Storytime: The Great Jingle Cup Escapade
Disney has a way of releasing mew merchandise that makes you feel 2 ways; its either "oh that’s cute!" or " I will kill anything that gets between me and the item in question". There is no in between. Enter Disneyland’s 2019 Mickey Jingle Sipper cup released yesterday. I was sitting at job #2 on a Friday evening when my partner in Disney crime, Martha (a re-occurring character in almost every story) sent me a text: "I need THAT cup." There was no need to even further discuss what she was talking about because I already knew. I made a few calls, did some research and found out that IF they lasted the day, they for sure will not be there by tomorrow afternoon. I had to think quick seeing as how I was not off work until 6:45pm, in Santa Monica no less. Disneyland was open until midnight for the holiday season so getting there before they closed would not be an issue but getting there before the cup sells out might be hard. Never one to back down from a challenge I left work, picked up my friend and we were pulling into Disney's parking structure by 8:15pm. The parking gods smiled on us as there was no line to get in and parking was extremely easy. Security was empty and the tram was walk on; So far so good!
We got off the tram and headed to the park and I immediately spotted the plaid spirit jersey I saw online. I grabbed it and as I was paying started asking questions about the cup. "Oh, I believe I saw it at Award Wieners about 20min ago! check there!", the cast member stated and off we were. We got in line just as the cast member working the line said, "SORRY FOLKS WE ARE ALL OUT OF THE JINGLE SIPPER!" Well now what? I just made a plan to get there in time, not a sold out plan. Time to regroup as we stepped to the side and opened our trusty Disneyland Parks app. It is time to see who all sold the cup and which were closest to us so we can map out a plan of action.
Our next stop was Pacific Wharf which was great because we both wanted a loaf of sour dough bread and a cookie ( I dare you to judge). As we were standing in line getting out order together, they put up a sign that said the cup was now sold out as they sell the display to the gentleman at the register. So close yet so far. We ordered our food and the cast member offered to call the only other place she knew that had it, Boardwalk Pizza. Boardwalk was of course sold out but told her restaurants in Disneyland still had some as of 10min ago. I checked my watch, and it was 8:20pm which means not only were the fireworks starting soon, but we would have to navigate that crowd and go all the way around due to path closures. I discussed the pros and cons with Martha, to gage where her Gemini twin stood and the statement still stood- she needed that cup. Say no more fam.
Disneyland was a certain kind of pact that night- the kind of pact that only the holidays bring. We stepped by City Hall and said ok. We have to get to Golden Horseshoe in the next 10min or else they will be closed for Fantasmic. Against all odds, we reached The Golden Horseshoe just as the doors were closing. WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?! This cup is something I refused to go home without, however at 8:45pm I am grasping at straws. I am tired, defeated and cold. My friend decides to call it a night as we start the journey to exit the park, as they announced the cast of Frozen 2 was there. We decided to find a spot to watch the fireworks until out of the corner of my eye I spot THE CUP! Sitting on the counter at the Refreshment Corner! We ran inside and split up as they announced they were low on cups, one per person, yada yada yada.. Guess who end up getting the last two cups? YOU GUESSED IT!! We were so ecstatic that our mission was not in vein! Tired and successful we dragged our bodies back to the tram to head home, but not before a victory pic in front of the Christmas tree. Another successful mission and I would not have changed it for anything.
