Danielle - Busy Moms Helper

Frozen 2 is Magical

November 20, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We all know how much of a hit the first movie was, so I was both thrilled and nervous to attend a screening for the new Frozen 2. Would it live up to the high expectations set by it’s predecessor? Will the music be as epic as ‘Let it Go’? I was hopeful, planning on it being a great film though likely a little below the level of the original. I was totally wrong – it’s AMAZING, and I dare say a perfect equal in quality, entertainment, music & more! Read on to see why Frozen 2 is Magical for the whole family!

Don’t worry, I won’t give you any spoilers, because following along on the Arendelle Royals’ adventure yourself is half the fun! Here’s why I consider Frozen 2 just as unforgettable as the first…

Visually Stunning

From gorgeous landscapes, to unique characters and realistic storms, the creators and animators should be proud of such a beautiful film. It makes me long to visit this land myself!

New Obstacles & Adventure

There’s a new threat to Arendelle, and we know that sisters Elsa and Anna – along with Kristoff, Olaf and Sven – won’t stop until they make the right next step. Even if that means facing terrifying forces beyond their control, or making a difficult sacrifice.

New Creatures

We all fell madly in love with Olaf, and while he’s still that amazing, hilarious snowman who we all adore – who still likes warm hugs – there’s some new faces we can’t help but admire. For example, this firey little guy with huge, awwww-worthy eyes. I want one! Not all of the creatures we meet will be ‘cute’, though, as you’ll soon find out.

Even Better Soundtrack

We all know how popular and beautiful ‘Let it Go’ was – and still is – so my biggest concern going into this film was if the music could live up to the first. Guess what – I love the music in Frozen 2 even better! While my kids would sign ‘Let it Go’ repeatedly, there’s several songs in this one that even I want to run out and buy the soundtrack for. Songs that are strong, touching, beautiful, lively, sweet and everything in between will be found along the way.

More Answers

We had a few questions after Frozen, and luckily some get answered! Backstories are shared, relationships mature and we see deeper, plus things that aren’t quite as they seemed before.

Frozen 2 hits theaters this week, November 22nd!

When You Need a Doctor On-The-Go

November 18, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Compensation was provided by Amwell via Momtrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Amwell or Momtrends.

As a busy mom of 5, we have plenty of reasons to need a doctor throughout the year. Right now it’s for that insane flu season – all but one of my kiddos has already gone through it (plus hubby – that was a challenge!). Other times, it’s for their eczema acting up, or my daughter’s asthma – maybe a possible ear infection, strep or allergies being unusually bad. Or the first time one of my kids got stung by a bee and I had no clue what I was suppose to do to help it. Whatever the reason, it’s not always possible to go in to your regular office – so I’m grateful for access to the Amwell app for when you need a doctor on-the-go.

You heard right – an APP that gives you access to a doctor! What’s great is that you can use your desktop OR mobile device, so even if your kid gets sick during a road trip or something, you can still pull out your phone and get help from board-certified, licensed doctors. My biggest worry is if/when my kids have a medical need, but it’s outside of normal office hours – if it’s not emergency room level, but still something I don’t want to wait until the next day or so to have addressed, I can sign on to Amwell and meet live with a doctor. Plus you can CHOOSE the doctor from their list! Okay, here’s how it works…

First, you create a log in. After your info is entered, they give you a list of doctors online right then – and even shows if they already have a patient at the moment so you may have to wait, or if they’re available! I like this option because I know there’s certain situations my girls would feel more comfortable talking with a female. Or, if you don’t have a preference of the doctor, you can just click for next available. And they give you the price first, so no surprises! You put if the patient is you or if it’s someone else (like your child), then input your concern.

One neat feature is the ability to invite others to join in the ‘meeting’ – this is great if a parent is somewhere else but still wants to be there to see what’s going on with their child’s sickness or concern.

I love that they also allow you to input any allergies, medications (and if you don’t know medication spelling, you can just start inputting the name then search for it – much easier!), and even a spot for IF you know vital signs and want to put those in as well. They give you the option to put in your insurance, then make sure you know the amount.

