Seven magical decades at the Disneyland Resort… It’s hard to believe it’s been around that long! It feels like just yesterday, I was strolling down Main Street, taking in the spectacle that was the 60th Anniversary castle overlay, but already another decade has gone by! Here’s what that means: You’ll be able to enjoy new overlays, limited-time shows, lots of new food options, and celebratory additions to select attractions! 

Disneyland Park Celebrations:

• Tapestry of Happiness Projection Show. (This will be projected onto the “it’s a small word” facade.)
• “it’s a small word” ride enhancements.
• Paint the Night Parade
• “Wondrous Journeys” Nighttime Show
• Celebrate Happy Cavalcade

Disney’s California Adventure Park Celebrations:

• World of Color Happiness! Show
• Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Parade
• Midway Mania ride enhancements

70th Anniversary Food Options:

There are tons of great food options that are here only for the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration, you can check out the foodie guide, but here are a few I tried on my recent trip to Disneyland.

Grilled Tahitian Ribs: The ribs are served with white rice and pineapple slaw. These can be found at the Bengal Barbecue and I absolutely loved them! I would definitely buy them again!

House-filled Celebration Beignet: Filled with raspberry mousse, buttercream glaze, edible candle, and sprinkles. This one was really good, but very messy!! I would get this one again. You can grab it at Tiana’s Palace.

70th Celebration Churro: Classic churro rolled in ube sugar and topped with marbled blue raspberry icing drizzle and sprinkles. This was just ok. I would take an original churro over this one any day. These can be found at the churros carts near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, and Town Square

Special Ticket Offers:

• Visit for as low as $100 per day with a 4-day, 1-park-per-day ticket ($400 total). Valid now through August 14, 2025.
• Or visit for as low as $120 per day with a 3-day, 1-park-per-day ticket ($360 total). Valid now through August 14, 2025.

Book Your Trip:

If reading this has you itching to book a trip this year, we highly recommend doing it through Get Away Today. They consistently offer the lowest prices I have seen. We have used them on more than half of our Disney trips and I am always pleased with the service! If you book a package deal you can use the the code THRIVING10 to save an addition $10 off the package price. 

We have plenty of other Disney posts to help with your vacation planning. Check them out!

• Disneyland area hotels for large families
• Disneyland area hotels with free breakfast
• Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Snacks
• Make a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
• Our visit to Club 33

The post All About Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration! appeared first on Gather Lemons.

While it’s likely you’ll be spending most of your Disney days at the park, the place you come back to after it all is still an important choice when booking a trip! There are lots of factors to consider when booking a hotel, and one thing that I personally value is accommodations with free breakfast! This makes morning routines run a lot smoother and depending on the size of your family, helps you save a lot of money! We’ve stayed at over 30 hotels in the Disneyland area and have rounded up all the properties that offer FREE breakfast! And for even more hotel reviews, make sure you check out our honest reviews of all the hotels we’ve used around the Disneyland resort.

To sweeten the deal, our friends at Get Away Today have adult Disneyland tickets at kids prices when you buy 3 day or longer tickets.  You’ll need to purchase by February 14th,  but they can be used anytime this year!  If you plan on visiting Disney World this year, they have the same offer too!

Best Western PLUS Pavilions

• Free Full breakfast at nearby restaurant for 2 OR Complimentary grab-and-go breakfast snack bag.

Best Western PLUS Stovall’s Inn

• Free Full Breakfast

Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort Convention Center

• Free Full Breakfast

SpringHill Suites at Anaheim Resort Convention Center

• Free Full Breakfast

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center

• Free Hot Breakfast

Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center

• Free Hot Breakfast

Best Western Park Place Inn

• Free Hot Breakfast

Candy Cane Inn

• Free Breakfast

Sonesta ES Suites

• Free Breakfast

ALO Hotel by Ayres

• Free Breakfast

SunCoast Park Hotel Anaheim

• Free Breakfast

If you’re planning a Disneyland trip, be sure to check out the package deals available through Get Away Today. They consistently offer the lowest prices I have seen and I’m always so pleased with the service. If you book a package deal, you can use the code THRIVING10 to save an addition $10 off the package price!

The post Disneyland Hotels with FREE Breakfast appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Disney recently released their exciting lineup of festivals and events taking place at both parks in 2025 and I for one, can’t wait to experience them! Here’s a quick look at what’s in store for us over the next year!

2025 Happenings:

Jan 17 – Feb 16: Lunar New Year, California Adventure

This multicultural celebration is a tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean traditions. 2025 is the Year of the Snake! This event features Asian-inspired food and beverages, vibrant décor and special performances, including the “Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration” water short, “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession”, and more live musical numbers every day!

Feb 8 & Feb 15: Celebrate Gospel, Disneyland

A tradition that spans more than a decade, Celebrate Gospel is an annual tribute to Gospel music that brings together award-winning music artists and community choirs from across Southern California. 

Feb 28 – April 21: Food & Wine Festival, California Adventure

Food & Wine is always one of our family faves and if you haven’t been before, I highly recommend you visit sometime in the future! A promenade of booths serve up creative foods and beverages, cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly entertainment inspired by the diverse cultures and cuisines of the Golden State. During the festival the popular attraction, Soarin’ Over California, will return for a limited time!

March 28 – May 11: Season of the Force, Disneyland

Are you a Star Wars fan? If so, you might want to plan your trip during the Season of the Force. For these six weeks, we’ll see the return of Hyperspace Mountain, specially themed food and beverage, merchandise, and more! During the celebration, you’ll also be able to embark on new adventures aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. Over at Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be able to witness fireworks, and the nightly performance of “Fire of the Rising Moons”, which has epic, new projections and themed music!

May 16 – Summer 2026: Disneyland 70th Anniversary, both parks

Aug 22 – Oct 31: Halloween Time, both parks

Halloween time at Disneyland is always loads of fun! Disneyland resort is filled with autumn décor, characters dressed in Halloween outfits, and uniquely themed food, beverages, and attractions! 

Aug 22 – Nov 2: A Celebration of Coco, Plaza de la Familia, California Adventure

Celebrate the bonds of family and Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos through a cultural experience featuring storytelling and music from Pixar’s “Coco.” 

Nov 14 – Jan 7, 2026: The Holidays Begin, both parks

There’s nothing quite like the holidays at Disneyland! You can celebrate the magic of the holiday season with seasonal overlays on beloved attractions, holiday spectaculars, new specialty menu items, live entertainment, and festive decor all around the resort. The lively Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure begins Nov. 17th.

special ticketed events:

On select nights, Disneyland Resort offers after-hours events. These themed nights require a separate ticket. You cannot get into these events with a standard park ticket, even if you’ve made a park reservation for the same day as the event. The first four events of the year are a part of Disneyland After Dark, a collection of specially themed nights where you can experience unique entertainment, rare character encounters and special menus of sweet treats and savory snacks.

Sweethearts Nite, Disneyland Park

Jan 21, 23, & 28. And Feb 4, 6, 9, 11, 13

This event is for couples, friends and families alike to come celebrate love! The evening features a new cavalcade on Main Street, a Royal Ball, live music, and encounters with iconic Disney couples. Tickets are now on sale, subject to availability. SOLD OUT.

