Christmas 2013

Duffy and I had a great Christmas. We saw family and friends and had a lot of sweet treats. I got a lot of presents, mostly books, which I love. Reading is my very favorite thing and I am always happy when someone gives me a book. I also got a couple jigsaw puzzles which are fun, and a few Doctor Who items. It was a geeky holiday. I didn't get to Christmas in the Park this year, it is not easy to get to but enjoyable when I can make it. But, I did get to go to Disneyland and that is the best place ina ll of the world at Christmas and any time of year. I watched 'It's A Wonderful Life' which is one of my favorites. I only watch it once a year. I watch 'White Christmas' a lot as I love the music and story. 'Elf' was another regular movie this year, too. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! XO, Califia

Believe... in Holiday Magic!

Once again I found myself in Disneyland. I didn't have plans to go at all in 2013, and I ended up going three times! I am blessed and lucky.

I arrived on a Friday night and just had to squeeze in as much Disney time as possible. I entered Main Street and was greeted by their beautiful tree on Main Street.

I wanted to check out the Jingle Cruise. This was the holiday overlay. I was underwhelmed. I was hoping there would be more lights on the trees and that some of the animals would be wearing Santa hats. It was mostly just holiday jokes told by the skippers, and a few decorations in the queue. It felt like they didn't need to advertise it as a theme, and just put what decorations they did.

Pastries!

Fancy toiletries in the hotel. I like to collect the bottles of lotion because they are a good size to fit in my purse.

Festive decorations on Main Street

Christmas tree inside the Market House (Starbucks)

The checker board is still inside the Market House.

There was a Weeping Angel in New Orleans Square. Don't blink!

it's a small world

Happy Holidays!

I am Iron Mickey

Cars Land is especially festive in California Adventure. There are a lot of themed trees.

This is a 'hidden Mickey' ornament on a tree inside California Adventure

The main room in our Disney Vacation Club Villa in the Grand Californian Hotel

Mickey's Halloween Party

In October I found myself back in Disneyland. What a surprise! When I learned that all ages can dress up in costume, and that Captain Jack Sparrow would make a rare appearance, I had to take it! We started our day with a morning visit to Disneyland. We went on some of our favorite rides like Star Tours and Pirates of the Caribbean. Before long, it was time to meet friends and family at Goofy's Kitchen for a birthday party. After lunch, we went to our hotel room to get dressed in our costumes. I went as the Queen of Hearts. We went back into Disneyland all dressed up. It was so fun getting to run around Disneyland, wearing costumes and looking at all of the people and the costumes they were wearing. Trick-or-treating was fun. The Cast Members will give you as much as you ask for. But that can come at a price in the form of having to carry around a 25 pound bag. That gets heavy by the end of the night! This was more of a casual weekend, taking time to take pictures of the Halloween decor and just enjoying the scenery. I was thinking forward to my next planned vacation in January. Little did I know, there would be another Disneyland weekend in there!

This is the main entrance, all decorated with Jack O'Lanterns carved into Disney characters.

Me with Dumbo

Me with Minnie

The Haunted Mansion gets a Halloween and Christmas overlay with Nightmare Before Christmas.

At the Disneyland Hotel in one of the lobbies is a small theater that shows classic Disney cartoons on a loop.

Coming soon: Starbucks! A full store in Downtown Disney. I am super excited!

Posters for Disney/ABC Studios shows 'Once Upon a Time' and 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' on the outsid e of a Hollywoodland building

The Tiki Room garden

Enjoying my daily Starbucks drink

Candy corn!

Pastries!

On this particular weekend was Disneyland's Gay Days. They sold rainbow themed merchandise and food throughout the parks. I had to taste a rainbow sugar cookie.

Driving a car in Autopia

Going for a spin at the Mad Tea Party

The Emporium, and all the buildings on Main Street, were decorated with pumpkins, gourds, and leaves

Giant Mickey Mouse on Main Street

Several pounds of candy and treats collected at the Haloween party.