Disneyland: Celebrating 60 Years as the Happiest Place on Earth!

While there are plenty of vacation destinations designed to appeal to specific groups of people (e.g. couples only, young children or those looking for an adventure), there is one name that brings absolutely everyone together.

Young, old, families, friends, individuals — it doesn't matter when you step into the world of Disney and know that you are in "the most magical place on earth." From seeing fairy tales come to life to meeting your favorite characters to experiencing incredible attractions and shows, it is all there in the most memorable, detailed, amazing way possible at Disneyland.

Currently celebrating 60 years of being a a source of joy for the entire world and a place where innovation has continued to inspire an exciting future, there is no doubt that the Disneyland Resort has been an unforgettable destination for families to return to, again and again.

And, after having thoroughly loved our first visit to Disneyland for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration back in 2014, it was time for my own family to create more incredible memories with the festivities, sights, and all things magic in Anaheim. Let's make this Spring Break one for the record books!

As much as we love the "traditional" magic found in Disneyland Park, we began our day at Disney California Adventure Park and couldn't wait to see some of our favorite Disney films come to life in the rides, games, decor, characters and more.

In fact, we were only barely through the gates when we turned the corner and ran right into one of Big Sister E's all-time favorites. It's not often that you get to take a stroll down the block with Sulley and I loved seeing my girl's face light up with excitement!

After starting the day out on a high note, we then spent hour after hour loving just about every minute of all that Disney had to offer.

Little Sister B was also able to spend a little time with two of her absolute idols when we chatted and took photos with Anna and Elsa...

...and later saw them again when we attended the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

We sang, we laughed, we loved the transitioning between live action and on-screen scenes, we ooohed at the "snow" that fell from the ceiling, and we sang some more — I highly recommend this show for any and all Frozen fans!

With this Frozen celebration winning the title of our favorite show of the day, my family would also have no problem agreeing on the top attraction for all four of us, Toy Story Midway Mania!

As with so many other aspects of Disneyland, Toy Story Mania! provides a new and unique experience each and every time that is sure to thrill all ages. Simply take a seat and you're ready to be brought on a moving belt through a wide variety of midway games hosted by characters from Disney•Pixar's Toy Story!

The effects on this attraction are top notch and, with the addition of 3D glasses, the whole thing truly comes to life as you use your Spring-Action Shooter to rack up as many points as possible (spoiler alert: I had the highest score in my car because I'm awesome like that)!

Along with taking part in all of the Toy Story friendly competition we could handle, we also made the most of our time over in Paradise Pier by saying hello to a few characters, hoping on a few more rides —including taking a few spins on the iconic Mickey's Fun Wheel and marveling at the views from being up so high— and eating all sorts of delicious foods for lunch.

I absolutely adore how Disney offers something for every possible palate (as well as allergies, diets, etc), so it doesn't matter if you want to chow down on a corn dog or dine elegantly on Five-Cheese Ravioli with Pesto Sauce and Toasted Pine Nuts (sooooo good!!), everyone is able to find a variety of tasty options to meet their needs.

Although there are dozens and dozens more that I could list that we loved at Disney California Adventure Park, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Pixar Play Parade and Radiator Springs Racers for how much we enjoyed them both!

Taking place in the early evening, the Pixar Play Parade combines music, floats, performers, effects, and more as just about every character from five different Disney•Pixar films makes an appearance. Simply find a spot along the parade route and sit back to marvel, wave, and interact as pals from Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, and Toy Story roll on by (and possibly a surprise appearance by Lightning McQueen and Mater of Cars)!

Speaking of our favorite Cars duo, do not, I repeat DO NOT, miss the chance to see them in action in Radiator Springs Racers, the number one Disney attraction (from all Disney Parks) for both Big Sister E and me.

We grabbed FastPasses for this extremely popular attraction as soon as we arrived at Disney California Adventure Park and could hardly wait to return that evening. There is just nothing that compares to hopping into one of these cars, perusing through the gorgeous desert landscape of Cars Land, seeing so many familiar faces from the movie come to life, and ending with a heart-pounding, high speed race against another car to the finish line!

