Tickets on Sale Now for Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s Annual Trick-or-Treat!

 

Summoning all ghouls, goblins, gremlins!

Children’s Museum of Atlanta is hosting its annual Trick–or–Treat, and it’s larger and more spectacular than ever before.

Saturday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., families can look forward to frightfully fun crafts, a costume parade, a live DJ playing Halloween hits, trick-or-treating, and much more! Kids and grown-ups are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween costumes. Tickets are $10 for members and $25 for non-members. Advance tickets are required; no tickets will be sold at the door. This is a fa-boo-lous event … that’s sure to sell out quickly!

WHAT: Tickets on Sale for Annual Trick-or-Treat at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Families have an exciting lineup ahead, featuring spooky and enjoyable crafts, a costume parade, DJ Dewayne, trick-or-treating, and other thrilling activities! ​

WHEN: ​ Saturday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 26
​5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: ​ The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
​275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW
​Atlanta, GA 30313

HOW: Tickets are $10 for members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited and tickets will not be sold at the door. Prices will increase week of event. To purchase tickets, please visit: bit.ly/trickortreat2024. ​ ​

D23 Showcases Classic Hocus Pocus Props!

  

Good morning Disney fans!

It's that time of year again.  Cool weather...falling leaves...pumpkin spice...costumes...brooms, and (most importantly) candy.  

I love this time of year - the decorating is so much fun and the Disney Halloween movies are in full swing.

One of the most popular Disney Halloween movies (and my personal favorite) is Hocus Pocus.  Hocus Pocus is the fun and fictional tale of three witch sisters - the SANDERSON sisters - who were sent to their death in 1693 after taking the town of Salem's small children.

Before being hanged, Winifred Sanderson places a curse on the town that will result in the three witches being resurrected on Halloween eve if a virgin lights the black flame candle.  As you suspect and already know by now, a virgin does light the candle, the sisters are resurrected, and the devilishly fun Sanderson sister tale ensues.

It's a cult classic that has grown so much in popularity each year that Disney now has a Hocus Pocus 2 (!!) in production even as I type.

That's why I am so excited to share these pictures with you from the D23 website as they showcase some of the iconic props from the cult classic.  I hope you enjoy them, and please make sure to visit the website to see more pictures!

Happy Halloween Disney fans!

New Offerings and Restaurant Updates at Disney Hollywood Studios

 

Good new Disney Parks fans!  Disney Hollywood Studios is reopening two of its most popular eateries - ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine (which will have a spooky new theme)!

Here is some more information and details.  Don't forget, our Travel Agency offers concierge service to you and your family (or traveling party) FREE of charge!  Plus, we can book these meals for you as well!

Want to visit the Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays?  Message me today.  (debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com)

Disney Hollywood Studios has delicious new offerings at ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine!  Read on to find out what our chefs have been cooking up!

 

Starting now, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all!  

Sandwiches/Salads

California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread

 

Tacos

NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans

 Rice Bowls

NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu

 – Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

Kid’s Options

NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.

NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with choice of two sides.

Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.

There is Halloween fun for everyone at Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine.  While it may look a little different than the last time you visited, what hasn’t changed is our chefs’ scary good food!  Minnie’s Halloween Dine offers a three-course meal served at your table where Guests will be able to wave and snap photos of their favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and their friends.  Check out this monster of a feast!

Appetizers

Served with Warm Pull-apart Rolls and Butter

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Cornbread Croutons, and Homemade Smokehouse Ranch Dressing.

Plant-based Chopped Salad – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Focaccia Croutons, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing.

Entrées

Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib of Beef – Sour Cream-Chive Whipped Potatoes, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus.

Carved Herb-roasted Turkey Breast – Garlic-Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Green Beans, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry-Orange Relish.

Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp – Cavatappi Pasta, Four-Cheese Sauce, Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, and Buttered Panko Crust with Fennel and Arugula.

Seared Fresh Salmon – with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc Olive Oil-crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic-Lemon Broccolini.

Plant-based Pan-seared King Trumpet Mushrooms – Braised Lentils, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Mushroom Ragù, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Marsala Mushroom Sauce.

Pork Osso Bucco – with Boursin Cheese Hominy Grits, Caramelized Apples, Lemon Gremolata, and Pork Reduction Gravy.

