"What will you Celebrate?"

The Big Guy himself

Unexpectedly cool temperatures, un-crowded and virtually no waiting in line for rides at Disneyland over the long 4th of July weekend was how we celebrated Independence Day! We were either lucky or everyone had the same thought and avoided going the theme park route for the patriotic holiday. Everyone except us, of course! I'll admit, I wasn't particularly excited to spend four days fighting crowds or cooped up in a room with my teens and hubby for the holiday weekend, but once we arrived at our family- friendly accommodations at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa for the four night stay, it only got better from there.

Red, white and blue balloons at Disneyland

We visited both theme parks with our park-hopper tickets, but decided to cover Disneyland the majority of the time. That sense of magic once you walk through the tunnel and leave reality for fantasy just never wears off -- no matter how old or jaded one might be. We usually sprint to our first ride of the day, in this case Space Mountain, and got fast-passes. Then we hit all the rides in between which don't require a fast-pass because the lines always move quickly: Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and believe it or not, Big Thunder Mountain only had a 15 minute wait. This was a good time for a conversation with the kids about what they thought of the rides after so many times on them, and they said they still notice something they hadn't seen before -- age and maturity factors influencing their new observations, no doubt.

The expected crowds were actually less, perhaps because we anticipated land to land people, but it wasn't bad at all. The only other ride we needed a front-of-the-line pass for was Indiana Jones, we did the rest of them the old fashion way: standing in line. The Finding Nemo ride was about the longest line we were in, about 30 minutes, but we had to see the new attraction; cute, well done, and a perfect adaptation of the old submarine ride to the contemporary Disney/Pixar movie theme. 

After lunch at our favorite Carnation Garden Cafe, we headed for Fantasyland since the kids wanted to check out the 'little kid' rides to remember what they were like. I don't recommend The Tea Cups at full speed after lunch! Surprisingly, my young adults thought the Pinocchio ride would be scary for the younger set, as would Alice in Wonderland. "They all have a dark feeling to them", as put by my fourteen year old.

A little Disney visitor with patriotic facial art

Later we hit California Adventure, a welcomed respite from too many small children and strollers wildly criss-crossing main street USA at Disneyland. We always enjoy the dramatic change in pace, and apparent serenity, we sense once at the more spacious walkways and thoroughfares of the newer theme park. California Screamin' is always at the top of our list, well, not always to be honest, only since I summoned the courage about two visits ago to conquer my fear of the fast ride. Next, we went to the new Toy Story Mania, which we found to be well done and challenging for all ages. There was quite a bit of construction at this park, with a few more attractions opening in the next couple of years: a section of rides based on the movie Cars, the Orange Stinger will dissapear and replaced with a similar ride based on a carousel and an older Mickey movie, and the best one seems to be an underwater ride based on the Little Mermaid.

Construction at California Adventure Theme Park

It was my first time on the Tower of Terror, and not because I was afraid of the ride, but because not one of my family members would go on it with me until now. We all finally boarded the doomed elevator ride together, and after wards we agreed the attention to detail and decor of the ride are just as good, if not better, than the ride itself. The adults took a break from the rest of the rides, and sat at the Golden Vine restaurant sipping wine while the kids visited other attractions. Dinner outdoors at the winery was a real treat since without our knowledge, the Electrical Parade marched right passed our front row table. Don't you love it when unplanned things just fall into place?

A little 4th of July creation left at our room at the Gran Californian

The following day, 4th of July, I did expect for Disneyland to do it's magic and transform the park into patriotic headquarters covered in red, white, and blue decorations, but this was not the case. The shops on Main Street had simple banners and sold tri-color Mickey ears. Other than these details, only the spectacular crowds who showed up for the evening's fireworks display, Magical, were the other tell tale sign it was a long Independence weekend during summer break -- and it was a sight to behold!

Crowds for the Fireworks at Disney

Besides the gathering on Main Street, the amount of people there to watch the pyrotechnic show also covered the entire plaza between Disneyland and California Adventure Parks!

Overall, experiencing Disneyland and the resort during our country's national holiday with our two teenagers was still magical; small crowds, not too hot and celebrating the 4th of July at the Happiest Place on Earth was a great combination. But, what's the best part of visiting this magical theme park with the teen set? The older kids could finally walk out of the hotel into either theme park and have fun without us, the parents. Oh, how my feet loved staying by the pool while my energetic, sleepless teens repeated their favorite adrenaline-zapping rides like the Maliboomer ... without me!

Finally, I'd like to acknowledge a couple of very generous people who made this trip possible: our dear friends the Guinea Family who gave us the use of their Vacation Club stay, and Shelly and the Disney PR team for granting us tickets. Thanks to all of you for this wonderful opportunity!

It was all out 'Fandamonioum' at the premier of Disney's "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" in Hollywood last night. Over 100 screaming teenagers, winners of a Disney on line contest, lined the red carpet waiting to have a personal moment with the famous trio. During check-in, the lucky fans were given purple t-shirts, a grilled cheese sandwich courtesy of event sponsor Kraft, and were asked to wear the shirts along with their biggest grins as they watched, chatted and took photographs with celebrities there to support the Jonas Brothers in their silver-screen debut.

