Cool year 2013 was:

 Looking back at all the fun, memories and good times 2013 was,well let's see:

I have two wonderful daughters and one has already given me a amazing grand-daughter,"Averie" and she will be 4 in March. Having moved to Pleasant Hill, California in 07 to be with my then girlfriend and her two outstanding kids,I continue to live there and grow daily in all that Northern California has to offer.

Traveling between Southern and Northern California a few times each month,my car knows the Interstate 5 freeway well. In my travels, I have made some truly great friends along the way. Thru fog in Bakersfield and rain and snow over the grapevine, it's never the same.

This past year there were two movies that I liked, first was the "Lone Ranger"(Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer) and then there was "Saving Mr. Banks"(Tom Hanks as Walt Disney).

My favorite time at the Disneyland Resort is the holiday season, from Friday the 13th, the 13th year of Haunted Mansion Holiday, Mickey's Halloween Party, Candlelight Ceremony & Processional ( I sang for 5 years in Candlelight,mid 90s) to Happy New Year and all those amazing fireworks, WOW!!!!

So on to 2014,let's see what it will bring. To everyone who reads this, thank you!!!

Dr Lee.......Later

2013,a look back;

  2013 Disneyland , What will you remember????

 With 2013 in the rear view, it's time to remember what happened at the Disneyland Resort,from January to December.

 Fantasy Faire gave the princesses a new place to call home, and through a Magical Map, good ol` Mickey did roam.

 VoluntEARS marked 30 years of giving that's second to none, and Haunted Mansion Holiday scared up 13 years of frightful fun.

"Unleash the Villains" meant plenty of screams, While Olaf from "Frozen" warmed up "Winter Dreams."

So sit back and enjoy the year in review....

Jan.10...Golden Horseshoe Revue, Miss Lily and her Saloon Girls starred in "A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue"- a Limited Time Magic musical variety shoe inspired by the world-famous Frontierland shoe.

Jan.16...Third-shift Celebration, The hard work of more than 1,100 third-shift Cast Members was celebrated at the Disneyland Hotel.

Jan. 20...Tinker Bell Half Marathon...nearly 200 Cast Members were among the 12,000 runners who went the 13.1-mile distance.

Feb.2...CHOC Tower, The new CHOC Childern's Hospital tower was unveiled, featuring a "Finding Nemo"-inspired lobby and Trutle Talk with Crush show. The project was partially funded by a $5 million contribution from the Disneyland Resort.

Feb.8-13...Lunar New Year, Year of the Snake was celebrated in the traditions of the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures at Disney California Adventure Park.

Feb.12...Nearly 600 Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Cast, Crew and Imagineers worldwide were notified that they were recipients of the prestigious Walt Disney Legacy Award. The award dinner was held May 7.

Feb. 28...Minnie Moonlit Madness... The night belonged to 1,400 Cast Members and their families and friends during a frenzied, music-themed trivia hunt during the annual event.

March 5-6...15 years of Flashback...The musical Cast production raised $30,000 for charity while celebrating its 15th anniversary with production of its "greatest hits" including "I Love the 80s" and "Gold Rush."

March 6...Heroes work here, The Walt Disney Company announced it surpassed its goal to provide 1,000 career opportunities for returning U.S. veterans over a three-year period by hiring more than 1,300 veterans in one year. The new goal: hire 1,000 more veterans over the next two years.

March 12...Fantasy Faire, The new Fantasy Faire, an extension of Fantasyland, officially opened. It features the Royal Hall, where Disney princesses welcome Guests, and the Royal Theatre, where the tales of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tangled" are presened with vaudeville flair.

March 22...New `Disney Junior- Live on Stage!`,Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First join the popular Hollywood Land show.

April 9...Buzz Price gets a window,Disney Legend and economist Harrison "Buzz" Price, who helped Walt Disney determine the site for Disneyland, was honored posthumously with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A.

April 13...Something new to marvel, Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries opens to Guests at Innoventions in Disneyland Park.

