San Diego Zoo Safari Park: A Magical Day at the Butterfly Jungle
Stepping into the Butterfly Jungle at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park felt like stepping into another world one filled with wonder, tranquility, and pure magic. Tiffany, Wynter and Skylar visited the hidden jungle aviary was alive with vibrant colors as hundreds of butterflies fluttered gracefully among the lush greenery and blooming flowers. It was unlike anything we had ever experienced, a rare and fleeting moment of connection with nature’s most delicate creatures.
Thank you Sand Diego Zoo Safari Park for hosting us!
Memorable Moments
From the moment we walked in, butterflies landed gently on our shoulders, hats, and even our hands. It felt as if time slowed down as these tiny, winged wonders danced around us. Holding out a nectar-soaked sponge, we watched in awe as a butterfly delicately sipped from it, an intimate and almost surreal encounter. The park’s wildlife specialists enriched the experience by sharing fascinating insights about their life cycle and their crucial role as pollinators, deepening my appreciation for these extraordinary insects.
A Visual Wonderland
Everywhere we turned, breathtaking sights unfolded. The bold, electric blue of a morpho butterfly caught my eye as it gracefully glided past, while a delicate painted lady rested momentarily on my wrist. It was a photographer’s paradise, each moment more beautiful than the last. The soft hum of nature, the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the gentle flutters of wings made the experience feel almost otherworldly. So worth the visit!
Butterfly Jungle was truly one of a kind an experience that left us feeling both peaceful and inspired. There’s something incredibly special about standing still and letting nature come to you, about witnessing the fragile beauty of butterflies up close. It’s an annual event, but each visit is unique, as no two moments in nature are ever the same. Until next time, we will hold onto the memory of this extraordinary day, grateful for the rare chance to be surrounded by such delicate wonders.
Last month I embarked on an adventure to the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico to explore Marival Distinct Luxury Resort in Nuevo Vallarta. I also toured their new sister property Marival Armony in Punta De Mita.
This mini paradise is an easy three hour flight out of Los Angeles, California. This all-inclusive luxury resort is located on the beach of Nuevo Vallarta, in the Riviera Nayarit. It is just a 15 minute car ride from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
I have visited Nuevo Vallarta a few times before, but every time I go I discover something new. There is just so much to see and do!
Disclosure: Thank you ConnectHer Media for curating this amazing trip, and Marival Distinct for hosting me at your incredible resort. All opinions are my own.
There is a very special place in my heart for Mexico. My parents immigrated to the United States over 5o years ago from Zacatecas Mexico. I feel a deep connection with this beautiful country, and the people. It saddens me that my parents had to leave.
The gracious staff immediately greeted me with a wet towel and a delicious craft drink. The lobby was both sophisticated and comfortable.
This chic and unique resort is secluded and is in its own little paradise.
Video tour of the 2 bedroom residence at Marival Distinct in Riviera Nayarit. Full of luxury and comfort, the 1 to 4 bedrooms residences range from 1,410 sq. ft. to 2,798 sq. ft.
Check out my suite in this video!
The incredible staff ensured that I felt welcomed and right at home. They greeted me with this little spread when I checked into my room. SWEET!
I felt so relaxed and maybe even a little mom guilt for leaving the kids behind. But I have realized that sometimes I need a little me time to disconnect and recharge…
The room was spacious and very elegant. It was the perfect home away from home.
The two bedroom residence is ideal for a family. The suite is modern and elegant. It had two bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, entertainment room, large balcony and terrace.
The dinning options at Marival Distinct are five star restaurants and are part of the all inclusive program. You can enjoy another 6 restaurants and 7 bars at Marival Emotions Resort & Suites, another resort. It is only two minutes away!
At Lemmon Grass (photo above), Chef Alfredo prepares something different every night for his guests, and he only uses fresh local ingredients. This is the perfect place if you have and adventurous palate…
The sunset from Insú Sky Rooftop Bar was just spectacular. It offers a minimalist global gourmet cuisine, craft drinks, and an unbelievable infinity pool. Ahhh take me back!
Marival Armony Resorts and Suites
On day three, we headed to Marival Armony Luxury Resort in Punta De Mita. This sister resort is a harmonious blend between the amenities and the kindness of nature…
It has comfortable rooms and suites, 281 meters (922 feet long) beachfront, five pools (one of them is an infinity pool), and five Jacuzzis, specialty restaurants, beautiful gardens, privileged views of the mountains and the bay, unique spa experiences, and of course, the personalized service is exceptional.
