Merry Christmas Eve!

I’ve been back home for a full week and a half now, and it feels amazing. Best part: my pups! Second best part: DISNEYLAND. The Disneyland Resort gets so dressed up for the holidays, even the Grinch-est of hearts go “awwww.”

This Christmas happens to coincide with Disneyland’s 60th birthday celebrations, so the castle isn’t nearly as decked out as it usually is. I don’t really understand why we can’t have Christmas icicles in addition to the 60th anniversary wreaths (AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE CHRISTMAS FIREWORKS), but whatever. You do you, Disneyland.

We do get the “Seasons of the Force” this year, so I guess that’s a justifiable consolation prize. I saw Star Wars last weekend, and I NEED ALL THE BB8 THINGS.

* Let’s get fat *

Goofy says: YOU MADE THE NICE LIST. Don’t mess it up, kid.

No trip to the Disneyland Resort is complete without a visit to the Grand Californian Hotel. This gingerbread house is in the lobby, and is made up of something like 4 tons of gingerbread and frosting. Disney means business.

Another holidays-at-Disneyland essential: the Peppermint Schnapps Hot Cocoa in the Grand Californian lobby. I MEAN. This’ll put fire in your eyes. We’re talking about a whole lotta schnapps, a weeee bit of chocolate. As it should be, right?

Yet another must: World of Color, the light x water show in Disney California Adventure. The holiday rendition is stuffed with borderline annoying narration by Olaf, but if you can get passed that cheese it’s a jolly good time.

Jolly. Good. Time.

Also awesome? Disneyland in the rain. Local tip: it RARELY rains in SoCal, but when it does, GO TO DISNEYLAND. The park empties out and everything gets all shiny ‘n beautiful.

And every trip should end with this cutie. (Mickey, not my sister…though she’s pretty adorable too, no?)

xo