New Rides, Food & Fun at Universal Studios Hollywood! #universalstudioshollywood #USH

Universal Studios Hollywood is Kicking Things Up This Summer!!

New rides, new dining experiences & new surprises to see & do. We cover all the updates from Universal Studios Hollywood here and now...

Thanks to Universal Studios for having us out for the day. All opinions are our own. We love visiting the lot!

Let's dive into the happenings at Universal City Walk & Inside the park too!

Newly opened “Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” ride

Step into the streets of New York with a visit with Max & friends at their apartment building. Stroll around while you wander through the line cue surprised at each turn with a new pets perspective!

Say hello to your favorites.. so cute!

Keep an eye out since you too may be adopted out as a puppy...just kidding but it's super cute to see what family you'd end up with if you were a puppy looking for a home hehe. 

Such a cute ride. I loved it. We loved it... my kids wanted to ride it again and we would have but... you need to be sure to reserve your time in the app or pick up a return ticket from the box outside the ride. The times full up fast and book up completely. 

Lower lot....

“Jurassic World—The Ride” featuring the new Indominus Rex

Hot Tip.. bring a poncho. Lol. 

Brace yourself for turns, drops and monstrosities coming at you! 

Don't forget to do the meet n greet. I mean why would you pass up a really cool and super fun encounter right?! So awesome. 

Foodies gonna food...

New Minion Café greets hungry diners with banana inspired treats (yummmmm) and so much more...

Located just to rhe right of rhe exit to their cool rode, the Minion Cafe is open and has a variety of items to choose from for all appetites!

Inside it's decor is as festive as it is fun. Look around while you wait a few moments to grab and go with all your favorites to try.

We have a super fan here! 

Chicken natchos. We shared them with a few other things we wanted to try. They disappeared. Nom nom.

Parm & Meatball Grilled Cheese with marinara. This was surprisingly realllly good. Even my daughter enjoyed it. She finished the marinara by itself and asked for more of everything... Next time girl!

This Float!!!! Another under estimated delish treat. The Felonious Float is a must try! We got two and wanted two more! 

A sample of the treats...

Can't forget the cotton candy.

Craving something fresh, new & exciting to EAT outside the Universal Gates?! 

Perfect because NBC Sports Grill is ready for you. For now from 3pm on sit, snack, drink, watch a game or 10 on their many screens & then hop back into the park. Or make it a date night...

NBC Sports Grill & Brew is reflective of NBC Sports’ award-winning coverage and unparalleled collection of media partnerships that include the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, Roland Garros, and many more.

The inspired menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well as traditional fare with an array of cleverly themed courses. 

A refreshing complement to the menu, the restaurant also features a full bar and an extensive selection of over 40 beers, including the 862 as an IPA or seasonal draft custom-made to the Universal CityWalk Hollywood location.

Looking to customize their beverages, diners can create their own beer flight, build their own mule cocktail or select from a list of craft cocktails and wines.

The Starting Lineup features mouthwatering appetizers from Wings and Fish Tacos to Loaded Nachos and an Artisan Pretzel. Home Run Handheld takes burgers to new heights with such tempting fare as Roadside Chili Burger, Gruyere Burger, Beyond Burger, Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Brat Pretzel Press. The Chili Bowl and The Grain Bowl add tasty twists to The Bowl Games menu section.

In the mood for a crunchy salad, On The Green pleases with Classic Chicken Caesar Salad, Grilled Steak Wedge and Nashville Hot Chopped Chicken Salad. Game Time is serious with Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs, Farmhouse Fried Chicken, Broccoli & Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese, NY Strip Steak and Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon.

NBC Sports Grill & Brew is prepared to offer guests the MVP treatment. Visitors can enjoy dining upon converted shuffleboard and foosball tables amid sports-inspired décor, including specially commissioned art pieces and a custom neon NBC peacock logo.

Guests can also enjoy the NBC Sports Grill & Brew at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk destination.

So many things to see, do, try, eat & explore all season long and then some. Get Anual Pass info here & join us all year long! 

Camp Galileo - We Loved It! Autism Mom Tips Plus Our Reasons Why We Love #campgalileo

Camp Galileo - Summer Camp Where Autism failed & My Son Succeeded 

Thank you to Camp Galileo for inviting us to try a session of summer camp in Orange County. All opinions are my own.

We loved it so much & Mikey had such a successful time he asked to return, so we did, and week two was just as fun and amazing for him.

From creating something imagination and STEAM inspired to outdoor play, Camp Galileo was perfect for us.

It is not often, in fact this is this first time, where I can leave Mikey on his own at an all day camp of any sorts and feel confident he is safe and having a great time.

