Who's The Boss?

Secrets to riding Disneyland's Star Tours (more than once)

On our family vacation to BlogHer San Diego, we decided to make a stop at Disneyland for a day.  For one, we've become Disneyland fanatics over the years.  Secondly, Darius was finally tall enough to ride the best roller coaster, California Screamin'. But most of all, I couldn't wait any longer to take my Star Wars obsessed son to the newly renovated and re-imagineered Star Tours ride.

 
Opening in early June, Star Tours is back with new destinations, new characters, and new adventures.  Now presented in 3D, multiple storylines and locations mean that every time you ride, you will get a new experience.  It's brilliant.  You will have to ride more than once.  While we were there, we road Star Tours four times.  Here's the tricks to riding Star Tours to your heart's (or in my case, stomach's) content.

Stay On-Site at a Disney Resort Hotel

If you book your hotel at the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, or Paradise Pier then you are entitled to Magic Mornings.  Magic Mornings allow all resort guests access to Tomorrowland one hour before the general population.  That means you'll get to ride Star Tours at least once before the lines get outrageous.  This summer, all resort guests also receive two extra FastPasses per person. See my section below on FastPassing - basically this gives you even more chances to ride again.

FastPass early and often

Here's the rule for FastPasses: when you FastPass a ride, you are "virtually" waiting in line for that ride.  The FastPass ticket will give you a time to return to the ride which bumps you up in line - significantly reducing your wait to ride the attraction.  You can FastPass another ride either at the return time on your FastPass or in 2 hours - whichever is sooner.  If you get a FastPass at 8:00am for a return time of 8:30am, then you can FastPass again at 8:30am.  If you get another FastPass at 8:30am with a return time of 4:00pm, then you can FastPass again at 10:30am.  FastPass Return Times start in the morning (typically 9am).  As more FastPass tickets are issued, the return times get later and later until they sell out.  By FastPassing Star Tours when you first arrive, you'll most likely get a morning return time.  Then you stand a chance to be able to quickly FastPass it again for a later return time.

When we were there, FastPasses for Star Tours were completely "sold out" by 10:30am - so make getting those FastPasses your first priority of the day.

Send one person to the FastPass ticket booth

FastPasses for Star Tours are located directly across from the attraction at the FP station that was formerly for Buzz LightYear.  When we arrived at Disneyland, the line to get the FastPasses was longer than the actual line to ride the attraction.  I sent my spouse over (with all of our tickets plus the extra FP tickets we received as resort guests).  While we waited in line for Star Tours, he waited in line for the FastPasses.  Obviously, the FP line moves faster so he was able to meet up with us in the "stand-by" line within 10 minutes. 

Get in line during Parades and Fireworks

It's a commonly known secret that nearly all wait times at Disneyland decrease during parades and fireworks. Why?  It's simple!  Most people actually want to watch these magical events.  If you weren't able to get FastPass tickets or absolutely must ride it again, then try to get in line during these times.  The line should be shorter, making your whole stay more enjoyable. Of course, those parades and fireworks do provide their own source of special Disney Magic - so don't miss them all!

Photo courtesy of Disneyland PR

Disclosure: As a member of a PR event, I received complimentary park tickets and meal vouchers to Disneyland.  The opinions expressed above are mine and do not represent the Walt Disney Corporation.

Evolution of business travel

It's a little disappointing to go from working with a view of the Monterey Bay to working in this....

 

It's the typical beige jungle of the corporate world. 

This is my very last business trip before I step out on maternity leave next month.  The whole purpose is to discuss the recent re-organization and our new roles within it.  Which seems all very surreal since my new role in it won't really begin for another 7 months.  I've had the opportunity to hug my old boss good-bye and will be discussing the Robyn Roark transition plan with my new boss later today. 

Over the course of my 12 years in the corporate world, I've noticed how business travel has changed.  When I started out in the dot com boom in Silicon Valley, everyone travelled everywhere.  Usually on Business or First Class.  When that high-tech bubble burst, travel was reduced and the standard become Coach.  Business travellers began to chase miles by picking flights with multiple connections just to rack up those Frequent Flyer miles and get as many free upgrades as possible.  Executives often slashed the travel budgets for their teams all the while never cutting back on their own travel. 

