momjennyp

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells: Main Entrance

If you’re looking for a Southern California spot where the whole family can enjoy the pool under sunny skies, this is it! The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells in Palm Desert features an incredible pool area with a lazy river, water slides for big kids and little ones, a splash pad, and many other pools, giving everyone plenty of space.

This was the first vacation we had taken in over a year, and it was a perfect quick escape! From Orange County, the Palm Springs area is about a two hour drive, with many convenient places to stop for a bite (or a restroom break) if needed.

This stay was not sponsored in any way. We did book a special package which included a one day cabana rental and a free room upgrade, which was available to anyone at the time that we booked it.

We stayed in a One King Bedroom with Pool View, which featured a pull-out sofa bed. The room was spacious for the 3 of us, with a step down into the “living room” area and a small balcony. The room overlooked a section of the pool which closed at 6 pm, so it was quiet during the evening. For me, the best features were the separate bathtub and shower in the bathroom, and the mini fridge for keeping our drinks cool. My daughter’s favorite detail was the enormous TV which could connect to Google Chromecast (and allowed her to stream some of her preferred shows).

Checking in for our pool cabana was simple, and our server was helpful and attentive. We had heard that the pool area could get very crowded, but we were pleasantly surprised by how much space was available. Having the cabana was a nice treat on our first day, and on our second day we had no trouble at all finding lounge chairs in the shade around 9:30 am. There are two medium sized pools when you first enter the pool area, which tend to be the busiest. Hidden off to the side is a small pool with only a 4.5 feet maximum depth, great for younger kids. Just beyond that is the fun and refreshing splash pad, as well as a smaller kid’s water slide and shallow wading pool (ideal for toddlers).

The lazy river and larger water slides are located in a separate area, which closes at 6 pm each day. There were plenty of single and double inner tubes available for the lazy river every time we checked, although my daughter (and many other kids) preferred to float or swim along without one. While my daughter didn’t meet the height requirement for the taller slides, she loved the smaller one!

We all enjoyed our lunch and drinks from the pool bar, and I was impressed by the high quality of the meal. Our food came out quickly and the drinks were strong, so no complaints at all!

Our room package also included a $25 credit at Citrus Marketplace, so the next morning we picked up a nice assortment of breakfast items to share. I was excited that they offered Starbucks coffee, which meant that I was able to order my favorite soy latte. The hot food items were all pre-prepared just like a standard Starbucks, so they could not be customized at all. There were also pastries, along with cereals and a large variety of snack items.

After our breakfast, we spent a couple more hours at the pool, and had no trouble finding some lounge chairs in the shade. It’s important to note that when the slides and lazy river close at 6 pm, the main pool area becomes more crowded. It may be difficult to find a chair at that time if you hadn’t claimed one earlier in the day!

Overall, we really enjoyed our experience! We were pretty much there to enjoy the pools and we definitely accomplished that goal.

For me, the size and variety of activities offered in the pool area made this trip amazing. We have stayed at similar resorts in the past, but this is the best pool area we’ve encountered by far. I would highly recommend the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells and we will definitely be returning to float in that lazy river again.

Stay tuned for more hotel reviews in the future!

Disney at Home

Magical Painted Brick Books

July 26, 2020July 27, 2020 momjennyp

Recently, I reorganized my patio garden, and found myself with some old and weathered bricks. A quick look online gave me plenty of fun ideas. I immediately fell in love with the notion of painting the bricks to look like old books. I asked my daughter Talia if she wanted to help, and she decided that we should create our own brick library of Disney classics. While we aren’t finished yet, I wanted to share our creations so far.

I let Talia choose the stories and color schemes for each brick. Most of her requests are her favorites that I expected (Frozen II and The Little Mermaid) but I was surprised that she insisted on making one entitled “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.” I explained to her that this isn’t the name of Mr. Toad’s story, but five-year-olds can be pretty persuasive and I let her have the win.

