Slide, Float, and Play at Knott’s Soak City OC Water Park!

Knott's Soak City OC
Knott’s Soak City OC is a Water Park located in the Buena Park area of Orange County, California. Knott’s invited us to visit Soak City OC as part of a media day to experience it first hand. We recently took our first trip there and had a splash-tastic time! We’re excited to share our experience with you, and give you some insider tips to help you plan your own visit.

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Knott’s Soak City OC!

Soak City OC is spacious, and has fun attractions for all ages. The Park consists of many water slides, a relaxing lazy river, huge tidal wave area, fun water play area for the littles, and more. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot day!

When we visited Soak City OC we had our 9 month old baby with us. We spent most of our time lazily floating down Sunset River. I put an infant life jacket on him, and held him while I was in the tube. He loved it so much that he fell asleep in my arms not once, but twice throughout the day! (He was born a water baby in a birthing tub & has loved water since birth!)

We also played in Gremmie Lagoon, spent a good amount of time walking around checking out everything, and relaxing in the cabana. Our 8 year old daughter loved taking a tube into Tidal Wave Bay. She probably spent over an hour in it!
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Cool Off This Summer At Knott’s Soak City OC!

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There’s lots of things to do in southern california with kids! One thing we’re most looking forward to this summer is checking out Knott’s Soak City OC! Surprisingly, we have yet to visit this Water Park, but have been invited to visit it as part of a media event on opening weekend 2013. We can’t wait!

Knott’s Soak City OC Water Slides and Splashable Attractions

Knott’s Soak City OC Water Park has something for everyone! Since we’ll be visiting with our baby, we look forward to splashing and playing at Gremmie Lagoon, a play area for kids 54″ and below. I know our 8 year old daughter is looking forward to floating down Sunset River, a 1/3 mile long lazy river! Some of the other features of the 13 acre Water Park are as follows:
Banzai Falls
Knott's Soak City OCLaguna Storm Water Tower
Malibu Run
Old Man Falls
Pacific Spin
Tidal Wave Bay
Toyota Beach House
Toyota Beach House Slides

As mentioned above, this will be our first visit to Knott’s Soak City OC. We look forward to sharing pics from our visit, as well as insider tips in a separate post once we experience it ourselves. Visit this LINK for further details about the attractions within Knott’s Soak City OC.

2013 Season Pass Offer

Knott’s Soak City OC is offering a 2013 Season Pass Special Offer which includes members only benefits and unlimited visits throughout the season. One such benefit is that Season Passholders may bring a friend between June 3-6th, 2013 for just $25 for the day! Passes start as low as just six payments of $9.49 for a Junior/Senior Pass, but this Special Offer is only valid until May 27th, 2013. Season Pass details can be found HERE.

Knott’s Soak City OC is adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, located in the Buena Park area of Orange County. Opening day is May 18th, 2013. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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We will be provided with tickets to experience Knott’s Soak City OC as part of a media event. We believe many of our readers would be interested in learning more about the Water Park, and we look forward to sharing our experience with them. Our opinions are our own. GigaSavvy contributed to this post.

Have A Ball This Summer With KIDS BOWL FREE!

bowling_shoesOur kids LOVE bowling, and we plan to have a ball this summer with the Kids Bowl Free program! We went to our local bowling center a couple of weeks ago and saw a postcard reminding us about the program. We signed up for it last year, and thought it was great! We’re excited that we’ve recently collaborated with the Kids Bowl Free program to share details on how it works. As compensation, we’ve received a Family Pass, and will share how you can purchase one of your own.

KIDS BOWL FREE!

How It Works
Signing up for the Kids Bowl Free program is easy! Head over to KidsBowlFree.com, and click on the area of the map where you want to register your child(ren) for the program. A list of bowling centers will pop up. Click the bowling center of your choice. (There are a ton participating in Southern California!) The location you choose for the Kids Bowl Free program will then have a registration form for you to fill out for your child(ren). A list of dates and times available for the program should appear on the right side of the page as well. Fill out the registration, and you’ll start receiving e-mails on Sunday mornings once the program starts. The weekly coupons are good for two free games per day for your kids all summer long. Print the weekly Kids Bowl Free coupons and take them to the bowling center you chose at registration. It’s a great deal, and a good way to get the kids out and doing something active!