In the two years that I've been with the Company, I've never flown on business travel.  Lucky for me, my old boss was just a 3-hour car ride away.  Far enough away that it gave me lots of freedom and autonomy.  Close enough that I could easily get my mileage and a few hotel nights approved to visit whenever I wanted.  My new boss lives in Colorado.  I have a feeling this could be the one and only time I'll ever see him face to face.

I know it will be a long time before I travel again.  Even after my maternity leave.  So I'm just going to sip on my company paid Decaf Soy Latte and plug away in the beige building with no windows.  And try not to think about the fact that in a matter of weeks, I'm going to be embarking on a role that is much harder than any issue I've dealt with at work. 

I'm going to be the mother of a newborn baby.

Wonder how many frequent flyer miles I can get from that?

Secrets to getting good seats at Disney's World of Color

When we visited Disneyland and California Adventure last year to celebrate Darius' 5th Birthday, we watched some of the work being done on the new World of Color attraction.  It didn't cross my mind until earlier this week that when we visited again this year, the show would be finished.

Disneyland's World of Color is a water and light show unlike any other.  I kept trying to explain it to Darius during the day.  Finally, he said to me "Mommy, I don't get it.  I'll just have to see it."  And he is totally right.  Pictures and videos do not come close to capturing even an iota of the magic.  You have to see it in person.

FASTPASS for Preferred Viewing

While you can see World of Color from anywhere on the boardwalk in California Adventure, I highly recommend getting the FASTPASS for the show.  One member of your party can go over to California Adventure when it opens and get all the passes - just remember to get a FASTPASS you must have everyone's tickets to the park.  When we were there, the park opened up 30 minutes early to allow people to FASTPASS the show... so make sure that you ask a Cast Member what time the park will be opening.  My dad waited in line for us while Darius and I rode Toy Story Mania.  Having those passes gave me peace of mind knowing that we'd have excellent seats.  FASTPASS kiosks are shared in the section for the Grizzly River Run passes. 

FASTPASS is given from the earliest show to the latest

My dad got in line at 9:45am and we were able to snag tickets for the 9:00pm show.  I was talking to a Cast Member later that day when Darius and my dad were riding Tower of Terror (not a ride for those of us with babies in our belly).  He was telling me that they give out approximately 5000 passes per show before the Preferred Viewing is sold out and the next show time begins.  This week in June showtimes for World of Color were 9:00pm, 10:30pm, and 11:15pm.  Times change at Disney, show be sure to pick up your weekly calendar of events (typically right next to the maps at the gates) to find out the times when you are visiting.

When in Southern California, you must go to Disneyland

When we first started planning our road trip to San Diego, I kept my mouth shut about how very close we'd be to Disneyland.  I mean, really?  How many visits to Disneyland does one kid need?  But then when my brother backed out of the trip and I saw that Disneyland resorts were offering a 40% discount on their on-site resorts for the summer, I immediately called my dad and convinced him that another trip to Disneyland was really what we all wanted.  Lucky for me, my dad was just as excited about the prospect as me. 

My family is filled with Disneyland veterans.  We love the place.  I still contend that while Disneyland may seem expensive, they also offer incredible deals throughout the year that can make a few days in the Happiest Place on Earth a fairly affordable one - especially for folks in California who can road-trip it down like we are. 

Things that I'm most excited about this year:

• Watching the new World of Color show at California Adventure 
• Darius finally is tall enough to ride Indiana Jones
• Getting to ride the Redwood waterslides at one of the pools at the Grand Californian
• Our first character breakfast. 
• Summer Nightastic.  Need I say more?

Imagination is truly endless at Disneyland.  The place is constantly changing which makes every trip there like a brand new visit.  And while Thing Two may prevent me from going on some of the rides, I also think it's pretty cool that my baby big boy will get a trip to his favorite place before he has to share the world with a stinky baby brother.

Surfing in San Diego

One of my big goals for our vacation was to get Darius surfing lessons while in San Diego.  While walking along the promenade this morning after breakfast, we saw a surf school setting up shop for the morning.  The staff at Pacific Surf was super friendly and immediately made Darius feel like a rockstar for wanting lessons at 6 years old.  

