Relaxing at Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa

By

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November 29, 2018

The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa is a tropical resort on Mission Bay (photo by Greg Aragon)

There are many great sights and sounds that come to mind when thinking about my recent escape to the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa. There are ocean breezes flowing through palm trees; a crystal blue pool, sparkling in the sun; sprawling Tahitian-inspired grounds surrounded by a sandy beach, and ducks – yes ducks.

For some reason, I keep thinking of these little web-footed creatures. Maybe it’s the soothing sounds their feathers made against the water when they swam past our room. The sound was similar to a trickling fountain and went very well with a glass of wine and the sunset on San Diego’s Mission Bay.

My getaway to the Hilton began when a friend and I checked into a comfortable suite at the 357-room resort. The room overlooked Mission Bay and a sandy beach, as well as an ocean-front bike and walking path, and the resort’s sports dock, where Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, small boats, bikes, and surreys are rented.

The Southern Californian-styled room featured bright and festive hues and came with a large flat screen TV, comfy king bed, lounge chair, office area with Internet, and a big balcony. From the balcony we could scan the beautiful bay, watch kayaks and boats drift past, ducks paddle by and the sun set into the water.

When not in the room, we explored the rest of the four-diamond property. Celebrating 50 years on Missions Bay the resort is a recreational paradise on 18 acres. The resort is about one mile from Sea World, just six miles from the San Diego International Airport and 15 minutes from the Gaslamp District and La Jolla.

One of our favorite hotel spots was the pool area, where we swam in the warm water and relaxed in a big cabana with soft recliners. While lounging here we enjoyed lunch from Fresco’s Grille and Bar, the outdoor pool café, which offers a full menu of grilled favorites, snacks, and refreshing cocktails.

After sitting by the pool I liked working out at the fitness center or hitting tennis balls on one of the resorts championship courts. Next to the tennis and gym is the hotel’s renowned full-service Spa Brezza.

Signature indulgences at the spa include the Tranquility Massage, a gentle, relaxing massage that improves circulation and vitality; the Sacred Stone Massage, an innovative full body rub using warmed basalt stones that helps in achieving a greater sense of relaxation; and the Noble Massage, a personalized experience, where you orchestrate the message exactly how you want it. Your therapist combines Pedisage, Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques focusing on the specific areas of tension in your body as you direct.

For dinner at the hotel, we experienced Acqua California Bistro, a casual waterfront restaurant overlooking Mission Bay. Offering a creative mix of classic traditional dishes with a European twist, Aqua brings together innovative flavors combined with a complete social dining experience. Recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award, Acqua’s extensive wine list boasts more than 3,000 bottles from world class winemakers of the old world and the new world. For the beer enthusiast, guests are treated to a selection of rotating award-winning craft beers.

Our dinner began with Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, with avocado, cucumber, and chili vinaigrette. The menu suggested we pair the appetizer with a Pinot Gris from the Adelsheim vineyard of Willamette Valley, Oregon. We did and it was amazing.

For the main course, my friend enjoyed grilled filet mignon with cauliflower puree, roasted seasonal vegetables, and port wine reduction. I devoured seared diver scallops and pancetta wrapped jumbo shrimp with lobster potato puree, roasted yellow-red tomatoes, and lobster beurre blanc. We paired our food with Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.

After dinner, we took a moonlit walk along the shore past crackling fire pits and through a park located next to the resort.

The San Diego Hilton Resort and Spa also feature a gift store, coffee shop, a 9,600 sq-ft Garden Pavilion that can accommodate groups up to 1,100, and a 9,600 sq-ft Ballroom, divisible into six separate meeting rooms. The resort is located off the 5 Freeway, at 1775 East Mission Bay Drive San Diego, 92109. For more information, current specials and reservations, call 619-276-4010 or visit: www.sandiegohilton.com

Six Flags Brings Holidays in the Park

By

Russell Tom

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November 26, 2018

The wintery forecast over Six Flags Magic Mountain brings glittering lights, heavenly snowfall, and delicious delights. The park prepares for the drop temperature in Southern California weather with seasons greetings. Be prepared for lots and lots of twinkling lights and a blizzard of snow every few minutes at each of Holiday in the Park’s seven festive areas.

