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I have a confession to make: I was one of the people who wasn’t really sure Disney needed to make another Toy Story movie. Since the trilogy seemed to wrap up so well, I wasn’t sure where else Pixar could go with the story.

But, having attended several Disney Social Media Mom (DSMM) conferences and hearing directly from the creators themselves, I know that one thing Pixar values above all else is storytelling. I had to trust they would not create a movie unless they felt they had something to say. I am glad to report that my skepticism was unfounded. I really enjoyed this movie and feel it is a good addition to the Toy Story line up.

In typical Pixar fashion, the movie is really pretty. The colors are just gorgeous. I noticed little things like Gabby Gabby's hair. During one of the DSMM sessions, one of the animators spoke on just how difficult hair is to do. They had a whole team devoted to Merida's wonderfully wild red hair.

Some of the questions I've seen floating around about the movie are easy to answer without spoilers and others aren't. I’ll do my best keep this review as spoiler free as possible.

Here are eight things you might want to know before seeing Toy Story 4 this weekend

What is Toy Story 4 about?

It's about an hour and a half. Just kidding. Like the others before it, it's about the relationship kids develop with their toys. It's about friendship and belonging. I also think it's about growing up and moving on. There's a romantic element to Toy Story, a bit of female empowerment and pushing limits. As in, how far will you go to help a friend?

Who stars in Toy Story 4?

The original cast has remained, and we have the return of some favorites: Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Tony Hale as Forky, Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele as Ducky and Bunny, Madeleine McGraw as Bonnie, Christina Hendricks as Gabby Gabby, Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom, Ally Maki as Giggle McDimples and Joan Cusack as Jessie. 

The voice cast also includes Jay Hernandez as Bonnie's dad, Lori Alan as Bonnie's mom, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Emily Davis as the Billy Goats. 

Wallace Shawn returns as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, and Estelle Harris and the late Don Rickles as Mrs. and Mr. Potato Head. Rickles passed away in 2017. The LA Times did an interesting story about including him posthumously.

Is Andy in Toy Story 4?

Yes and no. I feel like if I get into it, I'll go more into the plot than I want to.

Well I cry during the movie?

Maybe. I think that will depend on what stage of life you’re in. Parents with young kids will identify with starting kindergarten and the changes that brings to a family.

Parents with older kids will relate to what it’s like to move from one phase of childhood to another. Are you a hopeless romantic? Have you ever had to say goodbye your best friend? If so, bring tissues.

Are there Easter Eggs in Toy Story 4?

Yes. I only found two but I know there are many, many more. Supposedly, Toy Story 4 has the most Easter Eggs of any other Pixar film. During the antique store scenes, keep your eyes out for a character from every Pixar movie to date. If you can't wait, Meghan from JaMonkey has compiled a partial Easter Egg list.

Is Toy Story 4 scary for little children?

Possibly. If you know your kids don’t like clowns, there are parts of the movie they may not enjoy.

Will my tweens and teens like it?

Mine did. The whole ride home he talked about Bo Peep and her character and how it was nice that she had so much screen time. We had a really thoughtful discussion about it and re-laughed at some of the jokes.

Should we stay after the credits?

Yes, there is an end credit scene. Several, actually.

#ToyStory4 opens in US theaters on July 21st

Are you planning a visit to the parks? I've created a shoppable packing list on Amazon with products we've taken to Disney, or ones we wish we'd had. Click here to visit my Disney Vacation Packing List.

Connect with Toy Story on social media: 
Facebook: Pixar Toy Story
Twitter: @ToyStory 
Instagram: @ToyStory 
YouTube: Disney Pixar  

Click here to download Toy Story 4 recipes, crafts, activities, and coloring sheet PDF's.

Disclosure: I was gifted with tickets to see the movie prior to its public release. All opinions are my own. Photo credit to Disney. This post contains affiliate links.

Avengers: Endgame Reaction and Review

How do you end something that is more than 10 years in the making? Avengers: Endgame is how. This world, the MCU, is the epitome of storytelling. We've been so invested in these people it's hard not to have high expectations for this, the final installment.

