Bad Ash Travels

www.badastravels.com Travel blogger & International wildchild

[ashleyylala]

Mommy and me Disney Day Guide

Growing up in Orange County, Disneyland was always a hop, skip, and a jump away. A large chunk of my childhood was spent romanticizing what princess life would have been like and trotting through Main Street, cotton candy in hand. My friends and I would skip classes during High School to go to Disneyland with our $15/month Disneyland annual passes. There were so many memories from the obligatory turkey legs to even having my first kiss with my first boyfriend in front of the lit up castle.

Although I never considered myself a Disney fanatic, I loved the park and I loved the magical storytelling that sparked imagination and awe. When I became a flight attendant in my 20s, I happily left Disney behind to collect passport stamps around the world. Suffice to say, Mickey Mouse never strayed too far because I was lucky enough to experience Disney Paris and Disney Tokyo Sea. In all actuality, I always needed Disney in my life.

Fast forward to motherhood and ending up back in Orange County to raise my daughter around family and a 15-minute drive to Disneyland. My partner and I took our daughter to Disneyland several times before I saw they were offering the Southern California resident annual passes and after much resistance, I knew it was time to share the magic with my daughter.

As a mother to a two-year-old daughter who loves Mickey Mouse, I wanted to not only share the magic with her but familiarize her with compelling storytelling while selfishly wanting to get out of the house. We had to take a financial pause on traveling the world so I thought Disneyland would be a controlled environment where I could take her by myself and create the illusion of traveling to a magical placc.

Below is my curated guide to taking a two-year-old to Disneyland by myself:

There are affiliate links to products I have done research on my own. They are not sponsored.

What I bring:

Stroller - Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Stroller

You can also rent strollers at Disneyland for $18 (single stroller) or $36 (double stroller).

Snacks - Hand rolls from Tokyo Central, apple sauce from Trader Joe’s, Cheerios (easy), seaweed

Food and drinks are allowed into the park. They just can be inspected through security. I bring a little cooler as well.

Water bottle - Owala Kids Flip Insulated Stainless-Steel

Diapers (Healthy Baby), wipes (Honest Co.), etc.

Extra clothes (Toontown can get wet)

Parking:

Mickey & Friends Parking Lot or Pixar Pals Parking Lot ($35)

There is a shuttle that takes you to the park entrance or you could take the elevators to the second floor (Coco level) and walk across the pedestrian bridge to Downtown Disney.

Toy Story Parking Lot ($35)

You have to take a bus to get there and fold your stroller.

Downtown Disney Simba Parking Lot ($10 for the first hour)

4 for $10 with validation from a restaurant or minimum of $20 purchase from shops.

6 hours for $10 with validation from Naples, Jazz Kitchen, Splitsville, Centrico or Paseo restaurants.

You do not have to take a shuttle and the validation depends on where you eat or make a purchase.

ARTIC Sports Complex Line

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is a bus and train station that can get you to Disneyland on bus 14 or 15 that will take you directly to the Disneyland Resort. Parking is complimentary and the bus ticket costs $6 for an Adult All-Day pass and $2.50 for a Child All-Day pass (3-9).

I have not tried it yet but I plan to soon. It would cost me and my daughter $6 because she is free until she is 3 years-old.

Disney California Adventures

Halloween Time is currently in session at the Disney parks. You could expect Fall decor, seasonal spooky rides and Halloween-fun shows. My daughter loves the Mickey’s Trick and Treat at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land. It’s a cute little show with the Disney gang dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Lately, the weather has been very hot so we have been spending more time at Hollywood Land because there are more air-conditioned attractions and shows to go to. During my solo trips with Ava, I would rather stay at this park because it is easier to navigate and easier to take it at our own pace.

Rides for a two-year-old with a 0-32” height requirement:

Avengers Campus

WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Cars Land

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (32”)

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (32”)

Hollywood Land

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

Pixar Pier

Pixar Pal-A-Round Swinging Ferris Wheel

Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

Jessie’s Critter Carousel

Toy Story Midway Mania

Paradise Gardens Park

The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

Disneyland Resort

The OG home of Mickey Mouse that is currently celebrating 70 years of existence. Disneyland is currently decked out in 70s and Fall decor, providing a nostalgic and warm ambience. It is more difficult to find places to beat the heat because of how packed it normally is and a minimal amount of indoor attractions. However, Disneyland Resort is a classic and there are more kid-friendly rides. Instead of listing off every ride, I put her favorite ones.

Rides for toddlers with a 0-32” height requirement that were her favorites:

It’s a Small World

Always a classic and a favorite.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The line was long and it is a loud ride. It scared my daughter and it was pretty jerky to imitate a train ride off the tracks. It’s fun but I know she did not enjoy it.

Astro Orbiter

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Haunted Mansion

Super fun because it is The Nightmare Before Christmas themed. She was scared but enjoyed it afterwards. I would not take her on the ride after the holiday season.

Jungle Cruise

Mad Tea Party

Peter Pan’s Flight

Diaper Changing Stations

There are changing tables in every restroom but there is one family restroom in each park that has everything you may need from lactation rooms, comfortable changing tables, bottle warmers, and supplies. In Disneyland, the baby center is down Main Street next to the First Aid Center. In California Adventures, the Baby Center is next to the Baymax mural next to Ghiradelli. See baby centers here. They are much more comfortable than the normal restrooms!

