Not too late for Bay Area Disney on Ice Tickets

Disney on Ice opened at HP Pavilion tonight, but it's not too late to get tickets for tomorrow or this weekend!

(Not in the Bay Area? Get the full Disney on Ice show details and tour listings here.

 Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey
HP Pavilion at San Jose-October 20-24

Special Offer!

WEEKDAY SHOWS-Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (not valid for FR/ VIP seating); redemption code: MOM
WEEKEND SHOWS-$5 off tickets to all performances (not valid for FR/ VIP seating);

Use code: MAGIC at http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/ajyhf0 to get the discount.

There are two shows tomorrow (Matinee and evening) and three shows each day this weekend.

So grab those princess dresses and come on! We've been to two Disney on Ice shows and I've been beyond impressed by how much fun they really are. Even my daughter who swears she'll never go to Disney Land because she's scared of Mickey, adores going to these presentations. Frankly, I always have fun too! Plus, there's truly something special about seeing a sea of little girls in their princess finery!

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Disney's California Food & Wine Festival Fun

In case you were still in doubt about whether or not Disney could really deliver on grown-up fun, then I have something to share that might just convince you. 

From April 16-May 31 Disney is holding a California Food & Wine Festival with complimentary and Signature events at Disney's California adventure. Tickets for the Signature events are on sale now at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

  

If you're a foodie or a wine lover this could just be the ideal way to explore Disneyland. I haven't been to many Disney events, but I can say one thing: Disney knows how to do things right. Their attention to detail virtually guarantees that every event they put on will be spectacular. I have no doubt that this will be no exception. 

Plus, you get to meet some of my favorite Food Network stars. Seriously, if I ever met Robert Irvine or Guy Fieri I would possibly faint. Or drool all over their shoes.

So scroll on down for the full event program and start looking for a foodie friend or two. This is going to be one event you're going to want to share. I for one can't think of a more delicious way to explore Disneyland.

Anyone want to take me? I promise I won't throw myself at Guy or Robert's feet. Honest!

 

The fifth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival celebrates “The Art of Flavor” April 16-May 31, 2010, at the Disneyland Resort.

 

Daily

• Complimentary demonstrations featuring culinary experts and celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri, Cat Cora and Robert Irvine
• Seminars that feature wine, beer and spirits

(Festival Showplace, Hollywood Pictures Backlot; Sunshine Plaza; Golden Vine Winery and Pacific Wharf areas)

 

Signature Events* (additional fee required)

 

Taste Food-Wine-Life May 29, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Eat, drink and celebrate in an immersive party for all the senses! Presented in “grand-tasting” style, this event offers delectable creations from Disney chefs, outstanding wines and live entertainment. Theme park admission not required.

 

Festival Wine Walks and Beer Walks  Daily

Enjoy tastings of your favorites, and discover the flavor of new wines and beers as you stroll through Stage 12, at the Festival Showplace.

 

Winemaker Dinners   Fridays: April 23, 30, May 14 and 21

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Award-winning wines paired with delectable culinary creations at Steakhouse 55, with Chef Jason Martin

 

New! Brewmaster Dinner Friday May 7

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Join experts from Karl Strauss Brewing Company for delicious food paired with beers, at Steakhouse 55.

 

New! Riedel Glass Tasting  Saturdays, April 24, May 28

6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In this fascinating class led by an expert from Riedel, learn why the glass matters when it comes to wine tasting. Guests at this event will go home with a tasting set of four Riedel Vinum series lead crystal wine glasses.

Sweet Sundays  April 18, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Enjoy Sunday morning buffets featuring elegant dessert items from acclaimed pastry chefs, at the Festival Showplace inside Disney’s California Adventure.

 

Taste Wine Like an Expert Saturdays: May 1, 8, 15 and 22

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Entertaining education with Sommelier Joy Cushing of Napa Rose restaurant

 

Napa Rose Cooking School Saturdays: April 17, May 1, 8, 15, and 22

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Executive Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose leads guests in preparing a four-course gourmet meal. Guests receive a commemorative chef’s coat, embroidered with the Festival logo.

 

*Additional fee required for signature events. Most events held in Disney’s California Adventure® Park require Theme Park admission which is not included in the price of the event.  For details and ticket information, go to www.disneyland.com/foodandwine

Please note: I was not compensated for this post. I just really, really want to go and I thought you might too.  

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Tips for National Family Game Night

September 23rd is National Family Game Night. Or so sayeth Hasbro. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to be the only one left out.

Of course, setting up a family game night is easy for once, but to set something up on a regular basis takes a bit more skill.

Below are some helpful hints to prepare for the nationwide event and to start creating a family game night tradition that the whole family will look forward to week after week. Call the family together and gather around a game for a great night in any day of the week!

To start with. Schedule it!: National Family Game Night is Wednesday, September 23, mark the calendar!
After participating in the gaming event, decide in advance which day will be your weekly family game night. It doesn’t matter which night of the week you choose – any night will do! As long as the date is marked on a calendar that everyone can see and parents make it a priority to keep the appointment, the night will be one to remember! Use stickers or a colored marker to help make the family game night dates stand out on the calendar.

Involve everyone in the planning: Involve the whole family in the planning process by allowing the kids to pick the games or choose the snacks. For variety, rotate responsibilities during each family game night.

Game suggestions: Be sure to pick games that are age-appropriate for all family members so that everyone can participate. For an active family, BOP-IT! or the classic game of Twister are great options. For a laugh-out-loud time, families might want to try Guesstures or Taboo. For families that thrive on competition, try Connect 4x4 or Monopoly City.

Fun food “pairings”: A special family game night menu will make everyone look forward to the festivities. Serve fun finger foods that are easy to eat during game play, such as hamburger sliders or chicken fingers. A make-your-own sundae bar is a sweet treat for dessert before or during game night. Or, use a family recipe to make your family game night unique.

Create a tradition: Whether it’s the way that teams are selected, a 30-minute bedtime extension, or having everyone play in their p.j.’s, establishing an activity on family game night that becomes a family tradition will create even more excitement around game play for everyone in the family.

Keep a family scoreboard: From week to week, recognize the family member who won the last family game night by posting their name on a special scoreboard that receives a place of honor on the refrigerator. Or, create a family crown or shirt that can be worn by the winner at dinner or during the next family game night.

Remind everyone: To keep the date with the family, set up reminders on a handheld device or on the family computer to make sure that game night happens. For the tech-savvy, reminders can also be sent through Evite.com or on social networking sites such as Facebook. For the kids, put a note in their lunchbox reminding them about family game night.

Mix it up with “special guests”: To expand the fun, invite other families in your neighborhood to participate in a family game night tournament. If you have extended family members living in the area or if you are traveling during a scheduled family game night, invite everyone to participate!

Capture the memories: By having regularly scheduled family game nights, families are guaranteed to create new and lasting memories. Snap a photo of special moments at each family game night and place the printed photos around the house or email to relatives to share that come-from-behind win or incredibly tall Jenga tower!

Brainstorm for next week’s family game night: As each family game night winds down and clean up begins, start brainstorming for next week’s event.What games might be selected? What will be the special food served? By planning in advance for the next event, you can get a jumpstart on the preparations and raise the anticipation level for the next family game night.

Share Games: Find a few other families in your neighborhood of playgroup who are also big family game night fans. Agree to rotate games monthly to keep things exciting and new!