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4 Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Merchandise Items I WILL Be Buying For My Daughter! #Disneyland60

June 23, 2015 / Disney, Disney, SoCal Fun, Travel

Raise your hand if you’re really excited about the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration! (raises hand) Me!!!! I’m actually more than excited for It! Although I didn’t have a chance to attend the 24-Hour Kickoff Party at Disneyland Resort this year, I did sneak over to the parks for a few hours the following weekend. I don’t even think I saw a quarter of the special merchandise availalble during this glorious time at Disneyland Resort and yet, I’ve already managed to make a list of the first 4 Diamond Celebration Merchandise items I WILL be buying the for my daughter! I say “the first 4” because I know there will be so many other things I’ll want to buy aside from these 4.

This special sequin Minnie Mouse headband with a jeweled bow is a must-have for every Disney girl! The way these ears were displayed in this box made them look extra fancy, too! What girl doesn’t dream about getting their hands on a pair of these? I need a pair of these to wear to the parks. Oh wait, I mean my daughter needs some. Ok maybe we’ll both get a pair of these ears.

One of my favorite merchandise items, normally available in white (and a couple of pastel colors), are the giant Mickey mitts because whenever we make it into Disneyland at Rope Drop, we love to walk down Main Street and give all of the Cast Members “a High Four”! When I saw the sequin version, I immediately added them to the shopping list!

This precious doll is dressed for a day in the parks! I love everything about her, especially her tiny set of EARs! She’s ready to celebrate this joyous occasion!

Oh, I saved the best, and my most favorite item, for last! This castle play set is beautiful and hardly compares to the regular castle play set we bought when my daughter was 3! This Limited Edition castle is blinged out, just like the real Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, and it lights up! I NEED IT!

So, what are YOU most excited for at the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration? Do you have any favorite merchandise that you’re hoping to grab, or perhaps already have? Do tell!

To see more of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Merchandise, take a peek at this video from the Disney Parks Blog! Warning: You’re going to want it all, too!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at Disneyland Resort!

November 3, 2014 / Disney, Disney, Disney, Orange County, Travel, Uncategorized

It’s only November 2nd and Christmas is popping up already, all around Disneyland Resort with a heavy emphasis over in Toontown! Yep! I really couldn’t be happier about it, either!

We ventured into Toontown this morning to ride Gadget’s Go Coaster and I immediately noticed the decorations on the firehouse! As I looked around, I could see that there were beautiful garlands hanging on the boughs of the buildings and houses in Toontown!

I loved the patriotic decorations hanging on Toontown City Hall. I was lucky enough to catch Pluto peeking out of the door when I was standing there! He gave me a big hug and then stopped to take a selfie with me before continuing on his way!

I think my most favorite parts in Toontown were the decorations on Mickey and Minnie’s houses! They’re so lucky that they each get their own Christmas tree in their front yard!

Mickey’s house is all ready for the holidays!

How adorable is Minnie’s house? The CM told us that Minnie was up late last night working on that heart-shaped wreath!

Disneyland Resort is most definitely “My Happy Place” but with Christmas decorations slowly appearing all around the parks, it Just Got Happier! I can’t wait to go back soon and see it when everything is decorated for Christmas!

Do YOU have a favorite part about Christmas time at Disneyland Resort?

Adults Aren’t Too Old to Wear a Costume to Disneyland! We’re Big Kids Too!

September 10, 2014 / Disney, Disney, Travel

I sometimes wish I was a kid again so that I could dress up in a costume any time I visited the Disney Parks. There are only a couple of occasions during the year when adults are permitted to dress up in a full costume to enter a Disney Park and Disney’s 24-hour event was one of the most recent ones. It was extra fun to people watch at the “Rock Your Disney Side” event. Let me share a few of my favorites with you.

I know he’s not a Disney character but I must start by saying that both Emi and I were pretty enamored to see this guy in the parks…..

Santa likes photography too!

Other than his Christmas EARs, he wasn’t dressed up in a costume. I KNEW Santa was real! AND he likes Disneyland!

Almost right away, we came across one of our favorite princesses. We didn’t want to bother her because she looked to be deep in thought!

Aurora likes to feed the ducks! She was carrying her basket with some bread in it and sitting in front of the Rivers of America, most likely daydreaming about a certain prince!

Funny how a couple of hours later, we ran into Aurora again…this time with friends!

Spending some quality time in the parks with girlfriends is the best way to do it! Aurora was wearing what looked to be the prettiest gown from the closet!

Next, we ran into a very familiar mermaid! It looks like she chose legs for the occasion in lieu of her usual tail!

I loved seeing Ariel and Eric in their more casual outfits! I wonder if he was texting Ariel’s dad to ask permission to hang out with her in the parks?

There’s nothing that makes my heart more happy than seeing these two together!

They were WAY cute together! AND her name really IS Jessie!

It looks like Princess Leia enjoys a Dole Whip as much as the rest of us do! Nice mani!

