all the Disney recipes I've tried, this one was maybe the most difficult... but only like a 3 out of 5 - so generally a not-too-tricky recipe. Putting together the crust and cheesecake is simple, but a little time consuming, and certainly the entire process is very time consuming. Don't be like me - and start making it at 10:00 P.M. The water bath thing was easy, but I was worried about the water getting in through the foil to the cake. All in all - it is a very delicious (like pumpkin pie, but more decadent), very fancy (how many people make homemade cheesecake?) holiday dessert that will definitely impress your family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Want to see more Disneyland recipes just like this one? Click here to check out our Baking Guide!

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.

Fun Fact Friday: Town Square's Little Secrets

2014-11-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

In the past, I wrote about forced perspective used on Main Street. What you may not know is that there are two buildings on Main Street that do not use forced perspective--the City Hall Building and the Disneyland Opera House building. Both located in Town Square, they are two of the very first structures at Disneyland.

Unlike most of the other buildings on Main Street, the second story of the structures are full size and are actual working offices. City Hall even has a full size attic on the third floor. Above the fire house in Town Square is Walt's apartment. (Learn more about Walt Disney's apartment by clicking here.)

The Disneyland Opera House on the other side of Town Square was originally the mill used to create the beautiful wood work seen throughout Disneyland. Upon completion of the park, the second story of the Opera House was used as the PBX (Disneyland operator) office, which continues today.

Disneyland Baking Guide - Updated!

2014-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

We're just one week away from Thanksgiving folks! That means that the season of baking delicious treats us upon us, so I've updated our Disneyland Baking Guide - a compilation of all of our tried-and-tested Disneyland dessert recipes. Here are all of the recipes we've made so far, and we'll continue to add new ones as they come along too - look for a new one next week in fact! So don't forget to bookmark or pin this post to Pinterest for later! Happy Baking!

Cookie Recipes

Gingerbread

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread

Snickerdoodle Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookie (with Holiday M&M's)

Muffin Recipes

Cream-Filled Pumpkin Muffin

Apple Cinnamon Muffin

Banana Nut Muffin
Bran Muffin

Cake & Other Recipes

Tres Leches Cake
Pumpkin Twist
Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ask the Disney Experts: Favorite Restaurant in Downtown Disney

2014-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

We're taking a trip out of the parks and into the surrounding Disney property, at Downtown Disney! Yet again, we have reached out to some of our favorite fellow Disneyland experts to get their opinions. For this edition we asked them about their favorite Downtown Disney restaurant, and here are the answers:

My favorite restaurant in the Downtown Disney District is Ralph Brenann's Jazz Kitchen because of the tasty, Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes and decadent desserts... double chocolate bread pudding, anyone? The kids menu offers hearty and healthy three-course meals with foods my son loves, plus each option is served with Oreo cookies for dessert - a definite kid-pleaser. The atmosphere is colorful and energetic, with live music offered many nights. - Courtney

Image courtesy of Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

For the fun theme, the kids love the Rainforest Cafe, and for the guys' pick it's always ESPN Zone (actually, despite the sports I like it too for the food). But we recently ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and were blown away by the food and super cool atmosphere on the upstairs balcony. We would choose to eat there again in a heartbeat! - Jessica

My top restaurant pick in Downtown Disney is Tortilla Jo's. I love Mexican food and their fresh tortilla chips and salsa and their crispy beef tacos. Their tacos come with either shredded beef or chicken as well as lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo in a corn tortilla. They also go perfectly with a well-deserved Jo’s Super Gold Margarita after running around the parks on a hot day. (Gluten free) Beth blogs over at myadventuresindisneyland.blogspot.com.

We don't often eat outside of Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure but when we do the restaurant we most prefer is Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria. I am not very adventurous when it comes to trying new flavors, but really enjoy the pepperoni. Mostly, I love the ambiance, especially in the evening. The outdoor patio is lit with twinkle lights and is an excellent place to people watch. I highly recommend calling ahead or making reservations online as the wait time for Naples can be quite long. For those who don't want to wait in line or prefer to take a slice or even a whole pizza back to their hotel room Napolini is located right next door and is a quick service version of Naples. - Kendra

My favorite place to grab a bite in Downtown Disney is Starbucks. We love their breakfast sandwiches and protein pack and I am a huge Starbucks coffee fan. (Ok, it's more like FANTATIC.) We often grab breakfast there when we are staying on property or grab a coffee to keep us awake on the drive back to L.A. - Lisa

The Earl of Sandwich is one of my favorite places to eat in Downtown Disney. It is affordable, delicious, and I love being able to sit outside and eat while listening to the live music at the Downtown Disney stage. Mr. Daps is the publisher of DAPS Magic, Geeks' Corner and much, much more. Check him out by clicking here.

If I had to pick an actually Downtown Disney restaurant, it would actually be the House of Blues. Ever since they updated their menu, I have never been disappointed with a meal. If you're a fan of music and need a place that has a bit more energy (but isn't quite the Rainforest Cafe), the House of Blues is a great choice.

If you consider Earl of Sandwich a restaurant, that's my top pick. I can never pass up a Holiday Turkey Sandwich. But if you're looking for table service I'd say Catal. Heather is a Disneyland food expert for The Disney Food Blog.

What is your favorite restaurant to wine and dine at in Downtown Disney? What do you think of our picks? Please leave us a comment below and let us know!

Control vacation spending with Disney gift cards and Disney Dollars

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Let's face it. A trip to the Disneyland Resort is expensive. There's no need to sugar-coat the truth. It is especially expensive if you are making a big family trip taking place over days or a week. With that in mind, a great way to keep spending under control is to use Disney gift cards and Disney Dollars. Here's why I think they are great.

By creating a budget and transferring your vacation dollars to gift cards, you will have to pay really close attention to your pennies. It's so easy to spends small amounts of money at a time on things like churros and bottles of waters. Using a gift card makes you much more accountable for each dime spent. You can also get separate gift cards for different types of purchases. Let's say you only want to spend a certain amount of money on meals and another amount of money on merchandise. You can put the different amounts on different gift cards. If your visit will take place over multiple days, you can also budget to only spend a certain amount each day and load the card each day (or have separate cards) in order to keep tabs on your daily spending. You can make

Image courtesy of Disneystore.com

creating different cards for different people even more fun by creating personalized gift cards with your own photos on them on the Disney Store website!
Kids want just about everything they lay their eyes on while at the Disneyland Resort. By providing them with Disney Dollars or a Disney gift card, once the money's gone...it's gone! I prefer Disney Dollars because they require children to have to count their money and really allows them to see their money being spent. Gift cards keep the money "virtual" which is far less meaningful for young children. Gift cards may be a better option for teens.
Another reason I love gift cards is because you can get them as gifts! Are grandma and grandpa stumped on what to get the family for the holidays or birthday? Tell them Disney gift cards!
Perhaps one of my favorite things about gift cards is that they also serve a great little keepsakes that will help your family remember the trip. They are small enough to easily fit in the family scrapbook along side your photos. Don't forget to take a picture or two of the kids (or the adults) paying with the gift cards to put next to them in the family album. The gift cards come in many different designs and you may be able to pick a design that helps commemorate your favorite characters or special celebration. I have a Disneyland gift card designed by the artist Shag that has a tour guide on it. It's very special to me--something that is in with my Disney mementos.

Disney gift cards are available for purchase at many major retailers including Disney Stores, many grocery and toy stores, and through the Disneyland website. There are a number of gift cards available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths as well.

Learn more about Disney Dollars and why they are the best way to beat ATM fees by clicking here.

Gift card image courtesy of the Disneyland Resort.