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Year: 2018

Celebrate the Holidays at Disneyland Resort Nov. 9 – Jan. 6

/ SoCal Fun, Travel

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 
The Holidays are about to begin at the Disneyland Resort. Starting November 9, visitors ro the Happiest Place on Earth can experience seasonal magic in both parks. Guests plan their seasonal visits, year after year, to experience beloved holiday traditions and all the festive cheer at Disneyland Resort. From snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., to glistening décor, Disney-themed treats, holiday entertainment and the one-of-a-kind transformations that create “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday. Other festivities include favorite holiday experiences and entertainment such as Disney Festival of Holidays and the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. The heartwarming Festival of Holidays honors the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali and Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day, which will be celebrated at Disney California Adventure Park for an additional two days, running through Jan. 8, 2019.Holiday Experiences at Disney California Adventure Park

  • Disney Festival of Holidays brings the spirit of the season to life through special
    entertainment, along with delicious food at the Festive Foods Marketplace, which
    features a mix of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions.
  • Festival of Holidays entertainment includes musical and dance performances by the mischievous Holiday Toy Drummers, Mostly Kosher, Blue13 Dance
    Company, The Sound, and the GRAMMY® Award-winning Mariachi Divas.
    The Three Caballeros host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party
    celebration, featuring folklórico and samba dancers, live musicians, and Mickey and
    Minnie in their fiesta best.
  • Princess Elena’s Musical Grand Arrival welcomes the adventurous and kindhearted Princess Elena of Avalor, her magical friend Skylar and royal dancers as they share the joy of the holidays in this charming musical celebration.
  • The residents of Cars Land decorate for the holidays, too. Each address along Route 66, Flo’s V8 Café, Fillmore’s Taste-In, Cozy Cone Motel, Luigi’s Casa della Tires and more, gets a holiday makeover that reflects the personality of its “Cars” character resident.
  • Two attractions put the holiday cheer into overdrive, transforming into Luigi’s Joy
    to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
  • Guests can enjoy special holiday-themed activities with Santa Claus and his sleigh full of mischievous elves at Santa’s Holiday Visit at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail through Dec. 24. (From Dec. 25 through Jan. 6, guests may encounter Santa Goofy in this festive location.)
  • When night falls, guests may stroll through the Grizzly Peak area to experience a
    magical touch of winter, with an occasional snowfall!
  • A dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle along Buena Vista Street. The tree and surrounding buildings, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s, are decorated with vintage-style ornaments. 

Holiday Experiences at Disneyland Park

  • Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle enchants from day to night with its shimmering icicles and twinkling lights. After dark, “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and its magical snowfall finale create lasting holiday memories.
  • Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses and Santa celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a daily procession with floats, music and marching “tin soldiers.”
  • Guests will be amazed by the 60-foot tall Christmas tree in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A., a picturesque sight where friends and family gather to take holiday photos each year. This year, the tree includes new lighting and décor, with 3,500 multi-color lights, 1,500 Victorian-inspired ornaments and 100 faux candles that range from 12 to 22 inches tall.
  • Disneyland guests definitely will want to experience the popular seasonal
    transformations “it’s a small world” as it becomes “it’s a small world” Holiday with dolls and toys representing children around the world enjoying the distinctive holiday traditions of their countries.
  • Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday,* with Jack Skellington
    and his friends from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” causing a
    collision between Christmas and Halloween.

Don’t forget to stroll through the The Downtown Disney District shopping, dining and entertainment promenade during your visit.  The Downtown Disney District the Hotels
of the Disneyland Resort also join the holiday festivities with twinkling lights and ornaments,
holiday displays, special entertainment and holiday-inspired eats and treats. For more information about the Holidays at Disneyland Resort, please visit their site HERE.

