I can already tell that 2018 is going to be a great year, especially with all of the new experiences and ways to “Get More Happy” coming to the Disneyland Resort!
Last week, our Disney-lovin’ family got to take one last ride on California Screamin’. It was the first upside-down attraction my daughter ever rode and although we’ll miss it, we’re super excited to see the transformation of the Paradise Pier area into Pixar Pier. 
The all-new Pixar Pier looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun as it takes on a brand new look and brings more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. 
Back to talking about how excited our family is for 2018 at Disneyland Resort. There are some great new experiences that are up and coming at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. Here are 5 things that’ll help you “Get More Happy” in 2018 at Disneyland Resort:
“Get More Adventure’ with Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland
Guests at Disneyland Park will enjoy new enhancements inspired by the recently released film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Travel to new worlds, encounter some of your favorite characters and step into thrilling moments from the latest chapter of the legendary Star Wars saga. Fans also will enjoy special Star Wars-themed treats and merchandise.
- Guests visiting Star Wars Launch Bay will enjoy new additions to the gallery,
including video interviews with the creators of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and a
sneak peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the all-new land coming to Disneyland in
2019. - At Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, a thrilling new adventure has landed.
The new sequence takes passengers to two exciting new destinations: Crait, the
site of an epic battle in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and Batuu, the remote outpost
guests will discover when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019. - Also at Star Wars Launch Bay, guests will come face-to-face with some of the
greatest heroes and villains from Star Wars. They may share a furry embrace with
the heroic Wookiee warrior, Chewbacca, or encounter the menacing Darth Vader. - At the Tomorrowland Theater, guests will sit back and watch iconic moments from
past and present Star Wars films in Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. The spectacular
cinematic experience has been updated with scenes from the latest film, “Star
Wars: The Last Jedi.” - Young Padawans have the chance to train in the ways of the Force, then test their
skills to see if they have what it takes to be a true Jedi and defeat the dark side at
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.
‘Get More Wishes’ at the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure
Disneyland Resort will bring its biggest Lunar New Year celebration yet to Disney California Adventure Park, Jan. 26 to Feb. 18. Commemorating the Year of the Dog, the celebration expands to 24 days full of multicultural performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful décor, delicious cuisine and themed merchandise. Highlights from the celebration include:
- “Hurry Home—Lunar New Year Celebration,” the heartwarming, nighttime water show at Paradise Bay prior to “World of Color”
- “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” celebrating family and friendship
- a Lucky Wishing Wall
- opportunities to encounter God of Good Fortune Goofy, Pluto, Mickey, Minnie, Chip ‘n Dale, Mulan and Mushu all dressed in their Lunar New Year attire, and more.
‘Get More Flavor’ at The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The popular Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns March 2 to April 12, with flavors and fare inspired by the Golden State. The culinary festival brings delicious cuisine,specialty beverages and exciting entertainment for guests of all ages to enjoy. With experiences happening daily during the six-week event, guests will always find something tasty to try and fun to do as they explore the uniquely Disney festival.
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival offers unique food and beverage
offerings at more than a dozen Festival Marketplaces, along with live music, entertainment and 3 special activities. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine, Alex Guarnaschelli and Shaun O’Neale, food and beverage tastings, winemaker dinners, beer, wine and spirit seminars, and more.***
‘Get More Magic’ at the First-Ever Pixar Fest Celebration
Pixar Fest, the biggest theme park celebration of beloved stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios, begins April 13 throughout the Disneyland Resort.
- A new nightly fireworks show debuts at Disneyland: “Together Forever—A Pixar
Nighttime Spectacular,” celebrates Pixar stories through the decades as it lights
up the sky, connecting guests with characters they’ve come to know and love.
Along with dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music, a heartwarming story
celebrates the theme of friendship, an ever-present concept in Pixar animation.
Guests are invited to embark on an emotional journey that begins with the meeting of unlikely Pixar pals and follows their adventures as they overcome obstacles and forge everlasting friendships. “Together Forever” comes to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. The grand tradition of Tinker Bell flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle also gets a Pixar twist, with a special flyover by Buzz Lightyear.
- The fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade returns, this time to Disney California
Adventure. “Paint the Night” features pals from Disney·Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” Another Pixar story will join the nightly “Paint the Night” parade later in the year, adding to this popular nighttime experience. - “Pixar Play Parade” also returns, making its way through Disneyland for the first time and bringing even more Pixar to guests with the addition of three new story elements. The daily parade will begin with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp. Rolling ahead of the famous lamp will be the familiar yellow Pixar Ball. Also joining the parade are characters from the beloved films “Up” and “Inside Out.”
Southern California Resident Ticket Offer
If you didn’t hear the exciting news, the Southern California Resident Ticket Offer is back at Disneyland Resort. SoCal residents may experience all these attractions and entertainment, along with beloved experiences at Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure, with the 2-day and 3-day Southern California Resident tickets. These special offers are available only for a limited time. Southern California residents must purchase tickets from Jan. 8 through May 21, 2018. Tickets expire on May 24, 2018, and blockout dates apply.*
Southern California residents may purchase tickets at http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal and at
Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Guests who purchase tickets online may print their tickets at home. Proof of residency is required for purchase and theme park admission. With these
tickets, guests may also purchase Disney MaxPass, a digital tool for guests to maximize their experience with unlimited Disney PhotoPass photo downloads and the convenience of mobile Disney FastPass while in the parks through the Disneyland App.****
For restrictions, visit http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal. For park hours and entertainment schedules, guests may review the resort’s daily calendar at Disneyland.com.
