Disneyland Resort Announces Plans to Reopen Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on April 30, 2021

 The joy and laughter and magical moments of the Disneyland Resort will soon return to its theme parks as Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, 2021, with limited capacity.

“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”

The dreams of being immersed in these theme park experiences will soon come to life, with unforgettable attractions, seeing beloved Disney characters, shopping for the latest Disney merchandise, savoring the world-famous food and drinks, and capturing fun photos. New magic will be unveiled, too, as the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish opens to guests for the very first time.

Once again, guests will experience the thrills of exploring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, embarking on a treacherous voyage on Pirates of the Caribbean, setting sail with children from around the globe on “it’s a small world” and zipping along Route 66 on Radiator Springs Racers. They may discover the joy of waving to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, finding the perfect Mickey ears, dipping into a DOLE Whip® and staying in the middle of the magic at a Disney hotel.

In the days leading up to the public opening on April 30, Disneyland Resort will invite cast members and members of the local community to be the first theme park guests after more than a year of closure.

The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also plan to welcome guests once again, with a  phased reopening. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29, 2021, with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.

Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines.

More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. In addition, guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com for the latest updates as they become available for theme park tickets, hotel booking and vacation packages, dining reservations and activity reservations such as Droid Depot.

The health and well-being of guests and cast members remain a top priority. Just as the Downtown Disney District reopened at Disneyland Resort on July 9, 2020, with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels based on guidance from health authorities and learnings from our parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact. Cast members throughout the resort will be dedicated to assist with questions, and guests may check Disneyland.com/update for the most current health and safety measures, including mandatory face coverings for guests ages 2 and older.

A Touch of Disney, the limited-time ticketed experience which has sold out, will go on as planned at Disney California Adventure from March 18 through April 19.

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Classic attractions and fun-filled favorites

Classic and favorite attractions will begin to open at both parks – from epic experiences like the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to family-friendly experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind.

At Disneyland, the fun awaits on Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and King Arthur Carrousel, to name a few, and new magic is coming to Haunted Mansion. At Disney California Adventure, guests will be immersed in the stories and adventures of the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania!, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, and more.

Guests will discover a newly reimagined attraction in Fantasyland – Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. The timeless tale comes alive in dazzling new scenes, including a dancing figure of Snow White joining the dwarfs in their cottage as the scent of a baking pie wafts through the air. Vibrant new shadow projections show the dwarfs as they march off to the mine happily singing “Heigh Ho,” and the new lighting, glittering jewels and shimmering effects make the mine sparkle. Guests then travel through the Queen’s den to see a new library of spell books, glowing potions and bubbling flasks, toward the famous magic mirror. In the end, Snow White and her Prince ride joyfully into a golden sunset to live happily ever after.

On the “must-do” list for many guests will be a journey to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park. Guests are transported to a galaxy far, far away at the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, where they can take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The newest attraction in the land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opened in January 2020. It takes guests aboard a full-size transport shuttle before they are captured by a Star Destroyer, finding themselves in the middle of a climactic battle between the dark side of the First Order and the light side of the Resistance, including BB-8, Rey and Chewbacca.

Avengers Campus, a completely new land where guests can live their Super Hero dreams, will open at a later date at Disney California Adventure.

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Characters are part of the magic

From surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A and Pixar Pier to playful interactions, characters from dozens of favorite Disney and Pixar stories will entertain and delight guests across both parks. Beloved characters will pop up in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of physical distancing.

At Disneyland, guests may see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waving from the train station, or Disney Princesses such as Mulan appear at the Royal Theatre to wave and pose at a distance for guests taking selfies. At Disney California Adventure, Pixar pals may wave from the bandshell at Pixar Pier, and guests can share a laugh while taking photos with Mater and Lightning McQueen along Route 66 in Cars Land.

Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date.

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Themed dining and world-famous food and drinks

Tasty, tantalizing and ready for social media, Disneyland Resort snacks and dishes are a food-lover’s fairytale wishes come true. Park favorites such as the DOLE Whip®, corn dogs and churros are fun treats offered alongside memorable dining experiences that include lobster nachos and novel drinks at Lamplight Lounge, brisket mac & cheese at River Belle Terrace and Mediterranean-California fare at Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining. The parks offer a multitude of food and drink options, from uniquely themed candy apples and specials like Walt’s Chili to the always popular Plaza Inn fried chicken.

