Over The Top Mommy

Character Dining With Pooh and Friends at The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom Park

This is not a sponsored post. 

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!the-crystal-palace-photo-with-poohOne 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. the-crystal-palace-picture-with-pigletthe-crystal-palace-exteriorLocated 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. the-crystal-palace-tigger-and-piglet-decor 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! the-crystal-palace-friendship-day-celebrashunGuests 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.the-crystal-palace-food-1the-crystal-palace-pancakes-and-baconGuests 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?mickey-waffleCoffee, tea, milk, juice, and other non-alcoholic options are also included with your meal.the-crystal-palace-winnie-the-pooh-wavingWhile 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.  the-crystal-palace-pooh-topiaryOur 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! the-crystal-palace-breakfast-lunch-and-dinnerTo 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?

the-crystal-palace-photo-with-tiggerTo 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.

10 Benefits of Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

This is not a sponsored post.

It’s no secret that our family loves all things Disney. We can often be found hanging out at the Disneyland Resort since we are lucky enough to live pretty close by.disneyland-photo-pass-snowglobeLet’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!when-can-we-go-back 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?disney-world-pop-centuryWith 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 here.disney-world-yacht-club-roomAs 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 Walt Disney World site or call Disney Resort Hotel Reservations directly at (407) 939-1936 and a Cast Member will assist you in doing so. Bonus: If you call to make a reservation or ask a question, you get to listen to Disney music from the Parks and the parades! epcot-coffee-cupOn 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! 10-benefits-of-staying-at-a-walt-disney-world-resort-hotelComplimentary MagicBands
MagicBands are literally your “key to the magic” and when you stay at a Disney World hotel,  you can customize your Magic Bands on the site first, with name and color, and they’ll be mailed to you for free, prior to your visit. During your vacation, Magic Bands are not only your room key, but they also access your FastPass+ selections, and even allow you to pay for anything you need during your trip because they’re linked to your credit card on file. Guests not staying on Disney property have the option to purchase MagicBands for a fee. walt-disney-world-magicbandsEarly FastPass+ Scheduling
Speaking of FastPass+ selections, here comes another cool part…when you have reservations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can go online (either on the site or on the app) and schedule your FastPass+ selections, which include attractions, entertainment, or Character Greetings, 60 days out from your trip., as long as you already have your Park admission tickets or an Annual Pass. schedule-a-fastpass-on-the-appThat’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 here.
disney-animal-kingdom-pandora
Advanced Dining Reservations
Anyone wishing to dine at one of the restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort can make a reservation 180 days in advance. If you have a reservation at one of the Disney World hotels, you are actually able to make one 180 days in advance PLUS 10 days of your arrival date. That means you can make a dining reservation 190 days in advance of your arrival date and this can actually make a huge difference when you’re trying to land a reservation at one of the more popular restaurants such as Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian, or  character dining such as Royal Sommerhus at Epcot or The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, which is one of our favorites. You can make a dining reservation either online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.crystal-palace-with-pigletDisney’s Magical Express
One of the best perks of staying on Disney property is not having to worry about transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport. Disney’s Magical Express is complimentary motorcoach transportation from the airport to select Walt Disney Resort Hotels, including checked luggage delivery straight to your room. This means that you don’t have to go to baggage claim and you can just head straight out to the Parks if you desire. Disney’s Magical Express operates between 5:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. To read more information about Disney’s Magical Express, go here.disneys-magical-expressExtra Magic Hours
This is one of my favorite benefits! Extra Magic Hours are only available to those guests staying at a Walt Disney Resort. Each day, one of the 4 parks has Extra Magic Hours, some are in the morning and some are in the evening, after park closing. I think the name “magic” is appropriate because it truly is magic, just how many attractions you can get on that would normally have you waiting for a much longer time period. When we took advantage of Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom, we also found a lot of character photo opportunities as we walked down Main Street, U.S.A. Most of the time Extra Magic Hours are early morning so we just make it a point to get up early and get there on time. In the case of a popular attraction, especially during peak months to visit, Extra Magic Hour might be the only realistic way you can ride the attraction without waiting for a huge amount of time. seven-dwarfs-mine-trainTransportation to Disney Theme Parks, Disney Water Parks & Disney Springs
When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort, you don’t have to worry about a rental car or transportation to and from the 4 theme parks, 2 Disney Water parks, and Disney Springs. Transportation for resort guests is complimentary and depending on which resort you’re staying at, you may have access to an air-conditioned bus, a relaxing boat ride, or even their world-famous Monorail. For more specifics on the complimentary resort transportation, please go heredisney-world-transportationDisney Dining Plan
The Disney Disney Plan is only available to Disney World Resort guests. It’s a great addition to add to your vacation, saves you a significant amount of money because it’s prepaid and includes a predetermined number of meals and snacks, per guest, per day, depending on which plan you have. To learn more about the different Disney Dining Plan categories or to add one to your vacation package, please go here.mickey-waffleShip Your Purchases Directly from the Parks to your Hotel
Another great benefit to staying “on property” is that you can have any (or all) of your purchases from the parks shipped directly to your resort hotel. I absolutely loved this option because there have been so many instances that we bought souvenirs which were either too large to carry around with us or too heavy to lug in my purse. This is such a great convenience to be able to take advantage of.walt-disney-world-where-dreams-come-trueAirline Check-In at your resort
This is just another great benefit guests will appreciate. If you are departing from Orlando International Airport, you’ll have the ability to check-in for your flight and receive your boarding passes and check your luggage, all from your resort. This benefit is available to guests flying on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (U.S. Domestic Flights Only), JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. More information can be found about this service here.art-of-animation-little-mermaidResort Activities 
Not all of the Disney magic is reserved for the parks. When you stay at one of the Disney World Resorts, you’ll also find special activities geared towards both children and families. Each resort offers different activities such as crafts, pool games, movies under the stars, dance parties, and more. Some of our favorite activities during our stays included Mickey tie dye shirt making and S’mores night!disney-smoresIn 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!