He has worked so much on his social skills, patience, understanding of others cues, communication and everything else this past year and has thrived at school. I figured I would trust Galileo Camps to make this summer our first of many to kick autism in the face with summer camp success.

Tips for a rocking camp...

* communication... let the on-site team and camp manager know any concerns at all and they are super attentive.

* prep your camper. Show them a video, talk about what will go on at camp and even let them know what they may do as their theme so that your camper is prepped for the week.

* send some favorites... it may be a note on the snacks in their lunch or a special pin they can wear on their daily name tag lanyard but something to remind them you are there and they can do it.

* review your emails and camp tips that come from your location. They do a great job on all of this to prep and to recap.

Here are my favorite take aways from Camp Galileo this summer... 

* Great program structure and mix of edufun with indoor and outdoor activities . Perfect mix of exciting diy projects based around a specific theme with the right amount of calming outdoor play 

* Friendly attentive staff that makes each camper feel special and significant to the amazing day at camp. Always smiling & ready to make the kids day great.  Oh and they reapplied sunscreen all day long thank you team Camp Galileo!

* Autism friendly. Each child is different and each kiddo is on the spectrum in a different place. What I thought was great at Camp Galileo... they recognized, reviewed and attended to my personal comments about my kiddo, they were attentive and on top of it all and knew they could call me for anything but never needed to. I felt like my son is safe, not being bullied and is having some social skills strengthened while he makes new friends. 

My son said "we're all friends and play together... no one is left out and everyone is included" 

We can not wait to return next summer!

You can get all the details here on locations and registration.

Happy summer...

We're Hooked!! Secrets of Sulphur Springs on Disney Channel is a Family Favorite for Friday Nights #secretsofsulphursprings

Spooky, Suspenseful, Surprises.. Secrets of Sulphur Springs has all of that and so much more!

Have you seen Secrets of Sulphur Springs on Disney Channel? We are totally hooked on this show.

Airing Friday nights on Disney Channel the show is perfect for families. I would suggest age 9 and up for viewing just bevaue there are some suspenseful moments. But my kiddos love that!

Since the show is on episode 5 (to be aired on Friday the 29th you may want to catch up on line with Disney+ like we did. 

Thanks to Disney Channel for giving us a preview to this Friday's episode. So so good!!!!

We also loved the cupcakes sent over that were perfect to snack on for our family time. Thanks a bunch Disney!

We are all loving this fun show filled with anticipation that leaves us wanting more each time an episode ends.

More deets on the show...

"Secrets of Sulphur Springs” is a time-travel mystery series for kids & families. 

Set in the fictional Louisiana town of Sulphur Springs, the series follows 12-year-old Griffin Campbell (Preston Oliver, "Chicago Fire") whose world has been upended by his father, Ben (Josh Braaten, "American Horror Story"). Ben has moved the family from Chicago to take ownership of an abandoned hotel property, The Tremont. The Campbell family, which also includes Griffin's mother, Sarah (Kelly Frye, "Criminal Minds"), and his younger twin siblings, Wyatt (Landon Gordon, "Coop & Cami Ask the World") and Zoey (Madeleine McGraw, "Outcast"), moves into The Tremont in hopes of restoring it to the lively vacation destination it once was. On his first day at his new school, Griffin hears rumors that the hotel is haunted by the ghost of Savannah (Elle Graham, "Swamp Thing"), a girl who disappeared decades ago. He soon meets and befriends Harper (Kyliegh Curran, "Doctor Sleep"), a thrill-seeking classmate, and soon they discover a secret portal that allows them to travel back in time and uncover clues about the town mystery.

Episode 5, "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Time" airs Friday on the Disney Channel 8pm. We will be re watching it!

Until next week.... keep up the suspense & enjoy the surprises!

See the full trailer here 

SCOOB! See SCOOB Movie this Friday... at Home!

Movie night idea! Beat the COVID19 Blues

Yay! On Friday May 15 everyone is invited to the Twitter #ScoobMovieNight premiere event!

Deets.. at 7pm hosted by Scoob! Let's all celebrate the release of the brand new, fully animated, full-length action adventure feature “SCOOB!” on Premium Video on Demand or Premium Digital Ownership.

Also you can learn the #ScoobDance on TikTok from celebrity dancer, Jalaiah Harmon and try it out too.

So fun!

Since we can't go to the theater right now and our "local to us" drive in theater isnt open this is a great option!

 “SCOOB!” will be available for a 48-hour rental via Premium Video On Demand for $19.99, or premium digital ownership for $24.99, beginning on Friday, May 15. 