Here’s the great part – on this page (below) you can input a promo code, and I’ve got one to share with you! In that spot, just enter AMWELL50 for 50% off an urgent care visit with Amwell!

It’s also nice that they cover a wide range of needs – from minor sickness and injuries to wellness-type concerns. They can even assist with prescription refills! I heard they also employ behavioral therapists and registered dietitians, so really can assist with pretty much anything our kids throw at us. 😉 Did I mention they’re available 24 hours a day, all week long?

This week was a perfect example of when Amwell was a great resource for us – my daughter has had a weird rash on her chin (JUST her chin) for a couple of weeks now. She’s always had eczema, but never had an issue here – and no other spots on her skin were acting up. I didn’t want to take her clear in to an office plus pay a hefty price, so we pulled up the Amwell app on our phone and chatted with one of their pediatricians. This was one occasion when the ability to upload photos to the app (before you even begin talking with the doctor) was very helpful, since we got a shot of the exact spot of the rash and what it looked like.

It ended up just being a bad case of eczema, probably because her chin is more exposed to all our changing weather – but it was a relief to know it wasn’t something more, and he was able to give us some ideas on how best to get it healed quicker.

Like I said before, you can access them on your desktop at www.Amwell.com – or download it to your phone via the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (where’s my fellow Android users?!) Don’t forget to use promo code AMWELL50 for 50% off an urgent care visit with them!

There’s plenty of times in the past I wish I’d known about Amwell, because kids can certainly spring all sorts of concerns, sickies and hurts on us when we’re not quite sure what we’re doing – and I’m sure you fellow parents can definitely relate! Now you can have more peace of mind and flexibility by using Amwell for access to a doctor on-the-go. Because you know that the times you may need it most won’t be the most convenient – that’s just the reality of parenthood!

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5 Tips for a Multi-age Family Halloween

October 18, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thanks to shopDisney.com for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

Even though we have 5 kiddos, they’re not too far apart in age (8 to 13). I have many friends, however, who struggle to do Halloween as a family because they have a wide spread of ages. What works best for a toddler isn’t exactly exciting for a preteen. You can still have a spooktacular holiday with the 5 Tips for a Multi-Age Family Halloween!

5 Tips for a Multi-Age Family Halloween - how to handle a big age gap during Halloween #ad #shopdisney #halloween

#1 Too Scary or Just Right?

This seems to be what parents bring up first – how do I keep it mild for my littles but ‘scary enough’ for my older kids? While this can be tricky, it’s totally doable by finding themes that ‘scream’ Halloween without the terror. For example, skeletons can be just as thrilling while still being adorable – such as these Mickey Mouse Light-up Hoodies.

Or how about these cute PJ Pals?

#2 Pick Their Favorites

Little ones may be all about Buzz Lightyear or Tinkerbelle, while older kids probably prefer Descendants characters or Black Panther. Whatever they’re into, you can get each child their own favorite costumes, accessories and more! This also helps them feel unique and have more fun with ‘their’ Halloween.

#3 Costumes for Everyone

Help your kids feel more ‘together’ despite the age differences by joining them in dressing up! Yes, I’m encouraging grown adults to have some fun *gasp* – but seriously, it shouldn’t just be the kids choosing their favorites and participating in the activities, the parents should be included to make it really feel like a family event. This is particularly helpful for the ‘older’ kids who may be worried it’s childish to dress up. If they see you in costume, they’ll feel like it’s just fine to enjoy it!

And yes, include the more furry family members, too!

#4 Share in Decorating

Get input from everyone – big or little, young or old – on your family’s theme for decorating this year. Maybe the younger ones can help with plush characters or yard signs. The older kids may be trusted with things that require a bit more care and responsibility – such as garlands or glass figures. This way everyone feels a part of the process, but still have tasks geared to their level.

#5 Matchy?

What better way to bring the entire family – regardless of age – together than with fun matching Halloween outfits? I know some people are very much in the ‘each person needs something different’ group for their family Halloween clothing, and I agree with that sometimes. I’m a huge lover of awesome matching pjs for my crew, though! Or go for something more basic, like these cool and CUSTOMIZABLE tshirts.