By the way, I freely admit that I am not a trained artist by any stretch of the imagination. The fun part about this project is that imperfections look better! The bricks are uneven and a bit chipped, so it makes sense that the “pages” and “cover” look damaged and worn.

Here is the supply list and directions for creating your Magical Painted Brick Book library:

Supplies:

-bricks (any size, condition)

-acrylic paint

-paintbrushes (some thick and some thin)

-paint palette or paper plate

-newspapers, tablecloth, or butcher paper (to protect your table)

-clear acrylic sealant (spray preferred)

-pencil

-ruler (or cardboard with straight edges)

Directions:

Step 1: Thoroughly clean and dry your bricks. Cover your table or workspace with newspapers or something else to protect it.

Step 2: Paint three sides of your brick with the “cover” color. If you imagine a real book, you are painting the front cover, back cover, and spine.

Step 3: Paint the remaining three sides white or off-white. These will be the pages, you can use a beige or yellowed color if you’d like your brick book to look more like an antique.

Step 4: Wait for all the white sides to dry completely. Using a ruler, paint thin straight lines along each edge of the white sides using the cover color. This is supposed to look like the cover is overlapping.

Step 5: Allow the edges to dry completely. Using gray, black, or even yellow paint, gently paint thin lines vertically along with white side to simulate the pages in a book. If your lines look too thick, go back with the white paint to create thin white lines and “separate” the pages. There is no right or wrong way for your pages to look as long as you’re happy.

Step 6: Select your front cover and lightly sketch the book title in pencil. My daughter requested that I draw a symbol for each book as well. Sketch the title on the spine of the book too.

Step 7: Paint over your pencil sketchings with metallic acrylic paint. You could use a metallic sharpie or marker instead of metallic paint, I just used what I had on hand.

Step 8: Allow all of the paint to dry completely, you can also go back over anything you’d like to fix if the paint was smudged or dripped.

Step 9: In a well-ventilated area (outside or in a garage), put your brick down on newspaper or butcher paper. Spray it completely with clear acrylic sealant, you will have to wait for the first 5 sides to dry before you spray the last side. Coat it evenly, being careful not to create drips. Allow the sealant to dry completely and apply a second coat if needed.

Step 10: Use your bricks to decorate your garden or as bookends. Be careful to place them up out of reach of little hands if you’re keeping them inside.

TIPS:

-You can always go back and paint over mistakes, so don’t stress!

-If your little artists have trouble keeping the paint flat, go back and smooth out the paint with a clean brush while it’s still wet.

-The pencil sketches and painting over them were too difficult for my daughter. Adults will probably need to do those steps or help with younger children.

-Have fun and get creative! The possibilities are endless for this project. You could recreate literary classics, biographies of famous historical figures, or even spell out a name using a single decorative letter on each step.

I’ll be sure to update when we have completed our library, please let me know what books you create at home!

OC Beaches

Wednesday Waves: Little Treasure Cove (Crystal Cove State Park)

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

It’s beginning to feel like this quarantine life may last forever, so I’m taking advantage of our best Southern California social distancing tool: the beach!

I’m on the hunt for the unicorn beach: clean, easy parking, not many stairs or hills between said parking and the beach itself, and . . . not too many people!

Does this unicorn beach exist? Maybe not, but i’m on a quest now and I can’t stop. I’ll keep exploring the amazing beaches that were so fortunate to enjoy here in Orange County.

Luckily, I’ve found a great resource for my search in the blog Go Park Play The author is an awesome mom of three has a great blog with detailed descriptions of local parks and places where you can get outside while social distancing.

Today’s beach is Little Treasure Cove at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach. Parking was a breeze, you can pay via the Passport app. The parking rate is $15, but this gives you access to park all day, so you can leave and return later if you’d like to grab lunch somewhere nearby. There were quite a few lots with plenty of spaces available in each, we parked in Lot 1.

