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Lifestyle

See What’s New at Knott’s This Summer! #KnottsIronReef #NewAtKnotts

June 2, 2015 / Knott's, Orange County, SoCal Fun

The opinions in this article are 100% 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.

Summertime is my favorite time of year! (Although it’s hard to really ever complain about the Southern California weather here) I love the relaxed feeling of summer, especially the slower pace of life since I’m off work (I teach school). Summer is when I get to enjoy extra time with my family! One of our favorite things to do together is go to Knott’s! We can’t get enough of the attractions, the food, and all the entertainment.

If you haven’t already heard, one of the biggest things to hit Knott’s this summer is the opening of the latest attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef™! This brand-new attraction opened on May 15, 2015 and is a spectacular, interactive 4-D ride for the entire family.

Inside the attraction, you’ll help save Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk in a cutting edge media-based battle. Through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn.

Take a look at the action inside the Iron Reef:
Not only am I am anxious to get to Knott’s this summer to go on my own Voyage to the Iron Reef™, but there are also 2 new exciting shows to see! I love the shows at Knott’s! The first new show features some of my childhood favorites, The Peanuts Gang. Watch Snoopy and his friends appear in the newest production to hit the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice.

You can join Snoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood” bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure. Join Snoopy and our World-class ice skating stars at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre for this amazing new production! Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice runs June 13 – August 23 and is dark on Wednesdays.

The second new show at Knott’s this summer is the Vertical Impact & Vertical Impact Geared Up Show. This show is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat as you witness the ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one of a kind performance perfect for the entire family! The fun continues after dark with Vertical Impact, Geared Up! This high energy show is set to the most popular songs of today, combining everything from trampoline stunts, bmx bikes, skaters, dancers, and aerialists. Every show ends with an informal meet & greet for the guests with the entire cast on stage. The cast pumps up the volume with the latest hits, the biggest tricks and awesome special effects. The pace is intensified, the stunts are electrified, and the cast is breaking down the walls, defying gravity, and taking it all to the next level. Watch the show for the amazing aerial acrobatics, and crazy trampoline & vertical wall stunts, then stay for the after party and be a part of the show! Our own “DJ Nytemadness” will keep the party going mixing all the best of current EDM, dance & pop hits after each show while the cast joins the guests of all ages to dance, party, take selfies, and just be a part of it all. The show runs June 13 – August 23 and is dark on Mondays & Tuesdays.

In addition to these 2 brand-new shows at Knott’s this summer, there’s a TON of other entertainment going on at the park this summer too. This is where I feel like I should stop and talk about Knott’s Season Passes because there is WAY more than one day’s worth of fun to take in at Knott’s. You’re going to want to come back to Knott’s (and Knott’s Soak City Water Park) a bunch of times! Especially during the summertime!

Do you know how awesome a Knott’s Season Pass is? Not only is it the most affordable ticket in town, Knott’s also offers the option of payments to make it even more do-able for your family. The passes pay for themselves within a few visits too.

Knott’s offers the following variations of their Regular Season Pass:

You can also upgrade to a Gold Season Pass! The Gold Season Pass allows you to enjoy all the cool waterslides and fun in the sun at Knott’s Soak City Water Park, in addition to all the thrilling rides at Knott’s Berry Farm! The Gold Season Pass pays for itself in less than 2 visits!

Charlie Brown’s Happy Campers – Camp Snoopy Theatre: Join Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the world’s most popular beagle, Snoopy in a show that’s sure to make an outdoorsman out of anybody! The show runs daily from June 14 through September 1.

Big Band Swingin’ Sundays: Jump, Jive & Swing to the sounds of Orange County’s best local Big Bands. Catch them on Sunday evenings from June14 – August 30.

Boardwalk Dance Party – Boardwalk Circle Stage: Dance ‘til you drop and wave your hands in the air until you just don’t care with DJ Howly, one of Orange County’s most requested “mixers & spinners”. Catch the Boardwalk Dance Party on Monday & Tuesday evenings from June 15 – August 25. (Plus September 7)

Ghost Town Streetmosphere: Ghost Town is alive with townsfolk who will put you smack dab in the middle of the Wild West. New residents have put down stakes recently… Clem Culpepper, the ever hopeful gold miner, Ma & Pa Shine, our resident moonshiners & Nathan Quickly, the Pony Express Agent. And as you mosey on through Ghost Town, say “Howdy” to returning favorites, Dusty Trail, who’s never without her six-shooter, Miss Ruby, the purtiest Saloon Gal in town, Miss Apple the School Teacher, and the rest of the Calico townsfolk. The Ghost Town Streetmosphere runs daily from June 13 – September 7.

Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – Birdcage Theatre: Things get krazy when Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies perform their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, side splittin’ country comedy show that has Knott’s audiences clamoring for more! It’s the perfectly krazy way to spend some time at Knott’s Berry Farm! Come out to watch Fridays through Mondays from June 13 – August 23. (except 6/19 and 8/6 & 29)

Salsa Bands – Fiesta Plaza Stage: Nothing says a party at the Fiesta Plaza stage better than the energy created by some of Orange County’s most popular salsa bands. Enjoy the salsa bands on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings from June 13 through August 23, Plus August 29, 30 and September 5, 6, & 7.

The Ghost Town Miners – Spurs Stage: For a “Yeehaw” of a good time you won’t want to miss the Ghost Town Miners sing and play some of the best bluegrass this side of the Rio Grande! The show runs Tuesday through Thursday from June 16 – August 20.

The Marshal Purdy Show – Birdcage Theatre: Come on in for some old fashioned, homespun fun that’s sure to tickle your fancy and bust your gut on Tuesday & Wednesday from June 17 – August 21.

The Big Fat Steve Band – Boardwalk Circle Stage: Back by popular demand, The Big Fat Steve Band-The Kings of Kool is a fun, exciting dance band with a swingin’ beat. Enjoy the live musicality of rockabilly, swing and classic sounds. The only thing missing is your dance moves. Come on out Wednesday through Saturday from June 13 – August 29 Plus September 5 & 6.

The Peanuts Gang – Camp Snoopy: Meet and hug one of your favorite Peanuts characters!
Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Franklin, Woodstock, or Peppermint Patty. The characters are available in the park year round and vary daily. Calico Saloon Cancan Show – Calico Saloon: What’s a Saloon without a show? Don’t miss the Calico Saloon Show for some good old’ fashioned bar room fun. We heard that the dancin’ girls even perform that new fandangled dance from Paree, France, the Cancan! You might even want to cool off with a tall cool bottle of the hard stuff…Sarsaparilla! Enjoy the Calico Saloon Cancan Show daily from June 13 – September 30, Plus September 5 – 7.

Fool’s Gold Stunt Show – Wagon Camp: Will the bad guys manage to re route and steal the gold? Find out in this rowdy, comical, western stunt show presented on Knott’s legendary Wagon Camp stage. Watch the show year round.

Indian Trails: You won’t want to miss the beautiful music, authentic costumes and historically rich traditions presented at the Indian Trails Stage. The Indian Trails are presented Thursday through Monday on a year round schedule.

Mystery Lodge: Sit back and let this award winning, one of a kind attraction mesmerize you as our Native American Storyteller shares stories of his rich history and culture. The special effects of Mystery Lodge will amaze you daily, and is open year round.

So, raise your hand if YOU’RE ready for some summer fun at Knott’s? I know you can’t see me right now, but I”m raising mine! Hope to see you in the park this summer!

Connect with Knott’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Open a 529 College Savings Plan For Your Child on ScholarShare’s National 529 Day! (5/29) If You Start It, They’ll Match It!

May 28, 2015 / Lifestyle, Motherhood

The other day, my daughter asked if we could go to the park “just for 5 minutes“? I had a ton of things to do and I almost immediately responded with a “not right now“. Then I stopped and thought about something…If she asks to go to the park, I should say “yes” because for all I know, it could be the last time she’ll ask. (*insert lump in throat).

She’s not getting any smaller and just turned 10! How did that happen? It seems like yesterday I was just rocking her to sleep every night in her nursery! Time goes by THAT fast! Before I know it, she’ll be 17 and applying to colleges! Planning for your child’s future is something you can never start too soon, specifically their college career. To some, it may seem silly to think about planning so many years ahead for college, but the cost of college nowadays is no joke! The costs associated with attending college can be overwhelming on a family and student loans are definitely not something a recent college graduate wants to have follow them! Just look at the scary statistic about student loan debt on ScholarShare‘s image below! Yikes!