Desserts (Choose One)

Apple-Blueberry Pie – Baked Apples, Blueberries, Caramel, and Streuse.

Banana Cream Pie – Bananas, Cream, and Caramel Sauce.

Plant-based Cherry-Lemon Pie – Cherries with Lemon Drizzle.

Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Rich Custard with Caramelized Sugar.

Chocolate S’mores Pie – Dark Chocolate Mousse with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff and Graham Cracker Streusel.

Kid’s Menu Create-Your-Own Meal For Guests Ages 9 and Under

Appetizers (Choose One) 

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl

Plant-based Chopped Salad

Entrées (Choose One)

Seared Salmon

Roasted Turkey

Roast Beef

Macaroni & Cheese

Dessert (Choose One)

Fresh Fruit

Lemon Sorbet

Sundae

Apple Pie

Walt Disney World: New Halloween Experiences Added!

 

There is some new fall fun coming to the Walt Disney World Resort September 15 – October 31!

Throughout the day, special Halloween cavalcades will pop up on the parade route and head down Main Street, U.S.A.  You could come across Mickey Mouse and his pals, all dressed up for the occasion in Boo-tiful Halloween costumes. On select days, you may even encounter a cavalcade of Disney Villains – from Gaston and Maleficent to Queen of Hearts and Jafar – creeping down the path or a nightmarish procession featuring the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington! 

As another special treat for the Halloween season, the iconic Dapper Dans are coming back to Magic Kingdom Park, beginning September 20, performing as their undead alter egos The Cadaver Dans.  You will be enchanted by acappella performances from the Cadaver Dans when they emerge from their tombs.

The Halloween spirit is also in the air over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Minnie’s Halloween Dine is set to return to Hollywood & Vine, beginning September 25.  A monster feast will be served to your tables, and favorite Disney friends will make special appearances in the restaurant.  You can wave and snap photos of Minnie Mouse dressed as a happy witch.  Goofy is coming as a spooky cowboy, Mickey Mouse as a funny vampire, and his best pal, Pluto, gets into the act wearing a cute Halloween collar.

I am really so excited, most especially to hear that The Cadaver Dans are returning!  I absolutely love this quartet.  If you are going and you haven't heard them sing before, please try and seek them out.  They are the very best!

There are still plenty of admission spots left for resort Guests, and remember capacity is capped at 25% right now.  It's an incredibly historic time to visit the Walt Disney World resort.  E-mail me at debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com to start planning your trip today!

Aurora Theatre - HOT August Programming!