The suites are very different from Marival Distinct, but also just as lovely.
Photo Credit To Photographer Amanda San Martin
I loved exploring this property and I found many breathless views. I often stopped on my path to just take it all in.
GenZ Influencers
At Marival Armony’s Teens Club, teenagers will find a pool table, Ping-Pong table and video games. Age 13 years of age and up have fun spot and interact with other teens. The facilities are open daily from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.
I kept thinking about my kids, and how much I knew they would enjoy this resort.
It was so nice to sip on a Piña Colada, and look at the ocean from this private cabana…
These incredible resorts are one of a kind. Both resorts surpassed my overall expectations and I will definitely return to this magical place with my family.
Where’s your next travel destination? Marival Luxury Resorts are a MUST on your bucket-list!
If you are looking for a fun day trip from Puerto Vallarta, you should head over to my friend’s amazing blog below!
Level Up with Power-Up Banda at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Who is else is counting down the days until SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17? My family seriously cannot wait for this new park addition! Here’s the latest deets on the Power-Up bands that will be available during your visit.
With the grand opening date quickly approaching, here’s a topline overview of the Power-Up Band and its functionality. These wearable wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s official free downloadable app and function as a complement to the land’s many interactive elements. The Power-Up Band is available for purchase in six design options with character themes, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Princess Daisy; choosing a particular character also defines which Team guests will be a part of.
With the use of a Power-Up Band, guests can elevate the overall experience by competing against other teams to achieve the highest score throughout the day by collecting the most digital coins. To see who’s in the lead, guests can check their personal and team scores by linking the Power-Up Band to the app or by referring to the Checkpoint Screens located within the land.
When riding “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” guests are encouraged to tap their Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel. By doing so, they can track digital coins collected as well as gauge their ranking against friends and family, when synced to the official Universal Studios Hollywood app. The Power-Up Band will enable guests to enjoy “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” over and over again in an attempt to beat their best scores.
The Power-Up Band also unlocks additional gameplay activities and experiences, such as collecting digital coins and stamps when completing milestones within the land. Checkpoints positioned within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will enable guests to track their status against others. Guests can also amass keys after winning Key Challenges from Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap and Thwomp Panel Panic – collecting at least three of them will ultimately allow access to the final boss battle with Bowser Jr.
While meet and greet interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are accessible to guests visiting the land, the Power-Up Band may provide an enhanced experience with the characters. The Power-Up Band, however, isn’t a required purchase to enable guests to enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and guests are welcome to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app prior to visiting so the fun can start from the moment they warp into the land via the giant green pipe. The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase, beginning February 17, at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk.
The February 17 grand opening of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD marks its official arrival to the United States. The all-new, innovative, immersive and highly-themed land debuts as a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be an inspiring addition to the world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.
As my minions prepare to go back to school, Carlos and I decided to surprise them with a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood! My son has never visited the park, so you can only imagine the excitement he felt the morning I woke him up to give him this exciting news. We love the minions so much we decided celebrate the day in despicable fashion.
Universal Studios Hollywood is always evolving and adding new incredible experiences to the park. The kids and I put together a list of highlights you don’t want to miss on your next visit.
Thank you Universal Studios Hollywood for hosting us at your theme park. All opinions are my own.
Experience the Secret Life of Pets🐶
Get ready to go off the leash! On this all-new ride we met our favorite characters: Max, Duke, Gidget and Snowball on a journeyed through the streets of New York City.
This ride was colorful, the pets were playful, and the animatronics were extraordinary. We embarked on this canine adventure twice because it was so much fun!
Make sure to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood App for free before you arrive. Plus, it’s easy to stay connected while you’re here with free WiFi throughout the park and Universal CityWalk.
Access Contact-Free Features:
Get a Virtual Line experience return time for select attractions
View digital menus from select restaurants
Purchase tickets
Check wait times, show times and interactive maps
Eat at the NEW Minion Cafe
We ate at the yummy NEW MINION CAFE! 💛 We spent a mischievous afternoon in the Super Silly Fun Land to work up an appetite.
We tried the Minion Sugar cookies, Chocolate Banana Pudding, and the Felonious Float! 🍌🍌🍌
Shown: Felonious Float – a raspberry slush beverage swirled with banana frozen yogurt, topped with whipped cream and banana candy. Sooo good!
