Do It in Telluride, Colorado

06 Monday Jun 2016

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The snow may be melted, but that only means another prime season in one of the best mountain towns the state of Colorado has to offer. Telluride- phenomenal in the winter and just as enjoyable in the summer.

Our family has been vacationing in Telluride, Colorado a minimum of 1-2 times a year, for the last 16 years. My in-laws introduced me to this mountain paradise when I first started dating their son back in 1999. On a drive from Las Vegas to Denver to take my brother-in-law back to school at the University of Denver, they made a pit stop in a little mountain town they knew nothing about. They fell in love, invested in a property, and the rest is history. Their vision of spending snowy holidays and sunny summer days in their log cabin style home became a reality for us as our family started to grow. My children have been traveling to this mountain top town nestled in the San Juan mountain range at 10,000ft since they were born. My husband and I could never thank our in-laws enough for providing us the opportunity to get to share and make these memories with our kids throughout their childhood. Here are some of the reasons we love it, and what you should know before heading to this tucked-away town in the box canyons.

Where to Stay

There are two options of locations to reside in Telluride: the town of Telluride itself, and Mountain Village. Both areas offer plenty of options in the way of luxury home rentals, luxury and boutique hotels, quirky cottages and bed and breakfasts. My perception of where to stay when people ask sounds like this:

Telluride– you are in the midst of all the energy and action. Food, shopping, activities are all walking distance away. A car is not necessary, rent or bring or bike instead. If you are in town during one of Telluride’s more popular festivals, just know that the town will be busy and there will be people everywhere and parking is limited. Wherever you stay, make sure it comes with a guaranteed parking spot because parking can be tricky and frustrating. Nightlife is present with cool bars and locals. A huge farmer’s market takes over several streets in the summer offering everything from veggies, fruits, meats and breads to arts and crafts and handmade clothing.

Mountain Village– is based on a European ski village. Still lots to do, but not quite as busy as town can get. Food and shopping not as abundant, but there are decent options. Lots of activities set up for families and kids like Kids’ Nights, Movie Nights, Live Music, but not much of a night life after 9 or 10pm. There are two major hotels in Mountain Village, the Hotel Madeline and The Peaks Resort and Spa– both recognized for their luxury and well-appointed rooms and hotel amenities. Beyond that, I would recommend renting a VRBO, especially if traveling with multiple families, or if your family just happens to be big like mine.

My family of 6 just spent our Spring Break in Telluride. My in-laws house was unavailable (they rent it out when not in use) and my husband’s cousins have built this amazing mountain home, built specifically to cater to large groups and families. They invited us to stay there since it was not being rented during our week of vacation. We had spent a week in the summer with them the year before- 4 families in their newly built home and it was super comfy! Here’s why:

Petra Domus

3330 sq ft with a main floor, basement/bunk room and guest house
Restoration Hardware style decor
Luxury appliances + sound system for comfortable entertaining and relaxing
Kids Bunk Room on lower level (basement)
Hot Tub
Breathtaking views of the San Sophia Ridgeline
Guest house complete with kitchen space and bathroom

What I love about staying in a VRBO in Mountain Village is the convenience of it all. With lots of kids we can eat all of our meals at home if want, and we can bring less clothes and with a washer/dryer option. We can keep the kids entertained with board games, nature hikes, yard games, snowball fights, snow forts, hot tub and hot cocoa memories while my husband and our friends can relax on the deck with a cocktail, music and conversation warmed by the fireplace.

What is tricky about staying in a VRBO in Mountain Village is the idea that we are being budget friendly with our groceries and meals, but it’s hard to say. Groceries in Telluride can be and are very expensive. Think Whole Foods on major steroids, and they don’t always have the organic options to back up the cost. Shopping at the local grocer almost makes you wish you were paying Whole Foods prices. Groceries can also be sparse depending on the time of year. It all makes sense when you think about it- not easy to get fresh produce and meats delivered on a regular basis at 10,000 feet above sea level, and when it is delivered, it costs money. Since we usually drive to Telluride, we make Costco run for things like orange juice, meats, produce and alcohol, then buy the fillers when we get there. This time around we had Hello Fresh (meal delivery service) deliver us three complete meals to cook at home. This saved us cargo space and money and was super easy.

