2014 Disney Shareholders Meeting Highlights

• Incredibles 2 
• FROZEN made over 1 BILLION, just opened in Japan 
• Shareholders certificate is now collectible, Disney moving to paperless certificates
• D23 will be in Anaheim next year August 14-16
• Disney Shanghai will have Pirates Land  
• Cars 3
• Star Wars EP 7 happens 30 years after Return of the Jedi - R2D2 is the only confirmed cast 
• Avatar Land opens next year
• New Maleficent Trailer

That One Time Stormtroopers Raided The Disneyland Halloween Time Express

A few weeks ago, Chris, a few of our Toy Story friends and a lost minion boarded the Halloween Time Express at Disneyland with 196 creepy readers from the Disney Parks Blog - it was the first time Disneyland did this type of event (last year's Get Spookier Halloween Meet-Up was at Club Skellington/Haunted Mansion) and I didn't know what to expect at each stop.  I was kinda scared to find out!

The event opened with the Cadaver Dans singing spooky tunes to us at Main Street Train Station, Jack and Sally at New Orleans Square, Billy Hill and the Haunted Hillbillies with Mickey & Minnie Mouse at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and my favorite: Darth Vader, Stormtroopers and Jedi Knights at Tomorrowland Station!  We picked up some ghosts along the way and when we departed back at Main Street Train Station, we were greeted by Maleficent, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drizella, Jack and Sally!  We even had a private treat trail just for us!  Duke, I mean, Andy loved his time at his "home".  The funniest part of the night was when we were in the check-in line when Erin Glover, Social Media Director for Disneyland Resort, was greeting everyone - Duke points at Omar and says, "He's from Universal"

I couldn't resist sharing these closed eyes pictures!


This was amazing.  I will remember this for the rest of my life!

That's a bullet hole!  A very long time ago, one of the guests thought one of the animals was going to escape so he pulled out his gun and fired away!  I heard this story during a tour I took with one of the Disneyland Ambassadors!  I was finally able to get a good "shot" of the bullet hole!

Maleficent was really chopping it up with Jack & Sally.  They all are a little sassy with each other!

I love how Sally is holding Woody's hand!  XOXO

We ran into Fix-It Felix, Jr. and Vanellope von Schweetz!!!

Sometimes You Need An Adult Playdate At Disneyland #justgothappier

In between getting my layoff letter and my business trip to Arkansas was Disneyland.  My freakin' awesome friend Ruby invited me as her +1.  I honestly didn't know I was going to go till the day before because I was trying to make excuses that I'd be so tired for my trip... but it was exactly what I needed!  I am so happy she pushed me to go with her.  I want to say the last time I visited Disneyland without kids was when I was pregnant with Duke in 2005.  

Our day was mellow, we weren't in a rush to get on every ride to get our money's worth.  We started in California Adventure, did a little shopping and ended up in Disneyland.  We strolled down Main Street and decided to have lunch at Carnation Cafe.  The wait was 20-30 minutes.  We left our name on the list for first available, was given a pager and headed over to Penny Arcade.  Ruby had never "met" Esmeralda and after I got my card, I insisted she get one too.  Her fortune was right on.   An instant Esmeralda fan!  We checked out some of the Disney sweet treats and returned to Carnation Cafe.  The minute we sat down, the pager went off.  We were escorted by an older Latino man in chef whites and when he sat us down, I had to ask him if he was Oscar Martinez - the longtime Disneyland cast member I had read about.  He said yes - he has been at Disneyland for 57 YEARS.  I geeked out and Ruby & I took our pictures with him.  Our server Philip was just as magical.  I ordered Chicken Fried Chicken and it was yummy.  Ruby and I split a slice of coconut cake with mango sauce.  Food was incredible.  Experience was memorable.  Thank you Oscar and Philip!!!

We rode Indiana Jones, sat on a bench behind Sleeping Beauty Castle and people watched.  We ran into blogger friends Liz, Nicole and Dariela at Fantasy Faire and caught The Beauty & the Beast show.  It was amazing.  I know watching shows at Disneyland isn't really a thing but you have to see it.  It's done in vaudeville style - so entertaining, so funny.  I loved it!  We headed back to California Adventure and met up with Ruby's friend Cynthia and got on Radiator Springs Racers.  Liz totally convinced me to ride it and I'm glad I did!  (I'm usually a wuss) - It is now my favorite ride at California Adventure.

Another favorite: The Mad T Party chairs.  So pretty to the eyes but so comfy to tired feet.  We totally vegged out and laughed an hour away.

At this point of the night, the kids would be tired and whining to go home but I got to enjoy World of Color (another first) and it was simply magical.  Sometimes we parents get too caught up in parenting and don't experience good, quality time away from our kids.  Trust me I don't have guilt about getting away for a couple hours or a few days - my kids need it just as much as I do.  So yeah, sometimes you need an adult playdate at Disneyland.  Thank you Ruby!!!

