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Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is Happening Now + $30 Boysenberry Tasting Card

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

There are SO many things I love about this time of year at Knott’s but most of all, the start of the Boysenberry Festival! The festival runs from March 16 through April 8 and this year’s festival is better than ever!knotts-boysenberry-festival-facadeIf you’ve never experienced it before, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is a must-do! This annual food-inspired event celebrates the park’s historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all…the boysenberry. knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-funnel-cakeThis year’s festival will feature over 75 new and returning boysenberry-inspired creations crafted by Knott’s amazing culinary team.knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-boba-teaPark guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a tantalizing lineup of treats ranging from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to refreshingly sweet and tangy. There are many one-of-a-kind specialty desserts that can only be found at Knott’s Berry Farm during this time of the year, which is why I seriously recommend heading to the festival at least once before April 8.knotts-boysenberry-festival-berry-place-and-ghost-townDid you know that the boysenberry is a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry and is named after its originator Rudolf Boysen. The Knott family was the first to successfully harvest and sell the boysenberry on the land that is now known as Knott’s Berry Farm.knotts-boysenberry-festival-crateGuests at Knott’s Boysenberry Festival will find boysenberry specialty food and drinks throughout the park and can navigate their taste buds using the Event Guide. knotts-boysenberry-festival-guideA great option for guests to indulge in a variety of new and returning food items during the festival is the tasting card.
knotts-boysenberry-festival-tasting-card-1Priced at just $30, the tasting card is a great value and offers 8 of the new food options per card and! Here’s another cool part about it, if there’s something on the tasting card you might not care to try, you can use the tasting card vouchers for a different item on it. I may have used mine to get not 1 but TWO of the boysenberry coconut macaroons on my visit! Mmm! Please note: Signature boysenberry items not offered on the tasting card are available for purchase a la carte.knotts-boysenberry-festival-culinary-teamLet’s take a closer look at each of the 8 offerings on this year’s festival tasting card!

Slow Cooked Boysenberry Short Rib – Slow cooked to perfection, this juicy meat is smothered in boysenberry hoisin sauce served over butter basmati rice and complete with chopped green onions will leave guests asking for more.knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-short-ribBoysenberry Pierogies – These are new for this year and are like little pillows filled with cheddar cheese and topped with onions, bacon and boysenberry sour cream. The pierogies are a bursting a combination of sweet and savory flavors.knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-pierogiesBoysenberry Chicken Wings – The guest favorite and finger-lickin’ boysenberry chicken wings will be available during the festival; the irresistible wings are smothered in the delicious and popular boysenberry BBQ sauce which is made exclusively at the Farm.knotts-boysenberry-festival-wingsBoysenberry Coconut Marcaroon –  Sweets and desserts are a key part of the festival and this year the culinary team is introducing the scrumptious, perfectly bite-sized boysenberry coconut macaroons, dipped in a decadent chocolate ganache, which are great to enjoy while strolling through the park. knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-coconut-macaroonBoysenberry Elote – The boysenberry elote is one of the satisfying treats guests will be able to find in the streets of Ghost Town. The lightly grilled corn is smothered in fresh boysenberry butter, mayo and perfectly topped off with cotija cheese.

knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-eloteBoysenberry Hummus with Grilled Pita Bread – a new vegetarian/vegan option like the highly enjoyable boysenberry hummus served with pita bread and prepared with garden-fresh boysenberries.knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-hummusBoysenberry Cheese Quesadilla – Another new item for this year is the first ever boysenberry quesadilla!  Made with a boysenberry-infused flour tortilla, prepared with boysenberry salsa, boysenberry sour cream, sprinkled with cotija and mozzarella cheese, it’s so delicious!knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-quesadillaBoysenberry Sausage on a Bun – This is a popular item for meat lovers! This very filling boysenberry grilled sausage on a bun prepared with a freshly farm-baked roll and topped with boysenberry ketchup, relish and mustard.knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-grilled-sausageTasting cards for the Boysenberry Festival are available for purchase online at Knotts.com or else inside the Park.

knotts-boysenberry-festival-merchandise-1In addition to the tasty treats, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of daily entertainment, live music and fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is just another great reason to consider grabbing a Knott’s Season Pass for everyone in your family. With no blackout dates, you can go back and visit the Boysenberry Festival several times before it goes away after April 8!knotts-boysenberry-festival-boysenberry-plantFor more information about Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, please go here. Connect with Knott’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join in the conversation on social media by using and following #BoysenberryFestival!