Truly Custom Holiday Cards from Basic Invite

/ Lifestyle

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

It’s here! The holiday season is here! I couldn’t be more excited to see holiday decorations and Christmas trees popping up all around! There are Christmas movies to watch and I can even listen to holiday music when I’m in the car now! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! So have you ordered your holiday cards yet? No, seriously! If you haven’t, how about we check that off your “Holiday to-do List” today?Well, let me introduce you to Basic Invite, the “go-to” site for all of your holiday card needs. Basic Invite allows you to create Truly Custom cards and invitations. This season they’re offering over 500 Christmas card designs, including gold, silver and rose gold foil holiday cards in both flat and raised foil designs. If you’re a planner like I am, you’ve probably already been thinking about what type of holiday cards you’d like to send out this year. Will you order traditional Christmas cards, foil holiday cards, photo Christmas cards with your family and/or pets on them, or cards with a newsletter area on them? Also, do you send out holiday cards for business customers? I’m going to share 5 reasons to love Basic Invite for your Christmas cards this holiday season. 1. Try Before You Buy
When you visit BasicInvite.com, you can actually play around with the different Christmas card designs on the site. Instant previews allow you to adjust your card until it is just right. This part gets me extra excited because I get to see it right then and there! Also, Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as feel the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. Custom samples to preview for the win!2. SO Many Colors to Choose From
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options.  Once you select a Christmas card design, you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options, to build your own color scheme, so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it,  For me, it comes down to the smallest details like this and Basic Invite allows you to use trendy colors, in unlimited combinations, to make your card as unique as you are.3. 40 Different Envelope Colors + Address Capturing Service 
Basic Invite is just as colorful with envelopes as they are with their invitations and Christmas cards. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. They also offer an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all Christmas card orders. What a great way to save time in the everyday hustle and bustle of life!4. No Envelope Licking Required
I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who actually enjoys licking Christmas card envelopes.  Basic Invite offers Free Peel and Seal Envelopes included with most card orders and all of their envelopes can be quickly and securely closed without licking a single one.This is such a game changer for me! No envelope licking? Yes!5. Basic Invite’s “Love it Guarantee”
One of my most favorite things about Basic Invite though is their Love It Guarantee! Creating a quality card and shopping experience for customers is Basic Invite’s mission. They want you to either love it or they’ll make it right — guaranteed. If you have any issues, Basic Invite will either reprint it for you for free or you may return your items to them for a full refund. To read more about this policy, please go HEREBasic Invite offers such beautiful custom holiday cards at unbeatable prices and value. Plus, they offer other great, innovative products found nowhere else. For more ideas, you can check out Basic Invite’s Inspiration Gallery HERE. Right now, through the end of the year, save 30% off on Basic Invite’s site, including your beautiful Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year card order. Just use code: holi30 at checkout! Head over and order your cards today!

Connect with Basic Invite on Social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration Returns Nov. 24 – Jan. 4

/ SoCal Fun, Travel
This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Great Wolf Lodge will, once again, ring in the howliday season with its annual Snowland Celebration this year from November 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019. Adults and children alike will be merry and bright as they arrive at Great Wolf Lodge’s winter wonderland complete with hundreds of twinkling lights, Christmas trees and other jolly decorations in the Grand Lobby.
Great Wolf Lodge is spreading cheer to families this year with such wondrous offerings as daily snow showers in the Grand Lobby, visits from Santa Claus, and the centerpiece of the Snowland Celebration, a life-sized Gingerbread House, constructed from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, 1,300 pounds of sugar and hundreds of candies. Also, for a truly delectable experience, guests can dine in the life-sized gingerbread house with a small donation to the Ronald McDonald House. For reservations for this limited offering, please go HERE.
At Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration, visiting families will get into the spirit of Christmas and be able to splash in the 84-degree waterpark, all while creating special holiday memories together that will last a lifetime. Snowland will return this year with some of guests’ favorite complimentary activities including:
  • Hot Cocoa with a GreatWolf Kid – the weather outside might be frightful, but the Lodge’s delicious hot cocoa bar will warm even the chilliest of guests up;
  • Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where children have the opportunity to decorate cookies in the Gingerbread House with Santa’s leading lady.
  • The Polar Wolf Walk – a tour of the lobby that teaches children about polar bears penguins and more.
  • Festive Family Flicks  – Families can wind the night down by cozying up to watch a holiday movie in the Grand Lobby during Festive Family Flicks.
  • Santa’s Letter Depot, where kids can mail a letter to Santa in the Grand Lobby
  • North Pole University, where kids complete fun, holiday-themed assignments around the resort for the chance to earn a Snowploma.
Visits from Santa are also available for guests staying at The Lodge
During the howliday season, children’s activities such as Story Time, Yoga Tails and Paws on Projects will also get dash of Christmas cheer.
In addition to two days of play in the water park for each night stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, all of the Snowland activities are included complimentary as part of an overnight stay. Activities vary daily and based on location.  A complete listing of daily activities and times can be found in the Lodge Life event schedule provided to guests upon check-in, or verified in advance by calling the location directly.
For more information about Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration and to make a reservation for your holiday stay, please visit HERE.
Images are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

