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Month: July 2018

What to Expect When You Attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

/ Florida, Travel, Walt Disney World

You know you love Disney when you start planning for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during the early months of summer! As a Disney fan who lives close to the Disneyland Resort, this party is something I’ve never gotten to experience nearby in my “home park”, because it’s held at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World.Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a specially ticketed event that has been on our family’s “Disney Bucket List” for some time now. This holiday season we’re headed to Florida to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! I am ecstatic and have been doing my research to find out what to expect and how to maximize our time at the party!On the official Walt Disney World site, I found this year’s party dates are as follows:

  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27 and 29
  • December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21

Guests attending the party can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. but the official party begins at 7 p.m. and ends at midnight. Tickets are already on sale and are available for select nights, starting at $105.00. By the way, you can purchase your event tickets here.There are so many things we can’t wait to experience at Mickeys’ Very Merry Christmas party. I got chills just reading this short description from the Walt Disney World site:
When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom park lights up with excitement for Guests of all ages. Cinderella Castle shimmers. Joyful music fills the air. Disney Characters don their most festive attire. Favorite attractions take on a holiday theme. And enchanting surprises lie around almost every turn!Here are just some of the unique holiday offerings and experiences you can expect to find at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Some of these are exclusive to the party nights.

Character Experiences & Santa 
You can find some of your favorite classic Disney Characters decked out for the holidays. With over a dozen Disney Characters spreading holiday cheer around the party, guests are able to get autographs and take memorable photos with them too. Be on special lookout for Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Scrooge McDuck, too! Characters and locations are typically published in the official party guide which is handed out to guests when they enter Magic Kingdom.Treats and Special Holiday Eats
Guests attending the party will find several locations throughout the park where they can grab complimentary “yuletide sweets”. Some of these include seasonal beverages and treats. I read that the treat stations set up around the park are open until midnight and there are even alternative healthy and gluten-free options available upon request.In addition to these complimentary treats, there are also limited-time holiday eats which are items offered exclusively during this time of year and at the party.

Special Entertainment for Mickey’s Very Merry Holiday Party

A Frozen Holiday Wish Show
We can’t wait to get swept up in the holiday spirit when Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle. Featuring appearances by Anna and Elsa, along with rugged mountain man Kristoff and the lovable snowman Olaf, this merry-and-bright seasonal show culminates in Queen Elsa using her incredible powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom, transforming Cinderella Castle into a sparkling, icy centerpiece for the celebration.Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
Christmas fun awaits as Mickey invites his pals over for an unforgettable party.
During Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, you’ll feel the holidays come alive during a jubilant stage show that fills the air with music, dancing, laughter and shimmering snowflakes! This joyous performance is the perfect yuletide treat to share with your family. You’ll hear favorite Characters ring and sing in the holidays with carols old and new—more than a dozen delightful songs in all! You’ll witness the splendor of Cinderella Castle, aglow with enchanting and ever-changing holiday illuminations. This unforgettable performance is Christmas-wrapped up in one sensational, snowy, show-stopping finale.
Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Wave to Disney friends during a holiday parade brimming with magic and cheer! Festive gingerbread men, elves and others dance down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside Disney Characters. I’m super excited to watch this parade live as I’ve only see it on TV before when I’ve watched the DisneyParks LIVE! specials.“Holiday Wishes” Fireworks Spectacular 
This holiday fireworks spectacular over Cinderella Castle is will fill the air with something magical. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, the Holiday Wishes fireworks spectacular features dazzling pyrotechnics, transformational lighting on Cinderella Castle, holiday-themed projection effects and seasonal, classic songs.In addition to all of the above, guests can also enjoy many of their favorite Magic Kingdom attractions. Be sure to save time to take a ride on “The Jingle Cruise” which is a festive version of the Jungle Boat Cruise! Don’t forget to stop by all of the shops to grab holiday merchandise too. As you can see there are so many reasons to be excited about attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. We are definitely counting down the days until our trip. Have you been to the party before? If so, do you have any special tips to share with me? If not, why not grab your tickets for this year’s party?

*Please note: all entertainment experiences, character greeting experiences and attractions are subject to change without notice.