 

Clement Palo Alto Luxury Hotel Offers All-Inclusive ‘Two To Tango’ Guest Package

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

The Clement Palo Alto All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel is celebrating its second anniversary at the end of March with a very special “Two to Tango” package. With a booked stay at The Clement on FridaySaturday, or Sunday, guests will receive one complimentary guest ($150.00 value), This special offer will be available in March and April, in honor of The Clement’s 2nd anniversary.clement-palo-alto-1The Clement Palo Alto offers a unique, one-of-a-kind 6-star experience in the heart of Silicon Valley with unparalleled personal service. It opened its doors March 2016, offering all-inclusive services and amenities and 23 spacious and richly appointed one-bedroom suites, clement-palo-alto-2This property is know as one of the most innovative, personalized and unique luxury hotels in the country. ans has set a new standard for personalized luxury accommodations in a contemporary residential-style atmosphere.clement-palo-alto-3The Clement Palo Alto takes its impeccable service to another level with an all-inclusive concept, including personalized concierge services, breakfast, lunch and dinner in an on-premise location of the guest’s choice. All wine, beer and cocktails, in-room mini-refrigerator (stocked with the guest’s favorites), and fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock, are just a few of the amenities included in this all-inclusive experience.clement-palo-alto-4clement-palo-alto-5The Clement Palo Alto’s all-inclusive services and amenities include:

  • All-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
  • All-inclusive wine, beer and cocktails (charges apply for premium brands)
  • All-inclusive in-room dining
  • All-inclusive mini-bar
  • All-inclusive fully-stocked Guest Pantry available around the clock
  • All-inclusive Business Center
  • All-inclusive valet parking
  • All-inclusive twice-daily housekeeping services
  • All-inclusive overnight shoe shine services
  • All-inclusive high-speed Internet
  • All-inclusive personal concierges
  • All-inclusive gratuities

clement-palo-alto-6The Clement Palo Alto is ideally located across from Stanford University and next to downtown Palo Alto, with its award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping and upscale spas. It is just 45 minutes south of San Francisco and only 30 minutes north of San Jose, not only making it convenient, but easily accessible to the world-famous sights and myriad activities of both cities.clement-palo-alto-7

The Clement Palo Alto Hotel is located at

711 El Camino Real

Palo, Alto, California, 94301

For more information about this property please visit here. To book your special package, please call 650.322.7111 and request the “Two to Tango Package”.

Connect with the Clement Palo Alto Hotel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Images are property of Clement Palo Alto and used with permission.

 

2018 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival Kicks off Feb. 28

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

The 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will kick off spring at Walt Disney World Resort February 28 and continue through May 28, 2018, with seasonal fun for all. epcot-flower-and-garden-monorailA brand-new Epcot front-entrance topiary garden will set the milestone anniversary scene with a kaleidoscope of blooming color where topiary icons Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will greet festival guests. What began in 1994 as a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries has grown over the years to a 90-day spring extravaganza with something for every generation. We can’t wait to experience it in person! beauty-and-the-beast-topiariesThe 2018 festival will take place during the 35th anniversary of Epcot and will showcase millions of brilliant blossoms.The 90-day festival will open with an irresistible array of sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and tactile discoveries and here are some of the offerings guests can explore:
Flavor-rich cuisine from 15 Outdoor Kitchens
New and creative dishes will debut at 15 Outdoor Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade. Guests can sip and savor their way around Epcot, enjoying chef-inspired noshes and refreshing libations.epcot-flower-and-garden-foodEach Outdoor Kitchen will feature its own raised-bed or in-ground garden of herbs and produce that can inspire the growing numbers of guests who want to learn to grow what they eat.