Getting Around Town

Let’s start by getting TO town. Depending on where you are coming from is really going to dictate your mode of transportation. We live in Las Vegas. We usually drive. It is a 10-12 hour drive for us, depending on how many times our kids make us stop. Like I said, they have been road tripping T-Ride since they were babies, and all 4 of them do remarkably well. Since there is such an extreme change in elevation, we plan on overnighting on our way there to begin adjusting. We love to stay in Moab, Utah but since the town has started to grow in popularity for mountain bikers, rock climber and just the general outdoor enthusiast, the hotel room rates can be kind of obscene. Also, the drive into Telluride from Moab can be a bit, shall we say, breathtaking? It is not for the novice driver- beautiful views but lots of switchbacks and high roads with a long way down. We started driving through Grand Junction, which is about a 2-hour addition to the drive, but a smoother drive and more affordable rates for motels like Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inns, and Comfort Inns.

There is the option to fly, however, it can be pricey, and depending on the season, flights may be hard to come by. Telluride does have its own runway and airport, but is used anymore these days for private jets. The closest airports are Montrose with a 1-hour drive time into town, or Grand Junction with a 2-hour drive time into town. Because getting into Telluride is no easy feat, being there makes it all that more exclusive.

Once there, you really don’t have to have a car to get back and forth and around town. There is an awesome service called Dial-a-Ride that will come and pick you up and drop you off for free. Yes, FREE. (As a courtesy, tip your driver.) You will also get to experience the only FREE gondola in the United States run mainly by solar power that will take you up and down the mountain, to and from Telluride to Mountain Village and back. So, you have that going for you. The gondola offers spectacular views of the San Juan mountains and valleys, showcasing the area for miles and miles. Definitely plan on a gondola ride at least once during your stay, though I bet you will take it more than you can count on two hands.

Where to Go, Eat, Play, Shop

This little mountain town is always full of new adventures and time old ones as well. Of course, the obvious is available each season: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, biking, hiking, climbing, fishing- it’s all there and all very glorious and stunning with top of the line outfitters and guides. Telluride also offers the tourist the chance to live like the locals, which I always find to be very cool. Here are some of our favorite things to do when we are not being active outdoor adventurers! (Note: because Telluride’s economy is strongly based on tourism, sadly, sometimes not all shops and restaurants make it from season to season. Also, not everything is open in between seasons. Use this as a guide, but always grab a Daily Planet newspaper or Telluride Style magazine to confirm, or to find awesome new places to try!)

Dine

The Butcher and Baker Cafe: Kind of sort of reminds me of Joan’s on Third in Santa Monica on a much smaller scale. A walk-up to order off either a daily menu written on a big chalk board sign, or from the deli case full of fresh made salads, fruit bowls, and pastries. You can purchase some of the signature items like bloody mary mix, and their to die for baked goods (get their first thing in the morning if you want cookies). Kid’s options, handcrafted sodas, hand mixed lemonades, fresh ground coffee, cocktails and a wine list…need I say more?
Rustico: Consistently delicious Italian meals and pizza served by attentive and friendly staff and occasionally the owners will make the rounds to say hi and thank you for joining them. Try for the Alfresco dining in the summer months, and sit fireside inside during the winter. Incredible bar and great drinks. They have a sister property in Mountain Village called La Pizzeria, equally delicious and a little more casual. Outside dining also available, which I highly recommend during summer when festivals and live music happening on the green.
Allred’s: The only way to get into Allred’s is via the gondola, where you will get off at San Sophia Station. Do this for a classy dinner, apres ski drinks, or just for a cocktail to admire the view from their all-window wall that looks out onto the town of Telluride below. Allred’s is the restaurant for the ski and golf country club in Telluride, so it is only open to the public for Apres, Dinner or Cocktails after 5pm. The menu is always current with seasonal selections. And, there is a children’s menu!
Brown Dogs Pizza: Believe it or not, there are award winning pizzas on their menu! A hole in the wall situated right on Colorado Street, Brown Dogs is a totally kick it kind of locals sports bar with delicious grub like pizza and wings and an array of the latest in local brews. Don’t ask for anything mainstream on tap, they will laugh you right out of the place. Kids love it because they can make their own pizza!