The Family Pass
kids_bowl_freeWant to bowl with your kids or grandchildren? If so, the Family Pass is a great way to get each of you having a ball! The Family Pass pricing begins at $24.95, and includes 2 games per person listed on the pass each day! You may include up to 4 adults on the Family Pass. The Family Pass may be purchased online at the time you register your kids for the Kids Bowl Free program, or at any time during the length of the program.

bowlingMore Program Details
• Kids age 15 & under may participate.
• Standard shoe rental rates apply. Contact the alley of your choice for pricing.
• You must register each session in which you participate. If you signed up last year, you must register again this year to receive your free weekly coupons.
• You may sign up at more than one bowling alley, but you’ll need to use a different e-mail address for each location.
• You may sign up as many as 6 kids in your household. If you have more than 6 kids age 15 or under, you may register them by signing up with a second e-mail address, as stated in the info above.
• Each bowling alley determines when the program starts and ends at their establishment, as well as the times available to participate in the program. Some start and end earlier than others, and some have more hours available for participating.

We’ve registered our kids for the program, and signed up for our Family Pass as well. The kids are already asking to go to our local bowling center to make use of their coupons! Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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We received a Family Pass from the Kids Bowl Free program for sharing information about the program with our readers. We believe many of our followers would enjoy the program, and our opinions are our own.

Take A Step Back In Time At Historic Old Poway Park!

old_poway_parkWhen you visit Old Poway Park, it’s like taking a step back in time. Back to a time when horse drawn carriages and steam trains were the main modes of transportation, and artisans handcrafted everything from clothes, to toys, to furniture. We took a trip there this past weekend for the Train Song Festival, and once again I was reminded how much we enjoy this special park as a family.

I originally wrote this post as a printed article for the 2012 Mom’s Guide To San Diego, but am just now sharing it here. I’ve updated the article, and included some new information that wasn’t in the printed format. I hope it inspires you to take a trip there with your family as well.

DAY TRIP TO OLD POWAY PARK!
Living in San Diego, we are so lucky to have an abundance of options for fun day trips. We live in a city where we can visit the mountains, desert, and ocean all in one day! One day trip my family loves is to Old Poway Park.

old_poway_parkWhen you go to Old Poway Park, it feels like you take a step back in time. It’s a beautiful park with mature trees, plentiful grass, nice walking paths, and a cute little creek. It also has a neat and informative Heritage Museum, historic buildings which were brought to the site, working railway, Blacksmith Shop, and a toy train shop inside the Train Depot.

Our kids love trains, and the antique ones which are part of the Poway Midland Railroad, at Old Poway Park, are no exception! They have a steam locomotive, trolley, and a Speeder Car that take turns running most weekends of the year. Train tickets are reasonably priced between $1.50 – $2.50 for adults depending upon the train running, and just .50 cents per child (kids under 2 are free!). It’s fun to take a few spins around the 1/2 mile track.

old_poway_parkOld Poway Park is a great place to picnic. You can pack a lunch and enjoy the afternoon on the grass, or at one of the picnic tables. If you like to barbeque, they have barbeques available for use. If you’d rather buy lunch or dinner, The Hamburger Factory, located within the park, has delicious food in a fun atmosphere. Sometimes we go there just for the dessert!

The park hosts the Poway Farmer’s Market from 8:00am – 11:30am on Saturday mornings. The Boardwalk Craft Market, with arts and crafts made by local artisans, happens on certain Saturdays as well. The park also has special events for the family including a Train Song Festival, Old-Fashioned 4th of July, Halloween festivities, and Christmas in the Park. Oftentimes they have persons dressed in 1800′s attire, and include fun activities such as train robbery reenactments, which are make the experience all that more memorable.

old_poway_parkBe sure to set aside a few hours for your first visit. It’s fun to take your time exploring. Also, bring your camera, as it’s a great place to take family photos. As you’ll see when you visit, it’s very popular with professional photographers!

Although there is no playground equipment at Old Poway Park, there is a playground right across the street at Aubrey Park. Parking is free at both Aubrey Park, and in and around Old Poway Park. Restrooms are available at both parks as well.

