Let’s talk about character dining at Walt Disney World Resort. Do you have a favorite place to dine at? For our family, character dining is a must-do on every one of our trips there! It’s a chance to enjoy a delicious meal together and grab some great photos of our family along with some of our favorite Disney characters. We LOVE Winnie the Pooh!
One of character dining experiences to go to is The Crystal Palace inside Magic Kingdom Park. It’s where you’ll find Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. 
Located on Main Street, U.S.A., The Crystal Palace is the perfect place to start your day off, as well as a great place to grab some dinner after a day of exploring. 
As you walk through the front door of The Crystal Palace, you’ll notice how light and bright everything is, as the decor was inspired by the Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800’s. With topiaries and tropical palms galore, It’s the perfect setting to have a “Friendship Day Celebrashun”, which is what Winnie the Pooh and his friends do there every single day! 
Guests have the option to dine at The Crystal Palace for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, depending on what time of day they visit. The food is served as an All-You-Care-to-Enjoy buffet. Since Mickey waffles seem to be one of our family’s favorites, we usually opt to dine there for breakfast, following Extra Magic Hours in Magic Kingdom Park.
Guests will be delighted to choose from a bountiful selection of breakfast items including:
- made-to-order omelettes
- assorted hot and cold cereals
- freshly-baked pastries
- breakfast meats
- breakfast potatoes
- pancakes, french toast, and Mickey waffles
- fresh fruit
- yogurt
There’s even a special Pooh’s Corner, Children’s Buffet, which is where you’l be able to grab those Mickey waffles. We’re all “children” at Walt Disney World though, right?
Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and other non-alcoholic options are also included with your meal.
While you’re enjoying your meal, Winnie the Pooh and his friends walk around and visit each table to sign autograph books and take photos, allowing you to capture those special moments to look back on and smile about for years to come! Helpful tip: Have your camera and/or phone ready to go before they get to your table. 
Our family hasn’t had the chance to try the lunch or dinner option yet at The Crystal Palace but I will tell you that the breakfast is fabulous! 
To view the menu, pricing, and to check table availability, go here. As always, you can also make a dining reservation by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Have you dined at The Crystal Palace before? Leave me a comment below telling me who your favorite character to visit there is?
To view the entire list of character dining experiences at Walt Disney World, go here.
*Please note: A valid park admission is required to access The Crystal Palace.
Let’s talk about about my “other favorite subject” though: Walt Disney World Resort! Up until a few years ago, I’d never traveled to Orlando nor visited Walt Disney World. Fast forward to present day, we’ve been there 4 times now!
Walt Disney World is literally my new favorite place to travel and every time we return from one trip, I start looking at our calendar to see when we can sneak away to Florida again. Can you relate?
With over 25 different resorts to choose from at Walt Disney World Resort, you’re going to find at least one that fits within your family’s budget. Whether you choose a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Resort to stay at, you’ll be enamored by all of the magical touches and thematic decor around your resort and inside your room. You’ll can scroll through an entire list of Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
As a busy mom, I truly appreciate how easy it is to make your hotel reservations, once you’re narrowed your choices down. You can either make reservations on the official
On each of our 4 trips to Orlando, our family has stayed at a different Disney World Resort and I’ve found that there are tons of benefits for guests who stay at one, they just won’t get when you stay “off property” (a.k.a. a non-Disney World hotel). To be honest, I’d probably still stay at a Disney World hotel even if there weren’t benefits because I’m that Disney Mom who never wants to miss out on anything! Today I want to share 10 great benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel with you, in hopes of helping you plan your next trip to Walt Disney World. Check them out! 
Complimentary MagicBands 
Early FastPass+ Scheduling
That’s 30 days earlier than guests who don’t have a reservation “on property”. This allows you to secure highly sough after attractions early on so you can have those in place and rest assured. We felt so lucky to grab FastPass+ selections this past trip for Pandora – World of Avatar, which is absolutely breathtaking, by the way! To learn more about FastPass+, go 
Disney’s Magical Express
Extra Magic Hours
Transportation to Disney Theme Parks, Disney Water Parks & Disney Springs
Disney Dining Plan
Ship Your Purchases Directly from the Parks to your Hotel
Airline Check-In at your resort
Resort Activities 
In addition to all of these key benefits, there are also other perks you’ll get once you’ve booked your stay at a Disney World Resort, such as special mailers and email reminders about different options to add onto your vacation. The whole experience is a magical one and for our family, there’s just no reason to ever stay anywhere besides a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel when we visit Walt Disney World!
Have you been before? Share your favorite trip memory with me in the comments! If not, are you planning a trip soon? I hope so!For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, please visit their official site 
Winter Fest’s giant wonderland of family fun and date night charm is a great value with tickets available starting at only $10. Season passes are also available for all 18 days of Winter Fest to capture plenty of Instagram-worthy pictures. Every admission ticket includes:
Each night, Winter Fest will celebrate with a parade of winter characters, featuring Mayor Frost, Mrs. Claus, the Ice Princess, Penny the Penguin, carolers, Toy Soldiers on stilts, and elves. With the Winter Fest characters circled around the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, Mayor Frost will light the tree and thrill the crowd with fireworks, falling snow, and a surprise appearance from Santa and his Reindeer flying overhead through Christmas Eve.
Private, ice rink-side VIP cabanas start at only $69 per session, creating a destination for holiday office parties, birthday parties, family retreats or date nights. Each cabana will accommodate two to 10 people and can adapt to fit parties of up to 100 guests. The VIP cabanas offer exclusive menus with seasonally-inspired food, cocktails, a private ice rink entrance and private servers.
