Midlife Madness

Tag: #anaheim

  • Anaheim is reopening!

    Anaheim is reopening!

    Not only has Disneyland announced its re-opening date (April 30, 2021), the City of Anaheim is once again showing signs of life. There’s a lot going on, and it feels so good!

    I live a short distance from Angels Stadium, the home of the Angels baseball team (formerly of Anaheim, now the Los Angeles Angels). It’s exciting to see the stadium alight, cars in the parking lots, and the halo on the “Big A” lit up to signify a win. Even the traffic on the nearby 57 freeway seems to signify that things are returning to normal. To be honest, it’s not *quite* back to normal and in this case it’s a good thing. My family made a trip up to downtown LA for a COVID-safe drive thru experience on Friday night. Typically at least an hour’s drive on a Friday evening, we made it in about 40 minutes! We could see improvements that have progressed on this freeway, which I used to drive five days a week, and probably contributed to the easier flow of traffic. There’s an example of a “COVID Silver Lining,” for sure.

    Excuse the tangent. My brain is still recovering from all that free time wandering and thinking about whatever I please!

    My real intent today is to shamelessly plug my book again!

    While you’re waiting to be one of the 9,000 people able to attend an Angels game or be one of the lucky few to get a reservation for a visit to Disneyland, why not check out what else Anaheim has to offer? During the shutdowns last year, I took advantage of some free time to write about my family’s favorite places in and around Anaheim. Check out 50 Travel Tips from a Local – Anaheim, part of the Greater Than A Tourist travel series by CZYK Publishing. While I do not receive commissions from any of the places mentioned in the book, I do earn a small commission if you purchase the book through Amazon (at the link above) or through this link, for my store on Bookshop.com : Wendy’s Bookstore

    Neighborhood restaurants and local merchants have really suffered over the past year and could use your support. Local museums, parks, and zoos are opening now while Orange County is holding steady in the Orange tier and easing towards the more permissive Yellow tier. Whether you’re visiting as a California resident or looking to the future, 50 Travel Tips from a Local – Anaheim has something for everyone. There are even tips for LGBTQ+ visitors, for seniors, and for families traveling with teenagers. My teenagers have been staying safely at home for months and they can’t wait to go back out to play!

    Welcome back to Anaheim!

  • 7 Things to Do in Anaheim When Disneyland’s Closed

    7 Things to Do in Anaheim When Disneyland’s Closed

    7 *Other* Things to Do in Anaheim

    The holiday season has begun! Whether you’re fortunate enough to be working, or looking for low-cost ways to stay busy during unexpected or lengthy downtime, visit some Anaheim “now open” venues to have fun while helping the local economy.

    1. Explore the Outdoors (page 45) – Irvine Regional and Santiago Oaks both have hiking trails for all abilities and beautiful scenery.
    2. Taste Anaheim’s Heritage (page 55) – Try traditional German food at Jagerhaus, including sauces made from scratch.
    3. Play Near a Different Castle (p.40) – Camelot Golfland is open for reservations on their four mini-golf courses.
    4. Try a New Brew (p. 44) – Microbreweries abound in the Canyon district of Anaheim. Due to current guidelines, all offer food; some have patios.
    5. Shop Local (p.53) – Explore Downtown Anaheim for locally-owned shops and restaurants. Farmer’s market on Thursdays.
    6. Get Your Fix at Downtown Disney (page 30) – The popular shopping and dining area is open, expanding to Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure as soon as November 19.
    7. Read and Remember – Greater Than a Tourist – Anaheim is available now on Amazon, Bookshop, and Kindle! Note: If you make a purchase through my affiliate links, I may earn a commission.

  • Amazon Recommendations

    It’s Prime Day! Time for a shameless plug of my travel guide! It’s available now on Kindle and in print. For Locals and Visitors alike, these 50 tips are from my personal experience as a resident and explorer of Anaheim. I received no incentives from the businesses that are mentioned in the book, so you can rest assured that the opinions are truly mine – including what I’ve learned from friends and family. I do receive a small compensation if you shop through my links. You’re helping the local economy in so many ways!

    If you haven’t picked up a copy of these books that are mentioned on my site, here are quick links:

    Recommended products helping me survive perimenopause, motherhood, and more:

    For my friends with four-footed family, let me suggest these rope toys. My moderate chewers found them irresistible, and I found them long-lasting.

    And finally, for added value at check-out:

    Save 50% on select product(s) with promo code 5062E3Z1 on Amazon.com
  • Anaheim Travel Tips – I’m not just a tourist, I’m a local!

    Anaheim Travel Tips – I’m not just a tourist, I’m a local!

    Dreaming of Disneyland? Me too!

    So I wrote a book.

    Locals and travelers alike are desperately waiting for news of when they will be able to return to the Happiest Place on Earth, The Disneyland Resort, which has been closed since March due to the pandemic. While I was off work in the “quarantime,” staying safely at home, my mind was out wandering the streets of Anaheim and places in the OC that I wished I could visit. My little book offers tips you won’t find anywhere else because they are from my personal experience. I lived walking distance from Disneyland for over ten years, raising my children with the sound and view of fireworks practically over my backyard. I’m not just a fan, I’m a neighbor. Like any good busybody, I’m happy to share my knowledge of all the great features of my neighborhood.

    Available now on Amazon (and through the convenient link above, through which the author – yours truly – will receive a small compensation), Greater Than a Tourist – Anaheim goes beyond the berm with fifty unique tips. Of course, I included some of my favorite things about the Disneyland Resort, especially some sneaky tricks well known to annual pass holders and kids like me who grew up in the area. But more importantly, the book uses The Disneyland Resort area as home base. This perspective assumes visitors are going to the Parks at some point during their trip, and it offers a pin in the virtual map for locals as well.

    I wanted to set this book apart from the many Disney-exclusive travel guides. Greater Than A Tourist – Anaheim leads the reader to great restaurants, local parks, the beach, and museums. I purposely included tips you won’t find in other Disney tourist guides: LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, senior citizens, teenagers, active lifestyles. These are legit tips because I am, I parent, or I am friends with people who belong to these groups. It’s written as a conversation as if you called me to ask for suggestions. My friends and family know that means I’ll share some stories along the way!

    What the book doesn’t include is any information regarding new safety protocols due to COVID-19. It harks back to a simpler time, and looks forward to a time when hand-washing and sanitizing is habitual and it becomes habit to look out for the well-being of others as well as ourselves.

    When Disneyland reopens, it’s likely that capacity will be limited and reservations will be required, based on the example of other Disney Parks around the world (please note, however, that as of this writing, nothing has been announced regarding Disneyland’s reopening). This book will come in very handy as visitors look for other things to do in the area. The book is available in print and on Kindle. I hope you’ll enjoy it!