See some of the menu items below:
Classic Grilled Cheese
Meatball Parmesan Grilled Cheese
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Gru’s Rotisserie Chicken
El Macho Nachos with Chicken:
Despica-Bowl Ramen
Chicken Caesar Salad:
No restaurant in the Park is complete without some unique and tasty treats for dessert. Minion Cafe will have a sweet mixed fruit cup, adorable sugar cookies, and a decadent white cake with buttercream rainbow frosting that we’ve appropriately dubbed the Unicorn Cupcake. It’s Agnes’s favorite, obviously.
And of course, a mug of delicious Chocolate Banana Pudding featuring hazelnut spread, cocoa butter, and vanilla wafer cookies. We’ll try to save some for you, but the Minions just can’t stop eating it.
Jurassic World 🦖 The Ride
This ride featured the NEW Indominus Rex! We entered an immersive land and came face-to-face with the new creature as she stalked us through the jungle. It was EPIC!
Are you brave enough to ride?
This ride never disappoints, and I always feel a little scared to go back in time to encounter these ferocious carnivores.
“Jurassic World—The Ride” features the spectacularly realistic new dinosaur, Indominus rex
While exploring the park, we worked up a thirst. It was about 90 degrees outside and we decided to stop at Isla Nu-Bar to enjoy a fresh Piña Colada. We loved the collectable tiki cups, and the cold cocktails were satisfying on this hot summer day.
Enjoy a selection of tropical inspired refreshments at the Isla Nu-bar with a tiki cocktail beneath the shady thatched roof.
See parents… The fun is not just for kids. We can enjoy the park too!
NBC Sports Grill & Brew at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood
NBC Sports Grill & Brew Now Open on CityWalk! 🍺
After our long day at the park, we hit Universal City Walk. My hubby wanted to watch the game and enjoy a cold brew. SCORE! T^his eatery / bar was the perfect spot to watch the game, unwind, enjoy some delicious food, and talk about our adventurous day at the park. Oh… and the people watching was fun too!
There’s no better place to catch your favorite team in action because the food here is in a league of its own!
How hilarious is this GIGANTIC Duff Beer Carlos picked up from the park?
A True Game Changer
Check it out!
High-definition screens inside and out immerse you in a stream of sports coverage so you won’t miss a single goal, basket, homerun, touchdown, perfect 10.0 or checkered flag.
The menu is a mix of tasty classics and incredible new creations including burgers, ribs, steak, chicken and more.
Plus you’ll find 20 draft beers on tap and another 20 bottled brews to choose from.
Be Safe! Wear Your Mask, Use Hand Sanitizer, and Practice Social Distancing.
CDC NOTICE The State of California strongly recommends that when you visit Universal Studios Hollywood you be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, obtain a negative COVID-19 test result prior to visiting, or wear a face covering. Guests who are not fully vaccinated should wear a face covering during their visit. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face coverings indoors. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit. Review Important Safety Guidelines
Happy summer friends! Make your way to Universal Studios Hollywood to experience all the fun for yourselves! I’d love to hear what your family loves about the park as well.
Finalmente el dia ha llegado. (Finally the day has come)
Drew and I took a first look at the all NEW Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. We love the Marvel saga, and we are thrilled to see these heroic comic characters come to life in one place! We could hear “Avengers Suite” playing in the background as we stood patiently for the gates to open. The cast members led us to the park and my son literally jumped for joy as we entered.
In this sensational new section of the park, guests are invited to team up with the Avengers and their allies to live out their Super Hero dreams in this fully immersive land that mixes innovative technology and fun for all ages.
Drew and I made a list of our favorite spots to explore and foods to try while in the park.
Thank you Disneyland Resort for inviting us to the Avenger Campus debut. All opinions are my own.
Check out these Attractions!
RIDE WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Talk about a work out! This new interactive scree ride is so much fun! My son is CRAZY about WEB’s latest invention. We teamed up and captured Spider-Bots 🕷that have wreaked havoc on the Avenger Campus. My son is a gamer and was thrilled the ride tracked our points.
2. Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – BREAKOUT!
We absolutely love all the special details and artifacts showcased in this ride.
This updated attraction uses the same infrastructure and ride system as the previous attraction, The Twilight Zone, Tower of Terror. It features several actors of the cast from the Marvel film series reprising their characters.
This ride opened on May 27, 2017, twenty-two days after the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Voume 2.
Heroic Encounters
3. Make sure to stop and take a selfie with your favorite Marvel characters throughout the Avengers Campus.
Spider-Man (performer and stuntronic)
Black Panther
Black Widow
Captain Marvel
Iron Man
Loki
4. Visit Dr. Strange & Ancient Sanctum!
Explore the ruins of the mysterious ancient sanctum and learn the site’s secrets from Doctor Strange. You’ll feel like time stops when you come face to face with Doctor Strange and he demonstrates his mystical abilities…
Impossible Spoonful Not so Little Chicken Sandwich Atomic Fusion PretzelQuantum Pretzel
5 . Eat At Pym Test Kitchen
NOTE* Make sure to order your food ahead of time on the Disneyland App!
