Disney Dream Girls 248 Planning for Disneyland

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, show number 248 for Sunday 17th February 2019.  If you want to listen, whilst reading these notes, just click the player below or alternatively find us in iTunes, Libsyn, on Stitcher Radio or via any good podcast catching app.

On this weeks show, Michelle is joined by a person who she affectionately calls her Dopey to her Snow White - Thomas.

Together, they chat through the planning process they undergo before planning a trip to Disneyland. 

So firstly - when? Michelle being a teacher limits the choice but they decide the break over the Christmas period.  

Next consideration - where to stay? Tom would splurge and book a room at the Grand California but with the majority of time being spent in the parks - Michelle argues the case of saving an approximate astonishing $4,000 to stay at the Hilton.

With a five day park hopper to purchase, the duo are almost ready to book but before they do, they talk through some of the unique or slightly different rides and attractions they will be able to enjoy.

Of course, no trip to Disneyland is complete without trying out some of the delicious food?

That's all we have for this week, if you want more Disney Dream Girls chat - why not become a supporter via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls   

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Disney Dream Girls 191 - Disneyland Trip Report

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 191 aired on Sunday 7th January 2018. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.

Todays show reviews Michelle's Disneyland Christmas trip. Have you ever been to a Disney park at Christmas? Or are you planning at future trip? Well you will need to listen to this weeks show with lots of top tips on how to get the best out of the theme parks at the busiest and merriest time of the year.

First thing to understand is that the parks are busy however, if you do your research it is quite easy to get in 15+ attractions a day! Some of our top tips are:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to park opening to get through security and be in line at the entrance.
• Use Fastpasses.
• Have a plan of which attractions you want to hit - e.g. Michelle went to Space Mountain for a fastpass and then onto Peter Pan as both of these attractions are incredibly busy.
• Ride Its a Small World in the morning but visit in the evening to admire the exterior. 
• Queues for quick service food at peak times can be 30 minutes so avoid these  times.
• Plan to watch shows later in the day.

The highlights of the trip included the cinnamon scented snowfall (always a seasonal favourite), enjoying the stunning Christmas decorations plus riding the Christmas themed attractions and the amazing seasonal Christmas food.

On this trip, I was really pleased to have done two attractions that I had previously ignored - namely the treehouse and the canoes. Lots of fun and I am now pleased to say I have ridden every Disneyland attraction! 

We hope you enjoyed the show, and we will be back with more Disney musings next week! Why not listen to our weekly Disney theme parks podcast? 

You can find it in most places that host podcasts or via iTunes click this link to go to our iTunes page. 

Our social media links are:  
Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
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If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support - click to visit our Patreon page. 

Disney Dream Girls 188 - A Disney Cornucopia of Chat

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast show number 188 aired on Sunday 3rd December 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.

This show begins with going off at a tangent with details about Michelle's London trip and a special afternoon tea she took on Oxford Street. 

Steakhouse 55 sandwich selection

Then moving back to Disney, Michelle thought ahead to her advanced dining reservation she has for Christmas Day at Steakhouse 55 for a special holiday themed Afternoon Tea. The menu is incredibly seasonal and don't the chocolate strawberries look heavenly!

Next up we unpick the story of the EPCOT pickle. If you believe the story from the Germany pavillion, every German household will have a pickle on their Christmas tree. Well not many German families seem to know this! After researching the topic, we found a heartwarming story which we hope is the true version. However, we are stumped on the history of the mushroom ornament!

Then a gripe... I know we do try to be positive but releasing COCO in the UK on the 19th January 2018 is a tad unfair! Especially when so many people will have had the opportunity to see it since October 2017! Totally unfair!

USA Advertising flyer for Coco

Then our main event is to say a very happy birthday to Walt Disney. Born on the 5th December 1901 to Elias and Flora Disney, Walt was the fourth son of this couple and was named after the family pastor - Walter Parr. 

We reached out to our Facebook page followers and asked them what they would like to do if they had the chance to spend a day with Walt in the parks. We had some lovely responses from a ride on the railroad to dining at Club 33. What would you do and what gift would you give to Walt? Please get in touch and let us know!