At several locations around the resort, mobile ordering* on the official Disneyland app now is the primary way to order food and drinks. Dining reservations are recommended for table-service restaurants.

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Check in to the magic at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

After playing in the theme parks, guests may relax with an overnight stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where they are surrounded by the Craftsman-style architecture and the tranquil feel of redwood forests. Guests are treated to genuine hospitality and legendary service, just steps from the Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort theme parks. The enchanting Disney magic includes well-appointed accommodations, sparkling pools and a chance to request a wake-up call with greetings from some favorite Disney characters.

Guests with valid theme park admission who are planning a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel will need to also book theme park reservations in advance, as a hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation. Hotel capacity will be limited. Guests may soon book hotel stays for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or a nearby Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, by visiting Disneyland.com or contacting a travel professional.

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Digital tools help guests make the most of their visits

To make the most of a visit to the Disneyland Resort, guests will have digital tools right at their fingertips with the Disneyland app. Guests are strongly encouraged to use the Disneyland app to plan ahead and utilize mobile ordering* for food and beverage purchases from select locations, as well as to check park hours, make dining reservations, and view maps and other important resort updates. Mobile wait list (subject to availability) and mobile check-in options will be available for table-service dining at select locations. Disneyland Resort also recommends cashless transactions such as electronic payment to reduce contact.

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Check Disneyland.com for the latest updates  

For everything they need to know about their visits, guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com regularly for the latest information, including upcoming details about ticket sales and reservations, and which experiences are currently available or will be offered.** Guests also are also encouraged to follow the Disney Parks Blog for reopening details.

The plans to open Disneyland Resort are phased and subject to change, to align with guidance released from time to time by health authorities and appropriate government agencies. This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change. With that guidance, many factors will determine the timing of when offerings may be available, and the status of indoor and outdoor experiences.

* Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

** Upon reopening, certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and will be subject to limited availability or even closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. 

DOLE WHIP is a trademark of Dole Food Company, Inc. Used with permission. 

Visiting the Sunflower Fields in Northern California

Northern California is known for having some of the most beautiful sunflower fields in the world!  I've always wanted to shoot pictures like these - it reminds me of the golden sunflower fields in Italy.  I threw on a white cotton dress and straw sun hat and pretended like I was Frances Mayes in "Under the Tuscan Sun" - one of my favorite movies of all time by the way!  

The sunflower fields we visited began blooming in early June and the stalks were about 4-5 feet high when we visited in early July. They are located in Dixon, CA, easily accessible and visible off Highway 80 about 20 minutes west of Sacramento.  You can't miss them as they are vast, colorful, and do attract a lot of attention for people to pull off the highway and take pictures - namely photographers and bloggers, but also a few tourists and casual mobile phone users looking for a pretty shot!  There is plenty of space to park along the road that runs parallel to the highway.  

If you are looking to get the most amazing shot, I would suggest going at sunrise (sun in front of you) or sunset (sun behind you).  We went around 10 am in the morning and the sun was already casting shadows above but we still were able to get a few good shots.  Remember, sunflowers always have their face to the sun, so keep that in mind when determining the best time.  I would also suggest going on a weekday vs. weekend if possible.  The weekend traffic on highway 80 can be bad and of course there will be more people there.        

This is a sunflower farm and the owners have been very generous to allow the public to take pictures.  However, please ensure you are respectful of their land and the flowers.  Use the sunflowers for a backdrop - walking between them can break the foliage and damage the flowers.  Also, it should go without saying but I'll say it anyway... please leave the flowers for others to admire as well - do not pick them.  If you want to take pictures with sunflowers in your hand or in a basket - please purchase some and bring to your photo shoot.  

There are several sunflower fields spread out between Dixon and it's neighboring city to the east, Davis, CA.  Each field is planted at different times and may have different sunflower varieties.  If you find this one is not blooming, you may find another one close by that is.  In general, sunflowers in California bloom in the summer (between June and August) with mid-summer being the peak time.  