LG Matte Black Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances Exclusively at Best Buy

/ Lifestyle

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

The kitchen is one of my favorite places to be when I’m home. It’s somewhere our family gathers to cook and bake together and share family bonding time. I think new kitchen appliances are my weakness, especially when there’s smart technology involved. Have you seen LG’s exclusive line of Matte Black Stainless Steel Appliances at Best Buy? I didn’t even know there was black stainless steel! They’re beautiful! LG’s exclusive Matte Black stainless steel combines the timeless look of stainless steel with a luxe & low-gloss matte finish that compliments any kitchen décor.These LG smart kitchen appliances are Wi-Fi and voice-enabled which allows you to control your kitchen appliances remotely! Talk about making your life easier! From changing settings, to checking the status or even turning appliances on or off, LG appliances have such great smart technology.

Great Savings on Appliance Packages at Best Buy
All I can think about is how perfect it would be to upgrade kitchen appliances before the holidays get here, especially with the savings Best Buy is offering on these. LG Matte Black Stainless Steel appliances include a refrigerator, a range, a dishwasher and and a microwave oven. I want them all! The collection, offered exclusively at Best Buy, is available right now at extra savings!  You can *save $250 on a stainless steel package or *save $350 on select LG Matte Black kitchen appliance packages.  For more information please go HERE.

Terms and conditions apply. *Extra $250 or $350 savings applies after any instant savings on individual items.

 

Images are property of Best Buy and used with permission. 

World of Disney Reopens in Grand Style at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort

/ Lifestyle, SoCal Fun, Travel

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

Whether you’re at the Disneyland Resort in California, or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, World of Disney is the ultimate shopping destination for all things Disney. Now both of these two dynamic retail experiences are unveiling complete transformations that make shopping easier and more fun, with a dash of pixie dust on top for good measure!

After more than than a year in design and development, World of Disney reopened today, Friday, Oct. 26, at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. Tomorrow,  Saturday, Oct. 27, World of Disney at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World will officially reopen.This grand World of Disney makeover touched every feature and function in the store, as if the Fairy Godmother outfitted the store herself. From displays to signage to lighting and much, much more, the new World of Disney creates an exciting, dynamic shopping experience where the products are the stars and guests discover magical Disney storytelling wherever they look.

“We saw World of Disney as an opportunity to reimagine what Disney retail is today. “The new store design highlights the best of what is current and new, while also celebrating classic Disney heritage based in storytelling.”” – Alysia Kelley, vice president of visual merchandising and location strategy for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

The major transformation includes with the store’s exterior, featuring new marquees and magical window displays. When guests step inside, they discover an open, loft-style atmosphere with such great visibility they may even fall in love with an item from across the room. The merchandise also serves as décor in the new World of Disney. In one area, a giant Mickey Mouse Club ear hat beckons guests to the new Mickey Mouse Club Collection. Several spaces throughout the store will change regularly, showcasing the newest and hottest Disney offerings of the season. When new displays debut, their stunning impact will leave guests feeling as if an entire section of the store was reimagined all over again.Complementing these displays are enchanted flourishes inspired by the history of the Walt
Disney Animation Studios and the “Nine Old Men,” the legendary animators who created classic films such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Peter Pan” and “Fantasia.” For instance, ink jars suddenly swirl with color and animate artwork on the walls. Out of nowhere, blank pages fill with pencil sketches as if drawn by an invisible hand. Magical movie posters twinkle with pixie dust before coming to life.When making purchases, eagle-eyed guests may notice the store’s sales counters are inspired by the desks and furniture used by animators of generations past.The new World of Disney is more than a retail experience – it’s truly a Disney experience.
World of Disney will regularly roll out exclusive Disney Parks merchandise, reinforcing its
reputation as a must-visit shopping destination for devoted Disney fans. Unveiled earlier in October was a new Mickey Mouse Club Collection with apparel and accessories featuring a vintage Mickey Mouse from the original television show. Also revealed with the store’s grand reopening is the Nordic-inspired Disney Parks Holiday Collection 2018, complete with Disney-themed holiday décor, ornaments, apparel and more.World of Disney stores at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World now offer guests the option to purchase new reusable bags, rather than use plastic bags. This program is part of The Walt Disney Company’s global commitment toward significant single-use plastic reduction by mid-2019. Featuring artwork of beloved Disney characters, these reusable bags are offered in three sizes for a nominal fee. Traditional plastic bags are still available upon request at no charge.

