SeaWorld Celebrates 50 Years of Family Fun!

A Sea of Surprises is what's in store for guests during the 50th Celebration at SeaWorld! Explorer's Reef opened on March 21, 2014 and continues for the next 18 months. SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio will share the excitement and highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences. 

Image Credit: SeaWorld®

My family and I were excited to attend a media preview. We learned the 50th Celebrations happenings included a new evening Shamu® Show and a Surprise Squad delivering prizes and surprises throughout the park. There is brand new entertainment and animal encounters, as well as our family favorite, festive new fireworks that light up the summer skies. 

 Explorer's Reef is a hands-on interactive experience that allows guests to touch several different species of fish, including sharks!

Insider's Tip: Bring a beach towel and don't forget lots of sunscreen!

Explorer's Reef is a really fun adventure that has a tide pool look and feel to it. Don't say we didn't warn you, once you and your little ones get your hands wet, you'll want to stay a while. 

 Explorer's Reef with bloggers (my sister) Jessica from Fresh Angeles and Wendy from Choosing Love 

Our family adventures at SeaWorld over the years:

Fresh Angeles - Dreaming of SeaWorld

Fresh Angeles - SeaWorld's Blue Horizons

Places to take the kids for Spring Break (series) Sea World

What's New with Shamu?

SeaWorld Summer in San Diego

Summer at SeaWorld

SeaWorld Summer Nights

Disclosure: SeaWorld invited my family to enjoy the park at no charge for a media preview. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

New Year's Eve at Knott's Berry Farm

 

As the year comes to a close, we like to look back into our photo albums to reflect on some of our family memories of the past. One of our favorite places to go while my son was growing up was Knott's Berry Farm. We would head over to the park quite frequently and since we're locals, we'd spend a few hours hanging out with the Peanuts Gang.

As I look through these pictures they bring back so many happy memories and times that we spent together. We have photo after photo in Camp Snoopy. My son loved riding the rides that were made for little guys just his size. Perfect for the pint sized thrill seekers! Two of his favorites rides were the Joe Cool's GR8 Skate and Red Baron Flying Planes. He's been on those more times than I can count.
 

Other special days spent at Knotts were during the holidays. It was always decorated so fun during Halloween and Christmas time. We made a tradition of visiting with Santa and having our photo taken each year with Jolly old Saint Nick. How I love thinking back to those times.

This year we are starting a new family tradition. We haven't been to Knott's in years and when we heard about Knott's New Years Eve Party, we thought what better way to ring in 2013? It will be a first for us to experience Knott's on Dec 31st. We will be joining my sister and her family too which will be even more memorable. My son is a tween now, so I'm sure that his ride choices will have changed since the last time we were there. No worries, there are plenty of rollercoasters to choose from. We hear they have an awesome fireworks show too! For more info on the festivities at Knotts on New Year's Eve visit their website by clicking below:

Knott's Berry Farm

 

One more thing, I was amazed to find the 2013 season pass to Knott's Berry Farm costs only $66.99 and now through January 13, you can buy your pass with 6 payments of $11.16. Go online and buy your pass and start your family fun at Knott's Berry Farm today!!!

 

Full Disclosure: Knotts has invited my family to enjoy the park on New Years Eve. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament has a New Show

Here Ye! Here Ye! 

There is a New Show.... 

at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

My family and I went back in time entering the Medieval Times castle for the premiere of the new show in Buena Park, CA. The new show has been almost 2 years in the making with exciting events including falconry, horsemanship, sword fights and live jousting. The IV ACT Show had us almost too excited to eat, we didn't want to miss a thing. And speaking of eating the food is great and have you heard there are no utensils? That's right this dinner is hands on, literally. This is a HUGE hit with the kids (and husbands)!

ACT I

The show opens with the mystical bond between man and horse.

Liberty Horse



ACT II

We greet the Knights, champions of the six provinces. The King arrives to make a toast and so begins the Dinner and Tournament.

 Ceremony fit for a King 

Only one shall be named "Champion to the King"

The six Knights of the Realm

We sat in the blue section and cheered for the strength and the courage of our Knight from the East.

ACT III

Battle begins with the thunder of hooves and the crash of lance and shield.

A Stranger Arrives

Jousting in the Great Hall

ACT IV

The final battle begins. Good vs. Evil It is a battle to the death.

The realm has a new Champion!

  

After the Show...

Keep your cameras out. You can meet and greet the Knights, which is fun for the kids and Moms (swoon).

Yep, that's my sister Jessica and I giggling like we're 12.

Our husbands took photos and might never let us live it down. 

Jessica's review of the new Medieval Times show is over at Fresh Angeles.com

A gift for you!!!

You are invited to Join The King's Court (it's free) 

And become a member of The King's Birthday Fellowship (also free)

To celebrate your birthday, members of The King's Birthday Fellowship will receive free admission with a paid admission to be used during the week of their birthday.

Book your seats now

for an introductory rate-

use code: NEWSHOW

For reservations or Tickets online: www.medievaltimes.com

or call 1-888-WE-JOUST (888-935-6878

Find Medieval Times on Facebook and Follow Medieval Times on Twitter

This is not a paid post. My family and I were invited guests at the premiere of the new show.

Family Guide to Holidays at Universal Studios

As a So Cal natives, my family and I are familiar with
Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA

We spent an entire day there during spring break a few years ago-

 read about it HERE 

We have never visited during the holidays and
had no idea what we were missing!

