I gotta be honest, I HATE when the Disney Parks Blog writes a blurb about some limited time cupcake and passes it off as content… buuuuut, we're all a little hypocritical from time to time :) PLUS, these seasonal treats are so photogenic! 

Check out these specialty apples!

Aren't they gorgeous? Although I didn't fancy anything when I was actually at Trolly Treats, now I wish I had tried the caramel one with white frosting. It looks super tasty and bears an uncanny resemblance to the poison apple from Snow White!

Film Friday: Pardon our Pixie Dust!

Today's Film Friday is an instax close-up of a construction wall in the Paradise Pier area of Disney's California Adventure. Although I don't love that the construction in Disney Parks seems to be ongoing, I love the graphics printed on them. I thought this one especially charming :)

Pumpkins at the Partners Statue ;)

In an effort to keep this short, I wanted to share this set of photos I took of the carved pumpkins at Disneyland's 'Partners' statue. The pumpkins are arranged in a circle around the statue, with each pumpkin represented by a character. Disneyland at Halloween is just gorgeous, and these pumpkins are a nice touch. 

I always love when Roger Rabbit gets some love (I find him to be generally underrepresented at the Parks), but Winnie the Pooh for Critter Country? I don't know man. I think Brer Bear, would have been a cool choice, maybe even a country bear… I'm sure that would make waves!

What do you think of the characters chosen to represent the lands? Would you have chosen differently? Let me know on Facebook or twitter (@thedizfizz)!

'Dia de los Muertos' Display at Zocalo Park

Over the past decade or so, Halloween Time at Disneyland has matured into full bodied season.  Although much of the conversation revolves around Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the pumpkin displays, I think the Dia De Los Muertos showing in  Zocalo Park, although smallish, is a noteworthy element of the holiday's festivities:

The walk-through exhibit opens with a framed informational sign surrounded by accoutrements traditional to the holiday:

In addition, several shrines have been created using marigolds (the flower traditionally used to honor the dead in Spanish-speaking cultures), Mexican blankets, and painted skeletons called calacas.

There are even a few life-size calacas, which are super neat:

As you can from these photos, the display is just gorgeous! What I really love, however, is that Disneyland has attempted to dialogue with its local population and create something both beautiful and culturally educational. In light of Maelstrom's closure and what some feel is happening to World Showcase, this mindset should be recognized and commended.

Film Friday: 35mm Lomokino Footage of Disneyland

Whatever the content, one has their own unique motivations when they choose to start (and maintain) blog. For me, the inception of The Diz-Fizz had to do with my desire to share my film photography of the park. The opportunity to do this is one of the things that keeps me writing (and let's be honest, this gal needs a hobby).

Up until this point, I have shared instant photographs exclusively, however, while at Disneyland last, I took fifteen 35mm rolls of moving footage with my lomokino! It is a super neat little camera (and believe me you will be the center of attention the moment you whip it out!) that creates grainy and disjointed, yet dreamy and winsome imagery of your subject. 

These are some cuts set to the audio from Walt's Dedication of Disneyland. I'm really pleased with the way it looks and can't wait to work with the footage further. Definitely let me know what you think in the comments or on Facebook! Enjoy!

Here You Leave Today...

When asking fans why they are crazy in love Disney Parks... why they listen to podcasts, why they obsess over the history of attractions they've enjoyed a zillion times, why they go to fan expos, why they buy merchandise, the scope of explanation will undoubtedly cover nouns such as nostalgia and adjectives synonymous with 'happy'.  Although the specifics may be different, the fact is that you feel different at Disney than you feel in your day to day life. You have escaped.

The plaque over the entranceway tunnel at Disneyland puts this sentiment in succinct terms:

From what I understand, the phrase was taken from an article written in 1954 about Disneyland for 'The Miniature Locomotive':  

"The visitor to Disneyland will leave behind the cares and confusions of the world of today and enter a world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy."

Below is an image I pulled from Marty Sklar's memoir Dream it! Do it!. Although Walt never saw the plaques (both Disneyland and Disney World's were installed after his death), he planned for them to be there; he personally edited the copy! Sklar muses: 'It was a clear illustration of just how personal Disneyland was to Walt Disney…':

From Marty Sklar's book Dream it, Do it!