If you love science 🤓 and experiments as much as we do, you will MARVEL over this sensational new food concept! Stop at Pym Test Kitchen!
This old lab facility-turned-quick-service restaurant features a seating area and bar amidst décor that incorporates remnants of ongoing experiments—GIGANTIC soda cans, humungous condiment bottles and massive cellphones recycled into menu boards. Stop by to taste-test their latest innovations in food science and conquer uncontrollable appetites on the spot!
It’s seriously sooo cool!
(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
6. Eat at Shawarma Palace.
Everyone is raving about the Shawarma. You gotta Try it!
7. Check out the NEW Avengers Campus merchandise!
WEB Tech (integration with WEB SLINGERS)
Spider-Bots (skin overlay for Black Panther, Black Widow or Iron Man)
Spider-Bot backpack
I picked up an Avenger’s limited edition pin.
We had a magical day at the happiest place on earth! Thank you Disneyland for a wonderful day.
It’s been over a year since we have visited one of our favorite theme parks… Knott’s in Buena Park has reopened with a bang, as it celebrates 100 years of boysenberry magi!
The anniversary celebration runs through September 6, 2021. In accordance with current state guidelines, capacity will be limited and available to California residents only with reservations required for both single-day visits and Season Passholders.
Disclosure: Thank you Knott’s Berry Farm for inviting us to celebrate a 100 years with you. All opinions are own.
We were thrilled to be part of this historic event!
Knott’s Berry Farm, commemorates its 100-year anniversary with a grand summer-long anniversary celebration paying tribute to the Knott family’s rich history and legacy of family fun for all.
Many of my best childhood memories were spent at Knott’s, and I often feel nostalgia when I visit.
This unique anniversary celebration features festive park décor, themed food items, unique entertainment, exclusive merchandise, and special surprises along the way…
We all gathered at Calico Mine stage for a welcome home celebration, and to enjoy a kick-off ceremony with special announcements and guests.
An All-New 4-D Interactive Dark Ride — Now Open!
Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair” takes guests on an exciting journey through reimagined show scenes from the original dark ride, including the Boysenberry Pie Factory, Frog Forest, Fortune Teller Camp, Thunder Cave, and Weird Woods, culminating in a celebration at the County Fair.
The rides, food, music and summer nights at Knott’s are like no other. That’s why we love and enjoy it every time we visit.
It was so wonderful to reunite with our Knott’s family and friends. Don’t miss out on this one in a lifetime celebration! Now through September 6th.
As a mother of a severely handicapped child, it can be extremely difficult for me to find resorts that accommodate to her disabilities.
Many resorts, hotels and restaurants don’t offer wheelchair accessible options. To my pleasant surprise, I learned Turks and Caicos Beaches Resort provides full wheelchair accessibility. As a matter of fact, they make it one of their commitments as a resort. I have spent countless hours schlepping my daughters wheelchair through sand and dirt, in hopes that she too could enjoy beautiful views, and exciting experiences with us. At Beaches Resorts, wheelchair users are accommodated with ramps and lifts situated throughout the grounds.
Disclosure: Thank you Beaches Resort for hosting my family. All opinions are my own.
Accommodations for guests with mobility restrictions include wider clearance on doorways, bathroom rails, lowered light switches & faucets, bathroom benches and more. These little luxuries make my world as a mother, so much easier. I regret now not taking my daughter with us, as I know she would’ve had the time of her life. It’s often risky to take my daughter anywhere we don’t know well, as we feel staff etc. can be very anxious in situations they aren’t too familiar with. The staff at Beaches Resorts however, are highly experienced and are always willing to let out a helping hand.
Sadly, my son ran a fever on the first day we arrived at the Turks and Caicos Beaches Resort. He couldn’t hold anything down, and laid sluggishly on his bed.
After being provided medicine by the resort clinic (yes, there is a physician on staff 24 hours), we constantly debated what to give him to eat. Mac and Cheese? Too heavy for his stomach. Steak and Mash? Even heavier! Our waitress approached us with the friendliest smile, offering us the daily (delicious) Indian food options. We told him about our son, and how we feared to give him anything. The cook came out to talk to us and listened empathetically, and assured us that he had the perfect meal for him. We waited a few minutes, as he approached us with most appetizing and healing fresh chicken soup.