There is a walking path which takes you to the beach, as well as a couple observation points with beautiful views of the coast. When traveling on the path, you can choose to access the beach via a steep hill or a set of stairs further down. We took the stairs down onto the sand, but I made the mistake of choosing the steep hill when we left. Next time, I’ll save my leg muscles and take the stairs both ways.

The beach itself is absolutely stunning! Highlights include gorgeous rock walls with small caves (only accessible during low tide), a small waterfall, and tide pools. There are plenty of signs reminding visitors not to touch or disturb any of the wildlife. We spotted some small crabs and fish in the tidepools. The beach is well maintained, with restrooms near the parking lot. I didn’t see a speck of trash anywhere.

The crowds were very light since we visited on a weekday morning, but I’d imagine that weekends would be busier. I was pleased that we were able to find a spot far from the other families on the beach, and everyone was considerate about giving each other space as they walked along.

Overall, I’d say this beach is in the running for being perfect, except for that steep hill, of course. We will definitely be back and try to visit when the tide is low so we can better explore the caves.

Please let me know in the comments if you have any OC beaches that you recommend to escape the world!

Disneyland Tips

Rainy Days at Disneyland: Tips and Secrets

February 23, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

A rainy day at Disneyland can be wonderful or miserable depending on your attitude and how much you’ve prepared for the puddles. Here are my best tips, and a couple of secrets that will make your day even better!

Tip 1: Wear a raincoat or waterproof jacket and rain boots! Your shoes will get soggy if they’re not waterproof, and the same goes for your spirit jersey.

Tip 2: Bring an umbrella and extra socks! If you have a stroller, use a stroller cover. I know that many people recommend draping ponchos or shower curtains over the stroller, but I learned the hard way that once a thin plastic poncho gets caught in your stroller wheel, there’s no way to untangle it. (We had to buy a new wheel for our stroller when this happened to me.) Amazon carries lots of reasonably priced stroller covers, and Disneyland even sells cute Mickey themed ones. You can find them at the stroller rental kiosk outside of Disneyland, or at the Newstand just inside the park (just inside the gates on the side closer to Downtown Disney)

Rain jackets are a must have on a rainy day!

Tip 3: Know which attractions are closed during the rain. Don’t be caught off-guard when Alice in Wonderland and Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s are closed even if the rain has stopped. Certain attractions need to be completely dry in order to operate safely. The Disneyland Official Website has a list that differs slightly from mine, but these are the rides that are typically closed due to the rain in my personal experience:

Disneyland:

-Alice in Wonderland

-Mad Tea Party

-Autopia

-Gadget’s Go Coaster

-Storybook Land Canal Boats

California Adventure:

-Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s

-Radiator Springs Racers

-Goofy’s Sky School

-Golden Zepyhr

-Jumpin Jellyfish

Now that you’re prepared for the wet weather, here are some fun secrets about rainy days in the parks.

Secret 1: Children and adults can enjoy splashing in puddles on Main Street. It sounds silly, but your child will probably love getting permission to splash in giant puddles in front of the castle. It makes for awesome pictures and wonderful memories. Luckily, you brought extra socks in case your child splashes a little too much.

Secret 2: Rainy days are the BEST time to ride Splash Mountain. You’re already prepared to get wet, so do it! Often times on rainy days, there is little to no wait for this popular attraction. In fact, we have had multiple visits where we were able to continue riding without leaving our log. As long as there aren’t people waiting to board and you ask nicely, the Cast Members will gladly let you ride again and again.

Secret 3: Characters who would normally be found outside have secret indoor meeting spots when it rains. You can find several princesses hiding at the exit of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (just next to the Mad Hatter Shop), the Dapper Dans serenading guests in Refreshment Corner, and Mickey himself in California Adventure at KIngswell Camera Shop. Since these meet and greets aren’t on the official app, you may be able to spend more time with the characters without waiting in a long line. Other indoor locations may host other characters unexpectedly, such as the Animation Academy and Star Wars Launch Bay.

