R We There Yet Mom? | Family Travel for Texas and beyond...: Disney

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Halloween Events at Disney Parks ~ 2014

The fall holidays are in full swing at both Disneyland & Walt Disney World with lots of fun Halloween events this year. I never really considered how fun Halloween could be until I read about all that was planned. Just looking at this list of fun events that are happening at both parks makes me want to hop on a plane. But how do I choose which park to go to?

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Walt Disney World

From September 1 - October 31, on select nights, the park is open for a special party that features trick-or-treating, Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Villains Castle Show, and a special HalloWishes fireworks show. The park is also "dressed-up" for the occasion with pumpkins, hay bales, and maybe a spooky character or two. This special event requires a separate ticket and is quite suitable for children of all ages. Click here for dates and tickets.

Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle: Walt Disney World

The villains have taken over the castle and are hosting a special event during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. Join them for a decadent dessert party while mingling with some of Disney's most mischievous villains. For more information, click here.

By purchasing a ticket to both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle, you’ll receive preferred viewing for the 8:15 performance of Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, as well preferred viewing for the Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular.

Mickey's Halloween Party: Disneyland

Another year of special events take place during Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. One select dates, the park is open for guests who have tickets to the party and they are invited to dress in costume to trick or treat with some of their favorite characters. A Halloween parade, photo ops, dance parties and a special fireworks show, Halloween Screams are planned. I found this great article with tips if you are attending the party. For more information & tickets, click here.

Haunted Mansion Holiday: Disneyland

Jack Skellington & his crew take over the Haunted Mansion each fall to create the infamous Haunted Mansion Holiday. Dressing it up even spookier for the season, guests are invited to see the fun each day. I got chills watching all the fun decor:

Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour: Disneyland

You can take a tour of both parks and hear great stories of Halloween, Disney's Villains, and a bit of Disney trivia. The tour includes a few rides, fun Halloween trinkets and lasts about 3 hours. Here's a great review of the tour.

Monday, September 8, 2014

10 Cool Experiences at EPCOT ~ Walt Disney World, FL

Each time we visit Walt Disney World, we always walk away with a new-found love of one of the four parks. Once it was Animal Kingdom because we had an amazing day filled learning about animals. Another time, we really loved Magic Kingdom because the kids were young and were absolutely star-struck by all the character interactions they had.

This trip was all about EPCOT.

I have always liked EPCOT but never really gave it much time other than to ride Soarin’ and Test Track. And while those rides are incredible and worth the wait to ride them, there is SO MUCH more to see and do when you are at EPCOT. We discovered some fun things that do not get as much attention on our trip in May.

10 Cool Experiences at EPCOT

Save the World with Agent P ‘s World Showcase Adventure: This is a MUST DO for kids ages 7-12. We took the time to do the experience in United Kingdom and had a ton of fun with it. You are given a “phone” that transmits clues that takes you to certain places within UK. Within the scavenger hunt, things “come to life” which really makes it worth the time.

Have lunch in the World Showcase: It was about 2 pm and we were just entering the World Showcase. So instead of waiting in a very long line in the bakery in France, we opted to try Chefs de France. We were sat immediately as it wasn’t prime mealtime. We ended up having the best time learning all about France from our waiter, trying new foods and getting a lesson in French dessert making. Our experience was so much more than just a meal – it was one of the most memorable of our trip!

Take advantage of KidCot: Each country within the World Showcase features a Kidcot booth. Designed to provide an activity for your child, it gives parents an opportunity to rest in a shaded area. I encourage you to take the time to talk to the cast members & ask them questions about their country. We tried to get our name written in each language we encountered one year! Kidcot is so much more than just getting a stamp!

See the Trains in Germany: There is a charming miniature train within Germany in the World Showcase. Kids love to watch them go round and round.

Make your own roller coaster ride at Sum of All Thrills: Located in Innovations, you can design your own roller coaster ride, then sit in a simulator (this cool arm) and experience it. My kids LOVED each designing one and getting to try each of them.

Catch a World Showcase Street Performance: Try to catch a few street performances within the different countries while in the World Showcase. We have never been disappointed in the free entertainment. This visit, we were fascinated with this chair-balancing acrobatics in France!