90s Nite, Disneyland Park

March 4, 6

If you were raised on classic 90’s Disney films like The Lion King, Hercules, and Aladdin, you’re going to love this! The evening includes dance parties, sing-alongs and more to celebrate the films, music and pop culture that made this decade so iconic. The special parade, “90s on Parade”, will reference past parades like “The Lion King Celebration” and “Mulan Parade.” Tickets are now on sale, subject to availability.

Star Wars Nite, Disneyland Park

April 8, 10, 22, 24, 29 And May 1, 4, 6

This event features special appearances by Star Wars characters from both the Light and Dark sides of the Force as well as unique photo opportunities. Ticket sale details will be announced at a later time. Stay tuned for details on purchasing tickets!

Pride Nite, Disneyland Park

June 16, 18

This celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community brings together allies and community members for an evening of colorful entertainment! Stay tuned for details on purchasing tickets!

Oogie Boogie Bash, California Adventure

Aug 17, 19,  21, 24, 26, 28, 31 And Sep 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 And Oct 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31

Disney California Adventure park will once again throw some family-friendly Halloween parties! This year, there will be more opportunities than ever, with 31 different dates offering this evening event! The event includes immersive treat trails, rare character sightings, and unique entertainment. This is the one time of the year when you are encouraged to dress up in costume (both adults and children! Although, there are some stipulations so be sure to read up on the rules before deciding on your costume!) 

Have a Magical Day!

I know that our first (and subsequent) family trips were incredibly memorable, and I can only imagine the same will be the case for you! If you’re ready to book your trip, click here to get started! Get Away Today is how we have booked the majority of our Disneyland trips. Get Away Today has several money-saving packages available, as well as discounted Disneyland park tickets too! If you book a package, use the code THRIVING10 to save an additional $10.

For even more Disney magic, tips and tricks, check out the following posts:

• Honest reviews of all the hotels we’ve used around Disneyland
• Big list of Disneyland hotels for large families (sleeps 6+)
• Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Snacks
• Make a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
• Our visit to Club 33

The post Disneyland 2025 Events appeared first on Gather Lemons.

To take advantage of this 40% discount, you’ll need to sign into your account and use the code ALLIE40 at checkout. The 40% savings will not show up until you are signed into your account. If you are not a perks member it is free to join. Here are a few of the deals we are excited about!

Gift Wrapped Glow Maneater Cheek Plump Set $25.20 after code ALLIE40 (reg $42) 

Tarte Showstoppers Lash & Liner Quad $27 after code ALLIE40 (reg $45) $104 value

Maneater Vanity Palette $11.40 after code ALLIE40 (reg $32) $88 value

The Big Screen Must-Haves Set $27 after code ALLIE40 (reg $45) $200 value

Sugar Rush Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara $11.40 after code ALLIE40 (reg $35)

The post Tarte 40% off Sale + Free Shipping appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Odds are, if you’ve found yourself in this corner of the internet, you’re deep in the trenches of planning a trip and have already been bombarded with nearly a hundred different ideas. I’ve always found it easier to work with short lists and straightforward answers. So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, take a deep breath. I’ve made it simple. One thing to eat, one thing to see, and one thing to do. When we went to Puerto Rico, we were there for only a few days, so we didn’t accomplish much else besides these few things and yet, we always look back on it as such a rich and enjoyable trip. I guess what I’m trying to say is if all you end up doing are these three things, you’re still going to walk away very satisfied. 

The #1 Thing to Eat: Pirilo Pizza Rustica

This restaurant is tucked into a charming corner of Old San Juan. The interior is cozy, but the energy. If you’re looking for mouth-watering pizza and pasta, this is the spot. My husband and I are still talking about our meal months later. Now if you’re reading this thinking “you went to Puerto Rico and the best meal you had was Italian food?! I hear you. For some delicious Caribbean-fusion dining, you should check out Zaco’s Tacos on Culebra. The space has such a fun vibe and the food was amazing. (A tad on the expensive side in my opinion, but I still walked away feeling satisfied.)

The #1 Things to See: Bioluminescent Bay

Puerto Rico is one of the top destinations for viewing bioluminescence! We took a tour with Yokahu Kayak Trips, which is located on the main island. However, our tour guide informed us that the very best spot is actually located on the island of Vieques in Puerto Mosquito. If you’re unfamiliar with bioluminescence, essentially, in certain regions of the world, there’s a type of aquatic algae that emits light due to a chemical reaction in the water. It is a spectacular phenomenon to witness! During the tour, you’ll kayak through mangroces until reaching an open bay. You’ll do all of this at night far from any light pollution. Here, you’ll get to witness those magical glowing waters you’ve seen from the photos. During our tour, the guide covered the entire group in a tarp so that there was no light pollution whatsoever. This allowed us to see those glowing water in their brightest form. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience in my opinion. While there are places around the world that they can be viewed, you’ll rarely be somewhere where they are as prevelant as they are in Puerto Rico so I highly recommend taking advantage!

The #1 to Do: Rent a Golf Cart & Visit Flamingo Beach 

The day we spent on Culebra can be summed up in a just a few words: Pure. Caribbean. Magic. To reach the island, you’ll take a ferry from Ceiba. While tickets aren’t very expensive, you’ll pay in the form of motion sicknesses. If you’re particularly prone to nausea, I would ensure to bring along some dramamine. I can assure you that your day on the island is well worth any physical maladies you may suffer in journeying there. The island is relatively small, so most tourists rent a golf cart to get around during the day. While there are certain roads you’re not allowed to take them on, you can easily access some of the best destinations with it. Carting around in the sunshine, hopping from beaches to restaurants to bars was just insanely fun. A 15-minute golf cart drive will take you to Flamingo Beach. This is without a doubt, one of the most stunning beaches I have ever visited. Picturesque white sand, turquoise water, and a palm-tree lines shoreline are what you greet you ehre. They also have a little village of small businesses selling refreshing treats and beach gear to rent. We spend a few bucks on beach chairs, plopped them under a palm tree and spent hours reading int he sun and swimming in the clear, warm waters. The sunburns we received from this day were well worth the experience. (That being said, do not be like me and REAPPLY EVERY 2 HOURS. The sun is on another level out here.) 

HAPPY TRAVELS!

The post The #1 Thing to Eat, See, & Do in Puerto Rico appeared first on Gather Lemons.

If you’ve got your eye on a Disneyland trip this year, you’ve probably noticed that there always seems to be some new price increase that you have to keep up with, but it’s not too late to lock in a great price! You can purchase adult tickets at kids prices when you purchase 3-day (or more) passes. This sale is valid only when you book through Get Away Today by May 1st, 2024! This is their biggest sale we’ll see this year so it’s the absolute best time to book your trip!

If you’re itching to book a trip, but aren’t ready to nail down exact dates, you can still purchase your tickets at this great price! You’ll just need to enter a general date you have in mind to purchase them. The date you enter will be the day that Get Away Today reminds you to make theme park reservations. (Which are now required.) The date you enter today will not be tied to a reservation and will allow for flexibility in choosing your specific dates when you are ready. 

If you do know the dates you want to travel I highly recommend booking a hotel and ticket package with Get Away Today, it will include the discounted ticket rates and will also save you some money on your hotel too! Use the code THRIVING10 at checkout to save an additional $10.