Secret 4: We locals hate the rain and will usually avoid the Parks on those days, which means short lines! Lines will typically be short and stay short as long as it’s raining, so take advantage of it.

Rainy nights can lead to beautiful photos too

I hope you’re able to make some wonderful new memories if you find yourself at Disneyland on a rainy day! Leave me a comment and let me know if you’ve ever enjoyed some wet weather in the Parks!

Disneyland Tips

Rise of the Resistance: Tips for Getting a Boarding Pass

February 12, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

Disneyland’s latest Star Wars attraction is the incredibly immersive and larger than life Rise of the Resistance. During this attraction, you will travel on several different space transports, come face to face with an army of stormtroopers, and try to escape from Kylo Ren. This ride definitely lives up to the hype that surrounds it.

Most Disney Park fans agree that this ride is amazing, which means there is a catch: there is no stand-by line like a traditional ride. Instead, you need to be inside Disneyland before it opens and use your phone to get a Boarding Pass for the virtual queue. It sounds complicated, but I have some helpful tips to make this process a little less stressful.

First, arrive early but not too early. If you are parking at the Disneyland Resort for the day, I recommend arriving at the Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals Parking structure no earlier than 6:30 am for days when Disneyland opens at 8:00 am. This means that if you arrive at the structure at 6:00am, you will still have to wait for the lot to open. If the Park opens at 9:00 am that day, arrive no earlier than 7:30 am.

Second, visit on a weekday if you can. The parking lines, security lines, and main entrance lines will be significantly shorter on a weekday, which will make everything less stressful for you and your family!

Third, update your phone and the Disneyland Official App the night before you go. Bring a portable phone charger to keep your battery in good shape. You will receive notifications on your phone when it is your time to board the ride, there is no specific return time like a FastPass.

Fourth, before you arrive, be sure to delete any extra tickets or Annual Passes that may be on your account. If someone is not going to be getting a Boarding Pass with you that day, delete them (you can always add them later). When it’s time to get a Boarding Pass, you don’t want to waste time clicking through a long list of people.

Fifth, once you and your group have scanned into Disneyland before opening time, close all the windows and apps on your phone. Turn off Wi-fi and turn off AirDrop for iPhones. Stand in a spot that has good reception for your phone, whether that’s in the middle of the crowd or further away from people.

Last, open the Disneyland Official App one minute before Park opening. If possible, have someone help you count down so that you can try to hit the “Join Boarding Group” button as quickly as possible once it pops up. Try not to just hit the button repeatedly, as the screen will change once it’s ready. Only one person in your group should try to get Boarding Passes, it may cause an error if multiple people are trying to add the same passes and tickets at the same time.

One thing that has helped us to get early boarding passes (I’m talking being in the first group called almost every time) is to use the phone that is the most current, the fastest, and the most reliable. If someone in your group has a brand new phone, they will be your best bet since their phone may load the app more quickly.

I hope that these tips are helpful on your next Rise of the Resistance adventure! Let me know if any of these worked for you. If you have any other tips that you’d like to share, please leave a comment below!

May the Force be with you!

Pretend City

Pretend City is a real gem!

February 12, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

Does your child love to pretend to cook and serve food in their own restaurant? Do they ask for your empty Amazon boxes so they can pretend to deliver packages? Do they like to play air guitar or sing into a hair brush like they’re a rock star?

In Orange County, there’s a place where they can do all these things, and so much more! Pretend City is a children’s museum in Irvine where kids can choose between dozens of play roles and activities all under one roof.

Controlling the stage lights at Pretend City

For my preschooler, this is paradise. On our first visit, she fell in love in Pretend City. She looked around, dazzled and shouted, “It’s a real city!” And to a child, it really looks like a miniature city.

A laminate floor road runs along the ground, as you travel from a Trader Joe’s complete with child-sized shopping carts and cash registers, to a farm with plenty of produce to grow and pick, to a construction site prepped with building supplies, and a stage ready with instruments and costumes. A UPS Store and a restaurant have realistic storefronts alongside a fire station and police station. There is even an art studio offering various projects and art supplies which rotate daily.