I tip my hat to Directors the Russo's for creating such an eloquent farewell. They, along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley and Producer Kevin Feige have done what Disney does best: put the customer experience first. This movie is for the the fans.

Even though we've been exposed to the idea that good guys always win (Game of Thrones, anyone?), it's still disconcerting when things go as horribly wrong as they did in Infinity War. When we last saw earth's defenders, some had been, literally, beaten. Some were presumed lost in space and many others floated away as a result of Thanos' creation of the Infinity Gauntlet and making good on his promise to wipe out half of Earth's population. They hadn't yet met Captain Marvel. 

Endgame picks up in the past, but doesn't stay there for long, at least initially. The movies' use of time and time jumps is masterful. This is where having a refresher on the history of the Infinity Stones* and where (and when) we last saw them prior to The Snap will be helpful. 

Despite being three hours long, there were no silly gimmicks. The movie didn't feel stuffed. Every scene felt like it belonged. Avengers: Endgame feels very familiar, but still manages to be something I've never seen before. I was expecting to be surprised, I was not expecting to be shocked.

Even though every major cast member makes an appearance, there's nothing gratuitous about their scenes (there are actually characters I would have liked to see more of). Each time someone new appears on screen, there's a distinct shift. For instance, we get the snappy dialogue and one-liners from Iron Man and the playfulness and fun music of Guardians of the Galaxy.

We know there are other movies in the works, so some of the moments in the film feel like nods towards things to come. Others feel like acknowledgements of the journey and just how much these people have been through. This movie a three-hour emotional roller coaster. I got goosebumps about 30 seconds in. The audience gasped more than once, lost its collective sh*t more than once and cheered more times than I can count. 

It hit so many notes: redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, love, what it means to be a family and #GirlPower. It's a cliche, but Avengers: Endgame will make you laugh and cry. Doctor Strange saw 14 million variations on how the Endgame would play out, and he told Iron Man only one would work. He was right. For me, this movie played out the only way it could and still satisfy the franchise, fans and the arc of storytelling. 

Things to know before seeing Avengers: Endgame

Should I re-watch any of the movies beforehand?

I certainly don't think you need to watch all of them, but if you're fuzzy on some of the chronology, this guide breaks down which MCU movies to see in their entirety and which you can fast forward through before Endgame. If you only need a refresher on who survived The Snap and who didn't, re-watch Infinity War (or just go to Entertainment Weekly). 

Is there a good time to go to the restroom?

No. Snack with caution. 
(But CNET has some ideas. When we see the film again this weekend I might rescind my 'no'.)

Will I want to bring my kids?

Definitely. If your kids are the same age as mine, they've grown up with the Avengers. They need to see how it all wraps up. Younger kids may not like how long the movie is and you may not want to take any bathroom/snack breaks. See above.

Will I want to see Avengers: Endgame more than once?

I think so. I'm glad we're going again because I missed a little bit of dialogue. There are also times where there is so much happening it's overwhelming (in a good way).

*This is a super detailed chronology. There are so many awesome links there including an interactive map of MCU locations!



Connect with Marvel on social media:
Website and Mobile site: https://www.marvel.com/movies/avengers-endgame
Facebook: @MarvelStudios
Twitter: @MarvelStudios
Instagram: @MarvelStudios

Disclosure: See Avengers: Endgame in theaters starting April 29th. Photos and videos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Studios. I was gifted tickets to see the media preview. This post may contain affiliate links.

6 Things to Know Before Seeing Avengers: Infinity War

I will admit one of the reasons I've been hesitant to write about movies, especially blockbusters, is because of spoilers. How can we really talk about something if we can’t really talk about it? 

If I have to avoid every major and minor plot and subplot, can I still call this a review? Also, in this day and age, what defines a spoiler? When we are discussing something that has already been a book or a comic book, are we actually spoiling anything? The comics have been out for decades (the first Captain America is from 1941!) so many people have had an idea where the Marvel movies have been heading.  