It was funny to see Alice and The Queen at this spot. I guess that must be their favorite bathroom too!

I was fangirling on Alice’s handbag! She never carries it in her movie! And this lace version of her dress? Love! The girl’s got a great sense of fashion!

WHO knew these two were actually friendly in real life?

Doc McStuffins is even cuter in person than on Disney Junior! I loved her Big Book of Boo Boos and Lambie! She diagnosed me with “Disneylanditis“! I don’t think that’s a bad thing though!

I always wondered how Maleficent looked so great and now I know! She works out whenever she’s in the parks!

Witnessing an engagement in front of the castle is ALWAYS special! This one landed on Belle’s birthday! (I totally teared up)

I was so happy that Belle and Beast let us all witness their special engagement in front of the castle!

Oh Belle, we’re all so excited for you, too!

Disney Magic happened that day for sure!

I’m not sure where the Seven Dwarfs were but Snow was really wrapped up in her cell phone convo!

I think she loves her cell phone as much as I do! (except I’m really more of a texter)

Seriously, it looks like whatever the gossip, it’s pretty good! Hey Snow, I want your shoes!

I saved my most favorite pics for last. These two ladies were both so beautiful and I adored their costumes and hair! They honestly looked like they were having the best time ever! Emi asked me if they were going to get in trouble for riding the Tea Cups? She thought they were the official in-park characters!

So beautiful!

Rapunzel’s hair! I want it!

Now these are my kind of girls! Selfie in a teacup?!!!

I had the best time writing this post. I love all of the creativity that these guests put into their costumes and outfits and I love how they’re wearing their costumes with such confidence. Most of all I love the fact that you’re never too old to dress up and have fun at Disneyland!

Have YOU ever dressed up as your favorite Disney character? If so, which one?

Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Movie and Printables!

September 8, 2014 / Disney, Entertainment, Movies

One of my favorite books to read to my first grade class every year is “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, VERY Bad Day”, written by Judith Viorst!

The book basically describes how wrong one single day in the life of a boy named “Alexander” could end up. It’s such a great story for both adults and children and my own students always LOVE to participate in a shared reading with me, once they know the words to it. I’ve read this book in English AND in Spanish and they love listening to it in both languages! It’s just the kind of story we can all relate to.

When I found out that this book was being made into a movie, the teacher in me got so excited! The mom in me did too! I think EVERYONE has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day at least once! Emi and I have watched the trailer for the movie like 100 times! We cannot wait until it comes out in theaters this October 10th!

Here you go! Watch this trailer!

Here’s a synopsis of the movie:

Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn’t had one.

Not only do I love Jennifer Garner and Steve Carell, but after watching the trailer, I can tell the entire cast is going to be great!

I’m really excited to share some fun activity sheets with you, as well as a recipe from the movie that you can download for free. Just click on each one! Emi loves to do these kinds of activities before a movie comes out to get extra excited! It makes her feel like she gets to know the movie more before its release.

Look at this adorable door hangar! I need one for my classroom door!

You can tell by this activity, that something pretty crazy (and kangaroo-related) happens in the movie!

Something horrible happens to every member of this family on that day! What could possible happen to the baby?

Use your imagination to decorate your very own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day birthday cake!

Here’s an actual recipe from the movie:

Make sure you go and follow the movie on Facebook for more fun activities and sneak peeks of other previews!

Are you as excited about this movie as we are? Tell me about a time that YOU had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?

The Girl With the Disneyland Map Skirt at Disney’s 24-Hour Event!

September 7, 2014 / Disney, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

As Mickey’s Trick or Treat party at Disneyland gets closer, I’ve been looking through pictures and trying to get costume ideas. As I was going through some of the pictures I’ve taken at Disneyland Resort, I came across some that I took of this adorable girl who was wearing the cutest outfit at Disney’s 24-hour event in May. I didn’t realize just HOW cute, until we got up close to her and realized that her skirt was made from park maps!

I just HAD TO approach her to ask where she got the skirt! That’s when she showed me her matching bow and told me she’d made them both! Oh my goodness! I loved her creativity and Emi looked instantly inspired by her! She was such a sweet person to talk to also, which is always nice.

I, of course, didn’t grab her contact info that day and I think she said she isn’t on Twitter or Instagram (good for her). I suppose one day I’ll run into her again and I”ll be able to ask if she could make a skirt and bow for Emi, because Emi has been dying to have her very own ever since that day and can’t seem to duplicate it. (believe me, she’s tried!) I know the power of social media is strong because it’s helped me find people before. Plus, I think she lives locally.

Did you attend Disney’s 24-hour event in May? Did you see “The Girl in the Disneyland Map Skirt”?

YOU Can “Unlock the Magic” at The Disney Store!

