Desert Chica

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5 Reasons We Love The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

byKaren•January 8, 2021

Are you thinking about staying at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort? I am sharing the reasons we loved staying at the WDW Dolphin Resort and one reason we didn’t. The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort is not quite an official Disney Resort but it is considered on property and has extra benefits worth exploring. read more »

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How To Plan a Walt Disney World Trip

byKaren•July 10, 2020

With so many new developments happening in regards travel, it can be hard to know when you should plan your next vacation. Luckily, my friends at Get Away Today have all of the best tips and updated information on how to plan a Walt Disney World trip, so you don’t have to stress. With their read more »

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Non-Foodie’s Guide to 2020 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival

byKaren•March 9, 2020

Strawberry-Rose Lemonade at 2020 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival

This year is my 3rd year attending The Disney California Food & Wine Festival at the Disneyland Resort. While I consider myself a non-foodie, I still find myself enjoying the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival each year and am excited to always see what new food offerings they have each year.  Non-Foodie’s Guide to Disneyland read more »

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Spend Rodeo Break 2020 at Disneyland

byKaren•February 16, 2020

Meet Jessie and Woody at Disney California Adventure during Rodeo Break

My favorite time to visit Disneyland is on weekdays during the low season. I love how relaxed the resort feels when we aren’t competing with a million other families. When my kids were really little we’d always visit in the fall when most kids were back in school. My kids are older now though, so read more »

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5 Reasons Universal Studios Hollywood Is Better Than Universal Orlando

byKaren•November 25, 2019

Looking for secrets to planning a Universal Studios Hollywood trip with kids? Read my tips on why Universal Studios Hollywood Is Better than Universal Orlando & 1 reason it's not. You'll want to know if your Harry Potter & Simpsons fan will be happy with the rides & food you'll find in the Los Angeles, California park.

After visiting Universal Orlando a few times recently with my family, I was excited to head back to Universal Studios Hollywood so I could compare the two locations. I already knew the Hollywood park is much smaller having visiting it as a kid. Smaller park means fewer attractions but more isn’t always better in my read more »

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LEGOLAND Brick or Treat Shirt

byKaren•October 1, 2019

kid playing at LEGOLAND

We just returned from a whirlwind adventure to attend our first LEGOLAND Brick or Treat. I’ll be sharing details about our Brick or Treat adventure in the next few days but first I wanted to share our awesome LEGOLAND Brick or Treat shirts! LEGOLAND Brick or Treat Shirt LEGOLAND encourages guests to wear Halloween costumes read more »

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How to trade Minifigures at LEGOLAND

byKaren•March 25, 2019

One of the coolest activities at LEGOLAND is trading Minifigures with LEGOLAND employees (aka Model Citizens). For the Disney fans, it’s a very similar process to pin trading at Disneyland or Disney World. Check out these tips on how to trade Minifigures at LEGOLAND. How to Trade LEGO Minifigures at LEGOLAND We like to think of read more »

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Never Buy A Universal Express Pass Online

byKaren•February 1, 2019

Plan the best 2019 Universal Orlando itinerary using these tips and secrets to save time and possibly money when utilizing a Universal Express Pass. See what Universal Studios and Island of Adventure rides and attractions are included in these special front of the line tickets including Harry Potter rides and more. Learn how to get a free Universal Express Pass for everyone in your family from certain hotels and how to avoid wasting money buying Universal Express Passes unnecessarily as I did! Universal Studios Orlando Tips | Universal Studios Orlando Secrets | Universal Studios Orlando Planning | Universal Orland Tickets

Don’t make the same $300 mistake I did when buying Universal Express Passes before our first park visit. I was kicking myself all day long, knowing that money could have meant nicer meals, fun souvenirs or several more giant pink donuts! Never Buy A Universal Express Pass Online So, why you should never buy a read more »

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New at Disneyland in 2019

byKaren•January 9, 2019

What's new at Disneyland in 2019. 2019 will be a huge year for Disney Parks with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opening at Disneyland in the summer of 2019 and at WDW in the fall of 2019. Disneyland will also host some cool events like the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival and open new attractions on Pixar Pier! Check out all the cool details! #Disneyland #DisneylandResort #Disneylandtips #Disneyland2019 #Disneylandstarwars #StarWars #GalaxysEdge #PixarPier

I’m always excited to talk about what will be new at Disneyland each year and 2019 is no exception. This year the big news for Disney Parks is the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but there are some other new additions and celebrations to look forward to at Disneyland as well. Captain Marvel With read more »

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New at LEGOLAND in 2019

byKaren•January 6, 2019

Check out all fun new things to do at LEGOLAND California in 2019. Including free admission for kids to celebrate LEGOLAND's 20th birthday, LEGO Movie Days, new LEGO Friends show and a LEGO 4D Movie. Plus don't forget about the new fun from 2018 including the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel and new ride, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride. California Travel | LEGOLAND California Tips | LEGOLAND California Secrets| Lego land California