Try Beverly at Club Cool: For a cool treat, head to Club Cool to taste various Coca-Cola products that are popular around the world. We always love the pineapple fanta but definitely NOT the Beverly!

Watch the Water Show: You don;t have to wait for IllumiNations each evening to see a great show! The big fountain outside of Innovations East & West puts on an incredible water show. We grabbed a snack from the kiosk within the plaza and took a break while watching the show.

Listen to some Great Music in the World Showcase: Each country within the World Showcase has great bands – look at the schedule, grab a snack from that country and enjoy! Our favorites are Off Kilter in Canada and the British Invasion in UK.

Dine with the Princesses in Norway: One year, we couldn’t get into a Princess meal at Cinderella’s Castle, so we opted for the dining experience at Askershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway. It ended up being such a great experience for both my kids. We had ample time with all the princesses and were able to sample Norwegian food.

There is so much to do at EPCOT, I haven’t even scratched the surface with these 10 experiences. I really encourage you to take your time, and enjoy what you can get to. If you have the time for it, you could go for more than one day and not see the same things. In doing a bit of research for this article, I even found more things we haven’t seen yet. Guess it’s time for another trip!

Friday, August 29, 2014

The $500 Disney Gift Card GIVEAWAY

Want to win a $500 Disney Gift Card? Of course you do!

I mean just the word "Disney" brings butterflies to your stomach. Whether it's Disneyland or Walt Disney World, everyone brings home some pretty amazing memories when they visit.

We have visited both parks over a dozen of times and quite honestly, it never gets old. If you are bringing young ones or teenagers, going as adults or with a big family, Disney does magical things to a person. It takes them away from their daily lives and makes the world around them happy and cheerful and wondrous and special. I don't know if I could ever get sick of a place that makes you just that darn happy.

And we come home from each trip with our arms full of special memories.

It's that perfect shot of your son's first ride on the iconic Dumbo.

Or when meeting his "hero" almost brought him (and you) to tears.

And when all these tweens got along perfectly the whole day. What? No fighting?

Or finding out that Pizza Planet really does exist.

No matter the memory, a trip to Disney holds a special place in your heart and that's why I am so excited to be a part of a major giveaway to help you on your next trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

One winner will receive a $500 Disney Gift Card.

Giveaway ends September 19th at 11:59pm, open to US, ages 18+. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck!

Entry -Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Monday, June 30, 2014

10 Tips for a Multi-Generational Trip to Disney Parks

Traveling with Grandparents is becoming very popular at Disney Parks. More and more families are traveling together to meet Mickey Mouse. And quite frankly, It’s fun to travel as a big family. Young grandparents are active and wanting to see their grandkids visit Disney for the first time. Many have taken their children and are excited to recreate the trips with grandkids. And whether it’s riding a classic, like Dumbo or experiencing something new & exciting – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train anyone? – the magic is the same no matter what your age. However, when your youngest is 4 and your oldest is 68, the pace of travel and expectations are quite different.

Disney Parks are recognizing the popularity of multi-generational travel and are doing a great job to welcome big families traveling together. Not only are they offering specials on multi-gen travel, they now use magic bands to connect the families. You can easily make plans, dining reservations, and Fast-passes using the My Disney Experience app.

If you are looking into traveling with multiple generations for your next trip to a Disney Park, here are a few tips we found.

10 Tips for traveling with Grandparents at Disney Parks

1. Plan Your Day Ahead of Time: It’s best to go into your vacation with a plan rather than winging it when you have multiple ages traveling together. Meet before the trip and determine what everyone wants to see, then loosely create an itinerary. I have found great tips for Disney travel, including what parks are the least crowded here.

2. Plan Indoor Shows for the Afternoons: More than likely, the hottest temperatures will be in the afternoon and that is the time to plan the indoor activities/shows. Every park will have some indoor options. Being able to sit and cool down is a great refresher.

3. Rest Back at the Resort in the Afternoons: Depending on the ages of the travelers, resting back at your resort in the afternoon may be a good option as well. Disney has lots of great nighttime entertainment that is not to be missed.

4. Make Dining Reservations and/or Plans for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Make mealtime, rest time. And make sure you make reservations as soon as you can for large groups (may I suggest dining at non-peak times?). Hungry travelers can make cranky travelers, so make sure you have mealtime plans ahead of the trip.