Great Wolf Lodge Announces Star-Studded Junior Chef Council

/ Entertainment, Lifestyle

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

One of our favorite resorts to stay at, Great Wolf Lodge, just announced some exciting news!  They’ve formed of a Junior Chef Council, a panel comprised of the country’s top kid chefs and culinary tastemakers, who will come together to advise on and help develop a new kids’ menu for Great Wolf Lodge’s 17 indoor waterpark resorts!

“The idea of a Junior Chef Council is something we have been discussing internally for the past year. We’ve really enriched the culinary offerings for parents, and thought it would be fun to create a menu for kids, by kids. These are no ordinary kids, these are true junior chefs who have been around the culinary arts for years and will help create a kids menu unlike any other in the country.” – John Suley, Great Wolf’s Vice President of Food & Beverage

After an extensive search to identify youthful and passionate culinary talent who will bring a unique perspective to Great Wolf Lodge’s ever-evolving and innovative food and beverage program, the Junior Chef Council was formed. The six-person Junior Chef Council brings a diverse culinary background to Great Wolf, and will work together on developing a completely new kids menu.
Great Wolf Lodge’s Junior Chef Council members include:

  • MasterChef Junior Season 2 winner, Logan Guleff (15)
  • MasterChef Junior Season 5 winner, Jasmine Stewart (13)
  • Jonas Cora Ehrlich (12) and Gavin Cora Ehrlich (10), sons of Iron Chef Cat Cora and wife, Nicole Cora Ehrlich
  • Madeline Zakarian (11) and Anna Zakarian (9), daughters of Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian;
  • Conrad Elliot (8) and Jed Elliot (6), sons of Chef Graham Elliot.

The talent level of the council is impressive. Logan and Jasmine each won a rigorous TV cooking competition, while the other members of the Junior Chef Council bring a different degree of culinary experience to the group, being children of some of the world’s most talented chefs. While Conrad is an official member of the Council, Jed will serve as the Council’s official taster, ensuring his brother and other members are delivering on the culinary goods.Great Wolf Lodge has placed a tremendous emphasis on expanding and enhancing the culinary offerings found at its family-friendly resorts over the past two years. With the launch of its Colorado Springs resort 18-months ago, the company introduced an elevated farm-to-fork dining experience called Barnwood that has now expanded to three additional resorts; and it recently established a food hall style Tex-Mex restaurant called Timbers Tacos which debuted at new resorts in Georgia and Illinois. The new kids’ menu will initially be featured exclusively at full-service restaurants at Great Wolf Lodges across North America.The Junior Chef Council will get together as a group later this summer at one of Great Wolf’s world-class resorts in order to collaborate on their menu with the resort’s executive culinary team, with plans to roll-out the menu nationwide later this fall. For more information about the Junior Chef Council and Great Wolf Lodge partnership, please go here.

Logo is property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

 

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at Staples Center August 17-19 + Enter to Win

/ SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Monster Jam is revving its way up to Downtown Los Angeles with an all-new action-packed weekend of events for the first time ever at Staples Center! This exciting show will keep motorsport fans on the edge of their seats with adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement that is fun for the entire family! Monster Jam Triple Threat Series arrives to Staples Center August 17-19.

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series features eight of the most intense Monster Jam athletes in a fierce battle for the championship that tests their versatility and endurance as they go head-to-head in a points-based format with seven different competitions driving three customized high-powered vehicles:  the larger-than-life 12,000 lb. Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs.Unlike any other Monster Jam event seen in SoCal before, the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series features eight of the most intense Monster Jam athletes in a fierce battle for the championship that tests the versatility and endurance of the athletes as they go head-to-head in a points-based format with seven different competitions driving three customized high-powered vehicles: the larger-than-life 12,000 lb. Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs. These extreme athletes battle for points in challenging Racing and Freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit – delivering what fans want to see the most… more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!
Monster Jam Triple Threat Series world-class athletes vying to become champions will be:

  • Grave Digger® driven by Brandon Vinson
  • Max-D® driven by Jared Eichelberger
  • El Toro Loco® driven by Mark List
  • Megalodon driven by Travis Groth
  • Zombie™ driven by Tyler Groth
  • Wonder Woman driven by Collette Davis
  • Pirate’s Curse™* driven by 2017 “Rookie of the Year” Camden Murphy
  • Alien Invasion driven by Bernard Lyght

Showtimes for this location are:

  • Friday, August 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 19, 2018 at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at just $25 each* Tickets are available for purchase online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or by visiting the venue Box Office.