Your first stop Holiday Square as soon as you step foot past the turnstile and into the park’s entry plaza. The buildings are covered in snow with the trees shimmering in a colorful spectrum of dazzling lights. A troupe of stilt-walking toy soldiers marches and greet with guests by oversized ornaments and gift boxes.

For the party-like celebration, head towards Snowy Nights where you’ll find a live band and spirited dancers. The rockin’ stage in front of Full Throttle decks the halls and airwaves to the sound of holiday cheers. A DJ host spins a yuletide beat that will even get the most stubborn Scrooge to tap their toes to the engaging rhythm.

Time to pull your sled into Santa’s Cottage to meet with the big guy in red himself! Bring your kids to get a photo with Santa and cherish the memories. Mrs. Claus is also around for arts and crafts with the merry elves. A fire pit has also been constructed outside to provide a warm and welcoming glow. You’ll want to be sitting by the campfire with loved ones making delicious hot schmoes. I mean… s’mores…

Next on the list is Gleampunk District. This is a holiday overlay of the park’s year-round steampunk area when Twisted Colossus was created. A popular photo spot will be a sleigh your whole family can sit in that’s being pulled mid-air by flying reindeers. Thousands of sparkling lights also brighten your path amongst the landscape on your way through the area. Beware of Tinker Toy Silt Walkers as they have been eager to tinker with you.

The best is yet to come with a live steampunk-inspired circus show. Located inside the Gearworks Theatre, the Kwerkmas shows invites you inside a steampunk toy and candy factory full of visual spectacle of acrobatics and choreographed dance numbers. You may spot a clever detail in the cogs as they are shaped into snowflakes for the holiday season.

This high-energy cirque-style show will leave you breathless and in awe. The vaudeville performances feature juggling with legs, aerial silk dance, and trampolines. Who would have thought you’d find a not to miss fun-for-all-ages Vegas style show in a Six Flags amusement park?!

For those interested in the choreography of the bright and colorful lights category, Six Flags has you covered. DC Universe becomes Rockin’ Universe for the Clark Griswold in all of us. An endless blanket of lights covers the entrance and facade of this area to bring you dancing lights alongside holiday rock and roll music to go with the backdrop. We recommend taking a stroll up and down the street and under the canopy with some hot chocolate to fully enjoy the pageant. Simply standing in one place would not do the light display justice (pun intended).

Speaking of justice, let’s fly down across the way and into Merry Lane. Located in the plaza in front of Justice League: Battle for Metropolis and Riddler’s Revenge, oversized ornaments light up the wide-open place with its own set of the choreographed light show. The ornament-shaped display is so massive, guests are able to step inside and take a selfie with a colorfully bright backdrop. Don’t forget about the blizzard of snow every few minutes. This, of course, brings to mind a quote from Batman: “Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.”

Now for probably the most lit offering Magic Mountain has to offer can be found in Winter Wonderland. Follow the path of showering lights and dripping icicles to scattered animal friends. These snow sculptures depict a whirlwind selection of leopards, owls, beers, and deers. A second location to satisfy that craving for s’mores comfort snack can be found in front of Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen.

Speaking of snacks, it’s now time for the newest Holiday in the Park from Six Flags coming in the second half of December to ring in the new year. Taste of the Holidays Food Festival will offer delectable treats in a smattering of dishes to have your taste buds cheering to match the sights and sounds already enjoyed by your senses from the park’s festivities.

Six Flags Brings Holidays in the Park — Cranberry Walnut Pin Wheel. Tangy Peach Ribs in the background.

Don’t forget to wash down all the yummy goodness with hot chocolate in a keepsake mug. Light but delightful morsels include cranberry walnut pinwheel and mesquites. The cherry pie nacho tastes better than what one may expect. Just spread out the toppings among the crispy chips and you are golden. You can be sure peppermint sweetness will fill your palate with pudding parfait and brownies. Joining the sugar-heavy dessert is the pudding and the slice of a refreshing root beer cake. There is also the savory side of the plate with peach ribs, spicy cranberry BBQ pulled pork slider, prosciutto mac n cheese, bacon and pecan yam, and Guinness sloppy joe.

