Over The Top Mommy

3 Reasons YOU Should Apply for the Disney Parks Moms Panel #DisneyMP

August 22, 2017 / Disney, SoCal Fun

Last week, I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road” at the Disneyland Resort and got the inside scoop about a variety of Disney-related news. One of the exciting announcements they made was about the official dates for the 2018 Disney Parks Moms Panel application period. This year, applicants will be able to apply for this amazing and unique opportunity beginning on September 6! The application window will only be open through September 13 and I don’t recommend waiting until the last minute to apply! This was the tweet that announced it on Twitter:
What is the Disney Parks Moms Panel?
The Disney Parks Moms Panel began back in 2008 as a simple, world-of-mouth forum and has evolved into a highly sought-after source for questions and answers about Disney vacation destinations. This online resource, comprised of a group of Disney loving moms (and dads), is where guests can receive helpful tips and heartfelt advice about Disney from a hand-picked, diverse and knowledgeable group of “moms” who exude a passion for Disney and have a love of helping others plan the ultimate Disney family vacation of their dreams.Whether guests have a question about a theme park, restaurant, service, shop, hotel or activity, the Moms Panel is there to help with that planning.

Here’s a cute video with an overview of the Moms Panel:

Each of the chosen panelists specializes in one of these categories:

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
Disneyland Resort in California
runDisney events
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Cruise Line

Here are 3 reasons why YOU should consider applying for the Moms Panel this year:

Because You LOVE Disney
If you didn’t love Disney, you probably wouldn’t even be reading this right now, so you already have that going for you! If you’re like me, you are constantly being asked by family, friends, coworkers, and everyone else who knows you, about all things Disney. People just know that I love Disney and know they can always ask me questions about it. I may not always know the answer, but they probably figure I do. A love for Disney is what drives all of the Moms Panel applicants to go for it and you should too!It’s a Magical, Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
How magical would it be to selected as one of the hand-picked panelists this year? It seems like such an amazing and unique opportunity to be able to help guests who are vacation planning and especially getting to do so in a area you love talking about and know the most about….DISNEY! Whether you were picked to help guests with Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, runDisney events, Disney Vacation Club, or Disney Cruise Line, it would be such a wonderful experience and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of it!You Have NOTHING to Lose By Applying, Only Something to Gain!
I will fully admit that before I ever applied for the Moms Panel, I really doubted myself and my abilities. Then I had a friend remind me that there was only something to gain if I applied and that I had nothing to lose. Sometimes you just have to take a chance on yourself and believe. You literally have nothing to lose by applying! Even after I didn’t advance past Round 1 the first year I applied, I still applied the following and made it to Round 2! It was very exciting. Who knows? Maybe if I apply this year, I’ll make it to Round 3 or even better, Round 4! You can make it, too!

Have I ever applied?
If you’re wondering if I’ve applied before, the answer is YES! I’ve actually applied twice before. Although I didn’t make it to the final round and wasn’t selected, it was a great experience and every year I consider applying again. The photo above was me attempting to make my video submission for Round 2 of the selection process. To read more about my experience about “What It’s Like to Apply for the Disney Parks Moms Panel”, click here.

So, are you ready to apply for this year’s Disney Parks Moms Panel? I sure hope you do! Don’t forgot to go here on September 6 at noon EDT, when the application window opens for Round 1. To see the latest updates, I highly recommend you follow @DisneyMoms on Twitter!

Video is property of Disney Parks Moms Panel.