Family Stuff

If you haven’t noticed yet from my story, Telluride is a very family friendly town. There is not much you cannot do without your kids. Of course, you can also do ALL of this without your kids, but if you are coming strictly to spend time with your family, then Telluride is certainly the place to be. Our favorites combine both action and relax time for both kids and parents.

Wilkinson Public Library: Offering both a children’s section and a teen section, there’s plenty to do here without sticking an iPad in your kids’ hand because you need a 10-minute refresh. Teen room offers latest and greatest in tech games and board games. They can also indulge in some music and group activities to keep them social and protect their reputation. The children’s library is a total unicorn- hands on toys and games for the kiddos, tech games, computer time, full of books and movies, story times, crafts and activities, a carved wooden story chair and indoor treehouse.
Telluride Historical Museum: This tiny mountain town was once a big part of the mining industry in the 1800’s, and the Telluride Historical Museum was established to tell the story. The museum is housed in a building built in 1896 that functioned as the medical facility and hospital of the time- Hall’s Hospital. Take a tour though the recreated rooms, observing artificats showcasing the way of life and the people who put Telluride on the map. It is well worth the visit. It is also associated with The Smithsonian Institute, proving the museum is well done. A nice historical and educational way to spend your time, and end your visit with my kids’ favorite thing to do…pan for gold! Or other rocks and minerals and gems found in the mountain range surrounding Telluride.
Mountain Village: Depending on the season, Mountain Village is a lively little ski village in the winter and bustling little mountain village in the summer. Kids’ activities are abundant around here- activities will be set up on the grand lawn (or in the convention area of it’s winter), concerts, outdoor movies, bungee trampolines and obstacle courses. There are food carts with yummies like Diggity Dawgs Hot Dogs, Crepes and the Grilled Cheese lady. And, there is a Dylan’s Candy Shop for special treats.
Telluride Gravity Works: Indoor Rock Climbing with Belay option for the bigger kids provides at least an hour of fun for everyone. A smaller beginners wall for the little ones and taller, more challenging walls with belaying for the more experienced or for those who want to learn. Staff has always been professional, friendly and helpful, and our kids ask to go every time.

With 4th of July right around the corner, the town of Telluride gets lively and patriotic with a town parade down Colorado Street, community BBQ at the park and fireworks to top off the night. It’s one of our family’s most favorite times of year!

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) | Filed under Featured, Travel Inspiration, USA

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Wet-n-Wild Las Vegas :: LV Summer Playground for 2016

28 Saturday May 2016

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Featured, Fun

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Family Travel, Las Vegas

Wet-n-Wild is Las Vegas’ summer playground for 2016! We were invited guests at one of the hottest water parks in town before the summer crowds make their way into the park. My family does not opt for Season Passes as Wet-nWild Las Vegas is across town from where we live, and we also have a pretty jammed packed schedule every summer between summer camp and traveling. But, we make the effort to take the kids at least one time over the summer. Here’s some ideas on how to utilize your time wisely at Wet-n-Wild this summer!