ScholarShare’s 529 College Savings Plan was created for the exact reason of helping alleviate some of these burdens of carrying debt for college students. If you haven’t heard of ScholarShare before, it’s California’s own 529 College Savings Plan. This state-sponsored program is a tax-advantaged investment, designed to help and encourage families to save for future qualified higher education expenses. The sooner you start saving, the more time it will have to grow. ScholarShare has no annual account management fee, no income limit and offers a high maximum account balance.

Here are a few additional facts about ScholarShare 529 Program:

Any U.S. citizen, or resident alien with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, can open a new account- For as little as a $25 monthly contribution,
Anyone can contribute to a 529 account- Through ScholarShare’s “Give a Gift” option, family members, such as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even friends, can make a gift contribution to an existing account. When they are looking to give a special gift to your child, why not suggest they contribute towards their 529 account?Did you know family members can even open a new account in your child’s name and contribute towards it over the years?
A ScholarShare 529 account has tax advantages- ScholarShare offers a diverse set of investment options and provides tax-deferred growth and withdrawals free from state and federal taxes when the funds are used for qualified higher education expenses. (such as tuition and fees, books or even certain room and board costs)

On May 29 (5/29), ScholarShare is having a 529 Day Matching Promotion, “You Start It, We Match It.” In celebration of National 529 Day, if you open a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Account on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. PT, ScholarShare will match $50 of the initial deposit, which means your account will now start with $100 balance! If you don’t already have a ScholarShare 529 Account, this is the perfect day to start an account for your child(ren).

In order to be eligible for this matching promotion, you’ll need to:

Open a new ScholarShare College Savings Plan with an initial deposit of at least $50 (to be contributed and invested at the time the new account is opened.)
Enroll in the automatic contribution plan (ACP) for the new account with at least a $25 contribution per month.
The terms of this promotion also state that the initial deposit be made on Friday, May 29, 2015 between 12:01 a.m. to 11;59 p.m. PT.

Like I said before, time isn’t slowing down but rather, it’s doing the opposite. Starting a ScholarShare 529 College is so easy and you can even create your account online here. Then you can watch your initial $50 deposit transform into $100! That sounds like an opportunity that should not be passed up!

For more information about ScholarShare, click here. Connect with ScholarShare on Facebook and Twitter.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of ScholarShare for which I received compensation. All opinions are 100% my own.

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour For Birthday Celebrations: A Family Tradition Passed Down From My Own Childhood

May 21, 2015 / Family Fun, Food, Let's Eat!, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

I have very fond memories of visiting Farrell’s as a child with my family. It was mostly on special occasions like mine or my brother’s birthdays, but we did get to go there on other occasions as well! Going to Farrell’s for our birthdays was something we’d look forward to every year. It was the original Farrell’s children’s menu that’s responsible for my love of Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches! Yep, the original Farrell’s had them on the kids menu and they were my fav! (I wish we had digital cameras back then so I would have pictures of it all to post now!)

Over the past few decades, Farrell’s has gone through some restructuring. At one point, they only had one location anywhere near me. Imagine my excitement when I started to hear about new locations opening up in California over the past few years! I hopped on the chance to be able to create an annual Farrell’s birthday tradition with my own daughter that was similar to what I enjoyed doing as a little girl. Did I mention we have a Farrell’s location within 5 minutes of our home? How lucky is that?

After having a super 9th birthday celebration at our local Farrell’s last year, my daughter couldn’t wait to get there again this year for her 10th birthday celebration! I don’t think we ever get tired of the ambiance in there.

The kids keep pretty busy with the fun Junior Zookeepers menu. Even at 10 years old, they’re still into it. The offerings on their menu are items that they actually enjoy and want to order. They’re also generous portions. Nothing beats a good old-fashioned grilled cheese!

Did you know that Farrell’s offers gluten-free options for guests and also has a nut allergy menu? I think that’s really important. It allows guests who might not be able to dine out of their own home normally, because of food allergies, to have options and the freedom to eat out in a restaurant without worrying. Not only does Farrell’s have these menus, their servers are educated about the different items and know the menus really well.

The kids always find it necessary to request an extra plate of pickles from our server to munch on. It’s all about the pickle for them! Bob Farrell’s Motto is “Give Them The Pickle and They’ll Come Back!” Well I know it keeps us coming back! That’s for sure!