memory-maker-epcot 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 here.

 

 

{Giveaway} Winter Fest OC Returns to OC Fairgrounds December 21- January 7 + Enter to Win

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

Celebration Festivals is “bringing winter to the OC” with the return of Southern California’s largest winter tradition – Winter Fest at the OC Fair & Event Center.Winter-Fest-2017

This year, the forecast calls for 18 days of snow in a winter wonderland of fun as Winter Fest will run from December 21 through January 7, giving families additional time in the new year to enjoy more than 20 winter-y activities, brought back by popular demand. See Santa and his reindeer fly over the fairgrounds for four nights only before heading back to the North Pole on Christmas Day.winter-fest-2017-coverWinter 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:

  • Unlimited ice tubing down Snowflake Summit’s 150-foot, 8 lane mountain of ice
  • Snow Play area with real snow blown in daily – expanded this year!
  • Festival of Lights two-million-light stroll-through holiday displays – 7 new lands!
  • Nightly tree lighting celebration with parade of Winter Fest characters and snow flurries
  • fireworks and flying Santa and his Reindeer until he returns to the North Pole
  • Winter Fest themed bounce houses and slides for kids
  • The world’s largest walk-through ornament and rocking horse
  • Craft making and games in Santa’s workshop
  • Daily entertainment including live bands, magic from Jimmy H, and strolling carolers
  • Character live shows and meet and greets from popular cartoons such as Thomas the Train, Sid the Science Kid, PJ Masks, and Buddy from Dinosaur Train
  • Little Elves (Toddler) play area
  • Santa’s petting zoo
  • Arcade games
  • Snowboard Simulator

Additional attractions with a fee include:

  • Ice Skating on a full outdoor rink
  • Candy Cane carnival with more than 30 rides, attractions and games
  • Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their cabin

winter-fest-oc-giant-ornamentEach 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.winter-fest-oc-merry-go-roundPrivate, 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.winter-fest-oc-tubingNew 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.

I’m also having a giveaway for one (1) of my readers to win a family 4-pack of General Admission tickets to Winter Fest OC! Tickets may be used any of the days that Winter Fest is open. (Does not include ice skating, carnival rides or food) Giveaway will be open until 11;59 p.m. on 12/12/17. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information on Winter Fest visit http://www.WinterFestOC.com and for the latest updates on entertainment, food and fun follow Winter Fest OC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or with #WinterFestOC.

Images and logo are property of Winter Fest OC. 

Shop, Dine and Visit The Spa at the Glen at Brea Mall + Gift Card Giveaway

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Have you been to Brea Mall lately? It’s the perfect place to go for a day out. brea-mall-insideNot 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. the-spa-at-the-glen-5On 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?the-spa-at-the-glen-4The Spa at the Glen is located inside Brea Mall and provides world class spa treatments performed with care and skillful touch Services include massage, body scrubs and wraps, facial treatments and professional skin care, manicures and pedicures.the-spa-at-the-glen-1the-spa-at-the-glen-2You 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.)the-spa-at-the-glen-3Why 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. the-spa-at-the-glen-6enter-to-win-a-50-brea-mall-gift-cardI’m hosting a giveaway on my Instagram page for one (1) of my readers to win a $50 Brea Mall Gift Card. You must enter on my Instagram where you see this photo. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and older. For more information about how to enter to win, please go here. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on 11/23/17. One (1) winner will be chosen via Random Number Generator and announced on my Instagram post. Winner will be verified and contacted via DM on Instagram. Winner must be able to pick up gift card prize in person at Brea Mall. Good luck everyone! Thanks for reading!

