Category Archives: Fun

The Spookier Side of Disneyland

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Disney, Fun, Travel Inspiration

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Fall in Las Vegas is 90 degree weather, leggings, UGGS, and Pumpkin Spiced Lattes. It’s also the perfect time for Nevada Residents to take advantage of the Nevada’s Day holiday with a fabulous Fall trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, to celebrate the changing of the seasons.

All through the month of October, Disneyland gets spookier! Disney Villains running amuck, Mickey and pals dressed in costume, Halloween treats and pumpkin decorations galore. Even the rides get all gussied up in their Halloween finest. Space Mountain turns into a Ghost Galaxy complete with creepy music and ghoulish space creatures appearing from nowhere. Tower of Terror delights with frights from a “supernatural” event that took place there on Halloween night in 1939. And, of course, my absolute favorite, the Haunted Mansion decked in Nightmare Before Christmas with Jack Skeleton and Sandy donning their Santa and reindeer costumes. 

Disney_Haunted_Mansion

Don’t forget the parties! Disney knows how to get the spirits moving with the new Mad T Party’s, “Dead Man’s Party” at California Adventure, and who can forget Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland! My family had a great time at the Mickey’s Halloween Party last year dressing up in their costumes and trick or treating with all the characters. Some of their favorite experiences were Mickey’s Cavalcade, where the characters parade through the pack in their Halloween costumes, Halloween Screams fireworks display, and the dance parties throughout the park. 

Halloween Goofy and Pirates

Here are some other great reasons to attend the Mickey’s Halloween Party:

  • The special opportunity to play in Disneyland for three hours before the party starts
  • Trick or Treating – candy and healthy treats ­- in the ultimate Disney neighborhood
  • The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of Mickey’s Halloween Party)
  • “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade featuring some favorite characters, performed twice nightly
  • The Cadaver Dans ghoul quartet, performing Halloween-themed tunes aboard a drifting graveyard-themed raft on the Rivers of America in New Orleans Square and Frontierland
  • Dance parties, where guests will “boo-gie” to lively music
  • An opportunity for everyone in the family to attend the park in costumes
  • Photo locations with popular Disney and Pixar Pals, and Disney Villains
  • Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions, plus Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
  • Complimentary parking for one standard-size vehicle

Tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party purchased in advance are $59 most days, while tickets purchased on the event days are $67. All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and Halloween Night, Thursday, Oct. 31, are $74. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a non-smoking event. Smoking will be permitted in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland Main Entrance.

For more information about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, see www.disneyland.com/halloween. This site will be updated with frightfully fun details.

If you think your little ones might get too spooked, don’t worry, there is plenty for them to do, too, like the Monsters U Dance Party, Pirates League and the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch. 

OK- so exciting news for Nevada residents- Friday, October 25th, is the observed holiday for Nevada’s Day. Which means 3-day weekend, and the Mickey’s Halloween Party will be happening that night! If you are apart of the Clark County School District, you will also get the Thursday before off for a Staff Development Day, allowing for a 4-day weekend, October 24-27!

As if you needed more convincing…I’m sharing some of my favorite Fall photos from Halloweentime at Disneyland from my Instagram account. #RSMLVDisney

Disney Halloweentime Collage 1 

Disney Halloweentime Collage 2

Disney HalloweenTime Collage 3

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Halloween

Join the other fabulous hosts of Instagram Travel Thursday on Skimbaco Lifestyle to discover some fantastic travel posts, images and tips on using Instagram. One of my favorite new travel sites is written by Leigh Hines of Hines-Sight . I have enjoyed following her luxury adventures through the South, a place on my travel bucket list, and following her on Instagram at @hinessightblog.

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Disclaimer: Though I do work with Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts occasionally for blogger and media events, this post is not sponsored by Disney. I attended the Mickey’s Halloween Party as a blogger last year, but was not able to attend this year. 