Although I love the food at Farrell’s, we all know that the BEST part comes last….the dessert! Their dessert menu can be overwhelming (in a good way) to look at because there are so many different sundaes to choose from. It just means that you need to go back and try different sundaes on other occasions! For my daughter’s birthday, we decided to ring in “double digits” properly….with The World Famous Farrell’s ZOO! This was in addition to the complimentary birthday sundae they already bring you!

If you have never heard of The World Famous Farrell’s Zoo, pay attention to this because it’s a must-try for any and all Farrell’s go-ers! It’s made up of 4 scoops of their famous ice cream, 3 fruit flavor sherbets, 4 delicious toppings, whipped cream, cherries, and bananas! Oh and I forgot to mention the animals! (Hence the name “Zoo”!) Not only is it a ridonkulous sight too see but the crew at Farrell’s makes it an extra big deal by ringing the fire station siren to grab your attention when it’s time to deliver it to a table.

This concoction is so huge that it takes 2 servers to deliver it to your table and they bring it out on a stretcher! It’s quite the way to celebrate and sure made my birthday girl feel like the center of attention! After all of the hoopla and the birthday song of Farrell’s choice, the server will help dish out the zoo to all of the guests. It’s beyond yummy in the tummy. My daughter chose to set all of the animals aside to take home with us.

We had the best time celebrating my daughter’s 10th birthday at Farrell’s and want to send a special thank you to our server Brooke, who really helped make it a special night! We’d also like to thank Chad and Steven who are always accommodating during our frequent visits to Farrell’s!

It looks like my daughter has started a new collection of her yearly birthday stickers from Farrell’s on the inside of her closet! Well, until next year…..

Have YOU been to Farrell’s to celebrate a birthday or special occasion? If not, what are you waiting for? Get there!

Connect with Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Simon San Diego Premium Outlets’ Annual Memorial Day Weekend Super Sale

May 20, 2015 / Las Americas Premium Outlets, Lifestyle, San Diego, The Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Come celebrate the unofficial start of summer with Simon Premium Outlets this Memorial Day Weekend. From Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25, Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Las Americas Premium Outlets will both offer great deals on seasonal fashions with sidewalk sales, extended hours, extra savings on top of already low prices, and more.

Many retailers will be hosting sidewalk sales, offering additional discounts and promotions on top of the regular savings of 25 to 65 percent every day.

At Carlsbad Premium Outlets, shoppers can peruse outdoor displays at stores like BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Gap and Tommy Hilfiger to find the chicest summer looks for less.

At Las Americas Premium Outlets, shoppers can check out sidewalk sales and displays at stores like Armani Outlet, Banana Republic, BCBGMaxAzria, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Guess, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and more.

For extra savings, shoppers who are registered members of the VIP Shopper Club, AAA members or members of the military are encouraged to stop by the Information Center at each location to receive a complimentary VIP Coupon Book.

To help shoppers take advantage of the holiday’s savings, both Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Las Americas Premium Outlets will have extended hours all weekend long.

Friday, May 22: 9 AM-9 PM
Saturday, May 23: 9 AM-9 PM
Sunday, May 24: 9 AM-9 PM
Monday, May 25: 9 AM-9 PM

So, what are YOUR big plans for this Memorial Weekend? I think you can guess that mine include some shopping, especially with these extended hours and additional discounts! Maybe I’ll see you there!

Connect with Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Facebook and Twitter!

Connect with Las Americas Premium Outlets on Facebook and Twitter!

Driving Around in the Kia Sedona Was As Much Fun As Hanging Out With One of the Girls!

May 17, 2015 / Automobiles, Lifestyle

Disclosure: I was provided with a Kia Sedona vehicle for a week, in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own!

I recently had the pleasure of spending a week driving around a beautiful, 2015 Kia Sedona. The moment I saw her parked there, sparkling in the sun, I KNEW she had to be a girl! She was so pretty!

The 2015 Sedona is premium comfort in a minivan. I’d never driven a minivan before and I must say that I previously misjudged how awesome they are. I enjoyed our time together so much that it felt like I was hanging out with one of the girls. Let me tell you a few reasons why!

I already mentioned how sparkly the Kia Sedona was upon delivery but every feature about the this vehicle is stylish. The vehicle, itself, has a sleek design.

