Let's Talk Star Wars...

I want to start this May The Fourth Be With You post by saying that I have loved Star Wars my entire life. I was born in the summer of 1977 just as Star Wars was coming out so I can honestly say that I don't remember a world without it. I was the youngest of three children and my older brother and sister taught me at a young age that Star Wars was something very special. Star Wars would not be a fad; the world would not tire of it. I grew up in a world with spirited lightsaber fights and weekend trilogy marathons. My first Halloween costume was Chewbacca, my first crush was Han Solo and when I was little my family affectionately called me their Little Jawa. Star Wars has always been something that spoke to all three of us, just as it seems to do to most whom have watched it.

My first Halloween as Chewbacca with my brother and sister, 1978.

Uncle Bill showed up at our door to surprise us as Chewbacca, 1978.

All that being said, the only thing that I love more than Star Wars is the Disneyland Resort. So, I get why many Disneylanders are worried about upcoming changes at Disneyland and the future of Star Wars in Disney Parks. Disneyland is a very special place to so many of us and after what most would consider a sizable Frozen-frenzy, I understand why some parkgoers are nervous that something as popular as Star Wars will take over Disneyland. Star Wars and the Season of the Force is definitely bringing a new audience to Disneyland, people whom are visiting mostly to experience Star Wars, not to see Mickey Mouse or to visit with a princess. Those crowds will grow greatly once Star Wars Land is completed.

I'm choosing to have faith in the Star Wars legacy being created at Disneyland. Based on current crowd levels, the powers that be there are successfully reaching many people in a very favorable way. More people than ever are visiting the Disneyland Resort and they are all paying more to do so every year. I am not saying that I don't have my concerns because I do. I'm just saying that Disneyland is a special place that has been created by countless professionals who value both Disneyland's legacy as well as their own artistry and skill levels. Nothing is going to make everyone happy and change is not always welcomed but, based on their impressive track record, I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Disneyland has always been meant to evolve and the Star Wars saga is an amazing story to tell. Walt Disney was a master storyteller and I think that he would have loved Star Wars. It has everything a timeless epic needs - brave heroes, formidable villains and all the drama you'd expect from a Shakespearean classic. It is easy to question how and why decisions are being made at Disneyland but today my son and I will go there to celebrate our love for Star Wars. We love seeing Star Wars in Disneyland and can hardly wait to experience Star Wars Land. 

May the Fourth Be With You.

Enter To Win A Christmastime In January Giveaway!

Yes, Christmastime is already over at the Disneyland Resort but it is always a good time for a giveaway! In honor of the 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration, My Adventures in Disneyland is doing monthly reader appreciation giveaways throughout 2016. This month we are giving away four 2015 Hallmark Disney ornaments. The winner will receive the following four ornaments - mermaid Ariel, a glittery Ariel on land, Rapunzel with Pascal and Olaf, the hug-loving snowman.

The lucky winner will be announced on the My Adventures in Disneyland Facebook page on January 28th. You can enter by visiting the My Adventures in Disneyland Facebook page and by leaving comments below on this blog post. All ornaments are new and in their original packaging. Good luck, Adventurers!

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Enter To Win Your Own Going To Disneyland Guide Book!

I'm excited to announce that I am giving away a very cool and unique gift package celebrating Disneyland. This gift package includes a copy of Going to Disneyland - A Guide for Kids & Kids at Heart, written & illustrated by Shannon W. Laskey, and the other Disneyland-inspired gifts pictured below! According to the Going to Guides website: "So much more than just a guidebook, you'll also enjoy activities, games, quizzes, little-known hot tips & tricks, built-in trip journal & scrapbook, things to spy with your little eye, fascinating fun facts & trivia, stories behind the attractions, fill-in-the-blank fun & so much more!" My son and I have been reading it for the last couple of weeks and we are both confident that any Disneyland fan will love it and any Disneyland "newbie" will be inspired to visit our Happy Place.

So, good luck and happy holidays! Our lucky winner will be announced on the My Adventures in Disneyland Facebook page on Christmas Day. If you would like more information about Going to Guides, please visit www.goingtoguides.com.

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Win A Trip For Two To Make Your Disneyland Dreams Come True!

While I am one of those loyal Disneylanders whom always thinks it's a good time to go "Home" again, my favorite time to visit the Disneyland Resort is during the holiday season. In fact, over the years it has become a treasured family tradition to visit Disneyland to celebrate my son's birthday and to kick off the holidays in style. Visiting Disneyland during this time is a very unique experience that I am positive every Disney fan should experience for themselves. And, with the 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration underway, there is no time like the present!

A few years ago my family and I spent our first Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Disneyland while staying onsite at the Disneyland Hotel for three nights. Our Christmas trip was a surprise for our son and he still talks about it. First it was presents at home with Mom and Dad. Then it was a surprise trip to Disneyland!

Between riding the usual attractions and checking out all the festive holiday decorations, we took the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour and enjoyed hot chocolate and VIP seating for the A Christmas Fantasy Parade. We played in the snow on Main Street USA and Mark was finally tall enough to ride Indiana Jones Adventure for the first time. We shopped for last minute presents at the Lego Store and visited Haunted Mansion Holiday and it's a small world holiday. We stopped by Big Thunder Ranch to visit Santa and his crew before they had to get back to work and Mark told Santa that all he wanted for Christmas was to sing Jingle Bells with him; Santa happily complied. We even had our Christmas Eve dinner at the beautifully decorated Club 33. The highlight of the trip for me came when, at closing on Christmas Eve, we saw 40+ characters dressed in their pajamas at the Main Street Train Station who had come out just to say good night as we all left. It was a truly magical Christmas trip that none of us will ever forget.

I am excited to announce that our friends over at Get Away Today are giving one of you a chance to win a 2 night hotel stay and 2 adult Disneyland 1 Day/1 Park tickets so you can enjoy Disneyland and make some magical memories of your own.



This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 and older and will run through December 4, 2015.

You can enter to win using the giveaway widget below. If you aren't wanting to miss out on a good deal though, be sure to check out Get Away Today's Cyber Monday deal.

Their Cyber Monday sale will kick off on Monday, November 30, and will be good for $50 off the same package requirements: 4-night Southern California vacations w/a minimum of 2 tickets for travel January 1 – March 1, 2016. This will need to be booked by Saturday, December 5, 2015. The promo code is: CyberMonday15 You can book your vacation by CLICKING HERE.

Good luck!

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