Disney Store Earth Day Event 2011

Tomorrow is Earth Day 2011, and Disney Store is giving away reusable shopping bags when you bring in 5 plastic shopping bags to recycle! Limit one bag per guest, while supplies last.

Here is a short list of other Earth Day freebies being offered by various companies:

Bring a reusable mug or tumbler into any Starbucks and get FREE coffee -- your choice of brew, hot or iced! Click HERE for the official page.

Trade in your current skin care product (full or empty) at any Origins counter or store and receive a FREE full-size Origins Cleanser! You'll also need to print, fill out and bring THIS form in with you.

Lowe's is giving away a million trees! Visit your local Lowe's to get a FREE seedling! Click HERE for the official page.

All 394 national parks have FREE entrance! Read more about it HERE.

IRL #UBP11

In internet-speak IRL means In Real Life.

IRL I am a full time wife, mommy and federal employee. I also run three internet stores and try (keyword... try) to keep up writing on several different Disney blogs.

Six years ago I created our main site FindingMickey.com - The Hidden Mickeys and Details of Disneyland Resort. My husband jumped on board and now puts in more hours than I do! Our website is family run and something we love doing together. Our boys (ages 2 and 4) always look forward to our next trip to Disneyland Resort!

I would like to mommy blog more frequently, but I'm too busy picking up Legos or working on the next project. IRL I'm just like you, a busy parent with too much on my plate. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about me, and I hope you will make us your Disneyland destination on the web! Thank you for visiting! ºoº

DisneylandMom.com | Twitter @DLmomblog | DisneylandMom.com on facebook

Many thanks to 5minutesformom.com for hosting Ultimate Blog Party 2011. Please visit them to join #UBP11 or visit the many other wonderful mommy (& daddy) blogs listed!

On the Back Burner

Hello, folks! Sorry for the infrequent posts here. DisneylandMom.com is on the back burner while we concentrate on our main website FindingMickey.com - The Hidden Mickeys and Details of Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA. Thank you so much for following, and hopefully I can do some more mommy blogging when things quiet down. See you real soon! ºoº

Please visit us at FindingMickey.com

Please follow us on Twitter @FindingMickey

Please 'LIKE' us on facebook

Disneyland's Mint Julep Recipe

A fun and educational activity to do with your little ones on a warm spring or summer's day is make Disneyland's famous mint juleps! This refreshing, non-alcoholic drink will make your kids feel special while teaching them about units of measure and how to follow instructions! This recipe is available at City Hall on Main Street.



Disneyland Mint Julep Recipe

Yield: 24 (1 cup) Servings

Ingredients:
3 lb sugar
1 ga water
1 pt Creme de Menthe syrup (non-alcoholic)
1/2 6 oz can of frozen limeade concentrate
1/2 6 oz can of frozen lemonade concentrate

Garnishes:
fresh mint sprigs
maraschino cherries
fresh lemon wedge

Instructions:
Combine sugar and water in a large pot or saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from heat. Add Creme de Menthe syrup, limeade and lemonade concentrates. Stir and chill. Serve with ice, sprigs of mint, maraschino cherries and fresh lemon wedge. Don't forget the little red straws!

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I created a sugar free version of this recipe for sugar restricted diets!

Disneyland Mint Julep Recipe (Sugar Free)

Yield: 24 (1 cup) Servings

Ingredients:
3 lb granulated sucralose sweetener (Splenda or other brand)
1 ga water
1 pt Da Vinci brand sugar free Creme de Menthe syrup (non-alcoholic)
3 oz sugar free limeade concentrate
3 oz sugar free lemonade concentrate

Garnishes:
fresh mint sprigs
fresh lemon wedge
maraschino cherries (optional)

Instructions:
In a large pot or saucepan dissolve sweetener in boiling water. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool. Strain through a coffee filter to remove sediments. Add Creme de Menthe syrup, limeade and lemonade concentrates. Stir and chill. Serve with ice, sprigs of mint and fresh lemon wedge (add maraschino cherries if you wish). Don't forget the little red straws!