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The Craft of Blogging Workshop

Oh hey!  I am one of the founders and sharers of The Craft of Blogging workshop!  My blogging amiga Ruby of Growing Up Blackxican (writer for Babble) and I created this workshop just for you!  If you have ever wanted to start a blog or you have a blog but don't know how to monetize (or make that next step) - this 5 hour workshop is for you.  We will cover blogging basics, discovering your voice, finding inspiration, growing your readership, monetizing and advertising, connecting with brands and working on campaigns!  We want you to ask questions and we want to sit down with each of you and discuss your blogging future!

The first step is registering.  Do it, do it now thecraftofblogging.eventbrite.com     

Do you like extras?  We are including lunch and an awesome goodie bag in the price of the workshop! The "swag" that Ruby scored is amazing - it truly shows her relationship with her brands: McDonald's, Neutrogena, Pampers and Lowe's to name a few!  Denise hooked up with iLoveToCreate and Crafty Chica for some awesome swag too.  I love small business and was able to score some handmade notebooks by Skinned Knees.  But that's not everything - I have boxes arriving daily and my kitchen is a hot mess from acting as my storage area.  Swag is cool but it's not everything - we wanted to highlight brands we love working with, our main focus is giving you the tools to do things with your blog.  

Our event will be at The Makery - a very cute craft shop and studio in Anaheim, CA

We are 18 days away, take that first step - I dare you.

For more updates:  @craftofblogging on Twitter 

Like The Craft of Blogging on Facebook

Follow the hash tag #craftofblogging

Our Mom & Son Date: Anaheim Ducks Game!

Monday was the first time I ever attended a Anaheim Ducks game as a guest.  I've watched as an employee from the vomitory through the years...  but nothing - nothing compares to sitting in a seat as a fan.  Especially when it's Ducks vs. cross-town rivals Los Angeles Kings.  Our tickets weren't for the nosebleed section either.  I had prime seating.  It was a dream come true.  Special for all those reasons and special for another reason... a date with my 7 year old!  He's a funny kid.  He was joking about hockey before the game but I think he's a new fan.  

We let loose.  We yelled, we chanted "Beat LA!" "Let's go Ducks!", We stood up and cheered.  We  smiled.  A LOT.  The game was a nailbiter.  Every time the Ducks would score a goal - Kings would return with a goal too.  It went into overtime but our Ducks won!!!  Still #1 in the West!  It was a good time.  We couldn't stop talking about the game and convinced my husband that we have to take the whole family to a game!

The Smile Generation is a proud sponsor of the Anaheim Ducks for the 2013 National Hockey League season. As part of the sponsorship, the Smile Generation makes a donation to the Ducks Foundation for every Ducks goal scored during their home games at the Honda Center.

Throughout the season, Ducks fans can also visit the Smile Generation table during select home games at the Honda Center, and be treated to t-shirts, lip balm and other Smile Generation branded giveaways.

Get Social with Smile Generation:  @smilegen on Twitter /  The Smile Generation on Facebook

Duke could not get over how cool the Ducks blimp was.

There's our banners!  A 2013 banner would sure look nice up there!

The Ducks came out to Imagine Dragons "Radioactive" song.  Our family is huge fans of that song!

During the first intermission, The Smile Generation had the Smile Cam! up and so many people were excited!  Huge smiles from everyone!

We snuck away to visit some of my coworkers and ran into Wildwing!  YAY!!!

Big Smiles!!!

Disclosure: I attended the game as a guest of The Smile Generation. I received tickets, a t-shirt and a gift card. The opinions are completely my own and based on my experience

Catal Restaurant - Downtown Disney Anaheim #CatalDTD

I was thrilled when I got the invite from GigaSavvy to attend a Pre-Holiday event at Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney.  I've passed Catal many times over the years but haven't had the pleasure of checking it out till last week.  Just as I suspected, I have been missing out all this time!

I invited one of my best friends, Noemy, to come with me because a girls' night out was in order and she wants to start blogging so I figured if she can hang with a bunch of bloggers / social media people... she's automatically in.  We were greeted at the door with blueberry mojitos and sangria.  There were cheeses, crackers, dried fruit and servers walking around with tapas.  And there was Albert, the very accommodating gentleman that was there every time we needed something.  From checking in my coat, schooling us on Sofia Coppola wine, getting us more drinks, to finding a table for us.  It wasn't until later that we found out Albert is Catal's General Manager.  The staff, food and ambiance at Catal is superior.  It's no wonder that Catal is voted one of the top three dining options in Anaheim Downtown Disney District.  The fine dining oasis offers a relaxed, elegant setting with floor-to-ceiling windows and patio terraces offering spectacular views of Downtown Disney from it’s second-story location.  If you make it out now till the end of the year, you will be able to experience Disneyland’s “Believe...In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular show. 

THANK YOU GigaSavvy, Catal Restaurant and Patina Group!  
It was great seeing old friends and making new ones!  Noemy & I had a great time!  I'll definitely be back with my family!

Hello there, blueberry mojito.

The first piping hot, super ginormous pan of Paella!  Look at everyone rush in to take pictures! Oh those bloggers!