Another option, for those that want to mix it up a bit, is to pick a matching THEME then each person gets their own character. I’d love to go as Jack & Sally, maybe with a little Oogey Boogey or Zero!

There’s also picking the same movie – like Toy Story – or go with a ‘universe’ such as Marvel or Star Wars! There’s so many options to choose from, you’re bound to find something that works for every family.

Final Tip

Overall, the important thing is to consider each of your child’s interests (no matter the age) and include that in some way for our family’s Halloween activities. Age gaps can be difficult, and you may end up putting some kids to bed earlier than the teens – but that just means some extra time you can do more ‘older kid’ things with them, after doing some things the little ones would enjoy.

Hope everyone has a spooktacular family Halloween this year!

Comfy & Cute Styles from NYFifth

October 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thank you NYFifth for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

The other day I made a realization about a habit of mine – and it’s one I bet many of you fellow mamas have struggled with, too. I love buying clothes for my kids, and I’m really good at making sure they stay in well-maintained, fitting and season-appropriate wardrobes. However, my closet and drawers consist mainly of clothing I’ve had for YEARS! What is it with this habit of being so on-the-ball with clothing our kids, but overlooking ourselves? Let’s make a change, starting with these cute & comfy styles from NYFifth!

Comfy & Cute Styles from NYFifth #ad #nyfifth #giftideas

When NYFifth reached out to me about trying out some of their clothing (and guys, there is SO MUCH to choose from!) I was thrilled! Not only were there plenty of cute choices, but the pricing was definitely worth celebrating. Come on, mama needs new clothes every now and then, too, right? 😉 After chatting a bit about what I wanted to try the most, it was clear that I really wanted some new, comfy pj pants – because, let’s be honest, something new and cute to relax in is just what the doctor ordered.

When they arrived, hubby laughed at me because I was so excited – but it felt almost like Christmas, geting something for myself for a change. The timing was PERFECT, as we’ve been in a hotel for several weeks (don’t worry, that crazy story is yet to come) and something I can just lounge and be comfortable in was welcomed – especially since both these pajama bottoms were adorable! Yes, we can have comfort and style at the same time – mama win!

Just look at the cute fake buttons for a stylish accent, or the nice pockets. Even though it’s fall, here in Texas has been HOT as usual, so these 100% cotton lightweight pants with covered waistband and cute satin tie were a great choice. I still felt cool, but totally comfortable ‘chilling’ in the hotel room with my kiddos.

There’s a cold-front coming (or if the weather’s in that strange in-between stage where you need light but a bit ‘more’), so these fashion flannel pants WITH POCKETS are fantastic. These come in several color choices – of course I picked my favorite, purple – and have a drawstring so you can adjust for the perfect fit.

Is it bad that I used the excuse of ‘trying these out for work’ to be a little bit lazy the other day? I mean, we moms don’t often get a break, so any excuse is a relief! I love how comfortable these are, and they’re just the right amount of thickness to stay a bit warm when it starts cooling down, but still ‘cool’ enough for hot Texas. I love flexibility!

Even when the limited hotel room seats were taken by the kiddos while we watched some shows, I didn’t mind as long as I could be in my new comfy pants. I’m a huge fan of feeling like I can move, sit, and relax however I choose without having to adjust my clothing – and these were exactly right.

I love the little accent stripe along the bottom of the pant legs on this one, too. Makes it kind of stand out, be a bit more fashionable. Even if they are just pj pants, doesn’t mean we can’t look great, right?

And seriously, POCKETS! How many pajama pants for women have actual, decent sized, usable pockets? Love it!

As if you needed even more reason to check out NYFifth, you can choose logo embroidery or screen printing on ALL of their apparel and accessories! That means for fun family matching tshirts on your next trip, or embroidered hats for all your employees. The possibilities are endless with so many choices of comfy and cute styles from NYFifth!

Harry Potter Christmas 2019: Universal’s Wizarding World Celebration

September 18, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

In only its second year Orlando’s Wizarding World will celebrate the season with Harry Potter Christmas 2019 festivities in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is decorated to the hilt in an extra thematic element during the holiday, so check out all you need to know about Harry Potter Christmas 2019: Universal’s Wizarding World Celebration!

