It’s summer time at Disneyland and that means it time to celebrate the Summer of Heroes and there is nothing small about it.

A few weeks ago I was at Disneyland and was able to see how amazing Summer of Heroes is going to be. Starting with the new ride, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.

I can’t wait to ride this ride, plus I hear that waiting in line is an experience too.

photo credit: Disneyland

Although, I’m not going to wait 300 minutes to ride this ride no matter how cool the inside is. But I’d probably wait over an hour because it looks amazing.

The ride goes through a space journey with lots of drops.

HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER SUMMER OF HEROES EVENTS

In Disney California Adventure:

Guests will enjoy some of the Super Hero experiences year-round:

• Super Hero Encounters: For the first time, citizens of Terra (Earth) will come face-to- face with Groot.  They also may encounter the First Avenger, Captain America, and everyone’s favorite web slinger, the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.
• “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!”: Star-Lord fires up his old-school boom box to get a party started.  Everyone, including tree-of-few-words Groot, is bound to get in the groove and show off their moves during this awesome rock ‘n’ roll bash.

For a limited time (May 27 through Sept. 10), some new adventures will be exclusive to

Summer of Heroes:

• “Avengers Training Initiative”: Black Widow and Hawkeye assemble young recruits for a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Avengers.
• Heroic Encounter: Black Widow: Black Widow arrives on the scene several times throughout the day in an armored Avengers vehicle for her heroic encounter with park guests.
• Grab a Piece (or Bite) of the Action: Special themed merchandise, plus food and beverage items, will be available throughout Hollywood Land.

Another new, year-round show is fun for all ages:

• “Disney Junior Dance Party!”: Debuting Friday, May 26, this fun concert experience invites adults and kids to dance and sing along to the music.  Popular Disney Junior characters from Disney Junior TV shows “Doc McStuffins,” “Sofia the First” and “The Lion Guard” are joined by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the new series “Mickey and the Roadster Racers.”

In addition, the popular “Pixar Play Parade,” presenting the colorful and exciting worlds of the Disney•Pixar pals from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” “Finding Nemo,” “Cars” and others, has returned to Disney California Adventure with daily performances full of fun and surprising movement and effects.

And Princess Elena, the adventurous heroine of the Disney Channel series “Elena of Avalor” and the first Disney Princess inspired by diverse Latin American cultures will greet her fans in the patio of Paradise Garden Grill.

– See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/2017/05/17/disneyland-resort-debuts-a-new-universe-of-fun-this-summer-with-guardians-of-the-galaxy-mission-breakout-2/#sthash.rUlDwaZW.dpuf

ALSO: See our other post about the Pirates of the Caribbean Experience at Disneyland.

Road Tripping down the California coast is something we do often. I love a good road trip with the kids. It’s so much fun to just get in the car and drive down the California Coast. You can drive down I5 or you can take the 101 and have a nice scenic drive. It’s a great way to travel. And summer season has started for California and the weather is perfect to maybe a little cool. But expect that to change. The weather is about to get warmer.

California Road Trip

Now you can enjoy an ultimate Golden State adventure with Hilton’s “California Road Trip,” a destination package that inspires thrill-seekers and value-minded explorers. With rates starting at $149 per night, the package will highlight premier destination cities such as San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Anaheim and San Diego now through Labor Day Weekend 2017.

Participating California Road Trip properties include:

Parc 55 San Francisco—A Hilton Hotel, Hilton San Francisco Union Square

The Fess Parker—A DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara

Hilton Anaheim

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Visit Hilton.com to book your stay or each of the participating hotels’ property websites.

See The California Road Trip packages at a Glance:

Parc 55 San Francisco—A Hilton Hotel and Hilton San Francisco Union Square package includes (Rates starting at $265):

• The San Francisco CityPASS® program which covers unlimited cable car rides, admission to four top attractions, priced 42 percent less than the same tickets purchased separately. CityPASS® ticket book contains helpful information, including insider tips, an attraction location map, attraction and transportation details, directions and money-saving coupons. Books are valid for nine consecutive days, beginning with the first day of use. Includes:

o 3-Day Muni Cable Car and Bus Passport

o California Academy of Sciences tickets

o Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure tickets

o Aquarium of the Bay tickets

o Option Ticket: Exploratorium OR de Young Museum + Legion of Honor tickets

The Fess Parker—A DoubleTree by Hilton Resort package includes (Rates starting at $249):

• Tote bag, Visitors Guide, Vintners Association and Urban Wine Trail Maps, Downtown Organization Map of Shopping and Cultural Attractions, Waterfront Map, Two for One Santa Barbara Sightseeing Trolley Passes, a Santa Barbara Organic Granola Bar and bag of Santa Barbara Pistachio Co. organic pistachios.