When Pixie Dust Lands in Your Inbox #DisneySMMC

August 18, 2017 / Disney, Social Media, Social Media Conferences

Just a few weeks ago, right in the middle of getting ready to say goodbye to summer and go back to work, some Pixie Dust landed in my inbox. If you’ve ever had this happen to you, the feeling is almost indescribable. What I can say is that reading a email subject that reads, “Invitation to Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-the-Road” at the Disneyland Resort”, took my breath away and put tears in my eyes! (no joke!) Although I had the opportunity to attend last year as well, being part of a Disney event like this is just something I hold close to my heart. It never gets any less magical for me either. Just as soon as I let out a big scream of excitement in my empty house (because no one else was around) I immediately shared the magical news on my social channels…because that’s what mom bloggers (like me) do. What is the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road”?
If you’ve never heard of the Disney Social Media Moms Conference “On-The-Road”, it’s a half day conference put on by Disney Parks at various “on the road” locations around the U.S., as well as in Canada. The conference is by invitation only and extended to mom and dad bloggers and other social influencers, mostly drawing from those who share about their love of Disney online. The “On-The-Road” conference is a mini version of the bigger Disney Social Media Moms Celebration which is a much larger, multi-day annual conference also put on by Disney Parks. The purpose of this conference is to give attendees sort of a “snapshot” of what’s to come in the near future for Disney. It might include information about additions to Disney Parks around the world, Disney Cruise information, the Disney Parks Blog, or even give attendees a sneak peek at upcoming Disney movies. There are several great speakers at the conference who provide helpful information about blogging, social media, and the digital space and inspire all of those in the room. Since this particular conference location was at the Disneyland Resort, each attendee also had the opportunity to spend the rest of the day, inside the Parks, with their family. What an absolute treat! There’s nothing quite like making Disney memories together! Don’t you agree?I Updated My Business Cards
As soon as I RSVP’d for the conference, I reached out to one of my favorite artists to have a personalized Disney portrait made that I could use on new, updated business cards for this conference. I’ve followed Amy Rose Studios on Instagram for a while and adore her artistic ability. How cute did my portrait turn out? In the social media (and business) world, it’s always important to carry business cards with you that have the most recent, updated information. When you connect with people at a conference like this, you want them to be able to find you afterwards, right? I really wanted business cards to bring with me that had a Disney touch, so I ordered some with my new Disney portrait on them and I love how they turned out!I Picked Out My Conference Outfit!
The next thing I did was to shop for the perfect conference outfit. I considered just going casual since I’d be spending the day afterwards inside Disneyland Resort but opted to dress up and change later. I must’ve spent 6 hours looking in each and every store at the mall, searching for the perfect outfit. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to Disneybound a character or just wear a nice dress? Finally, I found a cute, summery, cotton top and skirt at White House, Black Market. I paired the outfit with some high, peep-toe red wedges and brought some EARs with me. I Made Some Connections with New Disney Friends Beforehand
I have a confession to make: I sometimes tend to stay in my own “safe” circle in social situations. For this conference, I made a conscious effort to connect with some new(er) Disney friends online beforehand, so I’d feel more comfortable talking to them in person when the big day came. A few of these super Disney Gals include Cam from Growing up Goofy, Dawn from I Am a Mommy Nerd, Julie from Mom Rewritten, and Leslie from Trips with Tykes. These ladies were super sweet and fun to sit with at the actual conference! I highly recommended stepping outside your usual circle. It’s really the only way to grow!Well, I can’t wait to share more about my magical morning at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road” at Disneyland Resort so keep an eye on my blog for more posts to come soon!

Join in the conversation by following the #DisneySMMC hashtag and also @DisneyMoms on Twitter.

