2012: A year to remember:

While the summer of 2012 was an unforgettable time in Disneyland Resort history as we celebrated the transformation of Disney California Adventure Park, there were countless other moments and milestones throughtout 2012 that truly made this a year to remember.

January...

11th...Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe...Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, named for the Sherman Brother's famous song from "Mary Poppins," opened its door in the former Plaza Pavilion building on Main Street, U.S.A., offering bakery goods, deli sandwiches, soups and salads.

 20th...Disneyland Hotel renovation celebration...Hundreds of Cast Members celebrated the completion of the Disneyland Hotel renovation,including the transformation of the three towers,a restyled lobby, convention center and makeover of its 975 Guest rooms. Also big hits: the new Tangaroa Terrance restaurant, Trader Sam's- Enchanted Tiki Bar, recreation area and water slides.

 29th...First Tinker Bell Half Marathon...Nearly 12,000 runners,11,000 of them women, "took flight" in the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon. The female-focused event flew along a new 13.1- mile course through the Disneyland Resort and city of Anaheim.

Febuary...

1st...Third -shift celebration...Third-shift Cast Members were honored with a "Cars"-themed banquet at the Disneyland Hotel. The annual celebration pays tribute to 1,000-plus cast Members.

25th...Time capsule buried...More than 100 items were buried in a steel case under Disney California Adventure Park during construction leading up to the park's grand opening. Among the items to be opened in 25 years are an ElecTRONica shirt, a "World of Color" cap-and a letter from Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller.

29th...One More Disney Day...Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park marked leap year with One More Disney Day, the first time both parks stayed open for 24 hours simultaneously.

March...

13th...Heros Work Here... The Walt Disney Company launched Heros Work Here, an initiative aimed at providing career opportunities for returning U.S. veterans.

17-18th...SIGNin` in the Street...Thousands of Guests visited the Downtown Disney District for a celebration of creativity in the deaf and hearing-impaired community.

31st...Disney Fantasy maiden voyage...After traveling more the 5,100 miles to its homeport at Port Canaveral, Fla., the Disney Fantasy carried 4,000 Guests and 1,450 Crew Members on its maiden voyage to Caribbean destinations.

April...

2nd...VoluntEARS of the Year...Diversity Resource Group HOLA was named the VoluntEAR Team of the Year and documentation speciallist Rachelle Allen was recognized as VoluntEAR of the Year.

22nd...Earth Day...Disney encouraged Cast Members to "Get Outside" with tips and events to heighten appreciation of our planet.;

May...

2nd...Gibson Girl and Candy Palace... A newly remodeled Candy Palace and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor debuted to the delight of sweet-tooth Guests at Disneyland Park.

5-25th...Cast Showcsae debuts...Nearly 18,000 Cast Members attended the award-winning Cast Showcase to learn about new summer offerings at the Disneyland Resort.

10th...Window dedicated to Alice Davis...Costume designer extraordinaire and beloved Disney Legend Alice Davis received a window on Main Street,U.S.A.

12th...KaBOOM! build...More than 200 volunteers from the local community and the Disneyland Resort gathered at Stoddard Park in Anahiem to build a playground, benches and plant trees-all in one day! Another KaBOOM! playground was built Sept. 10 in Santa Ana.

May 18...Merida arrives at Disneyland Park...Merida from Disney*Pixar film "Brave" began to greet Guests in Fantasyland, fullfilling her destiny as the newest Disney princess.

25th...Mad T Party...Guests got a preview of the journey down the rabbit hole, partying with the White Rabbit and Alice in a funky new nighttime celebration in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park.

June...

7th...Disneyland Resort Line goes digital...The Disneyland Resort Line marked the grand reopening of Disney California Adventure Park with a 32-page commemorative issue and, for the first time in cast publication history, an interactive digital edition.

8th...Ghirardelli...Pacific Wharf literally got sweeter when Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop officially opened.

9th...WonderGround Gallery...WonderGound Gallery in the Downtown Disney District celebrated the transformation of a blank canvas into pure Disney magic with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new art gallery.

13th...Carnation Cafe~ Cast Members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of Carnation Cafe`, which debuted a new menu and expanding seating area.