5. Take Advantage of Resort Activities: If you are staying at a resort on property, find out when they are doing special events. Enjoying s’mores around a campfire or learning to hula with Papa can create some special memories.

6. Experience all the forms of Disney Transportation: Disney Parks have some FUN ways to get around – make sure you try them all. Our favorites include a ride on the monorail from park to park, boat rides from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, and the Steam Train ride around Magic Kingdom.

7. Take Advantage of Ride Swaps: Disney offers ride swapping for children who are not tall enough for certain rides. If all the adults (or tall people) in your party want to ride, utilize ride swapping so everyone can enjoy it and wait together.

8. Wear Matching Clothes: Make it a fun & memorable experience with matching shirts, hats, or just lanyards. I have seen some adorable shirts at the parks lately!

9. Look for Charging Stations/Lounges: Disney Parks offer charging stations for wheelchairs as well as phones. Many times, these are in cool, shaded areas. These make great meeting points or places to recharge (literally).

10. Give Yourselves Plenty of Time: Don’t expect to leave your resort and get to a park within 10 minutes. If you have dinner reservations, give yourself plenty of time to get there, especially with a large group.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you about a trip to Disney parks is to take it easy. Don’t try to cram everything in & don’t stick to a rigid schedule. Inadvertently, there will be a rain shower, a late bus, a missed fastpass, a cranky child. Best way to handle this is to smile and remember you are in the Happiest Place on Earth! That smile will be contagious and last a long way!

Have an awesome trip!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

DisneySMMoms On-the-Road Conference ~ Chicago ~ June 18, 2014

The word Disney is synonymous with Magic. Whether you are talking about the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, meeting Cinderella on a Disney Cruise, watching the Cars movie for the 120^th time or opening the Disney store in your hometown, any experience with Disney is magical. Including a visit with the bossman in Chicago.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Disney Social Media Moms On-the-Road Conference in Chicago. Filled with magical moments, like meeting with Mickey Mouse, it was a day of networking, motivation, and bit of magical dreaming….

Let’s start with the dreaming, shall we?

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Magic Kingdom’s newest ride, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train officially opened to the public at the end of May and no surprise, it already has long line waits and fastpasses that are gone by noon each day. I able to ride this amazing roller-coaster last month at a preview event and it is worth the wait. It boasts the “smoothest roller-coaster ride” and is being called the “crown jewel of Fantasyland.”

The ride is hosting an online competition and you have the chance to be the 8^th miner and win a 7 night stay at Walt Disney World & ride this amazing ride. Each week there is a new challenge - this week they are asking for your "miner fashion look"! Visit bethe8thminer.com to learn more about this video contest.

Disney's Gary Buchanan presenting on how he Rocks his DisneySide

Disney Parks Blog
The best place to hear up-to-date Disney news is through the Disney ParksBlog. Featuring over 100 authors, this blog publishes daily articles ranging from park news to fashion to food. Realizing that fans would really enjoy behind-the-scenes tours and details, when the new Fantasyland was developed at Magic Kingdom, the blog featured over 43 blog posts that included photos and videos with the imaginers. “All in the Details” was the most popular blog series and you can bet there will be more.

Toby’s Magic Kingdom Adventure

In a roomful of moms (and a few dads), heartwarming stories go over well, which is why I have to tell you about Toby. Toby is a special bear that has an amazing story. Toby’s owners received him from their father when we served in the military. His paws tells them their Daddy loves them. Sadly, their father passed away, and Toby holds a very special place in their heart. When they accidently left Toby behind on a recent trip to Walt Disney World, Disney employees found him and took him on a very special tour of the Magic Kingdom before sending him home. Toby arrived home with a photo album full of his fun. Magic, right?

Huggies MomInspired Grant Program
Have you come up with an amazing product that helps you be a better mom? Huggies wants to know about it! We heard a few stories from Moms about products they created that helped in their day-to-day life and Huggies, through the MomInspired program, awarded them a $15,000 grant that enabled them to take their product to market.