With all of these dishes making our mouths water, we had to contempt with a couple items that either turned out bland or too unique for the most audience. The chicken and waffle was underwhelming with the chicken being more like nuggets and the waffle literally tough to chew on. For the more adventurous foodie, there’s the rice pudding with holiday trimmings sprinkled on top. Others may like this option more compared to others.

Overall, Holiday in the Parks at Six Flags Magic Mountain is enjoyable addition the celebration for those already making their way to the park for some festive fun. Guests get a little bit of everything from meeting Santa Claus, roasting s’mores, dazzling light shows, rock concert, tasty bites, and a magical snowfall. The event occurs December 1, 2, 8, 9, and 15-30 with the celebration beginning at 5 pm. Santa’s Cottage opens at noon on event days until Christmas Eve. Kwerkmas are weekends only with the first showtime at 2 pm. Taste of the Holidays Food Festival is every day December 15-30.

The Magic of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

By

Robbie Bulus

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November 25, 2018

It’s Christmas at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. as Universal Studios Hollywood decorate the halls with a calendar of festive holiday experiences and an array of delectable treats that families and friends far and wide can enjoy.

As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts^TM Castle” will illuminate Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with colorful imagery and impressive dimensional animations that dance across Hogwarts castle in tandem to a musical arrangement from the Harry Potter movies.

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This year, the addition of nightly glistening snowfall to “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will enhance the yuletide spirit that resonates throughout the land and the town of Hogsmeade village shines brightly with décor uniquely themed to each of the individual storefronts.

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The a cappella Frog Choir, comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant throaty frogs, return to entertain guests with their harmonized holiday-themed songs.

A wide selection of custom-made Christmas ornaments created especially for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will also be available. Collectibles include a variety of decorative Hogwarts castle snow globes, Hogwarts crest and mascot ornaments representing each of the houses, as well as a collection of unique tree toppers and house pennant garland. They are sure to please muggles of all ages.

Newly introduced holiday-themed fare and hot Butterbeer will further complement the overall experience.

“Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will take place daily from November 17, 2018, through January 6, 2019.

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The holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood is included in the price of theme park admission. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

AFTER Teaser Trailer and Poster

By

Robbie Bulus

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November 23, 2018

Based on Anna Todd’s best-selling novel which became a publishing sensation on social storytelling platform Wattpad, AFTER follows Tessa (Langford), a dedicated student, dutiful daughter, and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart, as she enters her first semester in college. Armed with grand ambitions for her future, her guarded world opens up when she meets the dark and mysterious Hardin Scott (Tiffin), a magnetic, brooding rebel who makes her question all she thought she knew about herself and what she wants out of life.

AFTER

Release: April 12, 2019

Director: Jenny Gage

Writer: Susan McMartin, based upon the book “After” by Anna Todd

Cast: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin

Producers: Courtney Solomon, Mark Canton, Jennifer Gibgot, Anna Todd, Aron Levitz, Meadow Williams and Dennis Pelino

Disney’s “The Lion King” Teaser Trailer and Poster

By

Robbie Bulus

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November 23, 2018

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king must overcome betrayal and tragedy to assume his rightful place on Pride Rock.

The film is a photorealistic, computer-animated movie featuring very talented voice actors, which includes, Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as Nala, and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa. Hans Zimmer is also returning to score the film, while Elton John is coming back to rework some of his original songs.

In the trailer, it looks like the opening moments of the movie, in which Rafiki presents a young Simba to the animals of the Pride Lands, with a shot of Simba being hoisted above the rock. All the while, James Earl Jones’ narration as Mufasa plays while the original film’s opening track, “Circle of Life,” can be heard in the background.

Disney’s “The Lion King” will be coming to theaters July 19th, 2019.

WIDOWS Movie Review

By

Patrick Campbell

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November 22, 2018

When a director like Steven McQueen teams with a cast like Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, and Colin Farrell, everyone’s eyes immediately start watching that project, because it’s a powerhouse film in the making. We start to build up the idea of what we’re hoping to see, or what it could be, which is never a good thing, sure, but you still have the hope for something worthwhile to come out of it. Unfortunately, Widows is a case of a film that has all the talent in the world to make a knockout film – – both behind the scenes and in front of the camera – – but none of the drive to get it there. Instead, we’re left with a middling film experience that offers nothing more than a few good performances, but nothing else of substance.