L-R: Peter Parker, Tony Stark, Drax, Peter Quill, Mantis

Is there a statute of limitations on how long we should wait to talk about something as high profile as the Avengers? What's an appropriate wait time? Opening weekend? The following Tuesday? A full week? Social media makes it hard to avoid discussion, but should the early birds be forced to contain their excitement or move to secret rooms and private messages so as not to inconvenience everyone else? 

For instance, there’s a moment in the film that’s really personal for me. It has nothing to do with the plot. It’s more about the relationship between two of the characters. But, if I mention it, will I be giving what amounts to an unexpectedly tender moment away? Or, because it’s personal to me, will anybody else even notice it? Aren't the post-credit scenes kind of spoilers, in a way? I'm not a die-hard fan, but we've been waiting 10 years for this to come together. Secrets are going to be hard to keep.

Thanos

With that in mind, I’ll give the standard read this at your own risk disclaimer. Thanos demands silence so I have no intention of giving anything away, but your definition of a spoiler might be different than mine. 

Drink At Your Own Peril 

At 2 hours and 29 minutes, this is a long movie. You might want to think carefully about your beverage consumption. I’ve been trying to think of a point in the movie where it might be appropriate to take a potty break, but I can’t really think of one. I asked my husband and he couldn’t think of anything either. Geek Dad has an idea that seems pretty safe. If you choose to go with this recommended moment, I think you should still handle your business quickly (same spoiler warning applies). Drink responsibly or be prepared to hold it. 

Binge Watch to Get Current 

If you’re one of the people who has not caught up on the Marvel Universe, or has only seen select films, this movie isn’t for you. Infinity War brings many plot lines together and if you don’t know the cast of characters you will be lost. CNet put out a thorough guide to watching all the Marvel properties (including TV shows), and in what order, to be current before seeing Infinity War. WaPo also had a really good Marvel movie timeline, broken down by character. 

You Won't Get Lost

L-R: Dr. Strange, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Wong

There are so. many. people. in this movie. I thought it would be confusing, or feel like the actors were jockeying for screen time, but it's fine. One of the screenwriters, Christopher Markus, said Infinity War is "not one long scene with thirty-five people in it." I agree. Maybe precisely because it's a long movie, I didn't feel any of the dialogue was forced.

Wakanda Forever 

Shuri

While it’s really cool to see the different worlds collide and characters meet for the first time, I think I was most excited about being back in Wakanda. Leticia Wright's Shuri has, in my opinion, one of the best lines in the movie. Black Panther was so deep, I'm still totally in my feelings about it. The film bounces around to lots of locations, but I like Wakanda the best.

Buy Your Second Showing Now 

As with a few of the other 18 movies in this franchise, Infinity War is a bit of a roller coaster. We missed some of the dialogue in the film due to crowd reaction. We’ve already decided we need to see it again. Mostly because it's a good movie but hopefully to catch what we missed. 

Take Your Kids, Or Don't

One thing I read in a lot of comment sections and Facebook threads is parents asking, "can I take my kids?" Honestly? I have no idea. Now that I have a teenager, I'm no longer a good judge as to what is kid appropriate. I see children of all ages at these movies, despite the PG-13 rating. If your kids have seen all the others in the Marvel franchise, have seen Star Wars films (the new ones), read and watched everything Harry Potter; I'd say this is fine. But, you know your kid best.

Overall, Infinity War is a good movie. It lives up to the hype and it's a good addition to the franchise. Come back here after you've seen it. I really want to to talk about it! 

Disclosure: I was gifted with tickets to see the movie prior to its public release. All opinions are my own. Photo credit to Marvel Studios. Avengers: Infinity War opens Friday, April 27th. This post may contain affiliate links.

What's New to LEGOLAND California in 2018 + Kids Go Free Ticket Offer

Disclosure: LEGOLAND California provided me with free tickets in exchange for sharing this information about the Resort and the Honest Kids special ticket offer.

