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10/1/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews •
Our home away from home. Goodness, I love this place! For the past several years, my family has chosen to stay at the Grand Californian at the Disneyland Resort. We have stayed at other Disney hotels as well as several Good Neighbor hotels, but we keep coming back to the Grand Californian because it simply has everything we are looking for! Disneyland's Grand Californian Resort Going OUT! The location of this beautiful hotel cannot be beat. Laying at the edge of Disney’s California Adventure Park, it has its own private entrance into the park, and it is just a quick walk to the gates to Disneyland. Many rooms offer premium views of the pool, a theme park, or even Downtown Disney which is just outside the hotel for immediate access to fun! Coming IN! Days can get quite warm in Southern California, and it’s nice to have a comfortable place […]
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9/27/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews •
On-property or off-property? For visitors to Disneyland this is a huge decision to be made. Is it worth the extra funds in the budget to stay on property? Are the rooms really nice? What about the amenities and the convenience to the parks? Are early morning magic hours necessary? With the compact nature of Disneyland and off-property resorts right across the entry, staying on property at Disneyland has never been a huge priority for me. I wasn’t convinced that the on-property resorts were going to be worth the extra fee for a long weekend. But this year, I learned how wrong I was as I spent a long weekend at the Pixar Pier resort at Disneyland California. First impressions make a big difference and from the moment I entered the hotel, the cast members were exceedingly helpful and friendly. As soon as I had my room key, I head up […]
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9/22/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
For Star Wars fans, experiencing Star Tours is a highlight of Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacations that has you running back to the ride’s entrance as soon as you get off. As a fan of both Star Wars and Star Tours, the recent movie releases have brought extra excitement, knowing that Disney has added new movie scenes into the Star Tours experience. I will confess that I watched The Last Jedi trying to envision what parts of the movie would be added to the ride. As an extra treat for fans, director Rian Johnson has been reported as saying that as a fan of Star Tours himself, he specifically reflected the ride in the movie. A movie reflecting an attraction that reflects a movie, it’s almost too good to be true! As in the original version of Star Tours, the ride starts with you boarding a Starspeeder. C-3PO is […]
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9/20/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews •
Are you excited to finally plan your FIRST visit to the Disneyland Resort in California?! As a first-timer, even if you know Disney World like the back of your hand, there are certain things at the Disneyland Resort that are unique to this resort and are quintessential Disney magic. Classic attractions: The Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean are all amazing, classic rides, and Walt had a hand in designing each of them. Fun fact: Pirates of the Caribbean is twice as long at Disneyland as it is at Walt Disney World! Best Attractions Unique to the Disneyland Resort: At Disneyland, Indiana Jones Adventure tops my list for favorite attractions despite the fact that it is not a newer ride, having opened in the mid- 90’s. For those seeking a calmer experience, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is an original dark ride in Fantasyland. For you […]
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9/16/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews •
Journeying to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, for the first time as a family was an exciting experience. Such an experience required a proper celebration of food…and Carthay Circle fit that bill! Carthay Circle, located in California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street at the Disneyland Resort, boasts a grand marquee reminiscent of a movie theater of bygone eras. Inside, you’ll find this is exactly the aesthetic they planned for. Modeled after the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs first premiered, you’ll find beautiful décor, intricate woodwork, and ambient lighting – you’ll feel like you should be wearing your best red-carpet attire! The lobby houses tables and chairs while you wait. There is also a lobby sushi bar, which I am told, has some of the BEST sushi in Anaheim! The second floor (accessible by a grand staircase or fancy elevator), is the ‘theater’ floor. […]
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9/14/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews •
