January 2017 - Page 2 of 2 - Over The Top Mommy

Month: January 2017

Disneyland Brings Back SoCal Resident Discounted Ticket Offer

January 9, 2017 / Disney, Lifestyle, SoCal Fun

Have you heard the great news? Disneyland Resort is kicking off the new year by bringing back their SoCal Resident discounted ticket offer! There couldn’t be a more perfect time to plan a visit to the Parks, since the holidays are over and things slow down a bit. The Southern California Resident ticket offer* provides flexible options for three days of magic and adventure at special prices. For a limited time, guests may select from these purchase options:

3-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $149 (less than $50 per day) – entitles Guests admission to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park each day for 3 days. This ticket is not valid for visits to both theme parks on the same day.
3-day Park Hopper ticket for $189 – entitles Guests admission to both Disneyland Resort theme parks over 3 days, including visits to both theme parks on the same day.

The Southern California Resident tickets include one Magic Morning early entry to Disneyland Park, which provides an extra hour of play on select days before the park opens to the general public. Tickets must be purchased by May 22, 2017 and excludes the following blockout dates: April 9 through April 23, 2017. This is such a great offer and just in time to enjoy the upcoming Main Street Electrical Parade and thrilling Star Wars experiences at Disneyland Park, plus the Lunar New Year Celebration and the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure Park.Here are some of the important details relating to the 3-Day SoCal Resident Promotional Ticket with Magic Morning offer:

Valid only for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999.
Proof of residency is required for purchase and admission.
3-Day, 1-Park-Per-Day Ticket is valid for admission for three (3) days to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure park, but not to both parks on the same day.
3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket is valid for admission for three (3) days to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day.
Each day of use constitutes one full day of use.
Tickets expire May 25, 2017.
Blockout days of April 9 through April 23, 2017 apply.
May purchase up to 5 tickets per person per day with valid ID.
Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use.
Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions.
Tickets not valid before January 9, 2017
Subject to capacity, restrictions and change without notice.

For more information about this very special offer, including restrictions, go here.

This is not a sponsored post. Some images are property of Disneyland Resort. All opinions are 100% my own.

New TV Spot for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast #BeOurGuest

January 8, 2017 / Disney Movies, Entertainment, Movies

Get your tissues ready! Watch this brand new TV spot that aired during the Golden Globes, which includes a sneak peek of Emma Watson singing “Belle” from the Disney’s upcoming release of “Beauty and the Beast!

Her voice is amazing and I am such a huge fan of her acting and I think she’s the most perfect “Belle”! .

I’m more exciting than ever for March 17th to get here, the date of the film’s release. Will you be in the theaters watching? We will!

Connect with Beauty and the Beast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too. You can also visit the film’s official website here.

This is not a sponsored post. Images are property of Disney. All opinions are 100% my own.

Babychella™ Free Family Event Comes to Orange County on 3/12

January 7, 2017 / SoCal Fun

Babychella™ is coming to Warren R. Regional Park in Irvine, which is located in Orange County, Ca., on Sunday, March 12, 2017 from 12-4pm. The event, presented by Orange County Parks, is a a free annual family music and arts festival celebrating babies and children of all ages.Babychella™ focuses on expectant mothers to be, babies and children of all ages are welcome. The goal of the event is to give existing parents and parents to be access to educational speakers, popular baby brands and other resources to help make the journey of parenthood more fun by celebrating family life. Several activities will be offered at the outdoor event including:

a variety of interactive vendor booths that will host story time
face painting
mommy and me yoga
a themed photo booth
a bubble tent
arts & crafts.
Kids Costume Contest: Bohemian Festival Style – $200 Gift Card
Food & Drink: Assorted Food Trucks – Cash or Credit Card Purchase

There will also be a main stage showcasing musicians performing children’s favorite sing along songs. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs to enjoy the park during the festival. Restrooms, changing and breastfeeding areas will be available for your convenience.

William R. Mason Regional Park is located at:
18712 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Parking fee is $5 per vehicle entry.

For more information about the event, visit the Babychella website here.