Sit back, relax and enjoy! ºoº

You can find this Disneyland recipe and more at FindingMickey.com!

Summer Tips: Stay Cool & Hydrated

Hooray... it's summer! Many people visit Disneyland Resort this time of year. But don't forget the happiest place on earth can also be the hottest! Here are a few tips you'll want to remember:

• Stay Hydrated! Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink. When you feel thirsty your body is already dehydrated. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol. The best fluids are water or sports drinks. We have never had a problem toting in a small cooler on/in our stroller with frozen waters and sports drinks.

• Protect Yourself From The Sun! Sunscreen, protective head gear and sun glasses are good ideas! If you forget your sunscreen some of the gift shops carry it.

• Stay Cool! When the sun is at its peak look for cool zones. Check out indoor attractions like Innoventions at Disneyland or the Disney Animation building at Disney's California Adventure. Air conditioned stores are also a good places to cool down!

Other ways to beat the heat: mini battery operated fans, misters, ice cream, dole whip, ride a water attraction, watch an indoor show like Aladdin at Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland Resort's Baby Care Centers

When enjoying the Disneyland Resort parks with little ones, the Baby Care Centers can be an invaluable resource. Both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure have a Baby Care Center. Disneyland's is located at the northeast end of Main Street, U.S.A., and Disney's California Adventure's is located in Golden State next to the Bakery Tour in the Pacific Warf.

Tip: First aid is located next door to each Baby Care Center.

Baby Care Centers provide nursing moms with a private place to breast feed complete with rocking chairs and low lighting (Disneyland's is a shared space with one private room and DCA has two private rooms), feeding areas with high chairs, a microwave (for baby food only), filtered water, changing room and a small training toilet for toddlers. Sundries such as diapers, wipes, formula and baby food can also be purchased here.

Tip: It's always a good idea to carry extra diapers, wipes and a change of clothes for the little ones. You never know what might happen!

If you are far from a Baby Care Center and don't feel like walking... all bathrooms, including men's and family rest rooms, have baby-changing stations. Some also have changing kit vending machines available (you'll need $1 in quarters).

Fun fact: The baby whose photo is on the wall in Disneyland's Baby Care Center is Walt Disney himself!

Disney California Adventure Attractions

Updated 6/21/2011

How to get the most out of your day at Disney California Adventure:

On your way into Disney California Adventure grab a Guide to the Magic park map and current Entertainment Times Guide for show times. The Guest Relations Lobby is located directly to your left as you enter the park.

Take a few mintues to look at the park map, attractions and show times. Do you want to squeeze in as much as possible or do you want to hit a few favorites and call it a day? Plan out what attractions and shows you would like to see. Make a route that will save time and eliminate excess walking.

Here is a list of some attractions and entertainment that you and your little ones may find especially enjoyable!

Hollywood Pictures Backlot

Disney Junior - Live on Stage

Turtle Talk with Crush

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

CHARACTER GREETINGS: Disney Stars

"a bug's land"

Flik's Flyers

Francis' Ladybug Boogie

Heimlich's Chew Chew Train

Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies (height requirement 36" / 91 cm or taller)

Princess Dot Puddle Park

Bountiful Valley Farm

CHARACTER GREETINGS: Flik & Atta

Paradise Pier

Games of the Boardwalk

King Triton's Carousel

Golden Zephyr

Jumpin' Jellyfish (height requirement 40" / 102 cm or taller)

Mickey's Fun Wheel

Golden State

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (height requirement 42" / 106 cm or taller)

If you want to experience an attraction, but your little one is just too little... use Disney's Rider Switch program! One adult rides while the other waits with the child, then you can switch places without having to wait in line all over again! The pass is good for two people so you don't have to ride alone. Ask any Cast Member for details.

Some of the information above can be found in the Magical Beginnings guide. Download your own Magical Beginnings guide HERE! This guide can also be picked-up in person from the Guest Relations Lobby (located directly to the left as you enter the park) or any Disneyland Resort Information or Baby Care Center.