We signed Darius up for a private lesson.  The group lessons have a low 3:1 ration, but I wasn't comfortable with my 44lb first-grader-to-be wading in the water when the instructor was helping the other two students.  Groups lessons would be perfect for a family with older kids (we saw a dad and his two sons in one group and two teenage friends in another).  We paid $85 for 1.5-hours of personal instruction and 1-hour of free surfing.  Darius was so wiped out after those first ninety minutes that we didn't utilize the free surfing time. 

Darius had many successful runs on the board (both feet planted) but was fearful of standing all the way up.  About 45 minutes into the lesson, he had success!  With his first ride standing, many of the beach-goers were giving him thumbs up, shouting "WAY TO GO," and really making the kid feel like surfing pro.  At the end of the lesson Darius had a complete bromance with his instructor Mark who was so positive and encouraging.  We've already signed up for another lesson before we head back home. 

Flying a kite at Pismo Beach

Planning a Trip to Disneyland (trust me, it's easier than you think)

When I decided, nearly three years ago, to invite our entire extended family to celebrate Darius' fifth birthday, I knew that planning the trip would be the hardest part.  Hotels, tickets, deciding what to do in the park.   But with the help of Disney themselves, the planning turned out to be the easiest part.  The lessons I've learned work whether you are planning a trip for your family of four just as well as they work for my trip of twenty. 

Planning  the trip starts easy enough with answering three simple questions: When, Where, How?  You need to know when you want to go, where you want to stay, and how long you want to stay there.  You'll obviously find better deals in the off-season, but in the peak season nearly everything at Disneyland will be operational.  I don't like going in the heat of summer (90 degrees in Los Angeles feels like 100 degrees in the streets of Disneyland) but honestly, the kids don't notice if it is hot or cold - the magic of Disney is so powerful that you'll find yourself willingly standing in a 2-hour line for a 90-second ride.  Personally, I think three or four days at Disneyland is ideal.  That way, you aren't rushed and have the time to really enjoy the entire park. 

Snow Day

Last weekend, we made the trek up to the snow with some family and close friends.  A long drive up I-80 and we found ourselves at a lovely snow park.  To say that Darius loved the snow would be an understatement. 

 

Catching air.  Doesn't he look like a pro with those sunglasses?

Christmas at Disneyland

To say that our weekend at Disneyland was magical is a complete understatement.  We had a phenomenal time.   The weather was unbelievable (high 70s!).   The lines were reasonable.  And Darius is just the perfect age to get caught up in the magic.   Watching him was THE HIGHLIGHT of my weekend.  To see him get so excited about riding Space Mountain or taking a photo with Pooh Bear... To see him love the things about Disneyland that I loved as a child, it was more than magical for me.

I've never been to Disneyland during the holidays and didn't know what to expect.  It surpassed my wildest dreams.  I'm telling you, a weekend in Disneyland decorated to the gills in Christmas themes will fill you with the spirit of season. 

It's a Small World had Christmas carols playing throughout.

 

We were serenaded by super-talented Disney singers in our hotel lobby.

 

But the best part was Santa

 

When Darius saw Santa headed our way in the Holiday Parade, he immediately stood up and started to frantically wave at him.  He was so excited to see the man in red.  When Santa got closer, Darius turned to me and said "I have to tell him what I want," and then shouted at the top of his lungs "SANTA, SANTA! I WANT A STAR WARS LEGO SET FOR CHRISTMAS."  He said it with such sincerity and passion.  So sweet.  Neville and I are still getting a laugh out of it. 

Good thing, I picked one up the day before.  Afterall, he has been a very good boy this year.

Photojournal: Lisbon, Portugal

Follow the Yellow Brick Road... to Lisbon

The sidewalks in Lisbon are amazing.  Each path has a different pattern.  It makes walking the streets in Lisbon a little dangerous - I'm too busy looking at what is beneath my feet instead of at the people who may be walking towards me.  The craftsmanship in a single sidewalk is breathtaking.

The unique sidewalks were commissioned during the 18th century when the city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake.  It's probably what Lisbon is best known for - and I am thrilled that I got to see these works of art up close and personal.

I know absolutely nothing about Portuguese culture, the language, the food.  It's been a crash course.  Luckily for me, the people I have encountered having been incredibly sweet and patient.  It helps that, in addition to speaking Portguese, almost everyone speaks Spanish and English as well.

