Now that I live in California (again) I have big plans to make a dream a reality. I want to learn how to surf. I’m not sure why I haven’t done it in the past. A lot of my friends consider it to be the only thing that keeps them (relatively) sane.

There are surfing schools and day lessons available all along the coast, and I plan on visiting one of them — as soon as Living Social emails the right deal. A family coupon would be nice.

I’d love to get my boys up on some boards. We had thought that skiing might be our family activity, but it turns out that everyone hates the cold, so now we’re thinking surfing might be the answer. We shall see.

Destination surf vacations sound really awesome.

Do you surf? Do you have kids that surf?

This post is part of our Friday Family Series.

Photo: Luis Alves via Flickr

The recent post on surviving Disneyland triggered an onslaught of emails and tweets (where an onslaught equals three) wanting to know more about Disney’s Fastpass system. Here you go!

The Fastpass (not to be confused with Disney’s PhotoPass) works like this: Certain rides/shows at the Disney parks (list below) offer a Fastpass option that allots a window of time for guests to return to said attraction and bypass the longer stand-by line.

If an attraction offers Fastpass there will be an area somewhere in the vicinity of the entrance or exit (some are harder to find than others) where guests can insert their admission ticket FOR THAT DAY into a machine (each person in a party needs their own pass) and it will return the admission ticket with an additional ticket that is the Fastpass.

Depending on the ride, time of day and crowd levels, the return time (an hour window issued in five minute increments) may be close to the issue time or hours later. With the exception of the World of Color show in Disney’s California Adventure, guests will not be able to get another Fastpass in the Disneyland Resort for at least two hours. Walt Disney World parks will have different rules and exceptions.

Return to the attraction during the time printed on the Fastpass and enter the Fastpass line. A Disney Cast Member (CM) will grant guests access to the line after confirming that their time is correct. (Please note, hold onto the Fastpass as they will be collected by another CM later in the queue). Fastpass holders seldom walk right onto the ride, but the wait time will be considerably less than that of guests in the stand-by line.

Here are the Disneyland Resort rides that offer Fastpass: Read More »

Every year the beaches of California host a number of events, but few are as amazing or family friendly as sand castle competitions and festivals. They can be found from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and they feature sand sculptures that will leave you oohing and ahhing. Also, covered in sand.

If you’re visiting California make sure to ask your hotel concierge about sand castle events in the area. It’s a great, and usually free (except for parking), way to spend the day on the beach — and you can’t beat that.

And that’s not all. There are also jokes. Apparently.

This post is a very wordy Wordless Wednesday entry.

Photo: dsearls via Flickr

The best way to make Disneyland, and life, more enjoyable: jazz hands.

How to survive Disneyland? That seems kind of silly, doesn’t it? Isn’t surviving Disneyland the same as enjoying Disneyland? I should think so. However, there are some among us (you know who you are) that feel otherwise. They look at a day in a crowded theme park like the rest of us look at a day in the DMV — long lines, too hot and very expensive.  Man, the DMV sucks.

Disneyland, thankfully, doesn’t. To turn that frown upside down I am offering some helpful tips for creating a Disneyland vacation that should make even the most cynical crack the occasional smile (someone buy that person a Grumpy t-shirt). Churros not included. Read More »