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Joie De Viv

finding the joy in every day

Disney On Ice Presents “Dare To Dream” and Introduces Moana!

December 26, 2018 ·

This week we continued a holiday family tradition:  we went to see the presentation of the newest Disney On Ice show, “Dare To Dream”!  This was the 3rd time I’ve taken Kaitlyn, and a first for both J and Kingston.  Kingston finally has the attention span to sit through the show, so we made it a whole family fun night!

2018’s Disney On Ice tour introduces Moana on the ice, for the first time ever!

To celebrate the arrival of Moana on the ice, some members of media and bloggers/influencers were invited to attend a special pre-show event that included traditional Polynesian dancing, Kakamora arts & crafts, and a visit with Mickey and Minnie.

We arrived at the mezzanine an hour before showtime and had ample time to buy snacks, peruse vendors and shopping, take a quick potty break, and head to our seats in time to watch the pre-show Coco singalong!  This is definitely a highlight you won’t want to miss!  Especially if your kids are like mine, and belting out tunes from the hit movie all.day.long.  The main event beings promptly on time, so be sure to arrive at least 10 min. beforehand to catch the Coco portion.

TIP:  Bring coats, scarves, and/or light blankets.  The arena can get pretty chilly!  Also, bring your own Disney merchandise for your kids to wear/hold if you feel inclined.  Merchandise can be pretty pricey!  Kids water bottles are allowed to bring in.

TIP:  Cameras with removable lenses (so all DSLRs) are NOT ALLOWED in the Honda Center.  Despite being there as part of media, a couple of attendees and I had to take our DSLR cameras back to the car.  Hence, I only had my iPhone to take pictures and videos.  I did see some people manage to get their DSLRs in, but just a heads up in case you’re thinking about bringing it.  * Thus, many of my photos here will be borrowed from more “professional” images.

The start of the show begins with a fan favorite, Beauty and the Beast.  We loved how colorful and over-the-top this portion was, and how they changed it from previous shows.  No two shows are ever alike!

Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment

The next segment was from Tangled, and the skating Maximus horse was a unanimous crowd favorite, with laughter erupting all around!

The aerial acrobatics in Disney On Ice shows are truly amazing.  No words.  Jaws drop on the kids of all ages.

 

The lantern portion of Tangled always gives us the warm and fuzzies, and it was brought to life in the arena! Love.

Photo Credit:  Disney On Ice

After a brief Intermission, we return to everyone’s favorite Ice Princess, Elsa, and her magical powers.

Photo Credit: Disney On Ice

What can I say?  Ice and Elsa go had in hand!  And there was snow!!!

 

Finally we arrive to the highly anticipated Moana segment, and boy did it blow expectations out of the water! We traveled from the village of Motonui and singing with Grandma Tala, to meeting of Maui.  

Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment

Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment

Perhaps my favorite highlight was the larger-than-life Tamatoa singing “Shiny” with the whole Honda Center reflecting like a disco ball!

Of course, no Disney On Ice show would be complete without a roundup of all our favorites joining together on the ice for a final exuberant number!

Photo Credit: Disney On Ice

We had such a great time as a family!  Although we were given tickets to the show, all opinions expressed are genuine and true, and I will continue this tradition as long as the kids want to go!  It has become such a highlight of the season for us.  Have you been to a Disney On Ice show yet?

Look at THIS POST for dates in the Southern California area and additional tips.  AND use CODE:  MOM20 to save 20% off on select date!  SoCal Dates run until Jan. 27th (including San Diego)!

 

 

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, Disney, mom life, review, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, Uncategorized Tagged: beast, beauty, blogger, california, Christmas, code, coupon, dare to dream, discount, disney, disney on ice, holiday, Honda center, ice skating, kids, kids activities, moana, mom, Rapunzel, recap, review, season, show, Southern California, tangled, things to do

“Dare To Dream” – Disney On Ice 2018

November 20, 2018 ·

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s time for Disney On Ice to skate into town in the Greater Los Angeles area!  We have been to two shows now, and she talks about it with so much anticipation for it all year.  This year’s presentation named, “Dare To Dream”, is sure to be a hit with guests of all ages!  Moana will be voyaging onto the ice this year, for the first time ever, and a pre-show sing-along with Miguel from Coco, is going to have the audience belting out their favorite tunes!  * Be sure to scroll down to the end of the post for a DISCOUNT CODE!*

SHOW INFO:

Celebrate what’s possible as five daring Disney Princesses spark the courage
inside us all in Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream, skating into the Southland this holiday
season from December 13 th – January 6 th ! Featuring Disney’s Moana for the first time in a live
production, hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bring the Disney magic to life and take
audiences on an expedition across raging seas and snow-covered mountains in this action-
packed extravaganza with the beloved characters from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Frozen,
Tangled and Cinderella.