To learn more about The Spa at the Glen, or to request an appointment, please visit their site here or call 714.990.2090. For more information about Brea Mall, please connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Some images may be property of Brea Mall and used with permission. 

OC Rescue Mission Calls for Urgently Needed Thanksgiving Donations

As the holidays quickly approach, the Orange County Rescue Mission is preparing to host its 52nd annual Thanksgiving dinner, which will feed more than 660 homeless families and individuals in the region.OC-rescue-mission-logoThe 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.

ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION THANKSGIVING 2016
ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION THANKSGIVING 2016

“The holiday season is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, and all that we can do to help others. We hope the community will join us in embracing the holiday spirit, and helping us to give back to those less fortunate.” – Jim Palmer, President of the Orange County Rescue Mission

The Rescue Mission is currently in need of:

ENTREES:

  • 106 whole turkeys
  • 48 whole hams
  • 160 pounds of ground pork

SIDES:

  • 200 pounds of potatoes
  • 360 boxes of stuffing
  • 80 pounds of cranberries
  • 120 cans of corn

VEGETABLES:

  • 120 bags of green beans
  • 100 bags of carrots
  • 30 pounds of mushrooms
  • 650 onions

EXTRAS:

  • 90 containers of butter
  • 24 pounds of garlic
  • 100 boxes of breadcrumbs
  • 75 pounds of bacon

If you’d wish to donate any of the items listed above, you may drop off donations at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope, located at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin, California, or contact Ashley Binder at 714-247-4343 or [email protected]. The donation warehouse is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
About the Orange County Rescue Mission
The Orange County and Inland Empire Rescue Missions are part of a privately funded non-profit organization that uses Biblical principles in its programs such as relationships, finance, and parenting. The Rescue Mission’s innovative facilities and programs provide food assistance and shelter in addition to counseling, education, job training, mental wellness, life skills training, and medical services to provide a solid foundation for the transition to a self-sufficient life. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator’s highest rating of 4-Stars. To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with the Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4320 or visit http://www.rescuemission.org.

Get a Free Total Cost Analysis at Orange County’s Credit Union + Enter to Win a $200 Gift Card

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Orange County’s Credit Union. All opinions are my own.

I love living in Southern California. The weather is beautiful and sunny almost year-round, there is so much outdoor recreation to enjoy, and it’s the hub of great restaurants, entertainment and attractions to enjoy with your family.
There’s also a lot to be said about settling down in Southern California with all of its amenities, including some of the top school districts in the state. With that being said, let’s talk about home buying. It’s very exciting but can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner looking to move, with what seems to be an ever-changing housing market here in Southern California, it’s important to understand the loan and financing options available to you based on your needs and to be knowledgeable about all of your options before you start looking at properties.orange-countys-credit-union-outsideI was invited to Orange County’s Credit Union for a one-on-one appointment with an Orange County’s Credit Union Mortgage Loan Consultant for a complimentary Total Cost Analysis. I was excited to discuss my options in order to decide if purchasing a new home or refinancing our current home makes the most sense for our family right now.
total-cost-analysis-orange-county-credit-union-1A 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:

  • a comparison of renting versus owning
  • the cost of waiting so you don’t miss the right opportunity at the right time
  • potential tax benefits
  • your home’s equity appreciation

Orange County’s Credit Union has introduced a zero-down mortgage offering to help eliminate putting thousands of dollars down up front so I really wanted to explore that and obtain more information about the product.

total-cost-analysis-orange-county-credit-union-3For 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.

Know Before You Go
Here’s a helpful list of items to gather before your own Total Cost Analysis Appointment. For purchase, you can get started with as little as the proposed purchase price and amount of your down payment.
If you’re a current homeowner, some recommended items include:

  • Current Mortgage Statement
  • Homeowner’s Insurance Declarations page
  • Property Tax bill

 

total-cost-analysis-orange-county-credit-union-2It’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.

orange-countys-credit-union-infoIf 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.
enter-to-win-a-gift-card
I’m also hosting a giveaway for one of my lucky readers to win a $200 Crate and Barrel gift card! To enter, go here. This giveaway will be open until Dec. 4. One winner’s name will be chosen at random. The prize will be mailed to the winner and has no cash value. The odds of winning depend on the number of qualified entries received. One entry per person, per day. Must be a current legal resident of the Continental U.S. and be 18 years or older to enter. No purchase necessary to enter. Crate and Barrel is copyrighted. All rights reserved. Crate and Barrel is not a participant or sponsor of this promotion. Click here for full sweepstakes rules.

To request your own Total Cost Analysis or learn more about home loans, call a Mortgage Loan Consultant at (800) 506-5070.

For more information about Orange County’s Credit Union or to find a location nearest you, please go here or call (888) 354-6228.

You can connect with OC’s Credit Union on Facebook and Instagram.

