Tag Archives: Family Travel

Sharing the Magic of Disney | Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Disney, Fun, Travel Inspiration

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When I was younger, my family vacationed to Disneyland 1-2 times a year. Walking around the park, and waiting in the lines that would go on for miles, I often thought to myself how much fun it would be to work for Disney. At the time, being a ride operator or the big dream of perhaps playing Snow White in the daily parade would have satisfied me. I just wanted to be apart of the magic. It was the “happiest place on Earth” after all. There are few things that have happened in my life that I never would have guessed to happen in a million years: 1. That I would be the proud parent of identical twin boys, 2. That I would have the honor to work with Disney in the capacity I have been granted since I started blogging 4 years ago.

Disney Social Media Moms 2014

It all started with BlogHer in San Diego, one of the largest and most premier blogging conferences available to the blogger, no matter how big your site or how many years its been established. During the BlogHer conference, I took advantage of the advanced screening of the movie, The Help. There, I met a Publicist at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and was invited to attend D23 as a media guest. D23 is the ultimate Disney fan conference that takes place every two years. It’s amazing. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, if even just for the Studio Presentation, I would recommend it. Fabulous highlights, insights, and presentations by the brilliant minds behind Pixar Animation and the Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures. I brought my then 6 year old daughter, and she loved it, too. We were both impressed forever with the fun and the magic; we ended up spending two days at the conference.

Disney with Kids

Shortly after, I joined the TravelingMom network. A network of travel bloggers and writers from around the country and the world. As most of you know, I write as the Las Vegas TravelingMom, featuring sophisticated options for the family traveller. A few months into writing for the network, I was offered an opportunity to participate in a FAM (Familiarization Tour for Media) of an up and coming luxury residential development, Golden Oak, in Walt Disney World. I, nor my children, had ever been to Walt Disney World. I was besides myself with excitement to be included. There, I met the fabulous Kim-Marie of Luxury Travel Mom, learned an incredible amount, and felt quite honored to be included in an exclusive group of travel writers.

disney lunchLater that year, I tested the waters and pitched my heart out to be invited to the Mickey’s Halloween Party blogger event in Disneyland. My big sell? Nevada schools have a 3-day weekend during the Halloween weekend (Nevada Day), and what better way to spread the word about how to spend it than in Disneyland with Mickey and his gang and all the villains- send a Las Vegas travel blogger!

The following year, I had the surprise of my life when I was invited to a special social media conference, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in Walt Disney World. The Disney Social Media Moms Conference was created 7 years ago when Mike Hyland, Director of Disneyland Public Relations, set out to create deep and meaningful relationships with moms involving motivational speakers and networking within an intimate setting. In collaboration with Maria Bailey, of BSM Media and mom blogger marketing fame, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was born. Over the last 5 years, this annual, multi-day conference brings together 150 bloggers and travel writers exclusively invited to attend and learn not only about Disney and what is in store for the immediate future, but also to inspire and connect on various levels. Once again, I was most honored and surprised to be one of the 150 selected, and amongst some pretty big names in the blogging industry.

Dream_Suite_Stefanie

Shortly after, I attended the debut of Mickey and the Magical Map show at Disneyland, and was one of the select bloggers invited to interview the new Disney Parks President, Michael Colglazier, with a chance to tour Walt Disney’s apartment. Um, wow. Much of this attributed to my connection with the TravelingMom network, which whom I am a grateful and proud member. To be honest, after all this excitement, I was sure my Disney streak was about to run out. I mean, how could one little person like me continue to make a large enough impact for this gigantic company? When the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration invites started to hit my fellow bloggers and writers in-boxes, I truly was not expecting to get one.

But, I did. And, the most wonderful thing about the conference this year? It took place in Anaheim, the home, the birth place of Walt Disney’s dream- Disneyland. The park I spent so much time growing up in and experiencing magical memories, was host to the most magical celebration of all time. To add to the magic, invited bloggers are allowed to bring along 3 additional guests. Though I really wanted my husband to come with me to see what goes into events and behind the scenes, like only Disney can do, I knew in my heart the only person I really wanted to share this with, besides my children, of course, was my mom. The biggest Disney fan I know. The one who passed her Disney gene down to me- I wanted her to have this once in a lifetime chance to get to know Disney the way I have gotten to know Disney over the last few years.

As usual, Disney did not disappoint. Fabulous parties, inspirational speakers, informational hosts and sponsors filled my world for four days in a row. I also checked a Run Disney event with a 2-mile fun run through Disneyland and California Adventure ending at the finish line in CarsLand, off my Bucket List.