Let’s Go Back to School Shopping at Brea Mall

August 17, 2017 / Uncategorized

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

Summer feels like it’s still in full swing but as it starts to wind down and we get closer to the start of a new school year, there’s a lot to consider when planning for back to school! I’ve embraced the summer so much, I saved all of my back to school shopping until the last minute. It’s ok though, I work better under pressure! I also know I can find everything on my shopping list at Brea Mall.With several years of back to school shopping under my belt, I feel like I’m getting better at it each year. I’m definitely a list maker, so here’s my shopping list: My regular back-to-school shopping list has necessities on it such as clothing and shoes and backpacks and lunchboxes. Nowadays, schools also request your child(ren) come to school, equipped with a laptop or other device because they’re “21st Century Learners”. What this means for me as a parent, is that there are now even more school necessities to shop for. Not only devices but also accessories for the laptop, carrying cases, and anything else that a student might need to be successful in this technological age of implementing digital technologies in the classroom.
This year, I broke my back to school shopping into 2 trips. I wanted to get over to the mall by myself to check out the laptop options for myself, without my daughter there making me feel rushed. Thank goodness Brea Mall has an Apple store! I love going into Apple to look around at all of the latest laptops, iPads, Apple Watches, iPhones, etc. I will admit that it can be a bit overwhelming for me. Luckily for me, “Peter” from the Apple store, took a lot of time to help me pick out the right laptop for my daughter to use for her schooling. The “Beats” they have at Apple are also really cool so I picked up a pair of those too because my daughter’s been begging for some. Brea Mall also has Brookstone, which is another great place to shop for school technology needs, in addition to some other things. I found another pair of wireless headphones for my daughter to take to school. These are great quality and offered at a great price but also won’t have me worrying about her “Beats” getting lost at school. Brookstone also had a great selection of portable batteries/chargers, which she is going to need to carry in her case. For the main back-to-school shopping trip, my daughter and I like to make an entire day out of it. We love to start out at the Starbucks and make our shopping plan while we get something to drink. Then we shop, take a break to have a late lunch at one of the eateries there, and then shop some more. It’s a fun annual tradition and something we really enjoy doing together. I always love to see all of the latest trends for kids when we go back to school shopping. This year there are too many to choose from: dinosaurs, unicorns, cute monsters, super heroes, camo, sparkly stuff, etc. I wanted to buy it all! Not only am I shopping for my daughter, I also like to pick up a few things for my nieces and nephews. Some of the stores we checked out this year at were Cotton On Kids, Gymboree, GapKids, Journeys, Justice, and Vans, but Brea Mall has over 175 specialty shops and several popular restaurants.

Have you finished your back to school shopping yet? Maybe I should ask if you’ve even started yet? Leave me a comment and tell me if you have any back to school tips, tricks, or ways to make it easier on your own family. I’d love to hear all about it!

Connect with Brea Mall on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too. I’ll be hosting a Brea Mall gift card giveaway soon on my own Instagram so be sure to keep your eye out for it. Good luck with your own back to school shopping!

Savor Summer at Islands Restaurant + Enter to win a $25 Gift Card

August 12, 2017 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

I was invited to a media tasting at Islands. All opinions are my own.

Summer is still going strong and I can’t get enough of the days at the beach and the pool. I’ve gotta say that after a long summer day in the sun, there’s nothing better than a burger and an ice-cold brew at Islands Restaurant!Right now, Islands Restaurants is featuring two new limited-time menu items: their Waimea Burger and Islands Golden Ale! This combo represents a toast to summer! For Islands’ 35th anniversary year, they’ve brought back this fan-favorite Golden Ale, handcrafted exclusively by Karl Strauss Brewing Company. It’s a medium-bodied draft beer with roasted malt flavors, floral hop aromas and a crisp, clean finish. The refreshing ale was created to pair well with Islands’ signature burgers (and delicious Cheddar Fries).The Islands Waimea Burger is topped with Kalua pork, fresh grilled pineapple rings, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions smothered in a tangy teriyaki sauce. The sweet and savory flavors pair so well together. If you’re not a fan of beer, why not pair this delicious burger with one of Islands’ many tropical cocktails? There are so many to choose from. (and have you been in during their Happy Hour?)
Although it’s the middle of summer, I can’t resist a delicious bowl of Islands Tortilla Soup on every visit, as well as an order of their Spinach Artichoke dip, served with warm tortilla chips. So yummy! I’m also a HUGE fan of dessert and their Kona Pie out of this world! Our family has a tough time sharing it. I wonder why? In celebration of summer, I’m hosting a giveaway for one lucky winner to win a $25 Islands gift card. To enter the giveaway just go to the Rafflecopter below! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Tips to Make Your Day at Disneyland Resort Easier (MaxPass is Awesome!)

