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Family Fun

{Giveaway} Our Fun Day Out at Adventure City Theme Park

July 18, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

There’s an adorable little theme park tucked away in the heart of Orange County (it’s in Stanton) called Adventure City. The sign outside says, “Adventure City: The Little Theme Park That’s BIG on Family Fun“. When you first arrive and pull into the parking lot (which is free to park in), your kids will get very excited as they spot some of the park’s attractions from the outside. Admission is so reasonable, at just one low price of $17.95 per person, it includes a ton of rides & attractions. Here is a list of the rides:

Rewind Racers
Balloon Ride
Rescue 911
Drop Zone
Carousel
Barnstormer Planes
Freeway Coaster
Crank n’ Roll
Adventure City Express Train
Crazy Bus
Giggle Wheel

Inside Adventure City, you can also visit the petting farm, go rock climbing, play in the arcade, and sing & dance along at the children’s theater. For more information about the rides and attractions, visit here. Please note: some of the attractions have an additional fee. My daughter loved having so many rides to choose from. I loved that I didn’t have to go on all of the rides with her, but could still sit in close proximity to keep an eye on her when she did. (I’m a total helicopter mom.) There are certain rides that I did enjoy. I never turn down a train ride and the Adventure City Express Train is a fun one because it circles the entire park.If you’re hungry while you’re visiting Adventure City, you can visit Parker’s Fill-Up Station which offers pizza, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, curly fries and more. There are also fun snacks like pretzels, churros, ICEEs, ice cream and even sliced apples with caramel swirled on top! I also noticed they offer birthday party packages at Adventure City. You can either choose the Party Station or the Party Treehouse. For more information about birthday party packages, go here.Adventure City is the perfect place to visit with your family or a group of friends. Connect with them on Facebook and Instagram. Enter to win my giveaway! I’m giving away a family 4-pack of tickets to Adventure City! Enter on the Rafflcopter below. I’ll pick one winner and tickets will be available for pickup in person at Adventure City Theme Park. Good luck and thank you for reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were provided with media tickets for entry into Adventure City in order to write this review. All opinons are 100% my own. Map image is property of Adventure City.

Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort Begins September 9 + Mickey’s Halloween Party Dates

July 14, 2016 / Disney, Disney, Disneyland Resort, Lifestyle, Orange County, SoCal Fun

It’s hard to believe that another year has almost gone by since Halloween was here! Here it is, the middle of summer and I’m absolutely giddy about the arrival of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort and this year it begins September 9th! I can’t even tell you which part of it I’m most excited for because there is so much going on at the Resort during that time of year. Plus, it also begins the entire Holiday Season! Mickey’s Halloween Party
So, let’s first talk about Mickey’s Halloween Party, because that’s what Disney lovers of all ages look forward to during all year, right? The event requires a separate ticket and takes place on 17 select nights, beginning Friday, Sept. 23, inside of Disneyland. Entry to Disneyland Park before the party is included with a Mickey’s Halloween Party ticket. Guests have the opportunity to play in Disneyland park for three hours before the party starts, and then go trick or treating , for candy and healthy treats, in the ultimate Disney neighborhood.

Mickey’s Halloween Party has some extra thrilling surprises around every corner and treats party guests to some unforgettable experiences including:

The eerie atmosphere along Main Street, U.S.A., animated Halloween images (ghosts, bats, pumpkins and skeletons) appear and disappear mysteriously on the facades of buildings throughout the evening
The ghoulish Cadaver Dans quartet performs Halloween tunes aboard a drifting graveyard-themed raft, on the fog-filled Rivers of America in New Orleans Square and Frontierland
The sensational “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, which is a guest favorite presented exclusively for guests of Mickey’s Halloween Party and is hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington.
A family-friendly dance party to rock out to at Tomorrowland Terrace
Disney Villains at select locations for photos and character greetings
Mickey Mouse and his pals dressed in their Halloween costumes
Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions will be open to party guests, plus Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.
New for Mickey’s Halloween Party in 2016, The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow rides his ghostly black steed and carries his flickering jack-o-lantern through the heart of Disneyland, heralding the arrival of Mickey’s Halloween Party character cavalcade, (The character is from Disney’s animated feature, “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.”)

Adults and children are encouraged to dress in costume for the party as they trick-or-treat throughout Disneyland for a scary good time. For costume policy guidelines, please check http://www.Disneyland.com for prior your arrival, so you don’t have any surprises. Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party* go on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders on Thursday, July 21. General public ticket sales begin Thursday, July 28.