In addition to this great offer for tickets, the three hotels of the Disneyland Resort are offering special rates on standard and premium rooms for a limited time.(see below for more information about this.) 
Special hotel offers are available for guests who want to turn their visit into a getaway and stay in the middle of the magic at any of the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are available during the first few months of the year. Guests may save on standard and premium rooms for select nights from January 7 through April 12, 2018, if booked by March 17, 2018.** This is an ideal time to stay at the newly renovated 
As a cheer mom, there are way too many things to worry about on the morning of a cheer competition including: getting your cheerleader up early, having their (fake) hair and makeup done just right, getting the uniform and cheer shoes on, and getting to the actual competition on time.
The last thing you really want to do is drive a far distance and have the stress of traffic to make you late. Let’s face it, there’s always traffic in Southern California. It was beyond convenient to be able to just walk across the street to get to the cheer competition!
Our hotel guestroom was spacious with 2 beds and plenty of space to relax and stretch out. It was also perfect for a bunch of cheerleaders to all congregate in during the morning time, to get ready together. (Because that’s what cheerleaders do!)
Rooms at Holiday Inn Ontario Airport also include:
In addition to being located near the Ontario Convention Center, the Holiday Inn Ontario Airport is close to several other Inland Empire attractions and points of interest including Auto Club Speedway of California, Raging Waters Water Park, Ontario Mills Outlet Mall, Citizen Business Bank Arena, Victoria Gardens Shopping Center, Pomona Fairplex, San Manuel Amphitheater, Quakes Stadium, Mount Baldy and San Antonio Winery.
Did you know that Holiday Inn is an IHG Green Engage Hotel? When you stay at an IHG Green Engage Hotel you are participating in an advanced, world-wide sustainability effort. I can appreciate that they understand the importance of having an active role in protecting our environment. 
Whether you’re traveling to Ontario for a cheer competition, a business trip, or just for pleasure, I’d definitely recommend staying at Holiday Inn Ontario Airport. To find a Holiday Inn for your next stay, visit their site
Kids can join their favorite NINJAGO heroes at a very special dojo training session exclusively at the family theme park! Guests can become part of the 4D action as Master Wu prepares the ninjas to take on the teachings of the mysterious ‘Scroll of the 4th Dimension’ but disastrous consequences strike and Kai, Nya, Lloyd, Zane and Cole find themselves in a whole heap of trouble for not only them, but the whole universe!
In celebration of the all new 4D animated adventure, the weekend continues with LEGO® NINJAGO® Days Jan. 13 & 14.at LEGOLAND® California Resort. Guests are invited to join in the LEGO NINJAGO fun at the park and meet some of their favorite LEGO NINJAGO Movie characters including Lloyd, Sensei Wu, Kai, Jay and Nya.
Find your inner peace with other fun activities, in the park, throughout the day including:
All activities are included with the price of admission into LEGOLAND California Resort. For more information, visit 
Children can now meet, Luciana, a creative, confident 11-year-old girl and aspiring astronaut who dreams of being the first person to go to Mars. She has the skills and smarts to achieve her goals, she also learns that being a good leader and team player right here on Earth is the best first step.
Luciana’s world comes to life via a beautiful 18-inch Luciana™ doll, featuring warm brown eyes, medium skin, and dark brown hair with a distinctive purple streak to show off her creative side. 
Other STEM-inspired outfits, accessories, and products that reflect her Space Camp® experience include Luciana’s Flight Suit and Space Suit, her Maker Station, and a Mars Habitat loaded with science and research essentials for hours of pretend play. 
For the first time, kids can further engage in Luciana’s world by 
Luciana’s story is chronicled in a chapter book series written by Erin Teagan and published by Scholastic. The first two books, available now, introduce readers to Luciana, a young girl of Chilean descent with a serious science streak, who loves the idea of exploring new territories in space. After winning a scholarship to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, Luciana is thrilled to launch her dream of landing on Mars. But as she ascends from Space Camp kid to youth astronaut trainee, she faces many challenges that test her competitive spirit and self-confidence, and she must find the courage to embrace the unknown with bravery, curiosity, and wonder.
To help ensure the accuracy of Luciana’s story and product line, American Girl worked with the following four-member Advisory Board who were integral to Luciana’s development: Dr. Ellen Stofan, former NASA Chief Scientist; Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center; Dr. Megan McArthur Behnken, NASA Astronaut; and Maureen O’Brien, Manager of Strategic Alliances at NASA. In addition, a team of American Girl editors and product designers visited Space Camp and NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to gain insight into a day in the life of a Space Camp trainee—from putting on space suits and learning about the “right” way to eat in space to conducting a mission in micro-gravity. American Girl’s partnership with NASA was developed through the Space Act Agreement to inform and inspire the wider public (and especially young girls) about the excitement of space and STEM careers.