April 22...Earth Day,Get Outside Challenge, Cast Members were encouraged to explore the great outdoors for Earth Month and share their photos for the Get Outside 10K Challenge.

May 1...Disney VoluntEARS mark anniversary, Cast Members celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Disney VoluntEARS program.

May 24...Monstrous Summer all-nighter. Cast Members scared up some fun during a 24-hour party at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks to celebrate the release of "Monsters University."

May 25...Mickey & the Magical Map` premieres. A refurbished Fantasyland Theatre welcomed Guests to a new, 22-minute live stage show that features Mickey Mouse and a magical map that comes to life and takes him on a musical adventure he'll never forget.

`Opa! A Celebration of Greece. The Citizens of Greece philosophized with Guests- and trained with Hercules-during `Opa! A Celebration of Greece,"a two-day festival at Disney California Adventure Park.

June 22...`The Lone Ranger` premiere. The stars came out for the premiere of "The Lone Ranger" at Disney California Adventure Park, the park's first-ever movie world premiere. Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer walked the red carpet down Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Boulevard-and even the Lone Ranger's faithful horse,Silver, made an appearance.

June 23...The birds are still singing. Walt Disney Enchanted Tiki Room celebreated 50 years of making magic for Guests.

July 1...Disney Gallery and Disnyana get new homes. The Disney Gallery moved to a new space inside The Disneyland Story presenting "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," and Disneyana moved to a spot next door, which now includes a space for artists from the Ink & Paint program.

July 2...Sofia the First debuts. Sofia the First, the princess from storybook world of Enchancia, began greeting fans in Disney California Adventure Park.

July12...Magic outside the berm.  The iconic C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters that welcomed Guests to Disney California Adventure Park for 10 years found a new home at the California State Fair at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

July 17...Disneyland Resort celebrates its anniversary. Disneyland Resort Cast Members celebrated 58 years of "The Happiest Place on Earth."

July 15-21...The "original" boy band. The Dapper Dans share their take on popular boy band songs from "NSYNC to One Direction.

Aug.7...Canoe Races final. After weeks of practice and qualifying rounds, D.C. Anchor Ladies (women's), OARlords (men) and United (coed) were declared winners of the 50th anniversary Disneyland Resort Canoe Races.

Aug. 9-11...D23 Expo. Disney fans descended upon the Anahiem Convention Center for the three-day D23 Expo.

Aug.14...Don't look into the eyes. A new curse was unleashed in the Indiana Jones Adventure. Guests will never look at the eyes of Mara the same way again!

Sept. 1...Disneyland Half Marathon. Approximately 17,500 runners registered for the race through Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Angel Stadium and the streets of  Anahiem.

Sept. 8-14...International Housekeeping Week. Housekeepers across the Disneyland Resort celebrated their hard work with a full week of events, including a banquet at Disney's Grand California Hotel & Spa.

Sept. 12...Service Celebration...Cast Members celebrating a milestone anniversary of 10 years or more were treated to a party just for them in Adventureland, Frontierland and New Orleans Square.

Sept.13...Spookiest time of the year. The Unleash the Villains event kicked off the first day of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, appropriately, on Friday the 13 continued during the 13th year of Haunted Mansion Holiday (which contained a Gingerbread House with 13 Jack Skellington heads) and at the 13 dates for Mickey's Halloween Party.

Sept. 27...Market House reopens. The second Starbucks location at the Disneyland Resort opened in a reimagined Market House on Main Street, U.S.A..

Oct. 9...Little Monsters. Cast Members and their Guests enjoyed some frightful fun at the Little Monsters event in Disneyland Park.

Oct.13...CHOC Walk...This year's Disney VoluntEARS team, comprised of nearly 500 walkers, worked together to raise almost $200,000. In all, this year's CHOC walkers raised $2 million for Childern's Hospital of Orange County.

Oct.19-20. MS 150, This year, 115 Disney VoluntEARS biked 150 miles from Orange County to San Diego in the annual Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour, raising $100,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Nov.1...Tony Baxter gets a window. Disney Legend Tony Baxter, who helped create iconic attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure during his 43 years at WDI, was presented with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A.