What Else To Expect During Halloween Time
Now let’s talk about Halloween Time in general at the Disneyland Resort. Whether you are going to attend one of the ticketed Mickey’s Halloween Party Nights or just visiting the Parks during Halloween Time, you’re going to be in Halloween awe! Some of the temporary Halloween offerings include:

Jack Skellington makes his annual appearance in Disneyland to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring Haunted Mansion Holiday back to New Orleans Square. Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” and transforms the Mansion with a collision of Halloween spookiness and Christmas cheer. Oct. 3, 2016 marks the 15th anniversary of this special attraction’s premiere in Disneyland.
Guests in search of Halloween chills may “drop in” to visit the ghostly full-time residents of The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror in Disney California Adventure. Here, in the remains of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, dwell the spirits of hotel guests who disappeared during a “supernatural” event on Halloween Night in 1939.
Spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland draws guests back again and again during the Halloween season. The unique Halloween-themed experience launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe, where ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.
On select, non-Mickey’s Halloween Party nights, guests visiting Disneyland will enjoy a special treat: the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular. In addition, the dynamic “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will march down Main Street, U.S.A., each day throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.
Also, in Frontierland, the traditional Dia de los Muertos is observed through Tuesday, Nov. 1, with a holiday skeleton display in the plaza near the entrance of Rancho del Zocalo.

Ticket Information and Purchases for Mickey’s Halloween Party
Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party* may be purchased online and on mobile devices at Disneyland.com/party, as well as at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at 714-781-4400. Guests may check for availability for the 17 nights: Friday, Sept. 23; Monday, Sept. 26, Wednesday, Sept. 28; Friday, Sept. 30; Monday, Oct. 3; Wednesday, Oct. 5; Friday, Oct. 7; Monday, Oct. 10; Wednesday, Oct. 12; Friday, Oct. 14; Monday, Oct. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 19; Friday, Oct. 21; Monday, Oct. 24; Wednesday, Oct. 26; Saturday, Oct. 29; and Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween night.

Tickets purchased in advance are available at a discount on select nights. Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $89 each. All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 31, are $99 each. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a non-smoking event. Smoking will be permitted only in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland main entrance. Please note: Online and mobile purchases are not available the day of the event. Parking is not included in the ticket price, and parking fees will apply.

For more information about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, please visit here. Entertainment and attractions are subject to change without notice. Also, don’t forget that Guests may currently enjoy the Disneyland Diamond Celebration which continues through Labor Day, Sept. 5!

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

Easter Bunny Photos at The Shops at Mission Viejo!

March 13, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

Easter is almost here and for families like ours, the season isn’t complete without a trip to the Shops at Mission Viejo to take photos with The Easter Bunny! It’s an annual tradition for us.Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo now through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny is located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. (Just look for the adorable garden setting that he sits in.) We actually reserved a spot with The Bunny online before heading over. It was so convenient and helped alleviate some of the wait time. Reserving a spot ahead of time is optional and guests may visit The Bunny anytime. To reserve your spot with The Bunny, click here. We love The Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo because he’s very interactive with all of the kids and we saw him waving to children in the mall when he wasn’t busy.. My daughter likes that he wears glasses, just like she does! The Bunny at “our mall” is also really fun and after we finished taking the photos for our package, he took a couple of extra fun ones with us. Noerr Programs runs the Bunny Photos and offers several options for photo packages available for purchase. It’s really easy to select your favorite pose and have them printed out in a package, right on the spot. Have you visited The Bunny yet? If not, you’ve still got a little bit of time left but make sure to get there before March 26 cause he’ll be hopping away after that!

