The Holidays at Disneyland

After wallowing in my winning glory of the Just Spotted Holiday Giveaway, it was time to claim my prize. We attended a special day at Disneyland to celebrate the holidays. I have gone to Disneyland several times for the Christmas season, and it's a sight not to miss. Mr. Man had never gone, and kept saying, "even *insert random ride or object* is decorated!" Everything is decorated down to the last detail, I love it! The gorgeous Grand Californian hotel was our home base for the day. The lobby is a site to behold in itself, but all decked out for the holidays it is crazy beautiful. Then we did our traditional pic in front of the letters outside California Adventure. We chose F for Fabulous, Festive, or Funk... you pick. First on our list was the new show "Princess Tiana's Showboat Jubilee". It was a high energy show all about the new Disney movie "The Princess and the Frog". The kids loved it and I have a feeling AK is going to want every Princess Tiana toy this Christmas. I know what Auntie Laura is getting AK for Christmas!We took AK on Star Tours for the first time, she LOVED it and laughed the whole time. She is a daredevil, completely opposite of her brother. Mr. Boy spent the day pleading with us to avoid most of the rides that inolve a villian.

It's a Small World is all decked out for the holidays both inside and out. It is such a classic, and I love seeing it transformed for the holidays. We had passes to go on this ride, and when we approached a cast member to show them, she said, "OK hold on... because *dramatic pause* you... are... special." Then she walked away and started waving her arms at the other cast members... announcing to all of them that they were in the presence of special people. It was hilarious, and nice to be made to feel.... well... special. The rest of the day we were joking about if this was a "special water bottle" or a "special napkin".

The parade was great and I can not believe these guys march in these outfits. Look, I'm gonna confess, I was a total band nerd in Jr. high. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't fun. The band uniforms itched like nobody's business, but I'm suddenly grateful I didn't have to march and play in this outfit. It looks heavy and hot, and I would so screw up sticking my instrument in that little hole for the mouthpiece. These guys actually play their instruments and walk in formation. If I had it my way, Mr. Boy and I would go on rides all day long, each and every day. I never tire of this face. Then we went to a special dinner reception at the Grand Californian hosted by none other than Mrs. Claus. AK asked her, "Does Santa know you're here?" She also proceeded to tell Mrs. Claus about all the times Mr. Boy had kicked or pinched her that day. Way to throw your brother under the bus... They had a kid's buffet, and then a handful of characters on hand to PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS. Technically, I think they were there for pictures, but Goofy and Minnie played with AK while I ate dinner in peace with Mr. Man. Mr. Boy played Wii and visited the cookie decorating table. He decorated cookies with the help of Mrs. Claus, and then acted like that was "no big deal" because everyone gets to do that. The kids got decked out to go see the Special Holiday fireworks show thanks to Studio 365. The fireworks show is also different for the holidays and so good. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of the fireworks show it "snows" on Main Street. My kids are such beach bums, they have never seen snow. To see their faces light up and try to catch a snowflake on their tongues after having THE MOST AMAZING day, just put me over the top. I actually got a little misty eye-d! I owe a big thanks to Just Spotted & Disneyland for this once in a lifetime experience and to all the folks who voted! Oh shoot, I'm getting all misty again. THANK YOU!