Great Wolf Lodge SoCal || Guide to the Water Park #GWLSoCal

Now that I've given you the low down on all the fun things to do at The Great
Wolf Lodge Southern California BEYOND the water park, it's time to tell you
how fun the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is!!!! We seriously had a fantastic
time at the resort and my kids especially loved the water park. They moaned and
groaned when we left at closing. They were like, just 5 more minutes?!

Luckily, if you're a guest at the Great Wolf Lodge then you get TWO days of 
fun at the water park with each night of your stay! Yep - two days! On the day
you check in, although check in at 4:00PM daily, you can pick up your
wrist bands and enjoy the water park as early as 1:00PM. And although
check out is at 11:00AM daily, you can stay and enjoy the water park 
until closing. Super awesome, huh?!

{FORT MACKENZIE}

This water-fort-tree house is fun for all ages! The multiple levels, interactive
water toys, and kid-activated splash features can entertain you for hours!
My kids loved the body slides and I appreciated that there was a slide for
each of their height requirements. Remember to listen for the bell, because
when it rings, the gigantic bucket on top is ready to tip!!!

{SLAP TAIL POND}

No water park is complete without the fun of a wave pool! Slap Tail Pond is a
zero-depth-entry pool with a five-foot deep end and the waves roll in every five
minutes. We all love the wave pool and I loved that the waves were little kid
friendly so that Grace could enjoy it too!

{CUB PAW POOL}

If you've got someone in the 48" and under set, then Cub Paw Pool will be the

perfect spot! It has lots of fun splash features and perfectly sized slides so that

even your littlest family member will have a blast all day.

{BIG FOOT PASS}

The pools for Big Foot Pass and Chinook Cove are connected to one another 

and are a lot of fun for the physically adept in your family. Chinook Cove is an 

activity pool where you can splash, swim, and play basketball or balance on 

the different floats. Big Foot Pass is pictured above and let's your wolf pups

test their dexterity and strength on the cargo nets and floating lily pads and 

wood slices. Isabella especially loved the challenge and I enjoyed watching 

her try to figure out how to get across successfully!

{WOLF RIDER WIPEOUT}

JT was the only one brave enough in our family to try out the thrill of 

Wolf Rider Wipeout. The staff were so helpful in helping him figure out

which of the three riding style options he was most comfortable with.

The line goes a little slower than most of the other attractions in the water park,

but you'll appreciate it when it's your turn to ride and you get ample time ot

get your flow ride on.

{THE WATER SLIDES}

Because I had Grace and I was the only adult in our group, I didn't get to ride
any of the big awesome water slides. JT went with some of our friends on the
slides and he assured me that they were "totally awesome!", so I will have to
take his word for it until our next visit when I've vowed to ride the
Howlin' Tornado at least a half a dozen times! I like that several of the slides
are "family slides" where 2+ riders can experience the fun together. That way
Isabella and JT could ride together or JT could go with a family friend.

Howlin' Tornado
Coyote Canyon
Wolf Tail
River Canyon Run
Alberta Falls
Mountain Edge Raceway

{CROOKED CREEK}

I don't know how I missed snapping a picture of us floating the day away in

the Great Wolf Lodge's version of the lazy river - Crooked Creek. I must have

been too relaxed and lazy :D But it's a lot of fun and very relaxing to let the 

gentle current carry you along.

{RACCOON LAGOON}

If the weather is nice and you want some California sun, then head outside to

Raccoon Lagoon! There are geysers, fountains, water basketball, and even a 

mini dumping bucket. There are also cabana rentals and plenty of poolside 

seating if you just want to catch some rays.

Can you believe all the fun contained under one roof? Be sure to check out what there is to do BEYOND THE WATER PARK and let me know what your favorite park of your stay is once you visit. You can check Groupon and create a MyGreatWolf account to find the best deals on your stay.

{Great Wolf Lodge Water Park FAQ's}

ARE TOWELS PROVIDED?
YES! But they are tiny. So they're perfect for your kids, but if you want it to wrap around more than just your thigh, then I'd bring a beach towel for yourself and any other adults in the group.