Hilton Anaheim package includes (Rates starting at $149):

• Tote bag, bottled water, granola bars, $10 Starbucks gift card, Visit Anaheim drawstring bag, visitors guide and map, Visit Anaheim postcard with exclusive deals and discounts on local attractions and dining.

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines and Hilton San Diego Bayfront packages includes (Rates starting at $249):

• Branded bag, San Diego Magazine Spring Visitors Guide w/ coupons, Where Map, Brewers Guild map, sunglasses and mints.

Hotels.com is sharing the most affordable international and domestic destinations, courtesy of its 2016 Hotel Price Index. We decided to share the top 10 affordable international destinations here because we can’t wait to travel internationally again. From places in Thailand to France this list has the best places to stay for the best prices.

10 Affordable INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

(Hotel rooms for $150 or less per night)

1. Bangkok, Thailand

a. Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok-$99/night

2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

a. Intercontinental Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City-$109/night

3. Istanbul, Turkey

a. Dersaadet Hotel – Special Class, Istanbul-$57/night

4. Berlin, Germany

a. TITANIC Gendarmenmarkt Berlin-$145/night

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

a. Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa-$115/night

6. Phuket, Thailand

a. Amatara Wellness Resort-$153/night

7. London, United Kingdom

a. The Nadler Victoria-$164/night

8. Orlando, Florida

a. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort-$164/night

9. Paris, France

a. Vic Eiffel-$118/night

10. Los Angeles, California

a. Arroyo Vista Inn-$198/night

With summer on the horizon and travelers in full planning mode, these destinations should be at the top of those must-see lists.

Travelers on a budget can travel to Bangkok, Berlin or Orlando this summer for $150 or less per night. Whereas, those looking for the most popular destinations should head to Las Vegas, New York or Orlando.

Hotels.com helps travelers save money on their perfect hotel through Hotels.com Rewards, where travelers get instant savings now, and after staying 10 nights, get a free night to use later. All hotels are bookable through the award-winning Hotels.com mobile app, available on iOS and Android.

Puerto Rico, the island, is a U.S. territory that requires no passport for American travelers, offers everything from 5-star hotels, to bioluminescent bays, to rainforests, to beaches, to art and historical culture, to gastronomy, and more. There truly are options for any type of traveler. My family and I have been and we LOVED it.

More than 5 Things TO Do In Puerto Rico

• El Yunque Rainforest
• The Vieques Bioluminescent Bay
• The rich culture of Old San Juan
• Guinness World Record Longest Zip Line “El Monstruo”
• Flamenco Beach
• San Felipe del Morro Castle

What do you think of these 5 hidden gems in Puerto Rico?

We love going on cruises in our house and we’ve only been on one. We’ve been looking at where we are going to go next. How do you decide where you are going to go on a cruise?

Photo Credit Disney

Well for us it depends on how far we have to fly?

Where it is going to end?

How long is it going to be and right now we are looking at a 14 day cruise. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Two Weeks out at sea.

While we are still decided I found out that Disney is going to start sailing to Quebec City.

Quebec City, Canada, a new port for Disney Cruise Line, will be featured on two new itineraries sailing between New York and Quebec City. Both of these sailings include two full days in Quebec City as well as stops at two other Canadian ports new to Disney Cruise Line – Saguenay and Baie-Comeau.

More details on 2018 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2018 page of disneycruise.com. 

Sample Itinerary

2018 7-Night Canada Cruise from New York to Quebec City

9/20

Day 1 New York, New York

Day 2 At Sea

Day 3 Halifax (Nova Scotia), Canada

Day 4 At Sea

Day 5 Saguenay (Quebec), Canada

Day 6 Baie-Comeau (Quebec), Canada

Day 7 Quebec City (Quebec), Canada

Day 8 Quebec City (Quebec), Canada

2018 7-Night Canada Cruise from Quebec City to New York

9/27

Day 1 Quebec City (Quebec), Canada

Day 2 Quebec City (Quebec), Canada

Day 3 Saguenay (Quebec), Canada

Day 4 Baie-Comeau (Quebec), Canada

Day 5 At Sea

Day 6 Halifax (Nova Scotia), Canada

Day 7 At Sea

Day 8 New York, New York

5 kid-friendly hikes near Las Vegas I By Deborah Wall.

Badwater, Death Valley National Park, Calif. One of the most popular places in the park, this salt flat will have you walking on the lowest terrain in North America, 282 feet below sea level. It is easy walking on a flat surface, and in the cooler months can even be walked barefoot. A special treat: Imagine walking on snow, if the sun could warm that snow. Travel as far as you feel comfortable or until the terrain gets too bumpy to walk easily. The salt flat offers spectacular views of the 11,048 foot Telescope Peak to the west; this is one of the few places you can see such a disparity in elevation. Best done November-March. www.nps.gov/deva.