Meet the New Characters Joining Cars 3

January 6, 2017 / Disney Movies, Entertainment, Movies

As if I wasn’t already excited about the upcoming release of Cars 3 in June 2017, some new characters were also announced, which will be joining Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) in this all-new story that tests the heart of a champion in a high-tech world. The two new characters include an unconventional trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) and next-gen racer Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer).

Lightning McQueen is world champion—a modern-day racing legend who’s riding high with five Piston-Cup wins under his hood. Suddenly, he finds himself faced with a new generation of racers who threaten not only his dominance in the sport—but the confidence that got him there. Determined to get back to the pole position, the #95 must decide if his love for racing is enough to fuel the comeback of his life. Owen Wilson returns to the racetrack as the voice of the champion.

Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo) is a sunny-but-fierce unconventional trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She expertly arms the team’s talented rookies with cutting-edge tools to tear up the track—but she nearly stalls when her longtime idol Lightning McQueen shows up. While she’d love to help him find his way back to the top, she knows the competition is faster than ever, and victory is all about speed—or is it? Cristela Alonzo (“The Angry Birds Movie”) was called on to help bring the character to life.

Cristela is full of optimism and a positive energy that I think really comes through in Cruz’s personality and of course, she’s a hilarious comedian, so that doesn’t hurt either.” Cars Director Brian Fee

Jackson Storm is fast, sleek and ready to race. A frontrunner in the next generation of racers, Storm’s quiet confidence and cocky demeanor are off-putting—but his unmatched speed threatens to redefine the sport. Trained on high-tech simulators that are programmed to perfect technique and maximize velocity, Jackson Storm is literally built to be unbeatable—and he knows it. Armie Hammer (“Birth of a Nation”) was tapped as the voice of Jackson Storm.

Armie brought a great combination of intensity and charm to the role of Jackson Storm. His charisma helped create a character you really love to hate.”

Cars 3 is directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and Produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), and cruises into theaters on June 16th!

Celebrate Lunar New Year Jan. 20 – Feb. 5 at Disney California Adventure Park

January 5, 2017 / Disney, SoCal Fun

Disney California Adventure Park is getting ready for a bigger-than-even Lunar New Year Celebratin beginning Friday, Jan. 20 through Sunday Feb. 5, 2017. The extravagant celebration for the Year of the Rooster will take place over the span of 17 fun-filled days and will includec olorful live performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful decor, Disney characters in their Lunar New Year costumes, and special food and merchandise offerings. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Mulan and Mushu will join guests for this very special time of year! Guests at the Lunar New Year Celebration will discover new Disney magic as they experience Asian culture through a variety of live performances, including Chinese acrobats and authentic musicians. Each night prior to “World of Color,” a new feature called “Hurry Home” will tell the tale of a journey home for Lunar New Year. The six-minute feature is presented in sequences, utilizing projected animation along with the lighting, special effects and powerful fountains of “World of Color.”

As “Hurry Home” unfolds, guests will get to follow along on the journey of a Little Lantern returning home for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune. Little Lantern encounters three “dream sequences,” featuring appearances by Mulan and the dragon Mushu. “Hurry Home” employs two contrasting animation styles, with fully rendered CG animation and sequences inspired by traditional Chinese paper cut-out style animation. The story is scored with music created for the opening ceremony of Shanghai Disney Resort by Academy Award-winning composer Tan Dun (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year. Highlights of the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure include:

Three new Asian marketplaces offering foods inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Mulan and Mushu, dressed in their Lunar New Year attire to welcome guests and join them for photos.
Live performances with an impressive array of authentic performers, acrobats, musicians and more.
A New Year’s Wishing Wall, where guests may add their own wishes for a wonderful future
Lunar New Year décor, including beautiful ornamental lanterns and banners wishing guests a Happy Lunar New Year in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
Lunar New Year commemorative merchandise, including a specially designed t-shirt, pin and the traditional red envelopes for gift-giving.

For a limited time only, Disneyland Resort guests may celebrate the tradition, sights, sounds and tastes of Lunar New Year with a touch of Disney magic, only at Disney California Adventure. For more information and the daily entertainment schedules, go here. You can also read more about Lunar New Year at Disneyland Resort on the Disney Parks Blog here.

