MUFASA

Grace and I decided to hip up California Adventure. Jokes were told on the tram:

Why is Peter Pan always flying around?

-Because he can Never Never Land!

Why does Simba always win the race?

-Because he MU FASA!

We made them our facebook statuses.

Grace shares my desire to collect all of the free buttons. They were out of Happy Anniversary, but we got Happily Ever After.

Characters on the backlot:

Our guide in the Tower of Terror movie room was way into it. His name was Brian. He rocked. We sat in front and did a heart pose for the picture. The monitor for our car was busted. Boo. So, we went on again. However, we got the same exact car! Oh well. At least Brian was the attendant for the elevator that time around. He jumped out and said BOO! when we got back. I got scared lol.

We went on Monsters, Inc. and then got free tortillas.

We watched the High School Musical show. Grace got chosen during "I Want It All." She got a button for participating! Had I known, I would have volunteered. That's a goal for next time!

Then, we went to Toy Story Mania. Mr. Potato Head really talks to you! I had a lower score, but higher accuracy.

We tried doing the heart pose on Screamin', but didn't put it high enough. Fail.

Solitaire

My Annual Pass expires at the end of March. I'm not renewing until 2011 when The Little Mermaid Ride opens. That way, I'll hopefully also get to experience the new California Adventure. I made a goal to visit all the Disneyland attractions before my pass expires. So, today, I went to Disneyland by myself and rode the kiddie rides no one usually wants to go on.

All of the dark rides in Fantasyland - Peter Pan + Roger Rabbit's Toon Spin + Winnie the Pooh are way more frightening than the Haunted Mansion or the drop on the Tower of Terror.

Whittier High School's acapella group was performing at the Carnation Plaza Gardens. I decided to to sit and stay for a bit when they sang "Carol of the Bells"-- my favorite xmas song this year.


Then, I went to see if I could be in one of Tiana's Showboat Jubilees. Since I was only a party of one, I got to be the 20th member of the 11:30 show that was about to start.
First, you wave a handkerchief. During the chorus, you wave it up and down. "Going down the bayou.."
Next, you wave giant music notes.
Last, you put on yellow robes and play tambourines. I got to go on the second level for this part.
The songs were fun. It makes me want to watch the movie.

Once we were past the Sailing Ship Columbia, we were in the clear. They collect the robes and we get a meet & greet with Tiana (princess), Naveen (frog), and Louis (alligator).
I don't often see princes in the park, so of course I had to get a picture with just him! He looks like Mark Ballas from Dancing with the Stars.


After everything, they gave us cool beads for participating. Holler! Those are limited, yo!

Next, I went to Tom Sawyer's Island. I observed the Fantasmic! stage and walked around every speck of the island. I walk faster than Mark Twain's Riverboat. A CM greeted me and said I did a good job in the show =] I asked if there were any maps of the island, but she told me they don't make them anymore =/
Dead Man's Grotto is really cool. There are lots of scary tricks. I can't wait to trick others ;]

I tried for the Lilly Belle. They didn't say NO right away this time. But I think I'd like to not experience it alone. So next time. I hope I haven't missed my opportunity.


On to DCA. I went to the Muppets Show and then watched Drawn to the Magic. It's cute with the live performances of classic songs. I was really excited when the characters they drew came to life! I got to meet the Cinderella that left me on my birthday.


The 2010 merchandise had hit shelves.


Grace and her friends came just in time for the Holiday Parade. We sat on the sidewalk in front of the Main Street Railroad station. Really good seats! Then, we went to the Tiki Room.


April met me outside the Tiki Room, and she brought me McDonalds. We hit up Haunted Mansion Holiday, Indiana Jones, Pirates, got keychains, and then went to watch the fireworks.

Fantasmic! had been cancelled. Sad day!

Also sad: the passing of Roy Disney. My mom texted me the news, and I was shocked. He's always been a part of the Disney company that I have known. Is he the last male Disney? Will the name die now? He will be missed.

At a glance:
*A Christmas Fantasy Parade [front row seats]
* Alice in Wonderland [to feed my Alice fettish]
* Believe..in Holiday Magic
* Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
* Casey Jr. Circus Train [+1 HM]
* Chip `n Dale's Treehouse
* Disney Gallery
* Donald's Boat
* Drawn to the Magic
* Goofy's Playhouse
* Haunted Mansion Holiday
* Indiana Jones [+1 HM and eeyore!]
* Main Street Cinema
* Muppet Vision 3D
* Pinocchio's Daring Journey [+1 HM]
* Pirates of the Caribbean [+1 HM]
* Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin [+1 HM]
* Storybook Land Canal Boats
* Tiana's Showboat Jubilee [participant!]
* Tiki Room
* Tom Sawyer's Island
* Turtle Talk with Crush

THLAWS09

The Hundreds is HUGE.

My little brother is way into it. He got me and my older brother into it as well. They held their warehouse sale last weekend, and we went on day 2.