“The culture of growing your own food continues to trend, and our guests each year have quite a few questions related to edible gardens. They get a big kick comparing items in our gardens with the herbs and produce our chefs incorporate into the festival’s Outdoor Kitchen recipes.” – Eric Darden, festival horticulture manager

epcot-flower-and-garden-food-2Disney Topiary Stars
A bonanza of Disney character topiaries, including classic-character favorites Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many others, will play a starring festival role. Returning this year, Belle will be featured in France along with Beast, Snow White in Germany with the Seven Dwarfs, and Anna and Elsa in Norway. snow-white-topiaryAmong the nearly 100 festival topiaries will be returning favorites like the pandas and Bromeliad dragon at the China pavilion, The Three Caballeros at the Mexico pavilion, Disney-Pixar’s Woody at the American Adventure pavilion and Buzz Lightyear in Future World. The back-by-demand Figment topiary garden between Future World and World Showcase will offer the perfect selfie backdrop and family photo opportunity. Dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will transform the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.epcot-flower-and-garden-lady-and-the-tramp-topiaryGarden Rocks Concert Series
The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will feature live chart-topping musical acts  of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s on the America Gardens Theatre stage. From March 2 through May 28, 3 evening concerts each Friday through Monday will be offered and present musicians that span multiple genres. Garden Rocks Dining Packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants. For more information about these packages, please go here.epcot-flower-and-garden-concertInteractive Play Gardens
A brand-new Future World interactive play garden and a revved-up Road to Florida 500 garden featuring new games and play challenges will set the pace for family festival fun. The new interactive area in Future World will feature a play maze, a sensory garden, an activity zone and a covered seating area. The redesigned “Cars”-themed garden based on the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3,” will add more fun activities like highway bingo for families.

epcot-flower-and-garden-festival-butterfly-topiaryThe Royal Tea Garden Tour will return for a second year each festival morning at the United Kingdom pavilion. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days. For more information or to book your Royal Tea Garden Tour, visit hereflower-and-garden-festival-tourFor more information about the 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, please visit EpcotInSpring.com or call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). The festival, including all gardens and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

Images are property of Walt Disney World and used with permission. 

Spring-a-Palooza Returns at Great Wolf Lodge March 9 + New Mission to Fight Pediatric Cancer

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

Spring is in the air at Great Wolf Lodge as their annual Spring-a-Palooza celebration returns March 9- April 15. Spring-a-Palooza is the perfect way for families to celebrate the changing of the season.spring-a-palooza-logo
Guests staying at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California can enjoy special offerings such as spring picnics and bubble dance parties, character-inspired flower gardens and more in the Grand Lobby.  great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-lobbyA highlight this year, for the first time Great Wolf Lodge is partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation at all 14 U.S. Great Wolf Lodge locations to generate funds and raise awareness to help end childhood cancer.spring-a-palooza-violets-lemonde-stand

“We’re honored to partner with such an important organization as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation during our Spring-a-Palooza celebration. Our goal each and every day is to bring joy to families and what could be more joyful than for us to stand together as a pack to raise funds to end childhood cancer.” – says Erin Wallace, Chief Operating Officer of Great Wolf Resorts.

great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-lemonade-stand-2During Spring-A-Palooza, families can visit a lemonade stand in the Grand Lobby for complimentary lemonade to be enjoyed together picnic-style. As a special twist this year, exclusive color changing cups will be sold for $2.50, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the cups will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a charity whose mission is to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure cancer.  Great Wolf Lodge anticipates at least $15,000 will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through the sale of the keepsake Spring-A-Palooza cups.spring-a-palooza-violets-basketIn addition to the partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, other highlights of Spring-a-Palooza include:

  • Spring Cinema: Families can unwind after a fun-filled day and enjoy a family movie in the Grand Lobby.
  • Spring Picnic: A time-honored spring tradition gets a Great Wolf twist, as guests can grab a blanket, spread it out on the floor and enjoy an afternoon picnic in the Grand Lobby. Guests can sip complimentary Minute Maid beverage available from the Great Wolf Lodge character-themed Lemonade Stand and play a few rounds of “Take A Wiley Guess” card game.
  • Bubble Dance Party: This special Spring-a-Palooza event fills the Grand Lobby with cascading bubbles while Great Wolf Lodge’s Ambassadors of Fun keep energy-levels high with a family-friendly dance party.great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-bubble-dance-party
  • Spring-a-Palooza Story Time: Great Wolf Lodge’s nightly Story Time takes on a spring themed tale featuring the Great Wolf Lodge characters called “Natural Wonders.” Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite jammies to the Grand Lobby for this event and will have the opportunity to meet one of the Great Wolf Lodge characters in person.great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-storytime
  • Spring Scavenger Hunts: Great Wolf Lodge features two self-guided scavenger hunts as part of Spring-a-Palooza. The “I Spy Spring” scavenger hunt will have guests looking high and low in the Grand Lobby to find a dozen hidden objects. The “Spring Sprint” scavenger hunt has guests solving clues that will take them on a journey throughout the lodge. When all 10 clues are solved, guests are rewarded with a prize.
  • Character Themed Flower Gardens: A highlight of the Spring-a-Palooza celebration is the colorful springtime gardens found in the Grand Lobby. The gardens are designed and handcrafted by Pack Members from the resort. The collection of flower pots are inspired by the Great Wolf Lodgecharacters. Guests are encourage to stroll around the garden and vote for their favorite display.
  • Jelly Bean Guessing Game: A gigantic jar filled to the brim with jelly bean candies sits in the Grand Lobby and guests are invited to enter a contest guessing how many delicious treats are within the jar. The guests closest to the correct number without going over will be entered for a chance to win a Great Wolf Lodge Gift Card.spring-a-palooza-jelly-beans-guessing
  • Spring Themed Crafts: During Spring-a-Palooza, the resort’s Ambassadors of Fun will host several spring-inspired craft making events for kids of all ages. Character-themed crafting projects include Oliver’s Crazy About Bugs Jar, Violet’s Springtime Noodle Doodle, Brinley’s Don’t Blow Away Kite and Wiley’s Can You Spot It Binoculars.spring-a-palooza-spring-craft

In addition to two days of play in the water park for each night stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, all of the Spring-a-Palooza activities are included as part of an overnight stay for no extra charge. 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, verified in advance at GreatWolf.com or by calling Great Wolf Lodge directly at 888.960.9653.

spring-a-palooza-funFor more information on Great Wolf Resorts and its brands of indoor water park resorts, visit greatwolf.com.

Some images are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

Toy Story Land to Open at Walt Disney World June 30

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

The all-new Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort, inspired by Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story films, is officially set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, June 30, 2018! toy-story-land-rendering-1Guests in Toy Story Land will feel like they have shrunk to the size of a toy as Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Slinky Dog, the Aliens, Green Army Men and other fun-loving Toy Story characters come to life in the larger-than-life outdoor setting of Andy’s backyard. And what a backyard! In a rich and colorful landscape straight from his vivid imagination, Andy has set up his toys for the best playtime ever. Guests will be surrounded by giant building blocks, game board pieces and more.toy-story-land-rendering-2Across eleven fun-filled acres, Toy Story Land will include two all-new attractions and one expanded favorite. Guests will whoosh along on a family-friendly roller coaster behind Slinky Dog, take a spin with flying saucers in toy spaceships and score high on the midway. Toy Story Land will also celebrate what once defined entertainment for a generation. Crayons, Rubik’s Cubes, Cooties, Green Army Men and other toys and games will pour on the nostalgia for park-goers. Even the lampposts will be shaped like Tinkertoys.slinky-dog-1

“With set pieces, staging, attractions and experiences Toy Story Land represents the best of Walt Disney Imagineering’s collaboration with our storytelling partners at Pixar Animation Studios. This new land will place guests inside the wondrous world of Woody, Buzz and their pals,  and invite everyone to experience the joy of being a toy”.- Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

toy-story-land-rendering-aliensLet’s take a closer look at the two brand-new attractions: 

Slinky Dog Dash – Andy has assembled his roller coaster kit for maximum family fun. Tracks and supports in bright colors of red, orange, yellow and blue are put together according to Andy’s hand-drawn plans, with Rex and Jessie lending a hand. And to complete his creation, Andy picked up everyone’s favorite floppy-eared dachshund with a strrrrretch-ing slinky coil belly and dropped it on to the coaster track. Get ready to ride inside Slinky Dog’s coils! Slinky Dog Dash is inspired bythe delightful pooch spinoff of Slinky, the 1950s American toy classic. Riders of all ages will delight as Slinky Dog bends and twists his coils around curves, hills, bridges and drops in the Slinky-est coaster ever. Riders will zip around and above Toy Story Land, serving up panoramic views of all that the new land has to offer. Andy’s colorful creation will stretch Slinky Dog and his coils to the max – from his head to his upturned tail – and be fun for the entire family.toy-story-land-slinky-dog-dashAlien Swirling Saucers – Brace yourself for out-of-this-world thrills because the aliens have powered up their flying saucers! Alien Swirling Saucers will immerse guests in the playful world of Andy’s toys. This galactic space toy is designed as a play set that Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant. Adorable little Toy Story green Aliens swirl about in their flying saucers with guests in tow in their rocket-ship toys, while “The Claw” hangs overhead. This space adventure is bathed in music reimagined for intergalactic fun, dappled with multi-color lighting and sound effects from throughout galaxies.toy-story-land-alien-swirling-saucers-renderingToy Story Mania! will be expanded.  While Andy’s away, the toys will play. One of the most beloved attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Mania!, gets an all-new colorful toy carnival game box entrance when the new land opens. In fact, this is the box that the Toy Story Mania! game came in. Recently updated with a third track, the popular attraction will put even more guests in the carnival playset action taking aim at 3D objects, using everything from baseballs to cream pies, in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games. To the high-scorer go bragging rights.