Dinner is Served at Carmine’s NYC in Vegas

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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What’s the best thing about Carmine’s NYC coming to Las Vegas? Not sure I can name just one, but if you are not familiar with the Italian restaurant based out of New York City, I suggest heading down to The Forum Shops at Caeser’s Palace to find out what you are missing. If you are a local and wondering the best place to park (because we do that), it’s a wash as Carmine’s NYC is smack dab in the middle of the mall. But, you can not miss it. It’s gigantic- like 28,000 square feet gigantic, with over 7 rooms that can be turned into private dining, business meetings space and small celebrations like weddings, birthdays and graduations.

carmines NYC wine wall Las Vegas

Here are some of my favorite things about Carmine’s NYC:

  • It’s Family Style. Which also means it is quite affordable for large groups. The menus are allergy and dietary accommodating (gluten and nut free options are available). There is also a secret “Kid Menu”. Though not on display, if you ask your waiter, they will provide you a list of several kid friendly options that are not such substantial proportions.
  • Theater and Show friendly. Can’t decide which is more important…getting to your show on time or taking home those delicious leftovers? Not to worry. Carmine’s NYC offers a “LeftOvers Check”. They will gladly keep your left over items in a fridge while you are enjoying yourself in Vegas. Just don’t forget to come back for those scrumptious late night bites!
  • Curb Side To-Go is coming if it’s not already available. Locals know the hinderance of wanting amazing take-out from those world class restaurants on the Strip, but it is not always so user friendly to pick up and go. Au contraire mon frere. Carmine’s NYC is the first, and only that I know of, to offer a Curb Side To-Go option. Call in your order ahead of time, a Carmine’s NYC employee will meet you at the original Forum Shops valet with your dinner bagged and ready to go. Awesome.

I do suggest though, that if you can make the time to dine-in, to do so. Even though the restaurant is rather large, it still feels very intimate. I was an invited guest of Carmine’s NYC and even with the large group we were with and the large groups sittingFTCDisclosure around us, we could still hear each other without shouting or leaning over. The decor is designed to create an intimate feeling, with over 1,000 framed photos on the walls, I felt like I was eating at my own Italian grandmother’s house for Sunday supper. Yes, I said supper. Plus, the cocktail menu, wine list and dessert options are well worth the visit.

One more thing I love about Carmine’s NYC? I asked for house recipes, and they gave them to me! 

Carmine’s Meatballs

Carmines NYC Meatballs in Las Vegas

Carmines NYC Meatball Recipe

Peg + Cat: A New PBS Kids Show

06 Sunday Oct 2013

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PBS Kids has done again with the new mathematically focused show, Peg + Cat. The twins and I had the opportunity to screen the show before it airs Monday, October 7th at 9am. Peg + Cat is created by Billy Aronson, and is A Fred Rogers Program, along with other well-known and lovable PBS Kids shows like, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Here are 8 things I love about Peg + Cat:

Peg+Cat Screen

1. It’s a mathematics based, and the star of the show is a little girl, Peg, and her cat. I love the main character working on and solving math problems is a girl. Love the idea that Peg is helping little girls ages 3-5 build confidence with an unbiased view of the subject that is generally seen as male dominant.

2. I love Peg! Oh my gosh- she’s hip, adorable and spunky! The boys were laughing at her antics, and she was easy to watch.

3. I LOVE how the characters look hand drawn, and are drawn on graph paper in keeping with the math theme. It’s the details that count.

4. Speaking of details…I love how no matter the story line, there is always a way to teach math. Whether it’s cleaning her room, exploring through outer space or gathering the chickens, it is a learning story without the obvious signs of teaching.FTCDisclosure

5. I love how Peg + Cat makes math fun! Wait until you hear the groovy music and catchy tunes. The twins would stand up and dance, or do a little happy dance right in their seat. The story lines are modern and fun, and based on every day, real life situations, proving that math is everywhere!

6. Not only are the parents engaged, but the kids are, too! Throughout the stories Peg has catch phrases like, “We’ve got a problem!”, or, “I’m totally freaking out!!”. The kids in the screening room were giggling and gasping, and answering her back when she posed a question to her TV audience.

7. My 3 year old boys loved the show, and when I introduced it to my 7 year old daughter, she took to it immediately. She especially loved the book that was gifted to us, The Chicken Problem.

8. Even though my kids can watch Peg + Cat on Vegas PBS, Channel 10, every Monday-Friday at 9am, they can continue their mathematical adventures through space, Medieval times, bath time or on a farm by downloading the app in iTunes or The Marketplace.

Peg+Cat_App_iTunes

Peg + Cat is fun, entertaining and educational. A new concept to teaching math by using music, every day life problems, and original stories that keep children involved and excited for more. Add Peg + Cat to your DVR List, and watch it with your little entourage! To learn more about Peg + Cat, visit the PBSKids website.