We are very fortunate to live close to LEGOLAND California. When Tyler was young, we took advantage of the Model Mom Club membership level. It was perfect for our nanny. She and Tyler were able to go to LEGOLAND once a week. They got fresh air and exercise. As an only child, he loved being with other little kids in MiniLand and the play area.

It was this early exposure to the park that sparked his interest in building with LEGO at home. For years, we bought increasingly elaborate sets that he would display in his room once he’d did put them together. We bought books on LEGO and played the LEGO games on the Wii. It was great!

Sadly, now that he’s older, he’s outgrown playing with Lego. I must admit that I miss it. For the past few years, when I'd walk through stores like Target, I looked longingly at the sets.

I thought I might never get my hands on those pieces again. I know. Adults can build, too. But it's more fun with people who share the love. My little brother must have sensed my pain because he’s given me two delicious nieces! He can be so thoughtful, sometimes.

The little ladies got their first Duplo sets this past Christmas, and Aunt Mimi was only too happy to sit down with them and build.

Since both girls are now old enough for a full day trip, my brother is ready to take them to their first theme park and he’s chosen LEGOLAND!

Even though it’s been a while since we've been to the park, his family has never been, so he’s asked me to put together a little bit of an itinerary for them. So, it was pretty much divine intervention that I received an email from LEGOLAND California Resort with information about what’s new at the parks.

There’s also a really good offer from Honest Kids that involves free tickets that I’ll tell you about in just a bit.

With three parks and one hotel (soon to be two), LEGOLAND California has more than 60 different rides, shows and attractions. There are 16 restaurants and 14 places to shop around the resort. The resort is designed for kids ages 2 - 12. There's a really handy guide for What To Do If You're Two that lists all the LEGOLAND attractions without height requirements, which is perfect for my youngest niece.

What's New to LEGOLAND California Resort

• LEGO ® NINJAGO ® : Master of the 4th Dimension 4D film inside NINJAGO World 
• Surfer's Cove at LEGOLAND and CHIMA waterpark
• LEGOLAND Castle Hotel
• Sea at Night bioluminescence display at the SEA LIFE Aquarium

The waterpark season begins March 5th, and Surfer's Cove opens this summer. The Castle hotel will be available for bookings starting April 27th. The Sea at Night display opens this spring.

Photo credit: LEGOLAND

If you'll be onsite for a few days, planning your visit is key. Though there are several hotels nearby, staying on the property is the most convenient and fun. The LEGOLAND Hotel has themed rooms, scavenger hunts and early access to the park.

Did you know kids can trade Minifigures with park staff? If you have duplicates, this is the perfect opportunity to get a different one. Fans of the LEGO Movie will want to make sure to look for the character meet and greet for a photo opp with Emmet and Wyldstyle.

Photo credit: LEGOLAND

Do yourself a favor and download the app. It has ride wait times, the park map and discount offers. The app will help you figure out what areas of the park to visit first. When you're creating your vacation budget, leave room to add on the Reserve N Ride. This is a pretty cool hand-held electronic gadget that you can use to hold your place in line for you!

If you live in Southern California and want to consider converting your park tickets into a membership, there are several price points available. While the Model Mom Club isn't offered anymore, the yearly member price is affordable, especially when you break out the payments. As a military family, we appreciate that LEGOLAND offers discounted military tickets.

Kids Go Free to LEGOLAND California

Right now, if you buy Honest Kids 8-count juice pouches, you can get one free One-Day Child Ticket with purchase of a full-price One-Day Adult Ticket. Look for the special boxes; the voucher will be on the side. 

If you have problems finding the boxes, go to the Honest Kids page on the LEGOLAND site and redeem the offer with code 189900. Note: the voucher on the box expired this past December, but it has the online code details.

To help with your planning, connect with LEGOLAND California on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Feeling lucky? These blogs have giveaways for Family Four Packs of LEGOLAND tickets! Plus, search Twitter for the #LEGOLANDKidsGoFree tag for other sites offering giveaways. [Giveaways closed as of 1/31/18]

Megan and Wendy
Moms LA
Fancy Shanty
Keep It Simple Mama

LEGOLAND California provided some of the assets needed to craft this post. Click for details on my disclosure policies.