New Eats in Toy Story Land
When it’s time for on-the-go refreshments, Woody’s Lunch Box will serve up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats from a walk-up window in a setting surrounded by Andy’s favorite toys and a giant vintage thermos. toy-story-land-woodys-lunch-boxGet a Sneak Peek at Toy Story Land
Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can get a preview of Toy Story Land in a detailed model of the new land is on display at the theme park’s Walt Disney Presents attraction. It’s a joy-filled, toy-filled world as only Disney can create and we can’t wait to experience it all! Do you have plans to visit Toy Story Land when it opens? For updates about Toy Story Land, as well as Walt Disney World Resort vacation information, please go here.

Images and renderigs are property of Disney and may not be used without permission.

Guide to Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration Weekends Through 2/25

I was invited to attend a media event in exchange for coverage. All opinions are my own.

The Seasons of Fun at Knott’s Berry Farm got even more exciting this year. Kicking off 2018 with the addition with something brand-new-to-Knott’s, the PEANUTS Celebration, takes place weekends starting January 27 through February 25, 2018, plus Presidents’ Day.kbf-peanutscelebration-logo-black

This special celebration debuted last weekend and we were lucky enough to be there to experience it.knotts-peanuts-celebration-signDuring Knott’s Peanuts Celebration, guests can encounter The Peanuts Gang in the park, including Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, Snoopy, Woodstock and a couple others. Also, for the very first time at Knott’s, the Peanuts Gang is joined by their friend PigPen, everyone’s favorite messy pal!knotts-peanuts-celebration-pigpenThe all-new Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration is uniquely dedicated to celebrating the beloved PEANUTS characters. The park celebrates the world Charles M. Schultz created and is currently. adorned with PEANUTS inspired décor. Guests can check out new character experiences, comic strip inspired photo opportunities, deliciously themed-treats and new whimsical shows.knotts-peanuts-celebration-snoopy-backdropknotts-peanuts-celebration-backdrop-2One-of-a-Kind Peanuts Photo Opportunities
As you enter the park, you’ll see some of the new photo backdrops set up and available for photos. For your convenience, Knott’s photographers are on hand to take your photos, which are also available for purchase through Knott’s Pix program. You are also welcome to use your own camera and mobile device to take photos.knotts-peanuts-celebration-photo-with-pigpenIn addition to the photo backdrops created especially for this celebration, you’ll find other photo opportunities throughout the park with the Peanuts characters. If you’re looking for PigPen, you can find him in the PigPen’s Pig Pen, located in Ghost Town, (a.k.a. the Livery Stable) with his animal friends. PigPen is available for photos throughout the day.knotts-peanuts-celebration-pigpens-pig-pen-signSpecial Peanuts Celebration Entertainment
During Knott’s Peanuts Celebration, there’s a complete lineup of whimsical entertainment. The shows are offered a few times a day throughout the day so you can fit them all into your day.