This is not a sponsored post. We received complimentary photos in order to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

10th Annual Kids Summer Opportunities Jamboree at Discovery Cube on 3/5

March 1, 2016 / Discovery Cube OC, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Parenting OC magazine has partnered with Discovery Cube in Santa Ana to present the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Kids’ Summer Opportunities Jamboree! The event will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the iconic Orange County family destination and is free to attend. Discovery Cube, which expanded this past summer and doubled in size, adding the 10,000 square-foot Julianne Argyros Showcase Theater and other attractions, is the leading hands-on science center for families in Southern California.
The Jamboree event will take place in the Showcase Theater and feature over 60 exhibitors from:

day camps
overnight camps
sports leagues and clinics
outdoor adventures
horse and cattle ranches
surf and swim programs
science and technology camps

The popular family event is designed to help parents plan their kids’ summer with one-on-one face time with camp director and program leaders. Moms and dads can research and get all their questions answered. One of several family fun attractions at The Jamboree event is Parenting OC’s “Cutest Kid Cover Contest”. The contest, which has been held every year for the past 12 years, includes four age categories:

Baby (6 months to 2 years)
Tot (ages 3 to 5)
Kid (ages 6 to 9)
Tween (ages 10 to 13)

The winner in each category will be photographed at the event by internationally-celebrated cover photographer, Ana Brandt. Each winner will be featured on the cover of the magazine, which has won national awards for its covers. All nominees are photographed at the event, and will receive a keepsake cover just for entering.

Families attending the event will also be able to have fun with:

a Curious George meet and greet with photo opps
Jedi Knights
those oh-so-popular Frozen princesses
hands-on opportunities with slithery snakes, giant frogs, hairy tarantulas and an alligator from The Reptile Zoo
The Extreme Game Truck – In the parking lot, gamers can show their X-Box and Playstation skills in the Extreme Game Truck, a hybrid luxury limo-semi with mood lighting effects in the ceiling, 6 55-inch screens, surround sound and every major gaming console known to little mankind.
The family scavenger hunt – There’ll be $3500 in prizes available to win by those who successfully complete the family scavenger hunt. Prizes include a week of summer camp (Camp James, Camp Galileo, Irvine Slammers Soccer), an OCSA class, $1,000 toward Smile Wide orthodontia and a two-year family pass to Discovery Cube. This event will be held on the exhibit floor.

Afterwards, families can head off for even more fun at the Cube. Free passes will be available to all children, ages 3 to 14, for admittance on the day of the Jamboree event. (Child must be accompanied by an adult.) The tickets (each valued at $12.95) can be downloaded from http://www.parentingoc.com.
The Discovery Cube is located at 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA, 92705. For more information, please visit http://www.parentingoc.com, or call 714-630-4510 x 6.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Discovery Cube and Parenting OC.

{Giveaway} Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza

February 29, 2016 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Are you ready for Spring and some Easter fun? Ok it might be a little early for it to be officially Spring but the weather sure feels like we’re there and I’m super excited about having an early Easter this year! You know what that means? It means that the Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza is beginning earlier than usual! This year’s festivities will run from Saturday, March 5th through Saturday, March 26th. Watch this fun Easter Eggstravaganza video from Irvine Park Railroad’s YouTube channel.

This annual event has become a tradition for our own family and is so much fun! Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza seems like a family favorite of many Southern California families. This year, event activities will include:

Train rides – The cost for train tickets is $5.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free.
Easter Bunny meet and greet with photo opportunities – For the cost of $10.00, children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. This cost includes one (1) photo that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff. Each additional print of the same photo will $6.00. Photos will be printed in a few, short minutes at the Easter Bunny booth.
Easter egg hunts – Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for complete details on the Easter egg hunts including times and costs.
Hay rides
Moon bounce
Easter cookie decorating
Carnival games
Picture stands
Face painting

Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for full details including costs. Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM and is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869. While you’re at Irvine Regional Park, be sure to visit the park’s other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park bike and paddle boat rentals, pony rides and the Orange County Zoo.

Please note: There is park entrance fee , charged by the County of Orange, which is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Irvine Park Railroad is also providing 8 acitivity tickets for the Easter Eggstravaganza and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (excludes the double surrey) for one of my lucky readers. Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend a media day at Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza. All opinions are 100% my own.

Kaleidoscope Center To Host 6th Annual Easter Garden Party on 3/26

February 18, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Get ready for Kaleidoscope’s Sixth Annual Easter Garden Party on Saturday, March 26 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. The Easter bunny will hop into town and arrive at the center for the party which will be located in the center’s courtyard.

The free family event will kick off with an Easter egg hunt at 12 noon. Youngsters should bring their own basket to collect Easter eggs. Passport cards will be given out to the first 250 children directing them to all Kaleidoscope businesses where they will each receive one candy-filled egg per business.

The Easter Garden Party will also offer a complimentary photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, for guests who bring their own camera. Adding to the fun will be cookie decorating from Donna B’s Bakery, free face painting, and a petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, chicks, and ducklings.

Hope to see you there!