Big Rob, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas on the purple carpet for the 3D Premier. Photo Bianca Valle

Photo Suzette Valle

Picking the lucky 20 to go in to the movie with the Jo Bros. Photo Suzette Valle

The Jonas family arrived together, and after stopping at each press station, they went back to their fans and took time to greet them, almost one by one, until it was time to disappear into the El Capitan Theater for the show. During the lottery they held to pick 20 girls from the red carpet to accompany them into the movie, Kevin, Joe and Nick also took time to thank the throngs of fans behind barricades and a top the Hollywood and Highland complex for being the best fans in the world.

Yours truly waving. Photo Bianca Valle

While I enjoyed a birds-eye view of the arrivals for the Jonas 3D Premier, my teenager was on assignment on the red carpet with her fan-cam. She took as many photos as possible with celebs who would pause at her request, but as she quickly learned, this is not easily accomplished.

My own daughter, Bianca Valle, on assignment on the red carpet for the premier of the Jonas Brothers 3D Movie.

Photos Suzette Valle

As only the Jonas family can do, the premier was all about family, and that bond was warmly transmitted to a fan by Denise Jonas, mother of the Jonas siblings, who gave Bianca Valle a grateful kiss for being a dediated fan. I asked Bianca what she did to deserve a kiss from the famous mother and she said, " I don't know. I just called her and asked if I could take a picture with her. Then she turned around and kissed my cheek. All I can tell you is that she had that motherly feeling, and I felt like crying after that because this is probably the way she kisses her boys too!"  

Denise Jonas and Bianca Valle Photo Bianca Valle

Keeping with the wholesome theme of the evening, Demi Lovato, guest star of "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" and her younger half-sister, Madison Delagarza currently appearing on Desperate Housewives, were among the teen celebrities at the premier. Taylor Swift, who also stars in the Jonas movie, was absent from the evening's festivities.

Demi Lovato at Jonas 3D Movie Premier

                       Madison Delagarza appears on Desperte Housewives                          

Little teen reporter Valle was on her toes when George Lopez, a beloved personality in our household, walked right past her and ignored her petition for a photo op. Instead of recoiling, she loudly repeated a line from one of Lopez's comedy skits, "George, I have a pain in my chest ...!" The Mexican-American comedian quickly turned around, walked right up to her and asked if she wanted to take a picure with him. She snapped away, and then Lopez held her arm and said "Gracias" (Thank you). Quick thinking Valle!

George Lopez and Bianca Valle

For Jonas fans, the wait is almost over. The movie opens in theaters nation-wide at midnight this Thursday. The Jonas Brothers also made a very special announcement at last night's premier. They will be going on a one week-end whirl-wind tour surprising fans at movie theaters across the country ... in person. Do you have your tickets yet? Fandango is already reporting sold-out shows in many cities!

Thanks to photographer Tricia Cazaz, NBC Online posted a special photo she took at the "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" premier. Look closely for the photo of the superfan!

Given Miley Cyrus' less than becoming behavior of late, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez have been singled out as Disney's new pop princesses ready to sit on Cyrus' throne. Parents who keep an eye on what their children watch on television, may want to take note of what the up-and-coming pair are up to.    more »

After a harrowing week of continuously depressing news coming out of Wall Street, we really needed the mental escape of a movie this week-end. Going to the movies is an exciting prospect in our home, and adding to this is the perception that since frivolous summer movies are no longer monopolizing the local cinema, fall is the harbinger of the "serious" movie season.   more »

Everybody wants a piece of the teen-pop pie served up by Disney, but not every helping is a healthy portion.   more »

You didn't need to look very hard to get your daily dose of Jonas to treat your chronic OJD (Obsessive Jonas Disorder) because the Jonas Brothers were everywhere this week!    more »

Does the cover of Rolling Stone make you a serious musician? With the on-going debate whether teen bubblegum pop bands are considered serious musicians or not, the Jonas Brothers have boldly gone where few adolescent music groups have gone before: the cover of Rolling Stone.    more »

Nick Jonas plays the piano for the 3D cameras. Photo by Suzette Valle

JoBros Productions, Inc. know how to keep their fan base happy and hooked on their latest Disney prodigies: the Jonas Brothers. Fans are continually informed of the band's up-coming activities, appearances and iTunes releases by pre-recorded personal phone calls through Say Now, text messages, e-mails and fan club bulletins. The Jonas Brothers reached out to their fans once again, and invited a few hundred of them to be part of the filming for their upcoming concert movie in 3D.

Like many households with teen girls right now, ours is all about these Jersey boys, and the summer of 2008 is burning up with everything Jonas! My daughter Bianca Valle and her friends Jennifer Porras, Lili Strasser and Celeste Alvarado were among the loyal fans invited to spend quality time with the band as part of the casted audience during filming for the upcoming Jonas Brothers 3D Movie (said to be released in theaters in January 2009).

Last week-end, about three hundred teen-aged followers got the opportunity of a life time to join director Bruce Hendricks (who also directed the Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds Concert Movie in 3D), and the Jonas Brothers for rehearsals and filming which included meals and floor tickets to both concerts in Anaheim, California. Confirmation notices for those lucky to have been selected as part of the volunteer casted audience were sent out Saturday morning before the first of three concerts scheduled for Southern California.