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It’s such an exciting thing to see during the holidays, and if you have never been there before, there really is a lot to do. The two Wizarding Worlds are in separate parks and connected by the Hogwarts Express. So, bring your park hopper pass, so you can fully explore the Wizarding World and join the festivities.

Window Shopping

The first thing you must do to capture the holiday spirit is see how the windows are dressed and how Christmas decor has adorned every corner of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The festive surroundings make visiting this whole immersive land so much more fun. There is a lot of fun shopping in the Wizarding World to begin with, but at Christmas time you can find some festive additions, such as ornaments and even the perfect Christmas gift.

Return of Hot Butterbeer

Last year was the first time The Wizarding World did anything for the holidays. When it did, the massive success was due in part to a new type of popular beverage, the hot Butterbeer. This tasty non alcoholic drink is perfect for the cold winter months and it is going to be back for Harry Potter Christmas 2019. In addition to the warm beverage, be on the lookout for all new food offerings on the menus as well.

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Snowfall in Hogsmeade

Last year there was regular snowfall in Hogsmeade throughout the evening. This is a really fun moment to capture as you pass through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at night. The snow adds one more really fun element of illusion to the magical area and seeing the magnificent fantastic structures bathed in a flurry of white is a really special way for Harry Potter lovers to enjoy the holiday spirit.

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle

One very big part of celebrating Harry Potter Christmas 2019 at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding Worlds is the projection show on Hogwarts in Hogsmeade. You have to stay late for this transformative event. The show is very beautiful and moving as gorgeous Christmas decorations adorn the walls, roof and spires of the castle.

Acapella Frog Choir & More

Besides the food and the ambiance, which includes snow and a lit castle, the biggest offering entertainment wise will be the live singing that is equally immersive in this land. The Acapela Frog Choir makes an entrance. If you are uninitiated, this is exactly how it sounds. This show takes place in Hogsmeade. If you head over to Diagon Alley, you will find other entertainment in the form of a Jazz band named Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. This is a special show that happens in Universal Studios, just for the occasion. Also in Diagon Alley buskers will be singing traditional holiday tunes in the street.

Disney Character Meet & Greets You May Not Know About

September 16, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

As one of the major draws for families all over the world, many characters meet and greets at Walt Disney World involve Fastpasses and long lines. Disney commonly advertises popular character locations, which never used to be the case. You can plan your trip around meeting characters just as you can around dining plans and other park attractions. Several restaurants even offer a character experience. However, there are still some character meet and greets that aren’t as widely known. Here are a few Disney character meet and greets that you might not know about at Walt Disney World.

Pocahontas
You can find Pocahontas at the Animal Kingdom. She has a meet and greets location on Discovery Island near the bridge to Pandora. The choice of location for Pocahontas fits nicely since the films Avatar and Pocahontas have so many similarities. Discovery Island is a meet and greets location for other characters as well, but Pocahontas is an especially rare find at Walt Disney World.

Donald’s Dino-Bash
Unless you were paying attention at the moment when this character event rolled out, you might not have any idea about this whatsoever. Dinoland USA is home to Donald Duck and his feathered friends. The backstory for the several meets and greets in the area is that Donald organized the bash after learning that ducks are descendants from dinosaurs. In this setting, Donald and other characters dress like dinosaurs. Launchpad McQuack and Scrooge McDuck celebrate here as well.

Ralph and Vanelope
Epcot has plenty of Disney character meet and greets in the most likely places. You can expect to find some in the Character Spot. The pavilions of the World Showcase feature princesses native to the countries found there. Mulan has a place in China, and Snow White has a location in Germany. One far less obvious spot among Epcot character meet and greets is ImageWorks in the Imagination Pavilion. This is the place where you can meet Wreck-it-Ralph and Vanelope.

Star Wars & Trading with Jawas at Walt Disney World

Darth Vader
Star Wars Launch Bay will continue after Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge finally opens. The attraction features character meet and greets among other opportunities for fans of the franchise. Darth Vader used to be part of the attraction, but Disney now often removes and replaces him with Kylo Ren. While other characters have meet and greets in this location, Darth Vader’s presence is very unexpected. However, his return to the attraction may bring balance to the franchise after the opening of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on the other side of the park.