Connect with Kaleidoscope on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Kaleidscope Center.

The 2016 Easter Bunny Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo Starts March 5

February 17, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

With Easter arriving a little early this year, the Bunny Photo Experience will too! Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo from Saturday, March 5 through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny will be located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and families can take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion. To view a full schedule of dates and hours, visit here. .

The Shops at Mission Viejo’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience on Sunday, March 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the
lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.

Families can reserve a spot for Caring Bunny here.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Simon Malls and Noerr.

{Giveaway} 2016 OC Fair Super Pass Now on Sale at Early Presale Pricing Until 2/29!

February 9, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

Who’s ready for summer and the annual return of The OC Fair? I know we are and we’re really excited for this year’s theme “Get Your Fair Face On“! This year’s fair will take place from July 17-August 16 (Wednesday-Sunday) with 23 days and nights of food, rides, shopping, exhibits, animals and headline performances in the Pacific Amphitheatre, nightly music in The Hangar and adrenaline-inducing events in the Action Sports Arena.

The Super Pass, the Fair’s annual season pass, is currently on sale at the lowest prices of the season through Feb. 29 online at http://www.ocfair.com/superpass. Early pre-sale prices are General (13-59) $25, Senior (60+) $18 and Child (6-12) $18.
Check out all of the Super Pass Perks:

Admission to the OC Fair for all 23 days
Express entry at all public gates during Fair hours
2-for-1 discount for tickets to select Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena concerts and events. There is a 6 ticket limit. Tickets are subject to availability which may change without notice.
20% off Fair apparel
2016 OC Fair souvenir pin
Free Admission to the Orange County Market Place (valid through December 26, 2016)
Carnival value book (includes 2-for-1 ride on La Grande Wheel, 2-for-1 carnival games, a Free water bottle (with a $10 purchase of treats from carnival food vendor, and a Free refill with a souvenir cup purchase in the carnival)

I’m also having a giveaway! The OC Fair is providing a pair (2) of Super Passes for the 2016 OC Fair for one of my lucky readers to win! You can enter below on the Rafflecopter! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of the OC Fair.

{Giveaway} Knott’s For The Cure: Buy a “Pink Ticket” For a Good Cause

February 6, 2016 / Family Fun, Knott's, Lifestyle, Orange County, SoCal Fun

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content, All opinions are 100% my own. Some images and logos are property of Knott’s Berry Farm. .

If you haven’t heard already, Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County are partnering up again, for a third year, to raise money for breast cancer awareness during “Knott’s For The Cure”! The partnership, which began in 2013, will once again align two prominent organizations in raising awareness and vital funds for local breast health and breast cancer services for women and men. In 2014 and 2015, the theme park helped raise $230k for Susan G. Komen Orange County!

75% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen are used to provide local services throughout Orange County for:

Breast cancer detection and treatment education
Information and support for breast cancer survivors and families
Funding for free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women via the Knott’s sponsored Alinea mobile mammography van.

25% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen support national research to discover the cure for breast cancer.

I had the honor of being invited to attend the kickoff for their partnership last year and got to hear my dear friend, Jaime, speak about her own breast cancer story! I got to spend an inspirational morning with Jaime and a huge group of breast cancer survivors. I even got to participate in their victory ride on “Jaguar”. Breast cancer patients and survivors are some of the strongest people you’ll ever meet! From January 4 through March 18, Knott’s is offering a special “Pink Ticket”, a limited edition “Pink” t-shirt, and other special “Pink” merchandise for purchase, with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen Orange County. The 2016 campaign will focus on the promise that Komen founder Nancy G. Brinker made to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen: that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. Special rides and landmarks inside of the theme park will glow pink in honor of the promotion. Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County invite guests to share their “for the cure” promises during the charitable promotion at knotts.com/promise and join in on the conversation on their social media platforms using #KnottsPink. Knott’s is committed to helping Susan G. Komen get one step closer to a world without breast cancer. Won’t you help too by joining in and showing your own support by purchasing a “Pink Ticket” and visiting the park during the promotion? Click here to purchase your ticket online for only $40! That’s a $32 discount for buying it in advance and online! What an amazing deal for an entire day of fun in the park! Come out to Knott’s Berry Farm For the Cure!

I’m also giving away a pair of tickets to Knott’s for one of my lucky readers! All you have to do is enter below in the Raffecopter! Be sure to read the instructions carefully! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway