Residence Inn: A lower-cost alternative to staying at the Disneyland Resort

We've just returned from a magical Thanksgiving at the Disneyland Resort! When I began planning our trip, I was a bit apprehensive -- would the Thanksgiving crowds ruin our holiday?? -- but we got to the parks when it opened and left when it started getting too crowded, so we had a great time. What made the trip even better is that we saved some money on accommodations by staying at a Residence Inn!

Staying in one of the 3 hotels at the Disneyland Resort is great -- if you have the budget for it. They do cost quite a bit, even in the off season, and during Thanksgiving week? Fuhgeddaboudit! Marriott Residence Inn actually has 2 properties very close to Disneyland: Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate and Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Area. Rates can be as low as $125 and $145 per night, which isn't even half of what a night costs at the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian.  Both are just a couple of miles from Disneyland, so they are near enough for families to head back to their rooms in the middle of the day for a nap, then return to the park for the late afternoon and evening. Plus, the Residence Inn offers so much more value for money, with large suites and a free breakfast!

Unfortunately we weren't able to book a stay in either of the Anaheim locations because they were full for the holidays, but the Residence Inn in Fullerton had space, so we booked a stay there. The property is actually quite close, just a 15 minute-drive away, so we had no trouble getting up early and driving to Disneyland and arriving at 7:30AM.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom loft suite, which sleeps up to 6 people, I love how Residence Inns are so family-friendly -- the suites have so much space, they really feel like a home away from home when you're on vacation. Disneyland vacations are great, but they are also exhausting, so having a Residence Inn suite where the whole family can recharge and relax is such a treat.

The kids were so excited to see that our suite had a second floor with a loft! The loft had a queen bed and a full bathroom.

The downstairs bedroom had two comfy queen beds and its own full bathroom. This bedroom has a door, so the grownups can relax outside while the kids sleep.

The suite has a large living room so everyone can unwind after a long day at the parks.


Like all Residence Inn Suites, this one had its own kitchenette, so families can have a snack or cook their own meals. When you're on vacation, it's nice to give your wallet and your waistline a little break from time to time by cooking your own meals!

Breakfast, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. We like to get to Disneyland early to avoid the long lines, so we don't want to waste time cooking breakfast or lining up at a cafe or waiting for our order to arrive at a restaurant. Fortunately, Residence Inn guests get a free hot breakfast that starts at 6AM!

The breakfast area at the Fullerton Residence Inn is spacious and cozy.

 Hot dishes include sausages, eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, and make-your-own waffles, while cold dishes include yogurt, cereal, granola, and a wide selection of breads and pastries. There's more than enough food to fuel you up for a long day at the parks!

Check out these adorable mini waffles -- the breakfast bar included a regular sized waffle iron and a mini waffle iron!  Guess which kind my kids fought over?

The snack area is super convenient: you can buy drinks, granola bars, crackers, and other goodies to take to the park with you so you're not constantly having to shell out $9 for a turkey leg or $5 for a churro. It's also a great place to get something to nibble on when you're hungry late at night.

The lobby serves coffee and tea all day and night, and provides workstations so you can check in to your flights and print out boarding passes. There's also free WiFi throughout the property -- you can pay $5 per day for higher speed and bandwidth connection, but the free WiFi was high speed enough for all 5 social media addicts in our family to surf the web, play games, catch up on email, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc...

Disclosure: I am a Resident Blogger Ambassador for Residence Inn by Marriott, and I was given a gift card that partially subsidized the cost of our hotel room. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Celebrate the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

The last time my family celebrated the holidays at the Disneyland Resort was quite a while ago, but it is one of those memories you cherish forever. Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are really special, because Disney really goes out of their way to create special holiday traditions and memories for all their park guests. From special decorations to special food to special entertainment and special attractions, Disney sprinkles everything with pixie dust and holiday magic!