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you are enjoying summer with your family!

xoxoxo,

Hayley

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Enjoy Elevation Ten Wine and Discover the Clarksburg Wine Region

Summer dinners are best spent outside enjoying wine and making homemade personal pizzas for the family!  Living in Northern California has lots of great benefits - the weather, outdoor recreation activities, easy access to the beach, desert, mountains, etc.  However, one of my personal favorite benefits is access we have to some of the best vineyards/wineries in the world!  Many of you know that I love to gather friends and family together to go wine tasting and explore many of the great wine regions we have in Northern California  (e.g. Sonoma, Napa, Carmel Valley, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, etc.)  However, one area that's new to me that I recently discovered is Clarksburg! 

 

If you haven't explored the Clarksburg, CA wine region you should definitely put it on the list! The Clarksburg AVA is an American Viticultural Area that spans three counties in California's Sacramento Valley, located in portions of Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties along the Sacramento River.  There are over 12 wineries and tasting rooms to visit, 7,000 acres of wine grapes grown in the region, and over 35 varieties to sample.  The most popular in the region being Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Photo Credit: Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association

Many wineries and tasting rooms remain closed due to COVID-19 and some are just beginning to open up and welcome guests with new social distancing practices.  You'll want to check out each winery website for specific operating hours before you visit.  Check out this link for a list of the wineries and tasting rooms in the Clarksburg wine country...I'm sure you'll recognize some of these brands!    In the mean time, you can still support your favorite local wine brands by purchasing online.  

I am so excited and thrilled to team up with Elevation Ten Winery who recently sent me a few bottles of their wine to try!  They have graciously offered my readers a discount of 30% off your entire order and $10 flat rate shipping! Please use code: "elevationten2020" on their website when you checkout.  You can shop their fabulous wine selection here.  If you’re looking for recommendations, I highly suggest the 2017 Clarksburg Reserve Chardonnay and the 2016 Fairplay Malbec!   My husband and I recently uncorked these bottles to enjoy while making homemade pizzas for dinner at home!  

Have you been to the Clarksburg, CA wine region?  What is your favorite winery to visit and why?  I would love to hear from you in your comments below!  

Cheers!

Hayley

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Shell We Go to Carmel?

It's been raining in the San Francisco Bay Area for a good solid week and that has brought some much needed snow up in the Sierras.  However, the sun finally came out today and it's starting to feel like spring!  I was in the mood to get out of the house for a quick weekend trip.  We headed about an hour and a half south to Carmel to soak up the vitamin "sea"! 
   

Nothing gets me in the spring mood quite like Lilly Pulitzer.  The spring collection has arrived and I couldn't be more giddy to shop the fun new prints and styles!  I purchased this scalloped two piece shell print romper last summer when it was on sale.  I was waiting for the perfect warm weather weekend to wear it.  We made a stop at Carmel Beach for a fun day frolicking in the sand next to the infamous Cypress Tree! 

The trends for spring are ruffles, pop on prints, and crisp whites!  If you are looking for some Lilly Pulitzer inspiration for your spring break packing list, here are a few of my favorite spring dresses.  

Don't forget to pack your sandals! I hate to admit it, but shoes are always the hardest thing to pack.  This is especially true for winter getaways where the shoes are a bit bulkier and you need to plan for various winter weather conditions and activities.  However, when I pack shoes for a spring break getaway, I usually keep it to a minimum.  A good pair of neutral colored sandals, some flip flops for the beach, and a comfortable pair of sneakers is all you really need.   Here are a few of my favorites from Lilly Pulitzer that I have my eyes on to stash in my spring getaway bag!

 

Last but not least, as you are planning your spring break outfits, don't forget about the accessories!  My spring break packing list always includes sunnies to protect my eyes, a sun hat to keep the harmful rays off my face, a big colorful tote to store all my spring break essentials in, and some fun jewelry to accessorize my outfits!  Here are a few of my current favorites:

If you are planning a visit to Carmel, you will most likely want to explore the beautiful downtown area of Carmel by the Sea which has fantastic restaurants, shopping, and darling B&B inns.  At the end of the Ocean Drive you will find Carmel Beach.  It's one of my favorite beaches as it's super clean with gorgeous white sand and incredible views.  It's a dog friendly leash-free beach so on any given day it's full with happy pups and responsible owners getting exercise and having fun!  Cypress trees line the steps down to the beach with views that span from the the Big Sur coast south to Pebble Beach looking north.  This beach is known for some pretty incredible sand castle making and sunsets,  Grab a beach blanket and a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views while you relax and take it all in! 

