Our Day with Disney Interactive

Every parent knows about the Disney Parks, Disney Movies, and the Disney Store but there is one entity of Disney that sometimes gets overlooked... the Disney Interactive Media Group. Actually you may not have even heard of them unless your kid is a gamer. Or even if you have heard of them, you may not know exactly what they do.

I attended a special Halloween Bash the other night with my family hosted by Disney Interactive and found out all of the amazing things that they produce. Who knew? They have games, apps, crafts, recipes, penguins, fairies, and more! Here's a little breakdown... (You're Welcome - LOL)

Disney Family.Com & FamilyFun.Com

For the Martha Stewarts out there and even for the not-so-crafty moms and dads, Disney has a site online that can inspire you to create holiday masterpieces. Check out Disney Family.Com and Family Fun.Com. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, they've got it all. If crafting isn't your thing, maybe cooking is more up your alley. There are fabulous recipes with plenty of healthy meal choices for your family, even those with picky eaters. (I'm so there) Check out these Halloween Cupcakes sure to scare up some smiles at your house or Halloween Party.

Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Universe just launched last week, but this is the Epic Mickey of this year. This was definitely the most popular game of the event. Everyone loved playing it... Including Stitch himself! That's not the only game that is new and exciting, there's also Cars 2 The Video Game, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean the Video Game, Phineas and Ferb Across the 2nd Dimension. (I think Phineas and Ferb was my daughter's favorite game, but I also think that she has a crush on Phineas - Shhh! Don't say anything.)

Disney Mobile

Now that iPhone, and iPads are the latest gaming systems for the younger generation (My 4 year old is hooked) I'm always looking for kid-friendly game apps that will make her sit still in one place long enough for me to grocery shop. Here are 2 that are sure to do that. Where's My Water App said to be the new "Angry Birds" of apps. This Crocodile Swampy is all the buzz lately. He's even got a Twitter Account and Facebook Page. And he's getting his own web series next year too! That's one Cool Croc. They also just came out with another App called Puffle Launch for the new iOS software. We haven't played yet, but any game that has launch in the title, I already know my daughter will like it.

Disney Online Studios 

There are whole virtual worlds that you may not even be aware of... I know, it's crazy right? They're full of Penguins and Fairies and you can do all sorts of cool stuff if you become a member, like a Halloween Party and an Awesome Contest.

Club Penguin.Com

Pixie Hollow.Com

Full Disclosure: I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was invited to an event to help facilitate my review. These opinions are 100% mine & 100% fresh!

Highly Inappropriate Parenting

So these photos are probably totally inappropriate, but they made me Laugh. Out. Loud! 

I hope they do the same for you on this Monday!

Holy Giant Squash Batman!

Back to School

Do you ever have a moment where you want to stop time and stay there forever?

I know that most kids started school back in September, but for our youngest, she had her first day last week. She will be 5 next year and starting Kindergarten, so we thought that it would be most beneficial to her education if she went to pre-k. So she's back in school and couldn't be happier. The toughest part is getting her up in the mornings, because she is definitely is a night owl. (like her mama - ahem) We got her a new backpack (Disney - Jessie from Toy Story) and she was super excited about it, the smile says it all. I want to remember this face, this smile, this moment FOREVER!!!

The Lion King Returns

For the first time in years The Lion King returns to DVD, this time you can purchase it on Blu-Ray and High Definition. Hakuna Matata Baby!

It's the classic Disney tale we all know and love. A coming of age story of Simba, the lion cub who will one day be king. After suffering the loss of his father, he runs away from his family and home. Being that you can never truly run away from your problems, he eventually realizes that he must go back to his pride and claim the land back from his sinister uncle. Good triumphs over evil, and Simba becomes king of the jungle. You know, thinking back... He just couldn't wait to be King. (lol)

We got a chance to see a sneak peek of the Lion King in 3D at the D23 Expo.
It was stunning. Don't you want to see The Circle Of Life in all of it's glory.

I got all 4 of my kids together (a miracle) and asked them to talk about what they love about THE LION KING. Needless to say, this video is classic in it's own right! Here are ADAM, DEVEN, TAYLAR and KAIA doing their review of the movie.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

For more info you can go to the official website for THE LION KING.

 Or you can like the page of the LION KING Facebook.

Full Disclosure: This is not a paid post. I was given a DVD to help facilitate the review. 

These opinions are 100% ours and 100% fresh.

Camp Snoopy gets a Makeover for Halloween

Fall seems to be becoming everyone's favorite season. My family loves it too! Each year I find out about new activities and fun festive places to take the kids during October. Last weekend we went to Knott's Berry Farm (America's first theme park - Ahem) and had a family fun day! It's been years since I had been there, like the last time I was there I was in High School at a Cheerleading Competition. (Yeah I know, another decade ago.) Kaia had never been, so it was a real treat for my husband and I to experience this with her.

Well, we all know about Knott's Scary Farm because it's become so popular over the years. And now that my older kids are all in High School they love doing crazy scary stuff like that. (I remember being that young once.) But what you may not know is that they have a non scary celebration too just perfect for the younger crowd. Camp Snoopy gets a Halloween makeover, during the month of October it becomes Camp Spooky. A great place for families with kids from ages 3-11 to enjoy all sorts of Halloween activities. My 4 year old daughter enjoyed shows, crafts, a Monster Dance Party, and Snoopy's Costume Parade too. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costume (not mandatory) because they also get to trick-or-treat which is always a big hit with my little one. The good news is that all of this holiday fun is included with regular park admission. For more info be sure to visit the Knott's website.

Follow Knott's on Twitter
Like Knott's on Facebook

Full Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. I was invited to a Family media event and had a spooktacular time. Thank you Snoopy for having us.  These opinions are 100% mine and 100% fresh.

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland

It's one of my favorite nights of the year.

It's the one event I look forward to the whole year long. 

No, it's not the Oscars, the Grammys or the Emmys.

It's Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. My family and I go together every year. We love Halloween, Disney & being together - Wicked Fun for Everyone! 

There are so many things that are awesome about Halloween Time, it's hard to know where to begin! They have even more Spooktacular Attractions and Events going on during select nights of Mickey's Halloween party. (Special Admission fees apply) It's hard to do & see it all in just one night! Believe me, I'm already trying to go back again this year.

My list of things you MUST See & Do while you're there:

*Mickey's Costume Cavalcade Parade*

*VIP Dance Parties with Coloring Stations set up for the kids*

*Jack Skellington's Haunted Mansion Holiday*

*Halloween Screams Fireworks Spectacular*

*Trick or Treating for ALL Ages* (Adults Too!)

*Meet and Greets with your favorite Characters and Villains*

Here's a few of the best tips I can give to those who are planning on attending:

Get there early & plan to stay late. You get to enter the park early, before the actual party begins. Score! Also it's a lot of fun to cover & not that much time to do it in. 

Buy your tickets online & ahead of time. There are nights where the price is only $44. Other nights prices go up to as much as $64. Do your Disney research!

Bring your camera AND your video camera. There are priceless moments that you WON'T want to miss like dancing with the characters.

Don't stress on the long lines for candy, they move fairly quickly.

Get a Corn dog while you're there. That has nothing to do with the Halloween Party, except that Disneyland has the BEST Corn dogs EVER!

Full Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. I was given tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party by Disneyland. These opinions are 100% mine & 100% fresh.