In Disneyland:

• “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a Disneyland holiday treasure, presents Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and an array of Disney characters celebrating the holiday season. The daytime parade features 100-plus performers including Santa Claus, who brings jolly holiday wishes from the North Pole.

• After dark, the Diamond Celebration “Paint the Night” parade will bring its own brand of glittering magic to Disneyland, with dazzling special effects, unforgettable music, energetic performances, Disney characters and spectacular floats. The luminescent parade creates a river of color flowing down Main Street, U.S.A., with more than 1.5 million brilliant LED lights.

• “Disneyland Forever,” the dazzling, new fireworks spectacular, is a street-to-sky, immersive experience like nothing seen before at the Disneyland Resort, with pyrotechnics, original music and viewing locations throughout Disneyland Park. Guests will be surrounded by the worlds of timeless Disney tales, from the tips of their toes to the sky high above, thanks to the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and surprising special effects.

• “it’s a small world” Holiday offers a worldwide celebration of the season, with more than 60,000 twinkling LED lights on the attraction’s façade. Inside, animated dolls representing children of many nations are dressed in holiday attire, singing holiday songs as well as the classic “It’s a Small World After All.”

• Haunted Mansion Holiday presents a spooky but lighthearted mashup of the Halloween and Christmas holidays as imagined by Jack Skellington from the Walt Disney Pictures animated classic Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Continuing an annual tradition, a new gingerbread house is created each year for the Mansion, adding a humorous touch to the ballroom scene. This year, the gingerbread house design features gingerbread zombies constructing a teetering “house of cards.”

• Jingle Cruise, an instantly popular addition in 2014, returns to take adventurous guests on a fun-filled expedition. They discover a cargo of holiday gifts and decorations that have been jettisoned over the jungles of the celebrated Jungle Cruise attraction in Adventureland. This year, a few new surprises have been dropped into the Cruise’s African veldt scene.

• This year Santa Claus brings holiday cheer to Disneyland guests in a new location in Critter Country, specially designed for him by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

In Disney California Adventure:

• For the first time, two splendid versions of the “World of Color” spectacular will be presented nightly during the Holiday season on Paradise Bay. The holiday-themed show, “World of Color − Winter Dreams,” features host Olaf the snowman along with classic winter scenes from beloved Disney and Disney●Pixar films such as “Bambi,” “Toy Story” and “Frozen,” the blockbuster Disney film. For the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, “World of Color – Celebrate” pays a fun, surprise-filled tribute to Walt Disney, whose imagination led to the creation of Disneyland and so many beloved characters. “World of Color – Winter Dreams” is the first show of the evening, followed by “World of Color – Celebrate!”

• “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” is a daily celebration of Latino culture and holiday traditions with music, dancing, vibrant colors and delicious food. Disney characters join the fun in the lively “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party,” presented multiple times a day.

• “Olaf’s Snow Fest” celebrates its return to Hollywood Land with Olaf, the comical snowman from “Frozen.” Stage 17 is transformed into a charming castle courtyard inspired by the “Frozen” kingdom of Arendelle. Kids of all ages have fun in a giant wintry play area with real snow where they are encouraged to build snow creations and zip down a snow slide. Guests who wish to observe the icy fun will have a nearby viewing area. Music and storytelling entertainment will be presented throughout the day

• The residents of Radiator Springs will welcome guests with a “Snowcar” at the entrance of Cars Land, and each address along Route 66 – Flo’s V8 Café, Fillmore’s Taste-In, Cozy Cone Motel and more – will feature holiday decorations reflecting the personalities of the “Cars” character who lives there.

• Flik and his buddies decorate “a bug’s land” with giant Christmas lights and holiday ornaments, adding to the festive spirit.

• Early in the new year, the Disneyland Resort celebrates Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes) in Paradise Garden. The event runs from Jan. 2 through 6, 2015, with fun activities that create a grand finale for “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!”