My husband and I thanked the cook a million times, while trying to give him a tip for his selfless act. He simply said, “There is no need for tips, I hope your son feels better soon.” Let me repeat, the staff at Beaches Resorts are like no other. They truly make you feel at home, and always greet you with the warmest attitude. Which makes me believe whole- heartedly, my daughter can one day experience the delightful people of Turks and Caicos like we have. One last thing, did I mention my son was better seemingly overnight? That soup was magical; but so is Beaches resort.
Thank you Beaches Resort for your incredible hospitality! This trip will down in our family memory book forever… Book your stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos today!
This week my son and his friends headed to Knott’s Spooky Farm, to enjoy a spooktacular day at one of our favorite theme parks. Halloween can be a bit too scary for kids when it comes to theme parks. Frightening, bloody stuff is never fun for my little ghost. Luckily, Knotts Spooky Farm always has the perfect balance of traditional Halloween amusement, with just a touch of family-friendly spook.
My family and I are Halloween fanatics and love participating in all things Halloween. However, with my youngest son, we struggle to find age-appropriate things to do. Even after watching movies like Casper the Ghost, my little ghost still somehow ends up in my bed at night! (yes, it’s still just a little too scary.) With Knotts Spooky Farm, we never have this problem! It’s just one parade of fun!
Thank you Knott’s Berry Farm for Inviting my family to #KnottsSpookyFarm. All opinions are my own.
We hit some wonderful #spooktacular spots in the theme park that I want to share with you!
Knott’s Berry Farm offers a daytime non-scary event of cheer rather than fear with activities all geared for young kids ages 3-11. Both children and parents LOVE Knott’s Spooky Farm, and the admission is included when you purchase your Knott’s Berry Farm entry. Knott’s Spooky Farm runs September 28 – October 27 and Thursday, October 31, 2019.
Photo Credit to Knott’s Berry Farm
Trick-or-Treating and Costume contests!
My son and his crew got their candy fix in Ghost Town! Kids ages 3-11 can participate in Trick-or-Treating throughout Ghost Town, and interact with friendly, dressed-up Shopkeepers. While also enjoying the Camp Snoopy Theater Peanuts Costume Contest. After all that fun, the kids were able to join their favorite Peanuts characters at a fun Peanuts Dance Party!
Photo Credit to Knott’s Berry Farm
As we walked around, we stumbled upon Calico Park- where we found a Pumpkin patch! This location is for families and friends to have an opportunity to personalize miniature jack-o-lanterns and decorate scrumptious cookies along with Linus from the PEANUTS gang. My son and his friends couldn’t resist eating delicious cookies, while creating their jack-o-lantern masterpieces!
After our delicious treats at Calico Park, we headed back to Camp Snoopy, and hopped aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad! We experienced a one-of-kind adventure along Camp Spooky with the PEANUTS gang. We spotted 2D and 3D seasonal themed characters, along with some awesome ghostly effects!
I couldn’t resist visiting Fiesta Village, where the Dia de Los Muertos Celebration is in full swing! The themed area offers a walk through the village filled with photo ops, educational activities and face paintings (for a nominal fee). I love to see all the colorful calaveras (skulls) in the gift shop…
Our last stop was at the beloved Halloween Hootenanny! The Timber Mountain Log Ride transforms into a creepy, family-friendly delight! People of all ages (*cough* *cough* including me!) love this ride. We never leave Knotts Spooky farm without riding it!
My son and his friends had a killer time! I couldn’t have asked for a greater trip, and gosh, did I enjoy an empty bed to catch those zzz’s!
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM SEASON PASS BENEFITS
A Knott’s Berry Farm Season Pass pays for itself in less than 2 visits,* making it the best value in Southern California. At Knott’s Berry Farm, we make fun easy! 2019 Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passes include unlimited visits during the 2019 season with no blackout days and special discounts on food & merchandise, hotel stays, and Knott’s Scary Farm.
Boardwalk BBQ features savory smokehouse barbecue ribs, pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, tri-tip, and more paired with classic side dishes like roasted corn on the cob, baked beans, cornbread and others. Beer is available.
Purchase anAll Day Dining Plan & enjoy a select entrée & a side at any of the 16 participating locations throughout Knott’s Berry Farm. Plan can be used every 90 minutes. (Locations and combos subject to change.) Valid admission to the park(s) where the dining vouchers will be used is required.
Gracias Knott’s Berry Farm for such a wonderful day!