I’m also hosting an amazing giveaway! I’m giving away two (2) family 4-packs of tickets to the opening night show, which will take place on Friday, August 17 at 7:30 pm. Winners will pick up tickets at Will Call on the night of the show and must be able to attend that show. (no substitutions for the prize.) To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information about Monster Jam, please visit here.
Staples Center is located at
1111 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, Ca. 90011

Images are property of Monster Jam and used with permission. 

 

Support CHOC Walk by Attending Ambassadors’ Rock’N Luau at Splitsville + a Giveaway

/ Orange County, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

The CHOC Walk in the Park, held every year at The Disneyland Resort, is just around the corner. This wonderful , fundraising event will take place this year on Sunday, August 25. Have you already registered to particpate? Hopefully so.Another fun event to join in on is the CHOC Walk Ambassadors’ Rock’N Luau, which will take place the night before the CHOC Walk at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Downtown Disney®. Join in on the luau festivities Saturday, August 25, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s going to be a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family.The CHOC Walk Ambassadors’ Rock’N Luau is hosted by the CHOC Walk Ambassadors, who are grateful CHOC patients and their families who team up to coordinate this incredible fundraiser! These courageous kids represent the children we “Luau” for, past, present, and future. This entire event is to help raise awareness and funds to support CHOC Children’s Hospital.This “1950s Polynesian” themed event will feature:

  • activities for kids (and kids at heart)
  • a Rock’N raffle
  • a bowlin’ buffet
  • mini-bowling tournament
  • authentic Polynesian entertainment

Guests are encouraged to rock their favorite vintage Hawaiian shirts or fabulous 50’s gear.
For more information or to purchase your tickets for this year’s CHOC Walk Ambassadors’ Rock’N Luau, please go here.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes is located in the Downtown Disney District
at
1530 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, Ca. 92802

Guests in attendance at this event will receive 5 Hours Downtown Disney Parking lot with validation.

I’m also hosting a giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win 4 Dave & Buster’s gift cards with 32 credits on each! To enter this giveaway, just fill out the Rafflecopter at the very bottom of this post! Good luck, everyone!

If you still need to register for the CHOC Walk in the Park, you can do so here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pacific Sales Presents the Pacific Wine and Food Classic August 18 & 19

/ Entertainment, Lifestyle

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own .

It’s almost time for this year’s Pacific Wine & Food Classic, presented by Pacific Sales. Come celebrate Summer and the bounty of Southern California at this amazing annual event which will take place on August 18 & 19, 2018. at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. This irresistible event offers guests more than 100 experiences including: the best local chefs serving vibrant summer inspired cuisine, wineries, cold beer and delicious crafty cocktails.The Pacific Wine & Food Classic is an all-inclusive event that is designed for guests to enjoy food and wine in a beautiful setting. Soak up the beautiful soft sand, blue waters and sweet summer air. Tickets are limited to ensure an absolute quality experience for you! ​​​

Here’s a video showing some of the fun from last year’s event:

For more information about this year’s Pacific Wine & Food Festival and to purchase tickets, please go here.

Images and video are property of Pacific Wine and Food Festival and used with permission.

Back to School with the HP Envy x360 Laptop from Best Buy

/ Lifestyle, Technology

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

With the new school year on the horizon, we are in need of a new laptop for my daughter to utilize for both classwork and homework. It’s hard to believe that laptops have taken the place of paper and pen but it’s the reality of this day and age.We are an HP loving family so heading over to Best Buy to upgrade to the HP Envy x360 Laptop is something we plan on doing before school starts. Did you know….HP Envy x360 laptops are 2-in-1 devices that can transfer from a laptop to a tablet in seconds? Versatility is key and being able to change from a laptop to a tablet is a great feature. 

These come with a full HD touch screen. The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity and the natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. It’s also energy efficient with WLED backlight!

HP Envy x360 touch screen laptops also come with Windows Ink capabilities and a Windows operating system so you can write on the screen with your stylus. This is helpful for things like note taking and art class.

Their AMD processors make them fast and thin so you can take them with you anywhere you go! This is definitely convenient if your son or daughter already has a lot to carry around at school.