For more things to see and do in and around Monterey and Carmel, check out the posts below or visit my Travel page. Also, if you haven't had a chance to sign up for my newsletter you can subscribe here!  It's a great way to connect with all of you about new posts, great sales you don't want to miss, Q&A on various fashion, beauty, home decor, and travel topics, and so much more!  Don't worry, I won't overcrowd your inbox!  Also, don't forget you can shop all of the looks from my blog on my shop page!



Happy Spring Break!

🌴🌴🌴
Hayley

   

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Winter Family Fun at the Resort at Squaw Creek - Part 2

I recently shared part 1 of our winter family vacation to the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe, CA.  If you didn't get a chance to read that post, you can check it out here.  Day 2 was all about exploring the resort and checking out all the family fun activities that were just footsteps from our room.  The second day started with an early morning visit to the resort's heated pool and whirlpool hot tubs!  My husband decided to sleep in while the boys and I rolled out of bed, popped on our swimsuits, and headed down to the steamy oasis under the stars before dawn.

My boys (Collin & Jack) relaxing in the jacuzzi with the early morning starry sky view of Squaw and Alpine in the background!

Me (mama) enjoying a relaxing soak as the morning got a little brighter!  I purchased this J.Crew red and white striped one piece swimsuit last summer! Unfortunately, this style and color is currently sold out but it was popular so they may bring it back this year!  I've included a few similar favorites from J.Crew in the product links below!  I have this one shoulder tie swimsuit (first one in product list below) in navy/ivory stripes and I love it!  I wore it on our summer cruise last year and got so many compliments!  It was a chilly 36 degrees out, but the hot tubs were set to a perfect temperature of 102 degrees!  I didn't want to get out!  It was a great way to start the morning!

The resort's year-round Oasis pool complex includes a large recreational heated pool and three whirlpool hot tubs to soak in after a long day skiing or snowshoeing.  If you plan to visit in the summer, you can also enjoy the plunge pool, a 120 foot waterslide, and a children's pool.  My husband and I are already planning a return trip this summer!  Swimming is always a fun activity for kids and for my boys that was no exception!  They bounced back and forth between the hot tubs and the pool and had a blast!  I was not as brave to jump in the pool - I was quite happy in my spot at the hot tub!

A pic of me in the hot tub using fun Snapchat filters!

It was time for breakfast and we decided to quickly dry off, throw on our robes and head back up to our room for a quick shower!  By the way, our room accommodations at the Resort at Squaw Creek were very nice and family friendly!  We had a one bedroom fireplace suite, a living room with a pull out sofa, a nice view of the snow capped mountains, and a small kitchen with a mini refrigerator, microwave, and stove top!  If you do lots of family travel, you know that having a kitchenette is a blessing.  We always travel with a small cooler to store my kids favorite drinks and  some wine/beer for mom and dad.  We also bring a bag of snacks for our road trip so we are prepared when hunger strikes!  I like to bring oatmeal and fruit for breakfast for a quick, easy and healthy option!  The kids like to have those microwavable mac and cheese bowls so microwaves are always a plus!  

Here are a few of our favorite snack ideas for family travel:

Microwave popcorn

Oatmeal/Cereal

Fruit - apples, pears, bananas, oranges, etc.

Bottled water and juice boxes

Wine/Beer for the adults! (make sure you bring an opener)

Microwavable mac and cheese bowls

tortilla chips and salsa

individual variety packs of cookies and chips 

Here are a few pics of our room I snapped!  It really felt like being at home!

The living room had a gorgeous view of the outdoors and a warm fireplace to cuddle up and watch movies or sip wine!

The resort offers free wifi which makes it easy to connect and get work done if needed or for the kids to enjoy Netflix and their favorite apps on their tablets!