Last week, we explored a SoCal travel gem in Marina Del Rey, California. We didn’t have to travel far for this fabulous mini getaway! In fact, it was only an hour drive out of OC for the perfect family “daycation.”
This adorable and colorful beach town combines a picture perfect marina, excellent waterfront restaurants, and numerous summer activities.
It was so nice to just get a away, disconnect, and feel like we are somewhere abroad…
Disclosure : A special thanks to Marina Del Rey CVB for hosting our wonderful family daycation. All opinions are my own.
We started our day at 7:15 a.m. at dock 52, for some sport fishing with Spitfire Sportsfishing! (it was easy to find parking in the early am).
We told the staff we were newbies at fishing, and were extremely patient and helpful with hooking our bait and casting our lines.
Conveniently located in Marina Del Rey, CA. The 65’ x22 ft. United States Coast Guard inspected Vessel Spitfire runs daily, year round out of Marina Del Rey Sportfishing . Built in the mid 1990’s the Spitfire is a fast ,modern, roomy fishing vessel with state of the art fish finding electronics and large bait capacity. The grade A galley seats 25 comfortably and serves hot and cold meals as well as ice cold beer and soda.
Within minutes of arriving at our ocean destination, we felt our lines tug. My son’s smile was ear to ear when he caught his very first fish. “Look mom, I did it!” ~ Simply priceless.
The ocean breeze and the crisp air was refreshing. Oh and the views were simply stunning!
It was so nice to see my girls disconnect from their devices, laugh, and just spend time as a family.
Check her out! In no time, we were catching 2-3 fish at a time…
By the end of our fishing tour, we caught about 50+ fish! Never in our wildest dreams, did we think we could catch so many. It was a wonderful bonding experience and we can’t wait to do it again!
Next… After our fishing trip, we decided to eat brunch at Beachside.
To our bellies delight, Beachside offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options. It was difficult to decide on breakfast or lunch, because everything on the menu sounded so good. So we ordered both!
We sat in front of the marina, and enjoyed the sensational view. We could see families on the sand playing and laughing. The sea breeze kissed our cheeks. It was sooo nice!
These Crab Cakes Benedict (above) were covered in a rich cream sauce. They sat on garden fresh arugula.
Located on waterfront in Marina del Rey, the newly redesigned Beachside Restaurant & Bar offers fresh California cuisine and innovative creations for a savory menu in an unparalleled beachfront setting. Executive Chef Victor Morales takes Marina del Rey seafood restaurant to the next level by creating decadent and thought-provoking dishes, using only the best seasonal ingredients available, providing a truly unique culinary experience for patrons to dive into.
My Tori daughter devoured her Lobster Pasta within minutes. The al dente pasta was prepared in a rich sauce, and was delectably garnished with lobster tails, and fresh peas.
The crispy chicken and waffles was insane delcious! The bread was toasted to perfection, and melted in my mouth. The fried chicken absorbed the sweet syrup perfectly.
Last, we hit “Mother’s” Beach for a stand-up paddleboard experience with Pro SUP Shop, located in the rental truck at the far end of the Jamaica Bay Inn parking lot.
Our friendly guide, showed us the beauty of Marina Del Rey, giving us a personal tour of the scenic views. Sea lions greeted us with their presence, and gondolas past us by. A very in love elderly couple held hands and greeted us as we paddled by. It was just beautiful.
The calm flat water of Mother’s Beach, Marina Del Rey is the best place in the Los Angeles area to learn the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding and kayaking, Pro SUP Shop’s professional ASI & WPA Certified Instructors will help guide you into the fastest growing water sport in the world! Everyone sent out at Pro SUP Shop receives a lesson of instruction and safety procedures.
Pro SUP Shop is located in the Jamaica Bay Inn parking lot right on the enclosed waveless beach for hassle free stand up paddle board and kayak rentals. We’ll have your board or kayak on the beach and ready to go in just minutes.
4175 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 1-310-989-4350; https://www.prosupshop.com
Marina Del Rey is a SoCal hidden gem, and our summer “daycation” was perfect. Our family will forever cherish this day in our hearts.
Disneyland warmly welcomed its first visitors to the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on Friday, May 31. The widely-anticipated expansion is the largest in the Anaheim park’s history. If you’re one of the lucky few with advanced reservations to the Planet Batuu, Queen Bee Latina has some helpful tips and tricks to help navigate the immersive Galaxy’s Edge.
