lifestyles
with CHERYL MacKINNON
TRAVEL
&
Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Canadian Travel and Lifestyles As the weather continues to run a bit on the cool side here, a trip down south to Los Angeles could be in order. Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park offer a fabulous getaway that won’t break the bank (a three day weekend is perfect), filled with sunshine, nostalgic fun, and fabulous wining and dining. From aromatherapy treatments and massages at Disney’s upscale Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, to meals with fun-loving characters like Chip and Dale, Donald and Daisy, and, the one and only Mickey and Minnie... who knew grown ups could have such a great time? Check out more at www.disney.ca. A SPECIAL REPORT PROVIDED BY GLOBAL TV'S CHERYL MACKINNON AND
A Grown Up Getaway to Disneyland, California
Travel & Lifestyles is a weekly information report from Cheryl MacKinnon, Founder of ‘kid friendly!’ family tourism and Tourism Industry of Canada 2006 Travel Media Award Finalist for outstanding tourism promotion of Canada. Watch Cheryl on Global TV Morning News every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. in B.C. www.cherylmackinnon.com
Disney Castle Photo: R.Bond
Please contact me at
cherylmack@shaw.ca"
Insider’s Travel Tips US Security now requires travelers to remove all types of shoes. If you’re in sandals with barefeet, pack a pair of sox in a baggie or small cloth shoe bag and keep them in your carry on. Cover your bare feet just prior to passing through the security arch, ensuring clean, germ free tootsies when you put your sandals back on. I recommend making advance reservations for breakfast and dinner at Disney restaurants prior to your departure. While your exact time is not guaranteed due to the sheer volume of visitors to Disneyland, you will be seated within fifteen minutes of your reservations. Simply call 1.714. 781.3463 once you’ve sourced out preferences at www.disney.ca. Click on ‘contact us’ located near the bottom, then Resort FAQs/Dining for answers to frequently asked questions and dining recommendations. If you’ve got more time than a long weekend, Disneyland Resort Park’s “Five-for-Three” Park Hopper Bonus ticket includes two extra days for free, and you can visit Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park on the same day, with access to Disneyland Park up to one hour before it opens to regular guests. View Fantasyland and Tomorrowland attractions, including the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage first, then spend the rest of the day exploring thrilling adventures throughout the rest of Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure. This special offer runs through to April 24th and bookings can be made immediately. How about a Spring break?
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hould the nest be nearing empty while kids leave for post secondary learning institutions - or, perhaps grandchildren aren’t in the picture yet, here is a truly magical trip for the over 40 crowd to take with gal pals, siblings or the ultimate travel mate…your partner. After all, who else can relate to growing up as a child of the fifties and sixties, eagerly anticipating Sunday nights with Walt Disney? Recalling his warm, fatherly persona filling our living rooms along with hilarious cartoons portraying Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald certainly brings back a flood of fond childhood memories. The nostalgic tug continues at the first few bars of ‘When You Wish upon a Star’, to a sighting of Snow White and her seven dwarfs. Yes, Disneyland turned 50 in 2005. Hard to believe the magic of this theme park has brought such joy and pleasure to so many, for so long. Yet, back in the early days, folks actually thought Walt’s theme park plans were crazy and doomed for failure…foolish them, lucky us!
Photo: R>Bond
Must Sees As part of Disney’s hugely successful Year of a Million Dreams promotion (which continues through to the end of this year), touring the Disney Dream Suite is worth the price of admission. The collection of two luxurious guest rooms – each with their own Victorian-styled ensuite, and an antique-filled parlour/living area which pours onto an elegant, inner but outdoor courtyard – complete with wrought iron patio furniture, was designed to near perfect replication in fabric and furnishings from the original rendition created for Walt Disney in the late 60s. Almost every day during the ‘Million Dreams’ promotion, right as they enter the theme park, a lucky family is randomly chosen to stay for free for one night in the suite during their visit to Disneyland. While touring ‘open houses’ seems to be a popular past time of many a boomer, partaking in the pleasures of fine dining – wine pairings and culinary artistry to be precise, ranks right up there as well. Fortunately, this side of Disneyland won’t disappoint sophisticated palates in the least. From a delectable twist on New Orleans Jambalaya, complemented by smooth and sexy live jazz at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, to two excellent eateries which deliver the essence of California’s wine country alongside bountiful harvests from her land and nearby seacoasts – the Napa Rose and Golden Vine Winery restaurants each offer outstanding dining experiences. And, watching the Electrical Parade (considered the most beloved Disney parade of all time), followed by the absolutely spectacular “Remember…Dreams Come True” fireworks display from the balcony of Golden Vine Winery - nightcap in hand, marks the end of day for a truly, grown up getaway to Disney. Kind of makes you think this is what Walt might have had in mind, doesn’t it?
When You Go Have a look at www.disney.ca to help plan your escape. The site clearly answers the most obvious questions regarding where to stay, theme park pricing and the like. Then, call your travel agent to book – it’s incredibly easy and fast. Packages for air, hotel, ground transfers (the Disneyland/ Greyline shuttle was not only convenient upon arrival in LAX, and returning to the airport, it’s a bargain at $30 return per adult) are listed too. You don’t need a car unless you head to the beach and besides, you might be lucky enough to get Teresa as your driver should you choose this route. She’s an Orange County gal from birth who not only adeptly drives on home turf, she’s a walking encyclopedia of fascinating Disney and Orange Country trivia not available anywhere else.
What’s Next? A Cause for Travel – Run a Marathon for Diabetes, Heart & Stroke and Cancer, to Building Homes for Those in Need.