The interior is extremely luxurious and with a roomy driver’s cockpit and the model I drove had leather everything. It’s equipped with high-tech gadgets, which makes it even more functional. It’s like a mom’s dream! And…the Sedona even has great taste in “shoes”! Just look at those alloy wheels!

The 2015 Kia Sedona is equipped with some high-tech features and gadgets that I found so convenient and efficient. She knows the importance of being “with the times” in order to keep up in the modern world!

Here are just a few of my favorite tech-features

Remote Keyless entry: First of all, this remote keyless entry just requires that the key be nearby, like in your hand or purse. You don’t need to enter a code or push anything from the key or your keychain. You literally push a button on the driver’s door and and it unlocks the doors. This is a huge convenience when your hands are full because no one likes to juggle everything they’re carrying to find their keys. I know that I rarely approach my car with empty hands, so this almost seems like this feature was created just for me.

Push Button Start with Smart Key: This is another great feature. As long as the key is in the car, the car will start with one touch of the ignition button. It’s another great convenience and time saver.

Voice Command Navigation System: You can utilize the large 8″ display on the dashboard with Voice-Command. Real-time highway traffic helps you navigate the most efficient route to your destination. The system also has the capability to help you locate restaurants, gas stations, stores, and pretty much any destination you’re looking for. It even reminds you when you’re low on fuel AND helps you search for the closest gas station!

Smart Power Liftgate: I loved this feature! You just have to stand behind the Sedona with your Smart Key and the liftgate opens automatically for you! It’s the next best thing to having someone open it for you.

Read about some of the other tech features on this vehicle here.

The Sedona had the most complete safety back-up camera system I’ve seen on any vehicle I’ve driven. When the car was in reverse, you had a view of what was behind you from the rear-camera display on the dashboard, but there’s actually a surround view monitor on the car so you can see around the entire car too. In the case of something or someone being in the close proximity of the car, it’s also equipped with a backup warning system which will beep at you. It’s such an efficient setup and Kia has taken that extra step towards safety with these features!

Another safety feature is the BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity. This feature allows for you to maintain your focus on the road and keep both hands on the wheel. Kia seems very dedicated to ensuring “distraction-free driving” for its car owners and they are doing an excellent job of making that happen through the design of their cars. So many of the buttons are right on the steering wheel or right up on the dashboard so that it doesn’t take your attention away from the road.

The stereo system in the Sedona is on point! In addition to the usual AM/FM stereo and a CD player, it also has MP3 capabilities and featured SiriusXM! I was spoiled with the SiriusXM, especially when Foo Fighters and Britney Spears came on! My daughter, on the other hand, was way more excited about having access to Radio Disney in the car though than hearing “mommy’s music”!

The Sedona is very verbal and not afraid to use her voice. As I pointed out before, the vehicle is equipped with many tech-savvy features. Not only does it have so many technological features but it also uses its voice. Using an audible warning, the system will let you know when there’s either something in your way when you’re backing up or if anything is close to your vehicle when you’re changing lanes. It produces a very significant beep that really grabs your attention immediately. Another time you’ll hear her use her “big voice” is when she’s helping you get somewhere with the navigation system or telling you about traffic.

I think the funnest part of our week with the Sedona was taking her on a weekend road trip to Vegas for one of my daughter’s cheer competitions! She was so comfy to ride in. The third row of seats is a complete row, but also folds down easily to provide a ton of room for luggage and trip necessities.

I loved that the Sedona didn’t judge how much stuff we brought for our quick getaway trip! She understands a girl’s need to excessively pack!

I also loved that she didn’t have to be reminded that “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!“…especially when it means bringing home tons of bags from shopping at places like M&Ms World! All of the shopping we did in Vegas will just remain our little secret!

I think this is actually the best part about the Sedona. She knows how to keep the kids happy! As a mom, this is a priority and I spend a great deal of time trying to keep my daughter happy. The Kia totally “gets” it and has some features that “wow-ed” the kids on our road trip.

TWO sunroofs: I feel like I can’t even compete with this one! The rear-seat passengers can also enjoy an open-air experience with the 2nd Row-Power Sliding Sunroof. You’re able to operate the 2nd-row sunroof, independently from the 1st-row sunroof, with front and rear controls.We spent quite a while playing with this feature. (when we were parked, of course) It sure makes for some cute photo opportunities too!

