Welcome

Beyond the Castle Gates

  • Disneyland Vacation

    We just got back from an out-of-this-world Disneyland vacation earlier this month—and wow, what a ride! 🚀✨ (Life got a little hectic with school stuff once we returned, so I’m only now catching my breath and starting to share all the magic!)

    We kicked things off with two nights at the playful Pixar Place Hotel, then leveled up to the luxurious Disney’s Grand Californian for three more nights of pixie-dusted fun. We spent four incredible days exploring the parks—yes, we walked our ears off—and even joined the galaxy far, far away for two epic nights of Star Wars Nite! 🌌

    We ate our way through Disneyland and California Adventure this trip—and what a delicious adventure it was! 🍽️ We tried some new spots, including a magical character breakfast at Plaza Inn (character hugs are always the best), and sipped on some galactic goodness at Oga’s Cantina—cheers from the outer rim! 🍹

    We also enjoyed brunch at Lamplight Lounge. And of course, no trip is complete without a classic Dole Whip and a scoop (or three…) from Salt & Straw in Downtown Disney. 🍍🍦 We’re still dreaming about those flavors!

    Grab your Mickey ears and stay tuned — magical reviews of our Disneyland vacation are coming your way soon!

  • Disneyland Vacation Countdown

    Only 5 Days Until Our Disneyland Vacation!!

    With only five days left until our Disneyland vacation, we still have so much to do. Normally we would have almost everything packed and ready by now. Unfortunately, life had other plans this year. Between kids’ schoolwork, school events, as well as other family commitments, our packing has barely even started. So, now is full blown panic mode trying to get everything ready on time. I’m sure we have all been there, right?!

    Our lists are made, so now we will spend the next few days making sure everything is packed and marked off. Of course, there will be the few last-minute items that can’t be packed until the day we leave (toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.) After looking at the forecast for our Disneyland vacation next week, it is looking like we will get mostly warm, sunny weather. Thank goodness!!! My family is tired of the wind we have been experiencing here daily and are ready for some warm sunshine. Due to the forecast, we will be packing a variety of clothing items such as shorts, pants, t-shirts, and a sweater. Most importantly, we can’t the sunblock! As a breast cancer survivor, sunblock is the most important thing on my list. We also make sure to bring sunglasses and hats for those in our group who wear them.

    Our family is eagerly awaiting Saturday morning. We will have to head out early as we have about a four-hour drive to the airport. The kids are excited to fly, as we normally drive down (which takes about 14 hours. I look forward to being able to share all of our adventures from our Disneyland vacation once we return home. We will be taking a lot of pictures and videos to share with you all. I plan on sharing all of our experiences, including are thoughts on the Pixar Place, the Grand Californian, Star Wars Nite, and all of the food we try.

  • Packing List for Disneyland Vacation: Your Ultimate Guide

    Yesterday marked just four weeks until our exciting Disneyland vacation! The anticipation is truly building. Now is the perfect time to create a comprehensive packing list for the entire family. I love jotting down everything we might need for our adventure. I include all types of items, from fun clothes to our favorite toiletries, often providing a personal list for each family member. Additionally, I compile a list of essential items that everyone can enjoy, like cooling towels and a handy fan. Our list gets tailored based on the season of our trip. This ensures we are perfectly prepared for the delightful weather!

    What to Include on Your Packing List

    For this exciting trip in May, I suggest packing a wonderful variety of clothing options! It’s always fun to have a few pairs of shorts, pants, and short sleeve shirts ready for the lovely weather. Also, don’t forget a cozy sweater for those delightful cool evenings or refreshing mornings. If you’re planning to attend Star Wars Nite, it’s a fantastic opportunity to dress up. So, make sure to add your costume or outfit to your packing list! While my family opts for comfortable Star Wars shirts instead of full costumes, we’re thrilled to embrace the spirit of the event!

    Where to Create a List

    One exciting option for crafting your list is to utilize a Word document template. For example, the one showcased in the image below, which can make the process both enjoyable and efficient!

    Vacation Packing List Example
    Microsoft Word Packing List Template

    You can easily customize the list to suit your unique needs! There are plenty of options available, whether it’s using an Excel document, Google Docs or Sheets, or even handwriting your list—whatever helps you best! Just remember to double-check that you have everything you might need on that list. As you pack, it’s so satisfying to check items off as you go! Before you embark on your adventure, take a moment to review your list and ensure that you’ve packed everything essential. Simply glance at your checked items, and you’ll be ready to go with confidence!

  • Vacation Countdown Ideas for Disney Vacation

    For our Disneyland vacation countdown, my children and I watch a Disney or Pixar movie every day until we leave. For this year’s trip to Disneyland, we started a few nights ago with Moana, followed by Moana 2, and then Encanto last night. My kids love this tradition, as it creates great family time while we wait for our trip. This year, we’ve taken turns picking the movies, but in previous years, we drew movie titles from a bucket. We’d write several movie names on pieces of paper, and picking one each day added an element of surprise and reduced arguments over what to watch.

    We also often create a Disneyland vacation countdown calendar to mark the days before our trip. In previous years, I’ve made Disney-themed calendars using PowerPoint and a calendar template. I simply add Disney images and label it as “Disney Vacation Countdown.” Or you can create your own using images and text like I did in the picture below, starting with however many days you have left until your vacation. Then you can mark each day off as you go. You can choose different themes like Mickey and Minnie or any favorite Disney movie. I enjoy finding creative ways to count down to our Disney vacations, so please share any countdown activity suggestions in the comments!

  • Exciting Disneyland Vacation Plans: Dining and Events to Enjoy

    Today marks 45 days until our next Disneyland vacation. My family and I can’t wait and will be counting down the days until we leave. At this point, we have our reservations all made for hotels and parks, as well as our dining reservations. We will be staying at Pixar Place for the first few nights and then moving to the Grand Californian for the last few nights of our trip. We are excited to get to go to Breakfast with Minnie and Friends at Plaza Inn and try Oga’s Cantina for the first time. We will also be going to one of our favorite places for brunch, Lamplight Lounge. My kids love their food, including the Lobster Nachos.

    We are also looking forward to enjoying Star Wars Nite on two different nights this year. Participating in the event for two nights will hopefully allow us time to see everything the event has to offer.

  • Welcome to My Blog!

    Welcome to my blog. My name is Deanna and I am looking forward to sharing my Disney adventures with you. I have been a lover of all things Disney since I was a child. My family and I love watching Disney movies and going to Disneyland to experience all the magic. Some of my best memories come from spending time in the Disney Parks. I hope you will enjoy following along as I share our experiences in the future.