San Diego Staycation at the Rancho Bernardo Inn

I have a confession to make: my husband and I haven't gone away on vacation together since the early 2000's.

I know. I know.

It's entirely our fault. We didn't make getting away a priority. When Tyler was little, he would spend a week with his grandmothers, which, let's be honest, felt like a vacation even though Phil and I stayed at home.

Now, our travel is 95% related to Tyler's sports. For tournaments and games we've been up and down California, to Arizona and Lake Tahoe; and this year we add Las Vegas. But these trips can hardly be counted as getaways. The presence of smelly hockey gear is not remotely romantic.

You'd think, living in a city like San Diego, staycations would be a no brainer. There are so many things to do here! We have many distinct neighborhoods, miles of some of the best beaches in the US, mountains and deserts. It's ridiculously easy to find something to do no matter what your vacation style. For us to not take advantage of the awesome things our city offers is kinda ridiculous.

Photo credit Tonya Staab

So, it was a nice surprise when I found out I'd been chosen as Innfluencer for the Rancho Bernardo Inn. I applied on the fly and promptly forgot about it. When the email came with the available dates for our stay; I knew exactly what to do: surprise anniversary staycation!

Even though I do little things for Phil like buying his favorite ice creams, making sure he always has gum in his car and buying salt water taffy when I'm at a specific store; it's rare that I get to make a grandiose gesture like this one and treat him to something like this.

Hopefully, our stay at The Inn has exposed Phil to how nice mini getaways can be and he'll be more open to them in the future.

If you've never been to San Diego, the Rancho Bernardo Inn is a resort in the northern inland corridor between Escondido and Poway. It's tucked away in the community so that, if you didn't live there, you'd pass right by. The grounds are beautiful and the resort has plenty of things to keep you occupied like the 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, spa facilities and four dining options.

Photo credit Tonya Staab

If you've known me for awhile you know I love to read. I also think it's important to get kids to read. The fact that The Inn has a Little Free Library was really touching. I brought three books, left them when we checked in and two were gone the next day!

Photo credit Tonya Staab

We got to the hotel and had just enough time to check out the amenities in our room and wander the grounds before our dinner reservation at Veranda. Since we were early for dinner, we decided to catch the last of Happy Hour at Avant, the bar upstairs. They have live music several nights a week.

Photo credit Tonya Staab

We had a lovely dinner and it was nice to take our time and "catch up" with each other. We decided to hit the jacuzzi before bed and when we got back to the room, the hotel had left us a bottle of wine and a charcuterie tray.

Like most people who have been married as long as we have, we watched the news, continued our conversation from dinner and went to sleep.

Photo credit Tonya Staab

Early the next morning, we left the cozy hotel bed because Tyler had a game. Yes, yes, I know. What can I say? We love watching him play. Even though the room had a Keurig, we grabbed coffees and pastry from the cafe (which has a cute little gift shop filled with locally made products). After the game, one of Tyler's teammates was nice enough to take him back to their house so we could go back to the hotel for the breakfast that was included with our package. Sundays call for mimosas, right?

As part of our hotel package, the Eat, Drink and Be Merry, we had tasting room tickets to local wineries and breweries. After we checked out, we planned the rest of our afternoon around the football schedule. Since I don't drink wine or beer, guess whose husband got to bring a buddy? Just keeping my Wife of the Year title secure!

We visited three breweries: Iron Fist, Lost Abbey and Mother Earth. If you're visiting San Diego and book this package, you'll definitely need access to a car or service like Uber as the breweries are not close to the hotel.

If you or someone you know is planning a trip to America's Finest City, consider the Rancho Bernardo Inn resort! 

If you'd like to read about another package option, my blogging friend Maryann and her family stayed at The Inn earlier this summer and took advantage of the Family Fun Package. If you want to see what our overnight looked like in 'real time' I posted a few other photos on Instagram.

Thank you to The Inn for hosting us as part of their #Innfluencer campaign and to Tonya for her photography!