My kids started their Spring Break off with a bang, and kept thanking me every day we were in the parks. My twins can’t stop talking about Mater and Mickey and Doc, and ask me every time we get in the car if we are going to Disneyland. I don’t know how else to thank Disney for these amazing opportunities, than to continue to share as much information as I can with you, my valued reader, in hopes that you also find magic in my stories, and become inspired to create your own. As far as me and my continued “work” with Disney? I’ll never forget being at a conference in Vancouver several years ago, and the speaker saying, “Yes, I’m talking to you. The one taking up one of the seats in this room right now. You deserve to be here. That’s why you are here.” As I remind myself of that, and pinch my arm every now and then, I will continue to be grateful for these chances and generous in helping Disney touch the lives of many by sharing what I learn.

Am also reminded of a quote from one of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration speakers, Maxine Clark, Founder of Build A Bear Workshop:

“It’s not what you have, it’s what you give that determines your legacy.” – Maxine Clark

I will have a series of Disney posts on my blog over the next few days covering sponsors and new programs introduced during the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. For now, here is a fun look at our time shared in Disneyland….where the magic begins!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the DSMM Celebration. I paid my own conference fees and received gifts during the conference. I was not asked nor expected to post about my experience. All opinions, experiences and thoughts are my own.

Several Photo Credits in the Slideshow Credited to @hyku

Instagram Travel Thursday :: Washington, D.C.

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Featured, Travel Inspiration, USA

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For any American who loves travel and history, without a doubt, Washington, D.C. should rank high on your Travel Bucket list. I have had the opportunity to visit the Capitol several times, during different seasons. Fall is definitely one of my most favorite, though spring does bring the cherry blossoms which is also a site to see. My husband and I have had the wonderful pleasure of taking our two older children with us to visit Washington, D.C. the last three years in a row. Each year with them gets better and better, as they get older and appreciate and understand what is happening around them.

Wshington DC Instagram Travel Thursday

If planning a trip to D.C., I would strongly suggest doing some research prior to your visit, along with considering the age of your child(ren) that will be joining you. Our first trip to the Capitol, our kids were 7 and 5. They had never been to a big city where there are big city blocks and expected to walk as much as they did. It was also our first attempt without a stroller for our younger one, and let’s just say, it didn’t go so well. In hindsight, I would have bought a cheap umbrella stroller when we got there to use in between subway stops and museums tours, then left it behind as we boarded the plane. But with the 2nd and 3rd trip, they were kind of OK with the idea that they would have to walk. They had also been to New York City at this point, which also provided more familiarity with big city transportation.

Washington DC with Kids

Another idea is to discuss with your children’s teachers about what they are learning in class about US history and politics. Each year has drawn on some interesting topics. The first time we took them they were learning about the Declaration of Independence and President Lincoln. My son was also obsessed with Natural History Museums, and my daughter the re-elected President, as Obama had just been voted in for a 2nd term and their school did mock elections. That year, we asked them what they wanted to see the most: the White House, the Declaration of Independence and the Lincoln Memorial. We also did a side visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space, Natural History and American History Museum. We did nothing more than that, on the educational side, because we knew if we pushed beyond their interest, the trip would not be a fun one for any of us.

White House Washington, DC

We did add some fun into the mix by putting a Washington Redskins football game on our itinerary, where we had a chance to watch the team warm-up on the field. And, a trip to ICE! at the Gaylord National– a magnificent display of ice carvings and a fun surprise of ice-slides at the end. The Gaylord National is a locals’ destination for the holidays with their popular atrium decorated to the nine’s for Christmas.

DCGaylordNational

Our most recent visit happened in the Fall. It was absolutely gorgeous, and to be honest, none of us had ever seen colors so rich and abundant. It was an exciting experience for all of us! This time around, our children were 9 and 7. We were able to do more in the ways of historical sites. They were both interested in learning more about the Presidents and how the United States formed. We secured a tour of the Capitol building, visited Mount Vernon and took a D.C. by Foot walking tour of the Assassination of President Lincoln.

DC_Historical_Sites

We also did some adult-stuff that we dragged them along to, like brunch at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, lunch at The Willard and mass at the National Cathedral.

WashingtonDC Brunch

As a special treat, we went ice skating on the Potomac in Washington Harbour, and of course, a visit to the American Girl Store at Tyson’s Corner.

DC Kids

Visting Washington, D.C. has been some of my favorite family travel experiences. I can’t wait for when our twins are old enough to take them for a visit to the Nation’s Capitol.

This post is part of the Instagram Travel Thursday series through Skimbaco.com. Enjoy my travels and other fascinating travels from Instagram travel writers from around the world on Instagram using #IGTravelThursday and #RSMLVDC.