World of Disney is an anchor location at both Downtown Disney District (Disneyland.com) and Disney Springs (DisneySprings.com). Theme park admission is not required. Select products may also be found at ShopDisney.com.

Store image property of Disney and used with permission. 

All the Reasons to To Love Disney Channel’s Fall Programming

/ Entertainment

I was invited to a media event in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own. 

If you’re a Disney Channel-watching family like we are, you waited for what seemed like forever, to watch the season premieres of this Fall’s programming! We had the honor of attending a very special event on the Disney Studios Lot and were so excited to get an advanced peek at the Season Premiere episodes of “Andi Mack and “Raven’s Home Remix” and it’s obvious this season on Disney Channel is going to be the best one yet and there are all the reasons to be watching! 

Andi Mack

Do you watch Andi Mack? The series, on its 3rd season, premiered as a contemporary coming-of-age story about a relatable girl (Andi) who’s trying to determine where she fits in and the many amazing ways she can live her life. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi learns that her older sister, Bex, is actually her mother. This revelation puts Andi on an unfamiliar path of self-discovery which she navigates with the help of her loving albeit complicated family; her two best friends, Cyrus and Buffy; and her middle school crush, Jonah Beck. Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.Fast forward to the season finale of season 2 and that cliffhanger ending? I was dying to know all summer, what exactly was going to happen with Andi’s parents! And now that the season premiere for season 3 has already happened, can we just talk about Andi and Jonah now? Personally, I’m so proud of how far Andi has come in knowing what she wants and what she deserves.We got to meet  Lilan Bowden (aka “Bex” or Andi’s mom on the show) and Sophia Wylie (aka Buffy) at the Fall Programming event we attended and they were both so nice and very sweet in person. You can catch Andi Mack, Mondays on Disney Channel at 8 PM ET/PT.

Raven’s Home: Remix

The highly anticipated “Raven’s Home” fall premiere, “Raven’s Home: Remix,” is about how Booker sets out to land the starring role in the school’s musical about a boy who loves playing basketball and performing hip-hop. When Raven has a vision of Booker receiving a standing ovation, she’s convinced he’s perfect for the role and encourages him to go for it. However, when Nia discovers the part requires someone who is great at basketball and can rap – two things Tess excels at – she tries to convince Coach Spitz to let Tess audition for the role. When he refuses because Tess is a girl, a determined Nia takes a stand to prove girls can do anything boys can do.The dynamic all-musical episode features eight original songs and dance numbers performed by the multi-talented cast and showcases strong themes about girl empowerment (girls being able to do anything that boys can do), following your heart, self-empowerment and self-expression. Did you catch the episode? It was so good!
Catch new “Raven’s Home” episodes on Friday evenings at 8:00pm ET/PT on Disney Channel.

Coop and Cami: Ask the World

Although we only got a sneak peek at the all-new series Coop & Cami”, it was so cute when we watched the full season premiere on Disney Channel.The live-action family comedy follows Cooper (Coop) and Cameron (Cami) Wrather, two middle school siblings who co-host Coop’s online show “Would You Wrather.” With the help of their little brother Ollie and Coop’s best friend Fred, the duo fields offbeat questions and results to the show’s millions of followers (aka Wratherheads) who help them solve problems – both mundane and madcap. Every day is an adventure in the Wrather’s hectic household, which also includes their older sister Charlotte and mom Jenna, as Coop and Cami tackle adolescence and everyday family situations with humor and heart.You can catch new episodes of “Coop & Cami Ask the World” Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on Disney Channel.

Disney Channel’s All-New “Legendary” Music Video

I think my favorite part of the event was when we got a sneak peek at the all-new music video “Legendary” featuring Raven’s Home star Navia Robinson, as well as 16 other dynamic, multi-talented and collaborative young actresses/leading ladies from the Disney Channel. “Legendary” is an affirming anthem and music video that supports girls’ great potential everywhere and heralds the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl Child (Oct.11). The video debuted Monday, Oct. 8 on Disney Channel. Aimed at tweens, ages 8-14, “Legendary” encompasses the spirit of camaraderie and delivers the powerful message that when girls and young women support each other and work together, nothing is out of reach. This initiative further amplifies Disney Channel’s brand promises: “Express Yourself,” “Believe in Yourself” and “Celebrate Your Friends and Family.” The music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis (director of Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Fifth Harmony music videos) and the song was written and produced by The Heavyweights; the GRAMMY®-nominated production team composed of Jamie Jones,Jack Kugell and Matt Wong; along with songwriter Hanna Jones. Watch the “Legendary” video here:

Have you and your family watched any of these shows this Fall? If so, what’s your favorite? Share with me in the comments!