Without a doubt, Big Sister E and I could ride these Racers over and over and over again (and actually had the chance to on our last visit when all of Radiator Springs was closed/reserved only for DSMM Celebration attendees and families for a few hours one morning). Did I mention to NOT miss this attraction?!

Her face may not depict it, but Big Sister E truly ADORES this attraction!

Although we spent quite a bit of time in Disney California Adventure Park, we did also head into Disneyland Park as well (Park Hopper tickets for the win!) to marvel at all of the magic and excitement that occurs there as well. Characters, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, attractions, entertainment, lights, shows... sometimes I just don't know how Disney continues to come up with it all!

On this visit, however, we were especially interested in trying out an attraction that was new for my family, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. When was the last time you climbed into a submarine hatch, took a seat in front of your own personal porthole, and went on an underwater adventure with Nemo, Squirt, Marlin, Dory, and many more Finding Nemo friends?

Walt Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them," and, all these years later, Disneyland Resort makes that happen every day of the year for all ages as one of the top vacation destinations on earth.

This is one location (split into two incredible theme parks) where the entire family can enjoy incredible sights and sounds, receive legendary service, and head home with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Be sure to visit Disneyland.com to see in-depth information on all things Disney and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter as well.

From an action-packed vacation with every minute planned to a day spent strolling the parks and playing it all by ear, a visit to Disneyland will leave both young and old dazzled and amazed. We can't wait to go back and do it all again!

I was provided complimentary passes by Disneyland Resort in order to help facilitate this review, but they in no way affected the amazing time that we had and my honest opinions in this post.

Create Everlasting Fun and Memories for Multiple Generations of Family at Kalahari Resorts! {Coupon Code}

I've mentioned before that I have the best husband in the world and, unfortunately for every other man in that competition, that statement is still true.

But here's the thing. I'm not only lucky enough to have such an awesome husband and father for my children, I also have the best and coolest in-laws possible (and I'm not just saying that because they're reading this).

They're loving, supportive, caring, funny, generous, thoughtful and always there for all of us — I'm telling you, I hit the jackpot marrying into this family!

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that when my husband and I plan vacations, we often take into account more than just our immediate family and invite our extended family along as well. My girls adore having their grandparents come on trips near and far and having two more adults in the adult-to-child ratio is always a good thing (not to mention that my mother-in-law always prepares far better than I do in terms of games, crafts, activities, snacks, books and more for travel and visiting somewhere new).

But, oh, the memories. There was the time that 20-month-old Big sister E tried to bury Grandpa in the sand in Aruba...

...or when he and Little Sister B got up close and personal with the flamingos in the Bahamas back in 2010...

...or, more recently, when Grandma and Grandpa were able to experience day after day of the unforgettable fun that Orlando has to offer with us. We've had so many great times!

If you have a good relationship with your extended family and aren't taking multigenerational vacations, you're missing out!

But don't think that you have to fly to the Caribbean for a week to create incredible memories, you can just as easily have an extraordinary time that won't soon be forgotten simply by visiting one location that can provide an indoor and outdoor beyond-breathtaking experience: Kalahari Resorts!

Kalahari Resorts locations in Sandusky, Ohio, Wisconsin Dells and coming soon to Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania offer something for everyone – America's largest indoor waterparks, seasonal outdoor waterparks, Spa Kalahari, award-winning indoor attractions, convention center and on-site dining, just to name a few.

No matter the weather, the time of year, nor your taste in water and theme park attractions, Kalahari Resorts has indoor and outdoor fun that will leave your entire family (grandparents included!) anything but bored from morning until night.

If for some reason you ever took a break from the plethora of waterpark options and theme park activities, it isn't like you'd be twiddling your thumbs while enjoying their many restaurants, relaxing in the spa, painting your own pottery, winning big in the arcade... and recharging for the following day in your extremely comfortable room, suite or villa (amongst many, many other options).

We're talking hair-raising, jaw-dropping, scream-inducing experiences for big kids and adults, and interactive, playful, entertaining, laughter-causing fun for the younger crowd. It's all under one roof and adds up to a wet and dry mini-vacation that won't soon be forgotten... by every generation that comes along!