Merida
Finally, you can meet Merida from Brave in the Magic Kingdom. As the only princess from Pixar, Merida gets overlooked. There is even a joke about how she doesn’t fit in with the other princesses in Wreck-it-Ralph 2. The meet and greet location is tucked away but easy to find on the East end of Cinderella Castle. At this location, you can meet with Merida and learn a little bit about archery from her. People recognize Merida’s photo location the least of all.

Which Disney character is your favorite?

How to Reduce Kitchen Chaos

September 16, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

If there’s one thing busy moms know well, it’s kitchen chaos. Do you ever feel like you’re constantly in the kitchen either preparing meals, or cleaning up after them? Does your kitchen become a dumping ground for things like backpacks, toys, junk mail, and more? I swear I could’ve just cleaned off my kitchen island, and within the hour it’s covered with odds and ends yet again – and yes, my hubby is as guilty as the kids! To help ease a bit of this, here’s some ideas on How to Reduce Kitchen Chaos.

First of all, no there isn’t a way I know of that will keep your kitchen completely clean or organized all the time. It’s life, there will be messes and stress and craziness. But if we can at least minimize that, it sure helps our sanity!

Create a weekly meal plan. You should always know what you’re making and shop for the ingredients before the start of the week so you can serve dinners on time – or at least within a reasonable time.
Organize the junk. Take the time to declutter your kitchen, get rid of things that don’t belong, and organize the things that will remain in this space. Junk mail, I’m looking at you!
Consolidate food prep. Whenever possible, you should try to consolidate food prep. If you can chop veggies tonight for dinner tonight AND tomorrow, for example, then you’re saving time in the future.
Create a system. Just like anywhere else in a busy mom’s life, organization comes in handy and creating a system for your kitchen, the meals you serve, and the cleanup will make it all seem much more organized and less chaotic. Know where things are, have a process for how prep or dinner tasks are done, etc.

With these tips in mind, you can reduce the chaos in your kitchen and feel a bit more in control of this space, and your life.

How to Organize Your Day with a Toddler

September 13, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

The benefits of staying home with your kids are many, but that doesn’t mean everything always goes smoothly – especially when you have a toddler running around. In fact, caring for a toddler all day makes it difficult to get anything else done around the home. So, how do you care for a toddler and do all the other things you have to take care at home without running yourself ragged? Here’s some tips on How to Organize Your Day with a Toddler!

Moms and dads that stay home with their kids have a wonderful opportunity to spend precious time with their little ones that many parents who work outside of the home don’t get. You get to be there for all of the little things that you may otherwise miss. It’s certainly not easy, though, so organizing your day well can make a huge difference in how exhausted you end up when bedtime hits.

Here’s how to organize your day with a toddler:

Start with a simple, flexible schedule. A schedule will help you remember all the important things that you need to get done throughout the day so you can stay on track. By keeping it flexible, you won’t feel overwhelmed when something unexpected happens or when your toddler is simply having a bad day (or you are, because we KNOW that happens) and you don’t get through the list.
Set aside some special time just for your toddler. Use this time to play games, go outside and have fun with your toddler. This will ensure that you do spend quality time with her instead of running back and forth trying to play while taking care of other tasks. We’re all familiar with mom guilt, so this will help with that, as well.
Provide a safe environment with age appropriate activities to keep him/her busy while you take care of business. The activities will keep them occupied and happy while you work. You’ll also get more done because you know they’re in a safe environment where you don’t have to watch her every second (but please do watch as is age appropriate!)
Plan your meals in advance and eat around the same time every day. It’ll help you establish a daily routine that your kids learn to expect, in addition to helping you stay organized.

These simple tips are easy to implement into your daily schedule and they can help you keep your day organized even with a demanding toddler running around.