Some images and logos are property of Disney Channel and used with permission. 

Have a Movie Night at Home with Hotel Transylvania 3 Now on Blu-ray™/DVD

/ Entertainment, Movies

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


The Drac Pack is back with Hotel Transylvania 3  and is now available on Digital HD and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, just in time to for a spooky, fun, family movie night right before Halloween!This must-own family comedy from Sony Pictures Animation was directed by three-time Emmy®-winning director Genndy Tartakovsky, written by Genndy Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers and produced by Michelle Murdocca, To date, it’s grossed more than $425 million in theaters worldwide. I love the extended trailer:

Here’s a synopsis of the film:

When Mavis surprises Dracula with a family voyage on a luxury, haunted monster cruise ship. Of course, the rest of the Drac Pack has to tag along, and that’s when things get a little…batty. The monsters are having a great time, indulging in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to colossus-sized buffets and exotic excursions, but then the unexpected happens when Drac falls for the ship’s mysterious (and dangerous) human captain Ericka. The third film in this family-friendly monster franchise is the best reviewed installment and you’re invited along on the haunted cruise vacation!

Hotel Transylvania 3 brought the all-star voice cast back, along with some new faces, including:

  • Adam Sandler (Grown-Ups)
  • Andy Samberg (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”)
  • Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers)
  • Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2)
  • David Spade (TV’s “Rules of Engagement”)
  • Steve Buscemi (TV’s “Boardwalk Empire”)
  • Keegan Michael Key (TV’s “Key and Peele”)
  • Molly Shannon (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”)
  • Fran Drescher (TV’s “The Nanny”)
  • Kathryn Hahn (Bad Moms)
  • Jim Gaffigan (Super Troopers 2)
  • Mel Brooks (Young Frankenstein).

Hotel Transylvania 3 is filled with more than an hour of engaging bonus materials including three “All-New Scary-Oke Sing Alongs,” a monster dance party dance along to “I See Love” by Joe Jonas featuring Jonas Blue, plus a fun zing-tastic read along with Drac.Bonus Materials Include:

  • Three All New Scary-Oke Sing Alongs: Sing along to three Hotel Transylvania 3 inspired songs with your favorite characters!
  • “Dennis Had a Giant Dog” – Sung by Dennis & Winnie
  • “Monsters Like to Party Down” – Sung by Johnny\
  • “Oh These Wolf Pups” – Sung by Wanda Werewolf
  • Plan Your Own Spook-tacular Sleepover: This feature will give you all details on how to make your own sleepover spook-tacular!  From snacks to crafts to games and more, follow these steps to create a Hotel T sleep-over with your friends and family, the perfect setting to binge watch all 3 Hotel Transylvania movies.
  • Vampire Make Over: Mavis and Drac Tutorial: Learn how to turn yourself into your favorite Hotel Transylvania 3 characters.
  • Behind the Screams – The Voices of Hotel Transylvania 3: Step behind the “screams” with the returning stars and hilarious new cast to see how these characters are brought to life in the recording booth.
  • Johnny’s Home Movies (Franchise Recap): Johnny brings viewers up to speed on what’s happened in the Hotel Transylvania franchise so far.
  • “I See Love” Monster Dance Party Dance Along: Get up and get moving to this haunting monster mash.
  • Drac’s Zing-tastic Read Along: It’s storytime with your favorite characters have a silly tale about Drac’s search for a Zing! Read along or sit back and enjoy!
  • Two Mini Movies (rated G): Two mini-features that will have you howling (Puppy and Goodnight Mr. Foot.)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 has a run time of approximately 97 minutes and is rated PG for some action and rude humor. 

We celebrated Hotel Transylvania 3’s release with an at home movie party! It’s easy to create the perfect Hotel Transylvania snacks with popcorn and gummy worms Our kitty even got in on the fun with her very own Mavis doll! Have you grabbed your own copy yet?

Cut the Cord With the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player

/ Lifestyle, Technology

I was compensated in the form of a Best Buy gift card in exchange for sharing this news. All opinions are my own. 