Fun for ages 8 to 88, there is just no reason to not include the grandparents in your next visit to Kalahari. The resort has long been on a mission to "take family time off the endangered list," and this fall is the perfect time for the whole family to enjoy a fun adventure in true Kalahari-style.

Because not only will you, your children and your parents or in-laws experience this authentically-African themed resorts' beyond-expectations approach to hospitality and tons of amenities, but you can save money at the same time!

Visit Kalahari reservations and enter the promo code MOMS and you'll receive four Indoor Theme Park passes, a $20 food and beverage credit, and a stay in a gorgeous Hut or Desert Room for only $109 per night*. You can't beat that price for providing some wet and wild fun while making memories to last a lifetime!

If you've visited Kalahari in the past, then you already know exactly how amazing it is and just what sets them apart from the rest. If you haven't, however, then trust me when I say that you haven't experienced a resort that offers this much to thrill the entire family. Gather up all of the generations and book your stay today!

Find out much more about this one-of-a-kind destination by visiting KalahariResorts.com and by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

*Dates offered: September 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 22 ,23, 24, 28, 29, 30; October: 1-2, 7-9
Additional Dates: 9/12 & 10/3 (Friday) at $129 rate, and 9/13 & 10/4 (Sat) at a $159 rate.

This post is part of a partnered campaign with Kalahari Resorts, however, all thoughts and opinions expressed and 100% honest and my own. 

Unlock Unexpected Travel Adventures with a Target Wedding Registry! {$25 Target Gift Card Giveaway}

As August nears its end, families with children have probably been focusing on camps, activities and getting in all of the swimming and playing that they can before school begins.

However, for younger couples across the country, this month has most likely been filled with travel and weddings. As much as I love life now, I do look back fondly at the summer days that were filled with the ability to jump on a plane to explore new lands, the way that adventures seemed always around the corner, and the overall way that any day could be filled with unexpected experiences.

Which is why right now is the perfect time for all of the couples planning their upcoming wedding to be sure to head to their nearest Target to browse, sign up and fill their Target Wedding registry!

From home decor to games and electronics to items for entertaining (and everything in between), Target's wedding registry allows users to add anything from the store or Target.com to their wishlist. Why not start your new life together with all of the everyday essentials, necessities, splurges and things you'll both really use and love?

But, along with the practicality, ease and convenience, registering at Target can also help unlock a whole world of unexpected adventures! As couples prepare to explore locations near and far together, their trips can be even more unforgettable and incredible just by bringing along fantastic items from their registry!

For instance, registering for the Canon EOS Rebel T5I and one or two Coleman 40 Degree Sleeping Bags just might lead to a whole slew of romantic evenings under the stars in America's heartland... with the stunning photographs to prove it!

Or maybe you'd like to see the sights without actually sleeping in the wide open air?

Then you might want to register for the SwissGear City Pack and one or two Fitbit Flex Wireless Wristbands so that you and your new spouse can book hotels in London and Paris and get fit spending your days hiking around seeing Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower together!

Although my husband and I were already married at the time, one of our memorable summer trips was our last pre-baby vacation with two other couples to Hawaii. Even being around six months pregnant at the time, I still wasn't going to miss out on the amazing sightseeing (waterfalls! Volcanoes! Tropical plants and flowers!), hiking, relaxing, exploring and more!

And even though the items we packed worked great, I sure wouldn't mind going back in time and bringing things like Canon EOS Rebel T5I and the SwissGear City Pack to have made the trip even more unforgettable and to have possibly unlocked even more unexpected adventures!

No matter what sort of ultimate summer adventure you have planned next, be sure to keep a Target Wedding registry in mind so that your family and friends can help you experience your trip to the fullest. Your guests can shop in-store or online, returns and exchanges are simple and you even end up with a bonus savings day after your wedding to pick up any items left at a discount.

Find out more about all of Target's great registry options by visiting Target.com or visiting your local Target store today!

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to set off on their next journey in style, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Target gift card!

Entry-Form

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.