That's about it for this weeks show, we hope you enjoyed the show, and we will be back with more Disney musings next week!
  
Why not listen to our weekly Disney theme parks podcast? You can find it in most places that host podcasts or via iTunes click this link to go to our iTunes page.
Our social media links are: Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - www.facebook.com/Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram - Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support - click to visit our Patreon page. 

Disneyland Resort Food, Drinks, Celebrations at Christmas

You want to know about the stunning food offerings in the USA Disney parks this season? Well read on because this post covers the Disneyland Resort at Christmas. However, did you know you can also listen to us? Just click the play icon below! 

Todays commentary is brought to you by Michelle from the Disney Dream Girls Podcast, Kat and Lewis from Dis Down Under Podcast and Nic Branch from Dis After Dark Podcast.  

Below you will find some highlights that are being offered at The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. On our podcast, The Disney Dream Girls (on show 186 we cover both Walt Disney World and Disneyland), we go into lots of detail so be sure to listen!

Photo Credit - Thomas Allison of the Cruise Dudes Podcast

Our first stop is Disneyland itself - the original and the best. So what is there to do here during the festive season? First of all, lets talk about the attractions. Two attractions receive a Christmas make over - its A Small World and the Haunted Mansion.  They are great fun but the lines do get very long! In previous years Jungle Cruise received a make over but alas not this year.

You may wish to enhance your day with the Holiday Time at Disneyland tour. This costs $85 and includes the history and backstory of the decorations, rides on select attractions, Christmas snacks, a souvenir pin, a re-usuable mug and parade viewing with hot cocoa (more on parades below).

Santa of course is in town for meets and greets and he can be found in Critter Country but this is a busy meet and greet! Each day the tree is lit and additionally, there is a castle stage lighting ceremony with gingerbread scented snow - this is not to be missed!

Above the parade was mentioned and this is currently The Christmas Fantasy Parade. This is a forty minute cavalcade of characters and Christmas cheer with a soundtrack that will stay every present! It appears twice daily and be sure to ensure you find a spot plenty of time in advance.

The evening ends with the firework spectacular Believe... in holiday magic. 

Photo Credit Thomas Allison of The Cruise Dudes Podcast

Whilst in Disneyland, there are plenty of foodie treats to enjoy. You may have heard of the delicious candy canes and you can find out more by reading our blog about them (Candy Cane Schedule 2017).

Another firm favourite is the peppermint ice cream served in a chocolate dipped waffle cone that is showered in candy cane dust - definately worth the lines!

Lots of cute merchandise too - Picture Credit - Thomas Allison

Let's hop over to Disney California Adventure as this is where the food and drink talk gets serious! Before we indulge, there are other things to do! Each of the lands is decorated in an appropriate style to its theming but my favourite is Radiator Springs. There you will find two attractions with Christmas seasonal music -Luigi's Joy to the Whirl and Mater's Jingle Jamboree as well as Radiator Springs Racers. The decor is outstanding and remember to view the switching on of the neon - its quite a thing!

A visit must include seeing Santa at the Redwood Trail and perhaps finding time to venture into the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel could be squeezed in as they have some amazing Christmas offerings to see and do.

On an evening, you are able to see the World of Color - Season of Light and it runs until 7th January. Fastpass is available to guarantee a viewing sport but you could choose to pay extra for a dining package or a dessert party. Personally, a top tip would be to get the Carthay Circle lunch package as the food is delicious! Make sure you get the biscuits... they are spherical balls of goodness and you will thank us later!

The park has some great seasonal musical 'streetmosphere' and a favourite is listening to the Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers. We share a short sample for you to enjoy on the podcast.

The final entertainment offering we will discuss is Viva Navidad, which takes place in the Paradise Pier Area. It is colourful, engaging and well worth seeing.

So food... Luckily for visitors, DCA is hosting the Festival of Holidays and it has kiosks bursting with food and drinks that are screaming at you to try. We could spend the entire post detailing every one however, we have chosen a few must tries!