This is not a sponsored post. Photos are property of Disneyland Resort. All opinions are 100% my own.

January Events at Pretend City Children’s Museum

January 4, 2017 / Entertainment

2017 is here and Pretend City Children’s Museum is celebrating! Kick off the New Year with some fun activities during the month of January. Celebrate Art Resolution Month this month! Each week in their newly renovated art studio, a new form of art will be highlighted. Children can come experience new materials and new types of art in the PROCESS-based studio!

Here are some other fun events you’ll find at Pretend City in January:

Cuddle Up Day | January 6
Bubble Bath Day | January 8
Letter Writing Week | January 8 – January 14
Baby Steps through Pretend City | January 9
National Hat Day | January 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 16
National Popcorn Day | January 19
National Hugging Day | January 21
National Opposite Day | January 25
Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Rooster | January 28
National Puzzle Day | January 29
Family Autism Event | January 30

For more information about the events at Pretend City Children’s Museum, go here.

This is not a sponsored post. Images and logo are property of Pretend City. All opinions are 10% my own.

Mountain High to Host World’s Largest Lesson Day on January 6, 2017

January 2, 2017 / SoCal Fun

January’s arrival marks the start of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month at Mountain High. The resort is participating in the World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson Day set for 10:00 a.m. PST on Friday, January 6, 2017.For the second-straight year, multiple winter resorts across the U.S. and Canada, including Mountain High, will attempt to set industry and Guinness World Records for teaching people how to ski and snowboard. Southern California is home to millions of potential skiers and snowboarders and, with January being Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, this is a really cool way for many people to learn how to shred on the mountain

“We had an incredible turnout for last year’s first attempt at shattering skiing and snowboarding lesson participation records and can’t wait to break it this time,” said John McColly, Mountain High chief marketing officer.

The current record for world’s largest ski lesson (both single and multiple venue) is 594 and 500 for world’s largest snowboard lesson (both single and multiple venue). World’s Largest Lesson Day is an ideal opportunity for skiers and boarders of all ages to learn how much fun they can have and be part of a world record. Classes at Mountain High truly prepare skiers and snowboarders to succeed on the slopes. Lesson participants will learn how to properly use equipment, be introduced to basic skiing and snowboarding skills including safety, learn about types of terrain, demonstrate and be evaluated on what they learned during the 90-minute class. All attendees will receive an official certificate of completion upon finishing the lesson.

To register for the World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson Day at Mountain High, visit here or call 888-754-7878. Event registration ends Thursday, January 5, 2017.

Meet Gabriela McBride: American Girl’s 2017 Girl of the Year

January 1, 2017 / Lifestyle

American Girl is excited to celebrate the New Year with the debut of its 2017 Girl of the Year – Gabriela McBride!

Gabriela is a true talent who uses her passion for the arts, specifically spoken word poetry, to overcome personal obstacles and create positive change for her community. I love that these dolls have a “story” and that there’s a book to accompany them. Teresa Harris is the author of “Gabriela”.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:
Gabriela has grown up surrounded by the arts—dance, painting, music, and theater. But poetry is becoming her art form of choice, for good reason: she struggles with stuttering and poetry helps her words flow more freely. Although Gabriela is a bit quiet, when she does speak, she is sharp, honest, and funny. But can she learn to harness the power of her words and her creativity to help save her beloved community arts center from being torn down?

Now available for purchase is the beautiful 18-inch Gabriela doll, as well as several performance-inspired outfits, accessories, and toys. American Girl announced that unlike past Girl of the Year characters, Gabriela will be available throughout 2017 and beyond. This is wonderful news for doll collectors.

To connect students with Gabriela’s inspiring message, and to bring awareness to spoken word poetry, American Girl is partnering with Scholastic to create and distribute Express Yourself, a program for classrooms that empowers students to use the arts as a tool for self-expression. The program will be available in March 2017 and will be comprised of classroom resources that give teachers the tools to encourage students to find their creative voices. It’ll be just in time for National Poetry Month in April.

For more information about Gabriela McBride and her story, go here.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images are property of American Girl.