In her Disney On Ice debut, see how far Moana will go in a high-seas adventure with demigod
Maui, to save her island and discover her true identity. Join Belle as she fearlessly befriends the
enchanted castle staff and reveals the Beast’s gentleness. Experience Anna’s devotion to her
sister, Elsa, on her life-changing journey to stop an eternal winter. Explore with Rapunzel, Flynn
Ryder, Cinderella and friends from around the Disney Kingdom as they find the heart and
determination to overcome obstacles and make their dreams come true.

 

TICKET INFO:

L O S A N G E L E S
WHEN: Thursday, December 13 – Sunday, December 16
o Thursday, December 13 7:30 PM
o Friday, December 14 7:30 PM
o Saturday, December 15 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Sunday, December 16 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
WHERE: STAPLES Center – 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

A N A H E I M
WHEN: Wednesday, December 19 – Sunday, December 23
o Wednesday, December 19 7:00 PM
o Thursday, December 20 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Friday, December 21 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM
o Saturday, December 22 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Sunday, December 23 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE: Honda Center – 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

O N T A R I O
WHEN: Wednesday, December 26 – Sunday, December 30
o Wednesday, December 26 7:00 PM
o Thursday, December 27 7:00 PM
o Friday, December 28 7:00 PM
o Saturday, December 29 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Sunday, December 30 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE: Citizens Business Bank Arena – 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764

L O N G B E A C H
WHEN: Thursday, January 3 – Sunday, January 6
o Thursday, January 3 7:00 PM
o Friday, January 4 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Saturday, January 5 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
o Sunday, January 6 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE: Long Beach Arena – 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

 

TICKET INFO: Ticket prices start at $25!

*** USE DISCOUNT CODE: MOM20 for select dates! ***

Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $16 each on select seating (not valid
for premium VIP/Front Row seating)
Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-
3000 or in-person at the venue Box Office.
*prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

 

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, Disney, mom life, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, Uncategorized Tagged: california, cinderella, coco, dare to dream, disney, disney on ice, family event, holidays, ice show, ice skating, kid event, Los Angeles, Miguel, moana, Pixar, princess, Rapunzel, SoCal, Southern California, tangled, things to do with kids

SoCal Family Fun Night: Chinese Lantern Festival

November 14, 2018 ·

I’ve been gone a minute, I know.  This Kindergarten Life is no joke!   I am very much looking forward to a family fun night for some quality time this weekend at the Hanart Culture’s Chinese Lantern Festival coming to the Pomona Fairplex!  This is the first year the festival is making its way to California and I know it is going to be a wondrous experience for the family.

I’ve long wanted to take the kids to a lantern or light up the sky festival, but they’re always too far and/or too late with little ones.  Not to mention, it’s rather scary to light flaming lanterns with toddlers afoot!

The Chinese Lantern Festival is perfect for families and friends of all ages and sizes!  Most of the 1000+ lanterns are lit up with LED lights, producing bright, beautiful sculptures to safely enjoy.  This year’s theme is “The Wild” and showcases various animals from all continents of the world, some even from the past!  Totally “Instagram-worthy!”

Lanterns have evolved from Buddhist traditions in China, to a treasured and modernized art form excited to be shared with other cultures around the globe.  Lanterns are now synonymous with joyous occasions to celebrate with loved ones.  The festival is not just limited to lantern displays, however!  There will be an immersive multicultural experience that include Chinese folk artists demonstrating crafts, twice-daily live Kung-Fu Martial Arts performances, Dinosaur Rides and a children’s play area, an artist’s marketplace, and a variety of Asian cuisines to choose from.

**DISCLAIMER: My family is invited to this event free of charge, but all opinions and enthusiasm are 100% my own!**

 

INFO:

WHERE:

Pomona Fairplex

1101 McKinley Ave.

Pomona, CA 91768

 

WHEN:

Beginning November 15th – January 6, 2019

Thursday through Sunday (including Holidays)

5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (No admittance after 9:20 p.m.)

 

TICKETS:

Tickets can be purchased at the event or online prior to your visit at https://www.chineselanternfestival.com/tickets. I highly recommend doing this for significant savings!

  • Tickets are $27 at the door or $21 online for adults, $23 at the door or $19 online for
    senior citizens, $19 at the door or $15.50 online for children ages 4-12 and free for children ages 4 and younger.  No pets allowed except service dogs

 

  • Tickets: You may present a printed ticket, or show us on your mobile device your electronic ticket.

  • Refund Policy: Refunds up to 1 day before event.

  • Fairplex Parking: $12/car

  • Weather Conditions: Rain and strong wind can affect everyone’s plans. When rain or high wind comes, patrons will be allowed to use their tickets for another time.