14th...Glow with the Show...Nights shine a little brighter at the Dissneyland Resort thanks to the debute of Glow with the Show hats at "World of Color." The hats use infrared trigger technology to allow Guests to become part of the magic as their hats sync up to the colors and music in the show. The hats now also sync up with "Fantasmic!" and other shows and locations.

15th...Disney California Adventure Park grand reopening...Five years of dreaming, planning and hard work led up to the moment when Disneyland Resort Cast Members proudly welcomed Guests to the grand reopening of Disney California Adventure Park. Buena Vista Street,Cars Land, Carthay Circle Restaurant- and all of the other new elements throughtout the resort-were met with rave reviews worldwide.
 The resort hired 5,000 additional Cast Members, bringing our total to 25,000. The Disneyland Resort is the largest employer in Orange County, growing by 25%.


Matterhorn...After its most extensive refurbishment to date, Matterhorn Bobsleds reopened to the delight of Guests. Adding another layer of mountain magic, the famous mountain climbers also made their triumphant return.

Voices of Liberty...Voices of Liberty began a limited-time run, sharing their angelic voices at the Main Street Opera House, home of "The Disneyland Story,presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."

Starbucks...Disney Guests get their first taste of that familiar cup of Starbucks inside a U.S. theme park. Beautifully incorporated into the 1920s theme at Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe`, it's the first of several Starbucks cafes set to open at all parks at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

20th....Dr Lee's 60 th birthday,cool huh!!!

July...

17th...Olympians get send-off parade...On the 57th anniversary of Disneyland Park, Guests cheered on the U.S. Men's and Women's Volleyball Teams as they prepared to leave for the Olympics in London.

Cast Service Center...The Cast service Center opened, featuring the new home of Disneyland Park Pin Trading Central.

August...

7-8 Canoe Races...The top Cast Member paddlers rowed it out for the title of the fastest paddler in the wilderness. Fariy Princesses took top spot in the women's division, while Flyin` Hellfish grabbed the men's top honors. D.C. United: Catch of the Day edged out the competition in the co-ed division.

29th...Aulani celebrates a milestone... Cast Members at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, in Ko Olina, Hawai`i, celebrated the first anniversary of the resort's operation. The 21 acre vacation paradise has been so popular among Guests that an expansion is already under way.

September...

1st...Pirates League...Scallywags and mutineers found a new home at Priates League in New Orleans Square. The limited-time offering gave Guests of all ages the opportunity to transform into a pirate for Halloween time.

2nd...Disneyland Half Marathon...More than 22,000 participants raced to the checkered flag during the 7th annual race, which, for the first time, ran through the all-new Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

6th...Service Anniversary Celebration...Cast Members celebrating 10,15 and 20 and above years of service were honored at an exclusive event at Disneyland Park.

7th...Conservation Fund hits milestone...The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund announced its 2012 annual grants, awarding more than $1.8 million to conservation projects across the globe and marking  the fud's $20 million milestone in conservation giving since its founding in 1995.

11th...Pixie Hollow at Disneyland Park introduced a bit of The Winter Woods, creating a magical environment that immerses Guests into the world of "Secret of the Wings" and Tinker Bell's sister, Periwinkle.

14th...Halloween Time Begins...Grim-grinning Guests began to materialize as Halloween Time got off to a spooky start. New offerings this year, including The Art of Frankenweenie Exhition, Villains Square and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree Halloween Carnival, have made Halloween Time one of the most popular times for Guests to visit the resort.

October...

8th... 2013-14 Ambassadors named...Megan Navarette and Sachiko White were named Disneyland Resort Ambassadorsfor 2013-14 during a ceremory in front of Sleeping Beatuy Castle.

14...CHOC Walk...More than 16,000 walkers participated in the 22nd annual CHOC Walk. Cast Members and their family and friends -with matching funds from Disneyland Resort-raised nearly $300,000 for Childern's Hospital of Orange County, contributing to the approximately $2 million raised.

20-21...MS Bay to Bay...More than 100 Cast Members, friends and family formed the Disney VoluntEARS team that participted in the Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour. Cyclists on the ride from Irvine to San Diego raised more than $100,000 this year for multiple sclerosis research-surpassed the $1 million mark since it inception 13 years ago.