We had a really nice view outside!  The windows offer plenty of natural light and privacy curtains at night!

The kitchen was unexpected!  It was nice to have all these amenities which helps save money on going out to eat every night!  We didn't cook anything on this trip but we heavily used the refrigerator, microwave, and utensils!     

Once we showered and finished with breakfast, we decided to take a hike and check out the surrounding areas around the resort. If you enjoy snowshoeing you will love Squaw Creek's beautiful meadow or you can head into the back country of Squaw Valley. The Nordic Center on site offers all winter equipment rentals including snowshoe and boot rentals, as well as guided snowshoe tours.  We just decided to take a leisurely hike with the kids!

Featured:
This black and ivory buffalo plaid skirt from Talbots (similar options here, here, and here)

Outfit Details:
Black Merona snow boots from Target (similar here, here, and here)
Black Leggings (similar here, here, and here)
Black nylon coat (old) - (similar here, here, and here)
Cashmere Polka Dot Sweater (old) (similar here, here, and here)
Black faux Fur pom pom beanie (similar here, here, and here)
Hot pink fringe scarf from Old Navy (old) - (similar here, here, and here)
Mirror aviator sunglasses (similar here, here, and here)

Unfortunately, the dog sledding and snowmobiling tours were not available to book when we visited in early January.  The month of December was very dry and there was not enough snow.  This was disappointing for the kids as they were very much looking forward to this, but we found other fun family things to do such as sledding and ice skating which made up for it!

We took a short, easy, and flat hike that starts from the Resort at Squaw Creek off of hole #1 of the golf course.  This hike connects the resort with the Village at Squaw Valley (a great place for shopping, dining, and where you can catch the aerial tram to Squaw High Camp).  This hike is perfect for little ones and those who don't want to gain any elevation but want to get some exercise while taking in the beautiful views of the valley! 

After we got back from our hike, we decided to take the kids ice skating at the Resort's outdoor ice rink. The ice rink is open from 10 am - 10 pm daily and operates in three "sessions." It closes for an hour and a half in between sessions to refresh and clean the ice.We rented ice skates from the Nordic Center and let the kids have fun!  Chris and I sat and drank a hot toddy while the kids enjoyed whirling around on the ice.

Once their session was up, it was close to dinner and we were all starving,  We decided to go to Sandy's Pub which is one of the many restaurants located on site.  Sandy's is a convenient and casual sports bar dining option.  They offer tasty appetizers and delicious pub style meals to suit all preferences and ages.  They offer a wide selection of craft beer on tap, wine, and cocktails and we were able to catch the NFL playoff games on one of their six flat screen TV's while we were there!   I ordered the the shrimp tacos which were really delicious, Chris ordered the fully loaded nachos, my son Jack ordered the clam chowder (which he loved!), and my son Collin ordered spaghetti from the kids menu.  For more information about Sandy's pub and the full menu, please click here!

For dessert, the boys wanted to roast s'mores which you can order directly from Sandy's menu.  The kit comes complete with large marshmallows, a package of graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate bars, and the roasting skewers.  Just right outside the restaurant is a large outdoor fire pit overlooking the pool area.  It was a great place to warm up by the fire and chat with other visitors about their day and where they were from!  The boys had fun roasting their marshmallows and making their delicious treats.  It was a nice way to end a perfectly fun and relaxing day!  

Roasting marshmallows and making s'mores at the fire pit!  The best winter fun! 

Good Night!

We had a great time and would like to thank The Resort at Squaw Creek for such a wonderful experience!  We are definitely planning another trip soon so we can experience the dog sleds and snow mobiles!  Look for one more post coming soon to wrap up day three of our adventure to Squaw Valley!  Also, if you haven't had a chance to sign up for our newsletter you can subscribe here!  It's a great way to connect with all of you about new posts, great sales you don't want to miss, Q&A on various fashion, beauty, home decor, and travel topics, and so much more!  Don't worry, I won't overcrowd your inbox!  Also, don't forget you can shop all of the looks from San Francisco Bay Style on our shop page!

Thanks for Visiting!  

xoxoxo,

Hayley

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