  • *** WITH SOCAL FIRES GOING ON, ADVISE CHECK @chineselanternfest and www.chineselanternfestival.com TO CONFIRM BEFORE EVENT.***

Connection and Updates:

  • Insta: @ChineseLanternFest
  • Facebook: Facebook.com/ChineseLanternFestival
  • Twitter: @LanternFests
  • #ChineseLanternFestival

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, mom life, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: art, baby, california, china, Chinese, cultural, culture, display, event, experience, Fairplex, family, festival, folk, folk art, friends, gram, hanart, holidays, instagram, instagrammable, kid-friendly, kids, lantern, lanterns, Los Angeles, multicultural, nightlife, Orange County, Pomona, SoCal, toddlers

Girls’ Date: First Time to American Girl Cafe!

June 27, 2018 ·

Today I was able to check off an eagerly anticipated first, a meal and a girls’ playdate/luncheon at the American Girl® Cafe!  We’ve dabbled in visits to the American Girl store, picking up a small item here and there, but so far, it has been little amuse bouche bites of the American Girl experience.

Let me preface our trip with some history on our own experiences with American Girl® dolls.  Unbeknownst to me prior to having kids, was this magnetic world of American Girl dolls.  I had never heard of them growing up, and most CERTAINLY never had one myself.  As a child of very strict and frugal immigrant parents, these classic and collectible dolls were never on my radar.  Of course, as soon as I joined the web of mommy boards online, I was introduced to the brand and like most others, sealed my fate by buying Kaitlyn a Bitty Baby™ for Christmas before she turned 2.  Baby Baby, her beloved doll, has been around the world with us ever since.

At age 4, I purchased an 18″ doll for a friend’s 5 year old, which drew large, widened eyes with awe.  She asked politely and regularly, if and when she could get a “big American Girl doll.”  With that, I set out to find a doll to match her looks and heritage, just to find out that a Chinese doll/character, Ivy Ling, had been retired.  I had to find one on the aftermarket, which I was able to with the help of a couple of friendly folks!  Ivy came in mint condition, still pristine in her box!  “Santa” brought Ivy on Christmas Day and Kaitlyn only recently had begun to play with her more often.  With pre-K graduation completed, and a short Summer break, this was the perfect time to plan a trip to the American Girl Cafe!

Ivy got a new hairstyle at the store!

 

PLANNING YOUR MEAL/TRIP

Due to the size of our group, I made reservations a week in advance.  The online reservations were quick and simple.  I also had a question later on and called to speak with a representative who was extremely helpful and sweet!  They followed up with emails, a phone call, and texts.  I was able to update our reservation twice without any issue.

On the day of our meal, we let the hostess know we were already in the store shopping, and were advised we could be seated as early as 10 min prior to our scheduled time.  This was nice since we had a later lunch time of 1:30pm.  Looking around at the cafe at that time, it was pretty empty.  Knowing this, I would easily pop in to see if the cafe was free for walk-ins in the future!

DINING WITH DOLLS

If your child or other children attending the meal do not have a doll with them, they are free to choose and BORROW a doll (or two) to accompany them at meal time!  I think this was one of the best add-ons to the whole dining experience for both child and parent.  Especially for younger kids who may only have a Bitty Baby or none at all, to be able to hold and play with an 18″ AG doll for the meal.

Each doll (yours or the cafe’s) is set up with a high chair next to the child for the meal.  The server gives each doll a plastic saucer and branded teacup, served complete with real pink lemonade!  This MADE the day for Kaitlyn and her friends!  They couldn’t stop “feeding” their babies with fake sips of lemonade and tiny crumbs of the appetizers. The saucer and cup are takeaways for the kids, a most special treat that Kaitlyn cannot get over!

SET MENU & PRICING

Everyone in the party is subject to the set menu of $24/per person (regardless of age) for lunch or dinner.  You may check with your specific store for details, but on our trip, we were told even our youngest gal (1 y/o) would be charged for a set menu OR a $10 sitting fee.

The food was so so good!  We started off with the American Girl® tradition of mini cinnamon buns.  Followed by an appetizer tray of crudites, hummus, dip, and pita. All of the entrees sampled amongst our party were unanimously agreed upon as delicious.  Dessert was just so adorable, but I was too full to finish. Our server was also great!  He was so patient and played along as my daughter made requests for everything from refills on her doll’s lemonade, to more little AG flags for her food.

As you can tell, it was such a memorable day for all the moms and daughters, and even Kingston expressed jealousy after seeing our photos.  I will probably bring him along one day, they do have boy dolls on loan as well!




Have you ever been to an American Girl Cafe?

Filed Under: mom life, review, Shopping, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, Uncategorized

SoCal Kid Spot: Great Wolf Lodge & Tips

March 11, 2018 ·

A couple of years ago, Great Wolf Lodge opened a new location in Garden Grove, CA, JUST down the street from Disneyland! We have just spent our second “staycation” at the resort, and I hope I can share some of our experiences and tips we’ve found with other families who are considering this super fun family attraction!