Prior to June 24–Reservations are Required In addition to Disneyland Park admission, all “travelers” need a reservation to enter Galaxy’s Edge. Each reservation allows guests four hours in Galaxy’s Edge, and guests can enter at a predetermined time when Disneyland Park is open. Reservation blocks typically start at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm (assuming a normal 8am-12am day at Disneyland).
Online reservations are no longer available, but guests staying at one of Disneyland’s three hotels (until June 23) are able to get one reservation slot during their time of stay. Reservations can have a total of six people, and all legal names must be included on the reservation. Adults 18+ must provide legal identification upon reservation check-in; children under 18 do not require ID.
All with advanced reservations will receive an email (or printout if booking through a Disney resort) with a QR code and a list of names for all the people on the reservation. A print-out of your reservation confirmation is not necessary to check-in at Launch Bay, but you will need to bring it up on your mobile phone.
If you’re staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, the hotel concierge can point you to a designated Galaxy’s Edge booking room inside your hotel, where a Castmember can confirm your reservation, adjust the spelling of names in your party, and can provide a print-out of your confirmation email with QR code. This service is only available during certain business hours, so please check that with your hotel.
Land Availability Beginning June 24 Beginning June 24, advance reservations are not needed to enter Galaxy’s Edge. Disney is likely proceeding with a FastPass-type reservation system once guests are inside Disneyland Park. Follow the Disney Parks Blog for details when this date approaches.
Checking In on the Day of Your Reservation If you have advanced reservations, guests are able to check-in at Launch Bay in Tomorrowland up to two hours prior to your reservation block. I recommend that you check-in as closely as you can to those two prior hours because there are some reports of check-in going smooth and also of check-in taking a lot of time.
When you arrive at Launch Bay, a Disney Castmember will check to see if you have a reservation by asking you for your reservation confirmation letter. Again, you can either shothem a print-out or a copy of it on your mobile phone. You will then be directed to a line where a Castmember will check that all people on the reservation are present and have the appropriate ID. Please note that the main person on the reservation needs to be present at check-in, no names can be changed at check-in, and all people in your party need to be present at check-in. If some of your party is not able to enter with you, your partial party is still able to enter Galaxy’s Edge as long as the main person on the reservation is present.
At check-in, all guests on the reservation will receive a wristband. These need to be kept on the entire stay inside Galaxy’s Edge. Prior to leaving Launch Bay, make sure every person with the wristband has their QR code scanned by a Castmember. According to Disney, this is needed to “activate” the wristband. Prior to leaving Launch Bay, Castmembers will also inform you of where you are to queue up for entering the land.
Queuing to Enter Galaxy’s Edge As soon as you leave Launch Bay, you should know which entrance you need to queue up at. From personal experience, the 8am reservations typically queue up at the Fantasyland entrance (just past Casey Jr. and Red Rose Tavern), and all later reservations queue up at the Critter Country entrance (just past Hungry Bear Restaurant). There will be a large crowd gathering in those areas as your reservation start time nears, but don’t be discouraged.
It’s up to your party to determine when to queue up for your start time. If your party is turned off by crowds, it’s perfectly acceptable to wait up until 30 minutes prior to get into the queue. If your party is anxious to be first for busy experiences like Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers or Oga’s Cantina, you may want to be in the queue one to two hours prior.
Castmembers are known to let the queue partially enter Galaxy’s Edge up to 30 minutes prior, but no one will be allowed to enter the land until the reservation start time. When proceeding through the queue, Castmembers will continually check for wristbands, so again, ensure it’s on your wrist for your entire stay.
Experiences with Very Limited Availability The two most popular, but limited experiences are Savi’s Lightsabers and Oga’s Cantina. If you are looking to do both in one day, there is a very slim probability you’ll have the opportunity unless you split up your party. Because both experiences accept only a limited amount of people, it’s best to focus on one and try to get in line for the experience once you enter the land. Savi’s allows less than 20 people in one 30-minute interval to make a handbuilt lightsaber. The cost for one of the land’s most intimate experiences is $200 plus tax per lightsaber. Queen Bee Latina was able to experience this on Opening Day, and has a breakdown of its experience here
Oga’s Cantina is a long awaited experience for Star Wars fans. The opening marks the first public offering of alcohol in Disneyland Park. Oga’s is a family-friendly bar atmosphere with unique drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Three of Galaxy’s Edge’s most coveted souvenirs can be found at Oga’s—a Porg tiki mug, an Endor tiki mug, and a Rancor Beer Flight Board with four “teeth” beer flight cups. The souvenir mugs are only available with the purchase of its respective drink (the Cliff Dweller, the Yub Nub, and beer flight).