Here are the exact prices based on each ticket type:

3-Day Tickets – 1 Park Per Day: $365 (reg. $390)
3-Day Tickets – Park Hopper: $435 (reg. $460)
3-Day Tickets – 1 Park Per Day (with Genie+): $455 (reg. $480)
3-Day Tickets – Park Hopper (with Genie+): $525 (reg. $550)

If you’ve been considering a trip to Disneyland sometime between now and the end of 2024, these are the BEST prices you will find. Book or pre-buy your tickets now!

We are big Disneyland fans and even though there has been an increase it probably won’t keep us away!  If you are planning a Disneyland trip make sure you check out all our Disneyland posts to help you make the most of your vacation.

• Hotel reviews of all the hotels we’ve used around Disneyland
• Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Tips for getting a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Snacks
• Complete Guide to Pixar Pier
• Make a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
• Tips for One Day at Disneyland
• Saving Money when Dining at Disneyland
• 10 of the Best Places to eat Lunch at Disneyland
• 10 of the Best Places to eat Breakfast at Disneyland
• Our visit to Club 33
• Mickey Tic Tac Toe in a Bag
• 7 Reasons I Prefer Disneyland over Disney World

The post Adults at Kids Prices for Your 2024 Disneyland Trip! appeared first on Gather Lemons.

It’s an exciting year to visit Disneyland! Okay, that’s pretty much true every single year… but Disney recently released their exciting line up of festivals and events taking place at both parks in 2024 and I for one, can’t wait to experience them! Here’s a quick look at what’s in store for us over the next 12 months, along with everything else you need to know about visiting the parks this year!

2024 Happenings:

Jan 23 – Feb 18: Lunar New Year, Disney California Adventure Park

This multicultural celebration is a tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions.  They are celebrating the the Year of the Dragon with Asian-inspired food and beverages, vibrant décor and “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” featuring Mushu.

Feb 17 & 24: Celebrate Gospel, Disneyland Park

Celebrate Gospel is an annual tribute to Gospel music that brings together award-winning music artists and community choirs from across Southern California. This years concerts will be headlined by Marvin Sapp (Feb. 17) and Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Feb. 24). 

March 1 – April 22: Food & Wine Festival, Disney California Adventure Park

Food & Wine is always one of our family faves, if you haven’t been before, I highly recommend you visit sometime in the future.  Food booths in California Adventure serve creative foods and beverages, cooking demonstrations and family-friendly entertainment inspired by the diverse cultures and cuisines of the Golden State. During the festival the popular attraction, Soarin’ Over California, will return for a limited time. 

April 5 – June 2: Season of the Force, Disneyland Park

Are you a Star Wars fan?  You will probably want to visit during Season of the Force, we’ll see the return of Hyperspace Mountain (I love this version of Space Mountain). It will also bring specially themed food and beverage, merchandise and more. During the celebration, you’ll also be able to embark on new adventures aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will provide fresh perspective on the fireworks above Disneyland.

April 26 – Aug 4: Pixar Fest, Disney California Adventure Park

It’s exciting to see Pixar Fest returning to the Parks. During the festival you’ll see colorful décor and themed menu items with a fun Pixar twist. During this festival you’ll see some fun entertainment featuring Pixar stories. There is a brand-new daytime parade happening at California Adventure, called “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”.  Over at Disneyland park, the emotional “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will return with some brand new scenes. If character meet and greets are your thing, there will be new characters like Ember and Wade from “Elemental,” Red Panda Mei from “Turning Red” and more. 

Aug 23 – Oct 1: Halloween Time, both parks

Halloween time at Disneyland is always a ton of fun. Disneyland resort is filled with autumn décor, characters dressed in Halloween outfits and uniquely themed attractions.  

Aug 23 – Nov 2: A Celebration of Coco, Plaza de Familia, Disney California Adventure Park

Celebrate the bonds of family and Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos through a cultural experience featuring storytelling and music from Pixar’s “Coco.”

Begins Nov 15: The Holidays Begin Here, both parks

Nothing quite beats the holidays at Disneyland, you can celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the lively Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure.  You’ll also find seasonal overlays on beloved attractions, holiday spectaculars and festive decor all around the resort.

SPECIAL TICKETED EVENTS

On select nights Disneyland offers some after-hours events  in 2024. These themed nights require a separate ticket than a regular park ticket.  These events include pre-party park mix-in, shorter wait times for select attractions, unlimited select Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the event, and more.

Disneyland After Dark (select nights from January through June): Disneyland park will host four themed nights, which will include unique entertainment, rare character encounters and special menus of sweet treats and savory snacks. Specific details on this year’s Disneyland After Dark themes and events will be announced soon, so stay tuned! 

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party (Returning in 2024): Disney California Adventure park will once again throw some family-friendly Halloween parties. The even includes immersive treat trails, rare character sightings and unique entertainment. This is the one time of the year when you are encouraged to dress up in costume (both adults and children.

If you’ve got plans to visit the Happiest Place on Earth this year, here’s what you need to know! In recent years, the process for booking your trip has gotten a little more complicated, so if you haven’t visited recently, here’s the steps you need to take: 

Purchase Disneyland Tickets:

We love using Get Away Today to book everything! You can purchase tickets directly from their site, either by themselves or as part of a package to help you save even more! In fact, if you purchase a package and use the code THRIVING10, you will save an additional $10. When purchasing tickets, you’ll need to make a decision about whether or not you want Park Hoppers or 1 Park Per Day tickets. 

Disneyland Resort has two different parks: Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. If you choose ‘Park Hopper’ tickets, you will start you day in one park, but 11:00 am, you will be able to move over to the other park. You will then be permitted to go back and forth between the two parks as much as you want for the rest of the day.  This ability costs an extra $60 per ticket, regardless of how many days you will be visiting the parks. 

The alternative is ‘One Park Per Day’ tickets. These are the baseline Disneyland tickets, and if you purchase these, you will spend your entire day at the park you start out at. 

Make Park Reservations:

To ensure the parks don’t become overpopulated on any given day, guests are now required to create reservations. You will be prompted to choose which days you are planning to visit the parks. On each day of the calendar, there will be an icon, indicating which park still has availability for your desired day. You can only make these reservations 120 days in advance. You’ll make your park reservations over at Disneyland.com.

During the process, you’ll be prompted to choose your starting park for each day. If you selected ‘One Park Per Day’ tickets, you will spend the entire day in the park you choose. If you selected ‘Park Hopper’ tickets, this is the park you will start your day in.

Make Restaurant Reservations:

Most sit-down restaurants at the parks require a reservation to accommodate their growing interest. Reservations open up 60 days in advance and some tend to fill up quickly. I recommend setting a reminder on your phone for the day they open up so you can try and nab those spots in time! To make your reservations, go to Disneyland.com, hover over ‘Things to Do’, and select ‘Make Reservations’ under ‘Dining’. 

While your park tickets and dining reservations will be handled ahead of time, there are a few tools that you can use during your time in the parks that will help make your day go even smoother! You will need to download and login to the Disneyland app to access these features. 

The first feature is Mobile Ordering! The lines for quick service food stands can get very long. Fortunately, the Disneyland app has a free feature that allows you to order your food ahead of time and pick up at a special window, skipping the line altogether. You can place these orders on your mobile phone via the Disneyland app by clicking the plus sign on the bottom of your screen and selecting ‘Order Food’. 