Completing the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration with Books, Food and runDisney! {#DisneySMMoms}

After spending time enjoying all of the magic of Disneyland Resort and being awestruck by the passion and inspiration of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration speakers, what more could be added to make the weekend any better?

Still about 2,250 more events, people and activities, actually.

However, here are the highlights that helped make the rest of my first DisneySMMoms experience one that is incomparable to any other social media event for me...

On Saturday morning, after meeting Genevieve Goings of Choo Choo Soul and learning about Disney Junior's incredible new Give a Book, Get a Book program, the entire room gasped when we realized that none other than LeVar Burton was next on stage.

Anyone else grow up with Reading Rainbow? As well as being a wonderful speaker (and praising all of the hard work of mothers everywhere, including his own), LeVar brought me even further back to my childhood later in the morning when he read a story to all of the attendees and their families.

LeVar Burton! Just take a look, it's in a book, it's Reading Rainnnnnbow...

But far from being the only celebrity guest that morning, families were also treated to another book reading starring David Arquette (voice of Skully from Jake and the Neverland Pirates), Ariel Winter (voice of Princess Sofia from Sofia the First), and Tim Gunn (voice of Baileywick from Sofia the First).

My kids were amazed at seeing the voices of characters they knew come from real people and I was starstruck by Tim Gunn. He has always been a favorite of mine!

Later that evening, all of the attendees and families were treated to a special dinner sponsored by GoGo squeeZ inside Mickey's Toontown — we had that entire section of the park all to ourselves!

What better way spend our last evening of the conference than by eating tasty food, hanging out with our favorite characters and going on rides until after the sun went down?

However, staying up late didn't stop me from setting my alarm to be out of bed bright and early on Sunday morning so that I wouldn't miss the chance to take part in an incredible runDisney event.

While I have long known about runDisney's series of events (e.g. marathons, half-marathons, 5k runs, etc) that provide runners the unique opportunity to run through Disney Theme Parks in Florida as well as California, I never thought it would be an experience I could call my own.

Not to mention finding out so much more about the way that the runDisney community has changed the lives of so many and has inspired people across the country to get healthy, support one another, make new friends and accomplish feats that were previously only in their dreams. Pretty incredible, right?

Clad in my running shirt and new shoes from New Balance, I was ready to take on our DisneySMMoms 2-mile run (a short distance for veteran runners, a long distance for lazy folks like myself). Although the starting line was covered under a veil of darkness, it wasn't long before the sun was rising over the empty Disney Parks and we were making our way through the course to the sounds of clapping and cheering from various Disney team members that were preparing for the day.

Without a doubt, it was an amazing experience that I'll never forget — and I would love to participate in another runDisney event someday!

From start to finish, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was an affair unlike any other and I will be forever grateful that my family was able to attend. The laughter, the learning, the behind-the-scenes look into the people, values and hard work that come together to provide the magic of Disney for millions of visitors year after year...

These are the memories that will last a lifetime and I will treasure forever through photos, videos and simply in my heart. Thank you, Disney!

So what's next in my family's quest to keep the Disney love alive and make more magical dreams come true?

Now that we have visited Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, it only makes sense to see the wonder and enchantment that Mickey Mouse can provide while on a floating castle, doesn't it?

Coming Summer 2014, we embark on our next adventure...

All aboard!

I was invited to attend the DSMM Celebration. I paid my own conference fees and received gifts during the conference. All opinions, experiences and thoughts are my own. Special thanks to Josh Hallett, the official DisneySMMoms photographer, for the use of many of his amazing photographs.

An Abundance of Inspiration and Motivation at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014 {#DisneySMMoms}

Last week it took at least a dozen proofreads and edits for me to condense my thoughts on the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014 (and the utter amazement I felt at being invited and having an incredible first day) into the resulting still-really-long post.

While I'm the first to admit that I'm a little long-winded and wordy to begin with, there seems to be no way to accurately convey my excitement at being able to attend this event without going on and on and on...

But there was so much more than our introduction to all things Disney and having the chance for my family to take our first visit to Disneyland Parks, ride rides and meet many characters. There was the conference itself!