23...Skating rink opens in Downtown Disney...Tinker Bell and her twin, Periwinlke, appeared at the grand opening of the "Secret of the Wings" ice skating rink in Downtown Disney District.

26...Wreck-it-Ralph characters debut...The arcade world of "Wrech-it-Ralph" came to life at the Tomorrowland Starcade,when Ralph and Vanellope started meeting Guests in Game Central Station.

30...Disney and Lucasfilm...The Walt Disney Company announced it was acquiring Lucasfilm Ltd. and its world-class portfolio of creative content-including the legendary "Star Wars" franchise-along with all of its operating businesses,including Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound.

November...

2nd...Earl of Sandwich opens...Sandwich lovers rejoiced at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Earl of Sandwich at the Downtown Disney District, joining existing Disney locations at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris.

6-7th...`Saving Mr. Banks` films at Disneyland Park...Disneyland Park went back to the 1960s as scenes were shot for the upcoming feature film, which chronicles Walt Disney on his quest to obtain screen rights to "Mary Poppins," and stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. Cast Members jumped at the chance to fill roles for extras.

12th...Holidays at the Disneyland Resort...Things got merrier at "The Happiest Place on Earth" when the holidays kicked off,transforming the Disneyland Resort into a winter wonderland and marking the first holiday season for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

15th...New animals join Big Thunder Ranch... A minature Hereford cow named Clarabelle and a black lamb named Thunder joined our four-legged Cast Members at Big Thunder Ranch.


December...

1st...First night of Candlelight...Actor Dennise Haysbert kicked off an expanded 20 nights of the Candlelight Processional and Ceremony performances. These evening performances feature beloved holiday music and the telling of the first Christmas Story.

1,8,15th...Rose Parade float decorating...Cast Members gathered to decorate a Cars Land-inspired Tourament of Roses Parade float. Tune in to ABC on January 1st to see how thier hard work turned out.

6th...New Fantasyland revealed...The Walt Disney World Resort officially revealed New Fantasyland, the largest expansion to Magic Kingdom park since the resort opened in 1971. The expansion continues in 2013.



What a year at Disneyland Resort....Dr Lee

Closing date for Mr Stox:

It was announced that Friday, March 15,2013 at 10 p.m., that's it, no more Mr Stox.

 If you never been to Mr Stox or you are a regular, just thought you would like to know.



Need I say more...Dr Lee

Take time to wash away the grime:

Don't let sniffles and a sore throat spoil your holiday cheer. Practice good hand hygiene this holiday season to help avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

 Follow these helpful hand-washing tips:

a...Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

b...Remember to include wrists,palms,back of hands and under fingernails.

c...When water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

Happy Holidays...Dr Lee

Mr Stox resturant,closing:

 Learned last night that "Mr Stox" located in Anahiem,California,approx. 1 mile from the Disneyland Resort will close early next year to make way for high end condos. So sad!!!

 Mr Stox,opened in 1968 but, operated since 1977 by the Marshall family,is world famous. People from around the world come to enjoy not only the food,wine, but  know alot of the crew,who have worked 20/25 years at Mr Stox.

 Working at Club 33 as the bartender,I would pass by Mr Stox on the way home. Tired of fighting the rush hour traffic, decided one day to stop and see if they were in need of a great bartender,me!! After a short interview with the owners, I started my 15 year employment . Working mostly nights, 5p.m. to 10 p.m., I have come to love this place.

 On the sign out front, Mr Stox, fine dining,valet parking, this resturant lives up to it's name. At most resturants,when asking for the wine list, most if not all, are usually one to three pages. Not at Mr Stox, it's like a novel,approx. 25 to 30 pages,weights about 3 or 4 pounds. The menu, from prime rib (aged 45 days),to crabcakes,nightly dinner specials,salmon,pasta,chicken,veggie menu,was wonderful!! Holiday seasons, Mother Day and Easter the menu would reflect that time. And the bread,ask anyone who has experinced it, is over the top. Sourdough,Sunflower,Beet Red bread and seasonal breads were baked fresh daily in the back. Entering the building to work, one would past the trays of hot bread, cooling waiting to be enjoyed with wiped butter!!!!! Oh yes, those fresh cookies,WOW!