New Years Eve, Winter Fest plans to light up the sky with fireworks and a not-to-miss 3,000 beach-ball drop at midnight. For families looking for a fun experience to ring in the New Year with the East Coast, a special countdown, beach-ball drop and fireworks will be celebrated at 9pm.
Not only can you shop but there are tons of dining options, including restaurants and an entire food court. The center features five major department stores including Nordstrom, Macy & Macy Men Children & Home, jcpenney, and Sears, and more than 175 specialty shops. It’s also home to a full-service day spa, The Spa at the Glen. 
On my last trip to Brea Mall, I got an extra special treat: a pedicure! Who would’ve thought you could shop, dine AND go the to spa, all in one trip?
You can schedule an appointment for a service and enjoy the spa amenities either before or after your service. (Next time I’m going to go and spend the entire day inside the spa.)
Why not plan a relaxing day of shopping, dining, and a visit to The Spa at the Glen on your next trip to Brea Mall? It’s a beautiful facility and allows you to be pampered before, during, or after your shopping trip. 
I’m hosting a giveaway on
The organization has announced an urgent need for food donations from the local community. Thanksgiving dinner is an important gathering for both the Village of Hope residents and those living in surrounding areas, many of whom have never had the opportunity to take part in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The Orange County Rescue Mission is currently experiencing a shortage of food, and they urgently need the help of the community in order to provide a memorable holiday experience for these men, women, and children in need.
A Total Cost Analysis provides clear advice and simple side-by-side comparisons of your options, costs, and savings, all personalized to your unique needs. Here are some examples of what you’ll receive during a Total Cost Analysis:
For our family, we found it was more beneficial on the financial standpoint, to buy a home, rather than renting one, mainly because of the tax benefits you receive as a homeowner. With that being said, purchasing a home can also seem tricky. It can also be overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. Although I’m a current homeowner, I found the process very helpful in providing me with the best information about my current options.
It’s important to work with someone you can relate to and build trust with when you’re going through the home-buying process. That’s why having a trusted partner, such as one of the Mortgage Loan Consultants at Orange County’s Credit Union, who is local, experienced, and accessible will provide the guidance and peace of mind you need to obtain the home loan that meets your needs. If you’re considering either purchasing a home or refinancing your own, I’d definitely recommend a visit to Orange County’s Credit Union for your own Total Cost Analysis. To save time, this can also be done right over the phone. In addition to great rates and loan products, a Membership there also provides so many other benefits. You’re eligible for Membership if you live or work in Orange or Riverside Counties or the neighboring communities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos, or Signal Hill. If you don’t live or work in the area, you may also qualify through your employer or if your immediate family member already banks with them. Orange County’s Credit Union offers all the services you’d want from a bank, but it’s owned by Members, not shareholders.
If you’re considering either purchasing a home or refinancing your own, I’d definitely recommend a visit to Orange County’s Credit Union for your own Total Cost Analysis. In addition to great rates and loan products, a membership there also provides so many other benefits. Orange County’s Credit Union offers all the services you’d want from a bank, but it’s owned by Members, not shareholders.
Children can practice their belly laugh as the family poses for a photo with life-size LEGO Santa and his reindeer, then head over to the Fun Town stage to dance and sing along with The Yule Tides, Santa’s musical elves who deck all the halls with carols old and new.
The fun continues in Heartlake City which transforms into a winter wonderland for guests to enjoy. Kids can sing and dance as they watch the Friends live holiday show and join in building activities in the Heartlake City stables. A traveling brass band playing festive bluegrass music will fill Heartlake City with the jingles of the season. Guests can indulge in tasty holiday fare such as churros con chocolate, vanilla bean hot chocolate and spiced apple cider, plus enjoy character meet and greets with LEGO Santa and a LEGO toy soldier and collect holiday inspired pop badges.
All new this year, indulge in our Winter Holiday Market during extended Park hours on Saturday Dec. 9 and 16. Guests can enjoy authentic “German Christmas Market” inspired treats like traditional holiday breads, grilled sausages, giant Bavarian pretzel and more. LEGOLAND California is also offering exclusive retail deals for shoppers looking for the perfect LEGO holiday gift.
The family festivities continue at SEA LIFE® aquarium and LEGOLAND® Hotel. SEA LIFE aquarium has a special holiday themed daily dive show and winter craft activities. LEGOLAND Hotel has also gotten in the holiday spirit with festive decorations, holiday entertainment and its own LEGO Christmas tree. Kids will also enjoy special holiday themed games and story time at the castle, plus building contests themed for the festivities.
Special early bird pricing for Holidays at LEGOLAND start at $75 beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 11. For more Holidays information, visit 
The ice skating extravaganza features the beloved stories & characters from the smash hit animated movies Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory and Inside Out for the first time in a live production.
Performances will take place from December 14 through January 8, 2018 in Los Angeles (STAPLES Center), Anaheim (Honda Center), Long Beach (Long Beach Arena) and Ontario (Citizens Business Bank Arena).
Just keep swimming with Dory, Nemo, Marlin and new pal Hank from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory as they embark on a life-changing excursion to find her parents and discover the true meaning of family. Cheer with Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the Emotions from Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out as they help Riley find the confidence to win the big hockey game.
Venture to wintery world of Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite royal sisters Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen and learn love is the most powerful magic of all. See Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana and the Disney Princesses make their dreams come true through their virtues of bravery, kindness and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and the Toy Story gang.
The shows will make the following stops in Southern California:
Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole. 
There are many activities for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village, located next to the train station. These activities are all available to visitors when the Christmas Train runs, regardless of whether or not guests have train tickets. (since at some point, train tickets will be sold out)
Pricing for these activities varies and can be found by visiting 