Back power windows…they roll down: I think one of the biggest problems with minivans relates to having sliding back doors that don’t have access to fresh air via windows that roll down. The Sedona not only has power windows that roll down in the back, but also has screens you can put up to help block out sun. This was definitely a feature we loved when we were driving through the sunny desert on our way to Vegas!

2nd row, First-Class Lounge Seating: The seating in the 2nd row absolutely blew me away! It’s pure heaven back there with those recliner seats that provide adjustable lower leg support. It was like one of those luxury movie theater chairs. There’s also a 2nd-Row Center Seat that’s available to make even more room for you and all your friends. It can fold down, using the Slide-N-Stow™ system, to provide an armrest and cup holders for two 2nd-row passengers when you don’t need it. (It can also fold up and forward or be removed completely.) These seats made ME want to climb in the backseat and ask someone else to drive!

Now you can see all of the reasons why I not only fell in love with the Kia Sedona for the week I drove her ar0und, but also felt like she understood me like one of my girlfriends would! I loved driving this vehicle and would highly recommend it to others. I only have one daughter and I’d still love to own a Kia Sedona JUST to have all of that space inside and luxurious features. My daughter still talks about the Sedona, to this day!

To read more about the Kia Sedona, click here. Connect with Kia Motors on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

When a Cast Member Makes a Magical First Impression on You! Meet One of My Favorites: Ronna From Disney’s Yacht Club! #DisneySMMC

May 15, 2015 / Disney, Orange County, SoCal Fun, Travel

They say that first impressions are everything and I completely agree with that statement. You never truly get a chance to re-do a first impression. This is especially true in businesses such as restaurants, stores, and hotels. When a guest walks into an establishment for some type of service, they start to form an opinion about that place of business based on the way they were treated by the first person they encountered who was working there.

My family and I recently took our first trip to Walt Disney World Resort for the 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. We were so excited to be all booked at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during our trip! After taking the red-eye from Southern California to Orlando, Florida, we finally arrived at our destination around 6:30 a.m. on a very minimal amount of sleep. I may, or may not, have entered the lobby of Disney’s Yacht Club while sleep walking. As I entered the check-in line, I was immediately greeted at the front desk by one of the sweetest cast members in the place! Talk about making a lasting first impression! Even as I sit here writing this post, I miss that sweet lady.

Her name was Ronna and she was just beginning her shift that day. As I glanced over the counter, into her work area, I noticed she had a few personal items, such as pens and a paper pad, that were purple! I love purple! I didn’t even need to ask if purple was her favorite color because it was so obvious.

My asking her immediately sparked such a pleasant conversation between us, as she proceeded to check me (and my family that was sleeping on a couch in the hotel lobby at that moment) into our room. I also noticed that Ronna was from Chicago, specifically from the same area that I have family. Again, we hit it off talking about Chicago.

I appreciated how much time Ronna took to thoroughly explain everything I needed to know about the hotel to me. There was a lot to take in and get to know about this giant resort hotel, as well as the parks. I could see why Disney had hired Ronna to work for them…because she’s a magical person who makes magic for guests….which is exactly what a cast member is supposed to do!

For the duration of our stay, I kept checking the front desk, each time we’d walk by, to see if Ronna was working. I finally learned that she also works next door at the front desk at Disney’s Beach Club Resort (it’s an adjacent property to the Yacht Club). On our last day, just before leaving on The Magical Express for the airport, we finally found her working again. I re-introduced myself (but of course she remembered me) and told her that I wanted to thank her again for being so kind. I think she was a little surprised that I came back to tell her that.

Then I asked if we could take a picture together and if I could also photograph her alone. I think she almost cried happy tears from my request, which made me also get happy tears in my eyes! As you can see from the pictures, Ronna is absolutely adorable and I hope we get to go back there someday soon and visit her when we do! She was our first impression of the Walt Disney World Resort and I’d have to say that she made a magical one.

Have YOU had any magical experiences with Disney Cast Members before? If so, where were you and how did they make an impression on you?

The Band Perry, Fifth Harmony / Debby Ryan and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo / Dennis DeYoung Added to 2015 Toyota Summer Concert Series at The OC Fair!

April 28, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

The OC Fair just announced more performances as part of their 2015 Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre!