For example, Lily Winnail found the baby car seat carrier to be uncomfortable when carrying it on her arm (can you relate?). So, she created a pad that goes over the arm of the carrier to help cushion it when you carry it on your arm. Brilliant! She has been able to grow Padalily online and into specialty stores with the MomInspired grant from Huggies.

Huggies just opened up the application process last week and is accepting submissions through September. If you have an idea that worked, apply for the grant. You never know where your inspiration can take you. Full details on the Huggies MomInspired Grant are here.

HP Printing from your Phone?

Yes! Did you know you could? I didn’t either. But seeing the need for wireless printing from our iPhone & Android phones, Hewlett-Packard came up with the technology to do it. Now, why on earth am I talking about printers in an article about Disney? A room full of moms was the perfect audience for HP to show how their products help make life a little bit easier. Focusing on daily challenges we may experience, we were shown solutions made easy. For example, have you found out that it was your child’s teacher’s birthday the night before?? If I had an HP printer, I can easily print out a card of gift certificate without having to create anything. Check out what they have to offer here.

I still get butterflies every time I meet Mickey!

Inspiration

I was so very excited to see that the conference was filled with motivating stories as well as social media/blogging tips. Yes, we had our share of fairy dust but there was a great deal of practical advice as well. We finished the day with Ramon De Leon, a motivational speaker who challenged us to “create content with the passion of a child…don’t be afraid to fail.”

As a travel blogger, it was incredibly refreshing to spend a day hearing things I love about Disney but also being motivated and fed to become an even better blogger. But more importantly, I was honored to be invited to the conference. I have always loved Disney and feel privileged when I get to tell my friends and y'all all about what's new at Disney.

I never expected to get so much out of it to help with my blogging experience. I took away many tips throughout the day and motivation, that I came home refreshed and ready to write! So it was a great conference and even though I was just a WDW in May, I am more ready than ever to head back!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms On-the-Road Conference. I was not asked to blog about the conference or any of the products we heard about. I was not paid to write this. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Melia Orlando Suite Hotel ~ Celebration, FL

For years we have visited Walt Disney World and stayed on property - I thought that really was the only way to experience Disney. But after a recent stay at Melia Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration, I now see things differently.

Melia Orlando is located less than 9 miles outside the gates of Walt Disney World - I was driving by car and it took us less than 10 minutes to get from Epcot to our hotel. And while location is a great thing, that's not the only reason why you should consider Melia Orlando for your next trip to the Orlando area.

Accommodations

Melia Orlando has 240 suites - 93 one-bedroom and 147 two-bedroom suites. I was very pleased with how large the suites were - they were apartment-sized and perfect for my family of 5. Each suite had a large kitchen, dining & living area and separate bedrooms on each side of the suite with full bathrooms (shower and bathtub). In our family suite, the master bedroom had a king and the other bedroom had 2 queens. And if we needed more beds, the couch folds out to make another queen.

The suites were spacious, giving us plenty of room to relax after a full day in Orlando. We did both Walt Disney World and some exploring in the Kissimmee area while we were visiting and it was nice to come "home" to such a big suite. The beds were very comfortable, like falling-into-a-cloud comfortable - I later found out it was the egyptian-cotton sheets and down comforter that made it so comfy. After a long day walking the parks, I wanted a comfortable bed! And as silly as it is to comment on the shower, the rain-forest shower head was amazing - yes, I like a good, hot shower.

I loved having the ability to cook meals in the fully stocked kitchen as well. The stainless-steel appliances were full-sized. And the coffee-maker, dishes, wine glasses, and refrigerator were much appreciated. And while I didn't cook during our stay, we did keep our left-overs int eh fridge. If we were staying for a week, have a big kitchen like this would allow us to save a ton of money by eating breakfast & dinner in each day. The suite is really perfect for a whole week's stay for an entire family.

I don't typically mention decor of a hotel - they all look the same to me (unless it's a themed hotel). The Melia Orland had a small, boutique reception area which was extremely welcoming and I really loved all the murals they had on each floor. It was such a welcoming change for hotel decor.

Amenities

What do kids care about when staying at a hotel? How big is the pool? The buildings of the Melia Orlando encircle this gorgeous courtyard with large infinity pool. I loved having the zero-point entry for my little man to play around in. We enjoyed the pool in the afternoon, but it looked quite inviting to jump in first thing in the morning. In the winter the pool is heated too.