After a heist goes wrong, leaving the husbands and lovers of a group of women who don’t know each other dead, the women’s lives are quickly turned upside down. Seeking retribution for the money stolen from him, a local crime lord puts the pressure on Veronica (Viola Davis) to return the money her husband stole in full. Against the wall and desperate to hang on what she has left, Veronica turns to the widows of the late criminals to plan a heist that would benefit all of them, while putting the past of their lovers behind them.

While that all sounds like it could make for an interesting film, Widows squanders most of its potential by making a film that lacks any sense or urgency, while also trying hard to make a film that is desperately wants to have a social commentary on politics and race relations, but having no real voice to get there. There’s a lot going on without any real sense of why, making the film feel like it’s going through the motions for something we ultimately don’t really care about. The film is set in modern Chicago, and uses a tense political election as the backdrop, but instead of using those things to make a thought provoking film, it seems to want to do the bare minimum of work to make the audience care. Greedy politicians are a dime a dozen in film, and even more so those that lie and cheat groups of people to get their way, so what makes this film’s any different? Really not much of anything, because they don’t try and make it unique. It just feels so paint by numbers approach, it’s incredibly frustrating for the viewer.

It also doesn’t help that the characters just aren’t likable across the board. While Viola Davis gives a great performance, it doesn’t make up for the fact that in a lot of ways Veronica is just not a likable character. The audience is never really given a reason to want to stand behind her, or the rest of the cast for that matter, outside of the fact that they were all in different types of abusive relationships before meeting. But you can’t coast on that alone to make your audience feel for the characters, and every time it feels like it’s going to take a step to make us actually care about these characters, it quickly walks back from it. There’s no real character moments to define them, making it all just feel like a ho hum affair. It doesn’t help that actors like Daniel Kaluuya, Colin Farrell, and Robert DuVall are just wasted, cast because of who they are, not what they can bring to the film. Cynthia

Erivo’s Belle is the closest we get to actually liking a character in the film, and she’s the only one who seems to want to be on this heist for a good reason, to help out a local business owner who has been pushed around by the local politicians. If the film spent more time building these women up to be a modern day Robin Hood equivalents who wanted to do this for the greater good, the film would have at least been more interesting to watch. But every step the film takes works against that idea of making these women vigilant heroes, and maybe that’s the point that these ordinary women are pushed to extreme circumstances to survive. Unfortunately, that narrative just isn’t driven in any way that works for the audience throughout, making the film just feel empty in the end. Why should we care if any of these characters live or die, or get this debt paid off in the end, if the movie never makes a case why we should?

Widows should have been a sure fire success, but instead it just feels like a paint by numbers heist film that wants to be more than it is, but never has anything to say. It’s constantly at war with itself in a way that just leaves you feeling cold when it’s all said and done. While the cast give some truly great performances, it’s all for not if you don’t care about their characters or their plight. Steve McQueen is a great filmmaker, and he’s surrounded himself with a great cast, it’s just too bad the film never lives up to the potential they all collectively share.

Day Tripping Around Wrightwood and Jackson Lake

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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November 22, 2018

jackson lake pic — Located near Wrightwood, CA, tiny Jackson Lake offer fishing and fun

I love going to the mountains, but sometimes I don’t want to deal with all the narrow, winding roads. For these times I like to visit Wrightwood, a hidden gem in the Swarthout Valley, at the eastern end of the San Gabriel Mountains. Located at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet, the small town can be reached via the freeway and a couple of highways.

A friend and I recently took a Sunday drive to Wrightwood and experienced cool mountain air, tasty home cooking, a tiny picturesque lake, and lots of incredible scenery.

Our getaway began when we took the 210 Freeway in Pasadena east to Rancho Cucamonga, where we transferred to the I-15 north, to CA-138 and then to CA-2, which led us into the town of Wrightwood. When we got there it was a brisk and sunny 46-degree November morning and the surrounding mountains were a giant postcard speckled with towering pine trees, topped with puffy white clouds.