Old Poway Park is located at 14134 Midland Rd., in Poway. For more information, visit www.poway.org, and search for detailed info about the park using the drop down menu on the left. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

The LEGOLAND Hotel ~ A Dream Getaway For LEGO Lovers

legoland_hotelThe LEGOLAND Hotel, located RIGHT next to LEGOLAND California, in the Carlsbad area of San Diego, is the first of its kind to open in the Nation! We were invited to check out this fabulous hotel prior to opening to the general public, and have lots of info to share with you!

Being the LEGO-loving family that we are, we had been anticipating the opening of this hotel for over a year, and what an INCREDIBLE hotel it is! It’s absolutely fabulous! It’s the most kid-friendly hotel that we’ve experienced, with small details and extras throughout, that make it a child’s dream hotel.

When you arrive, you’re greated by a giant LEGO clock tower with a huge smoke-blowing dragon made of 350,000 LEGO bricks! Inside the hotel lobby, behind Check-In, you’ll see a wall made of 5,000 LEGO Mini Figures, with a bicycle riding LEGO man cycling across it. A large LEGO dragon centerpiece adorns the entry with a LEGO stream that leads up to the incredible LEGO Pirate Ship Play Area filled with more LEGO, a fun chalk board and more.

pirate_themeThe Guest Rooms
This fabulous family friendly hotel has 250 guest rooms. Each of the guest rooms include two separate sleeping areas and two TVs! The adults have a Queen size bed in their sleeping area, and the kids have a bunk bed with a pull-out trundle bed in theirs. Each guest room sleeps up to 2 adults and 3 kids and features LEGO models to match the theme of the room.

The beds are comfortable, and each room has a coffee maker, and a safe. We slept well, and didn’t hear any noise from either the hallway or surrounding rooms. Although we co-slept with our baby, Pack-In Plays are available by request, on a first come, first serve basis.

kingdom_llhThe guest rooms are available in either Pirate, Kingdom, or Adventure theme. Even the bathrooms go along with the room’s theme! Rooms are available in regular or Premium Theme, with the Premium Theme rooms having more decorative LEGO elements. The kids and I had the opportunity for a private tour of each of the styles of rooms, and loved them all. Some of the rooms even have a small patios, and/or a view of the Pacific Ocean, so if this is something that appeals to you, ask about it at the time of booking.

Every room has hidden surprises, including clues that lead to an in-room treasure chest. Follow the clues to find the chest, and inside you’ll find a prize! This is one of the many things our kids were really excited to do!

Even the bathrooms are LEGO theme, from the shower curtain, to the LEGO models on the walls! We love that they provide a stool in the bathroom for the kids, as well as a trainer seat on the toilet, perfect for little bums!

bricks_llhBricks Family Restaurant
Bricks Family Restaurant is located inside the hotel, and serves breakfast and dinner. Outside guests may also dine at the restaurant. Both meals are buffet style, with a child-size buffet area, as well as adult buffet service.

The kids loved being able to walk up to the buffet to serve themselves, and talk about YUM!!! The food was absolutely delicious! We’re not talking greasy buffet, we’re talking fresh fruit and veggies, a large assortment of main course meals, and lots of beverage options. When we dined at dinner they offered items such as roast turkey with stuffing, fish, carne asada with rice and beans, salad, (the most delicious) macaroni and cheese, chicken, and SO much more. Breakfast included omlettes made to order, pancakes, French toast, salmon, scones, and SO MUCH MORE. I didn’t hear a complaint from anyone.

miniwallP_llhMini’s Cafe
Mini’s Cafe is located near the large Pirate Ship play area, above Check-In. They offer an assortment of beverages including coffee, water, juice, etc… They also offer delicious cafe-style goodies such as muffins and scones. It’s a great place for a light snack in between meals. I had a cafe mocha, which was delicious.

Skyline Lounge
Skyline Lounge is adjacent from Bricks Family Restaurant. This lounge offers lunch and dinner options, and serves the poolside area. One of the Hotel Concierge tells me “The Carne Asada Fries are the bomb!”. Here you’ll also find a large assortment of adult beverages.

legoland_hotel_poolThe Pool
The hotel has a heated pool with cabanas, lounge chairs, and poolside restaurant service. It has a super cool incline, perfect for you to easily sit with a tot and cool off, even if he/she isn’t ready for a full swim. The total pool depth is 5ft. Guests may enjoy “Swim Up Movies” poolside on Friday and Saturday nights during peak season.