Full transparency, I pay $599 for one annual pass. Since she is still free, I feel like it is worth it because she is cognizant of everything going around and she fully remembers our days at Disneyland. There are a lot of blockout dates but since I am a flight attendant, I tend to be off during the week.

I hope this little guide helps. I know that I am fortunate to be able to make these memories with my daughter and I plan on sharing these memories with you along the way. Comment below what your Disney tricks and tips are or your favorite memory!

[ashleyylala]

I don’t know if it was from watching Sailor Moon or what but when I was younger, I always knew I was meant to do something to help people on a larger scale. You know the one. It is a certain nudge, a calling in your soul that we all get at one point in our lives. It doesn’t truly go away because there are always opportunities around you to do something to help, to pay it forward, to make a tiny impact. So it’s up to you to press stop, get up and go or continue to snooze. #foodforthought And yes, this is my real alarm when I go to my internship at @a21 (at Orange County, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvRvDLxhyCu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rubpzh5bp1v0

[ashleyylala]

My ex came back into my life to discuss having a future with me again. He is offering me a new life in a new country, a family and partnership.

The thing is... he’s asking me to give up everything I had which kept me grounded when he was gone in the first place.

There is no right or wrong in the manner, it’s just about finding a balance and I’m not sure what that entails.

[6i]

in your 20’s find a balance between hustle & rest. you don’t need to have a love life or a soulmate figured out. go travel the world. battle your demons. set up a business, find people who value your heart & yours will attract. don’t live in the past, you have so much more to see

[just-wanna-travel]

Huacachina, Peru

[love-personal]

[danger]

[pretty--chic-deactivated2017062]

[ashleyylala]

I wear my uniform with pride and I have days where I wonder what I would do in a compromising position. It’s easier to forget that we are in a post 9/11 era because no one wants to think of the worst possible scenario. I remember when I was still new, walking to my car in my uniform. A car pulled up next to me and a man struck up a conversation about how he was once an AA flight attendant who quit right after 9/11. That day I was thinking... is it even worth it? Do I have the strength to do what Betty Ong did on that dreadful day 17 years ago? All I know is that I listen to that recording of her last phone call every year. All I know is that my job is to protect and be ready at a moments notice. Gone are the days where we were just stewards and stewardesses who served you pot roast in the aisle. We are now a work force who is willing to protect a whole aircraft with a smile. We will never forget and we are stronger than ever. #neverforget #aastews @americanair (at One World Trade Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnl1_e4gULn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wg81hrthvpou

[labella-instagram]

[streetstyleplatform]

[ashleyylala]

Six countries and we haven’t even scratched the surface. #deliriumcafe (at Brussels, Belgium)

[ashleyylala]

Norway Northern Lights

The chilled air froze my very core. Being an Orange County native and extremely weather spoiled, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. All I knew was that I was turning 26 and I wanted to see something jaw-dropping. I wanted to be inspired and witness something unpredictable, inexplicable, and beautifully messy. I felt like that's my perspective on how life should be - colorful and spontaneous. So instead of basking under the Greek sun as was originally planned, I decided to celebrate my birthday in Tromsø in the freezing weather to chase the Northern Lights. 

The only conditions you can see the Aurora Borealis is under complete darkness without a single cloud in sight which means freaking cold. I had done my research and while planning this trip, I couldn't decide between Iceland or Norway. Since my boyfriend, Patrick, lives in The Netherlands, I thought it would be easier geographically plus it seemed like my chances would be better to see the dancing lights. But no matter where you are and even in the most ideal conditions, you can't really predict when they'll show up.

With that said, we were lucky. We purchased our tickets through Wandering Owl via Trip Advisor, which I'm glad we did. I will be honest and tell you that I thought I'd go outside and see the lights right in front of me like in that one scene in Frozen where Anna is telling Elsa that the sky is awake (yeah, I went there). And I would be lying to you if I said the Frozen soundtrack wasn't playing in my head as my tears froze into icicles on my face in the brisk Norwegian air looking out into the fjord. Either way, book a tour guide. 

Tromsø

I saw Tromsø as a really adorable fisherman's town that would not take too long to explore. The buildings are close together and you have this gorgeous view of a mountain that makes you feel like you're looking at The Knight's Watch wall from Game of Thrones. It is a charming town with kind people and it seems like you're on a set of some winter romance comedy. 

Flight Itinerary: LAX-LHR-AMS stayed the night then from AMS-OSL-TOS.

We took KLM from Amsterdam to Oslo and Norwegian Air from Oslo to Tromsø and they were pretty great. As a flight attendant with my benefits coming from the U.S., I would have just gone to London and taken Norwegian Air to Oslo then Tromsø. 

Hotel: Thon Hotel Tromsø 

The room was comfortable and the location was great and the complimentary breakfast buffet was a game changer. It wasn't a grandeur hotel but it got the job done. I chose a hotel over Airbnb because of accessibility and the location. 