All About Genie+

You can also utilize a feature called Genie+. This is similar to the old MaxPass system, if that is at all familiar to you. Genie+ is a paid service that allows guests to select specific return times for a ride. When you make a Genie+ reservation, you will be able to bypass the standby line and enter a Lightning Lane that has a capped capacity, ensuring a faster wait time. This service costs an additional $30 per person per day, but I believe is well worth it if you are going during peak season!  You also have the option to purchase Genie+ at the same time you purchase your tickets.

You can also purchase access to an Individual Lightning Lane. These apply to one specific ride and are a separate, additional charge for some of the most popular rides. Guests can purchase a Lightning Lane pass for up to 2 attractions per day. You do not need a Genie+ service to purchase these. 

Individual Lightning Lanes can be purchased for Rise of the Resistance, located in Disneyland Park, as well as Radiator Springs Racers and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, located in California Adventure. Price and availability will range by date and attraction, but will land somewhere between $15-$28 per ticket. You can purchase your Lightning Lane passes upon entering the theme park on the day you intend to use them. To do so, open the Disneyland app, click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen, and select ‘View my Genie Day and Tip Board’. 

Have a Magical Day!

I know that our first (and subsequent) family trips were incredibly memorable, and I can only imagine the same will be the case for you! If you’re ready to book your trip, click here to get started! Get Away Today is how we have booked the majority of our Disneyland trips. Get Away Today has several money-saving packages available, as well as discounted Disneyland park tickets too! If you book a package, use the code THRIVING10 to save an additional $10.

For even more Disney magic, tips and tricks, check out the following posts:

• Honest reviews of all the hotels we’ve used around Disneyland
• Big list of Disneyland hotels for large families (sleeps 6+)
• Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Snacks
• Make a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
• Our visit to Club 33

The post What to Know About Visiting Disneyland in 2024 appeared first on Gather Lemons.

There are three different kinds of concealer available, each with a unique formula. 

• Original Shape Tape: This is their best-selling matte formula. If you’ve got more oily skin, this one’s perfect for you! It’s full-coverage and comes in 38 different shades. 
• Shape Tape Ultra Creamy: If your skin is a little on the drier side, you may want to try the Ultra Creamy formula. Also full-coverage and formulated with a matte finish, but more moisturizing than the Original formula. It works really well for more mature skin.
• Shape Tape Radiant: They describe this formula as “golden hour in a bottle”. The Radiant Concealer is great for all skin types and provides a medium-coverage, glowy finish!

The sale ends on January 27th, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of this amazing deal! Another opportunity like this won’t come around for a long time so I know that I’ll definitely be stocking up!

The post $15 for the #1 Concealer in the World appeared first on Gather Lemons.

This past Summer, I took my very first solo trip to The Big Easy! New Orleans is a spot I’ve wanted to visit for years! I was intrigued by the mix of Southern charm, Creole-style architecture, and unique VooDoo culture. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I frequently reflect on my time here and consider it to be one the most enjoyable trips I’ve ever taken. 

Where To Eat

A quick Google search will you present you with popular place like Commanders Palace, GW Fins, La Petite Grocery, and more well-deserved recommendations! My trip was a rather quick one, so I didn’t get the opportunity to explore the cuisine as much as I would have liked. That being said, the food it still the thing that stuck out to me the most! There wasn’t a single meal I ate that I wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to order again. Here’s the highlights: 

Court of Two Sisters: This place is a little pricier, but if it’s in your budget, I highly recommend. First off, the ambiance is like something out of a movie. Dining in outdoor courtyard beneath a canopy of lights and a large bubbling water fountain in the center was just magical. The service was phenomenal and the food? Creole classics that are as good as they look. I ordered the Chef’s Menu and was holding in audible moans after every bite. It was just that good, but one can only imagine how it looks for someone sitting alone to be making all those noises. 

Dian Xin: I actually went here twice because I didn’t get to try everything I wanted to the first time. This place serves cozy Chinese staples like dumplings, noodles, and other delicious meat dishes. Every single item I ordered was full of tender meat and flavorful fillings. This place has some of the best Xiao Long Baos (soup dumplings) I’ve ever had. If you’re a fan of Chinese dim sum, you have to check this place out!

Cafe Beignet: While the existence of this spot is no insider secret (it’s one of the most well-known food spots in New Orleans), what I can tell you though, is which location to go to. (And settle the score and tell you that Cafe Beignet is far superior to Cafe du Monde.) There are four different Cafe Beignet locations and I went to all, but one. The Royal Street Cafe Beignet is the place to go! It’s a little more tucked away and therefore, subject to far less lines. Depending on the day, you might be waiting anywhere from 15-45 minutes for your beignets at some of the other locations. I walked straight up to the counter both times I went to the Royal Street Cafe Beignet. I did go pretty early in the morning, but I still think it’s a far less popular location. There’s a cozy courtyard attached to the building, where you can enjoy your fresh, fried goods surrounded by thick palm trees and gentle jazz coming in through the speakers. If you get here early enough, it’ll be pretty empty and it’s the perfect opportunity to just sit and soak it all in. 

Note: The reason I like Cafe Beignet over Cafe du Monde is because they’re simply just fresher. To accommodate for the high demand, Cafe du Monde has bags prepped and ready to go, so while you may be served faster, there’s a chance your beignets have been steaming up that bag for 10-15 minutes already. 

Domenica’s: Pasta lovers, this is for you! Domenica’s is a gorgeous Italian restaurant serving some seriously delicious dishes. Hand-selected meats and cheeses, salads, pizzas, and pasta are what you’ll find here. They’ve got an amazing, diverse menu and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed by anything you try. Dishes here range from $14-25, aside from their $80 charcuterie board that I was drooling over as I watched it get delivered to other tables around me. (This girl is not yet in the $80 cheese tax bracket…) 

What to Do

Bayou Kayak Tour: I am a huge fan of kayaking! I try and book a tour like this whenever I’m traveling somewhere near any sort of body of water, but this was unlike anything I’ve done before. I booked my tour through Wild Louisiana Tours and it was such a cool experience! Free transportation from the French Quarter was included and our tour guide was awesome. We saw multiple alligators and a massive eagles nest on our trip. The swamp was beautiful and once you get out far enough, so serene. A wonderful way to take in the gorgeous environment of Louisiana. 

ResortPass: This is only necessary if you’re staying somewhere without a pool. To save some money, I booked a cheaper accommodation without any amenities, but I still wanted to spend at least one lazy morning lounging by the pool. ResortPass lets you purchase day passes to upscale hotels, giving you full access to their pools. You can come and go throughout the entire day and enjoy everything they offer to regular guests. I purchased a pass to the W New Orleans and had the entire pool to myself all morning. I ate beignets by the pool read my book in peace, and swam under the hot sun. It was glorious. The pass is typically around $50 per person, so depending on the size of your group, this may not necessarily be the cheaper option, but for me, it definitely was. Plus, I think it’s fun that you get to browse all of the hotels in the area and visit your top pick. This is available in cities all around the world, so something to keep in mind wherever you go!

Preservation Hall: It’s not a trip to New Orleans without experiencing their vibrant culture surrounding jazz music. Preservation Hall provides intimate jazz concerts in a building rich with history. The building is kept in conditions similar to when it was built, so it feels like stepping into a time capsule. Everyone sits on wooden benches while the band banters back and forth between lively songs. The experience itself is pretty cheap, but it’s also pretty short. The concert is no more than 40 minutes start to finish, but still a worthy stop if you want to be transported for a night!