Option 1: The Cabana Route

The cabana worked great for us this visit because we brought the twins (5 years old) for the first time. I also had my son and his friend, both 12, and my daughter, 10, along for the ride. I was a little hesitant at first thinking we wouldn’t use the cabana as much because the kids would want to be on the rides. I was also worried all of our time would be spent waiting in the lines to get on the rides. I was wrong on both accounts. Since we were there mid-May, the park’s operating hours only happened on the weekends, meaning smaller crowds, meaning non-existent lines. The weather was a perfect 80 degrees, but honestly, a bit too cold for my littles, and they kept asking where the hot tub was. We walked right onto rides, several times, throughout the day. The only line we waited more than 2 minutes in was for the Royal Flush. The Tornado was not opened that day, or I suspect there would have been a line for that as well. I also requested a cabana by the Paradise Falls, which is the kid’s area- full of slides and water guns and a giant dumping bucket, all designed for the smaller set. I felt comfortable enough for my twins to go down the slides on their own while I watched at the bottom and their older siblings escorted them around. (They are also strong swimmers.) There is another area with much smaller slides and less excitement near the Paradise Falls cabanas, meant for toddlers, but the twins also enjoyed those slides, mainly because the water was the warmest. There are also cabanas located around Red Rock Bay (the wave pool), but I am not a fan of that attraction, especially when I’m the only adult present. We were quite happy with the location at Paradise Falls, and having the cabana was great to let them have some downtime and get out of the sun for a bit, and also warm up with towels and cuddles. Cabana Check-In Tips: Get there early. Cabana Check-in, Groups Check-in and Season Pass purchasing is all done in the same place. The line can be long and slow depending on how many employees they have working that area. We were there on a slow day, and we had two large groups ahead of us just buying their Season Passes. My kids were growing wrestless, especially the twins, and luckily, I was able to get assistance on a cabana ASAP because I asked. You will be given a small piece of paper indicating your cabana number, and each person in your party must have a wristband indicating permittance into the cabana area. Cabana amenities include a complimentary pitcher of ice water, cups and napkins and a little fruit container that fed all 5 kids. You can also order food and drinks to be delivered to your cabana. We did not, but, we did grab some of our fave treats, dipping dots, and brought them back to hang out. The twins enjoyed people watching from behind our cabana as floaters went along the Colorado Cooler (aka: lazy river). The cabana is set up with 2 lounge chairs, 4 chairs and a table, offers plenty of shade, and good service. We were checked on frequently by our Cabana host and there is also a button you can push to get their attention when service is needed. Towels, sunblock, and safe are not available in the cabana. The canvas closures only close about halfway in front, so there is not total privacy or security, but there are lockers and bathrooms/changing rooms available inside the park. I did not notice any ceiling fans and/or misters inside our cabana, and we did not need them that day. However, I can only imagine how hot it might get inside the canvas walls without some kind of ventilation or misting system to help keep it cooler during summer temps.

Option 2: Lockers and Express Bands

In summers past, I would take my two oldest to Wet-n-Wild. I would spring for the Express Bands and grab a locker. We would be in and out of the park within 4 hours. If we wanted to stay longer, we would, of course, but my kiddos were usually spent at about that time. I also did not have the twins with me, so this system worked well because it was convenient and fast. The Express Bands is one of the things Wet-n-Wild does right. Personally, I lose my patience quickly standing in the hot sun, on the hot concrete with my kids crying and complaining and hanging on me making me even hotter and sweatier while waiting the 20 minutes to get on a 1-minute ride. So, in my world, the cost for the Express Bands is well, well, worth it. There are two options of Express Bands; Standard Express ($20) and Premium Express ($30), the difference is in the amount of times you have to wait for each ride. They work much like the new magic bands at Disney World (not Land…they are still lame and only have Fast Passes). You walk up to a machine, pick the ride you want to go on, wave your Express Band, push a few buttons, and voila! You are now waiting in line without waiting in line. So, say you want to ride the Tornado. You use your Express Band to “get in line”. Your wait time pops up on your band, say, 8 minutes. During those 8 minutes, you can grab a snack, go potty, hit up the Red Rock Bay, Colorado Cooler, Paradise Falls, then, oh, look, our time is up! Head back over to the Tornado, walk into the Express Band line, and grab your float. See? So easy. The lockers are also super easy and quick and large enough to hold the three towels, sunblock, changes of clothes and water bottles we would need for the day. Depending on the size you need, the lockers range from $9-$12. Upon renting a locker, you will get a wristband that you wave in front of a sensor and like magic, your locker pops open. The locker area is shaded, and also located near the restrooms/changing rooms. I highly recommend this option if looking to get through the park in a few short hours.

Other Cool Stuff to Know

Wet-n-Wild Las Vegas offers a plethora of other family-focused activities during the season like Dive-In Movies and concerts, with plenty of reasons to make it a whole day and night time experience. There are half day entry fees as well for the late afternoons, Season Dining Plans and VIP cabana rentals. Season Pass holders also have lots of benefits like buddy passes and discounts on pretty much everything- I was asked the whole day every time we bought something if I was a VIP or Gold member. Great rides that also include the Slideboarding– an interactive gaming ride combining skills and thrills inside the Zip, Zap, Zoom slides (the green one).