Audiences and families in the greater Atlanta area invited to enjoy laughs, tricks and more! There’s no shortage of good times at Aurora Theatre this August!  Georgia’s fastest-growing professional theater is lining up some of the best comedic talent for adults in need of a laugh-filled night out, from Dad’s Garage to The 3 Wise Guys – Dan Mengini, Steve “The Nice Guy” Mingolla, and Vinnie Coppola. Young theatergoers can also get in on some educational, magical, and wholesome fun with several shows from Aurora Children’s Playhouse, including Cirque du Todd, Phenomenal Physics, and The Flying Turtle and Other Animal Folktales.  Families can also head to the main stage for the soaring, thought-provoking Stephen Schwartz musical Children of Eden or get spooked on the Lawrenceville Square during Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. From serious to scary – and everything in between – there’s a slew of entertainment at Gwinnett’s favorite theater this August! Special August Programming The 3 Wise GuysFriday, August 23 and Saturday, August 247:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.Tickets from $15 Those who love to laugh are invited to a hilarious, fast-paced show with three of the area’s best headlining comedians!  The 3 Wise Guys is a collaboration of talents:  Dan Mengini’s honest comedy will keep attendees laughing for a lifetime; Steve “The Nice Guy” Mingolla’s act is clean and never mean; and Vinnie Coppola is a true comic’s comic – his real secret weapon is his persona.  For more information and tickets, please visit bit.ly/AT3WiseGuys. Aurora Children’s Playhouse Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets $7 Aurora Children’s Playhouse brings together the best children’s performers in the region to showcase their artistry for parents and children.  Featuring puppeteers, magicians, storytellers, and musicians, these 45-minute shows are intended to give children their first theatrical experience through a lively production, sure to capture the attention of the whole family!  For more information, visit bit.ly/ChildrensPlayhouse2019. Cirque Du Todd Saturday, August 10 Marvel at some magic with Todd Key, an extraordinary talent with amazing skill in the art of juggling.  A legendary fixture at Renaissance Festivals in North America as a part of the act The Zucchini Brothers, Key hones his solo show Cirque Du Todd especially for children and families.  Attendees are sure to be awestruck and entertained, as a man balances upon a small, thin board, performs rope tricks, interacts with the audience, and juggles the ten most dangerous objects in history – all while keeping everyone laughing.  For more information, please visit bit.ly/CirqueDuTodd. Phenomenal Physics Saturday, August 17 Prepare to be amazed by the force, as this show by Big Thinkers Science Exploration explores the whirring world of physics!  Audiences can learn to defy gravity and make water levitate, gain a new perspective about inertia with some “skate board science,” observe awesome flashes of heat as energy is converted from potential to kinetic, and more!  This physics show is truly ph-abulous!  More information available at bit.ly/PhenomenalPhysics. The Flying Turtle and Other Animal Folktales Saturday, August 24 Families are invited to travel the world with storyteller Barry Stewart Mann, exploring tales of animals from as close as the Cherokee mountains and as far as China and Australia.  Ever since the beginning of creation, humans have been fascinated by and told stories about animals that have helped to explain the natural world, to entertain each other, and to teach basic values.  This show features a series of lively retellings of a diverse array of folklore, replete with playful puppets, colorful costumes, props, and plenty of audience participation and volunteer opportunities sure to have audiences feeling companionship with Earth’s four-legged and winged friends!  For more information, visit bit.ly/AnimalFolklore. Continuing in August… Children of Eden Through September 1 Tuesday – Saturday at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Telling the tale of the Book of Genesis in two acts, this family-friendly masterpiece with book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz covers the story of creation and the great flood – all while examining the complex love between parents and children.  Audiences of all ages will appreciate the musical twist on these famous stories!  For more information and tickets, please visit bit.ly/ticketseden. Lawrenceville Ghost Tours Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Adults $12, Children $9 For years, the Lawrenceville Ghost Tours have told tales about Gwinnett County’s spookiest spots.  Guests can take 90-minute guided tours around metro-Atlanta’s oldest city and hear stories of its history and paranormal activity.  The tour begins and ends at Aurora Theatre and runs May through September, with tours continuing every night in October.  To purchase tickets online, please visit scarystroll.com or call 678.226.6222. For more information or to purchase tickets for events, call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.

IHOP - **FREE** Scary Face Pancake!

True to years past, IHOP restaurants will be offering kids a **FREE** scary face pancake when they come in on Halloween night.

Scary Face pancakes are **FREE** for kids 12 and under from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., so dress up your babies and head out for some free breakfast food!

Aurora Theatre Presents Lawrenceville Ghost Tours!

Calling all mortals! You and a guest are cordially invited to downtown Lawrenceville for spooky fun! In the mood for a thrill?  Join Aurora Theatre for spooktacular fun with Lawrenceville Ghost Tours this October! Guests will be guided on a moonlit walk, accompanied by spooky storytellers who tell tales of awakened sleeping ghosts and increased paranormal activity in metro-Atlanta’s oldest city.  Without the use of gore, these tours encourage happy haunting while offering a healthy dose of spine-chilling scares. The tour runs every night in October - Monday through Thursday at 7:30; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and 9 p.m.; and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $12 for Adults and $9 for Children.  If you are up for a more scary event and are 13 years old (or older), Aurora Theatre also offers a Cemetery Tours on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. (until October 28).  Tickets are just under $20/person. Both tours begin and end at Aurora Theatre, 128 East Pike Street, Lawrenceville.

Target Sale #4! Halloween Sale!

Yay!  It's that time of year again!  Time to play dress up, eat candy, and get scary.  Here is Target's last sale for the week:

• Spend $30, save $5 on all Halloween

If you want to shop online, there is an additional sale:

• Spend $60, save $10

What will you buy?  Spend a little less, get a little more!  C'mon...let's get spooky!  Happy Halloween y'all!

October in the Garden!