The last time you attended a conference with a castle on stage was... never? Yeah, me neither.

While I've been a variety of blogging conferences and events over the years, I can honestly say that none have compared to DisneySMMoms. This event is so much more than a conference that I fully understand why they chose "Celebration" in its name instead.

Was it the special surprises throughout? The celebrity guests? The high quality speakers that spoke from their heart? The fact that my family was there with me to experience the magic of it all?

All of the above.

Plus more.

Throughout the day on Friday, the DisneySMMoms attendees were treated to delicious meals, fabulous sponsors such as Alamo and Hanes, and a wide variety of speakers that kept the audience riveted with laughter, tears and everything in between. This isn't even all of them, but here are my highlights...

We began with Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, who got us excited about anything and everything Disney happening all over the world. New additions! Fantastic ride ideas! Awesome cruises! Disneeeeeey!

"When your job is about giving others happiness, you end up having lots of it yourself." – Tom Staggs

Tom was followed by Jay Ward, Creative Director of the Cars Franchise for Pixar Animation Studios, who gave us insight into Pixar's creative process and the geniuses that come up with the stories and products that we all love.

While I've always known that Disney is over-the-top when it comes to ensuring every detail (did you know there are no handles on gas pumps in the Cars movies? They don't have hands!), listening to Jay talk about their laser focus on quality, innovation and storytelling left me amazed. Pixar truly finds the design, personalities, language and more of their films and characters and takes them far beyond the next level!

After already being awed by Jay, his speech was followed up by Kathy Mangum, the Executive Producer and Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering, who was equally as impressive!

All talks about Disney California Adventure lead to Cars Land and Kathy and her team were the ones who brought that 12-acre land and expansion to life in 2012 (after many years of researching, planning and building).

If you've been able to visit Cars Land, then you know just how incredible it is and the feeling of stepping into the movie it possesses. You're right there, seeing it all with Lightning McQueen and Mater right next to you!

Big Sister E is an especially big fan of Cars and Cars 2, so getting to see Radiator Springs come to life was a huge hit for her... and I loved seeing all of the work that Kathy and her team put in to making sure they stayed true to the scenery, people and essence of Route 66. The results are truly fantastic!

I knew in advance that the next speaker, Donald Driver (former Green Bay Packers player, former Super Bowl Champion, author of Quickie children's book series), was going to be a presenter at DisneySMMoms this year... but I had no idea that he was such an incredible, passionate speaker.

If every single person who ever talked to a group of people would speak as honestly, openly and from the heart as Donald did, then audiences would be much more apt to attend. We laughed, we cried (literally. The entire room was brought to tears), we hung on his every word, we gave him a standing ovation.

Thomas Smith, Disney Parks Social Media Director, was up next and, considering he was talking to a room of 'Social Media Moms,' it was great to hear his take on the way that Disney connects through this modern communication.

This isn't a standoffish brand that focuses only on getting their name out there and being noticed, no, this is Disney. When you're already known for being the Most Magical Place on Earth, you take the step up and take the social aspect of social media seriously.

"People connect with people, not logos." It's all about the experience with everything Disney. #disneysmmoms
— Xenia (@thxmailcarrier) April 11, 2014

Continuing on the topic of social media, Doug Bowman, Creative Director at Twitter, opened my eyes to the large number of ways that this media has changed our lives.

When people have asked me in the past what Twitter is or why people join, I've tended to see it in the light of "a roomful of people all talking at once," but Doug pointed out example after example of ways that Twitter has actually enriched our lives and helped information get around the world faster than ever possible before.

"Twitter gives us the ability to look at the collective pulse of humanity." Great insight from @stop! #disneysmmoms
— Xenia (@thxmailcarrier) April 11, 2014

In short, the day was full of inspiration, encouragement, motivation, creativity and wisdom — but not only the kind that you nod along to and then get up and leave. Instead, Disney did a fantastic job putting together a lineup of speakers that make you sit back and think about the world and your place in it. 