DO THEY HAVE LIFE VESTS AND ARE THEY REQUIRED?
YES! They have life vests for every size and age, but they are available on a first come, first served basis. I brought Grace's puddle jumper for her because it is US Coast Guard approved and she doesn't mind wearing it. But it's nice to know that if you forget yours or don't have one, that the Great Wolf Lodge has you covered!

ARE THERE CABANA RENTALS?
YES! There are indoor and outdoor cabana rentals available. I loved that some of the indoor cabana spots are near the Cub Paw Pool, so you have easy access to the play area for your little ones. Each cabana has seating for six, a 20" flat screen TV, a safe, and a mini refrigerator with an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.

CAN I TAKE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS ON THE SLIDES?
YES! Bring your Go Pros, water proof cameras, and phones in water proof pouches to capture all the fun you're having at the water park!

CAN I BRING IN A COOLER/OUTSIDE FOOD?
You can bring coolers into the hotel and keep them in your room, but they are not allowed in the water park.

ARE THERE LOCKERS AVAILABLE TO RENT IN THE WATERPARK?
YES! You can rent lockers for your small incidentals that you'd like to keep with you during your water park fun. Your luggage will either need to stay in your room or your vehicle.

Great Wolf Lodge SoCal: Beyond the Water Park || Entertainment and Dining #GWLSoCal

Growing up in the Midwest, everyone knew about the amazingness of the Great
Wolf Lodge and it's hotel resort combined with a fantastic indoor water park
that you can enjoy year around. So, when I heard that the Great Wolf Lodge
was coming to Southern California I have been dreaming of taking my kids there
to experience the wonder of what General Manger Phil Cunningham has called
little Las Vegas! It truly is Las Vegas for the little people in your life. With a
water park, bowling, character meet and greets, magic wands, dragons, delicious
food and so much more - there's not much you can't do or experience at the
Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California.

{ROOM SUITES}

If you're looking for an amazing place to stay while you're in Southern California

or looking for a great staycation destination, the Great Wolf Lodge has you

covered! With 600+ suites and a variety of room options - you will love staying

at the Great Wolf Lodge. Be sure to sign up for the email list to get great offers

on room prices. Right now they have the Early Saver promotion where if you 

book at least 60 days in advance you can save up to 40% on a one night stay and 

up to 50% on two or more night stay midweek. AND if you find a better price 

for your stay at Greatwolf.com, they'll match it at no charge! 

When you stay at the Great Wolf Lodge there are three different suite options:

Standard

Themed

Premium

Isabella fell in love with the KidCabin Suite. It features an in-suite log cabin 

that doubles as the sleeping quarters for the kids. The log cabin has bunk beds & 

a day bed in the main living area features a queen bed and a full-size sofa sleeper.

To meet the overwhelming interest of families wanting a themed suite that could

accommodate the needs of larger families, the Great Wolf Lodge has

added 18 Deluxe Wolf Den King Suites. These deluxe suites include a wolf's

den with bunk beds, a king-size bed in a private adjoined room, and a queen bed

and sofa sleeper in the main portion of the suite! 

And now ONLY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA kids can activate special

animations in their Wolf Dens using the magic wand they use for MagiQuest 

and the plush Great Wolf Kid they use for Clubhouse Crew. So cool!

{ENTERTAINMENT}
Now that you're settled in your suite and ready to explore all that the Great Wolf
Lodge has to offer, lets check out the great entertainment options the resort
has beyond the famous indoor water park. On the first floor of the resort (also
known as Main Street) they have a lot of fun attractions that, unlike the water
park, are available to everyone - not just hotel guests.

{MagiQuest}

MagiQuest is a live action game where you choose a special wand and then set

off on a quest in Vellera, the realm of imagination, to help the Guardians protect

realm portals. You complete the quests all over the resort using your magic wand

to activate interactive screens and spots that are found throughout the resort.

MagiQuest FAQs

How much does it cost?