Entertainment
Live entertainment, including interactive play, and storytime, is available nightly for the kids at the Castle Play Area, near Mini’s Cafe. There was a fun kids dance party with current popular music when we stayed, which really got the kids moving! It was too cute watching them! LEGO character sightings are also common in Bricks Family restaurant, something our 5 year old and baby LOVED!!!

legos_lobby_llhThe Extras
The hotel is CHOCK full of fun extras including…
• A Disco Elevator with music and pulsating lights, a mirror ball, and sound effects on each floor.
• An animated Whoopie Cushion on the 1st floor, just outside the elevator. Another fave of the SoCal Kids!
• LEGOS, LEGOS, everywhere!!! More than 3,500 LEGO models throughout the hotel, made out of more than 3 million LEGO bricks!
• Talking mirrors in the 1st floor Guest Restrooms. Turn on the water to wash your hands, and you’re greeted by a fun saying!
• Neat tables inside Mini’s Cafe and Skyline with LEGO pieces under the glass. Hubby and I thought they were neat!
• Entry to the select rides and attractions within the Park before it officially opens!

lego_frogHotel Store
A small hotel store is located inside the Lobby, full of things you may have accidentally left behind such as a phone charger, sunscreen, or other such items, as well as souvenirs, cold drinks, and snacks.

Fitness Center
A fitness center is located on the 1st floor.

LEGO Event Room
A LEGO Event Room is located on the 1st floor, which can occupy up to 120 people banquet style.

Reservations
Reservations may be made by calling 877-LEGOLAND, or by visiting www.LEGOLANDHotel.com.

All in all the LEGOLAND Hotel is an incredible hotel and perfect place for a family to stay either when visiting the Parks, or simply for a fun getaway. If you and or your family love LEGO, this is THE place to come and stay. It’s a LEGO lover’s dream, a kid’s paradise, while still completely inviting for the adults as well. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

*******For more images and insider info from our trip the the LEGOLAND Hotel, please check out our Instagram feed. Link at the top right of the page. Thanks!*******

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Many, many thanks to LEGOLAND for inviting us to stay and experience the LEGOLAND Hotel first hand. We believe many of our readers would love to stay and experience the hotel, and we are so happy to have first hand knowledge to share with them. Our opinions are our own.

Springtastic Fun At Knott’s Berry Bloom March 23-April 7th!

knoots_berry_bloom_logo
Our family was recently invited to experience the first ever Springtime celebration at Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Berry Bloom! The first thing we noticed when we entered the Park were the beautiful Springtime decorations. Lots of cut-out giant-sized butterflies and flowers, live flowers, and fun photo opportunities.

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Upon entry, the kids received a paper to take around the Park to search for the Easter Beagle. Each time they found one, an employee marked it off their paper with a special paper punch. It was a fun scavenger-type hunt, and a great way to explore the Park. Upon finfishing the hunt, the kids took their finished paper to the Redemption Center at Easter Beagle Egg Garden, located in Camp Snoopy.

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We also loved the chalk art we saw adorning the walkway. We saw the woman coloring with the chalk, and were amazed at how the art seemed to pop out in a 3 dimensional manner. Beautiful!

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After a full day of exploring the Park, we decided to check out the Towering Topiary Tasting Garden, a special wine and food pairing event they were having at the Wilderness Dance Hall. They had a large assortment of wine, but since I’m still nursing the baby I opted to join the kids in sampling the different selection of nonalcoholic lemonade. My favorite was the strawberry, which I found out is sold year-round in the same location as the churros. Hubby tried a few different beer samples, and we each tried some of the delicious food pairings. This is a special event they’re having right now during Berry Bloom. The cost is $15 for 6 samples of your choice. If you go, be sure to take a look at the beautiful centerpieces made of fruit. Gorgeous!

berry_bloom

Once we left the Wilderness Dance Hall, the kids asked if they could have a pastel drawing made of their profiles. It sounded fun, and we agreed since we had never done anything like it prior, and it was reasonably priced at $10 per person. The artist did a great job, and now we have a really cool keepsake!

knottsberryfarm

Prior to leaving the Park, we decided to indulge in an ice cream cookie sandwich. It was two giant chocolate chip cookies with soft serve vanilla ice cream between the two, then rolled in mini chocolate chips. It was HUGE, and we each loved every bite of it. It too was reasonably priced at under $6.