Do you know what your tweet or Facebook status or blog post (or spoken word, because us social media folks do talk to real people sometimes) might mean to someone else? What if you're making a bigger difference than you ever thought? What if you're not and have the chance to change that?

Because truly, whether you look at your role in your family or at your job or just as the person in the mirror, aren't you the only one who can accurately measure your own impact?

(If you thought I was done, there's still more to say! Stay tuned for more of our Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014 experience!)

I was invited to attend the DSMM Celebration. I paid my own conference fees and received gifts during the conference. All opinions, experiences and thoughts are my own. Special thanks to Josh Hallett, the official DisneySMMoms photographer, for the use of many of his amazing photographs.

Speechless: The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014 {#DisneySMMoms}

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, an invitation was sent.

Not by horse-drawn carriage, not by the order of the king, but, being the modern times in which we live, by email.

And, while I may not remember what thoughts ran through my head when I saw the look on my true love's face as he stood waiting for me at the altar or when my firstborn child was placed in my arms for the first time, every detail of when I opened that email is still crystal clear in my mind.

One of the only family-friendly conferences for those of us in social media, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is a one-of-a-kind, invite-only, premier event based on learning, networking, inspiration and, of course, the magic of Disney.

Did I want to attend the 5th annual Celebration and take my first trip to Disneyland Resort in California? Is that really even a question?!

While the DisneySMMoms Celebration itself lasts three days, my family turned this opportunity into a 7-day event to truly immerse ourselves in all things Disneyland. After all, between Disneyland Park (the original Disney theme park), the reimagined Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney district and our stay at Disneyland Hotel putting everything within walking distance, this was easily going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We began at registration, something that might typically be mundane, but was instead already fun and family-friendly.

The girls were thrilled to already have the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse himself...

...as well as Chip and Dale.

These two jokester chipmunks then hung out with us a little more as we learned about the Disney Wild About Safety campaign, a creative and fun program designed to help kids learn and understand the importance of being safe in all sorts of situations.

While it's hard to top getting to hang out with a few of our favorite Disney buddies, other registration highlights included visiting the New Balance station to see their incredible line of Disney-themed running shoes...

...as well as check-in and pick up the supplies I needed to participate in a two-mile runDisney event a few mornings away.

From Disney apps to in-home innovations (and much more), the room was filled with information, ideas and technology that are available to teach as well as enhance all of our lives!

Whew! After we made it through registration and checked in to the gorgeous Disneyland Hotel, it was time to spend the afternoon getting to know the Happiest Place on Earth.

Are there words to accurately sum up how it feels to visit Disneyland for the very first time? To walk through those gates and know that one man and one mouse started it all right on this spot? And to know that, as much as my eyes were open to see anything and everything, that it was made infinitely better by being able to see my children experience it as well?

After hours spent riding rides, watching shows, celebrating the 50th anniversary of It's A Small World, meeting even more characters, and more...

...it was time to take part in the opening events of the DisneySMMoms Celebration.

We began with a pre-dinner cocktail hour sponsored by the awesome folks at Coppertone, who not only threw a great event, but gave us the opportunity to hear about (and try out) many of their fabulous new products.

At the same time, we heard from Leanne Jakubowski (Director, Social Media), Michele Himmelburg (Director, Disneyland PR) and Michael Colglazier (Disney Resort President), who welcomed us and made us all even more excited about what was in store for the rest of the weekend (if that was even possible).

Following this reception, we met up with our families and headed to Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree for a buffet-style dinner filled with music, characters, face painting, magic tricks, a scavenger hunt and more. Disney Magic of Healthy Living was also there to introduce us to the new TRYit! food line of  healthy on-the-go snack options for kids!

How is it possible that we had been at Disneyland Resort for less than 24 hours but were already having the time of our lives meeting new friends, catching up with old ones and being a part of the wonder and magic of Disney? Could this get any better?

Stay tuned to find out and for more of our Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014 fun, learning and inspiration!

I was invited to attend the DSMM Celebration. I paid my own conference fees and received gifts during the conference. All opinions, experiences and thoughts are my own. Special thanks to Josh Hallett, the official DisneySMMoms photographer, for the use of many of his amazing photographs.