Each game costs $14.99 and there are three game options

Wands range in price from $17.99 to $23.99 (required to play)

Wand Toppers range in price from $15.99 to $19.99 (optional)

How long does it take to play?

Each quest takes 15-30 minutes to complete and players can complete as many

quests as they'd like during their stay. Our MagiQuest guide said that to complete

an entire game takes between 6 and 8 hours.

Can I use my wand again on my next visit?

YES! Be sure to take your wand home with you and bring it back on your next

visit to the Great Wolf Lodge. Your wand will remember all your completed

quests and pick up where you left off.

{Northern Lights Arcade}

My kids are always drawn to the arcade. The bright lights, the fun games, and the

chance to WIN IT BIG and take home a fun prize gets them every time. The 

Northern Lights Arcade at the Great Wolf Lodge is gigantic and kids of all ages

will find something to do there. Purchase points for your Paw Points card, swipe 

at your favorite games, and you're ready to play.

Arcade FAQs

Do my Paw Points expire?

No! Keep your card and use them on your next visit.

Where can I win the most tickets?

This is totally our opinion, but Fish Bowl Frenzy has the chance of winning 600

tickets!!! So play it! JT hit the mother lode and treated his sisters to a prize of

their choosing!

{Ten Paw Alley}

 

No rental shoes here! Wear your own shoes and play 10 frames with

your family and friends on the half-length lanes with 5-pound balls. There are

bumpers on the lanes and everyone can have a great time.

Ten Paw Alley FAQs

How much does a game cost?

The price per person is $6 for 10 frames. There is a maximum of 6 persons

per lane.

{Howl at the Moon Glow Golf}

Have you ever played glow in the dark miniature golf? You haven't! Well,

you will love playing 9 holes at Howl at the Moon Glow Golf. We all loved how

our clothes (and teeth!) glowed in the black-light-illuminated course and it was

easy and fun for us all to play.

Glow Golf FAQs

How much does it cost?

The price is $7 per person, per game.

How long does it take?

You move at your own pace, so you can go as quickly or as slowly as you'd

like. Parties that are moving at a slower pace are asked to let those moving

more quickly to play through.

What happens if I get a hole in one on the ninth hole?

The wolf will howl for your victory!!!

{Scooops Kid Spa}

Scooops (yes, there really are 3 o's) is a girly-girls dream come true! This sweet
retreat combines ice cream-themed fizzy soaks, sherbet scrubs and yummy nail
colors! You can even book a Mommy & Me pedicure for a fun day with your
favorite little girl.

Scooops FAQs

How much does a pedicure cost?
There are a variety of options and price points. They start at $44.99 and go
up from there.

Do I need an appointment?
They aren't required, but if you'd like to make sure you get the time and
date you want during your stay contact the Scooops Spa directly at
714.530.9653.

{DINING AT THE GREAT WOLF LODGE}
One of the most amazing things about the Great Wolf Lodge - besides everything
I've just shown you - are all the dining options!!! Executive Chef  Hany Ali
creates food that is not only delicious, but the presentation is beautiful! I also
love how friendly they are to families with food allergies. Chef Hany says that as
soon as you notify the resort that you have a specific allergy or dietary
restriction, a specific chef is assigned to make sure all your food is safe for you
to eat. They also do not serve any peanut or tree nut products.

During our visit we ate at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill and tried out their summer

menu items. Chef Hany changes the menu seasonally to make sure he is using

fresh ingredients and most are all natural and organic.

We had Butternut Squash Soup, Arugula and Peach Salad with balsamic 

vinaigrette, Chilean Sea Bass served atop risotto, and a 24 hour braised veal 

cheek served on top of cheese grits (that was my favorite!)

The kids enjoyed corn dogs, gluten free chicken tenders, mac and cheese, 

fresh veggies and a variety of dipping sauces. My kids can be picky (as most kids

usually are) and they gobbled up all the food that Chef Hany and his staff 

thoughtfully prepared for our visit.