Savi’s and Oga’s both have a waitlist that fills rapidly. Use a Disneyland map or the Disneyland app to find each location and safely walk to those areas. In my last experience for Oga’s, prior to being allowed to enter the land, Castmembers informed guests of safely following behind a Castmember with a flag. Those who sped up in front of the Castmember, or unsafely didn’t heed the Castmember’s direction were not allowed to put in a reservation at Oga’s. Once you provide your cell phone number to a Castmember making reservations, they will text you with a return time window, which allows you to explore the rest of Galaxy’s Edge without waiting in a long, unnecessary line.
There aren’t many food options at Oga’s, but try the Oga’s Obsession treat if you want to consume something a little “out of this world.”
Readily-Available Experiences There are several readily-available experiences at Galaxy’s Edge, all in thanks to the reservation window system. Shopping, eating, and riding the new Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run ride can all be done in a four-hour window.
Smugglers Run is first of two rides to open in Galaxy’s Edge, and allows for the opportunity to be a pilot, gunner, or engineer for the majestic Millennium Falcon ship. There is a height restriction, so be sure to check with a Castmember to see if you “youngling” can ride. To ensure you get the “job” you want on this ride, group your friends to either five or six people, as the ride holds six at one time. If you have any in your party that is a video game expert, they will be the best pilot. Every “job” is interactive, as you smuggle precious cargo for the pirate Hondo Ohnaka.
The lines for Smugglers Run were pretty tame during opening weekend. On Day 2, I waited 40 minutes, and on Day 4, I waited five minutes and then walked on for a second ride. You can afford to ride Smugglers Run an hour or so after you enter the land. Try to ride it within your first 2.5 hours, as another large group of “travelers” will start their reservation time at your third hour.
Extend your Adventure with the Play Disney App My favorite feature of Galaxy’s Edge is the ability to extend your personal adventure via the Play Disney app. This app is separate from the Disneyland app, but you can connect your profiles and set up your Star Wars character. There are several locations with hotspots to unlock special features and earn Galactic credits (fictional money). You can also decide to aid either the Resistance (good guys), First Order (bad guys), or the Scoundrels (out for themselves), and each decision you make builds your personal Star Wars adventure.
Be sure to bring backup batteries for your cell phone, or buy a FuelRod battery pack inside Disneyland if you plan to use the Play Disney app. FuelRods are $30 and you can change them out any time you see a kiosk. So far, no FuelRod kiosks have been reported in Galaxy’s Edge.
Shopping There are several shopping opportunities throughout Galaxy’s Edge. Custom items like Savi’s Lightsabers and the build-your-own-droid experience at Droid Depot are the most popular shopping locations in the land. Be sure to check out the Marketplace for fun items including plush, wooden, and interactive toys. The Creatures Stall in the Marketplace is where you’ll find the cutest, yet strangest pets in the galaxy to take home.
Two other locations to shop are Resistance Supply and First Order Cargo, where you can purchase items supporting your favorite side.
Food and Beverages There is a limited food selection at Galaxy’s Edge, so take a look at the menus for each location to see if you want to eat inside the land, or “off-plant” at another location in Disneyland.
Quick-service food locations include Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters. Quick snacks are available at Kat Saka’s Kettle (which I loved!) and the Milk Stand. My favorite treats in the land were the popcorn mix at Kat Saka’s and the Blue Milk made famous by Luke Skywalker in the movie ‘A New Hope.’
If you have picky eaters, it may be best to bring snacks or eat elsewhere.
Water fountains and water bottle fill stations are readily available throughout Galaxy’s Edge. Be sure to check out the fountain area in the Marketplace, as you may find a creature stirring in the water tank above.
PhotoPass Disney didn’t miss any opportunity to provide PhotoPass options inside Galaxy’s Edge. I saw three major areas for photos inside the land, in the Resistance area, First Order area, and in front of the Millennium Falcon. Be sure to take advantage of the great photos Castmembers can take, and ask if you can add a “hologram” to add an extra touch of Disney magic.
There are so many things to see, do, shop for, and eat at Galaxy’s Edge. As the land develops ways to better enhance “travelers’” experiences in the land, things will adjust accordingly. It’s incredible to see the hard work of Disney Imagineering and LucasFilm in person. Enjoy every bit of it, and may the Force be with you!
Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson is a Disney-loving, nonprofit professional based in Southern California. She contributes to lifestyle blogs when not enjoying the sights, sounds, and shopping at Disneyland. A graduate (B.A. and M.A.) of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, she’s an avid fan of movies.