Nov.9...Disney VoluntEARS Adventure. Thirty Disney VoluntEars from across the company, including 4 from the Disneyland Resort, spent a week building a classroom in Ecuador as part of Disney;s first Global Service Project.

Nov. 15...The most magical time of the year. The holiday season kicked off with longtime favorites and new celebrations, including "World of Color-Winter Dreams," "Disney Viva Navidad!, Jingle Cruise and a "Frozen"-inspired skating rink in the Downtown Disney District.

Nov.18...`The View` broadcasts live.  "The View" broadcasted live shows all week in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Nov.21...ACT Anahiem. The Disneyland Resort teamed up with Angels Baseball and the Anahiem Ducks to launch Accelerate Change Together for Anahiem,or ACT Anahiem, a grant program to support underserved Anahiem youth.

Dec.4...CHOC Holiday Party...Sixty VoluntEARS brought holiday cheer to almost 400 childern and their families in the annual CHOC Holiday party at CHOC Childern's Hospital, a Food and Beverage team tradition since 2001.

Dec. 7-8   Candlelight Ceremony & Processional. Cast and guest choirs formed the annual "living Christmas tree" at the entrance to the Main Street Train Station, singing beloved holiday music as celebrity narrators Blair Underwood and Kurt Russell read the story of the first Christmas.

Dec 13...Friday the 13th. On Friday the 13th, Front Desk Cast Members at Disney's Paradise Pier upgrade one family to room 1313 for a "spooktacular" experience.

Dec. 20..."Saving Mr. Banks"...Cast Members were among the extras who made it into the final cut of the Walt Disney Studio's film, inspired by the true story of how Walt Disney persuaded P.L. Travers to allow him to turn her book, "Mary Poppins" into one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

What a great year...Dr Lee

Disneyland goes back in time for Saving Mr. Banks:

 In addition to Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, the stars of the soon-to-be released "Saving Mr. Banks," there's a supporting role that shares the film's spotlight- Disneyland.

 The movie about Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks) and his mission to persuade "Mary Poppins" author P.L. Travers (played by Emma Thompson) to allow him to turn his daughters' favorite book into a movie includes scenes filmed at Disneyland over two days in early November 2012. But it was no easy task to transform modern-day Disneyland into the young park of the early 1960s for the Walt Disney Studios' film. Cast and Imagineers recreated costumes, poster art, balloons-even the Floral Mickey-to ensure the movie would capture the period detail of 1961 Disneyland.

 Resort Enhancement played a critical part in recreating window displays that were representative of 1961 Disneyland. Even attraction posters were recreated like those that lined the fence in front of the floral Mickey in 1961.

Resort Enhancement played a critical part in recreating window displays that were representative of 1961 Disneyland. In the 1960s, the Emporium  was a lease shop and a bronze castle hung under the Elias Disney window on Main street, U.S.A., and Resort Enhancement had the task of sourcing historically accurate props to use in the window displays.

 Cast Members were among the hundreds of extras who came out during filming at Disneyland,portraying both Cast Members and Guests. The making of Mary Poppins, which was released in 1964 and won five of its 13 Academy Awards nominations-an unsurpassed record for the Walt Disney Studios.It was amazing to see-to actually think that Tom Hanks,who remained in character,even between takes and looked and spoke just like Walt Disney to all those involved, will be a day remembered for decades.

Let's go to the movies...popcorn...Dr Lee


Inspired by real events:

 When Walt Disney's daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book. P.L. Travers' "Mary Poppins," he made them a promise- one that he didn't realize would take 20 years to keep. In his guest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly,uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. When Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles, Walt pulls out all the stops, including imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers. But the prickly author doesn't budge-until Walt reaches into his own childhood and discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt Travers. Together, they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Chill with the penquins:

 From December 16-22, Guests have the opportunity to meet Mary Poppins, Bert and chill with some penquins in front of Disney Animation at Disney California Adventure Park. As Guests exit the location, they will receive a "Saving Mr. Banks" movie poster.