Free Disney World Upgrades: Extra Magic

September 11, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Walt Disney World vacations are full of magic, and they cost a pretty penny. However, there are ways to get extra magic through free Disney World upgrades. While some upgrades are worth the added expense to make your time at Disney even more exceptional, you should never neglect to try and get a little extra pixie dust for free. These are some of the best ways to get Free Disney World Upgrades for Extra Magic!

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My Disney Experience

The first thing you need to do is download the official app – do this before any other planning of your Walt Disney World vacation. It’s a free download, so no added expense! Plus, it lets you do everything from access your room to order quick service meals in advance (great feature with kiddos, saves time in line when they’re hungry). The My Disney Experience app manages your itinerary, holds your Fastpasses and reservations, and provides real time information in interactive park maps, so you’re never in the dark about what’s happening in the parks. This app alone enhances your Walt Disney World experience with every aspect of your vacation it touches.

Register in Person

Mobile check-in is a My Disney Experience feature that can be wonderful. However, the best chance you get at free Disney World upgrades is to talk with an actual person. Check-in at your hotel and ask if there are any upgrades available for your room. Disney Cast Members are looking to enhance guest experiences and add extra magic, so they will usually be happy to help if they can. If you are celebrating anything special, make sure they know about it and ask about a celebration button. Those buttons clue in other Cast Members and they will try to make your experience more enjoyable, too.

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Make Reservations on the phone

As with your hotel check-in, it’s always better to deal with a Disney Castmember than an automated service. Cast Members will go the extra mile to try and service your requests and can often arrange things that a computer can’t. Doing this is helpful for last-minute reservations, as well as special seating requests such as fireworks viewing. Once again, it helps if you are celebrating something, so be sure to note that in your reservation and request as well.

Free Resort Activities

You can easily enhance your resort experience by taking advantage of the several free activities that are offered. Each resort has different opportunities, but you can have free experiences that range from culinary tours at Animal Kingdom Lodge to drawing classes at Art of Animation. Guided tours, scavenger hunts, and more are excellent ways to get more value out of your stay at a Disney resort hotel. S’mores around a camfire or movies by the pool? Yes, please!

Free Dining and other Promotions

Another straightforward way to enhance your vacation without paying a dime is to look for special deals and promotions, which you can do when you book your stay. If a promotion is announced after you’ve booked, you can call to have your trip rebooked to use the promotion (we’ve done this with free dining twice now). One of the most popular promotions is free Disney Dining, which occurs during the off-season and is usually announced in March or April (thought this past year was in January). Other promotions may save you even more money on your room, but the Free Dining Plan is an excellent enhancement that lets you get even more value from Disney Dining credits.

How to Live with Purpose

September 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

As parents, especially moms, it’s easy to kind of lose our sense of self or our purpose in life. To help, here are a few philosophies you need to take on that show us how to live with purpose. People measure success in different ways and if you want to be happy and feel successful with your own life, you need to determine what YOUR definition of success is. Then you need to take the steps to reach it, and to focus on what is important to you.

This will look different for all of us, depending on our goals or what our priorities our – but the basic ideas to help us figure it out are the same. Here are some simple steps on how to live with purpose:

1. Live your life according to your beliefs and values. This will help you stay centered and feel content.

2. Set priorities and then stick to them. Easier said than done sometimes, but important to set as a life goal.

3. Do something to make a difference. How can you help others? Can you make a difference in your home? Your community? Your church or neighborhood?

4. Live in the moment. These moments will pass you by so quickly. Be here. Be aware. Be in it. Experience what life has to offer.

5. Find balance in your life. When you live with purpose in your heart and that purpose on your mind, you can find your balance.

6. Follow your passions. Being a mom doesn’t mean you need to give up on your own dreams and passions.

These are just a few tips on how to live with purpose. There’s plenty of others, and you can probably think of some on your own – just feel free to use this as inspiration and a starting point. The most important thing is not to get so caught up in your busy life as a mom that you forget about the things that are really important. I know, easier said than done 😉

Planning for Disneyland in 2020

September 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Next year is the perfect time for a Disney trip! If you’re planning for Disneyland in 2020, there’s so much to look forward to. The second phase of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will finally open on January 17 – the new attraction, Rise of the Resistance is going to be an epic ride! In addition to making time for Galaxy’s Edge, here’s a Disneyland 2020 guide to help you plan your next vacation correctly.