A cast of creepy characters will be cropping up around the Atlanta Botanical Garden in October, welcoming guests to crisp, cool autumn strolls. Scarecrows in the Garden features more than 100 whimsical creations by area schools, artists, designers, families, and businesses perched throughout the Southern Seasons Garden and Children’s Garden October 4 – 30. The sometimes wild and wacky scarecrows compete for prizes in one of two divisions -- professional and non-professional – and visitors will delight in discovering their own personal favorites. In addition, they’re invited to enjoy family fun games and crafts on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, Oct. 23 Goblins in the Garden returns with its kids’ costume runway, storytelling, crafts, pony rides, and more from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, visit atlantabg.org. *The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation, and enjoyment. The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE in Midtown, between 14th Street and Monroe Drive. The Garden is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $21.95 adults, $15.95 children 3-12, free to children under 3 and Garden members. For more information visit atlantabg.org or phone 404-876-5859.

Disney Frozen Elsa Costumes - $5!

Head on over to Costume Express for a great deal on dress-up clothes for your family's Princesses.

These are still priced at $5.97 with a $5 flat-rate for shipping.  There is also a code out good for 15% off (NOV15COSXP).

Other Disney costumes are priced pretty good too:

• Anna costumes from $8
• Adult Elsa costumes from $14

All would make great Santa gifts under the tree for your Frozen fans.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Lawrenceville Ghost Tours Return with Ghoulishly Good Tales this October!

Frightful fun returns this fall to a once forgotten sleepy Southern town with Aurora Theatre’s annual Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, October 1-31!

Sharing spooky stories of historical haunts and paranormal activity, costumed storytellers guide the living (and along with a few undead) through a 90-minute stroll around the picturesque downtown square.  By way of Honest Alley, the haunted jail, and other devilish destinations, metro-Atlanta’s most popular ghost tour unveils the mysterious myths and legends during a witching hour moonlit walk.

“The ghost tour is meant to be a fun family-friendly outing, as it’s free of grotesque and startling effects,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director.  “We’re proud to have so much rich history in Lawrenceville that allows us to invite families to explore the town like they’ve never done before; these vibrant stories mixed with the vivacious personalities of the storytellers end up creating a spooky treat for residents and visitors!”

Hailed for its eerie encounters with EVP (electronic voice phenomena) and floating orbs, the Haunted Cemetery Tour is for brave souls seeking an extra frightful delight, October 9-31!  Not for the faint of heart, thrill seekers follow Madame Macabre (Cynthia Rintye) through tombstone paths as she recounts her own chilling tale that inspired this tour!  Guests should wear closed-toe shoes, bring a flashlight, and be at least 13-years-old to participate; a signed release form will be required for every attendee.

A frightful delight for the entire family (well, except the little tykes who scare easily!), Lawrenceville Ghost Tours is presented every day in October with the Haunted Cemetery Tour bringing screams of fun October 9-31.

Ticket reservations can be made by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222 or online at tickets.auroratheatre.com.  Tickets for Sunday through Thursday ghost tours are $12 (adults) and $9 (children); Friday and Saturday ghost tour tickets are $15 (adults) and $12 (children).  Tickets for the cemetery tours are $20.  For more information, visit scarystroll.com or email info@scarystroll.com.

Regular ghost tours are as follows:

·         Sunday – Thursday: 7:30 p.m.

·         Friday- Saturday: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

*Tours are also offered year-round, May through September

Haunted cemetery tours are as follows:

·         Friday & Saturday: 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

*Reservations highly recommended, as spots are limited 

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Now in its 20th Season, Aurora Theatre produces professional live entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. Aurora Theatre is home to over 600 events each year. Two series of theatrical productions, the Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series and the GGC Harvel Lab Series, are comprised of the biggest Broadway plays and musicals alongside exciting contemporary theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, stand-up comedy, children’s programs, metro Atlanta’s top haunted attraction Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, as well as Atlanta’s only professional Spanish language theatre. Aurora Theatre is a world class theatrical facility with two performance venues. Nestled on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora has FREE attached covered parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops. Aurora Theatre has garnered numerous accolades highlighted by recent achievements that include winner of Seven 2013 Suzi Bass Awards, Creative Loafing’s “2010 Best Theatre Company,” Georgia Trend Magazine’s “2011 Best Places to Work in Georgia,” Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “2012 Best Places to Work”, Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of Atlanta 2013,” Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 President and CEO Award for Excellence in Arts and the Gwinnett Chamber 2015 IMPACT Regional Business Award for Hospitality.