All and all we had a Springtastic day! Berry Bloom is happening now through April 7th, 2013. Click HERE For more information on the event. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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We were received complimentary media tickets to experience Knott’s Berry Bloom. The event was one which we believe our readers would enjoy, and our opinions are our own. Many thanks to Knott’s for inviting us for the day!

National Comedy Theatre (NCT) Brings Family-Friendly Improv To San Diego

We were recently invited to an evening improv show in San Diego. My initial thought was that it would be good to attend to see if this might be a fun Date Night or a Girls Night Out option to share with our readers.

nct_sandiegoThe Show
I picked up a girlfriend and off we went to see the live show. We arrived in Mission Hills, parked, and found National Comedy Theatre (NCT) nestled away at the top of some stairs high above India Street. When arrived we saw several young kids, probably around 8 years old, with their parents at Will Call. I kind of figured they must be progressive parents, alright with exposing their littles to language and ideas which are usually forbidden for youngsters.

When we entered the theater I realized there more kids seated inside. LOTS more! I thought myself, I must be missing ~something ~. We took our seats, and waited for the show. A man went on stage, and gave us the run down on what to expect. He explained that it was improv, not stand-up comedy, and that although they took prompts from the audience, that it was a good, clean family-friendly show.

The performance we saw was hilarious! The performers doing the improv were really well, and it didn’t appear that there was a bad seat in the house. The kids in attendance all seemed to love it, and the entire audience was laughing out loud throughout the show. I didn’t expect the entertainment to be a fun way to introduce children to the world of live comedy, but it turned out to be just that. As I expected, it would also make a great Date Night or Girls Night Out / Moms Night Out.

The Location
NCT’s live performances take place in their theater on India St., in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego. In this area you’ll find many restaurants, including El Indio, Shakespeare’s Pub, and Gelato Vero Cafe, to name a few. It’s a great location to have a bite to eat prior to a show.

About National Comedy Theatre (NCT)
NCT has performed more than 3600 shows in their 13+ seasons, since their opening night in October 1999. It’s the longest continuously running show in San Diego history, and is clean and appropriate for all ages. Tickets range in price from $10-$15 each, and group sale options are available. NCT also conducts improv workshops, performs at corporate and private events, conducts team building workshops, and now offers improv classes and camps for kids and teens, as well as instruction for adults.

For more information about NCT, checkout their website at this LINK. We truly enjoyed the show, and plan return with our children. My personal opinion is that it would be best understood and appreciated by kids age 8 on up. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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Many thanks to National Comedy Theatre for inviting us to attend a live show. We had a wonderful time, and believe many of our readers would enjoy the show as well. It was seriously funny!

Family-Friendly Spring Break at the Catamaran & Bahia Resorts!

Spring is here, and both San Diego visitors and residents alike can enjoy a wide variety of family-friendly activities in celebration of the season at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa and the Bahia Resort Hotel.

catamaran_resortSPRING BREAK FUN
The Beach Concierge at the Catamaran will be available Friday-Sunday every week during Spring Break to help organize beach activities for guests. The arcade will be complimentary to guests during this period. At the Bahia, the game room will be complimentary to all guests, and on select nights, children’s movies will be shown starting at 8:00pm. In addition, guests can also enjoy a free 30-minute sailing, paddle boat, or kayak lesson with paid one hour rental. Fun!

POOL-SIDE ACTIVITIES AND EATS
Activities pool-side at the Catamaran during Spring Break will include live entertainment on Saturdays from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Grab a snack at the pool grill, open Saturday-Sunday from Noon-5:00pm and enjoy a drink at the bar from Friday-Sunday, Noon-5:00pm. At the Bahia, the Pool Bar and Grill will be open Friday-Sunday, noon-5:00pm with pool grill menu, specialty drinks, and steel drum entertainment.

bahia_hotelNAMASTE
Nurture your mind and spirit from March 16th-April 7th at the Catamaran’s Fitness Center with Open Air Yoga, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:00am.