Melia Orlando offers a free shuttle to EPCOT, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld as well as other places in the area. This is a great way to avoid parking fees and potentially getting lost traveling to one of the parks. While the park shuttle has certain times, you can ask for the shuttle to take you to the grocery store, area restaurants, Celebration golf club and more.

And my children wanted me to mention that they loved the fact that their "toys" liked Melia Orlando as well. Each day, they seemed to "play" while we were out. We'd come home to find them scattered around the suite. Loved seeing that the employees of Melia Orlando like to have fun too!

Dining

I have the pleasure of having dinner one evening at Fuego Restaurant & Gastrobar, which is above the lobby. The recent renovation of this restaurant was inspired by Melia’s Spanish heritage. The restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Spanish dishes and Mediterranean flavors, paired with Peruvian and Latin influenced creations. They offer small plates to full steak dinners in a beautiful setting. I loved never having to leave the property to have such a gourmet meal.

Location

So let's go back to location. Being less than 10 minutes from Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld is really convenient. I never felt like I missed anything by being away from the parks. In fact, I felt like it allowed me to regroup and refresh myself for the next day by stepping away from all the action and coming back to my quiet suite. Did you catch that - it was so quiet. I got such a great nights sleep each night of my stay.

Being in the heart of Celebration, I was able to experience more of the Orlando area and show my family that there was much more to Florida than Walt Disney World. In fact, we spent one day at Gatorland and at Boggy Creek Airboat Ride - can't wait to tell you about those soon. Staying off-site allowed me to experience more of what Kissimmee and the surrounding area had to offer.

Disclosure: My family and I were invited to stay at Melia Orlando Suites Hotel for 3 nights. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.

Learn more about Melia Orlando Suites Hotel and book a room here.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Disney Cruise Line Returns to Galveston ~ Nov 2015

I was pretty excited to catch the news today that in the fall of 2015, Disney Cruise Line is returning to Galveston, Texas! They announced they are adding a few popular destinations and home ports for limited-time engagements. Two Hawaii cruises, a return to the West Coast with departures from San Diego and a Galveston, Texas homecoming make up a season of special sailings.

Bookings open to the public on May 21, 2014.

Galveston to the Bahamas

Starting in November, Disney Cruise Line will return to Galveston for the holiday season, offering a seven-night itinerary aboard the Disney Wonder to Key West; Nassau, Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. These sailings depart Nov. 13, 20, 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 28 (New Year’s cruise).

One seven-night western Caribbean cruise on Nov. 6 will visit Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Two additional cruises are included in the Galveston season: a six-night sailing departing on Dec. 18 that stops at Key West and Castaway Cay and a four-night Christmas sailing that departs on Dec. 24 and stops at Cozumel.

Rates start at $948 per person for four-night cruises, $1,116 per person for six-night cruises and $945 per person for seven-night cruises departing from Galveston for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Monday, May 5, 2014

5 Things to Know about the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World

The final attraction at Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, opening May 28, 2014. This week, we had a sneak peek of this new ride - it will leave you singing "Hi Ho....Hi Ho...."

With Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs being the first full-length animated movie that Walt Disney Pictures produced, it is only fitting that they create an amazing ride for it. It's a classic movie that many kids these days don't necessarily know and I found it to be nostalgic and fun. I think it's great that the Disney Imagineers created a ride off of this classic tale - bringing it back to life amongst those Frozen newbies - Elsa & Anna. I actually want to go home and the movie to show my kids this classic!

Here's 5 Things you want to know about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:

1. Yes, it's a Roller Coaster - But I found it to be the smoothest Roller Coaster I have ever been on. And as Disney does so well, there is a story involved in the ride. The ride slows down and takes you through the mine with the hard working dwarfs before speeding up again.

The individual cars you ride in actually sway side to side - it's a gentle motion that you notice when slowing down or climbing. This motion may help with the smoothness of the ride, as there seems to be no jerky side motion - what you normally get with roller coasters.