At Downtown Disney

• In the Downtown Disney District, guests may take a break from holiday shopping and dining to go skating on “Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink.” 
• The Downtown Disney Winter Village around the ice rink creates a festive mood and guests may purchase holiday gift items from the windows of the charming village chalets.

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Star Wars Season of the Force opens at the Disneyland Resort

The Star Wars world is coming to life at the Disneyland Resort! Star Wars Season of the Force is debuting TODAY at Disneyland Park, featuring all kinds of exhibits and experiences for Star Wars fans. In addition, Space Mountain is getting a Star Wars overlay ("Hyperspace Mountain") and Star Tours is getting an additional adventure inspired by the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens. What a great way to get park guests ready for the eventual opening of Star Wars land at Disneyland Park!

Here is the Disneyland Resort's press release:

Traveling to a galaxy far, far away is easier than ever for guests visiting the Disneyland Resort. Beginning Nov. 16, 2015, Star Wars Season of the Force will debut in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park, giving guests daily opportunities to explore, interact and have fun with the power of the Force.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Located on the lower level of the Tomorrowland Expo Center, Star Wars Launch Bay is the central space for fans to celebrate all things Star Wars.

First Order stormtroopers patrolling the area outside Launch Bay are on a mission to find members of the Resistance. Inside, guests may encounter iconic characters Darth Vader, Chewbacca or even Boba Fett.

Inspired by the iconic opening crawl in every Star Wars film, a welcoming text scroll on the carpet will greet guests as they enter the experience.

The Cantina is a unique experience inspired by the “hive of scum and villainy” guests will recognize from the Star Wars films. From bounty hunters and smugglers to aliens, guests never know who they may meet here.

The Cantina becomes the gathering place to take memorable photos with a holochess or sabacc table. (Sabacc is a popular card game played throughout the galaxy, often with high stakes. Holochess is a chess-like game that utilizes holographic representations of the playing pieces.)

Guests may join the Resistance or come to the dark side, choosing a path that takes them into one of two character greeting experiences.

When it’s time to meet the character, portal doors open to welcome guests into a fully immersive 360-degree space, inspired by a Rebel base or Star Destroyer.

Throughout the space, guests will find Aurebesh writings in the environment. Aurebesh is a writing system used to transcribe Basic, the most used language in the Star Wars galaxy.

Guests may play current and upcoming Star Wars video games at the Game Center, including new and exclusive Disney Infinity 3.0 content created exclusively for this experience.

Exploring the Light Side Gallery, guests will find replicas of iconic helmets and lightsabers once wielded by Jedi heroes, including Luke Skywalker. And in the Dark Side Gallery, they’ll discover replicas of helmets and lightsabers used by the Sith, mortal enemies of the Jedi.

Large-scale replicas of film props, costumes, ship models, droids, artwork and other notable items are on display for Star Wars fans to enjoy.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

A new adventure awaits guests as they climb aboard a Starspeeder 1000 and blast off on a thrilling tour of the Star Wars galaxy. The new adventure includes scenes and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Hyperspace Mountain

The popular Space Mountain attraction is reimagined as Hyperspace Mountain, thrusting guests into an X-wing Starfighter battle as they race through the darkness. The guest experience is enhanced by a new soundtrack, inspired by the films’ musical themes and re-orchestrated to match every move in the attraction. The soundtrack was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

This reimagined battle experience takes younglings to the secret site of an ancient Jedi temple, where they discover if they have the makings of a true Jedi. It debuts Dec. 8.

Villains such as Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the popular Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels join the adventure.

Star Wars: Path of the Jedi

Guests can relive stories from the Star Wars saga – or discover them for the first time – through this short, film compilation at Tomorrowland Theater. It includes moments from the new film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

This cinematic short connects iconic scenes from the films in fun new ways, following the journey of Luke Skywalker.

Galactic Grill and Star Wars-Inspired Menus

The Force takes over the Tomorrowland Terrace to offer dark side and light side menu items.