Peanuts Balancing Act – In this show, over in the Camp Snoopy Theater, watch Lucy and Charlie put their talents to the test. knotts-peanuts-celebration-camp-snoopy-theaterThe Music Goes ’round and ’round – Join in on the daytime fun, held on the Calico Mine Stage, as Sally and Schroder host a retrospect of music and have guests dancing in the aisles! .
Peanuts Cowboy Jamboree – Franklin and Linus are on a Western escapade as they transform into cowboys. They’re also looking to challenge guests with some of the rootinest, tootinest games in Calico. Join in on the fun in Calico Ghost Town.
Lucy and Sally’s Fiesta Fantasy – Uncover hidden fun as Lucy and Sally take a journey south of the border. Enjoy lively music, traditional costumes and live performances on the Fiesta Village Stage. knotts-peanuts-celebration-peanuts-fiesta-fantasyWoodstock’s Music Festival – This nighttime festival is held on the Calico Mine Stage and features the Peanuts Gang as they’re joined by the family-friendly indie band The Jelly of the Month Club. This high energy rock concert is fun for the whole family. .knotts-peanuts-celebration-jelly-of-the-month-clubPeanuts Sketch School
The PEANUTS Sketch School was one of our favorite highlights of our visit. It’s held in the Bird Cage Theatre and is hosted by a resident art teacher. The class starts with step-by-step instructions on how to draw the perfect PEANUTS masterpiece. Paper and pencil are provided as you enter the theatre. (We got to draw Lucy.) knotts-peanuts-celebration-sketch-school-2As you go through the drawing lesson, the instructor also provided fun and interesting facts about the character. After class is dismissed, a special showing of a classic PEANUTS television special is shown. If you are bringing children, I suggest arriving a little early so they can get a seat on the stage. There is plenty of seating available though for all guests.knotts-peanuts-celebration-sketch-schoolPeanuts Celebration Treats 
One of my most favorite parts about any visit to Knott’s is always the treats! I was amazed at all of the special treats that the Knott’s culinary team came up with for Knott’s Peanuts Celebration. knotts-peanuts-celebration--cookiesThere are 16 special Peanuts Celebration treats offered throughout the park including Charlie Brownies, Charlie Brown cotton candy, Peanuts Characters cupcakes, Chocolate Covered Apples, Charlie Brown Marshmallow Pops, Snoopy Cookies, and more. After sampling many of them, I cannot wait to go back and try some more.

knotts-peanuts-celebration-peanuts-cupcakes

knotts-peanuts-celebration-charlie-brown-marshmallow-popsknotts-peanuts-celebration-chocolate-covered-applesknotts-peanuts-celebration-charlie-brown-cotton-candyHave you had a chance to experience Knott’s Peanuts Celebration yet? If not, be sure to do so before it ends on February 25. It’s absolutely adorable and I can assure you, you’ll have a great time!knotts-peanuts-celebration-peppermint-patty

The best way to enjoy every weekend of the all-new Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2018 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Regular passes are just $94 or six easy payments of $15.66 and Gold Passes are $113 or six payments of just $18.83. These offers end April 8, 2018. Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

Logo is property of Knott’s and used with permission. 

LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel at LEGOLAND® California Resort Set to Open April 27 + Now Taking Reservations

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

If you haven’t heard the latest exciting news to come out of LEGOLAND® California Resort, they broke ground last year on North America’s first LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel! It’s like every LEGO-loving kid’s dream come true! The all-new premium themed hotel,  located right at the main entrance of LEGOLAND California, is officially set to open on April 27!legoland-castle-hotel-opening-april-27

The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel will include will feature 250 premium LEGO Castle themed rooms with your choice of Knights & Dragons, Royal Princess or Magic Wizard, including 20 suites, and will completely immerse guests into a castle experience from the moment they enter the grand hall. Hotel guests will experience dining in an amazing sit- down royal restaurant and engage in courtyard entertainment by the pool.legoland-castle-hotel-courtyard-grand-mapHere’s a short video showing a brief hardhat tour of the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel:

Upon entering LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, guests will first step into a grand hall where they are met by a LEGO wizard before taking a magical levitating lift (elevator) that will take them to one of three different floors where adventures await.legoland-castle-hotel-dragon-knight-room

legoland-castle-hotel-dragon-knight-bathroomIn the Knight rooms, guests are surrounded by dragons and knights as they prepare to go into battle to defend the king’s castle and protect the king’s treasure. In the Princess rooms, woodland animals such as butterflies, squirrels, owls and song birds all made of LEGO, of course, are found. In the Wizard rooms, guests discover how magic is used to protect the king’s treasure with the use of giggling potions and spells. Guests will find LEGO Castle décor throughout. legoland-castle-hotel-courtyard-overview

The Royal Courtyard outside is designed to immerse children in a fairy tale of their own creation with a DUPLO play area for the younger kids, larger play structures for the older kids, giant movie screen for nighttime movies and a stage for live plays and shows.legoland-courtyard-poolThe pool area will feature fountains and other interactive water features a gradual incline pool and hot tub. The pool bar and grill will offer smoothies, sandwiches and salads prepared fresh to order.legoland-courtyard-juice-barOther unique, fun features at the hotel include a slide that will connect the lobby to the first floor and a knock knock door created to entertain guests. More than 2,100 LEGO models made out of more than three million LEGO bricks that will be featured inside the rooms and throughout the Hotel.