Stroll + Shop French Quarter: And of course, nothing beats aimlessly wandering the streets of the French Quarter. The colorful architecture and the humid air makes you feel like you’re taking a stroll down a real Caribbean street. Tip: Walking through the French Quarter at night is kind of like one big frat party. I never felt unsafe about it, but if you prefer quiet evenings and a more reserved crowd, I would definitely schedule your visits to the French Quarter before dinnertime. Just walking around, popping in and out of art shops, and snapping photos of all the gorgeous facades is such a simple activity, but one of the things I remember best. It started raining on my last day as I was walking around, but it was warm and only drizzling. A trumpet player could be heard from a few streets away and it was like a snapshot of New Orleans that I wish I could just bottle up forever.

The post New Orleans Highlights for a Quick Trip appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Great news! New members can get 3 months of Audible completely free! Audible regularly costs $14.95 per month which means you’re saving almost $45. If you haven’t ever listened to audiobooks, this is the perfect deal to get you started! There is a limit of one offer per account. I have been listening to audiobooks for years, but as of late I have been listening more regularly.  My husband listens to audiobooks to and from work every day and we love to listen to audiobooks as a family when we go on a road trip. This special offer ends on July 31st. 

Here is how to get your 3 months to Audible for free:

• Sign up for Audible using this link
• Create your account
• Download the Audible mobile app, login, and listen!

Once your 3 months are up, you’ll be charged $14.95 per month, but you can cancel the service at any time (On my calendar I always write down a couple days before the cancellation date and put a reminder in my phone so I don’t end up with any surprise charges). During your subscription, you can download (and keep!) one book each month. If you’re been itching to check out Prince Harry’s book, this is the perfect opportunity. It’s especially cool because he narrates the book himself. 

Here are some of our other personal recommendations:

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid  – This was the first audiobook that got me hooked, it’s still one of my faves

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid – This is the newest book from Taylor Jenkins Reid and the narration is great.

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon – Amy Harmon is one of my favorite authors and the narrator did such an amazing job.  I highly recommend!

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center – This was my first book by this author, I switched between reading the book & listening to the audiobook in the car.  This was a fun read with some really funny moments.

Magnolia Story – I loved hearing how Magnolia and Fixer Upper came about via Chip & Joanna themselves.

Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson  – You really can’t go wrong with ANY of Brandon Sanderson’s books.

Legion series by Brandon Sanderson – Like I said before, all Brandon Sanderson’s series are really great.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – One of my husband’s faves

Open Book: A Memoir by Jessica Simpson – I friend recommended this book and she said she preferred the audiobook over the actual book because it was told by Jessica herself.

Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson – Great for the entire family!  This would be perfect if you are traveling for the holidays,

The post Limited-Time Audible Offer: 3 Months Free appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Paris is a city that feels so expansive, it’s often overwhelming. But usually in one of those “I want to soak it all in and not miss a single thing” kind of ways! There are so many delicious, beautiful, exciting, romantic, and unique things to experience in this city, and I will be the first to say that Paris lives up to the hype! We have visited the City of Lights on a few different occasions and have compiled some of our favorite things to do to help ease the “where do I start” panic that sets in after you book the flight. Here are 20 essential things to do in Paris:

1. Visit a Museum

• Musee d’Orsay
• Louvre
• Petit Palais
• Picasso Museum
• Musee Rodin
• Musee Jaqemarte-Andre
• Musee des Arts et Metiers

2. Photo-worthy Streets:

• Rue Cremieux: Looking for a pop of color amidst the neutral palette of central Paris? Take a trip to the 11th Arrondissement and stroll down Rue Cremieux, a charming street lined with brightly-painted houses in a range of pastel hues. 
• Rue de l’Abreuvoir: Located in the 18th Arrondissement, this is where you can find the charming Maison Rose, the picturesque pink restaurant that you’ve probably spotted on your Instagram feed once or twice. Aside from that, you’ll find tree-lined cobblestone streets and a peak at the stunning Sacre Couer, Paris’ famous church on a hill. 
• Rue de l’Université: Boasting an impressively intimate view of the Eiffel Tower, this is one of Paris’ most famous streets.

3. L’atelier Lumieres: L’atelier Lumieres means ‘Studio of Lights’ and is a revolving door of unique, immersive art experiences. This is where Paris’ Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was hosted and they hold many other similar experiences!

4. Notre Dame: A visit to Notre Dame now takes on even more meaning when you think about the immense community response to the fire back in 2019. To see how beautifully it stands, even after the destruction is truly something. This is also a place where you might find a good amount of street performers that are so entertaining to watch!

5. Walk/Bike the City: Paris is a gorgeous place to slow down and take in the views. Sometimes when we visit “bucket list destinations” like Paris, we try and go, go, go, but some of my best memories were made in the slow moments where I simply just take it in. I love just walking the streets and admiring the gorgeous buildings or the view of the Seine.  I recommend grabbing a croissant or baguette and go for a walk or rent a bike from a nearby business. You can learn more about where and how to rent bikes in Paris here.

6. Picnic at Place de Vosges: Despite the never-ending fine cuisine available in Paris, I still believe one of the best culinary experiences you can have will be with food from the grocery store. Stumbling into a Monoprix and loading up on French staples like bread, cheese, and berries, and toting them to a grassy square is quintessential Parisian culture! If you’re looking for a great place to picnic, check out the Place de Vosges, one of Paris’ oldest public squares.

7. Trocadero (Eiffel Tower): If you’re wanting to “visit the Eiffel Tower”, I would personally recommend going to the Trocadero. It’s a square elevated on a hill near the tower. You get an unobstructed view and get to avoid craning your neck to take it all in.

8. Opera Garnier: Walking into the Opera House, it feels like you’re being transported to a different time! I can picture women in their hooped dresses ascending the stairs towards their seats. The cool things is that you can actually still attend operas here, but the more affordable option is of course to simple pay for a self-guided tour. For €14, you can walk around and admire the ornate ceilings and grand halls at your own pace.

9. Carette Cafe or Cafe de Flore: In the city of cafes, the Carette Cafe and Cafe de Flore have made quite the name for themselves. With stunning outdoor patio spaces and a pastry selection to write home about, these cafes are the epitome of the Parisian experience.

10. Arc de Triomphe: This is perhaps one of the more “cliche” stops in Paris, but the Arc de Triomphe is stunning in person and in a great location! Located on the Rue de Champs-Elysees, it’s within walking distance to a row of high-end shops. Now, whether BVLGARI is in your price range or not doesn’t really matter. It’s a gorgeous street to walk down and window shop from. (Or drop $8,000 on a new watch souvenir if that really is your thing.)

11. River Cruise: Is there anything more magical than drifting along the Seine. You can choose a cruise specifically for seeing sights or one that serves food or a romantic feel to it.

12. BnF Richelieu (National Library): If you’re a true bookworm, you know that finding the right place to read is almost as important as finding the right book to read. This BnF Richelieu is one of the most stunning public libraries you will ever set foot in! With expansive floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and vaulted dome ceilings, this place is the perfect cozy stop for an afternoon read. 

13. Visit a Palace or Chateau

• Fontainebleau
• Chantilly
• Vaux-le-Vicomte
• Palace of Versailles

14. Pantheon: The Latin Quarter’s more famous monument, the Pantheon is a nearly 250-year-old church that is absolutely worthy of a visit! With stunning exterior columns and ornate interiors, this place is the epitome of European architecture.

15. Sacre Couer: If you love visiting unique church buildings, you have to make a stop at the Sacre Couer! While the journey is certainly not an easy one (hello, never-ending steps!), the views are well worth it! A Byzantine-style building that overlooks all of Paris!

16. Shakespeare & Co Bookstore: As an avid reader, the Shakespeare & Co bookstore was heaven! You can tell that a lot of thought was put into this space. It’s so much larger on the inside and there are multiple rooms, full of primarily English-language books. There’s a cozy room upstairs where guests can stay awhile to read. (Depending on what time you visit, you will most likely have to wait in line to enter, but I personally found that the line goes faster than you might think and it’s worth it to avoid an over-crowded bookstore.)

17. Jardin Luxembourg: There are countless gardens spread throughout the city, and this is one of the most famous, and for good reason! Stroll through the spiraling natural design of this space. I highly recommend grabbing a baguette, some fruit and cheese and having a picnic in the beautiful Jardin Luxembourg.

18. Galeries Lafayette: The rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store has one of the best views of Paris. Panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Opera House, and rows of charming Parisian architecture. It’s free to visit the rooftop, but you will probably have to wait in a line, it should go pretty quick though.

19. Bake with a Pasty Chef: While it’s one thing to pop into a boulangerie and order a croissant right off the menu, it’s something entirely different to learn to make them yourself! Airbnb hosts tons of immersive experiences that are led by locals themselves. Starting at $70 per person, you can enjoy a hands-on croissant baking class with Parisian chef, Matthieu!

20. Disneyland Paris: This list would truly be incomplete without mentioning Disneyland Paris. There’s nothing like taking a stroll down main street, croissant in hand, as you soak in a bit of that European Disney magic! You can check out our post with some highlights, tips and tricks of visiting Disneyland Paris.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Paris?  There really is so much to do and we’re always open to new ideas!

The post 20 Essential Things to Do in Paris appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Cleansing Balm (Now $48.75)

The Cleansing Balm is probably my all-time favorite skincare item. It works so well at removing make-up at the end of the day and leaves my skin feeling soft and clean.  It’s both effective and gentle.  Whenever there is a sale, I always order an extra one to have on hand for when I run out.  It’s the absolute best! I’m not the only ones that agrees, the cleansing balm has over 1200 ratings with 4.8 star rating. Worth every penny! (Please note…the size I have in this photo is the Jumbo Radiant Cleansing Balm, it has a $130 value, but with the sale you get it for $71.25, I love it so much I buy the large size for the extra savings).

Quench + Shine Restorative Mask (Now $28.50)

I personally have very fine, oil-prone hair. It’s all too easy to end the day with stringy, weighed-down hair that looks like it hasn’t been washed in weeks. After using the Quench + Shine Restorative Mask, my hair is shinier and lighter than ever! I’m always so impressed with the natural softness that it leaves me with and will be using this for LIFE. 

Glycolic Acid Peel Pads with Blue Agave (Now $56.25)

I’ve been using these Glycolic Acid Peel Pads for a couple of years now and I love how refreshed they make my skin feel.  I feel like they give my pores a deep cleaning.  The pads are decent sized, I usually cut them in half and the product lasts twice as long!

Face Oil Nº9 (Now $63.75)

The Face Oil is one of their most popular products, it has nearly 500 reviews with a 4.9 star rating and I can attest to it’s amazingness! It helps with my skins hydration and fine lines. It’s light and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily.  It’s magic!  I highly recommend!

P.S. I’ve actually met Colleen Rothschild herself and she is as cool as can be!

The post Colleen Rothschild Friends & Family Sale appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Most days, grocery shopping feels like a chore. An item on the to-do list that gets put off for far too long. (Shoutout to my cereal for dinner people!) That is unless I’m making a Trader Joe’s run. This is a sentiment that I think many people can probably relate to. The fact that you’re even reading this blog post in the first place means that we are kindred spirits. Grocery runs at Trader Joe’s are just different than regular shopping trips. It always feels a bit like a treasure hunt. It seems that every time I go, I discover something new and delicious that I’ve never tried before. While this is definitely exciting, it can sometimes even feel overwhelming. Where do I start? What’s worth a taste? This is where I come in. Your Trader Joe’s guru, if you will. I’ve been branching out and trying tons of new items recently and have collected a list of a few items that are definitely on my repurchase list!

Cinnamon Roll Drizzled Granola: Whether it’s topping a parfait or eaten straight out of the bag, this is one of my favorite Trader Joe’s finds! Sweet, crunch, and absolutely worth a buy!

  Tomato & Burrata Ravioloni: I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve bought this. It cooks quickly and come with a creamy and savory filling that I just can’t get enough of. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with much. One package feeds two people. 

Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips: Meet my latest addiction. Excellent crunch and the perfect Chili Lime flavor. I prefer these over other chips like Takis because they are less powdery and artificial tasting. An absolute buy in my opinion!

Tomato & Red Onion Focaccia: What I love about this is how fresh everything tastes despite it being frozen. The tomatoes pack an insanely juicy punch and the flavors are way stronger than you would expect! An excellent addition to your shopping cart. 

Chocolate Lava Cakes: Whenever I grab these, I always make sure to pick up a container of raspberries as well. These cook in the microwave in just minutes and aren’t overly rich the way that some lava cakes are. One of my favorite desserts from Trader Joe’s!

Sparkling Juice Beverages: I’ve seen these in a variety of flavors and every single one that I’ve tried has been so refreshing!

Cheesecake Inspired Truffle Collection: Creamy, delicious, and surprisingly similar to an actual cheesecake!

This Coconut Brings Chocolate on a Date Bar: First of all: just the most fun name. And secondly, a great texture and healthy, chocolately flavor that has me coming back for a box every single time.

I’ll hopefully be sharing some fun Trader Joe’s finds once.a quarter, or maybe even more.  I’d love to hear some of your favorite Trader Joe’s items so I can give them a try too!

The post The Best of Trader Joe’s (Spring 2023) appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Disneyland has evolved a lot over the years. While all of the new reservation systems can feel overwhelming, armed with some important knowledge, your trip can still be a magical time for you and your family! While the learning curve is definitely challenging at first, I have found that when you lean into the new technology, it can actually make your trip run a lot smoother! Here’s everything you need to know to make your to Disneyland trip feel both seamless and magical!

2023 is a great year to visit, because Disneyland is celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company which means there are some new festivities and fun food available at Disneyland. You can book a discount Disneyland vacation through my friends at Get Away Today, they always have the best package and ticket prices for Disneyland vacations.  Right now they are offering an EXTRA day free at Disneyland, you’ll get five days at the Disneyland parks for the price of four. Plus, while I am visiting the parks Get Away Today is offering double the usual package discount.  Use the code THRIVING20 on your discounted Disneyland package to save an additional $20 off, code is valid 3/29-4/1.  Here are some of the events and happenings at Disneyland for 2023 that you don’t want to miss:

2023 Happenings:

Lunar New Year Celebration: January 20 – February 15, 2023

Disney100 Celecbration:  January 27, 2023  Disneyland is celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company. This celebration will bring new entertainment like the World of Color One & Wondrous Journey Fireworks Show.  And food…there are always new treats when Disney celebrates. So fun! 

Opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland: January 27, 2023 

Disneyland’s French Market Restaurant and the Mint Julep Bar will close:  February 17, 2023: They are expected to reopen later this year, after having been re-themed around “The Princess and the Frog”.

Magic Happens Parade returns: February 24, 2023

California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: March 3 – April 24, 2023 – A family fave!

Toon Town Reopens: March 19, 2023

Grad Nights at Disneyland: (May 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 30 & 31 and June 2, 4, 7, 9, 14 & 16, 2023)

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort: TBA (Usually 2nd week in Sept – October 31).  Halloween time also bring the Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure select nights (these sell out quickly)

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort: TBA (Usually 2nd week in November – first part of January).

Below you will find everything you need to know to make your trip to Disneyland as easy and as magical as possible.  If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask!

At Home: Making Reservations

In previous years, visiting Disneyland was as simple as purchasing tickets and showing up at the gate. Now, there are a few additional steps to take. To ensure the parks don’t become overpopulated on any given day, guests are now required to create reservations. When purchasing your tickets online, you will be prompted to choose which days you are planning to visit the parks. On each day of the calendar, there will be an icon, indicating which park still has availability for your desired day. 

You will then be prompted to choose your starting park for each day. If you selected ‘One Park Per Day’ tickets, you will spend the entire day in the park you choose. If you selected ‘Park Hopper’ tickets, this is the park you will start your day in.

All About Park Hopping

Disneyland Resort has two different parks: Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. If you choose ‘Park Hopper’ tickets, you will start you day in one park, but after a certain time, you will be able to move over to the other park. You will then be permitted to go back and forth between the two parks as much as you want for the rest of the day. January 1 – February 3, that time will be 1:00. Starting February 4, it will change to 11:00. This ability costs an extra $60 per ticket, regardless of how many days you will be visiting the parks. 

The alternative is ‘One Park Per Day’ tickets. These are the baseline Disneyland tickets, and if you purchase these, you will spend your entire day at the park you start out at. 

At Home: Restaurant Reservations

Most sit-down restaurants at the parks require a reservation to accommodate their growing interest. Reservations open up 60 days in advance and tend to fill up quickly. I recommend setting a reminder on your phone for the day they open up so you can try and nab those spots in time! To make your reservations, go to Disneyland.com, hover over ‘Things to Do’, and select ‘Make Reservations’ under ‘Dining’. 

At the Park: Mobile Ordering

While your park tickets and dining reservations will be handled ahead of time, there are a few tools that you can use during your time in the parks that will help make your day go even smoother! You will need to download and login to the Disneyland app to access these features. 

The first feature is Mobile Ordering! The lines for quick service food stands can get very long. Fortunately, the Disneyland app has a free feature that allows you to order your food ahead of time and pick up at a special window, skipping the line altogether. You can place these orders on your mobile phone via the Disneyland app by clicking the plus sign on the bottom of your screen and selecting ‘Order Food’. 

At the Park: Lightning Lanes & Genie+

You can also utilize a feature called Genie+. This is similar to the old MaxPass system, if that is at all familiar to you. Genie+ is a paid service that allows guests to select specific return times for a ride. When you make a Genie+ reservation, you will be able to bypass the standby line and enter a Lightning Lane that has a capped capacity, ensuring a faster wait time. This service costs an additional $25 per person per day, but I believe is well worth it if you are going during peak season!  You also have the option to purchase Genie+ at the same time you purchase your tickets.

You can also purchase access to an Individual Lightning Lane. These apply to one specific ride and are a separate, additional charge for some of the most popular rides. Guests can purchase a Lightning Lane pass for up to 2 attractions per day. You do not need a Genie+ service to purchase these. 

Individual Lightning Lanes can be purchased for Rise of the Resistance, located in Disneyland Park, as well as Radiator Springs Racers and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, located in California Adventure. Price and availability will range by date and attraction, but will land somewhere between $7-$20 per ticket. You can purchase your Lightning Lane passes upon entering the theme park on the day you intend to use them. To do so, open the Disneyland app, click the plus sign at the bottom of the screen, and select ‘View my Genie Day and Tip Board’. 

At the Park: MagicBand+

MagicBand+ is another unique service, designed to create more convenience during your visit. This is a service that has been available at Walt Disney World for a few years now, but has just recently made its way to the west coast park. However, only MagicBand+ is supported at Disneyland. MagicBand and MagicBand 2 are only usable at Walt Disney World. Your MagicBand+ is a wearable band that allows you to:

• Scan into the parks
• Check in at Lightning Lanes
• Link PhotoPass Photos to your account

All of these functions are accomplished simply by tapping your wrist against the reader. (Instead of scanning either physical or virtual park ticket barcodes.) Another unique ability of the MagicBand+ is to enhance your experience during select nighttime spectaculars. Your band will glow and pulse along with the show.

MagicBand+ designs can be purchased either online at shopDisney.com or in select shops located at Disneyland Resort, with prices starting at $34.99. After purchasing, you will link them to your account through the Disneyland app.   This is an added expense that isn’t necessarily needed, you can just as easily skip the MagicBand+ and use the app.

Have a Magical Day!

I know that our first (and subsequent) family trips were incredibly memorable, and I can only imagine the same will be the case for you! If you’re ready to book your trip, click here to get started! Get Away Today is how we have booked the majority of our Disneyland trips. Get Away Today has several money-saving packages available, as well as discounted Disneyland park tickets too! If you book a package, use the code THRIVING10 to save an additional $10.

For even more Disney magic, tips and tricks, check out the following posts:

• Honest reviews of all the hotels we’ve used around Disneyland
• Big list of Disneyland hotels for large families (sleeps 6+)
• Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Snacks
• Make a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
• Our visit to Club 33

The post Everything You Need to Know for Visiting Disneyland in 2023 appeared first on Gather Lemons.

The Big Apple, The Concrete Jungle, City of Dreams, City So Nice They Named it Twice. New York City is known by many names and has a reputation for its unique energy, historic charm, and killer bagels. This past Fall, I had the opportunity to visit for my very first time, and planning this trip was overwhelming to say the least! And that is coming from the most Type-A travel lover out there! I feel like in every friend group, everyone has their role to fulfill. Mine? Booking the hotel, making the reservations, obsessively researching those hidden gems. And this is a role that I take on willingly. I love the excitement that comes from the planning stages! Which is why, despite all my experience, it’s really saying something to admit that organizing this trip felt like a lot. 

The following itinerary is pretty close to what ours actually looked like, but after having actually taken the trip, I moved a few things around to reflect what I wish we would have done each day. Each of the five days are separated by location so you can minimize travel time and really get to know each of the neighborhoods!

Day 1: Midtown Manhattan

Museum of Modern Art: This museum has multiple floors filled with tons of different styles. However, if you know you are the type of person to look at a piece of art and go: “I could do that.”, this is not the place for you. And that’s ok. It’s important to know your tastes. If that’s the case, I would recommend a different museum in the area. On the other hand, if you are more of an art aficionado and love learning the messaging behind different works, there are lots of cool pieces here!  