Taking Littles and Ride Info

I thought the twins were the perfect age to start riding the rides. They tend to be little thrill seekers, one more than the other, but nonetheless, I figured they were ready. They met the day with excitement, but after their first ride, The Constrictor, they became nervous and a bit scared. They didn’t want to go “in the dark” or “too fast”. I’m not sure if it was the water element that threw them off, and also, the water is cold, really cold. After a trip in the Colorado Cooler and floating in Red Rock Bay, they were ready to tackle the rides again. The Desert Racers I thought they would love, but I had to go back and fetch them from the bottom, and the attendant at the top had to convince them to go down. I thought they went when I said, “Go!”, but that wasn’t the case. Just good to have in mind if you’re bringing first timers to the park. The water is cold, some of the slides are dark and fast which can be scary for newbies. The twins are 43″ tall, so they were able to ride most rides. Those under 46″ tall have to wear a life jacket in the Red Rock Bay, which I am totally fine with- in fact, I make my older ones wear a life jacket or instruct them to stay on a float (can you tell I’m a bit paranoid with this ride- I worked at the old Wet-n-Wild on the strip, I know the horror stories). The other ride factor most people don’t think about is the weight requirement, and let me tell you, it’s a total bummer when you walk a l l t h e w a y to the top of the ride to find out you and your riding partner(s) don’t weigh enough. It happens. There is a scale at the top, that blinks either green or red to indicate if you made it (no numbers!). Honestly, I think that scale should be at the bottom of the ride so there is no guessing. Fortunately, most rides with a weight requirement have an alternative ride on the same platform with no weight requirement in case you hit a red light. All of this is reminding to tell you about entering the park. There is a lifeguard on hand right at the entrance, along with a measuring stick determining who is tall enough for what. Once the height has been established, they will provide your child with the proper colored wristband. This makes it easier when getting in lines for the rides as the heights requirements are color coded to the wrist bands. One thing I love about the rides is they end on the slide…there is no deep pool to drop into, so when one of the twins had to ride with my daughter, I felt better knowing they could both easily stand up to exit safely.

OK! Enjoy your visit to the park, and hashtag your fun times with #LVSummerPlayground on Facebook and Instagram!

Disclaimer: My family and I were invited guests of Wet-n-Wild Las Vegas. We were provided a full day cabana and entry into the park in exchange for this review. All thoughts, word, opinions are always my own.

Luxury in Disneyland

24 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Disney, Featured, Fun

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Disney, Family Travel, Luxury Travel

Yes, I am a Disney-fanatic at heart. But, let’s get this straight…I’m a Disney-LAND fanatic. I’ve been to both Disneyland and Disney World, and though I do appreciate what WDW has to offer in ways of hotel selections (Four Seasons Orlando and Golden Oak at Walt Disney Resort, come on!), dining options (you cannot beat Epcot) and those Magic Bands (hello, Disneyland, time to get onboard!), I just can’t let go of the nostalgic experience of the original Happiest Place on Earth. Every time I head to the park I learn about, and try something new and different I didn’t know from the last time. Our most recent stay introduced me to some primo experiences that made our trip feel truly luxurious this time around. And, yes, Disney + Luxury is a thing.

These activities might seem like a stretch, especially since it now costs a family of 4 around $1000 for 2-day park tickets with park hopper, but this is meant to be a luxury post, so let’s pretend the sky is the limit.

Stay…in a Disney Vacation Club 3-bedroom villa at The Grand Californian.The Grand Californian is the first and so far, only, resort at Disneyland to offer Disney Vacation Club Villas. The best and easiest way to have access to these desirable vacation villas is to be a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member. We are not. Instead, we were invited guests of a Disney Vacation Club member. You can also have occasional access to the DVC villas without being a member- I am told it is possible, but quite pricey.