Here are the product specs:

  • Windows 10 operating system – Windows 10 brings back the Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your screen. Learn more ›
  • Built for Windows Ink – Quickly jot down notes and ideas with ease.
  • Full HD touch screen – The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. Natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient WLED backlight.
  • 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking – Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.
  • 360° flip-and-fold design – Offers versatile functionality with laptop, audience, tabletop, presentation and tablet modes.

Have you considered upgrading to the HP Envy x360 Laptop? It’s perfect for the student in your life. Both the HP Envy 13 and HP Envy 15 are available at Best Buy either in-store or online. Now through 7/28, grab an HP Envy laptop for $100 off, too! That’s a great deal!

Connect with Best Buy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Images are property of Best Buy and used with permission. 

Mrs. Knott’s Express Bakery Now Open

/ Food, Let's Eat!, Orange County, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

There was exciting news out of Knott’s yesterday! As soon as I saw the first post online about the opening of Mrs. Knott’s Express Bakery now being open in the California Marketplace, which is located just outside the park, I knew I needed to investigate further!Anything food-related is going to grab my attention, especially when it’s at Knott’s. Bonus points if it’s “boysenberry” (and some of the items actually are) This was the tweet that caught my eye:

I mean, how could I ignore this tweet? Mrs. Knott’s Express Bakery looks like a great place to grab some delicious looking donuts! Plus, they offer coffee, tea, juice, soda and one of my favorites from last year’s Boysenberry Festival: Knott’s Boysenberry Boba Tea! Oh my goodness! We fell in absolute love with this drink and were sad to see the festival end, knowing we’d have to wait an entire year to get our hands on another one. Now you can grab one any time though!

But getting back to those donuts…. which one of these cronut-style donuts would you try first: Fruity Pebbles, Bacon or Chocolate Explosion? This picture from Clementine County looks like a good start! I can’t wait for my next visit to Knott’s!

For more information about Knott’s, please go here.

Some photos are property of Knott’s Berry Farm and Clementine County blog. 

 

Discounts and Deals for the 2018 OC Fair

/ OC Fair, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the 2018 OC Fair! This year’s festivities began on July 13 and will run through August 12 . Visiting the OC Fair is something our family looks forward to doing every summer, This year’s fair encourages you to “Free Your Inner Farmer” and offers 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more.If you’re like me, you’re probably interested in knowing about all the ways to save every single day at the OC Fair. So grab your overalls and plan ahead to take advantage of all these great deals.New this year is Overalls Day. All fair-goers wearing overalls get free admission every Thursday from noon to 3 p.m.Also new for this year is a weekend carnival special. Grab $35 unlimited ride wristbands from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and use them until 4 p.m.

Returning favorite promotions include:

  • Free Till Three on Opening Day; that’s free Fair admission and parking from noon to 3 p.m. on July 13 only. And our weekend commuter specials, the OC Fair Express bus and offsite Experian parking, save time, money and traffic headaches.
  • 2018 SUPER PASS – Super Passes include admission to all 23 days of the OC Fair. Other perks include a carnival value book, 20 percent off OC Fair merchandise (one-time purchase), free admission to the Orange County Market Place for the calendar year, two-for-one tickets to select events at Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena, and the ability to purchase up to 10 general admission Fair tickets for $10 each. Super Passes are $40 (general admission) and $33 (seniors and youth) through May 31, and available for purchase here.

Weekday Deals

  • WEDNESDAYS – We Care Wednesday (noon – 3 p.m.) Free admission and one carnival ride with a donation to that day’s charity. July 18, school supplies drive; July 25, food drive; Aug. 1, children’s book drive; Aug. 8, clothing drive.
  • THURSDAYS –New! Wear Overalls Day (noon-3 p.m.) Fairgoers who wear overalls get free admission. $3 Taste of Fair Food – From noon-4 p.m., you can sample a variety of food from different vendors for $3 each. Kids Day (all day) Children 12 and younger receive free admission.
  • FRIDAYS- Seniors Day (all day) Guests 60+ receive $5 admission and free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round-rides. $2 Rides & $2 Games (noon-4 p.m.) Try out all of the Carnival and Midway attractions for just $2 each.

Weekend Deals

  • SATURDAYS – Best Deal Ever! (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) Admission is half price ($7) for all guests, and rides are half the carnival tickets to ride.
  • SUNDAYS – New! Sunday Fun Day (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Admission is half price ($7) for all guests. Rides are half the carnival tickets to ride, OR guests can purchase a $35 unlimited ride wristband (11 a.m. – 1 p.m., valid until 4 p.m.)