The 105,000-square-foot indoor water park is exclusively for hotel guests and boasts over 600 suites. Our first trip was for Kaitlyn’s 4th birthday. We booked a standard suite and invited family to come along. We were able to purchase guest visitor passes for $50/pp and kids with 4 little toddlers, 3 of whom did not require a wristband. Despite their young age (3 under 3), the kids all had a blast! This year, we booked 2 suites for both families and the kids (5 under 5!) – and again all throughly enjoyed the park!

For the toddlers, we’ve always packed their Puddle Jumpers, because they are all familiar and comfortable with them. The resort does provide complimentary life vests and suggest all children under 48″ wear them.

The water park itself is indoors, heated to a comfortable 84F, with water temp at 82F. Fresh, dry towels are limitless – my how this was important with so many kids! The large number of employees and life guards on watch was reassuring as well.  With our group’s young ages, we typically spent a lot of time in the Cub Paw Pool.  Even our littlest (10 months) enjoyed the shallowest of waters, with a beach style-slope entry, water fountains, water tables, and the tiniest of slides.  The older toddlers also loved the slides in the Cub Paw Pool and overall semi-freedom of being able to bob, walk, and paddle in the shallow waters.  Our toddlers also LOVED Fort Mackenzie and all the water slides it offered. Even our 2 year olds could slide down solo, with a parent waiting at the bottom.  The lazy river and wave pools were also a huge hit with the older toddlers, accompanied by adults of course.  The adults took turns supervising little ones and going on the big slides for some thrills as well.

We made a point to attend their famous Bedtime Storytime in the main lobby. We had missed it on our first trip because we were still playing in the water. Plan accordingly if you want to attend this FREE nightly event. We set enough time to get up to the rooms, shower, get the kids in PJs, and scope out good seats. The kids got a kick out of going downstairs and seeing everyone else in their jammies as well. The stage involved moving characters, screens, a live storyteller, and a large character for meet-and-greet afterwards. If your child is timid, it may be better to choose a spot further back from the stage.

To save some serious dough, book a weeknight stay. The second best alternative, as we have done both times – book a Sunday/Monday stay. Groupon also regularly has deals for Great Wolf, so be sure to check it out. You are allowed to use the waterpark as early as 1pm on the day of your stay, with check-in typically around 4pm. You can also pre-check in and they will send a text to let you know when your room is ready. For the day of checkout, check out is at 11am. You may pay an additional fee for a later check-out if space is available. You are also able to use the water park the FULL day until closing, on your check out day. Plan ahead and pack a change of clothes and toiletries. There are showers and changing rooms in the water park.

We have yet to try the interactive MagiQuest game that is a huge hit with the resort, but we did see many groups throughly enjoying it! Be warned though, if you decide to partake, from my “interviews in the elevators”, the game requires a lot of elevator trips, and approximately 6 hrs to complete in entirety. It is also not free. I heard it cost about $40 ($20 per wand, and $20 for the game). It was conclusive by all participants we saw, that they thought it was completely worth it! When our kids are old enough to enjoy, I am sure it will be an activity we do as a family!

Additional Tips:
* A refillable souvenir cup for drinks can be purchased for $14.95 plus tax and includes free refills for the duration of your stay.
* Dunkin Donuts (on main lobby level) also has a refillable coffee cup for $9.95 plus tax.
* Guests celebrating birthdays can request a special “wolf ears” headband, as long as available. Our first year, they were all out. All children guests receive complimentary wolf ears.
* There is a Target within 1/2 mile down the street for anything you may need or forget.
* McDonald’s is across the street.
* The Great Wolf “story” and an accompanying episode can be found in animated version on the in-room tv station.
* There is a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker in the room. We also received a couple of free bottles of water.
* Though the signs state no outside foods can be brought in, we never had any trouble with the snacks and milk we packed for the kids.

* GWL provides a limited number of complimentary shuttles to and from Disneyland Resort.

 

Years ago, we never would have thought we would have needed or found a reason to stay locally at an indoor water park.  However, Great Wolf Lodge really has become such a treat that we’ve all fallen for.  Have you stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge?  Please feel free to share any of your tips as well!

***ALL OPINIONS AND TIPS ARE MY OWN.  NO COMPENSATION WAS PROVIDED FOR THIS REVIEW.***

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Filed Under: Baby/Kids, mom life, review, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, travel Tagged: Anaheim, california, disneyland, great wolf lodge, review, Southern California, staycation, things to do with kids, vacation, water park

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Hi! I'm Vivian, and this is my creative space to share snippets from our life in Orange County, CA and some of my favorite things!
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