This was the first time I have experienced a Disney Vacation Club villa. I was crazy impressed. A 3-bedroom villa fit my family of 6 and our friends’ family of 3 perfectly. Our villa’s floor plan offered an upstairs and downstairs which allowed for even more privacy between the two families, as we could easily access the upstairs (where my family stayed) without disturbing our friends below.The floor plan included a master suite with 1 king size bed downstairs; two bedrooms suites upstairs, each with 2 queen size beds and private bathrooms; two sofa bed couches (one upstairs, one downstairs); a full sized kitchen; dining room with table seating for 8; and a separate family room area with couches and TV. The loft area upstairs was located between the two bedrooms and included a billiards table (amenities are subject to change per villa and location) .

Our DVC friends stayed in the room downstairs. Our 10-year old daughter and their 13-year old daughter stayed in one of the bedrooms with the 2 queens. Our 5-year old twins stayed with my husband and I in the other bedroom with the 2 queen beds. And, our oldest son, 12-years old, slept on the pull out couch in the loft with the billiards table. The amount of space and the amenities blew my mind that we could all fit comfortably, enjoying each other’s company while also having downtime. We were well-rested and relaxed during our 3-night stay.

The beauty of The Grand Californian is the location in proximity to the park entrances, not to mention the direct access into California Adventure for hotel guests. The Disney Vacation Club Villas at the Grand Californian have a private entrance into the pool area of the hotel. The villa comes equipped with a coffee pot, oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave and pantry space making this a very lovely way to not have to rush in the morning, or to store leftovers, or to keep breakfast foods, snacks, etc., which helps on the budget end of things. However, if you’re not into dining in your villa, Downtown Disney with a Starbucks and some yummy eating options, is just a few yards away. The Grand Californian also offers some fantastic amenities such as poolside cabana rentals for full or half day, childcare options at Pinocchio’s Workshop, and the Mandara Spa.

Eat…at Club 33. The only way you will get to experience this extremely exclusive restaurant hidden in the back alleyways of New Orleans Square inside Disneyland, is to either be a member of Disney’s Club 33, or know one. And, if you know one, be super nice to them so they invite you to dine with them at least once in your lifetime (it’s worth it, trust me).

If you do score an invite, make sure you are very privy to the dress code. No joke, my husband was wearing men’s designer sandals, and they wouldn’t let him in because of the “no open toe shoes” policy. Men are expected to wear collard shirts and slacks, women can be dressy casual, and children under 5 are pretty much exempt from any dress code, but no one should attempt to dine at Club 33 with ripped or torn clothing, bathing suits or shorts. (The policy has relaxed a bit during lunch to dressy casual as they realized people may be coming from a day at the parks.)

The meal itself is a sit down 5-6 course meal, and you can do a wine pairing. There is an extensive cocktail program as well, and one of the best mint juleps I’ve ever tasted (OK, so the only mint julep I’ve ever tasted, but it was damn good!) I would caution against bringing children under the age of 5 years to dinner. It’s a long, drawn out, yet enjoyable, process. We left our 5-year old twins at Pinocchio’s Workshop at the Grand Californian, at first much to my chagrin, but my husband’s insistence. For once, he was right.

Club 33 is only at Disneyland Park. There is no other place like it in all of the Magical Kingdoms, including Walt Disney World. So, not only was this a once in a lifetime experience for us diehard Disneyland fans, but a truly unique one for our DVC member friends who were visiting from the East coast.

The dining room is beautifully decorated and filled with time-old treasures from both the Disney family and several different Disney movie sets. The newly renovated restaurant overlooks the Rivers of America, is upstairs above the Pirate’s of the Caribbean and next to Walt Disney’s Private Apartment (another property with exclusive access inside Disneyland). For a more detailed review of Club 33, check out my post on Luxury Travel Mom.

Watch…the newly revised World of Color Dessert Party in Disney’s California Adventure. If we are being honest, I always dreaded seeing this show, and, frankly, strayed away from encouraging anyone in my group from seeing it. Why? Literally, the worst seats in the world. The show itself, absolutely stunning and quite impressive. But, having to stand on cement for a minimum of 30-minutes to fight the crowds for a decent seat, is no easy task. Especially when the show only comes on at night, and my children are already exhausted from the day. There is no way they are going to sit that long without crying or hanging on me or fighting with each other. So after we saw it once, we were good. I always wondered why there was no other option for seating and viewing like the wonderful VIP area at Fantasmic (not currently showing due to structural changes happening in the Rivers of America for the highly anticipated Star Wars Land). I’m telling you, honestly, again, if I want to see a show like that, I will pay for seats. And, so will my husband (definitely something we have in common that strengthens our marriage). When we heard about the new World of Color Dessert Party, we happily raised our hands and grabbed our tickets.