“I waited over a year to meet Nick, Kevin and Joe, and kept telling myself my time would come. I never imagined it would come in such a big way!” said thirteen year old Bianca Valle of her experience meeting the siblings and becoming part of their first big screen movie. 

The Jonas Brothers and Bianca Valle Photo by Suzette Valle

This fan-exclusive experience at the Honda Center started at 2pm on Sunday, July 13th, with check-in and lunch for the casted audience, while watching the crew set up the stage for the concert that evening. All three brothers, and the ever-present Mr. Jonas, aka Papa Jonas, could be seen supervising the set. Nine cameras surrounded the stage and the teenagers on the arena floor that evening.

“The girls were on the floor right up against the stage. They were so close that Nick held Lili's [Strasser] hand and Bianca [Valle] grabbed Kevin's leg -LOL!  And Celeste [Alvarado] protected Bianca from fainting as the crowd of joyful fans began to push against the stage to get closer to the boys", said Javier Porras of Laguna Niguel, father and chaperon for the “Jonas Sistas 4 Life” team of casted teenagers. “The excitement was overwhelming and the anticipation well worth it - the concert was amazing. We still can't believe the girls were part of this historic moment”, he added.

Monday, July 14th, started with the casted audience checking in at 11am at the Honda Center. Fans had the opportunity to be up close and personal with Nick, Joe and Kevin as they performed portions of various songs for specific 3D shots in the movie. 

While taking a break from filming, the boys played Burnin’ Up, the single from their new album A Little Bit Longer to be released August 12th, and led the girls in a memorable sing-along which prompted Nick Jonas to quip “you are very good!”

Joe throws his glasses at the 3D camera. Photo by Suzette Valle

During this intimate moment with fans, the three siblings chatted and let their small audience in on some 'confidential' information about them and their song S.O.S. (Sorry, I’m not at liberty to say what this information was. I was sworn to secrecy by my daughter!)

“Nick even wished Jennifer [Porras] a happy birthday next week. Jennifer also asked Nick to homecoming and he smiled”, added Mr. Porras.  

Joe and Kevin Jonas during a break in filiming 3D movie. Photo by Suzette Valle

The Jonas’ exhaustion became noticeable when Nick forgot a few of the lyrics to “Play my Music”, and instead smiled for a moment while he recovered the tempo. Nothing escapes the attentive eyes and ears of their hard-core fans!

If you havent' heard of the Jonas Brothers by now, you probably don't have ...   more »

As published in the Coronado Eagle & Journal on May 23rd, 2007.

While Bailee Davis was helping her team win the softball championship on May 17^th, she had no idea what a Coronado parent, a New York Times reporter and a Disney executive were working on for her. In February of this year Bailee lost her mother, Shawna Davis, after a heart operation. Her father, Lee Davis, a Chief Petty Officer at Naval Station North Island, couldn’t afford a ticket to the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 Premier at Disneyland which Bailee wanted to attend.

A friend of the Davis family, Suzette Valle, found out about Bailee’s dream and set out to make it happen. “Though this would not lessen the sadness of losing her mom” said Mrs. Valle, “I thought it would strengthen her spirit to know someone cares about her”. However, there was a small problem; the price of a ticket for this premier was $1,500 each and the whole event was underwritten by Disney as a fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “I didn’t have this amount lying around in a tin can behind the cookie jar, so I had to try another way to make this dream come true for Bailee” said Valle.

She went on to say she had been trying for several months to obtain these tickets: called radio stations, entered web contests and contacted concierge services all to no avail. Two days before the event, she had almost given up. As a last attempt, she called a friend to get some advice on how to proceed.  New York Times reporter Sharon Waxman and Suzette Valle attended Oxford University together, and when Suzette called Sharon to tell her about Bailee’s loss and what she had unsuccessfully tried to do, she immediately felt compelled to help.

“Hollywood has a heart, so I’ll give it a try”, said Waxman. A phone call to the Disney Company set the wheels in motion, and in a short 24 hours the executive's search for unused tickets resulted in Disney purchasing three tickets for Bailee to attend!  When the Disney executive was asked why they decided to donate these tickets she said, “Disney really wanted to help this little girl, and we are glad we could do it”.

“Originally, the idea was just to be able to sit behind a barricade and watch the movie stars go by, and maybe get an autograph". Of course, Disney went a step beyond. "When I read the letter they sent me over night, I was shocked to read that walking the red carpet was also part of the tickets!” said Mrs. Valle.

The premier was held at Disneyland, California on Saturday, May 19^th, 2007 amid a star studded event which included Pirates cast members Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, along with many other celebrities. Bailee and her friend Bianca Valle are the most ardent Pirates of the Caribbean fans to walk our streets, and all three were on the red carpet and attended a pre-screening party before watching the movie on a giant screen. This was more than just a dream, this was a dream touched by that special Disney magic!

Bianca Valle, Suzette Valle and Bailee Davis at Pirates of the Caribbean III Premier at Disneyland