This year we were invited to experience 

Grinchmas 2011 at Universal Studios Hollywood

  

Play in a winter playground of real snow or sing along

with the Whos as Whoville comes to life on the Backlot.

Then gather around for celebrity readings of Dr. Seuss’

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Then witness the lighting of the one-of-a-kind

Grinchmas™ tree.

(Click here for the celebrity schedule) 

*The Grinchmas holiday celebration is included with Universal Studios Hollywood park admission daily from

 December 17, 2011 through January 1, 2012.

Be sure to check in with Jess (my sister) from  FreshAngeles.com 

for her take on the days activities

A special thank you to Universal Studios for hosting my family and I this year, we had a blast.

Below is quck glimpse of each of our favorites and some helpful hints for you and your family.

MOM'S PICK:

Studio Tour -

Comedian Jimmy Fallon is the new video host of the Studio Tour. The star of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" introduces entertaining clips seen on HD monitors in the trams to augment the live Studio Tour guide narration.

DAD'S PICK:

Terminator 2: 3D

Flash forward to the future to the chilling, machine-controlled world of the Terminator.

BOY'S PICK:

Revenge of the Mummy -The Ride

If you dare, face heart-pounding special effects and unexpected twists at every turn as you escape the Mummy's revenge in life-like horror. It WILL change you ... forever!

5 Helpful Hints To Plan Your Day!

(recommended by Universal Studios)

1. Start your day on the 'World Famous' Studio Tour

2. See the 1st showing of  WaterWorld,

for best seating at their #1 rated show

3. Visit the Lower Lot early to avoid longer wait times

4. Save money with the 'All You Can Eat Pass'

(Visit select restaurants 11am-noon to avoid crowds)

5. Ask any employee about your favorite character appearance times

(Full Disclosure: This is an unpaid post. My family and I were invited to Universal Studios Hollywood and gifted tickets to the park with Front of the Line Passes) 

Ticket Giveaway and Fabulous Food at the L.A. County Fair

UPDATE:

Winner from my blog: Rita 

Winner from DayTrippingMom: Jenn

Cogratulations and have fun at the Fair!!!

Giveaway Time!

I'm joining with the awesome team at DayTrippingMom

for a L.A. County Fair Ticket Giveaway

You can win a family 4 pack of tickets on both of our sites. Enter on both=more chances to win! 

Enter below then click over HERE and enter again!

Entry Requirements

1. Leave me a commet below, what is YOUR favorite fair food?

2. "Like" HappyHourMom page on Facebook.

Want extra entries? You got it!

1. "Like" DisneySisters page on Facebook.

2. Follow my blog with Networked Blogs (left column)

3. Add me as a Friend with Google Friend Connect (left column) 

4.  Follow @TheHappyHourMom on Twitter.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PT Monday, Sept. 26,2011. Winner will be contacted by email shortly after contest closes and must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of the U.S. with a valid street address.

Fabulous Food at the L.A. County Fair

It's that time of year again! Let's go to the fair and pig out on fabulous food. I was invited to sample all the food at the fair seriously, I'm not kidding.... what a treat that was! I wasn't easy (sarcastic tone) but I was able to pick my favorites to share with you. Check out the list below and head over to the L.A. County Fair SEPT. 3 - OCT. 2, 2011 Click here for hours and parking info. Check out my Fair Flashback.

*Did you know the Fair is on Facebook?

HAPPY HOUR MOM'S FAVORITE BITES:

Food Trucks:

Crepes Bonaparte - Try the Nutella Crepes, Yum!

Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels - Porker Sandwich is the best!

Vendors:

Chicken Charlies - Yep, this is the place to get Fried Kool-Aid!

 

Bubba's Bad to the Bone BBQ - They know BBQ!

 

Old Thyme Ice Cream - The Frozen Cheesecake is my #1 dessert pick!

Other Top Picks:

Thai Cuisine

South of the Border

Indian Fry Bread

Cornucopia

Are you a Foodie?
Jump over here for an indepth look at all things food from
SouthBay Foodies.

Disclosure: This is not a paid post. I was invited to the media Food Preview and given tickets to attend the fair with my family. Thank you to our sponsors for providing the giveaway to my readers free of charge. 

Giveaway Now Closed

The L.A. County Fair Is Pure Fun For Everyone!!!

   

 Family Fun at the Fair

2011 L.A. County Fair opens Labor Day Weekend!

My family and I have been going to the fair since my son was a little guy, I hope you enjoy our

 "L.A. County Fair Flashback" and make your own memories at the Fair this year! 

The L.A. County Fair is pure fun for everyone!

  

 Our favorite family time at the Fair every year,

is feeding all the barnyard animals at FairView Farms!

   Zuckerman's Nursery meeting the baby animals

Stay tuned for...

"Fabulous Food at the Fair" and Ticket Giveaway

 ~coming soon~

iParty With Victorious - Don't Fret The Sweat - The Giveaway - WINNER!

We have a winner!!!!!!

 Kayla won the Don't Fret The Sweat Giveaway on

 HappyHourMom's blog with the following daily tweet:

            @Disney_Kayla

Kayla Did you know? @TheHappyHourMom is where 2 go for hip things to do with your family http://t.co/6asp3qi Please RT!!
31 Jul via web 

 
 

Congratulations!

Thank you to all my friends and new friends for playing,
 I will be doing more giveaways very soon, so stay tuned!