We have been wanting to see the revamped version of the show featuring Neil Patrick Harris as the MC, and this was the perfect way to introduce our friends (the DVC members from the East Coast) to another unique Disneyland experience. For $79 per person (including children ages 3 and up), you are seated at a high-top cocktail table, and served delicious desserts, elegantly plated on china. The tray is per person as well- as in every person who pays $79 gets to indulge in a sweet and savory selection of desserts, including a Dulce de Leche-filled cookie, Mickey Coconut Macaroon, a selection of fruit and artisanal cheese, just to name a few. Adults can indulge in sparkling wine, and sparkling cider will be available for guests under 21 years of age.

But forget the sparkling cider for the kids…go big and order the punch that is served in a fun water fountain shaped glass that glows in conjunction with the lights during the show. My children were fascinated, mesmerized, and engaged while I got to sit in a seat for 30-minutes sipping my glass of sparkling wine, and no one was hanging on me. The cups are included in the price (menu items are subject to change). By the way, that $79 per person includes tax and gratuity. Reservations are highly recommended. Make yours by visiting Disneyland.com/dine or calling 714-781-DINE.

Enjoy…a night out without the littles by dropping them off at Pinocchio’s Workshop at the Grand Californian. Exclusively offered to hotel guests, Pinocchio’s Workshop is a licensed care facility that provides onsite care services for children 5-12 years of age from 5 pm to midnight (for a fee). It was money well spent for this once in a lifetime opportunity to dine at Club 33. As I mentioned, my husband gently suggested that we look into taking advantage of the childcare services offered at the hotel we were staying at, the Grand Californian. I was not totally comfortable with leaving my precious littles alone in a room with an adult stranger where my two older siblings were not around. I became more open to his suggestion once I discovered Pinocchio’s Workshop.

This truly was a lifesaver. Even though I had it in my mind I was still taking the twins with me to Club 33, by the end of a very full day at the parks, they were super tired and begging me to have chicken fingers and go to bed. They were thrilled with the notion of Pinocchio’s Workshop. I didn’t even have to bribe them. We took a brief tour of the options available for them in the play space: lots of movies, air hockey, board games, crafts…they were in before I could give them a hug and a kiss good-bye.

The staff is very attentive and also very conscientious about the safety of the children. I had to fill out forms upon forms with phone numbers, allergies, emergency contacts, doctor’s numbers, etc. They took my picture with the kids to assure I would be the only person allowed to pick them up. There is even a dinner menu (for a fee) where the boys ordered exactly what they wanted: spaghetti with butter and French fries for one, and chicken fingers with fruit for the other. And, I’m pretty sure they enjoyed that dinner way more than they would have the one offered on the children’s menu at Club 33.

When we came to pick them up, they were the last two kiddos left, and were passed out comfortably on the oversized beanbags in front of the TV. It was a total win/win for all of us, and made the night so much more enjoyable, especially for my older children.

OK…so all of that will put a rather sizeable dent in your wallet during your stay at the Disneyland Parks and Resorts. Want a luxurious tip that costs you nothing? Have your souvenirs delivered for free to your Disneyland Resort hotel using Package Express. Yup, FREE. It’s a long standing service, but one I always forget about. We actually used it this time, as the kids wanted something from the Toy Story Midway Mania store, and there was no way I was coming back that way yonder again after we left. A very easy thing to do…ask your sales person to make it happen. Show them your room key, they will fill out a form, you give them your Disneyland Resort hotel info and voila, you’re on your way without another bag to weight you down. You will feel like a serious VIP.

Disclaimer: This trip was personally fully funded, excluding the World of Color Dessert Party in Disney’s California Adventure, which was a media invite. All words, thoughts, opinions 100% my own.

Stefanie Van Aken

~ RSMLVTravel- Luxury Travel Design

Tag Archives: Family Travel

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