Revel in LEGO® Cheer During the Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Resort Beginning 11/18

Winter is the most wonderful time of the year! This year, Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Resort will begin on November 18. This family friendly holiday celebration is an opportunity for children and their families to feel the LEGO® cheer at the annual winter holiday celebration and enjoy shimmering lights, live entertainment, the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree, festive decor and more! Here’s a fun video showing a glimpse of what the holidays at LEGOLAND California are like:

Fun Town will be glimmering in the night sky as buildings are trimmed with twinkling lights and décor and guests will look picture perfect in front of the world famous LEGO Christmas tree. Standing 30-feet tall and constructed out of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks, the LEGO Christmas tree is adorned with more than 400 LEGO ornaments and 11,000 LED lights.legoland-holidays-lego-santaChildren 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.legoland-holidays-lego-friendsThe 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.legoland-holidays-tree-2All 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.
legoland-holidays-us-with-treeThe 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
The grand finale of Holidays at LEGOLAND California Resort is when midnight comes early at their annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve party. This celebration begins with special musical performances on Fun Town Stage and Heartlake City. Then, the party moves to San Francisco in Miniland U.S.A. where, like the famous Times Square party, Kids’ New Year’s Eve features a countdown followed by a huge LEGO brick dropping 22 feet into 2018 and spectacular fireworks at 6 p.m. to end the night.legoland-california-holidays-soldier-and-santaSpecial early bird pricing for Holidays at LEGOLAND start at $75 beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 11. For more Holidays information, visit http://www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).

Some images and video are property of Legoland and used with permission. 

Tickets Now on Sale for Disney on Ice “Follow Your Heart” in Southern California + Enter to Win

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

disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-logo

Follow your heart straight to adventure with Disney On Ice! Families will make unforgettable memories with Mickey, Minnie and all your Disney friends when the new ice show Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart arrives to the Greater Los Angeles Area!disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-1 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.disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-2 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).disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-3Just 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.disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-4Venture 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.disney-on-ice-follow-your-heart-5The shows will make the following stops in Southern California:

    • Thursday, 12/14 – STAPLES Center
    • Wednesday, 12/20 – HONDA Center, Anaheim
    • Wednesday, 12/17- LONG BEACH ARENA, Long Beach
    • Wednesday, 1/3 – Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario

Tickets for all performances are now on sale with prices starting at just $25! There are also discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $15 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) To purchase your tickets online, please visit AXS.com. You can also charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or purchase them in-person at the venue Box Office.im-having-a-giveaway

I’m also hosting a giveaway for one (1) of my lucky winners to win a family 4-pack of tickets to their choice of opening night at any of the 4 locations mentioned in this post. To enter, fill out the entries on the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to U.S. residents, 18 years and older. Winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.

Logo and images are property of Disney on Ice. 

Irvine Park Railroad’s 22nd Annual Christmas Train + Tickets Now on Sale

I received tickets in exchange for writing this post. All opinions are my own. 

It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year because the holiday season has begun! One of our family’s most favorite holiday traditions, is to visit Santa, over at Irvine Park Railroad. Every year, we can’t wait to take a ride on their Christmas Train to “The North Pole” to visit Santa and have our family’s photo taken with him.irvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-family-santa-photoCome 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. Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa or may purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. Each 5” x 7” photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad frame and available for pickup shortly after being taken. irvine-park-railroad-smiling-with-santaAt the North Pole, visitors may purchase coffee, hot chocolate, freshlypopped popcorn, hot pretzels, and cookies from Santa’s Snack Shop. A full kitchen menu is available at the train station. After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights”, on the ride back to the station.Here’s a video that gives you a glimpse of this magical event:

The Christmas Train event sells out quickly every year and tickets for the 22nd Annual Christmas Train just went on sale so I’m advising you to grab your train tickets now, ONLY available for purchase on their site if you have hopes of riding the train to see Santa. (Please go here for ticket info and purchase.)  Please note, there will be no exchanges of tickets once you’ve selected your date and time and ordered yours.
Tip: If you’re planning on visiting with a large group, purchase your tickets together in one transaction to guarantee you are on the same train, at the same time.irvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-santas-villageThere 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)
Santa’s Village activities this year will include:

  • Story Time with Mrs. Claus
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating
  • Carnival Games
  • Ice Fishing
  • Santa Claus Moon Bounce
  • Christmas Coloring Corner
  • Picture Standsirvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-mrs-claus

irvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-ice-fishingPricing for these activities varies and can be found by visiting http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com.irvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-1The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train is open beginning Friday, December 1st through Saturday, December 23rd. Please visit their web site for hours and to purchase tickets. irvine-park-railroad-christmas-train-ticketsIrvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park. The address is:

Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869

The parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends; parking for the Christmas Train is free after 5:00 PM.irvine-park-railroads-christmas-train-signFor pricing, park directions and more information, please visit http://www.IrvineParkRailroad.com.