June 15, 2014 / Disney, Travel

Did you know….there is a special, kind of (almost) secret thing that occurs each day at each Disney Store location. Have you heard of “opening The Disney Store” before? It’s a real thing!The first guest at The Disney Store in the morning gets the honor of “unlocking the Magic” as soon as the doors open! If you peek through the windows before they open, you can see that there is something set up at the entryway. It looks like a giant keyhole and has theater-style ropes that are attached to each side of it. It’s almost similar to the ropes the Cast Members use each morning for rope drop in some of the Disney Parks. Most people actually don’t know about this special event. My daughter and and I were in line at our mall one morning, about 50 minutes prior to the Disney Store’s opening time. When we arrived, there was no one else around. We sat down in front of the store to stake out our spot. Eventually, a few other people arrived at the storefront and sat behind us. When there were about 8 of us in line, a conversation began and one of the girls asked the other people what they were here to buy? She let us all know she was in search of Frozen dolls. Another lady from the UK was actually there to buy a Buzz Lightyear. When it was our turn to share WHAT we were there for, we told the others that we weren’t here in search of any specific item but, rather, to “open The Disney Store”. Not one of the other people even knew what we were talking about! At first they looked at us like we were a little crazy but then we explained how it all works.It was exciting to share about it with the others and I almost felt bad that we were first in line and they all weren’t, now that they knew. It’s OK though, they can come back and have their turn any other day. This was my daughter’s day to do it! I’m pretty sure my daughter asked me about every other minute to check the time, as we counted down the time until 11:00 a.m.. When it was finally 11, the doors opened and everyone who had been standing with us seemed anxious to see.

My daughter had the hugest smile on her face as Cast Member “Adam” asked WHO was the first guest in line that day? Emi proudly raised her hand and the Cast Member then explained to her that SHE would be “unlocking the Magic” of the store that day! The ecstatic expression on her face was priceless!

Here’s a little video where he explains what’s going to happen.

At this point, all of the kids were very excited and waiting in anticipation for Cast Member Brittany to bring the giant key!

After the key unlocks the Magic, then the fireworks on the ceiling of the store begin a little show, and finally the ropes are dropped and the store is open for business! One of the other cool parts about being “the one”, is that you also receive your very own key to The Disney Store! The Cast Member presents you with your own keepsake, which is something that I know my daughter will treasure for a lifetime!

Did you know about this magical happening before? Have you ever “unlocked the Magic” at a Disney Store? Share with me in the comments! I’d love to hear about it!

Christmas Eve Morning at The Disneyland Resort With Our Elf on the Shelf!

December 25, 2013 / Disney, Orange County, SoCal Fun

What do you do when it’s Christmas Eve day, you don’t have to be at dinner until 6:30 p.m. and you still haven’t had a chance to take your daughter to see Santa yet? You head straight to The Disneyland Resort, that’s what you do! What a beautiful, sunny, Southern California morning it was, too! There aren’t too many places you can be where you actually NEED to wear sunblock on December 24th!

Emily & I decided to visit Disney’s California Adventure first! There was NO LINE to see Santa over at Elias & Company! We walked right in and Santa immediately struck up a conversation with Emily. As you can tell by this photo, she was mesmerized by him.

I’m pretty sure she’s asking him for the Frozen castle here.

I love everything about the setup of this Santa location. It’s just so old fashioned and Christmas-y and if it hadn’t been so blazing hot, I would’ve put Emi in her actual Christmas dress for the photo. Regardless, I think we got some beautiful pictures to add to her memory book.

Santa also had an absolutely beautiful elf named “Tinsel” that was helping him and passing out candy canes to the guests as they exited from sitting for their photo. I couldn’t resist snapping a pic of Emi with her also.

Seriously though, how adorable is this elf?

Emi and I also had another mission on our visit….we had to bring her Elves on the Shelf with us! Yep, they had written her a note, asking if she could take them to Disneyland! They told her that Santa had given special permission for Mommy to touch the elves to move them and take them to Disneyland. We just hadn’t had much time during December to visit the parks and since the elves were returning to The North Pole that evening, this was our LAST chance. The tricky part about this was that 1)only Mommy could touch the elves, because children DON’T touch the Elf on the Shelf and 2)We needed to be careful as NOT to spoil any magic for other children at The Resort. I carried the elves in our backpack and we took them out for a few photo opportunities. There was one incident when two small children spotted them and were trying to tell their mom they had seen them, so we just sat back and pretended not to notice the elves and then as soon as the children were long gone, we grabbed the elves, stuffed them BACK into our backpack and ran! It was pretty funny to have elf shenanigans going on!

Our elves INSISTED on wearing these buttons!

There are always a lot of “good parts” about each trip to the parks but on this particular day, Emi was REALLY excited about getting to ride in the front of Monorail Blue….WITH her elves! Since there weren’t any other children up there with us (who might’ve gotten freaked out), we could have the elves out of the backpack!

Patiently awaiting the front spot on Monorail Blue!

This is Disney Magic at work!
CM Manuel even let the elves help navigate, once we started moving and had to sit down!

It was such a great Christmas Eve morning at The Disneyland Resort! We are so blessed to be able to just run over to the parks for a few hours and be able to do something like this! Happy Holidays!