Day Tripping Around Wrightwood and Jackson Lake — Wrightwood is a hidden gem at the eastern end of the San Gabriel Mountains

Wrightwood is probably best known for Mountain High, its popular ski resort, but the place is also a charming little town with quaint shops and restaurants and a host of outdoor activities at hand. And no traffic lights!

Once in Wrightwood we drove down Park Drive, the main drag, and walked around town, which was bustling with locals and motorcyclists and day trippers like us. One of the busier places on the street was Zip Lines at Pacific Crest (www.ziplinespc.com). The company offers two different zipline courses that are literally built in the trees, which enables guests to “truly be in the environment, zipping from one platform to the next.”

The Canopy Tour is a thrilling zipline course that offers heights of up to 300 feet off the forest floor and lengths of over 1,500 feet. The Mountain View Tour provides another unique zipline experience, featuring a free-fall experience from a tree platform.

Near Zip Lines at Pacific Crest we found Evergreen Café, with smoke floating from the chimney and the aroma of home cooking wafting through the mountain air. We took this as signal to pop in for lunch. We did and were treated to a hearty home-cooked meal of hot chili and chicken-fried steak.

After lunch, we drove up Angeles Crest Highway, which cuts through town. In a few minutes, we came to Mountain High Ski Resort (www.mthigh.com), which is currently making snow and preparing for the upcoming 2018-2019 winter season. “All signs point to cold weather and possibly natural snow starting Sunday, November 18,” says the Mountain High website. “We could open the West resort as early as Saturday, November 24th, if everything goes well.” Mountain High consists of three separate mountains: Mountain High East, West, and North.

About three miles past Mountain High we found Jackson Lake. Covering roughly seven surface acres, the tiny lake is in Angeles National Forest and surrounded pine forests and oak thickets. Fishing is popular at the lake, as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks it with rainbow trout for summer and spring. There is also a bluegill population swimming year-round in the lake. Because of the lake’s altitude and size it can easily freeze in winter, making it a miniature skating rink for ducks and other birds.

When we got to Jackson Lake there was a half dozen people fishing along the shore. There were also families having picnics and barbecuing, and a few hikers taking advantage of the nearby trials. The picnic area offers plenty of parking, tables and barbecue grills, and public restrooms, which are primitive but usable.

For those wanting to stay overnight near the water, there are a couple campsites nearby, including Mountain Oak Campground and Appletree Campground. More information on these campsites can be found at www.recreation.gov.

For hikers, Angeles National Forest boasts hundreds of miles of hiking trails and Jackson Lake isa good place to begin. There is a trailhead at the picnic area which winds about 2.5 miles of through the forest until it connects to the legendary Pacific Crest Trail (www.pcta.org). The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) follows the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain ranges from Southern California the Canadian border.

For more information on visiting Wrightwood and Jackson Lake and the surrounding area, visit: www.wrightwoodchamber.org

LA Zoo is Lit: Zoo Lights and Reindeer Romp bring holiday fun through January 6

By

Drew Hackney

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November 22, 2018

Back for 2018 and bigger than ever, LA ZOO LIGHTS illuminates the wilds of Griffith Park on select nights now through January 6, 2019. The LA Zoo invited us to sample all of their holiday offerings, and we have to say…we had a wild time.

During the day, REINDEER ROMP brings the magic of the North Pole to Angelenos, while at night thousands of lights illuminate the Zoo. Keep in mind that LA ZOO LIGHTS is separately ticketed event, meaning a day time ticket won’t get you in – you need a ticket just for ZOO LIGHTS to experience it.

The premiere evening for ZOO LIGHTS kicked off with Julie Chang (Good Morning LA), who alongside Zoo Ambassador Carolyn Hennessy (General Hospital), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Justin Turner of the LA Dodgers, threw the switch to light up the Zoo.

It’s a perfect time to grab a hot cocoa (or an adult beverage – they’ve got ’em) and stroll with loved ones. A disco ball forest, projection mapping elephants, a wild water show, and tons of other surprises wait around each corner. Take a look at just some of the gorgeous displays!