Riverside Walk, Zion National Park, Utah. This paved and nearly level trail travels along the North Fork of the Virgin River, through a healthy riparian habitat of cottonwood, box elder, and velvet ash, surrounded by Zion’s signature red and orange sandstone walls. Wildlife commonly seen includes deer, wild turkeys and rock squirrels. Highlights include short unpaved spur trails, allowing access to the river where your party can play in the water, picnic, or just relax. After one mile going upstream, the trail ends at the Gateway to the Narrows, the literal jumping-off point where adventuresome hikers drop into the waterway and head upstream using the river as the trail, into the world-famous and spectacular Narrows of the Virgin River. Good year-round, except note that the trail can ice up in winter. www.nps.gov/zion.

China Ranch Date Farm, Tecopa, Calif. This date farm is a rare and lush oasis in the middle of the desert near Death Valley National Park. Hike the trails through the date trees or follow the outer trails that leave from there. One good starter trail is the 200-foot Creek Trail, which takes you through a canopy of riparian foliage along a flowing creek—super for small children. Another good one is the Badlands Trail, about one and one-half mile roundtrip. Wrap your visit up by visiting the store, where you can sample the various kinds of dates and perhaps buy some of those you like the most. Nobody seems to leave (nor should they) without buying one of the famous date milkshakes, handmade on the spot. www.chinaranch.com.

Kelso Sand Dunes, Mojave National Preserve, Calif. No official trail here, just a great place for all ages to climb as much as 700 feet to the dunes’ peak. Look for animal tracks in the sand, and perhaps get sandy by rolling back down. These are “booming” or “singing” dunes, which means they make a peculiar noise when the moisture is just right. Only a few dunes in the world do this. Some think the sound resembles a distant airplane motor, while others compare it to a musical note. All kids—and adults, too—love it. Our family tradition is to always fly kites here. www.nps.gov/moja.

Black Canyon National Water Trail, Lake Mead National Recreations Area, Nev. & Ariz. This is usually done as a full-day kayaking or canoe excursion, either guided or self-guided, embarking from the Nevada side of the Colorado River, just below Hoover Dam, and traveling almost 12 miles downstream to Willow Beach, Arizona. Parents will have to do most of the paddling, but there is a good downstream current with no white water. Foot trails beloved by children lead up the side canyons, some of them to hot springs, waterfalls, and sauna caves. There are several small beaches you will likely have to yourself, to stop and relax, have lunch, and of course swim in the chilly, yet refreshing, clear water. Bighorn sheep and bald eagles share the habitat with plenty of waterfowl. For this trip, even if you have your own watercraft, you will need to sign up with an authorized outfitter through the National Park Service, for transportation through the dam’s security zone down to the launching area. Sundays and Mondays offer the most enchanting solitude and silence, as on those days no motorized boats are allowed north of Willow Beach. www.nps.gov/lake.

When hiking with children, always carry extra water, jackets and snacks.  Keep the distances short and brush up on your geologic and animal information so you can comment on what they see as they walk along.  Family hikes can foster self-reliance and an appreciation for the natural wonders found just beyond the city lights.

Deborah Wall lives in Las Vegas and has spent her life enjoying all forms of outdoor sports including hiking, sailing, canyoneering, rappelling, kayaking and winter camping. Wall has been a columnist since 2005 for The View Newspapers in Las Vegas and has published over a hundred feature articles – which include her photographs –  in numerous Southwestern books and publications. Her newest book, Base Camp Las Vegas: 101 Hikes in the Southwest, is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be released everywhere on August 8, 2017. To learn more about Wall, visit Imbrifex Books and BaseCampGuides.com.

One commercial that gets me every time is the Atlantis commercial. I so want to travel to Atlantis, Paradise Island. This July, Atlantis, Paradise Island will debut a newly renovated Coral Towers, which will remain the Caribbean’s family travel destination, along with a fully revamped Marina Village, which will be unveiled as a Bahamian culinary destination showcasing the best that the Bahamas has to offer.

A stay at the new Coral Towers is available to book today and families can take advantage of the Coral Towers Family Customizable Packages, which includes:

• Choose from a mix and match family customizable packages at the newly renovated Coral Towers with packages starting at $353/per night**++

• Packages include a choice of two Shallow Dolphin Water Experience or two Atlantis Kids Adventures Evening Escape passes or a combination of both experiences

• Booking window: 5/1/17 – 6/5/17

• Travel window: 7/1/17 – 10/31/17

I think the kids would love this place. They have something for everyone at this resort including brand-new programming at Dolphin Cay and cultural immersion activities such as Junkanoo Bahamian Fest & Feast