August 9, 2017 / Disney, SoCal Fun, Travel

We were invited to a media day in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

It’s no secret that our family loves all things Disney. Creating new memories together in the parks is the best, especially having fun photos to look back at and remember our day.We were invited to celebrate summer at Disneyland Resort, which happened to be the day Disneyland Railroad and the other Rivers of America attractions reopened, so it was a great day to be there!Now that Disneyland Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Colombia, and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island reopened, all seems right in the world again! Just wait until you ride on Disneyland Railroad’s new route! It’s been beautifully updated but they also kept all of the important and historial elements of this attraction and I bet you’ll be in awe for the entire train ride! I know we were!
Adding to our excitement about being at Disneyland Resort was the opportunity to try out the new MaxPass. If you haven’t heard of it before, don’t worry, I’ll explain more. Just keep reading. By the way, MaxPass is awesome! Here’s something you may not know about me: I’m planner and usually have a schedule of some type for most occasions, even if it’s just in my head and my family doesn’t know about it. (Shh, don’t tell them!) Planning your day out at Disney, even if it’s just a little bit, will help it go smoother. I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy being spontaneous at Disney, I just know that it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially on a busy day. As a mom, I always appreciate helpful tips I get from others. Today I want to share my own tips with you about how you can make your day in the parks much easier.1) Download the Disneyland App
First off, I highly recommend downloading the Disneyland app and familiarizing yourself with it prior to your visit. It can be found in the App Store and is free. Once you have it downloaded, set up your account, using an email and password. I also recommend playing around with the app a little bit at home, to get to know where things are. It looks like this:

The Disneyland app allows you to view current wait times, make FASTPASS selections through MaxPass, view your PhotoPass photos, locate show and parade times, and find amenities such as dining locations and restrooms. I assure you that having this set up ahead of time will alleviate the stress of hurrying to do so when you arrive at the Resort.

2) Add Disney MaxPass to your ticket (It’s totally worth it!)
We were super excited to try out MaxPass the day we visited. If you’re not familiar with what that is, don’t worry, it’s something new. Disney MaxPass is a feature you can add to your ticket and includes 2 great benefits to make the most of the magic! For $10 a day, per person, you’ll have access to PhotoPass services and be able to reserve digital FASTPASS selections for any of the 16 attractions that have this set up. (per availability) This is all done through the Disneyland app on your mobile device. (Now you see why I recommended downloading it!) With MaxPass, you have the convenience of scheduling your digital FASTPASS selections through your mobile device. With a regular FASTPASS, you have to walk over to the attraction to obtain it on your ticket through. You can also reserve a digital FASTPASS from either park, as long as you’re in one of them. It saves you so much time not having to walk back and forth. Your feet will actually thank you! I know mine did! You’ll also appreciate the Disney PhotoPass benefit included with MaxPass. You’ll be able to download your photos taken at select locations throughout the parks, character photos, and also photos from popular attractions. Sometimes the poses caught on the attraction photos are beyond hilarious and priceless!With PhotoPass benefits, you can almost instantly download your photos from the app and share them online. You’re also able to download them and print them out as keepsakes, once you’re home. For just $10 per person, per day, Disney MaxPass is totally worth it and makes your day so much easier.

3) Plan out your meals for the day
Have a plan for meals. This may sound a little too planned out but trying to deal with your family when they are hangry (that’s hungry + angry) is no joke! There are many different food options at Disneyland which include a ton of quick service restaurants and snack carts. If you think you might want an actual sit-down meal during your day, I recommend making that reservation before you even arrive at the parks. As soon as you download the Disneyland app, you can make a dining reservation. Some of the restaurants that offer dining reservations at Disneyland include Blue Bayou Restaurant, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, Plaza Inn (offers character dining for breakfast), and River Belle Terrace. At Disney California Adventure Park you can make a reservation for Ariel’s Grotto (character dining) and Carthay Circle Restaurant. Although it’s super simple to make a dining reservation through the app, you can also always call 714.781.DINE or 714.781.3463 to make one also. For more info about all of the dining options at Disneyland Resort, go here.