With the new year, comes fun new events, activities and attractions at LEGOLAND! My boys are always up for a trip to LEGOLAND, check out what we will find new at LEGOLAND in 2019! New at LEGOLAND in 2019 LEGOLAND California is celebrating it’s 20th birthday this year and as a result, there will be read more »

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The Best things to do at LEGOLAND this summer

byKaren•July 17, 2018

LEGOLAND Submarine Ride Construction visit

There are always new things happening at LEGOLAND California, this year the big new thing for my boys was opening of the new LEGOLAND Castle Hotel! Between checking out new things, and visiting old favorites there are always plenty of fun things to do at LEGOLAND! Best New Things to do at LEGOLAND This Summer read more »

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Toy Story Costumes | Disneybounding at Toy Story Land

byKaren•July 5, 2018

Toy Story Costumes for disneybounding at Toy Story Land or Pixar Pier

Toy Story Land is now open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. We spent last week Playing Big in Andy’s backyard as guests of Disney for their media preview event. Attending the grand opening of Toy Story Land seemed like the perfect opportunity to disneybound as characters from Toy Story.  Disneybound at Walt read more »

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LEGOLAND California Tips

byKaren•May 22, 2018

LEGOLAND California is located just steps from LEGOLAND Castle Hotel

My boys love LEGOLAND California. We’ve been several times over the past few years and have learned a few things in the process. Today I am sharing a few LEGOLAND tips and tricks to help make your trip to LEGOLAND California easier and more fun. LEGOLAND California Tips LEGOLAND Souvenirs LEGO Minifigure Trading Save on read more »

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LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Review: Complete Guide To All The Royal LEGO Fun

byKaren•May 14, 2018

one of two thousand LEGO models at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel

We just go back from the grand opening of the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in California and I am so excited to share all the reasons you will want stay there, even if you splurge for just one night! We were invited to the media preview event which means we were one of the first royal read more »

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Pixar Fest Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland

byKaren•April 16, 2018

FREE PRINTABLE Pixar Fest Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland

I spent 2 days last week attending the media preview and opening day of Pixar Fest at Disneyland. It was a whirlwind adventure with lots of Pixar fun crammed in. I will publish my Pixar Fest guide soon but for now, I wanted to share a fun Pixar Fest Scavenger Hunt.   Disney has created a read more »

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Best Family Activities in Southern California

byKaren•January 19, 2018

The best family activities in Southern California include theme parks, dinner shows, and animal encounters. There are plenty of things to do from Los Angeles to San Diego with kids. When you plan your bucket list road trip to California, check out these activity suggestions for families.

Southern California is one of our favorite places to visit. It’s an easy drive or flight to San Diego or Los Angeles for Arizona families, making it an ideal weekend getaway. With so many family activities in Southern California, we could visit every week and find something new to do! I’ve partnered with Visit Buena read more »

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Cars Land Halloween Guide | Celebrate Haul-O-Ween at Disneyland

byKaren•October 24, 2017

Cars Land Haul-O-Ween Halloween Decorations

Thank you, Disney, for hosting me at Disneyland to celebrate Cars Land Halloween fun!  I love visiting the Disneyland Resort during the holidays, especially Halloween Time. In the past, the Halloween fun was solely at Disneyland. This year Halloween Time has expanded to Disney California Adventure and more specifically Cars Land! The residents of Radiator read more »

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Disneyland Halloween Treats: Cars Land Haul-O-Ween Cookies

byKaren•October 18, 2017

Last week I spent an evening at Disneyland to experience Halloween Time during the Thor: Ragnarok press trip. When I found out we would be taking some time to enjoy the Disneyland Resort on our trip, I was beyond excited. Disneyland is my favorite place to hang out in and write about, especially during the read more »

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9 Places for Water Fun at Universal Orlando

byKaren•September 24, 2017

After spending only one day exploring both Universal parks on our first visit, my boys were ready and to dedicate a full day to all the water fun at Universal Orlando on our next trip. We planned on hitting everything water related we could find. Check out these 9 places for water fun at Universal read more »

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Everything Simpsons at Universal Orlando

byKaren•August 18, 2017

We spent two days at Universal Orlando in April, courtesy of complimentary media tickets. It was only our second visit to Universal Orlando and the boys loved every minute it of it. One area we explored much more on this trip was Springfield: Home of the Simpsons. The boys had recently started watching the Simpsons read more »

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Karen@desertchica.com

Hi! I’m Karen.

I'm a mom to two boys, Arizona native, and travel lover. Desert Chica is my place to share a peek into our life and the easy and inexpensive costumes, crafts and desserts I like to make. “If I can do it, anyone can!” Learn more about me here.

Travel Tips and Adventures

Hopefully the North Pole Experience will open back up in 2021 and you can take your family to visit Santa’s Workshop in Flagstaff, AZ.

Why you shouldn’t automatically buy a Universal Express Pass online before your trip to Orlando.

Trading with Jawas at Walt Disney World was lots of fun.

The coolest Star Wars adventure ever was my tour of Skywalker Ranch.

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Desert Chica

    Desert Chica

    • About Karen
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