Available on participating digital platforms. 

For more details, please visit https://www.watchscoob.com to preorder your copy now.

Enjoy the movie & some time together with a fun family activity pack too! 

https://www.scoob.movie/homepremiere.php

#moviesathome #movienight #scoob #scoobydoo #familytime #movienightin #familyfun #COVID19 #thingstodo

Celebrate Tradition At Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Show #MTCelebrate #medievaltimes #mtfan #sponsored

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Never Disappoints!

A tradition for our family for over 30 years to celebrate at our local Medieval Times Castle with drinks, cheers, food and entertaining fun.

 

 

This winter break we wanted to take a moment and enjoy one another company and time off with a visit to Medieval Times. 

Both of my kids love to see the jousting, horses, cheer their Knight and of course feast on the Queens food. 

This visit we are celebrating winter fun, tradition, family, early birthday & the holidays thanks to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Buena Park ! All opinions are my own.

I celebrated many birthdays at the Castle in Buena Park and I love that the kids enjoy it as much now as I did then.

Arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes early to secure the best seat available. There are VIP packages you can upgrade to as well. 

Celebrating something? You can be knighted by the Queen or you can even purchase a scroll with announcement during the show. 

With so many options to add on extra fun you fan really make the most of your visit in your own style.

We kind of look for any opportunity or celebration to have an excuse to visit Medieval Times,  we just love it.

Save your appetite for chicken, corn and potato that follows your dragon soup.

Celebrate Birthday's at Raging Waters LA Plus Water Park Tips #RagingWatersLA

Raging Waters Los Angeles Celebrate Summer, Birthday's, A New Water Ride and More...

 

Last week my girl spent her birthday experience with a few sweet friends at Raging Waters LA!

 

She loves it there... her favorites are the wave pool, lazy river, rocket ride and so many fun water slides.

 



 

Thank you to Raging Waters for hosting us this summer. So much fun and all opinions are my own.

 

Summer is so fun, my kids are home, we get to hit the pool and the beach often and we wait all year long for the warmest SoCal weather for Raging Waters to open for the season!

 

Since Zoe asked if we could skip the big birthday party and have a few fun experiences with some close friends, I immediately remembered how much she loves Raging Waters and started brainstorming a day filed with water, splashing, water slides, sun and more.

 

Did you know that Raging Waters offers birthday packages?! 

 

It was really great to know that things would be taken care of on site. With the preplanning it's really easy to coordinate any type of party style you may have. 

 

We loved the cabana.
 



 
You can bring decorations in, we know my girl is a soccer is life kinda kid, and put them up in and around the cabana too!

 



 

Add food, drinks and even a cake... how easy peasy does that make it... very! Pizza packages are the way to go!

 



 

 

There are a lot of options too so check them out here...

Forty days of fun thematic events and activities as well as a Birthday Bash ring in summer for Kidspace’s 40th CelebrationJuly 6–August 16, 2019

To honor its 40-year history of play and experimental learning, Kidspace Children’s Museum continues its 40th Celebration with 40 Days of Fun! 

 

Hot Off The Press...

 

From July 6–August 16, 2019, the celebration invites guests to learn, explore, and enjoy added fun each week of the summer. Based around festive themes such as SLIME TIME and BUBBLES as well as a Birthday Bash, 40 Days of Fun! allows guests to embrace the spontaneity of childhood with random acts of fun, self-guided activities, and birthday-themed events, as well as larger weekend events and a Birthday Bash on July 13 and 14, 2019.

 



 

Kidspace’s 40 Days of Fun! offers different ways to explore the museum each week with a range of enhanced daily activities that culminate with larger weekend events. 40 Days of Fun! includes a self-guided scavenger hunt; random acts of fun that surprise guests with spontaneous sing-alongs, story times, and dance parties throughout the day; and a celebration-themed dailyExploration program every day at 11:45 AM in Stone Hollow Amphitheater, which includes, dramatic play and music, and culminates in a celebratory dance party.

 

 

Each week of fun will be centered around a new theme:

 

July 6–12: GET OUTDOORS invites guests to get ready for summer by exploring nature, getting messy, and playing outdoors. Guests can dig in the sand, play in the mud, and enjoy the wonderment and fun of getting to be outside. Throughout the week there will be special activities including bug hunts, fort building, and a Flower Shower garden program.

July 13 & 14: BIRTHDAY BASH invites YOU to celebrate Kidspace’s 40^th Celebration with birthday-themed activities that include: birthday hat making and classic birthday party games around the museum. DJ Bree will host an interactive dance party in Stone Hollow Amphitheater, which will include a confetti blast and more!