To “Cut the Cord” or NOT to “Cut the Cord”? 
For the past few years, there’s been an ongoing dilemma in our home surrounding the topic of cable. Specifically whether or not to “cut the cord”? You know, ditch cable? Although I don’t always time to watch a lot of TV, I’ve just never wanted to get rid of cable. Because, what if? I mean what if I have a day off and can spend hours watching TV that day? Or what if I am home sick and can do nothing but watch TV while lying on the couch? My husband’s side of the argument is mostly about how much money we’d save by cutting the cable cord. It would literally save us hundreds of dollars each year. But then I go back to my what ifs. 

Well, I’m not afraid to do it anymore because there is a way to have access to all of the shows we love without having to keep cable! Yes! With the  Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player you can now have the best of both worlds! It’s available at Best Buy and allows you to watch movies, shows, live TV, YouTube, look at photos, listen to playlists and more, all streaming on your TV from any your family’s devices. It’s very easy to use, too! You just plug the Chromecast into the HDMI port on your TV to power and BAM! You’re streaming!

You can even stream from your phone to your TV with the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player! How magical does that sound?  Stream your favorite entertainment right from your phone with just a tap and you can still use your phone while doing so! Chromecast is designed to make the most of the apps and entertainment already on your phone. Shows, movies, live TV, YouTube, photos and more. The Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player works with over 2,000 streaming apps you know and love like Netflix, YouTube, YouTubeTV, HBO NOW so you can enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, videos, songs, games, sports and more! Some subscriptions may be required to access some content.

“Hey Google, play Fuller House from Netflix on my kitchen TV.”

You can also stream using your voice because Chromecast and Google Home work seamlessly together. Just say what you want to watch from compatible apps and you can control your TV hands-free*! *Google Home, Chromecast, and compatible content required to cast to a TV using Google Home.

Not only do you save money by getting rid of cable and bringing Google Chromecast into your home but it’s like expanding your home entertainment without buying a new TV. It’s so affordable you can get one for every TV in the house. To learn more about Google Chromecast and to purchase yours, please visit Best Buy HERE.

Image is property of Best Buy and used with permission. 

 

 

{Giveaway} Irvine Park Railroad’s 23rd Annual Santa Train Tickets on Sale 11/1

/ Family Fun, Orange County, SoCal Fun

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

Santa’s coming! Santa’s coming! He’s making his annual trip to Irvine Park Railroad and will be here before we know it! I know it’s still Fall and the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is still open, but it’s time to start planning for Santa visits and photos with everyone’s favorite bearded guy! Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train is Orange County’s best place to visit and celebrate the season with family and friends! This year, Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train will be open beginning Friday, November 30th through Sunday, December 23rd.The Santa Train
Take an enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The Santa Train departs every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drops passengers off at “The North Pole”.Christmas Train Tickets
The cost to ride the Christmas Train is $15.00 per person. Children younger than 24 months ride free. Christmas Train tickets must be purchased, in advance, to ride the train, and are ONLY available for purchase ONLINE, starting November 1. Tickets are designated for a specific date and time and WILL SELL OUT! Once you’ve purchased your Santa Train tickets online, you can rest assured that on your date, you can come to  Irvine Park Railroad, get in line and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchased tickets.At the North Pole, where Santa’s Train drops off, visitors may purchase coffee, hot chocolate, freshly-popped popcorn, hot pretzels, and cookies from Santa’s Snack Shop. (A more extensive menu is available at the main train station.)

Photos With Santa 
Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa or you may purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. Each 5” x 7” photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad frame and available for pickup shortly after being taken.After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to the station.

Other Activities at Irvine Park Railroad in Santa’s Village
There are also a variety of activities for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village, which is located next to the train station. You are welcome to enjoy these activities before and after your train ride or even just come out to Santa’s Village without riding the train. Activities in Santa’s Village will be open when the Christmas Train runs and include:

  • Story Time with Mrs. Claus
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating
  • Carnival Games
  • Ice Fishing
  • Santa Claus Moon Bounce
  • Blizzard Ball
  • Christmas Coloring Corner
  • Picture Stands

Please note: Prices for activities vary.

When visiting the Christmas Train, remember to dress warmly, bring a camera, and arrive early to avoid crowds.

Parking
The parking fee to enter Irvine Regional Park, where Irvine Park Railroad is located, is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends Parking for the Christmas Train is free after 5:00 PM.I’m also hosting a very quick, FLASH giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win:

  • 4 Christmas Train Tickets
  • 6 Activity Tickets
  • 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Double Surrey Bike Rental

This prize package is worth $130. Giveaway is not open to influencers. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck and thanks for reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information about Irvine Park Railroad, including hours, address, pricing and to purchase your Christmas Train tickets online, please visit HERE.