A cross-stitch of the phrase available on Etsy.

To fans of the Parks, these words are weighty and valuable. Although it is inevitable that most will miss them as they hurry towards the tunnel, others will stop, look up, and be reminded of why they find themselves there again and again.

Why @dilfs_of_disneyland is the *BEST* Disney Instagram I Follow

Let's get one thing straight. People who go to Disneyland are HOT. Having gotten used to the ECV scooter-laden walkways of Disneyworld in Orlando and fat families with matching t-shirts visiting for their once-in-a-lifetime, I noticed this right away. At Disneyland, the women have flawless hair and beach-ready bods, the children are well-kempt (and for the most part, it seemed, well-behaved), and there are smokin' dudes everywhere you look!

Dilfs of Disneyland celebrates the magic that happens when a fella is not only sexy, but also an adorable Dad. The account showcases all kinds of Dilfs, from the irresistibly attractive tattooed type,:

to the celebrity type (clockwise from upper left-hand corner: Mike Comrie, retired professional hockey player and husband of Hilary Duff, Professional baseball player, Jaycob Brugman, Model Gabriel Aubry and actor Cam Gigandet):

to the ones who are just plain hunky yet adorable.

In addition, the hashtags rule. For example #strollermeat:

I'd go as far as to say this account enriches my life. and to beautiful mind behind it, I salute you.

(Okay just ☝️more…) 

Film Friday: Instax shot of the Mad Tea Party...

on Alice in Wonderland printed film!

Just perfect :)

Whilst at Disneyland, I found myself taking *SO* many pictures of little details that, when put together, create Disneyland's intoxicatingly complete atmosphere. I want to highlight these in a new post segment called 'It's the Little Things'. Since last post was about the Jolly Holiday Bakery, I figured that would be a great place to start!

What an adorable little building. There are glass cases flanking either side of the cash register queue and I noticed these wonderful little treasures inside:

Bell Jar with Robin print.

This was the first trinket that caught my eye.

Ceramic statuette of Mary riding side saddle, *swoon*.

Hummel, haha.

Wish i knew what happened when you wind it up! Very cute.

I'd be super interested to know who acquired these treasures, and how I can get that job! Whilst they are more suited to my grandmother's home than own, I still think it lovely that time was taken to theme even a bakery queue.

Sweet treats at the Jolly Holiday Bakery!

Although I normally approach planning a Disney vacation with a level of gusto and meticulousness that most find irritating, I went into my trip to Disneyland with a shortish list of must-do's to be completed in no particular order. At the recommendation of countless blogs and podcasts, a visit to the Jolly Holiday Bakery was a must-do!

Referencing the 1964 classic Mary Poppins (one of my all-time favorites), the Victorian-style building is a bright and cheery yellow and, along with the Plaza Inn on the other side, 'caps off' Main Street USA very nicely. Notice the weather vein atop the sign: 

Although the Bakery sells lunch faire and coffee, I was there to sample the baked goods. My friend Ryan and I decided we would share the Red Velvet Cupcake, and Peanut Butter and Chocolate Whoopee-Pie, and the famous Matterhorn Macaroon! :

All three were delicious. For taste, my favorite was the Red Velvet Cupcake for its lovely color (I LOVE PINK) and real cream cheese icing that I didn't find too sweet. I will say, however, there is something charming about eating a Matterhorn Macaroon in view of the Matterhorn, a lovely experience not to be missed!

What is your favorite place to get a sweet treat at Disneyland or Walt Disney World… let us know in the comments section! Also, if you enjoy the blog, search The 'Diz-Fizz' on Facebook and like our page where we'll post photos, opinions, and general non-sense between blog posts!

Film Friday: Tiki Knick-Knacks in Adventureland!

Although most people associate Disney with princesses and mice, the company also has a highly developed dialogue with Hawaiian culture and tiki kitsch. This comes as no surprise given that 50's America was Hawaii crazy (Hawaii became a state in 1955)! 