EVENING FUN
Hop onto the Bahia Belle at the Catamaran and enjoy a lovely evening cruise on picturesque Mission Bay. The Bahia Belle runs March 14-April 6, Thursdays through Sunday, on the hour from 6:00 pm-1:00 am. From the Bahia, hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary public run every Thursday-Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30 pm; regular prices apply for the public.

DINING AT THE RESORTS
During Spring Break (March 8th-April 7th), the Catamaran’s Atoll Restaurant will feature a daily breakfast buffet and on Sunday, adults, $14.95, Kids (5-12) $6.95. With an adult restaurant meal purchase, kids eat free (children’s menu only). At the Bahia’s Café Bahia, enjoy a tropical Caribbean buffet on Friday evenings, and each Saturday, a Shrimp Feast (featuring all-you-can-eat ‘peel & eat’ shrimp). Cost for either event at the Bahia is $18.95 adults, $9.95 kids (12 & under.)

Enjoy complimentary coffee at the Snackshack, 7:30am-9:00am, Thursday-Sunday, March 15-April 7, with room key. Weather permitting, the SnackShack will be open 7:30am-3:00pm on Friday-Sunday, with umbrella and chair service.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EASTER BRUNCH
Celebrate with an expansive Easter Brunch at either the Catamaran or Bahia on Sunday, March 31. Easter Brunch at the Catamaran is from 10:00am-2:30pm. Bring along the kids for the gala Easter Egg Hunt and watch them thrill to the adventure. Easter Brunch will served at the Bahia from 10am-3pm, with Easter Egg Hunts at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm by the seal pool.

For more information on any of the above special Spring Break events, visit the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa and the Bahia Resort Hotel. Perhaps we’ll see you at one of the resort hotels!

Springtime Fun At Knott’s Berry Bloom March 23rd – April 7th!

knoots_berry_bloom_logoWe love visiting theme parks in Southern California, and are excited that for the first time ever, Knott’s Berry Farm is welcoming Spring with a new Park-wide celebration! Knott’s Berry Bloom is coming to Knott’s from March 23rd-April 7th, and includes something for the entire family, including live entertainment, interactive games, and with food and wine as well. From Ghost Town to the Boardwalk the Park will be alive with new activities and décor creating a fun and festive experience sure to cure Spring fever!

Search for the Easter Beagle
The Search for the Easter Beagle will have kids (3-11) scurrying across the park to find images of the famous beagle.

Join the Peanut’s Party in the Park
Warmer weather means enjoying the great outdoors, which is just what the Peanuts characters are doing in “Peanut’s Party in the Park,” a new interactive live show located in Charleston Circle. This musical revue includes some of today’s top ten
tunes that will have the whole family singing along.

knottsboardwalkGame-On at Knott’s Boardwalk
Looking for a little friendly competition? Then head over to Knott’s Boardwalk area for the big game, the Big Boardwalk Board Games that is. It’s family game night to the extreme as everyone becomes oversized game pieces in some of their favorite board games. From dominoes to tick-tack-toe, it’s game-on!

Lucy’s Really Big Show
For the younger set, “Lucy’s Really Big Show” in Camp Snoopy features Lucy Van Pelt in her very own show at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. The darling diva is joined by her brother, Linus and good friends, Charlie Brown and JT in a show that’s sure to delight kids of all ages.

Spring Fling Dance Party
For the teens, tweens and anyone who has rhythm, the nighttime Spring Fling Dance Party in Fiesta Village will provide an opportunity for everyone to take to the floor with some of their favorite dance music.

knotts_berry_bloomKnott’s Towering Topiary Gardens
For some refreshment, guests won’t want to miss a trip to Knott’s Towering Topiary Gardens located in Wilderness Dance Hall. Everyone will enjoy the display of sculpted greenery while the adults can enjoy a tasting garden featuring wines from around the world, craft beers and farm fresh food offerings (additional fees may apply).

Get Artsy at the 3-D Art Show
For all those who get into art, Knott’s invites you to do so, literally. The Grande 3-D Art Show at the Silver Bullet Midway, guests can step into life-size drawings of some of nature’s most beautiful Spring scenery for priceless photo opportunities. The park will also be filled with giant interactive displays that scream “Spring”!