July 15–21: SLIME TIME brings out the ooey goopy fun with slime-related activities all week, culminating in the “Slime the Staff Quiz Show.” Throughout the week, random acts of fun will include some slimy surprises like exploring different types of slimes and using water to make slimy “snail trails.”

July 22–August 2: WATER PLAY keeps guests cool with water games and water play, culminating in a water exhibit. WATER PLAY week includes fun pop-up water events like sponge tosses and splash games. Guests may see random acts of run activities like outdoor evaporation painting, sensory water bins, and surprise boat races.

August 3–16: BUBBLES invites guests to pop on over for a good time and enjoy spontaneous encounters like bubble shows, bubble dance parties, bubble challenges, and bubble races!

40 Days of Fun! themes are designed to evoke adults’ favorite childhood memories of summer, giving adults a chance to relive their childhoods alongside children. The surprise nature of random acts of fun invites guests of all ages to live in the moment and enjoy and experience the spontaneity and freedom of childhood while delighting children with new takes on classic summer activities.

EL TORITO CELEBRATES 65 YEARS THIS JULY 18TH WITH A CELEBRATION! #FreeTacos #ElTorito

Hello El Torito Tacos! LET'S CELEBRATE

EL TORITO CELEBRATES 65 YEARS THIS JULY 18TH WITH A CELEBRATION!

Featuring a Free Taco Bar & Happy Hour Specials on Thursday, July 18th from 3 p.m. to Close.


 

Tacos and taco bar say what!?

El Torito will be celebrating their 65th anniversary on Thursday, July 18th with parties at all 31 El Torito locations.

The local hot-spot invites the public to join in on the celebration which will feature Free Tacos (Steak, Chicken and Carnitas), fresh handmade tortillas and salsa bar from 3 p.m. to close.

Guests will also enjoy Happy Hour drink specials which will include $6 Margaritas and $4 Draft Beers. The Entertainment will be Mariachi’s from 4pm-7pm and a DJ from 7pm to Close.

That's what I'm Taco about!

Summer Fun Coloring Pages From The Bravest Knight & Hulu

Hulu created adorable coloring pages on behalf of their new animated series THE BRAVEST KNIGHT.

 

Summer is fun but we need down time too.

 

So, in-between the workbooks and review worksheets we've been doing, some fun coloring is always relaxing.

 

No camp activities this week.., yes to color fun!

 

More Coloring pages:  http://thebravestknight.com/coloring.html

THE BRAVEST KNIGHT is streaming now on Hulu.

Get social too.mm show off your coloring pages!!

 

#TheBravestKnight

https://twitter.com/hulu

https://www.instagram.com/hulu/

https://www.facebook.com/hulu/

https://youtube.com/hulu

https://www.pinterest.com/hulu/

 

Have fun!

Hogwarts Castle Overcome by Dark Arts Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is Wizarding - A Must See! #DarkArts

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Is A Must See In Person

 

It's whimsically magical, with a twist of dark wizardry, the Dark Arts At Hogwarts Castle is magnificent for all ages to see.

 

 





 

While our recent trip, our first family trip, to Universal Studios Hollywood we were privileged to catch a preview of the new show. All Opinions are my own, thank you Universal for the experience.

 

Step into Hogsmeade and walk into a whole world of Wizarding adventures....

 

 

I was in awe watching not only what was happening right in front of my eyes that seemed like reality but also listening to my kids ask if the Castle would be okay cause we could see the inside!

 

We've seen a few videos on YouTube and they just don't do justice to seeing something like this in person. I can not rave enough about the reality you think you are seeing while the lights and even drones used captive you in those 7.5 minutes of the show.

 

 



 

If anyone is sensitive to loud noises, bright lights or effects be aware to see a video on line and prep for any special needs. There is closer up viewing and further back so that may help too

Inside Hogsmead it is really as if you were on set walking the streets and ready to shop for your wand, pet, sweets and robe.


Around Hogsmeade

 

Ready to board the Hogwarts Express... must do photo stop.

 



 

Everything  about the Wizarding World is just potterhead amazing. One could get lost in the shops for hours and come out with many things from wands to chocolate frogs. A must right.
 

There's two rides,  a roller coaster that is pleasantly smooth and fun for the whole family and of course one inside the castle.



Keep an eye out in line and on the ride for special effects that bring you right into the movie as you remember it!



 

Everything about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is so cool there is just no other way to say it. We loved it!!
 

Ideally we would have loved one more hour to brows around and look at all the fine details but more of a reason not return.

 

There is a lot to see and so we could have spent the whole day there really.