Tickets for the following performances will go on sale May 2:

The Band Perry / Annie McQueen (Thursday, July 23)
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – 35th Anniversary / Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx (Thursday, August 6)
Fifth Harmony / Debby Ryan & The Never Ending / Bea Miller / Natalie La Rose (Saturday, August 8)

As always, concert tickets include Fair admission.

Tickets for these events go on sale Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster or at the OC Fair & Event Center Box Office, which is open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.
The remaining performances at the 2015 OC Fair will be announced in the coming months. Sign up for pre-sale emails at ocfair.com.

Connect with The OC Fair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Celebrate Bear Awareness Day on May 2 at The Orange County Zoo!

April 27, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Did you know that May 2 is Bear Awareness Day? You are invited to come learn more about bears and have fun at the OC Zoo on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family event will include activities such as crafts for kids, special zookeeper chats about bears, and a learning station where you can find out more about bear conservation and research, how to “bear proof” camping sites, and what to do if you see a bear.

Reservations are not needed for this event.
All activities are free with paid zoo admission, which is $2 per person. (ages 2 & under are free.)

Visit OC Zoo at http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo.

You Are Invited to the Grand Opening Festivities at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano! (May 1-3)

April 24, 2015 / Food, Lifestyle, Orange County

You are invited to join in on a weekend of festivities at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano’s Wine Bar to celebrate the grand opening of their new wine bar. From Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, the store will be conducting wine tastings, presenting live music, offering an olive oil culinary demo, providing free olive oil ice cream, and more! There will even be an opportunity for someone to win free olive oil for a year!

We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano, the unique culinary retail boutique located in downtown San Juan Capistrano, recently announced the opening of its quaint wine bar. Designed to be tasting-oriented and educational, the wine bar will offer small-production artisan wines, a selection of specialty handcrafted beers and small tapas plates that feature We Olive products. With over 20, small production California wines offered by the taste, glass, or bottle, guests are invited to shop and taste in the store’s comfortably elegant environment.

Here’s a schedule of grand opening weekend’s events:

Friday, May 1
Wine Tasting + Live Acoustical Music (5:30 p.m. – close)
Celebrate the start of the weekend with a wine tasting of We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano’s small-production artisan wines with live music all in We Olive & Wine Bar’s comfortably elegant environment.
Saturday, May 2
Events all day starting at 11:00 a.m. and wrapping up at 8:00 p.m.
Stop by for free olive oil ice cream at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil class with Carol Firenze, founder of The Passionate Olive and author of The Passionate Olive – 101 Things To Do With Olive Oil from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by a special book signing from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Meet the award-winning Fandango olive oil growers and learn the stories of the growers themselves from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Join Brian Cameron of Levendi Winery in Napa Valley for a delicious wine and cheese pairing from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 3
Events all day starting at 11:00 a.m. and wrapping up at 6:00 p.m.
Stop by for free olive oil ice cream at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil grower demo with Olivas De Oro from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil culinary demo featuring “Fast and Easy Flavor with California Olive Oil” presented by Suzie Lewitan and Olivas De Oro from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hungry? Join us for a beer and cheese pairing with Max from Aniata Cheese from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

In addition to artisan wines, We Olive’s wine bar will also offer delicious, healthy foods, including shareable bites, salads, hummus and spreads, flatbreads and sweets. Specialty menu items, include: an Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie Plate featuring an ever-changing selection of artisanal cheeses and hand-made salumi with crackers, fruit, nuts, sweet balsamic mustard and Colorado sweet yellow clover honey; Stuffed Peppadews, mild, sweet South African pickled peppers stuffed with goat cheese and salami and then drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar; and an Arugula, Blue Cheese and Apricot Salad, which comes complete with toasted almonds and blue cheese, tossed in peach white balsamic vinegar and Ascolano olive oil.

Just in time for spring, We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano will offer its guests a happy hour, every Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The happy hour specials will include $3 off all wines by the glass, $2 off craft beer and $3 off select menu items. In addition, We Olive will offer a weekly “Wine Wednesday” where guests can enjoy half off wines by the glass all day. These specials will constantly change based on the new wines and ever changing seasonal menu.

Whether you’re shopping for a unique gift, in search of some lite, healthy bites, or want to do some wine tasting, stop by We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano and you can find it all.