BE's Never Ending TR -- That kind of ... Ended? Or did it?

[Belle Ella]

Oh no!! Perhaps someone can look for you when they go next?

Perhaps! Or I could look for myself next time as well. I'm trying to save up for some of the larger Disney ones that I want. But I try to get one for every 'big' place I go. My sister brought me home one from Scotland on her last trip to Europe. It was pretty cool.

I love Disney's snow globes so much. I would have a lot if they weren't so much. I have this one, and it's my favourite!

They can get pricey!! I usually get mine when they get marked down at the Disney Store. Gotten some pretty cheap Snow White ones.

 

[kaoden39]

Perhaps! Or I could look for myself next time as well. I'm trying to save up for some of the larger Disney ones that I want. But I try to get one for every 'big' place I go. My sister brought me home one from Scotland on her last trip to Europe. It was pretty cool.



They can get pricey!! I usually get mine when they get marked down at the Disney Store. Gotten some pretty cheap Snow White ones.

Okay. I know you are going back soon. I was trying to be helpful.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Also I probably would've been getting my hands on that Stitch 2011 pin, lol.

Can you believe I only bought two Stitch items when I was down there?? There just wasn't that much there of him. I was a little disappointed. I got a pin, and a little tiny charm that I attached to my Dooney bag. That is it! Unless you count a few pressed pennies.

I love the pics of your reflection in the ornaments, that's so cool. That lens is pretty cool.

 

[Belle Ella]

Okay. I know you are going back soon. I was trying to be helpful.

You are always helpful Michele!

Also I probably would've been getting my hands on that Stitch 2011 pin, lol.

Can you believe I only bought two Stitch items when I was down there?? There just wasn't that much there of him. I was a little disappointed. I got a pin, and a little tiny charm that I attached to my Dooney bag. That is it! Unless you count a few pressed pennies.

I love the pics of your reflection in the ornaments, that's so cool. That lens is pretty cool.

I am so beyond in love with this lens Andrea!! It's just crazy awesome. I'm still learning my way around if though just like I'm still learning some nuances of photo editing. But it's still amazing nonetheless!

Pressed pennies totally count. But hey, maybe if the pin is sill there next time I go I might be persuaded to send it to you.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

You are always helpful Michele!



I am so beyond in love with this lens Andrea!! It's just crazy awesome. I'm still learning my way around if though just like I'm still learning some nuances of photo editing. But it's still amazing nonetheless!

Pressed pennies totally count. But hey, maybe if the pin is sill there next time I go I might be persuaded to send it to you.

That would be totally cool. Speaking of sending stuff, you should send me your address. I found something totally cute the other day that I was thinking of sending you, but Dillon accidentally threw out the envelope your card came in. So it can't be a complete surprise now. But I am still not tell you what it is.

 

[Belle Ella]

I'll send you a message through FB

 

[kaoden39]

Excuse me mam' but I have a trip related question. Do you have any idea if they have any Playhouse Mickey merchandise at the park?

 

[Belle Ella]

Excuse me mam' but I have a trip related question. Do you have any idea if they have any Playhouse Mickey merchandise at the park?

Ummz, that's a good question. Off the top of my head I can't say for sure because it's not something that I specifically look out for but my guess would be yes.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Love the Billy's!!! So entertaining!!

Great pics......loving all the holiday decor!!

 

[kaoden39]

Ummz, that's a good question. Off the top of my head I can't say for sure because it's not something that I specifically look out for but my guess would be yes.

I hope so. That is what I want to get Peanut. He loves him some "Hot Doggy".

 

[Belle Ella]

At some point between 2p and 3p we finally got checked in for our Holiday Tour! I have been wanting to do a Disneyland tour for a while now and keep making mental notes to participate in the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour during an upcoming trip but while in the talking/planning stages for our New Years at Disneyland we decided to go ahead and do the Holiday Tour since it is a seasonal offering and we could always do WIWF later on in the year if we wanted to (or if I wanted to on my own). We figured New Years Eve would be a good choice because of the crowds that we were expecting as a way to get in a little more entertainment as the Tour includes the two holiday rides (HMH and IASWH) as well as seating for the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

The check in spot for all of the tours is to the left when you enter Disneyland and pass under the railroad, the gazebo next to City Hall!

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Funny story now: While waiting in line to check in for the Tour I got to chatting (because this is what I do best) with another couple in line who would also be doing the Fantasmic! dessert seating which Jason and I did together back in September (it's so funny to think how long ago that was, any yet it still feels like yesterday). I was filling them in on our experience which I only had the best of things to say and trying to explain where the check in area for that was. Somehow we got around to talking about where we were from and what do you know they were from the Bay Area too! That was kind of exciting and so I mentioned an area where I live that's kind of larger than my small little town and most people from the Bay actually know. Of course they did and that was when they mentioned that they were from Martinez. Wait, what?! How small of a world that my small hometown was there small hometown! It was just one of those pretty awesome moments. You know it's a crazy busy day when you run into someone from the same town as you in the most bizarre way -- on a tour. Cut to a couple weeks later and I have come to discover that a few other people from my hometown were at Disneyland on NYE. What a small world, right?

So off we went to wait near the building that reads 'Guided Tours' with our little tags to attach to our jackets to signify that we were a part of the tour group. You may have heard me mention this before but they reminded me an awful lot of car air fresheners! Please tell me I am not the only one.

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Originally we were sent off to wait in the same tour group as them but eventually one of the CM's came over to let us know that we were bumped into the 2nd tour group with our guide Chandra, who I had noticed while we were waiting in line -- she had bells tied into the bottom of her braids! She had my seal of approval and as far as I'm concerned led a fun tour filled with singing and dancing along. Well, Jason didn't, but you'd better believe I did. Before setting out on the tour itself we were each given a headset so that we would be able to hear Chandra while she departed us with tons and tons of Disneyland holiday trivia and just holiday trivia in general. Before long, our little gang of 15 was off and moving!