Pretend City is not just an indoor play area, it’s an experience. Each visit is a little different. Holidays of many cultures are celebrated in educational ways. Your child can perform “work” in each area, stamping their time card and earning pretend money. Story time and different performances are also offered. While my daughter has some favorite places to play, she usually tries something different each time.

During our latest visit, Talia cooked and served food to me at a Moroccan restaurant. The theme and decorations were recently updated from a German restaurant, and the details are impressive. The dishware, menu, pretend food, and wall colors were all changed. In the kitchen, there are recipe cards explaining how to prepare authentic Moroccan dishes, with all the ingredients available. Even the drink labels on the pretend soda fountain had been updated. This attention to detail is what makes Pretend City magical for little ones. To them, it feels very real.

You should definitely check out Pretend City with your kids if you’re in the Orange County area. If your children are anything like mine, you may find yourself purchasing a membership too!

About Us

January 22, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

Welcome to my family blog, where I’ll be sharing our adventures in Orange County. We are a family of 3, myself (Jenny), my husband (Daniel), and my 4-year-old daughter (Talia).

We love to get out and have fun, and our favorite place to do that is Disneyland. We are Annual Passholders who live near the Disneyland Resort, so we visit a couple of times a week. We also like to visit local parks, beaches, restaurants, and festivals. I’ll be sharing my favorite Disneyland events and moments, as well as fun and mostly free family activities around Southern California.

I’m happy to meet you. Follow our adventures on Instagram @castles_characters_and_crayons

About Us

Why do we go to Disneyland SO much?!

January 22, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

When Daniel and I first started dating, we frequently went to Disneyland just to watch the fireworks or stroll around. It has always been a magical and safe place for us. In 2015, I became pregnant and unfortunately developed preeclampsia very early on. Talia was delivered at 27 weeks gestational age and stayed in the hospital NICU for nearly 11 weeks. Once our precious micro preemie was home and healthy, we found that our perspective was forever changed.

Life is short. Enjoy it.

A year and a half later, our family invited us to celebrate my niece’s birthday at Disneyland. When we visited Goofy’s Kitchen, a character dining restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel, Talia loved interacting with the characters. She kept petting Chip and Dale as if they were giant stuffed animals come to life. We decided to buy Disneyland Annual Passes again for the first time in a few years, and it was the best decision we ever made.

Since the passes were so expensive, we decided we’d try to visit the Parks once a week to make it worth the cost. I never thought that we’d keep up our weekly visits, but we did. Usually we would visit for a couple hours in the afternoon, we’d go on a ride or two and maybe see some characters. Talia loved it and flourished! Not only was a great source of socialization, but she also learned so much vocabulary! At her two year check up, when her pediatrician asked me if she knew 100 words, I answered that she knew at least 100 many Disneyland related words. She started reading words on maps, like the names of attractions and movies, she even started pointing out signs that said, “Exit” everywhere we went. It was a safe place for her to learn to walk (and run). It was a place where we were all comfortable. It was a place where we could be together.

Today, we visit the Disneyland Parks a couple of times a week, most of the time as a family, but sometimes just myself and Talia. Some days we visit with friends or family. Talia is very outgoing, and usually makes a new friend in line for rides. We have even visited Walt Disney World, which we loved almost as much as Disneyland. In the future, we hope to visit the international Parks as well.

Some people might think it’s strange that we visit Disneyland so often, but it makes us happy. You never know what will happen in life, things can change in an instant. Just do what makes you happy!

Find your happy place!

Author: momjennyp

Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells (Palm Desert)

Magical Painted Brick Books

Wednesday Waves: Little Treasure Cove (Crystal Cove State Park)

Rainy Days at Disneyland: Tips and Secrets

Rise of the Resistance: Tips for Getting a Boarding Pass

Pretend City is a real gem!

About Us

Why do we go to Disneyland SO much?!