Photo credit - Steve Burnett

From Food at Joy to the Sauce, you will find the short rib beef with smashed potatoes and gravy for $7.75 and for dessert we recommend the sticky toffee pudding. Our beverage of choice is available at Festive Holiday Extras and is the Warm Bourbon Cider for $12. Or for a more seasonal offering the turkey slider from Winter Sliderland looks fantastic!

Whilst this show shares some of the many festive delights for the Disneyland Resort, we have a previous post that includes everything for Walt Disney World - so please check that out also!

I'd like to thank our guests, Nic from the Dis After Dark Podcast (click to listen) and Kat and Lewis from the Dis Down Under Podcast (click to listen). They will be sharing our top tips for the other Disney theme parks on their shows in the next few days.

Why not listen to our weekly Disney theme parks podcast? You can find it in most places that host podcasts or via iTunes click this link to go to our iTunes page.
 
Our social media links are: Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps We are quite active on Facebook so like our page - www.facebook.com/Disney Dream Girls If you have any questions or comments, please email us - info@disneydreamgirls.com We also are on Instagram - Disney_Dream_Girls Finally, you may choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support - click to visit our Patreon page.  

Disneyland Candy Canes Schedule 2019

One of my must-haves at Christmas is the Disneyland Resort Candy Cane. So here is a little information on what they are and how to get one.

What are the Candy Canes?
For over thirty-five years candy canes have been made and sold at Disneyland; a few years ago Disney California Adventure (DCA) began to also sell them. They are a hard candy that is manipulated into the shape of a walking stick and flavoured with peppermint oil. 

Candy Canes - Photo Credit Dis Geek Podcast

They have been a Christmas tradition for over three hundred years and in the USA alone 1.4 billion dollars worth of canes are bought. The cane sold at the Disneyland Resort is made by hand and due to this, the number available is very limited. When you collect them, they are still warm and that alone (in my opinion) makes them so tasty!

How are the Disneyland Candy Canes Made?

Photo Credit S Klimosko

The recipe dates back to around 1965 and is a closely guarded secret, however, the classic ingredients include heating a mixture of sugar, water and corn syrup to 313 degrees and then placing the mixed ingredients on a metal table to allow it to cool sufficiently to be worked upon. 

Photo Credit OC Weekly

The candy mixture is then manipulated and pulled on a hook for around an hour - all by hand - until it is silky white in appearance. Whilst the mixture is being pulled, peppermint oil is added. The mix is split into three uneven amounts, the larger keeping its white colour and colouring added to the other two (making up the stripes of green and red). This mix will make up 45 candy canes and they make three batches per day. 

Photo Credit M Young

How to get a Candy Cane?
Below, you will find a timetable of where to find a Candy Cane:
Candy Palace, Disneyland
29th November
2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 20th and 24th December
Trolley Treats, Disney California Adventure
30th November
3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 25th December.

To secure one, you need to be in the park at opening and I suggest arriving at the park in plenty of time prior to park opening to enable clearing security and then getting in line. 

Photo Credit S Klimosko

Once in the park, head straight to the store and there will usually be a sign or cast member present to show you where to wait. Once you have paid for your candy cane you will get a wristband and a time to return for it. If you fail to go back for your cane by 4pm, they will be sold in the store. They only sell around 120 per day so bear this in mind and they cost $13.99  Once in December, you can ring the candy cane hotline for more information: 714-781-0112.

Photo Credit M Young

Below is a little clip about the candy canes from a Disneyland at Christmas Show Guy Fieri did a few years back. Candy Cane Clip.

If you fail to get a candy cane, all is not lost as you can get other peppermint flavoured items in the parks such as the peppermint ice-cream the with chocolate waffle cone dipped in crushed candy canes - which is also delicious! 
Why not listen to our weekly Disney theme parks podcast? You can find it in most places that host podcasts or via iTunes click this link to go to our iTunes page.

Our social media links are: Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - www.facebook.com/Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram - Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support - click to visit our Patreon page.