Our first stop was the giant Christmas tree at the start of Main Street.

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Unfortunately I am terrible at recalling the little details and facts that we learned, because there were plenty of them. What I can tell you is that the tree is artificial and has been for the past couple of years in Disney's effort to go green. She also went on to tell us about some of the different raditions that led to the decorations that adorn the tree.

Our next stop was by Dr. Silverstein's door to see if anybody was home. His door has not always had a home on Main Street at Disneyland but added as a way to incorporate Hanukkah into the parks. Next to his door you can see the mezuzah, which is a case containing a parchment inscribed with words from the Torah.

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Our next stop was the Candy Palace where we got o indulge in our first sweet treat of the tour: two pieces of fudge! Chocolate and peppermint. Yum.

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Right now is also as good a time as any to mention our competition with the other 2 tour groups as we crossed paths multiple times over the course of our tour. Any time we would see another tour group we all would shout out Happy New Year as loud as we could. I may be a little bit biased, but our tour group rocked. But it only added to the fun. So singing, dancing, and some friendly shouting matches were all included. What wasn't there to love?

One of the best parts about the tour is that it isn't all about Christmas or about the Christmas that we celebrate. Holiday traditions from all over the world are incorporated into the tour. For instance, did you know that Santa isn't always a man throughout the world? In Italy there is a female version of Santa Claus known as Befana! Another thing that we learned was that how we picture Santa Claus today actually came about from the old poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and a 1930's Coca-Cola campaign. Who knew!!

here's something that stands out most in my mind: We were passing through the Castle on our way into Fantasyland via Snow White's Wishing Well and guess who we came upon on the other side? Snow White and the Queen!! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to see them and not only that -- but they decided to join our tour group for a few moments. Best. Moment. Ever. It made this Snow White fan very happy and just confirmed my resolution to get a photo with her before the end of this trip. It must happen, it must!!

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Our next stop was a walk by Reindeer Round Up and on through Frontierland on our way to NOS where we would get to go through the FP line for our first Holiday ride: Haunted Mansion Holiday. But first Chandra took some time to talk to us all about the different decorations around the park and how they tied in with the Land that they were found in.

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Considering it was a crowded day in the Park it was pretty easy to keep our entire group together and to not lose Chandra in the mele. I would definitely do the tour again although we did end up cutting some things pretty short because we couldn't get through them fast enough. Before we knew it we were boarding the train at the NOS station on our way to Toontown to pick up our second tasty treat -- only this time it came with a drink! We each got some hot chocolate in a very cute holiday mug along with the very delicious and equally cute gingerbread men with Mickey Mouse ears!

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At this point we would normally have been making our way on to It's a Small World before finding out seats for the Christmas Fantasy Parade but Chandra didn't want to cut anything too close and have us miss the Parade. So instead we were the first group to arrive at our designated seating are where she collected the headsets and passed out our collectible pins and a readmission pass for IASWH to use any time after the parade that evening since we didn't get on during the tour. Sadly I know that I have already forgotten so many of the details but it was a wonderful experience and if you visit DLR during the holidays I highly, highly recommend this tour!

Before the parade began we had a few moments to take a couple of pictures!

... to be continued ...​

 

[DizNee Luver]

That's awesome that you ran into "neighbors"!!! I would love to do that tour....if I ever get down there for the holidays.

Love the picture of you with the stocking cap.....a little pippi longstockingish!!

 

[Belle Ella]

Thanks Laurie!! That hat sure did save my life over the course of the weekend. It was so cold and it did a great job of keeping my ears warm which in turn made for a happy me, hence the photo! I got it for Christmas a couple years ago and I think this was the first time I actually got to wear it.

And funny enough, one of my nicknames in school used to be Pippi, because of Pippi Longstocking!

If you ever do make it down for the holiday season, no matter when it may be, you really should do the tour. You wont regret it. I am hoping that someday I can compare it to another tour. But for my first experience I adored it.

 

[kaoden39]

So, I have to ask. Is that a riding crop that your tour guide was carrying? And if so was she gonna spank you if you were naughty?

 

[Belle Ella]

Oh, Michele! You are so bad! Have you never seen them with the riding crops? I've always seen the female guides with them. It's rather fitting with the English riding caps. I wonder if there's a story to it.

I kept joking that I would totally dress up as a Plaid for Halloween.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Great pictures again! That tour sounds really fun.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh, Michele! You are so bad! Have you never seen them with the riding crops? I've always seen the female guides with them. It's rather fitting with the English riding caps. I wonder if there's a story to it.

I kept joking that I would totally dress up as a Plaid for Halloween.

Honestly no I have never noticed. I guess I don't pay attention.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Also I never knew that Coca-cola helped create the image of Santa. But that explains a few things. That's pretty cool. Also that's another reason they're better than Pepsi!

 

[Belle Ella]

Great pictures again! That tour sounds really fun.

It really was! Our tour group made it awesome as well. And the fact that it was New Years Eve. Yelling out Happy New Year every now and again was so much fun.

Honestly no I have never noticed. I guess I don't pay attention.

Yes, yes you should Michele!

Also I never knew that Coca-cola helped create the image of Santa. But that explains a few things. That's pretty cool. Also that's another reason they're better than Pepsi!

I never would have guessed either! But then again, it's been around since long before we were born so how else would we know? And Coke > Pepsi!

 

[kaoden39]

Cough Diet Pepsi.