 Guests will not forget those wine dinners,Hollywood Bowl tours, the Ronald Reagan Musuem tours,Getty Tours, and those annual Xmas party's and summer pinic/Angel baseball games for the crew.

In closing,two things here!

 First of all,go to their web site....Mr Stox.com
 I think just by reading it, you will be impressed.

 Secondly,travel to Southern California and experience first hand what I am trying to express....


Dr Lee

`Glow in the Snow`:

 This year, the "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks show is even more spectacular. The Creative Entertainment team has incorporated the popular "Glow with the Show" ears so that Guests can become part of the performance. Just as they've done with "World of Color" and "Fantasmic!", our designers and technicians have seamlessly integrated the magical, glowing ear hats into key moments of the show, from wildly changing patterns of red and green during the "Nutcracker Suite" to a bed of newly fallen snow leaving you dreaming of a "White Christmas."


Cars Land:

How would "Cars" celebrate the holiday season:

 Each address along Route 66 will feature holiday decor that reflects the personality of the "Cars" character who lives there:


a...Mater has a 9-foot tall tree topped with an arching sparkplug star.

b...Luigi and Guido redecorated their shop in red, white and green- conveniently, the colors of the holiday and the Italian flag.

c...Sally has transformed the Cozy Cone Motel into the Cozy Cone Tree Farm.

d...Sarge sports a 6-foot tall tree, red, white and blue tree with a military star on top.

e...Flo's 9-foot tall tree is made out of oil cans.

f...And Fillmore encourages everyone to enjoy "Peace on Earth"this holiday season, man.

 At the end of Route 66, the courthouse statue of Stanley, the founder of Radiator Springs, is adorned with a Santa hat and a big bag of rims, wheels, acccessories and other goodies for all the residents of Cars Land.

Merry Christmas...Dr Lee

Did you know?

 Checks are no longer accepted as payment anywhere in the Disneyland Resort! You must use cash or card! This has been effective since May,2012.


Now you know...Dr Lee

CandleLight 2012, Disneyland Park:

 As it has since 1958, the CandleLight Ceremony and Processional will illuminate Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, with the beauty and wonder of Christmas. This year, the schedule has been expanded to 20 nights, each of which features a celebrity narrator recounting the story of the first Christmas-accompanied by a choir of more than 600 singers and the Disneyland Orchestra.

Celebrity Narrators:

Dec.  3-5: Kurt Russell

Dec. 6-8: Edward James Olmos

Dec. 9-11: Lou Diamond Phillips

Dec. 12-13: Dick Van Dyke

Dec. 14: Marcia Gay Harden

Dec. 15-16: Patricia Heaton

Dec. 17-19: Molly Ringwald

Dec. 20: Dennis Haysbert


I remember singing in CandeLight for about 5 years (mid 1990s)...Dr Lee

Gingerbread, spice and everything nice:

 While the new Christmas tree and Snowy the Snow Car at Disney California Adventure Park are getting rave reviews, there are many more holiday details new to the resort this year that are not to be missed.

 For example,two gingerbread houses-one in the shape of Tow Mater and the other in the shape of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" cottage- are making their debut, courtesy of the Disneyland Resort pastry teams.

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" gingerbread cottage:

 Carthay Circle Restaurant, created by Chef Jorge Sotelo and the pastry chefs at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
 To celebrate the 75th anniversary of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," this gingerbread house features a thatched roof made of phyllo dough and shredded wheat. Shredded coconut, dried green,was used for grass, chocolate "rocks" made up the chimney and finishing up touches include sugar flowers and candy gems, making this "the fairest gingerbread house of all."

Gingerbread Tow Mater:

 Flo's V8 Cafe`., created by Chef Jean Marc Viallet and his team of pastry chefs at Disneyland Central Bakery:

 Normally, no one would consider eating a tow truck. But this one is made out of gingerbread,icing,fondant, sugar and has a chocolate chip cookie for a carburetor nose.

 Both houses, which measure 2 square feet, will bo on display through Jan.6, 2013.


Christmas Time at Disneyland Resort,amazing...Dr Lee