The all-new themed restaurant, Dragon’s Den Restaurant & Bar, will be LEGOLAND California Resort’s only full-service sit down restaurant and will include an open kitchen for guests to watch chefs preparing their food, LEGO models, entertainers and locally-sourced food creating a unique dining experience. Breakfast will be included with each guest’s stay and includes made-to-order items along with a buffet.

LEGOLAND California Resort is accepting reservations for the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. For more information on booking hotel reservations, please visit: http://www.LEGOLAND.com/castlehotel

Images and video are property of LEGOLAND California Resort and used with permission. 

 

 

Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration Begins January 27

Our family will be attending a special media event in exchange for providing this coverage. All opinions are my own. 

I always get excited about news coming out of Knott’s! Have you heard that they’re kicking off the new year with an all-new offering? Yes! The Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration! kbf-peanutscelebration-logo-blackThis all-new Seasons of Fun event is uniquely dedicated to celebrating the beloved PEANUTS characters and invites guests to step inside the pages of a Charles M. Schulz comic strip as the characters take over the entire theme park for the very first time.knotts-peanuts-celebration-charactersThe newly introduced event will take place on weekends beginning January 27th through February 25th plus President’s Day, February 19th. The limited time celebration unites fans of all ages to join in on the fun and friendship of the most adventurous group around by introducing new ways for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park.

The event will feature:

  • special PEANUTS inspired décor
  • new social media worthy comic strip photo ops
  • new character experiences
  • live shows
  • exclusive merchandise

…and deliciously themed treats will complete this whimsical celebration!knotts-peanuts-celebration-pigpenHave you heard? For the first time ever at Knott’s, guests will have the opportunity to meet PigPen from the PEANUTS Gang! He’ll be over in the Livery Stable with his new animal friends! knotts-ghost-town-75th-celebration-livery-stableOur family is so excited to check out the Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration on opening weekend and will be sharing more photos, videos & info about it on my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter, so be sure to follow along. Will you be stopping by Knott’s to check out the all-new PEANUTS Celebration? For more information or to purchase park tickets ahead of time, please visit here.

Some images are property of Knott’s and used with permission. 

5 Ways to “Get More Happy” in 2018 at Disneyland Resort

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

I can already tell that 2018 is going to be a great year, especially with all of the new experiences and ways to “Get More Happy” coming to the Disneyland Resort!disney-lovin-family Last week, our Disney-lovin’ family got to take one last ride on California Screamin’. It was the first upside-down attraction my daughter ever rode and although we’ll miss it, we’re super excited to see the transformation of the Paradise Pier area into Pixar Pierparadise-pierThe all-new Pixar Pier looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun as it takes on a brand new look and brings more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Disneyland-Pixar-PierBack to talking about how excited our family is for 2018 at Disneyland Resort. There are some great new experiences that are up and coming at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. Here are 5 things that’ll help you “Get More Happy” in 2018 at Disneyland Resort:summer-at-disneyland-resort“Get More Adventure’ with Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland
Guests at Disneyland Park will enjoy new enhancements inspired by the recently released film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Travel to new worlds, encounter some of your favorite characters and step into thrilling moments from the latest chapter of the legendary Star Wars saga. Fans also will enjoy special Star Wars-themed treats and merchandise.star-wars-launch-bay

  • Guests visiting Star Wars Launch Bay will enjoy new additions to the gallery,
    including video interviews with the creators of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and a
    sneak peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the all-new land coming to Disneyland in
    2019.
  • At Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, a thrilling new adventure has landed.
    The new sequence takes passengers to two exciting new destinations: Crait, the
    site of an epic battle in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and Batuu, the remote outpost
    guests will discover when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019.
  • Also at Star Wars Launch Bay, guests will come face-to-face with some of the
    greatest heroes and villains from Star Wars. They may share a furry embrace with
    the heroic Wookiee warrior, Chewbacca, or encounter the menacing Darth Vader.
  • At the Tomorrowland Theater, guests will sit back and watch iconic moments from
    past and present Star Wars films in Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. The spectacular
    cinematic experience has been updated with scenes from the latest film, “Star
    Wars: The Last Jedi.”
  • Young Padawans have the chance to train in the ways of the Force, then test their
    skills to see if they have what it takes to be a true Jedi and defeat the dark side at
    Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.star-wars-launch-bay-2