4) Choose parades and shows you want to watch ahead of time
On any given day that you choose to visit Disneyland Resort, there’s always a great lineup of shows to go see and parades to watch in both of the parks. You can get entertainment info for the day you’re visiting on the Disneyland app. Paper schedules are also available when you go through the Main gate at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park.

Again, I recommend planning ahead because some of the shows may require you to get a FASTPASS early on in the day, such as World of Color and Fantasmic!.

There are also dining packages available for World of Color, Fantasmic! and Main Street Electrical Parade, which include preferred seating in the package. If you have an idea of what shows and/or parades you’re determined to watch, it will help drive the rest of your day. For a list of entertainment at Disneyland Resort, go here.

5) Carry a backpack and get a locker for the day!
I can’t tell you just what a huge difference it makes for me to carry a backpack instead of a purse! It allows me to throw everything I’m going to need for the day inside the backpack and then just carry it around on my back and have the ability to have my hands freed up. I also invest the money in a locker for items such as extra clothes and a change of shoes for nighttime and also to put my big camera if I happen to bring it and get tired of lugging it around. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it!

I hope my tips are helpful for you! A very special thank you to Disneyland Resort for inviting our family to spend a special day in the parks. We hope to see you again real soon! Happy Summer!

Disney MaxPass image property of Disney Parks.

Olson Homes Model Grand Opening Event for Single-Story Villas in Orange on 8/12

August 8, 2017 / Lifestyle

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

Are you looking for a new home in Orange County? Olson Homes is bringing 37 brand-new single-story villas to Orange in their new community Orchard Walk!Home seekers far and wide are invited to the Olson Orchard Walk Model Grand Opening event on Saturday, August 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Attendees will be treated to a tour of four fully-furnished attached model homes showcasing Olson’s expertise in home design and livability. Attendees can also enjoy an assortment of delicious food, amazing Front Porch Pops, beverages, live music, and an awesome balloon artist the kids are sure to love – all while exploring the new homes! It’s an event you won’t want to miss out on! You can RSVP for the event here.
Orchard Walk will present two and three-bedroom attached residences featuring Spanish architectural styles and modern style open layouts. Homebuyers can choose from four different floorplans ranging from approximately 1,340 to 1,566 square feet. Select floorplans have the added bonus of exterior patio spaces and varying room options!Each Olson Home includes energy efficient toilets, faucets, and other Energy Star appliances along with auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths and space saving tankless water heaters. Key safety features include automatic fire sprinklers, low VOC interior paint, and carbon monoxide detectors. See the full list of individual home details HERE.Orchard Walk boasts a prime Orange County location! Residents will be about 3.5 miles from Old Towne Orange, a hub for artisan style dining and shopping. Other popular attractions like Disneyland, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and The Outlets of Orange can all be accessed within a 12 mile radius!Orchard Walk’s Welcome Center is currently open to help visitors get to know the neighborhood. Home Advisors on hand are ready to help prospective buyers learn about the qualifying and buying process. All interested buyers are encouraged to register for the Orchard Walk Interest List to receive information and updates about this community and future phase releases. Register for the Interest List HERE.

Olson Homes is also hosting a fun giveaway right now in celebration of their upcoming Orchard Walk Grand Opening event. You can enter for a chance to win one of 5 gift cards to Orange Hill Restaurant by doing either or both of these things:
1) Following Olson Homes on Instagram and also tag 3 friends on this Grand Opening Post for Orchard Walk.

2) Go to this Olson Homes’ Facebook event and say that you’re GOING to the Facebook event and also tag 3 friends on this Facebook event post.

Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older. No purchase is necessary to enter. Entries will be accepted through 8/11 at 3:59 p.m. . Entries will be verified and winners chosen on 8/11 at 4 p.m.. Winners may pick up their prize at the Grand Opening event on 8/12. Giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram or this blog.

Orchard Walk is located at:
4700 E. Washington Avenue
Orange, Ca. 92869
562.370.9544

Connect with Olson Homes on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too!

About Olson Homes
Recognized as a leader in providing affordable urban housing throughout California, The Olson Company is dedicated to developing outstanding and long-lasting partnerships with the cities with which we work. Our approach to problem solving continues to be successful because we listen to the suggestions of city planners and officials and ultimately recognize that we are all committed to the same goal — serving the local community.

Images and logo are property of Olson Homes and used with permission.

American Girl Branches Out with New Body Book for Boys

August 7, 2017 / Lifestyle

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

For the first time, American Girl, a decades-long leader in helping millions of girls navigate through adolescence, is extending similar advice to boys and their parents with Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys. With boys facing many of the same questions and concerns about their changing bodies as girls do, the brand felt it was important to collaborate with Dr. Cara Natterson, New York Times bestselling author and mom of a 2 for this new book. Dr. Natterson is also a board-certified pediatrician and author of American Girl’s wildly successful The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls series has sold nearly 6 million copies and is considered the “go-to” resource for parents and health-care professionals alike.

Using a down-to-earth tone and illustrations that deliver just the right balance of facts and humor, Guy Stuff helps boys ages 8 and up prepare for the changes their bodies will go through as they grow and develop. Topics cover everything from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to shaving, acne to voice cracking, pubic changes to moodiness, peer pressure to bullying, and everything in between.

“Parents have written to me for years, asking for the boy version of The Care and Keeping of You. And while we’ve done a good job of educating girls on puberty and their changing bodies, boys have been left behind on this topic—and that’s simply not fair. Boys go through puberty, too, and they deserve the same information that girls get about how to grow up in a safe and healthy way. It’s time we change the social norms and start including boys in discussions about puberty, health, and wellness, beyond what may or may not be taught in the classroom once or twice a year.” – Dr. Cara Natterson

Guy Stuff addresses boys directly with age-appropriate and practical information that answers their questions about how their bodies work, what will change through puberty, handling new emotions and feelings (and that it’s okay to express them!), and how to adopt healthy living strategies for a lifetime. And just like its girl counterpart, Guy Stuff empowers boys to take control over their health, while also encouraging open conversation with parents and other trusted adults about questions or worries they may have.
Guy Stuff is a head-to-toe guide, covering a wide range of physical and emotional topics, including:
Body Basics: Breaks down basic facts about boys’ bodies and explains the common changes of puberty (“You Will: Grow taller, sprout hair, sweat more, develop muscles, see changes in skin and hair texture, get a deeper voice, see changes to private parts, and experience new emotions.”) and discusses the importance of establishing healthy habits and having a good attitude.
Heads Up: This chapter covers everything boys need to know to keep their heads and face in tip-top shape, including hair care, acne, sun protection, and oral hygiene.
Reach: Explains the essentials of nail care and maintaining healthy hands, underarm hair and controlling body odor, plus breaks down the changes boys’ chests will undergo.
Belly Zone: Acknowledges that bodies come in different shapes and sizes, and shares detailed information on healthy hydration, food, nutrition, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Big Changes: Tackles changing hormones, private parts (including erections), moods, and voice.
Get Going: Covers legs, height and growing pains, feet, fitness and exercise, sport safety, the importance of good sleep, and even bed-wetting.
Your Inner You: This section delves into new feelings and emotions boys may be experiencing during puberty, including topics on peer pressure and bullying, plus letting guys know that it’s not only okay, but healthy, to express their emotions.