Although Adventureland is a more general exotica than authentic French Polynesia, the strong gravitation towards tiki kitsch cannot be missed by even the most casual visitor.  These details out side Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room serve as just one example. Enjoy!

Five Things to Love about the Disneyland Hotel!

In some respects, I think that choosing a hotel is the trickiest part of planning a trip to Disneyland. After much consideration of the pros and cons of each hotel, weighing on-site versus off-site, I did finally settle on the Disneyland Hotel and am pleased as punch that I did! I'd like to use today's post to highlight a few things that I ADORE about the Disneyland Hotel.

1) Trader Sams.

Unfortunately, inflated expectations can often lead to disappointment. Thus, I approached Trader Sam's, a whimsical tiki bar in the Disneyland Hotel courtyard with some caution given that I had only heard that it was the best thing ever. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT :)! Hands down, the best bar on Disney property, anywhere. With just the right amount on tiki kitsch and interactive elements, this bar is definitively Disney whilst still maintaining an adult atmosphere. The specialty drinks are awesome too, but they get their own post :).

2) Disney details everywhere you look.

Everywhere you look in this hotel, there are definitively Disney touches. From the LED fireworks built into the headboard, to the pillows, to the monorail water slides, you can't avoid the magic! Although I haven't stayed at the Grand Californian, I can only imagine it is a completely different experience. It was really lovely to be so immersed in the Disney bubble for my first time out there.

3) The Kahlua Pork Flatbread at the Tangaroa Terrace.

This was the first and last thing that I ate on this trip. 'Nuff said.

4) The Monorail water-slides. 

Absolutely gorgeous and unexpectedly fun!

5) History.

You can feel the history in this place. From the vintage photographs to the framed concept art, even the retro looking font used for the logo, you are constantly aware that this hotel exists because Walt Disney wanted it to exist. To stay at this hotel is a very special experience and I highly recommend it to any die-hard fan.

Film Friday: Partners, Pumpkins and a Pink Castle!

Loyal readers of the blog will have noticed that I missed the usual and Sunday and Wednesday posts. This is of COURSE because I was taking my first trip to the place it all started, The Disneyland Resort in California! I am now completely obsessed with Disneyland and will be discussing it and my trip at length on the blog, but until then, enjoy this Instax shot of the Partners statue and Sleeping Beauty's castle <3.

Disney Afternoon and Gummi Glen at Disneyland!

From 1990 to 1997, The Disney Channel aired a two-hour block that featured animated programming aimed at children. Yeah, you got it... it was called the Disney Afternoon!  This defunct television event has become somewhat of a fascination for me. Although any nineties child (and their parents, I'm sure!) could pick a title from the line up and accurately sing the hook, the shows' relative obscurity to most have rendered them irrelevant to Disney as it exists today.

Of those that constituted the Disney Afternoon, of particular interest to me is The Gummi Bears. Although I can't remember specifics from the show, I DO being enamored by the extended fantastical world, now I see that it was like Lord of the Rings for children! I'm making it a personal goal to get hold of the DVDs.

All of this, however, serves as background for the REAL subject of today's post. A while back, I became aware that in 1991, the Motor Boat Cruise at Disneyland got a Gummi Bears themed overlay as part of Disney Afternoon Avenue (which eventually became Mickey's Toontown fair). Since the show is a source of interest to me, I've wanted to have a look at what photos exist of it. Unfortunately, since the overlay was short-lived and this was an age before camera phones, precious little exists. Here is what I was able to find:

The motor boats floated past cardboard cutouts of Gummi Glen, the hollow tree the Gummi bears lived in and the location where they made Gummiberry juice (I'm really trying to type this with a straight face). It's some classic Eisner-era ramshackle non-sense, but an interesting (if somewhat insignificant) piece of Disneyland history nonetheless.

Given that vinylmations have been released of some of the Gummis, there seems to be some kind of niche market for these characters. I think it'd be a hoot if some of the classic Disney characters were brought back as walk arounds. Heck, I'd make a special trip to get my photo taken with Darkwing Duck!

Vinylmations of Cubbi Gummi and Gruffi Gummi.