‘Get More Wishes’ at the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure
Disneyland Resort will bring its biggest Lunar New Year celebration yet to Disney California Adventure Park, Jan. 26 to Feb. 18. Commemorating the Year of the Dog, the celebration expands to 24 days full of multicultural performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful décor, delicious cuisine and themed merchandise. Highlights from the celebration include:

  • “Hurry Home—Lunar New Year Celebration,” the heartwarming, nighttime water show at Paradise Bay prior to “World of Color”
  • “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” celebrating family and friendship
  • a Lucky Wishing Wall
  • opportunities to encounter God of Good Fortune Goofy, Pluto, Mickey, Minnie, Chip ‘n Dale, Mulan and Mushu all dressed in their Lunar New Year attire, and more.lunar-new-year-mickey-minnie

‘Get More Flavor’ at The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The popular Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns March 2 to April 12, with flavors and fare inspired by the Golden State. The culinary festival brings delicious cuisine,specialty beverages and exciting entertainment for guests of all ages to enjoy. With experiences happening daily during the six-week event, guests will always find something tasty to try and fun to do as they explore the uniquely Disney festival.food-and-wine-1The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival offers unique food and beverage
offerings at more than a dozen Festival Marketplaces, along with live music, entertainment and 3 special activities. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine, Alex Guarnaschelli and Shaun O’Neale, food and beverage tastings, winemaker dinners, beer, wine and spirit seminars, and more.***food-and-wine-2‘Get More Magic’ at the First-Ever Pixar Fest Celebration
Pixar Fest, the biggest theme park celebration of beloved stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios, begins April 13 throughout the Disneyland Resort.

  •  A new nightly fireworks show debuts at Disneyland: “Together Forever—A Pixar
    Nighttime Spectacular,” celebrates Pixar stories through the decades as it lights
    up the sky, connecting guests with characters they’ve come to know and love.
    Along with dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music, a heartwarming story
    celebrates the theme of friendship, an ever-present concept in Pixar animation.
    Guests are invited to embark on an emotional journey that begins with the meeting of unlikely Pixar pals and follows their adventures as they overcome obstacles and forge everlasting friendships. “Together Forever” comes to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. The grand tradition of Tinker Bell flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle also gets a Pixar twist, with a special flyover by Buzz Lightyear.pixar-fireworks
  • The fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade returns, this time to Disney California
    Adventure. “Paint the Night” features pals from Disney·Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” Another Pixar story will join the nightly “Paint the Night” parade later in the year, adding to this popular nighttime experience.
  • “Pixar Play Parade” also returns, making its way through Disneyland for the first time and bringing even more Pixar to guests with the addition of three new story elements. The daily parade will begin with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp. Rolling ahead of the famous lamp will be the familiar yellow Pixar Ball. Also joining the parade are characters from the beloved films “Up” and “Inside Out.”

pixar-lamp

pixar-additionsSouthern California Resident Ticket Offer
If you didn’t hear the exciting news, the Southern California Resident Ticket Offer is back at Disneyland Resort. SoCal residents may experience all these attractions and entertainment, along with beloved experiences at Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure, with the 2-day and 3-day Southern California Resident tickets. These special offers are available only for a limited time. Southern California residents must purchase tickets from Jan. 8 through May 21, 2018. Tickets expire on May 24, 2018, and blockout dates apply.*

disneyland-resort-celebrate-summer-max-passSouthern California residents may purchase tickets at http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal and at
Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Guests who purchase tickets online may print their tickets at home. Proof of residency is required for purchase and theme park admission. With these
tickets, guests may also purchase Disney MaxPass, a digital tool for guests to maximize their experience with unlimited Disney PhotoPass photo downloads and the convenience of mobile Disney FastPass while in the parks through the Disneyland App.****disneyland-summer-celebrate-summer-colorful-wallFor restrictions, visit http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal. For park hours and entertainment schedules, guests may review the resort’s daily calendar at Disneyland.com.

Some images and renderings are property of Disney and used with permission.