2. Perfect First Roller Coaster Ride - Because it is a smooth ride and it has such sweet story to it, my thought is that it makes the perfect first roller coaster ride for your little one. The height requirement is 38 inches tall - a little bit taller than Goofy's Barnstormer (35 inches). Overall, it's a mild ride - perfect for Grandparents to enjoy with little ones!

3. Ride in the Back for the fastest Ride - to feel the sudden drops and speed, sit as close to the back as you can. I was able to ride in the very front car and the very back car on the ride - and really felt the drops and speed in the back. If you want to have a gentle ride, go closer to the front.

4. Interactive Queue- Again, another thing Disney does so well - they entertain you while you wait in line (Brilliant!!). The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has fun games and play areas to keep you forgetting how long you are standing there.

I took some quick video of the various games:

5. Get a Fast Pass EARLY - The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is going to be popular ride, plan early and grab a fast pass as soon as you can. If you don't have one, hop in line as closest to the open of the park as possible. Another thing I really enjoy about Disney rides, is that I feel they are "line-worthy". The rides seem to be longer and more engaging than your typical theme park rides, so you feel the amount of time you spent in line was worth it.

Here is a brief video I took of the mine to give you a sneak peek:

It was a thrilling experience to be immersed in such classic story in such a fun way. I can't wait for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to open to the pubic for everyone to enjoy!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

5 Fun Shopping Experiences at Disneyland

The first thing you think of when planning a trip out to Disneyland may not be shopping, but it should rank pretty high up there. Shopping at any Disney park is a whole experience upon itself and it deserves an entire day – not that you have one from your busy vacation to spare……

Various stores are peppered throughout the Disney Parks, inviting you to come and see what they offer. Many stores offer some of the same things that you see all over the park. But many of them also offer very unique merchandise – and you need to grab it when you see it.

This summer, while visiting Disneyland and California Adventure parks, we saw lots & lots of fun things to buy, some even making an experience out of the purchasing process. So we thought it’d be fun to share them with you.

Here are 5 Fun Shopping Experiences at Disneyland:

1. Mouse Ears: The quintessential Disney souvenir has gotten fancy!! No longer do you have to go for the plain Mouseketeers ears we grew up with. These guys are fancy! With this variety, I guarantee every child will find one to match his or her favorite character!

2. Pins: A few trips back, my children were introduced to the infamous trading pins and spent their entire trip trading/looking for pins they loved. Lucky for those pin-lovers, Disney pins can be found in every store and on every Cast Member. We always end up spending way more than we said we would on pins, but my children love it!

3. Christmas Ornaments: What Christmas tree doesn’t need a fun Disney ornament to remind you of your trip?? Disney had some gorgeous, handmade ornaments that were stunning, and some fun whimsical ones like these – those ears just seem to pop up everywhere!

4. Make Your Own R2D2: Here’s a unique finding that kept my children, especially the 10-year–old son occupied for a while. You exit Star Tours at Disneyland through an incredible gift shop filled with Star Wars merchandise – everything from Ewok backpacks to Toy Story Cars dressed at Star Wars characters (those were adorable). But it’s was the big display of “make your own R2D2” that stopped them in their tracks!

5. Ridemakerz: By far, the coolest shopping experience we had while at Disney actually happened the night before we visited the parks. We spent the evening in Downtown Disney and came across Ridemakerz. This store allows the children to build their own remote control car, from scratch. Pick out the body style, wheels, rims, remote, sounds, and more. And then work one-on-one with a “builder” to put the car together yourself. It was cool y’all – a bit pricey but definitely a memorable experience!

And I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to mention that Disney makes the coolest hats – take a look at some of the fun ones we found:

With the right amount of timing, you can have your treasures delivered to your room (if you are staying on property) or to a merchandise center at the front of the park. Can’t use the excuse of not wanting to carry it around all day – so grab that Little Mermaid costume when you see it – you may not find it elsewhere!

And y’all, this is just the tip of the iceburg – there are so many more cool things to buy!! And I haven’t even touched on the amazing theming of the shops – it’s not every day you get to look through Lizzie’s Curios in Cars Land!!

So if you are the shopping type, I encourage you to take the time and look around – it really is a fun experience!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Best Tips to Ride California Adventure's Radiator Springs Racers

One of the most highly anticipated rides at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, California is the Cars Land Radiator Springs Racers. This rides boasted wait times of over 90 minutes on average this summer and a FastPass to this ride is one of the most sought-after tickets in the park - we're talking Willie Wonka Golden Ticket equivalent.