Top of the Rock / Rockefeller Center: This is the place to go for some incredible views of the city! There are a few benches on the upper levels, so I would even recommend packing in some snacks or a book and just soaking in the views for a little while. (Additionally, a great place to people watch. Although, that is true of almost everywhere in New York.)

Times Square: There is so much to take in here! It’s crowded, loud, and chaotic, so if anyone in your group struggles with sensory overload, I would suggest making this part of your trip more of a drive by. That being said, there are always tons of street performers who are actually pretty entertaining! (So long as you accept the fact that they are absolutely trying to hustle you and enjoy the experience for what it is.)

See a Broadway Show: I grew up doing theatre, so there may be a bit of bias here, but I think that catching a Broadway show is a must-do for everyone! Even if musicals aren’t really your thing, there are lots of shows that appeal to a wide audience and the performances are just so spectacular and immersive. We saw Hamilton and it was phenomenal! If you are new to theatre and not sure what to see, I would also recommend shows like The Lion King, Aladdin, Newsies, Les Mis, Legally Blonde, Dear Evan Hansen, Hairspray, Frozen, Mean Girls, and Into the Woods.

Day 2: Central Park / Upper East Side

The Met: Without a doubt, one of my favorite experiences in NYC! This place is massive and full of so much incredible history. It’s pretty easy to get what I like to call “museum fatigue”, so we actually split up our visit through the day. We spent a few hours there in the morning, and another few hours there at night. (And can I just say? There is a uniquely magical feeling that accompanies walking around a museum at night! It’s much less crowded and just feels so much more special for reasons I seriously cannot explain.) If you do go The Met at night, be sure to pop up to their rooftop garden to check out some gorgeous skyline views!

Bike or Boat Central Park: Perhaps one of the most iconic locations in New York, Central Park lives up to the hype. It’s the kind of place you could wander for hours and still not see everything. At over 800 acres, this park is truly the heart of Manhattan. We rented bikes and did a couple laps around the park. There are wide, well-marked paths so even if you’re not a super confident biker, you don’t have to worry about weaving through the various types of traffic. We rented through Unlimited Biking, but this is a popular activity, so there are tons of companies nearby that rent out bikes! If biking isn’t really your thing, you can also rent rowboats and gondolas and take them out on the Central Park Lake. We didn’t have time to do this personally, but we rode past the water, and it looked magical! Willow trees line the bank and create the perfect ambiance for a boat day. Their rowboats hold 4 people and go for about $20/hour. You can learn more about this experience here. 

 Day 3: Brooklyn, Dumbo

Dumbo Street Markets: Dumbo is one of my favorite neighborhoods that we visited! It sits right at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge and is home to a wide range of unique street markets. Outside of the Winter season, Dumbo hosts the Brooklyn Flea, one of the largest flea markets in New York City. Tons of vendors line the streets every Saturday and Sunday, and it’s the perfect place to find some truly unique treasures to remember your trip by. 

Empire Fulton Ferry Park: This park boasts some pretty spectacular views of the city and is also situated just under the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a perfect place to picnic, watch the sunset, ride the carousel, and in the Summer, enjoy community activities. They frequently host outdoor movie nights or small music festivals, so be sure to check their event calendar for the dates that you’ll be visiting!

Walk or Bike Brooklyn Bridge: Of course, a day in Brooklyn isn’t complete without a trek across the Brooklyn Bridge. You can rent bikes here as well to ride across, or take it at a more leisurely pace and walk across. This is my personal preference as you can easily stop to take as many pictures as you want and take it in at a more casual pace. You’ll want to consider which direction to start at. If you come from Brooklyn, you’ll have views of Manhattan in the direction that you’re walking, and vice versa. However, if you plan to walk halfway and then back, it doesn’t really matter. The bridge is just over a mile long, for reference. 

Day 4: Manhattan, Chelsea

Chelsea Market: The Chelsea Market sits inside a massive concourse, that is home to tons of unique food, shopping, and events. Be sure to check their schedule as well, as they sometimes host live music and fun classes here as well!

The Highline: This surprised me as another highlight! At about a mile and a half, this feels like one of the most unique walks in the city. An old rail line converted into a pedestrian walkway, you’re a few floors up, among some really unique architecture and tons of gorgeous landscaping. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Catacombs by Candlelight): We booked this tour somewhat on a whim, and while the Catacombs themselves aren’t anything to write home about, it was so cool to hear about the history from someone who knows so much. Our guide knew which famous person lived on which streets, and had countless stories about the history and culture surrounding the Cathedral and New York City in general. 

Flatiron Building: I would say this stop is mostly for the pics, unless you plan on booking a tour. They have guided tours that walk you through the famous food, architecture, and history surrounding the building and it’s neighborhood. If you’re unfamiliar, the Flatiron Building it’s an inordinately thin, triangular building in the gorgeous Union Square neighborhood. 

Day 5: Lower Manhattan

9/11 Museum: The most powerful museum experience I have ever had. Harrowing and humbling, but oh so worth it. You learn so much about the sacrifices of “ordinary” humans and it’s such a crucial moment in American history, but New York City in particular, and you get such a sense of the resilience of the people who have lived here forever. I cannot recommend this enough. 

Battery Park: Battery Park is super close to where you’ll board the boat for Liberty and Ellis island. It’s right on the water and home to a stunning SeaGlass Carousel and other kid-friendly playscapes.

Little Italy: I would recommend Little Italy under one condition: you attend The Feast of San Gennaro! This is an annual festival hosted in the Little Italy neighborhood. We stumbled upon this while we were here and I can confidently say we ate one of our best meals here. There are tons of delicious street food options, fun parades, and a famous cannoli eating contest to behold during this time! It’s typically hosted in September, which is such a magical time to visit, as you get the warm Summer weather without the insane Summer crowds. 

Statue of Liberty: I have never been someone who enjoys doing things simply because “If you go to New York, you just have to…”, but I will say that the Statue of Liberty is one slightly cliche activity that I think is worth it! Because the statue sits on an island, you get a quick boat ride included in the price of your ticket. This grants you unmatched views of the city! Liberty Island itself is beautiful. This is another place that is great to slow down at. You can sit somewhere with a great view (after scoring an ice cream cone, of course!) and just people watch. There’s so much more history surrounding the Statue of Liberty than I ever knew, and I enjoyed learning about it. 

Our Favorite Bites

Anita Gelato (Manhattan, Upper East Side)

Gelateria Gentile (Manhattan / Brooklyn, multiple locations)

Veniero’s (Manhattan, East Village)

Citizens of Chelsea (Manhattan, Chelsea)

Bo’s Bagels (Manhattan, Harlem)

Los Tacos No. 1 (Manhattan, multiple locations)

Chela (Brooklyn, Park Slope)

Pietro Nolita (Manhattan, Nolita)

Fan Favorites

Kat’z Deli (Manhattan, Lower East Side)

Rubirosa (Manhattan, Nolita)

Junior’s (Manhattan / Brooklyn, multiple locations)

Sara Beth’s (Manhattan, multiple locations)

Carmine’s (Manhattan, multiple locations)

Trattoria Dell’arte (Manhattan, Midtown)

Prince St. Pizza (Manhattan, Nolita)

5 Napkin Burger (Manhattan, multiple locations)

Halal Guys (Manhattan / Brooklyn / The Bronx, multiple locations)

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