Things have not been going well for the Kingdom Keepers. For starters, the five teenagers – Finn, Willa, Philby, Charlene and Maybeck – are at different high schools now. They’ve become rather famous as the models for the DHI’s – Daylight Holographic Images – that serve as park guides at Walt Disney World. And…
Author: Kristina Valcarce
My first Walt Disney World vacation was in 1976, and my first Disneyland experience was in 1995, when I moved to Los Angeles. I am a bi-coastal Disney nerd and proud of it!
The French Market in Disneyland
Welcome to the French Market! The French Market, in New Orleans Square, is one of my favorite quick service spots at Disneyland. For starters, this place doesn’t feel like a quick service spot. Food is served cafeteria style. The seating is outdoors, under shade, with a view of the train station. If you’re lucky, you can…
Star Wars Dining at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port
Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Disneyland Park Every once in a while, even a careful Disney veteran like myself makes a critical planning error. In this case, it was making a silly assumption that we’d be able to stroll into a table service restaurant in Downtown Disneyland on a Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and get…
Review of Mimi’s Cafe Near Disneyland Resort
Mimi’s Cafe Mimi’s Café is a casual family restaurant right next to the Howard Johnson Anaheim. It is a great place to grab a quick breakfast on the way to the parks, or a quick dinner on your departure day. The restaurant opens at 7:00 a.m., and we were able to walk in at 7:00…
Dinner at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort
The Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel It’s no secret that I adore the Grand Californian Hotel. We haven’t been able to stay at this beautiful place in years, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying it’s beauty and atmosphere. Design detail in the Storytellers Cafe I recently had dinner at the Storytellers Café,…
Season of the Force at Disneyland
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… When I was a kid, I was basically raised on Disney movies. Our local theater showed a different Disney animated classic a week for an entire summer, and my Mom took my sister and me to every one. In 1976, we took our first family…
Room #2393 of the Disneyland Hotel
the entrance to the Disneyland Hotel from Downtown Disney The Disneyland Hotel is one of my favorite places to stay on Disneyland property. The dining, the theming, the lobbies, the rooms, the service, one of the best bars anywhere, and the location are hard to beat. I’ve stayed here three times: twice in what is…
Howard Johnson Anaheim – a Good Neighbor Hotel
The Howard Johnson Anaheim, a Good Neighbor Hotel When my family wants the full Disneyland experience, and when we have the time and money to spend there, we prefer to stay at one of the three official Disneyland Resort Hotels. There is something about the theming, the perks, the location, and that only-at-Disney feeling that…
Book Review: Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow
cover art copyright Disney I was so impressed with the first two Kingdom Keepers books that I was excited to get my hands on Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow. Lucky for me, my 10 year old daughter is very willing to share her books – once she’s finished with them! The Kingdom Keepers (middle…
Book Review: Kingdom Keepers II – Disney At Dawn
cover art copyright Disney The Kingdom Keepers – Finn, Willa, Philby, Maybeck and Charlene – are excited that their DHI’s (Daylight Holographic Imaging) are going back online in the Magic Kingdom. To most of the world, this simply means that the five teens will now have holographic images of themselves serving as interactive guides throughout…
Movie Review: The Good Dinosaur
My family always tries to see every Disney-Pixar film the week that it’s released, and The Good Dinosaur was no exception. Pixar’s newest film explores a fun “what if” idea . What if that asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs actually flew right by the earth without impacting it at all? In this imaginary world,…
My Favorite Sweet Treats at Disneyland Park
Welcome to Disneyland Park! Disneyland Park means so many things to me. Magic, memories, family, laughter, and without a doubt, delicious treats I just don’t get to enjoy in my real life. Here are three of my favorites: THE MATTERHORN MACAROON This is a new one for me, but it was love at first bite….