{Great Wolf Lodge Dining Options}

Lodge Wood Fired Grill

refined dishes from the renowned culinary team

Hungry As a Wolf 

pizza, pasta, salads, and more

The Loose Moose Family Kitchen 

a sumptuous buffet

Bear Paw Sweets & Eats

fresh-baked pastries, cupcakes, ice cream, fresh fruit and more

Dunkin Donuts

donuts, coffee, various breakfast items, and sandwiches

Buckets Incredible Craveables

(located in the water park)

burgers, sandwiches, fresh salads, veggies, ice cream

Grizzly Jack’s Bar and Grill

 poolside dining that offers regionally motivated cuisine and seasonal selections

The Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California really is like a cruise ship on land. You'll find everything you need to have a wonderful vacation under one roof and everyone will love the deluxe accomodations. General Manager Phil Cunningham continues to grow and enhance the resort's offerings and amenities. This summer they've added a Wine Down Service for parents, weekend family flicks in the outdoor pool, and a knighting ceremony for MagiQuest.

Still to come this year the resort will add the Great Wolf Lodge Candy Company which will feature a wide assortment of packaged chocolates, along with a mix and match offering collection of favorite sweets. The Lodge Wood Fired Grill will expand the bar area with additional seats to accommodate the growing popularity of this family favorite restaurant. 

Want to know more about the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park?

Check out why it's fun for all ages!!

Fresh, Organic and Fabulous: ALDI comes to Southern California!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by ALDI as part of Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

When I heard that ALDI was coming Southern California, I was ecstatic!

For years I have heard friends and family on the East coast brag about how 

awesome it was to shop at ALDI and all the great deals they were getting on

great food at great prices. And I was always like, wow, that's just GREAT for you!

Well, now it's AMAZING for me, because ALDI has opened 25 stores in

the Southern California area by July 2016 and three of them happen

to be conveniently located near me!

So on Saturday, Isabella and I headed to ALDI in Fountain Valley,

which is right near my favorite fabric store and nail salon, and decided to

check out all that the new store had to offer and find out if the food and the prices

were as GREAT as all my friends and family had been telling me.

We both had a great time checking out all that ALDI has to offer.

What we both noticed right away are all the ALDI-exclusive brands including

SimplyNature®

(includes USDA Certified Organic and non-GMO verified items),

 liveGfree®

(gluten free products), 

and NeverAny! 

(free from antibiotics, hormones, and animal by-products).

There was a lot of fresh and organic produce and Isabella was excited

to see big juicy SimplyNature® Organic Strawberries.
 I was most excited to find $.99 Goldhen Large Eggs! Did you hear

that? $.99 EGGS! I haven't seen a price like that on eggs in YEARS!

I really appreciate that ALDI values it's customers and believes that premium,

natural and organic food should come at prices affordable for everyone.

One of the ways they keep prices low is by keeping their costs down by

having you deposit a quarter for a shopping cart to detour theft 

and keep the parking lot clean and cart free.

I found just about everything I need for school lunches for the kids

for these last few days of school. They had all the great items the kids want

to see in their lunches - like like Friendly Farms Moo Tubes,
Friendly Farms Yogurt Squeezies, Happy Farms Spirals String Cheese, fresh fruit,

and chips - and most were either organic, non-GMO or gluten free. I also

found lots of yummy ingredients for making nutritious and delicious dinners

for the entire family.

I found ALDI to be a delightful place to shop, with great food choices,

at great prices, and really helpful employees that keep you pointed in the right direction.

Another way they keep costs down is to charge for bags, which encourages you to

bring your reusable bags or purchase a cool ALDI bag to take home your

groceries in. I appreciate this measure because I cringe at the thought of how many

plastic bags are used and thrown away each year.

So, be sure to pop into one of the new 25 Southern California

locations and see for yourself why ALDI is so amazing. Because besides

$.99 EGGS people! they have sparkly gold bathing suits for your toddler.

Family Dinner at Sessions West Coast Deli: {Giveaway}

Disclosure: We were provided dinner for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Last week were squeezing every last bit out of our summer and I shared

with you about the fantastic dinner special Sessions West Coast Deli

was offering to help locals finish out their summer.