Can't wait to see where this path leads me.

These are a few of my favorite things (in Barcelona)

Tapas. 

My all time favorite is the olives.  You can get them everywhere.  These are "olivas primavera" - both green and black olives (with pits), pearl onions and little gherkins marinated in just olive oil.

The Picasso Tour.  If you are in Barcelona, go to the tourist office at Placa Catalunya and sign up for this 2-hr walking tour.  We walked all over to places that Picasso lived, partied, and painted during his many years in Barcelona. 

This is El Quatre Gats, a local hangout that was very popular with the artists in Picasso's early years. 

The Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) church. It is an unfinished church made completely of carved stone. The outside of the church is amazing. While I typically find stone to be cold and unappealing, this stone work was so intricate that it exuded warmth. You can stare at the outside of the church for hours and still not see every little detail. A private foundation is working on completing the church.

La Mercat Boqueria. It's Europe's largest outdoor market. I've never seen anything like it before. It's like our local farmer's market on steroids. You can get everything here. Every. thing. Fresh fish, fruits and veggies, local eggs, fresh meat including things I've never seen before. Like skinned whole rabbits or lambs heads. Seriously. It was cool and creepy at the same time. Every item is displayed so delicately that the market felt like a giant piece of art.

What a Croc!

Our first full day in Barcelona was a wet one.  The city was thrilled to get water as they are in a water shortage right now.  The fountains have all been turned off and the government is looking into alternative ways to bring water to the city.  So the rain was muy importante to the Barcelonians.  Sissy and I decided that a little water wasn't going to stop us from enjoying the city. 

Five hours of walking in the rain in my tennis shoes wasn't so bad.  When we decided to go back to our hostel (downstairs in the same building as friends of ours who live in Barcelona), I changed my shoes to flip flops.  The rain was a warm rain but I couldn't bear to be in wet walking shoes for another minute.  My soggy feet needed a break.  We walked almost four hours with flip flops. 

When I awoke the next morning, I could barely walk.  My feet throbbed.  I must have damaged the heels and balls of my feet.  But the pain in my feet was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.  I was going to slow us down.  I was going to ruin the trip.  Walking to the bathroom hurt, how could I ever make it to Parc Guell (an intense uphill walk)?  Sissy was great about it.  She didn't seem to mind that every fourth step, I'd moan about my feet.

When I passed by a shoe store on our way out of a Metro station, I immediately walked in.  I needed a new pair of shoes.  My tennis shoes were still drenched.  My flip flops were slowly killing me.  The only other paid of shoes I had were an expense pair of flats - and no way was I taking those out during the rain.  I needed something that could heal my feet while still enabling me to walk the entire day. There was only one shoe in the store window that could do that. I swore before that I would never wear a pair of these hideous shoes.  I was desperate. 

I bought a pair of black crocs.

Good God, they are the ugliest shoes on the planet.  U-G-L-Y.

But they work, people.  The shoes work.  I immediately had a bounce in my step.  I could walk next to my friend pain free instead of being a royal pain in the ass.  I wore them the whole day and was in love.

The next morning, my tennis were dry and my feet were healed.  And I am now a converted croc lover. 

I've worn them a few times since on this trip.  Typically in the afternoon when my feet need a break.  Sissy and I are walking non-stop on our vacation of a lifetime.  And I don't plan on letting my feet get in the way. Now I know that they won't. 

Photojournal: Chinatown, San Francisco

Photojournal: Sacramento

Photo Journal: Tel Aviv, Day 3

Photo Journal: London, Day 2

I'm leaving on a jet plane

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

Ok, so not quite.

My bag are packed, everyone else in the house is still sleeping, there isn't a taxi but my dad giving me a free lift to the airport, and I found out that CityMama and Crazedparent are on my flight.  We'll be causing girlie havoc in the airport fo' so'.

And..... I cashed in my frequent flyer miles so I'm going FIRST CLASS, baby.  I'm glad that the girls will be on the flight with me so that they can ensure that my Champagne ass makes it to the hotel.  And yes, my fair ladies, I'll be bringing some sugar back to you in Economy class.  Ok, I didn't mean that as a diss, but I can't get over how excited I am about going First class.