LIMITED-TIME DEALS

  • Free Till Three on Opening Day (Friday, July 13, noon-3 p.m.) Admission and parking are free at all gates on Opening Day of the 2018 OC Fair until 3 p.m.
  • First Responders and Law Enforcement Week (Aug. 8-12) With an issuing agency ID, active-duty and professional staff of the police, sheriff, fire and emergency services departments receive free admission.

DAILY DEALS

  • Salute to Heroes – Veterans and active-duty military receive free admission with a valid ID and are also able to purchase up to six general admission tickets for half off.
  • Fair It Forward – With the original ticket, guests who attended the San Diego County Fair, Ventura County Fair or OC Fair can receive free admission to both of the other two fairs.
  • Read & Ride – Bookworms ages 5-11 who read two books and complete the online book report form (available at bit.ly/readride2018) will receive three free carnival rides. This deal can be redeemed at the Information Booth in Centennial Farm during regular Fair hours.
  • Pacific Amphitheatre & Carnival Ticket Bounce-Back – Guests who attend a Pacific Amphitheatre concert receive one free ride on La Grande Wheel XL in the Main Midway with their valid ticket stub.
  • OC City Coupon – Orange County residents can pick up a coupon for $2 off full-price general admission from their local city halls or libraries. This coupon is valid for up to four people; must present original coupon.

COMMUTING DEALS

  • Free offsite parking (every Saturday and Sunday) Park at the Experian lot in Irvine for free, and take the courtesy shuttle straight to the OC Fair.
  • OC Fair Express (every Saturday and Sunday) Fairgoers traveling to the Fair on OCTA’S OC Fair Express bus receive a coupon for $4 Fair admission. The bus fare is $2 each way ($4 round trip; $1.50 for seniors). Buses run 10 a.m. to midnight and will pick up from nine different locations throughout Orange County. Visit ocfairexpress.com for more information.

Regular pricing: General admission is $12 Wednesday-Friday and $14 Saturday-Sunday. Seniors (60+) and youth (6-12) admission is $7. Parking is $10.

The 2018 OC Fair is July 13-Aug. 12, open Wednesday-Friday from noon to midnight and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

The OC Fair is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. You can Free Your Inner Farmer till the cows come home at the OC Fair through August 12!  For more information about these deals and this year’s OC Fair, please visit here.

Some images and logos are property of OC Fair. 

Yogurtland Now Open in Sendero Marketplace in Rancho Mission VIejo

/ Uncategorized

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own .

I was so excited to see a brand-new Yogurtland location is now open in Sendero Marketplace in Rancho Mission Viejo! It’s no secret that we love Yogurtland!  Having Orange County’s newest location open up practically next door to my house was the best thing to happen all month!With a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening specials, the Rancho Mission Viejo location of Yogurtland officially opened its doors on Friday, July 13 and had a line out the door! (It unofficially opened on June 20 though.) If you haven’t been over to try out some of their delicious fro-yo or even their light ice cream, you need to get over there soon!Yogurtland features non-fat and low-fat yogurt flavors, ice cream, and no sugar added choices while using milk that contains no antibiotics or added hormones. Fruit flavors are fortified with Vitamin C for an extra boost. They even have 3 featured flavors for summer: Blue Raspberry Sorbet (made with Jolly Rancher® blue raspberry flavor),Cookies and Crème Smores AND Butter Pecan light ice cream! These are all available only for a limited time.

Yogurtland guests can create their own treat, snack or dessert from a variety of handcrafted frozen yogurt, ice cream, and non-dairy sorbet flavors and an abundant topping bar with fresh fruits, candies, premium sauces, and more to create an experience as unique as they are.I love that Yogurtland’s “flavorologists” continually create craveable flavors that keep fans loving their taste experience. I had no idea that Yogurtland owns its own dairy and by controlling the manufacturing process. delivers the highest quality flavors, setting new standards for the industry and delighting guests all year long.Yogurtland in Sendero Marketplace is located next to the Starbucks at 30841 Gateway Place, Rancho Mission Viejo, Ca. 92694. Yogurtland has more than 320 locations across the U.S., Australia, Dubai, Guam, Myanmar, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, and Venezuela. For more information, please visit here.

Last image is property of Yogurtland and used with permission.