LA Zoo is Lit: Zoo Lights and Reindeer Romp bring holiday fun through January 6

Tickets for LA ZOO LIGHTS start at just $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for kids under 13. Adults-only theme nights that include dinner & drinks are on offer for December 6 & 13 at $75 a head, and a special Family New Year’s Eve Party is available for $70 for adults and $45 for kids under 13. Grab discounted tickets on the official website here.

During the day, REINDEER ROMP brings zoo guests up close and personal with Santa and his real live reindeer. Crafts, activities, and of course the big man himself add to the already fabulous animal experiences available at the LA Zoo. Daytime tickets for the LA Zoo are $21 for adults and $16 for kids under 13.

On select days, you can watch animals around the zoo open their “gifts.” On opening day, a tiger was the lucky holiday recipient.

Grab the full schedule and your family’s tickets on the Zoo’s official site.

There’s nothing like the magic of animals during the holidays – don’t miss REINDEER ROMP and LA ZOO LIGHTS!

Disneyland After Dark Goes Totally 90s

By

Maverick Bohn

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November 21, 2018

Prepare for an epic “Throwback Thursday” with Disneyland After Dark next year, as the resort has just announced two new special after hours events filled with new surprises, tributes, and exclusive offerings. The party kicks off in February with Sweethearts’ Nite and finishes in a big way with 90s nite in March. Each event has its own special flair, with full details below!

Sweethearts’ Nite
Prepare for a night of romance at the Most Romantic Place on Earth on February 7th. It’s the perfect excuse to get dolled up and create a night you will never forget with the one you love most:

Love song-themed dance parties throughout the park, as well as a “Royal Ball” experience.
Encounters with beloved Disney couples, including Eugene and Rapunzel, Aladdin and Jasmine, and of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
Immersive photo opportunities featuring romantic scenes from iconic Disney films.
Sweetheart-themed décor, as well as romantic food, beverage and merchandise offerings.
Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of your photos captured during the event.

90s Nite
Let’s “Get Dangerous” and return back to the time of VHS, One Saturday Morning, and TGIF. Wear your best 90s attire and prepare for the biggest throwback party you’ve ever seen:

Special ‘90s-themed fireworks show, throwback musical entertainment and more.
A re-imagined Disney Afternoon Avenue with special greetings from favorite Disney characters from the ‘90s and interactive photo opportunities.
Decade-inspired food, beverages and merchandise.
A commemorative fanny pack and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of your photos captured during the event.

Visit Disneyland’s official site for more details and pricing information. Parking is not included with the ticket, so make sure to save up! Tickets will be available in limited quantities, going on sale next week.

November 27th: Tickets on Sale for Disneyland Annual Passholders

November 28th: Tickets on Sale for the General Public.

If you need any fashion inspiration, make sure to check out Oh My Disney’s 90s Throwback Collection for some fun accessories to bring your vintage game front and center. It’s going to be bombastic, don’t miss it!

Jolly Holiday Bakery Introduces New Mary Poppins Themed Treats

By

Maverick Bohn

-

November 21, 2018

In honor of the upcoming release of Mary Poppins Returns, Jolly Holiday Bakery at the Disneyland Resort has released two limited edition treats that are practically perfect in every way. Guests will also get the opportunity to bring a piece of the magic home with an exclusive Mary Poppins spoon, featuring the iconic umbrella design that we all know and love.

The treats include a deliciously delectable Mary Poppins Chocolate Cake. The cake features milk chocolate icing, candied flower, and wonderfully tasty chocolate sprinkles. Moist and finished with a spoonful of sugar, this item is a must for any chocoholics out there.

Next up is the Mary Poppins Trifle. This dessert is delightful, featuring layers of pound cake, mixed berries, raspberry jam, pastry cream, and Vanilla Bean Chantilly. Topped off with chocolate flakes and a white chocolate silhouette of Mary Poppins, it’s the perfect treat to share on your next Jolly Holiday visit.

The spoon is also available for purchase with qualifying food purchase, so make sure to ask a Cast Member if you want to see what other tasty options are available. Each item is available for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to sample it. Mary Poppins Returns flies into theaters on December 19th.