As a family that grew up loving the Cars franchise, we were thrilled to get the opportunity to visit Cars Land this summer. After hearing all the hype about Radiator Springs Racers, we were a bit nervous that either we wouldn't have the opportunity to ride it or we'd spend half our day at the park waiting to ride it. I had done a bit of research and read that line waits were up to 220 minutes by 10 am and FastPasses for the day were gone by 9 am. I was pretty scared that we'd go all that way and NOT get to ride it.

With a little bit of smart planning, this family of 5 was able to ride it not once, not twice but THREE times with very little wait each time. Y'all, it was such a fantastic ride and absolutely worth all the hype. But there is no need to think you will not be able to ride it. As long as you are prepared, you won;t have to wait in the long lines.

If you are heading to Cars Land anytime soon, let me give you a few tips that worked for us to ride Radiator Springs Racers 3 times!

1. Visit California Adventure on the slowest day of the week
Obviously, if you can plan it, visit CA during the low peak times of the year. We didn't have that option, as our trip was smack-dab in the middle of the summer. So we did the next best thing, and planned our day to visit on the recommended slowest day of the week, which for us in the Summer of 2013 was a Tuesday. It was still pretty crowded, but it was not a Magic Hour day for the park, so attendance was lower than what it could have been.

2. Get in Radiator Springs Racers FastPass Line first thing in the morning (before the park opens)
We arrived at the California Adventure gates one hour before it opened and there were already about 20 people in each line. They opened the gates 30 minutes before the park opens and we were "walked" in with a roped barrier just past the circle on Buena Vista Street. From here, you have the option of standing in line to get into the park OR to get a FastPass for Radiator Springs Racers. One person can wait in line for the FastPasses and get one per ticket. So, have dad wait in line for the FastPasses while the rest of the family wait to get into the park. This line starts in front of the Carthay Circle Restaurant and when the park opens will be "walked" to the FastPass booth for RSR by a cast member - it is in front of "It's Tough to be a Bug." The above picture is the line we stood in after they let us in the park (luckily, this was the crowd behind me).

3. When the park opens, the rest of the family walks directly to Radiator Springs Racers
It's really fun to be at a Disney Park when they open for the day. At California Adventure, Lighting McQueen escorts you all the way back to Cars Land. If you walk directly to Radiator Springs Racers and get in line, the wait is less than 20 mins (depending on how far back you are in the line). Our wait time was under 15 minutes and that was plenty of time for Dad to catch up with us in line with our FastPasses for an hour later. Ride #1 of the day.

4. Ride Radiator Springs Racer with FastPass #1
After our first ride, we hopped on over to ride Luigi's Flying Tires. By the time we waited in line and rode it and popped over to the Cozy Cone Hotel to meet Mater and get a snack, it was time for our FastPass window to ride RSR again. Ride #2 of the day. The picture above is the wait time one hour after the park opened - yikes!

5. After FastPass #1 is complete, get another FastPass
We loved the ride so much, that we sent Dad again to get another set of FastPasses if they were still available. It was 9:30 am at this point and he was able to nab another set of FastPasses - for 7:00 pm. When we walked by later that morning, the machine was closed for the day. You snooze, you lose..... And when we rode RSR at 7:00 pm, the wait was over 2 hours. Ride #3 of the day.

6. If all else fails, Ride in Single Rider Line
If you don't mind riding in a car with a bunch of strangers (there are 6 seats in each car), than hop in the Single Rider Line. Each time we rode RSR, the single rider line had less than 20 people in it. The wait times can be unpredictable, but it would beat waiting 2 hours to ride it.

So, at this point, you think we're crazy for a plan like this, right? Wrong!! Trust me, you do not want to visit Cars Land and not ride Radiator Springs Racers. It is a fantastic journey through the adorable story of Cars, complete with a race at the end. As expected, Disney does everything well and this ride is an example of submersing your senses for an exciting 2 minute ride. Well done and not to be missed!!