Currency: Norway uses their own form of currency - Norwegian Krone and 1 NOK = $0.13 USD.

Although Norway is beautiful, it is the sixth richest country in the world and pretty pricey. Chasing the Northern Lights in general is not cheap and adding on the food and accommodations, you should expect to spend a chunk of change. That is why the complimentary breakfast buffet saved us. 

Things to do: We did not have much time to see all of the museums or the attractions but just walking around Tromsø 

Polar Museum: The only museum we went to. I personally thought it was morbid because they talked about killing polar bears and seals to survive but I learned a lot about the city.

Arctic Cathedral: The architecture is modern looking and geometric. We did not go inside but it was pretty to see on the way to the outskirts.

Others: Perspective Museum, Polaria, Husky sled tour (I wish I did this)

Bars: We did not get to go bar hopping because it was too cold but they are all pretty local and walking distance.

Tromsø Railstation - Cute bar with currency from all around the world taped on the interior. They had local beers, pretty expensive pricing but it was fun.

Restaurants:

Suvi - An asian fusion restaurant that serves sushi along with Tom Ka Gai soup. 

Kaia - A local restaurant with a beautiful view of the harbor and delicious cuisine. We tried some of the local beer along with King crab, lamb and fish soup. I thought it was tasty and romantic. 

Oslo

Although we did not get to spend enough time in Oslo, it is definitely a city I would like to visit again in the summer time. Oslo is where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held, has the famous Scream painting, and has the largest sculpture park in Frogner Park. The Northern Lights won't be able to be seen here but there is a lot of history and culture. Public transportation is easy and it is not difficult getting around by knowing just English. 

Accommodations:

Friday night we stayed at the Scandic Hotel near the airport. Pat dubs this "the best breakfast buffet in Scandinavia".

Monday night we stayed at an AirBnB in Briskeby. It was easily accessible to public transportation and a couple stops away from the city center. The apartment looked like a millennial blogger babe's apartment and there was a cute cafe close by. 

 Things to do: We only had one day in Oslo to really explore so we did not get to see much, especially in the cold.

Akershus Fortress: You feel like you're traveling back in time and there is a spectacular view of the city skyline. 

Things we wanted to do but didn't and I recommend if you go: Mathallen Food Hall, Viking Museum, Frogner Park

Restaurants: 

Festingen Restaurant: Inside of the Akershus fortress lies a hidden high class restaurant. We had just finished dinner and decided to peek inside to try to get coffee. They allowed us to get dessert and two Irish coffees for my birthday. It was pretty romantic and spontaneous. 

Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri: One of the oldest restaurants in Oslo and close to the Oslo Cathedral. The building and interior are protected by law and remains unchanged. This restaurant has traditional Norwegian cuisine and worth going to.

Bonita Cafe: A Colombian coffee shop with a delicious tuna wrap and a mean cup of coffee. The interior has potted plants everywhere and the workers are very nice.  

The Northern Lights were spectacular and I suggest being diligent with your preparation. If you are going to try to take photos of the lights, be sure you have the right camera and the right settings. I used ISO - 1600 Aperture - 2.8 Shutter Speed - 8"-10" on a Canon Powershot G7x mark ii. With a decent DSLR, you could definitely get better quality photos. 

Be sure to find a travel guide that will provide the proper snowsuit attire and snowboots because without them, you will freeze. I highly recommend booking through Wandering Owl (click for link). They provide you with hot soup (I chose reindeer) with a hot beverage around a campfire and they are knowledgable with the origin of the lights. Bert was an amazing guide that provided great photos of us with the Aurora Borealis.

Coming into it, you have to know that finding the lights are very slim but very do-able with proper planning and high optimism (more of the optimism). We went early February but prime time to go is November to March. Also, know that it is expensive and be prepared to pay for multiple tours to see them. I think I was lucky because it was my birthday but our guide was very honest about the difficulty of seeing the lights. 

I hope that helped you if you were ever planning on visiting Norway. I highly recommend going just once and be sure to bundle up. When you think you have bundled up enough, bundle up some more. Be sure to comment below with feedback or questions! 

Thanks Travel Baddies <3

Stay tuned for the video coming soon! 

[ashleyylala]

Chase the Aurora Borealis. Bucket list ☑️ Part of the reason why I wanted to see the northern lights was because I had become jaded. I became lost and unsure of where I was going with my life. I started getting panic attacks and I stressed out so much that it physically affected me. So I told myself I wanted to see something extremely beautiful for my 26th birthday. I wanted to see something that couldn’t be explained, something unpredictable and something worthwhile. I froze my toes off and tried reindeer soup but I found a little bit of the inspiration I was seeking alongside the dancing lights. It was amazing. (at Tromsø, Norway)

[ashleyylala]

One month of books, tea, of finding myself, of love, of the Northern lights, of a cold winter and of Europe. I hope I come back better than I left. See you on the other side. ✌🏼#birthdaymonth #reinvention

[ashleyylala]

Vanity and layovers don’t mix well

[ashleyylala]

If you haven’t subscribed to or even seen my videos.... you’re in for a treat. Lol link in bio! #letsbetravelbaddies (at Los Angeles, California)