For breakfast, guests may enjoy a blue corn Darth Tamale, with scrambled eggs and chorizo, red chili sauce and tomatillo. For lunch and dinner, the First Order Specialty Burger is tempting with a patty of angus beef and chorizo, topped with fried cherry peppers and spicy-lime aioli on a dark bun.

Fun collectible items to take home include the BB-8 sipper cup and TIE Fighter premium popcorn bucket.

Pizza Port in Tomorrowland also will offer new Star Wars-inspired menu items.


Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. he views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Springtime Roundup at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch

There's always something blooming at the Disneyland Resort!  They are celebrating springtime and Easter in a big way down at Big Thunder Ranch with the Springtime Roundup event, running from March 20 till April 12.  I was at the Disneyland Resort on March 20, and I stopped by Big Thunder Ranch to take a peek and share in all the hoppyness and excitement. Here's a rundown of all the best things to enjoy at this year's Springtime Roundup:

The main area still retains its down-home country feel, but there's a springtime feel, with touches of pastel in the flowers and the decor.

Guests can take part in special Easter themed crafts like decorating your own Easter eggs.

There are crayons and coloring crafts strewn around the tables for kids to enjoy.

There's a hoedown with musicians and dancers (love the pastel-checkered outfits!) teaching kids the bunny hop and other country dances.

Character meet-and-greets at the Springtime Roundup include Rabbit from Winnie-the-Pooh, Roger Rabbit, the Easter Bunny, Thumper (see the bunny theme?), Pluto (with bunny ears!), Jessie from Toy Story, and of course Minnie and Mickey in their springtime cowboy outfits.  Even though it was the very first day, the lines to meet the characters did not seem to long, probably because Big Thunder Ranch is out of the way.

Of course, it wouldn't be Big Thunder Ranch without the petting zoo and donkey pens!  The Springtime Roundup ends April 12, so grab yer pardners and mosey on down to Big Thunder Ranch and join in the fun.

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Find some Runs Worth The Drive with the Buick Verano Turbo

I've been running to stay in shape for almost 20 years now.  It's free, it's easy to learn (not so easy to do!), it's great at burning calories -- and I love the runner's high I get that makes me feel like I could conquer the world!

Most of the time, all I have to do is step out of my front door and start my workout.  But convenient as it is, running around the neighborhood, time and time again, passing by the same houses and cars and sidewalks, can get old.  Sometimes it's nice to get in the car and drive somewhere totally different.

I'm definitely not alone in this; in a recent survey, 71 percent of users of MapMyFitness apps said they drove to a specific location to start their workouts. Whether it's a new route or new scenery or a new challenge that you crave, mixing up your runs can definitely keep your running workouts fresh and exciting!  That's why Buick partnered with MapMyFitness this summer to create the "Runs Worth the Drive Challenge" -- to help runners find, record and share their favorite routes, while also learning how vehicles like the Buick Verano fit into an active lifestyle.

The Challenge ended last week, with a record-breaking 89,000 participants!  I was one of those participants; Buck actually loaned me a Verano Turbo for a week, encouraged me to sign up for the Challenge, and challenged me to explore some running trails to see whether I could discover some "Runs Worth the Drive".  After a week of driving the Buick Verano Turbo to some great running trails, I have to say I enjoyed the drive to the trails just as much as I enjoyed running those trails!  Here's what I loved about the Buick Verano Turbo:

* It drives like a dream.  The problem with driving to trails, of course, is that you need to allow time to get there, which makes your total workout time a lot longer -- but the Verano Turbo zips along the highway like a dream.  Driving this car gives me a sense of freedom and "one-ness" with the road that I get when I'm running down a hill!   I'm not surprised that Buick claims the Verano Turbo is "more powerful and faster than Lexus IS250, Acura ILX and Audi A3".