All of the exciting Knott’s Spring Fling activities are included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm, which also offers a full day of thrilling coasters and family fun rides. Knott’s will have extended hours, from 10am-10pm during Spring Fling, for families to take advantage of all the entertainment offerings. We’re super excited to check it out.

For information about the day you plan to visit and available discounts, call (714) 220-5200, visit www.knotts.com, or download the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app for your smartphone. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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Discloure: GigaSavvy contributed info regarding the event for this post. We believe many of our readers would enjoy Spring Fling with their families. Our opinions about the Park are our own. We will be provided media entry to experience the event ourselves.

Knotts Merry Farm Sparkles During the Holiday Season!

merryfarmdecorDuring the holiday season Knott’s Berry Farm is transformed into Knott’s Merry Farm with beautiful holiday decor, delicious treats, special seasonal shows, and and much more! We went to Knott’s to check it out ourselves, and had a great time! Some of the fun of Merry Farm includes is as follows:

“It’s Christmas, Snoopy” Ice Show
This ice skating show is spectacular! The kids, my husband, and I were all impressed by the performance. The skaters were incredible, and just as good as those you’d see in a professional ice skating performance at a large ice arena. We highly recommend you see it! The show is running December 1-2, 8-9, 15-18, 20-24, 26-31, and January 1, 3-6, 2013.

“A Peanuts Holiday Parade”
The Peanuts Holiday Parade includes seven themed floats featuring the Peanuts Gang. We missed the parade during our visit, but plan to see it on our next visit, later this month. I’m a huge Peanuts fan!

merryfarmsantaKnott’s Christmas Craft Village
Here you”ll find strolling carolers, dozens of artisans selling unique treasures, and beautiful Victorian decor. The kids loved some of the wooden toys, knitted hats, and other potential holiday gifts we saw in this area. The Christmas Craft Village is where we saw Santa, who’s available for pictures daily (additional fee), until December 24th.

Bird Cage Theatre Productions
If you enjoy live theatre, or want to introduce your kids to it, head over to the Bird Cage Theatre to see a live performance of Charges Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, or O’Henry’s “A Gift of Magi”. We enjoyed “A Gift of Magi”, which ran approximately 25 minutes.

Elf Mountain
Get a peek at Santa’s Elves getting ready for the big day when you go on Timber Mountain Log Ride!

knottstreeSnoopy’s Magical Nights of Lights
Be sure to walk through Camp Snoopy after dark to experience hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights set to a festive holiday soundtrack. We spent a few hours here, and loved it!

Winter Wonderland
Catch Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and JT perform on a wintery wonderland stage at Camp Snoopy!

Calico Christmas Tree Lighting
The Peanuts gang deck the halls in a fun-filled musical show as part of the nightly Christmas Tree Lighting. If you miss the show, be sure to check out the beautiful 45′ tree once it’s lit. It’s beautiful!

merryfarmcandyWhile we were at Knott’s we sampled a few of the stuffed churros, Canadian Maple Syrup Lollipops, decorated gingerbread cookies, and ate a delicious meal at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. The churros were absolutely delicious, the lollipops (which are a holiday treat there for Merry Farm), the kids gobbled up their gingerbread, and our meals at the restaurant were all delicious! My personal favorite were the biscuits from Mrs. Knott’s restaurant. Melt in your mouth delicious!

We also enjoyed going on many rides, strolling through the shops decorated in beautiful holiday decor, seeing Snoopy Santa in the park, and all that makes Knott’s so much fun. Merry Farm is happening now through January 6th, 2013.

Right now, through January 13th, 2013, Knott’s 2013 Season Passes are just $66.99, with NO blackout dates, and include one visit in 2012! This is an awesome deal, and could make great holiday gifts. You can find more info about Merry Farm HERE, and more about the Season Passes HERE. Perhaps we’ll see you there!

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Disclosure: We were invited to attend a Media Day at Knott’s to experience Merry Farm. We were not asked to write a formal review, but we had a wonderful time, and wanted to share info about it with our readers, as we believe many would also enjoy Merry Farm with their families. Our opinions are our own. Many thanks to Knott’s, LaLa Castro, and Giga Savvy.