Since the waves were supposed to be HUGE down at "The Wedge" in

Newport beach, we packed up the family and headed down to check them out,

but first we stopped at Sessions to pick up the dinner they had prepared for us.

I think that everyone in Orange County had the same idea, 

so traffic down to the beach was CRAZY!

So, when we got to Sessions, we made a new game plan and

decided to dine al fresco outside Sessions.

It had such a cool, laid back vibe that we decided we wanted to enjoy

our delicious food instead of fighting the locals down to the beach.

The food was AMAZING!!!!!

JT had the Naked Dog and he dug right in.

He just went on and on about how delicious it was 

and he loved the poppyseed potato roll.
I liked this option because it meant he could have it his way - mustard and ketchup.

I think if I were to order a Sessions gourmet hot dog, I'd go with the Mad Dog,

because it's got guacamole.

Yum! 

Isabella went with the Pie Zano flatbread pizza.

It was like a flavor explosion in your mouth!

Isabella was so taken with the fresh potato chips that she 

couldn't even eat a quarter of the pizza,

but don't worry, daddy finished it off for her.

JJ and I went with one of Sessions gourmet sandwiches - the Sloppy Barney.

Totally delicious and I loved the So Cal Slaw and pickle.

Sessions is reasonably priced, provides a great SoCal atmosphere, inspired

by the local surf and skate culture, and offers amazing palate pleasing food.

Sessions West Coast deli features 20 hot and cold sandwiches, 

yummy housemade sauces and a variety of sides, salads, and soups prepared daily.

The bread is freshly baked and the veggies are locally grown - you can't beat it!

What's better than a cold Diet Coke and delicious pasta salad

on a warm California evening?

Not much.

So grab your beach blanket and the family and head to Sessions West Coast Deli

to squeeze out the last bit of summer that Southern California has left!

Sessions West Coast Deli

2823 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach

and is open daily from 7AM to 10PM.

You can keep up with Sessions West Coast Deli on:

{FACEBOOK}

{TWITTER}

{INSTAGRAM}

GIVEAWAY!!!! The rad people at Sessions have given me a $25 gift certificate

to giveaway so you can enjoy their delicious menu for yourself!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coming Soon! Disney LIVE! Mickey's Musical Festival

It's almost time for Disney LIVE! Mickey's Musical Festival
to debut in Long Beach!
Mickey Mouse and his friends - Minnie, Donald, and Goofy - will be performing
in a music mash-up of mega proportions that you don't want to miss!
You'll enjoy the greatest hits from the blockbuster movies Aladdin,
The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story remixed to rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz and country.

LONG BEACH
Terrace Theater

300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach

 Saturday, September 13th 1:00PM and 4:00PM

 Sunday, September 14th 1:00PM and 4:00PM
Tickets Start at $25.00
To order tickets by phone call (562) 436-3636
  or online at www.ticketmaster.com

HOLLYWOOD
Dolby Theatre

6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Friday, September 19th 4:30PM

Saturday, September 20th 10:30AM, 1:30PM, and 4:30PM
Sunday, September 21st 1:30PM and 4:30PM
Tickets Start at $25.00
To order tickets by phone call (323) 308-6300
or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Use the discount code MOM to get

a Family Four Pack for $80!!!!

Expires 9/21/14

Summer Fun at Knott's Berry Farm

Disclosure: The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, 

nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

It's time for summer fun at Knott's Berry Farm!

First up are three all new rides in the fun-filled Camp Snoopy.

It's Camp Snoopy's 30th anniversary and Knott's is celebrating with

a complete restoration of the entire land.

The new rides include:

*Linus Launcher*

(replaced Charlie Brown's Speedway)

On this exciting right you lay on your stomach on one of 12  "blankets"

and fly around and around.

*Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies*

(replaced Log Peeler)
Riders can board their very own all-terrain vehicle for a spinning,

bouncing, bumpy ride around the High Sierras.

*Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer*

(replaced Snoopy Bounce)

This high-flying adventure takes riders 18 feet above the ground

to soar about the land's winding paths and babbling streams. 

We were at Camp Snoopy about a month ago and these two were excited

to see that the new rides were almost open.

JT has decided that his first ride of our next trip will be Linus Launcher

and Isabella is excited about Charlie Brown's Kite Flyer.

The Calico Mine Ride received a top-to-bottom refurbishment this year

and reopened this week! The update includes dozens of  new

animatronic figures, state of the art lighting, audio and special effects.

I can't wait to see the update and see which lucky miner is finally able

to strike it rich with gold!!

There is also some exciting entertainment coming to Knott's Berry Farm this summer.
The new entertainment includes:

*Snoopy . . . Unleashed!*
The spectacular ice skating production includes the Peanuts characters,
professional ice skaters, and Snoopy - who is off his leash and ready for action.

*Boom Town*
This Wild West show returns this summer with a Cirque performance
that brings to life what it was like to live in the small town of Calico in the 1860s.

*Charlie Brown's Happy Campers*
This new show takes place inside the newly renovated Campy Snoopy Theatre.
Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, their friend JT and Snoopy create a show
that is sure to make an outdoorsman out of anybody.

We're excited for all the fun and exciting things happening at Knott's Berry Farm
right now and we can't wait to experience them first hand.

We {HEART} California: Why My California Town Rocks

Thank you to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® for sponsoring this post.

I've lived all over the country - Nevada, Iowa, Kentucky, Utah

and I've loved every place that I've lived for one reason or the other.

However, nothing really compares to living in California.

It's so amazing that I try to recruit all of my closest friends

and family to join me in this amazing place.

When I first moved to California 10 years ago I didn't know that I would love it as much as I do.

My husband was born and raised in Westminster, CA,

 so I had been to California for vacations lots of times during the first 2 years of our marriage,

but being on vacation somewhere and living there just isn't quite the same.

When we decided to purchase our home, location was really important to us.

Before we purchased our home, 

my husband had a 45-60 minute commute to and from work each day.

I wanted our home to be close to his office so that we could have that

1.5+ hours a day back to use for family fun.

So, when the opportunity to buy in a new neighborhood in Tustin - we were over the moon.

This cut his commute from 45 minutes to 10 - and it was amazing!

There are so many things about the Tustin/Irvine area that we love.

The Irvine Unified School District is one of the top school districts in the State.

My son has had wonderful teachers and he is receiving a really wonderful education.

One of my favorite things about my city are all the great walking paths and parks.

There are so many wonderful parks that it makes it so easy to be

outside and enjoy the gorgeous California weather year round.

I also love how the city is planned and designed.

I adore the wide streets with trees and foliage down the center dividers.

I like that there aren't any billboards or tall signage all over the city.

I love the way that the city is zoned - so that the retail is clustered together

and that the business/industrial areas are separate from the residential areas.

It's A-mazing!

Another fantastic thing about our area are all the swimming pools!

Every neighborhood association has at least one or two and most are heated year round.

Since we have fantastic weather 98% of the year, this means we can swim

in November or January or, well, pretty much whenever we want!

My kids love it and I love that it keeps them active.

We are also centrally located to so many family friendly things

to do here in Southern California. 

Museums, zoos, theme parks - especially Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland -

 are all so close that it makes doing lots of fun activities together as a family effortless.

I use the close proximity to the theme parks to get my extended family

to come visit me on a regular basis.

The number one reason that my husband even got me to consider leaving

my family in Utah and coming to California was THE BEACH!
We are 15-20 minutes from the beach - depending on lights and traffic -
and it is seriously one of my favorite places to spend a day.

There are so many fantastic things about where we live in California,
that I could on for days -
local restaurants, fantastic weather, parks, beaches,
master planned communities, quality public education, walking paths,
swimming year round -
you see, I could go on for days!
If you're thinking you'd like to enjoy all the California has to offer,
be sure to contact the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
 today!

Disclosure: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.