Guy Stuff is priced at $12.99 and is now available through the American Girl catalogue, at americangirl.com, at American Girl retail stores, and nationwide through retail and online booksellers.

Images are property of American Girl and used with permission.

Rock the Walk Thursdays at Anaheim GardenWalk

August 2, 2017 / Entertainment, Food, Restaurant Reviews

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

One of our new favorite local places to visit is Anaheim GardenWalk. Have you been there before? This outdoor dining, entertainment and shopping destination is situated in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District just steps from the Disneyland® Resort and Anaheim Convention Center, GardenWalk offers guests a variety of these popular restaurants:

The Cheesecake Factory
California Pizza Kitchen
P.F. Chang’s
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
McCormick & Schmick’s
Grasslands Meat Market
Fire + Ice Grill + Bar
Roy’s Restaurant
Johnny Rockets
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
McMormick & Schmick’s Grill

GardenWalk also offers a vibrant nightlife, an escape room, a magic store and cabaret, trendy shops and an upscale bowling lounge. Some of the newest tenants to join the property include House of Blues Anaheim, Mission Escape Games, Artists Republic Gallery, and Go VR Gaming.We were invited to spend a fun evening out at GardenWalk to experience “Rock the Walk”. a summer concert series. Rock the Walk, is a live music experience showcasing local artists and takes place on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.through August 24. During Rock the Walk, guests can also enjoy free tastings from participating restaurants in the center, get free Henna, and enter giveaways. We listened to live music from Hoity Toity, an up and coming band that’s local.There’s also a DJ on hand during Rock the Walk. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors, with family and friends, on Southern California summer nights. There’s a great ambiance at GardenWalk with many great art pieces, galleries, and murals to check out too, including great backdrops for photos.We were also treated to a very special dinner that night at Fire + Ice Bar + Grill, which has got to be the coolest interactive grill I’ve ever experienced. The eatery welcomes diners of all ages and preferences, offering an incredible selection of fresh veggies, meats, pastas, seasonings and sauces. Their pro-grillers entertain the crowds as they sizzle up your culinary creation on an open grill. Here’s a fun video to give you an idea of what it’s like at Fire + Ice Bar + Grill:

It’s cool to be able to choose what you want to have for dinner, whether it be a noodle dish with an Asian flare or an Italian pasta or even a pizza cooked right there on the grill. You get to put together your creation and then watch the grillers prepare right in front of you!Fire + Ice is such a fun place to go, especially at night when it gets on the busier side because the grill gets full and it’s super cool to watch the grillers juggle all of it while still having fun with guests. The food was delicious and the staff went above and beyond. We had a great experience at Fire + Ice.

Rock the Walk will take place on Thursdays through August 24. Here is a schedule of featured artists for Rock the Walk in August:

Thursday,, August 3 – Katelyn Marie
Thursday, August 10 – Tony Gomez
Thursday, August 17 – Morgan Mallory
Thursday, August 24 – HVNTED, presented by Music Forward

Anaheim GardenWalk is located at:
400 West Disney Way
Anaheim, CA 92802

For more information about Anaheim GardenWalk, please call 714.635.7410 or visit their site here.

Some images and video are property of Anaheim GardenWalk and Fire + Ice and used with permission.

{Giveaway} 7 Reasons to Love LEGOLAND California Resort + Enter to Win 4 Park Hopper Tickets

August 1, 2017 / Uncategorized

Southern California is the hub of so many family friendly things to do. One of them is LEGOLAND California Resort and luckily for us, it’s only about a 45 minute drive from our home. Since that’s practically a hop, skip & a jump away, we find ourselves there quite often.Over the years, we’ve really come to love LEGOLAND more and more! There are just so many fun things to see and do there and even with a pre-tween daughter, I still get asked by her, to go to LEGOLAND. Here are just 7 of the reasons we love LEGOLAND California Resort:

There are fun attractions for all ages!
LEGOLAND has over 60 great shows and attractions. I love that there are some geared towards small children, some geared towards families, and even many for “big kids”, like my daughter and her friends, We are never stuck trying to find something to go on when we’re at the Park. Did I mention that my daughter and her friends enjoy all of the rides though? (including those intended for younger guests.) Miniland USA is amazing!
A visit to LEGOLAND needs to include a stroll through Miniland USA. The area is located in the heart of the park and features iconic structures and figures, made of LEGO bricks by Master Model Builders. Some of the sites to see there are the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Grand Central Station in New York City, and the strip in Las Vegas. There’s even a large LEGO Star Wars area in Miniland USA where guests can embark on a journey through the seven different LEGO Star Wars scenes.LEGO Character Meet and Greets are cool!
One of the fun ways to capture memories are by taking photos with some of the LEGO costume characters you run into in the Park. We’ve met Wyldstyle, Emmet, UniKitty, pirates and knights, friends in LEGO Ninjago World, and the LEGO friends.Granny’s Apple Fries Are a MUST! (among other LEGOLAND snacks)
It’s no secret that I love finding good things to eat. You know this if you follow me on Instagram. I cannot visit LEGOLAND without getting myself an order of Granny’s Apple Fries. These sweet treats are Granny Smith apples, cut into “fries” shapes, deep fried to perfection, and coated in sugar and cinnamon. They’re served with whipped cream for dipping and are out of this world! LEGO Friends Heartlake City is adorable!
One of my daughter’s favorite areas in the Park is LEGO Friends Heartlake City. Back in 2015, the LEGO Friends Heartlake City area opened inside the Park and it’s so much fun to visit because you feel like you’ve stepped right inside of one of the LEGO Friends episodes. The color palette and the decor in HEARTLAKE city adorable and there’s also a stage in the center of the area where LEGO Friends perform several times a day.Brick or Treat Nights are fun!
LEGOLAND offers a special ticketed event every fall called Brick or Treat. The tickets (or portion to add on to your regular ticket) is very reasonable and allows you to get into the park fora fun and not so spooky night of Halloween fun. There are trick-or-treat stations set up around the park for guests of all ages, even the adults, to go “trick or treating”. Some of the stations even give out LEGO brick sets. There are also cute Halloween decorations throughout the Park, special dance parties, a costuem contest, and a few other surprises. It’s one of our favorite things to do each Halloween season. Oh, and everyone can dress up. Even the adutls. You can read my post about our experience at Brick or Treat here. LEGOLAND Waterpark!
Our family loves the fact that we can spend part of our day at the Resort, inside the LEGOLAND Waterpark. Since the weather is so nice in Southern California, the waterpark is usually open all the way through October, so we like to visit a couple of times each season. There are all types of slides inside the waterpark, some more “thrilling” than otheres, just depending on how “brave” you are. Inside of the LEGOLAND waterpark there are also play and splash areas, a Lazy River, and plenty of seating, including Cabanas that you can rent ffor the day. (for a fee.) Also, a new area called “Surfers Cove” was recently added to the waterpark. *Please note: You need to purchase a Park Hopper ticket to gain access to the LEGOLAND Waterpark area, as it’s inside of LEGOLAND.

Are you ready for some exciting news? I have teamed up with a group of other bloggers to host an amazing giveaway! One winner will win 4 LEGOLAND California Resort Park Hopper tickets! It’s simple to enter, just leave a comment on this post AND go below and enter through the Rafflecopter. Good luck and thanks for reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Giveaway open to US Residents Only. No purchase necessary to enter. All readers have an equal chance to win, however, you must enter to win. A winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. I will attempt to contact the winner for 3 days. If the winner cannot be reached by email, a new winner will be selected the same way. There are several different ways to earn entries. One prize per household. The winner will receive, free of charge, the prize mentioned above. This prize is not available for exchanges and has no cash value. Prizes are not transferable or refundable and must be accepted as awarded. The winner is responsible for any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment.”