DCOliver

Are you following me on Instagram? All photos in this post are via Instagram. 

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Five Quick Road Trips from Las Vegas

06 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Travel Inspiration, USA

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Sometimes it feels like my children are hardly ever in school. Here we are just getting settled from Christmas vacation, and now have a 3-day weekend every month leading up to Spring Break in April. Though it is nice to stay at home to catch up on much needed rest, organization and plain good old fashioned family time, it is nice to have the option for a quick escape. Southern California offers several quick road trips from Las Vegas as great family travel destinations. Only 4-hours by car or an hour by plane, consider Anaheim, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Carlsbad or the Newport Coast is easy and a great change of scenery.

Anaheim– Where the House of the Mouse is located….that’s right, Disneyland. The Happiest Place on Earth just got happier with the latest renovations to Disney’s California Adventure including the newest addition to the Disney family, Cars Land. Disneyland is a great spot to hit up with or without your little entourage, and many choices to dine and stay, on and off the resort. My three favorite hotels: the Grand Californian, the Disneyland Hotel and the Anaheim Hilton. All three are beautifully appointed and quite convenient. You can also spend a day at the Angels Stadium, and catch a Major League baseball game, or National Hockey game at The Pond.

{Disney’s California Adventure at night.}

Dana Point- The Ocean Institute is a world class facility meant to teach and inspire respect and curiosity about oceanography, sea life and its impact on our environment. A wonderful place to visit with the kids featuring hands-on learning, tide pools, and a tour on an old world merchant ship that the kids refer too as a “pirate ship”. Dana Point itself is lined with beautiful beaches, and famous for surfing. Be sure to check out The Strands, Salt Creek, Doheny and Baby Beach. My favorite spots: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and Dana Point Harbor. Hop, skip and a jump away are quaint beach towns San Juan Capistrano famous for the Mission, old train depot, and petting zoo, and San Clemente with boutique shopping, and sunset dining on the Pier.

{Featured: The Ocean Institute and Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel}

Laguna Beach– Known for its beautiful stretch off beaches and thriving art scene. Beyond the obvious boutique shopping and contemporary dining options, don’t miss the Pageant of the Masters and unique art galleries and museums. My favorite spots to hang: The Montage Laguna Beach and Surf and Sand for sunset cocktails and ocean view dining. For a little bit of local’s flair, check out the Royal Hawaiian and the Sandpiper.

{Sunset cocktail at the Montage Laguna Beach}

Carlsbad– A little further south will lead you in the beach towns of North County San Diego. Carlsbad is an upcoming area of fun shopping and dining, and perfect little beaches with boardwalks and bike riding. This area of So Cal is becoming famous for its micro-breweries just as Nor Cal is famous for the wineries. The big to-do around these parts is Legoland, if you have little ones, which is actually quite impressive, clean and easy to navigate. Along with the theme park, there is also a great aquarium and water park to keep the whole family entertained. If you are looking for a family friendly resort with a bit of luxury, the Four Seasons Aviara is one exit away from Legoland and offers their guests the comforts of a home away from home. With a seasonal calendar full of activities to rock with or without your little entourage, the Four Seasons Aviara is one of my top picks for hotels in this area.

{Kids Bar featuring popcorn and candy sushi at the Four Seasons Aviara}

Newport Coast- One of my favorite places to hang is in Newport Coast. The historic Crystal Cove beach is the perfect place for me and my family during the summer. Restored to maintain its place in time when it was established in the early 1940’s, it is truly a family friendly beach. Take the fam to the Beachcomber for lunch, just be sure to put your name in as soon as you arrive as the wait could be up to an hour depending on the season. If you were lucky enough to bring the nanny or the grandparents, order their lunch at the Beachcomber to-go, and sneak your way around the back to enjoy a quick cocktail. Little shops and cottages line the paths and music of the era plays through loud speakers. I adore this beach. I also love the proximity of the Newport Coast area to places like Fashion Island, Balboa Island and Corona Del Mar. With a family of 6, the Marriott Newport Coast is the prime location for us as it provides a full kitchen, washer and dryer in a condo-like setting with plenty of activities for the kids, pools and bar-b-que areas. The Resort at Pelican Hills is a romantic place to escape on a date night for a sunset cocktail. Then head out to Javier’s or Maestro’s Ocean Club for dinner.

{Mojito at the Beachcomber and Crystal Cove beach signs}

Quick trips to escape the monotony of the desert. There really is no excuse to not love Las Vegas when you can change your latitude in a matter of an hour or so.

This is a non-sponsored post, however, I do work with some of the mentioned hotels and theme parks from time to time. All words and opinions are my own.