5 Disney Parks Thanksgiving Wallpapers for Your Desktop

By

Maverick Bohn

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November 19, 2018

While you are enjoying the holiday magic of the Disneyland Resort, don’t forget that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. To help bring a little bit of Disney to your festive meal, the Disney Parks Blog has shared these exclusive Disney Thanksgiving Wallpaper selections, each bringing you a unique way to share your love for the annual feast.

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Make sure to check out all the fun holiday offerings at the Disneyland Resort, from amazing food, to exclusive merchandise, to memorable entertainment experiences, the merriest celebration on Earth is going on from now to January 6th.

Disneyland Comes Alive for Mickey Mouse 90th Birthday Celebration

By

Maverick Bohn

-

November 19, 2018

There was no shortage of joy on November 18th, as droves of Mickey’s biggest fans gathered together to help celebrate the big cheese’s 90th birthday at the Disneyland Resort. The day was filled with an overload of bright colors, delightful smiles, and cheers that could be heard across the magic kingdom.

Disneyland Comes Alive for Mickey Mouse 90th Birthday Celebration

The day kicked off with a special birthday cavalcade for Mickey and Minnie, riding alongside the Disneyland Ambassador team as well as a large group of their closest friends. Rare characters also made a special appearance to pay tribute to Mickey, including Merlin, Pocahontas, and Mortimer. Though, the highlight of the special parade was Mickey and Minnie’s new outfits, debuting for the occasion in bright white and confetti colors.

The event was followed by a day filled with special moments for fans across the resort, including photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise, and one day only food offerings. The Mickey Mouse 90th Exclusive Plush sold out within hours of the park opening, with droves of guests lining up at every available merchandise location for their chance to snag up every last one. Shirts, pins, and toys were also available, giving fans plenty of items to add to their ever growing Disney collections.

The Mickey Mouse 90th Birthday Plush sold out within the first few hours of the park opening, turning into one of the hardest items to find for fans across the resort.

A special limited release pin and birthday cake rice crispy treat were also available for purchase.

Though, the lines were not nearly as long as they were for the limited edition Mickey Mouse 90th Sipper Cup, which created multi-hour long waits as the park opened, sending fans into a frenzy. Being available for one day only, no chances were taken, with many fans patiently waiting for the opportunity to collect the souvenir cup. Food was no exception to the rule, as special offerings were in high demand resort wide.

The Mickey Mouse collectible sipper cup created lines that lasted up to 3 hours, being one of the most sought after items in the park.

Jolly Holiday Bakery had the biggest turnout, featuring multiple treats specifically for Mickey’s big day. Mobile Ordering queues went far into the night, generating one of the busiest days imaginable. We had a chance to sample some of the park’s exclusive offerings, each bringing a unique flavor that was perfect for the occasion.

One of the most magical parts of the day came down to the very fans that helped turn Mickey into such an international icon. There was no shortage of special designer looks, full costumes, and Mickey Mouse ears. The dedication and devotion was impressive, including a look at this outfit, put together by the “Cosplay Parents”, featuring a Mickey Mouse birthday cake.

All guests that visited the park during the big celebration also received a commemorative button, featuring the birthday mouse front and center. Similar to the rest of the exclusive merchandise, all buttons flew off the racks, completely vanishing before the sun set. Though the party did come to a close, the celebration of Mickey will continue on into 2019.

You can learn all about all the fun events yet to come, including the return of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade by clicking here. From 1928 to 2018, Mickey has truly been an American original and if the festivities in Disneyland are any indication, this is just the beginning. Stay magical and stay tuned for all the latest!

Socalthrills.com

Relaxing at Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa

Six Flags Brings Holidays in the Park

The Magic of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

AFTER Teaser Trailer and Poster

Disney’s “The Lion King” Teaser Trailer and Poster

WIDOWS Movie Review

Day Tripping Around Wrightwood and Jackson Lake

LA Zoo is Lit: Zoo Lights and Reindeer Romp bring holiday fun through January 6

Disneyland After Dark Goes Totally 90s

Jolly Holiday Bakery Introduces New Mary Poppins Themed Treats

5 Disney Parks Thanksgiving Wallpapers for Your Desktop

Disneyland Comes Alive for Mickey Mouse 90th Birthday Celebration

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