7 Fun Facts About Hank From Finding Dory #FindingDoryEvent
June 2, 2016 in All Posts, animation, Disney entertainment, movies
When Finding Dory opens nationwide on June 17, audiences will meet a new, lovable Pixar character that is sure to become a quick fan favorite. Hank the octopus becomes Dory’s traveling companion and is a scene stealer with his plentiful suction cups, dry wit and fast thinking. To celebrate the fact that Hank is actually a“septopus” (an octopus with seven legs), I thought it would be fun to provide you with seven fun facts about this character. 1. Pixar artists did not have a lot of experience (any, really) drawing octopuses, so they had to research the species. They...
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Whenever I hear about a movie sequel coming out more than a decade after the original, I always have so many questions I would like to ask the filmmakers. Why now? How come it took so long? What makes now a better time than a decade ago? Rarely, do movie lovers get those questions answered, but during a recent media event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a select group of bloggers and I got just that opportunity with Andrew Stanton, the director of Finding Dory and the film’s producer Lindsey Collins. It has been no secret that Ellen DeGeneres...
How to participate in the Jedi Training at Disneyland
May 9, 2016 in All Posts, Big Kids, characters, disneyland, disneyland resort, entertainment, entertainment tips, Tips & Tricks for Families, tomorrowland
The Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, held at the Tomorrowland Terrace stage, is the ultimate Star Wars fantasy come true for little boys who are yearning to become one with the Force. (The show is formerly known as the “Jedi Training Academy.”) Selected children get to learn the ways of the Jedi Knights and then test those skills against Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister. (Disneyland supplies the robes and lightsabers.) Sorry dads. Jedi Training is only for kiddos ages 4 to 12. If you have visited Disneyland in previous years, you may be accustomed to the old way...
Everything you need to know about the World of Color Dessert Party at Disney California Adventure
May 5, 2016 in All Posts, dining, disney california adventure, Disneyland Q and A, disneyland resort, entertainment tips, paradise pier, Tips & Tricks for Families
When World of Color premiered at Disney California Adventure, it changed the way resort guests experience parks’ hallmark shows. Now, both World of Color and Fantasmic! offer “reserved” viewing options ranging from FASTPASS-style tickets that reserve the section you will view from to dining options that come with reserved viewing. The World of Color Dessert Party is one such option, and when the Disneyland Resort offered to host me and some friends so that we could experience the party, I jumped at the chance. The dessert party is the ultimate treat if you are a World of Color fan....
From Big Ideas to the Big Screen: Bringing Finding Dory to Life #FindingDoryEvent
April 25, 2016 in All Posts, animation, Disney entertainment, movies
In the past, I’ve written about the labor of love (and talent) that goes into bringing an animated movie to life. Finding Dory, which will be released on June 17, is no exception. In Finding Nemo, we never knew much about Marlin’s comedic sidekick. She had short-term memory problems and spoke whale… and that’s about it. But, what ever happened to Dory after they found Nemo? Is she ok? If she can’t remember much from one minute to the next, what is the back story of her life? In Finding Dory, the audience gets to learn who Dory is...
A friend recently introduced me to LuLaRoe. If you haven’t heard about this comfortable women’s and girls’ clothing line, you are seriously missing out. LuLaRoe’s incredibly soft leggings, shirts and dresses come in bright, happy, beautiful solids and patterns with feminine or fun themes. LuLaRoe only produces 2,500 pieces of clothing in a particular print, which means when you see something you like, you have to go for it, because you may not see it again. The clothes are sold in Facebook groups and in-person pop-up shops. LuLaRoe is best known for their leggings. Oh, the leggings. They...
Top 5 Tips for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
in All Posts, disney california adventure, legacy annual pass
After a 6-year hiatus, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has made a grand reappearance at Disney’s California Adventure park. In the past, the festival was spread out throughout the parks, featuring kitchen demonstrations in the Sunshine Plaza, wine and beer walks, and over a month of seminars and presentations that you could participate in. In its 2016 iteration, the Disney California Food & Wine Festival takes a cue card from its counterpart at Walt Disney World, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (as well as the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival), which feature pop-up kiosks with...
Marine magic at the Monterey Bay Aquarium #findingdoryevent
April 7, 2016 in All Posts, animation, Disney entertainment, movies, other so cal tourist attractions
California is known for its amazing weather and abundance of fun activities. If you are heading to Disneyland, our entire state has so much to offer. If you are considering venturing out of Orange County to tour the Golden State, one attraction that stands out above many others on the west coast is the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. I was lucky enough to recently visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium as part of a media preview event for the upcoming Disney / Pixar film “Finding Dory” that is due out in theaters June 17 of this year. The aquarium...
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has announced the first details of the D23 Expo 2017. Like in years past, the Expo will celebrate what’s new and what’s on the horizon from theme parks, television, music, gaming, and films, including Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel and will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center. Next summer, however, the event will be held the weekend of July 14–16, instead of late August as it has in the past. Highlights planned for D23 Expo include the Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to...
A First Timer’s Guide to Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boysenberry Festival
March 21, 2016 in All Posts, Kendra, off property lodging, other so cal tourist attractions
For the sweetest combination of family fun, yummy food, thrill rides, and cute characters head on over to Knott’s Berry Farm!! Now through April 3rd Knott’s is celebrating the arrival of spring with its annual Boysenberry Festival. This time of the year Knott’s truly comes alive with beautiful boysenberry themed decor, one-of-a-kind food tastings, beer and wine tastings, and live entertainment. Last weekend my daughter Emma and I traveled to Knott’s Berry Farm for the first time. Having never been to Knott’s before, we weren’t sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by all that the park had...