* I feel safe driving it. Even though it can drive really fast and accelerate like no one's business, I still feel in control.  And I love the safety sensors that beep when you're in reverse and something (a car, a pedestrian, a bike) is approaching the car from the side (it's called Rear Cross Traffic Alert).

* The interior screams luxury and comfort.  After a tiring run, it's so nice to get back to this car, turn the airconditioner on, and just take a moment to breathe.  The interior is nice and roomy, and the model I drove came with beautiful leather seats.  And even though I get all hot and sweaty and gross after a run, Buick tells me that the interior has been tested for resistance against the effects of sweat, sun, sunscreen and bug spray -- so the car won't start smelling funky after 3 months of driving it.

* It's surprisingly affordable.  Guess what?  MSRP for the Buick Verano Turbo is $29,990!  Car and Driver says the average price paid is $28, 491 (note: I think these prices are for the 2014 model; pricing for the 2015 model is still unavailable).  I think that's great for a car in the compact luxury class. In fact, the Buick Verano was recognized for 5-Year Lowest Cost of Ownership of Entry Luxury Sedan by Kelly Blue Book.

I do think they could have made the car look a bit more like a sports car and less like a sedan, but on the whole, I think the Buick Verano Turbo is a great car for anyone who wants a car that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

Now, on to the big question: are there any Runs Worth The Drive in my area?  You betcha!  I ran 4 times that week, at three of my favorite local running destinations:

Cornelius Bol Park
Bol Park has a trail that's great for beginners: it's about a 1.5 mile loop with mild elevation.  There are so many trees, you'd never guess you were in a neighborhood park (yes, some lucky folks don't even have to drive there!).  The trail leads you past a creek with a rope swing, past the famous Barron Park Donkeys, and across two creeks.

Baylands Preserve near Shoreline Lake Park 
Shoreline Lake Park has a trail running through about half of the lake's edge, but there are nicer, wilder, and longer trails just behind the lake, where the paths join with the Palo Alto Baylands. There are a ton of trails of various lengths, weaving in and out and around the Baylands, and the surrounding area is filled with plants and wildlife.

Stanford Dish
The Dish is my favorite running trail to drive to!  I try to go there at least once a week (I went twice last week!).  I can't even take a photo of the car next to the trail, because you have to park a bit of a distance away.  The Dish is not for the faint of heart; a complete loop is 3.7 miles of up-and-down torture.  I have never been able to run it the whole way, and even walking it is guaranteed to give anyone a great workout -- but you are rewarded with a view of practically the entire Silicon Valley, as well as close encounters with all kinds of wildlife.  I have seen squirrels and gophers and hawks and deer and snakes; I haven't seen mountain lions yet, but sightings are common.  The beauty of this place never fails to fill my soul.

Disclosure: I was loaned a Buick Verano Turbo for a week.  Product information (in italics) is provided by the featured company/product. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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DreamWorks Dragons Adventure: World Explorer launches for Windows phones and tablets (win 2 movie tickets!)

Have you watched How to Train Your Dragon 2?  We loved the first movie and the book series, so of course we had to watch the sequel, and we enjoyed it every bit as much as the first movie.  It's thrilling, funny, and heartbreaking at the same time.  I highly recommend it!

If your child liked How to Train Your Dragon, he or she will definitely like Microsoft's and DreamWorks'  new mobile game, DreamWorks Dragons Adventure: World Explorer.  This isn't just your run-of-the-mill app -- it takes real location and map data and transforms a real map into the world of Berk!  Kids can fly around on the back of Stormfly or Toothless or other dragon, and explore whatever location they happen to be in -- San Francisco, LA, or your local neighborhood -- but it's redrawn into the How to Train Your Dragon world.  How awesome is that for keeping kids entertained during road trips??  Keep reading to find out more... and enter to win 2 movie tickets!