The Paella was SO DELICIOUS and so was the Air Bread with Manchego cheese and shaved serrano ham!  Flavors danced in my mouth!

After 5 minutes of staring and another 5 minutes of being convinced by Noemy... I finally ate this beautiful Tuna Tartare Taco.  It was so good.  I wanted more!

I had the pleasure of spending a few days with these lovely ladies in New Orleans for The Niche Mommy Conference and love seeing them!  Sandra of mamanoticias.com and Eva of techfoodlife.com

Noemy and I decided to ditch the mojitos and got into the Sangria.  YUM!

There's my BFF Noemy!

Tee of thatsitmommy.com brought me a Wonka truffle from Sweet! at Hollywood & Highland.   Love ya Tee!


Get Social with Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar:  @CatalUvaBar on Twitter / Catal Uva Bar on Facebook

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own.

First Wednesdays at community in Anaheim + Giveaway

community is like real-life Etsy.  Cute little shopping center with even cuter shops run by amazing people.  I have wanted to stop by forever and finally got a chance to for October's First Wednesdays because I was a vendor!  I was excited, it was my first time selling at an event!  There was a pumpkin patch, live music, pop-up Cake Bar, Seabirds food truck... I was near the back by the DJ and Naranjita Flamenco - surrounded by music and the lovely sound of dancing feet.  

I had two wonderful surprises during the night: Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva stopped by my table (she's Latina and Democrat!) and my dear friend Rebecca who I've known for over 22 years showed up!  I had a really good time and it was a fun experience.  I would love to do it again!

Are you interested in vending at community's First Wednesdays?  Fill out the application for November 7th or December 5th, it's only $15 for a vendor space!  

I really believe in community and would love to see it grow and prosper!  community is also home to The Makery (tell Lisa that we sent you), Ceremony, Rosie Posie Baby and RSSA Vintage.

423 S. Brookhurst St. Anaheim, CA 92894 / communitysocal.com / community on Facebook

My talented Husband does all my art, lucky me!

I had some of my black & white prints for sale!  These were done in the darkroom at Santa Ana College in 2010.  I miss the darkroom so much.  I lived in there for about a year.

Vintage book pages made modern with Hubby's art touches and framed - I'm giving away one here!

I found this cute vintage suitcase at Goodwill for $4, now it displays my ephemera!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  I fully support and believe in small businesses like community.  All thoughts are my own.

I took a bus from Anaheim to Las Vegas and liked it.

I'm a planner by nature.  I hate waiting last minute.  I'm up for spontaneous fun but when it comes to traveling... I need things set in place at least 2 months ahead of time.

That being said... It's funny the way things work sometimes because I was offered a sponsorship Blogalicious ticket a week before the conference.  I had to make it happen!  I stalked my go-to site Priceline.com for a few days and when flights from LA to Vegas were the same price as a ticket to New York, I decided to see what my bus options would be and am so thankful I found LuxBus America (which I totally felt guilty about since my pops has been a Greyhound driver for over 25 years) - It is only $99 roundtrip from Anaheim (plus a $2 cash surcharge each way)

LuxBus is based at Anaheim GardenWalk, right across 24 Hour Fitness.  Their luxury buses offer Wi-Fi,  Movies, Music and complimentary snacks and beverages!  I have great respect for bus drivers because of my dad, I've rode with him from LA to San Diego many times and saw some crazy things he's had to put up with.  So naturally I was curious how the trip would be.  Checking in is easy, in Anaheim - you go into their storefront and pay the $2 surcharge, you get a receipt for that leg of the trip and a ticket for your return trip.  You wait outside and once the bus pulls up, you check-in with your attendant and the driver loads your bag.  I sat near the front and once everyone was in, we were on our way.  That took less than 10 minutes.  Our attendant was this very, very funny Russian lady named Natasha.  I laughed so much during her opening spiel.  She put on a movie, passed out drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, OJ or Water) and snacks (granola bar or small bag of Lay's chips) - You can also buy Bud Light if you'd like!

Bring your headphones for the movies or music - if you forget, there are some available for purchase.  What I really loved was the wi-fi, I actually whipped out my Macbook and got online from my seat.  That was pretty amazing.

We stopped at Barstow Station for 20 minutes - I decided to get McDonald's even though there were about 6 other options.  We got to Harrah's around 1:30pm (LuxBus makes 2 stops: Harrah's and California Hotel) and my plan was to catch a cab to Fashion Show Mall so I could catch the 2pm complimentary shuttle to Red Rock Resort (but that's another story)

My thoughts: I love LuxBus America.  The buses are super nice-comfy seats and good ac, prices are great and Natasha is worth the ride.  She is so funny.  I lucked out and got her both ways.  Taking a luxury bus is a great alternative to flying - no TSA and no checked baggage fees.

Want 10% off?  LuxBus America says give them a call at (877) 610-7870 and use code: Twitter (Tell them you are a friend of Raised By Culture!)
Get social with LuxBus America: @Lux_Bus


Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.  LuxBus America offered me a discount.  All thoughts are my own.