Did You Know:

P.L. Travers' father was the inspiration for the story's patriarch, Mr. Banks.

P.L.Travers visited Disneyland with Disney story department head Bill Dover on Easter Sunday, 1961, just before the "Mary Poppins" story meetings. They had access to Walt's apartment and made use of Walt's special electric car at the park.

"Mary Poppins" won Oscars for Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Effects, Best Film Editing, Original Score and Original Song ("Chim-Chim-Cher-ee" by Richard and Robert Sherman).

Cool new makeovers:

 A winter chill has descended on Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland, prompting the creation of two new transformations inspired by Disney's new animated movie, "Frozen."

 For a limited time, Guests may choose from Anna or Elsa wigs, shimmering makeup,face gems, nail polish, a Princess sash and cinch bag. For an additional fee, Guests can purchase the Anna or Elsa costume and crown plus imaging package. The offer ends January 3,2014, or while supplies lasts.

 After the transformation, Guests can visit Anna and Elsa in their new location between Village Haus and Pinocchio's Daring Journey in Fantasyland.

Reservations are available at 714-781-7895.

next year, taking my 4 year old granddaughter, "Averie", to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique...Dr Lee"

Making movies in Disneyland:

Only a handful of films include scenes filmed in Disneyland, among them the 1962 comedy "40 Pounds of trouble" with Tony Curtis and 1996's "That Thing You Do," which was written and directed by Tom Hanks. Coincidentally, the upcoming "Saving Mr. Banks," which also has scenes shot in Disneyland, stars Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.

 "40 Pounds of Trouble" was the first film allowed to shoot inside Disneyland. In it, Tony Curtis plays a Nevada casino manager who must take care of a cute but mischievous 8-year-old girl (played by Claire Wilcox) and winds up on a wild chase through Disneyland. In "That Thing You Do,"the bass player of a small-town band that hits the big time in 1964 runs off to join the Marines. As the band frantically searches for him, the scene cuts to him fulfilling his last wish: riding the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Waiting for Saving Mr Banks...Dr Lee

Diane Disney Miller, 1933-2013

 Diane Disney Miller, the eldest daughter of Walt Disney and co-founder of a museum dedicated to preserving his legacy, passed away November 19,2013 in Napa, California at the age of 79.

 Diane Disney Miller, co-founded The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco in 2009. At the time of her passing, she was president of the board of directors of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the museum.

 She was well known for her extensive philanthropic work and played a key role in the completion of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. She and her husband, former Disney CEO Ronald W. Miller, owned the Silverado Vineyards in Napa Valley.

 Diane Disney Miller paid a rare visit to the Disneyland Resort June 8, 2012, days before the grand reopening of Disney California Adventure Park, and posed with the Storytellers statue of her father at Carthay Circle.

Diane Disney Miller and her younger sister, Sharon, who passed away in 1993, have long been recognized as Walt's inspiration for building Disneyland.

So much history ...Dr Lee

Company D celebrates 25 years:

 On December 2,1988, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, credit cards in hand, were among the first Cast Members at the ribbon-cutting for Company D, the exclusive Cast Member store featuring unique and authentic Disney theme park merchandise at discounted prices. The store's original location was in a trailer at Harbor Pointe: after a couple of temporary moves, in 1996, it moved into a trailer at the Katella Cast Member Lot, and then into a business park on Anahiem Boulevard before moving to its current warehouse at 1601 E. Cerritos Ave. in Anahiem in 2008.

 Those who have visited know that Company D is home to a plethora of offerings, including graphic apparel, attraction and character-inspired merchandise, art, collectibles, accessories, seasonal merchandise, timepieces, Vinylmation, Disney pins and more-all at deeply discounted prices. Its current location also includes grocery items, as well as visual displays, props and other unique items from around the resort, offered by Property Control.

Lots of items have been sold, from a banana to a minivan, everything sells!!!!

 All that is required for entry is a valid Company ID.

Amazing things I have seen there and bought...Dr Lee