Welcome to Radiator Springs! Explore Route 66 and immerse yourself in Cars Land located in Disney’s California Adventure. Radiator Springs offers rides, dining, and shopping with your favorite characters and Route 66 landmarks. Allow me to be your tour guide. Get Ready, Get Set, Go...Let’s explore the rides in Radiator Springs. Start your engines and buckle up for everyone’s favorite ride, Radiator Springs Racers. Cruise through desert landscapes, zip over hills, hug curves, and feel the wind in your hair on straightaways with Lightning McQueen and friends. Race to the finish line with your friends and family. Everyone wins with this fun experience. Take a quick spin on Luigi’s Rollickin’Roadsters. Swirl and whirl in miniature Italian roadsters choreographed to Italian tunes. Grab your partner and stop by Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree for a swinging good time as Mater “belts' out funny songs that only Mater can pull off. By now, I […]
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8/10/2021 • Cruises, Reviews •
When you are sailing onboard your Disney Cruise, take time to pamper yourself and make a reservation at the SENSES Spa. The full-service spa includes massages, manicures, pedicures, and salon services. When cruising, I recommend treating yourself to the Rainforest Deluxe Cruise pass. This fantastic spa package is available on all sailings and includes unlimited access to the scented showers, aroma steam, sauna rooms, and private jacuzzis. Depending on your Disney Cruise ship, you can also enjoy the warm loungers that overlook the ocean (Disney Dream and Fantasy cruise ships) or relax and unwind with the tranquil sounds of water in an exclusive relaxation room (Disney Magic and Wonder cruise ships). This package also includes scented body scrubs of your choice to use to exfoliate while enjoying the Rainforest showers and saunas. No appointments are necessary for you to use your Rainforest Spa package. Simply check-in with your stateroom key at the […]
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8/6/2021 • Cruises, Reviews •
For fans of Disney’s Wreck it Ralph, or anyone with an imagination and a sweet-tooth...you’ll want to explore Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats aboard the Disney Dream! You’ll find this confectionary inside the Cabana’s, with limited hours. Vanellope’s has a wide array of candies, ice creams, gelatos, and confections, that you’re sure to find something for everyone in your family to enjoy*. It’s whimsically decorated to resemble “Sugar Rush”, Vanellope’s video game in Wreck it Ralph...complete with Sour Bill, King Candy, and Vanellope herself! While I could gush about the insane amount of goodies I drooled over this summer while on board the Disney Dream, I want to talk about Vanellope’s specialty items! The menu for Artisan Sundaes is jam-packed full of movie-referenced concoctions for you and your family to enjoy. The BEST part??!! You can special order ANY of these sundaes AND they will hand-deliver for your dessert any night […]
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7/23/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips •
One of the most sought-after experiences of a Disney Cruise is having a cabana at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Our family has been fortunate to experience this luxury, which we like to label “peace, quiet and solitude.” The cabana experience includes: Bottled waters, cans of soda, and cold towels in a refrigerator Fresh fruit, granola bars, and chips Towels and sunscreen Fresh water shower including foot rinse Hammock Lounge areas, changing area, storage, safe, ceiling fan, music, and outlet Floats and tubes and one-hour bike rental The Family Beach includes a private beach experience with beach loungers, chairs, umbrellas, snorkel equipment, and sand toys Cabana host and service button Twenty cabanas grace the Family Beach – including one accessible cabana – while four are at the adults-only Serenity Bay. The Experience The experience is especially good for families traveling with heat-sensitive guests, elderly or small children. My 80-year-old mother-in-law […]
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5/28/2021 • Cruises, Reviews •
Those traveling on a Disney Cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean can experience an exciting day on the white, sandy beaches of Disney’s Castaway Cay. Whether you are an adult, a couple, or a family, there is much for everyone to enjoy. But what if you could partake in a unique experience that not only creates fun memories but also helps to preserve native wildlife? Sounds exciting, right?! Then why not try the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay? You and your family can schedule this amazing excursion once your excursion date has opened and you have paid your cruise fare in full. At $52 per adult (10 and up) and $41 for kids (5 to 9), you will have an hour of exclusive time with multiple stingrays in ‘Stingray Lagoon’. It is important that your children are at least 5 years old and are comfortable swimming with life jackets and […]
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