{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Disneyland at Halloween 2009 - 2013

This past weekend we were thrilled to be able to visit Disneyland for one of our favorite times of the year... Halloween. Visiting Disneyland in the fall has become a bit of a tradition, as we've been doing it now every year since 2009. 

Obviously I'm going to capture many of the same moments... and this year I was feeling a bit nostalgic and wanted to compare just much my almost 6 year old has grown. 

*believe it or not, those are the exact same pair of ears. We've managed to keep them in good shape for 5 years!

*disclosure: Disneyland provided me with 4 park hopper tickets to experience #Halloweentime at Disneyland 2013, opinions are my own. 

Do an ALL NIGHTER at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Haven't pulled an all nighter since college (or having an infant)? Have you ever wanted to ride the Matterhorn at midnight? What about a 3 AM teacup spin? Or maybe you want to see the sun rise over the Cadillac Mountain Range? 

Well, this weekend you can. 

Disneyland Resort is kicking off their "Monstrous Summer" with the park being opened for 24 hours. Start your Memorial Day Weekend on May 24, 2013, at an amazing 24-hour all-nighter in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Scream with delight as monster hosts Mike and Sulley drop in from Monsters University. There will also be special limited-edition "all nighter" merchandise available for those who visit the park for this 24 hour Mouse-athon. 

Click here for more information

And since you will have PLENTY of time to explore both park, be sure to swing by the new Fantasy Faire - a new extension of Fantasyland! Meet princesses in the Royal Hall and listen to new stories with Rapunzel and Belle. 

Also debuting next weekend is the new show, Mickey and the Magical Map:

“Mickey and the Magical Map” presents Mickey in his timeless role as the sorcerer’s apprentice. Wise sorcerer Yen Sid directs his Mapmakers, a singing-dancing ensemble cast that paints a wondrous map – capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable and so large it spans the entire stage of the outdoor Fantasyland Theatre.

Apprentice Mickey lets his curiosity get the better of him and he stumbles upon the map’s magical powers, which take him, along with the audience, on a fantastic journey of imagination in the company of the Mapmakers. The journey, presented through theatrical stage wizardry, unveils wonderful worlds of music, color, adventure and beloved characters with each new direction – all set to an original song, “Journey of the Imagination,” and music from classic Disney films.

It's going to be a monstrously fun summer at Disneyland Resorts... are you planning on going?  

*disclosure: I have been invited to a press event at Disneyland next week that includes a hotel room and tickets to the park. I have not been monitarily compensated for this post or any upcoming social media posts about the event. 

Holiday Traditions

This week, Zoe had her first “homework” assignment. It was a collage of our family holiday traditions. Since it was her very first project of {transitional} kindergarten, I helped a lot. Okay, I may have done most of it. Whatever. She’s 5.

As we were talking about it, I realized that when she thinks “Holidays” she thinks solely of presents – not of the zillion other things we do each year to “make memories.” Which would lead me to think I’m a horrible failure of a mother, if it wasn’t for the fact that she this is only her 5^th December and probably really only the 3^rd one she has any comprehension of.

And let’s be honest, December hasn’t really a shining month for me in the past… maybe it’s better she doesn’t remember much.

A few years ago in a desperate attempt to fight my December demons, I signed up for a scrapbook “challenge” of sorts - Journal Your Christmas – as a way to “take back December!” The thing is, I don’t really scrapbook. And I get a little OCD about crafting. But a store I had never seen before, Paper Source, had just opened by me and I needed an excuse to buy all that paper and to heat-emboss EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. Amazingly, I actually got the book done {sometime in February}.But now every year, I know it’s the Holidays when I start getting my daily “prompts” from Shimelle.

But, if I learned one thing about myself, it's that I’m a really crappy scrapbooker. So how excited was I to hear about her Instagram photo version this year! That I can totally do.

The first assignment was all about “first signs” of the holidays in your area. How do you know when the Holidays are here. It was fitting that this prompt came in as I was at Disneyland, for a Holiday visit that has become a bit of a tradition for us.

As Zoe and I sat and chose pictures to use, her beginning to understand the concept of “tradition” – she chose the picture I took this past weekend of Sleeping Beauty’s castle all lit up for the holidays.  

It was the same picture as I used for the first day of my challenge – first signs.

Because in Southern California THAT’S how we know the holidays are here. This is our Winter Wonderland. 

Halloween Time at Disneyland

For us the leaves don't change colors and the weather actually gets hotter during October. So how do we know it's Fall in Southern California? By going to Disneyland. 

Once again, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure got us in the Halloween spirit with all of our favorite rides, decor and villains. You all know how much I love Disneyland this time of year, and our latest visit to the park marked yet another passing year.

As with every trip to Disneyland, there were the special moments that made this trip unique.

It was our first "stroller free" trip

My baby is turning 5 in just a few weeks. FIVE. This trip we actually, in all honesty, forgot the stroller. It doesn't live in the car anymore and in the rush out of the house it didn't make it with us. This is a BIG moment in parenthood, and it took us a bit to figure out how to transport all the crap. But we survived. And Zoe rocked walking the park all day. 

My Favorite Goats Had on Halloween Bandanas

We discovered the Happiest Petting Zoo on Earth last June, and it was one of the first spots we visited this trip. And yes, it did make my day that the happy little goats were dressed in their Halloween finery. 

The Art of Frankenweenie

While I will admit that we have yet to see the movie, Disney California Adventure currently has an exhibit showcasing the dolls from the movie Frankenweenie. The models on display were amazing to look at. The details, the size - all of it just fascinating to take in. The exhibit runs through November 5th at Disney California Adventure. 

Zoe Adorableness

I love her age right now. She still wants to wear her princess dresses, she waves at dolls in It's a Small World, but she enjoys totally rocking out at the MadTParty.

As we were walking out from watching the live Alice in Wonderland theme band, Zoe looks at me:

Zoe: "Mom, Alice looks like me."

Me: "Oh really, how?"

Zoe: "Well, we're both pretty!"

I love 5. 

Halloween Time at Disneyland runs through October 31st

*disclosure: Disneyland Parks provided me with four tickets to enjoy Disneyland Halloween Time. Opinions and experiences are my own. 

Ka-Chow! Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Opens Friday And I'll be on the Red Carpet!

While Disneyland will always have a special place in my heart, I must admit that Disney California Adventure may be my favorite of the two parks. Maybe it's because that's where all the Pixar stuff is. Maybe because it seems just a little less crowded and less-hot mid-summer, or maybe it's because I can get a glass of wine - but I just love the vibe of Disney California Adventure. 

And it's just getting better. 

By now you've heard that Cars Land is opening this Friday. This 12 acre expansion to the park started being built in 2009 and is a re-creation of the iconic town of Radiator Springs. If you are a mom to a boy 10 and under like me, you've probably seen Cars about 1050 times. And now? We get to walk through the town - Flo’s V8 Café, Fillmore’s Taste-In, Cozy Cone Motel, Radiator Springs Curios, Sarge’s Surplus Hut and Ramone’s House of Body Art are all there. Yes, I'm geeking out. 

This week, I'm lucky enough to be among first people to check out Cars Land, Carthay Circle and all the other new attractions at the newly remodeled Disney California Adventure park. From inside stories on the planning to reviews of the new attractions and rides, this blog, my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook timeline will be inundated with all things DISNEY for the next 3 days.  

And just added, I'll be covering the red carpet for the Cars Land party tonight!

Follow @HipMamaB along as I snap pics of the celebs and maybe even snag a few interviews with the cast of Cars and other celebrities out to celebrate this amazing new area.