Park Guide

Disneyland has two entrances. Besides the main entrance, you can get in from Downtown Disney via the monorail, which will have you entering the park at Tomorrowland. Since Disneyland has a hub and spoke layout, it’s easy to get to any side of the park through the Main Street Plaza. There are also pathways around the park that you can use to avoid doubling back on previously visited territory (you want to see it all, of course). Although it used to be that you had to turn around at Critter Country and walk back, you can now continue into Resistance Forest in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and come out on the other end. That layout loops Frontierland/Fantasyland with Critter Country. The Train, which has stations at Tomorrowland, Main Street USA, New Orleans Square and Mickey’s Toontown is another means of traveling the park. Don’t miss the leg from Tomorrowland to Main Street for dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World.

Hotel Stay

The hotel rooms you can choose between when visiting the Disneyland Resort don’t have to be extraordinarily expensive. Although the three official Disney hotels are costly every night, there are plenty of good neighbor hotels that partner with Disney. These hotels are family-friendly and most are within walking distance from the resort (some even right across the entrance street!). When you look for a hotel that isn’t Disney, be sure to get the location and route to Disneyland park. Hotels located on Harbor Blvd. between Katella and Disney Way are the best. Another option is renting a house – this one we stayed in nearby was incredible, even had a lazy river!

Our Disneyland Rental House / by Busy Mom's Helper

Dining

There are some excellent places to dine in the parks, hotels, and Downtown Disney. In Disneyland park, The Blue Bayou is the best table service restaurant (we always try to eat here), followed by Cafe Orleans, which features an old Espresso machine (for you coffee drinkers) used by Walt Disney himself. Carthay Circle Theater in Disney’s California Adventure is a luxurious restaurant and lounge themed to Walt Disney’s early days as a Hollywood producer with a focus on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel, Napa Rose at the Grand Californian and Naples in Downtown Disney are all excellent restaurants to make reservations for. When it comes to dining, you want to structure your day around a reservation or choose your quick service restaurant based on your location and navigation. If you want lunch on the Rivers of America, plan to be near Critter Country in the middle of the day and stop at the Hungry Bear Restaurant – that way you don’t waste valuable time walking from one end of the park to the other. There’s excellent themed dining in all areas of the park, but if there’s one land to be avoided for food, it’s Tomorrowland (in my opinion).

Characters

If you’re visiting Disneyland for the characters, there are some key places to go and some other characters you might find along the way. Town Square typically has some classic characters running around, as does Toontown, which uses more fixed photo locations. Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore can be found in the back of Critter Country. Star Wars Characters, such as Vader and Chewie, still entertain at Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. In the Main Street Plaza, on the westside of Sleeping Beauty castle is where you’ll meet with Disney princesses. Character Dining is available at each of the Disney hotels and at the Plaza Inn. These restaurants include buffet service and character interaction for breakfast only. The exception is Goofy’s Kitchen, which is also open for dinner service – this one is our absolute must-visit everytime!

Top Disney Attractions 2020

Although Galaxy’s Edge will be completed in January of 2020, the new Marvel Land in Disney’s California Adventure will be just beginning it’s phase one. That means much of the land will be open, just as Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge was back in May. The major attractions to look forward to in 2020 are Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland and the Spider-Man ride in Disney’s California Adventure.

What are you most excited about for Disneyland 2020?

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Free Printable Chalkboard Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

September 6, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love a good chocolate chip cookie recipe? It’s like a classic treat that everybody knows and can count on. Now it can also decorate your kitchen with this stylish Free Printable Chalkboard Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe! You can have a fun, framed print in your kitchen AND always have a tasty cookie recipe on hand – it’s a win-win!

I love the look of chalkboard styles, so that’s what we’ve been doing with several of our printable recipes – such as our Banana Bread, Brownie and Sugar Cookie ones. It’s just a lot of fun, plus looks amazing! Like the others, this one is designed for 8.5×11 size. I recommend printing onto cardstock for durability, then just frame it and use it to add something different to your kitchen decor.