If you have any other tips to riding this ride, I'd love to hear them. Please leave them in the comments below.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Hyatt Regency Orange County ~ Anaheim, California

When planning your next trip out to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, look at staying at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. Not only is it minutes away from the main gates, but this popular tourist hotel has so many amenities to make your stay so much more relaxing and enjoyable.

After a long & hot drive through the California desert, this family of 5 was looking for an oasis to refresh their weary bodies...... Too much a cliche? Yep, probably. However, on our Bigger than Texas Road Trip this summer, we had driven hours from Flagstaff, AZ to Anaheim, CA and wanted nothing more than to hunker down in a nice hotel. Thank goodness we had reservations at the Hyatt Regency Orange County - it was perfect place for us to refuel before starting our week in California.

The Hyatt Regency Orange County is located less than a mile and a half from Disneyland and very close to many other Anaheim attractions. It is ideal for families and business travelers, providing so many of the amenities that hotel guests want. As a family traveling to California to visit the mouse, it was a perfect hotel for us.

Here are 6 Amenities the Hyatt Regency Orange County that our family really enjoyed:

1. Movies in the Lobby
The perfect distraction for your weary ones, this lobby area always had - what else? - Disney movies playing. The area is right across from the check-in desk, so your children can rest a bit while you are checking in. I found my kids wanted to sit down and watch every chance they had - after swimming in the pool, before dinner, when we were grabbing coffee....even asked if they could go down to watch a movie before bedtime!

2. Buy your Disney Tickets in the Lobby
Having a one-on-one Disney service desk in the lobby was fantastic. We were able to discuss the best options for our 2 days at the parks, she gave us tips to navigate the crowds, restaurant suggestions - and the best - how to make sure we would ride the most popular ride - Radiator Springs Racers (BTW - she was totally right!!) I loved not having to fight a line to buy tickets at the park! This is a HUGE amenity! The Hyatt Regency Orange County also offers a shuttle to and from the parks.

3. Fun Family Rooms

We stayed in a family suite and was welcomed with this fun bunk bed set that was perfect for my 3 kids. It also had a door that separated it from the master suite as well as a refrigerator & microwave. There are 87 kids suites at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. As my kids are BIG fans of themed/kid-friendly hotel rooms, they loved it!

4. Enjoy the California Sun
The first thing we did after we checked in was hit the pool. Surrounded by palm trees, it was a nice place for the kids to play, my pre-teen to pretend she doesn't know us and for me to soak up the sun. I think we all expected it to be hot in California and we were surprised at how cool the late afternoon temperatures in July were.

5. Kid Friendly Menus
I am a huge fan of Hyatt's For Kids By Kids program and we love their menus. The choices are fun and nutritious. We enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner at TusCA, where the kids each choose different items off the menu. Truth be told, my son was hesitant to try sunbutter rather than his beloved peanut butter, but he loved it. Kids 12 & under also eat for free with an adult meal - it's really a great deal.

The For Kids By Kids menus are available at most Hyatt properties and illustrate Hyatt's commitment to Partnership for a Healthier America.

6. Starbucks in the Lobby
Ok, maybe not the most important amenity as Starbucks are becoming pretty commonplace, but we loved grabbing a frappuccino before hitting the day!

The Hyatt Regency Orange County is a great option for any vacation in the Southern California area, not just those visiting the Disneyland Resort. They really offer so much to make a family's stay comfortable and relaxing - exactly what you want when you are on vacation!

Travel Facts for Hyatt Regency Orange County:

Location: 11999 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove, CA

Website:http://orangecounty.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

My family and I were invited to visit the hotel and were provided a media rate. I was not financially compensated for this post. All opinions of Hyatt Regency Orange County are strictly my own based on my experience.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Walt Disney World

Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle: Walt Disney World

Mickey's Halloween Party: Disneyland

Haunted Mansion Holiday: Disneyland

Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour: Disneyland

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Monday, September 8, 2014

10 Cool Experiences at EPCOT

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Friday, August 29, 2014

One winner will receive a $500 Disney Gift Card.

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Monday, June 30, 2014

10 Tips for traveling with Grandparents at Disney Parks

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Accommodations

Amenities

Dining

Location

Monday, May 19, 2014

Monday, May 5, 2014

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Thursday, September 19, 2013

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