We made the blog entry "Tales from the Sale"

Dude on the right (with his bro and sis) parked in my space, then had the nerve to call me out on Twitter for blocking him in! But it’s the Holidays, all is forgiven.

I'm "sis"! It's pretty sick. I was stoked to make the blog, I'm not gonna lie.

What the blog doesn't know is that we camped out at 8pm the night before. The warehouse is in Downtown LA. The lights from the Nokia Live were taunting me, for the Jonas Brothers were performing at Stevie Wonder's concert. It rained on and off all night, at times, really hard. It was cold. I couldn't rough it out like Erik. I slept in the car.

It's all good. It was a great bonding experience for me and my brothers. I also tried the new BBQ dish at Yoshinoya and the McRib. The sun came out the next day in time for the sale.

We spent about an hour inside shopping. They played awesome 80s music. We decided to make it an annual thing. Until next year. Hopefully we'll make it to the first drop.

Alice

First of all, I'd like to address the network's name change from SciFi to SyFy. It goes from shorted words to mere syllables, that don't have a meaning on their own. A 2 letter difference: was it worth it? Is it effective? It definitely adds to my fear of NewsSpeak.

This "Alice" in Wonderland story was very cool. It not only took place in today's modern world, but also modernized the fairytale world of Wonderland. It had a corrupt economy, which was very interesting, and probably reminiscent of our own world.

The scenery was beautiful. I loved the Knights' fortress with the gargantuan chess pieces. The house of cards as a casino was brilliant. I liked how the roof design was giant dominoes.

I enjoyed identifying the classic characters. Caterpillar's coat was really cool. It gave the caterpillar look. I loved Alice's dress. I miss the card on Hatter's hat. Dr. Dee and Dr. Dum were really creepy.

The film (miniseries?) was presented in 2 parts, 2 hours each. That may seem long, but I couldn't get enough! I didn't want to leave Wonderland, but I'm glad a bit of Wonderland went home with Alice.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

I hit up Disneyland with friends. I dubbed it vampire weekend, so Aireen and I wore Twilight shirts and had Team Edward buttons on our backpacks.

I got asked to prom xD via scavenger hunt from the entrance, through Main Street, ending at the castle. Each stop had a gift and another clue. It was awesome! I said yes, of course.

We all got Family Reunion buttons from City Hall. I asked if the Lilly Belle was operating. The Cast Member said yes, but you need a ticket to board, but the tickets aren't for everyone. BURN!

Attractions:
-Buzz Lightyear - i scored 4800. F A I L
-NBC Haunted Mansion - I asked for a Death Certificate. They only give them out during regular mansion.
-Indiana Jones
-it's a small world holiday - we saw the light show while waiting
-Matterhorn [Fantasyland side]
-Monorail - can't ride it without singing the song from the Simpsons!
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Pocahontas - met her in front of the Hyperion theatre
-Rainforest Cafe for dinner
-Socerer's workshop
-Space Mountain
-Talk to Crush - I asked "Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?"
He responded, "Can I be Team Crush?"
-Tower of Terror - WHAT zone? Twilight zone?!

We only spotted 3 others wearing Twilight merch. Something was wrong there! LOL

NEW MOON

Initial reaction: EEEEP! SO GOOD!

I'm listening to "Twilight" by Travis Garland as I write this blog. It's super cute.

First of all, New Moon ranks 4th in the series for me. The absence of Edward and the annoying-ness of Bella made it difficult for me to read the book.

I didn't obsess over this film as I had over Twilight. But I enjoyed New Moon WAY MORE. It could be due to the fact that I hold the book to a lower standard.

New Moon was a very good adaptation! They kept most of the stuff in the book, and I'm sure because I read the book on Wednesday.

Taylor Lautner is Jacob Black.

The werewolves were VERY nice to look at. =]

My husband, Jackson Rathbone/Jasper Cullen, got an extra scene!

I always got mad at Edward for freaking leaving. But when he apologizes in the movie, I totally forgive him!!

I love the ending.

Lame moments:
1. Alice's vision - did they have to wear those clothes and run in slow motion?
2. Jacob called Bella "loca"

Things that were better in Twilight:
Jasper's hair
the soundtrack

New Moon had a $50 million budget this time.
It made $26 million in Friday midnight showings and holds the top record.
$140 million weekend total. 3rd highest overall.

I'm so proud! Eclipse better be the BOMB.

Quick Trip

So we decided to stop by Disneyland, and only stayed for the 3 hours of free parking at Downtown Disney.

I noticed that Guest Relations had this sign:

So that's where I'll go when I have a reservation, if ever.

It's Christmas time! The Christmas tree is HUGE.

We rode it's a small world holiday. It was really cool with all of the holiday overlays, especially if you have ridden it as many times as I have.

Then we rode Dumbo! It's not lame at all! You can control it going up and down.

Lastly, we tried tracking down one of the performers in the High School Musical show for my brother. We would have followed them as the parade left, but she was on the float, so there was not point. xP