About the Game

DreamWorks Dragons Adventure: World Explorer mobile game, built in conjunction with Microsoft and DreamWorks Animation and inspired by this summer’s hit animated feature “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” transforms the real world around you into the game as you drive, turning any car ride – from routine runs to the grocery store to long family road trips – into an interactive dragon-flying adventure, sure to keep kids entertained. The game is available now as a free download for most Windows and Windows Phone 8 (and higher) tablets and mobile phones.

DreamWorks Dragons Adventure World Explorer, built in conjunction with Microsoft and DreamWorks Animation, transforms a family drive into an interactive dragon flying adventure. Inspired by one of the hottest films of the summer, "How to Train Your Dragon 2", the free game uses HERE Maps to transform real world roadways, time of day, traffic conditions and weather into the fictional Isle of Berk. Players take flight and soar freely on the back of their favorite dragon in an at home mode and also in a driving mode that transforms the real world around you into the game as you drive. This one-of-a-kind experience makes drive time, magical time.

Win a DreamWorks Animation Studio Tour

Win a trip to Los Angeles and tour of DreamWorks Animation Studios for two! To participate, simply share why you should win – via Instagram, Vine or Twitter – using the hashtag #WorldExplorer. Enter by Aug. 29, 2014. Winners announced Sept. 29, 2014.  Full contest details, go to http://nokia.ly/WorldExplorer

Win 2 free movie tickets

One lucky Bongggamom Finds reader will receive 2 free movie tickets, courtesy of Microsoft!

Required Entry

Leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite How to Train Your Dragon character.

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I entered the DreamWorks Dragons Adventure: World Explorer movie ticket giveaway ends 8/27 at http://bit.ly/1rsyY0b

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We're celebrating the new DreamWorks Dragons Adventure World Explorer w/ a movie ticket giveaway! Enter by 8/27 http://bit.ly/1rsyY0b

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The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on August 27,  2014; I will draw a winner at random, on August 28 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.


Disclosure: . Product information (in italics) is provided by Zebra Partners for Microsoft. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Enjoy Spring Break in style with the Kia Cadenza

It's Easter weekend, and it's time for Spring Break!  Do you have any road trips planned?  On our spring break last week, we enjoyed lots of little day trips to San Francisco, the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, and the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley.  And because we test-drove a Kia Cadenza that week, we enjoyed the drive almost as much as the destination itself!

The Cadenza is Kia's top of the line sedan.  If you're used to thinking of Kia as a maker of value-priced options, it's time to take a second look -- with all the bells and whistles, the Cadenza can easily top $40,000 -- but you get so much luxury and performance for your money.  The car is styled like a beast, with a mean-looking front and beautiful wheels.  My self-proclaimed luxury car expert, Jammy, immediately recognized the Cadenza's luxury status.  "Wow, this is an expensive car!", he said.  It certainly drives like an expensive car.  There's so much power in the Cadenza (3.3L V6 engine with 293 HP), you only have to tap the accelerator and it sprints forward.  All week, the sheer joy of driving this car kept me zooming forward, and I constantly had to check myself and slow down or risk hundreds of dollars in speeding fines!  All that power does come at the price of fuel economy, but at least the Cadenza takes regular, not premium, fuel.

The interior is just as luxurious, with soft leather seating, beautiful wood paneling and trim.  The car is wide enough to seat my 3 kids comfortably for hours without squirming or complaining that they're encroaching into each other's space.  There's lots of legroom for the driver, passenger, and back row.  The kids loved the little hidey-hole in the back seat that opens up into the trunk -- great for accessing snacks on road trips, or for lacrosse sticks and cellos during the afterschool carpool.  Our only disappointment with the interior was the scarcity of USB ports -- everyone has their own devices on road trips, so we need lots of USB ports, especially some in the back, for charging!

The quality of the audio system was amazing, and we had many happy sing-along sessions in the Cadenza to entertain ourselves during our drives!

It was truly a pleasure to drive and ride in the Kia Cadenza.  The Cadenza took away all our discomfort on those long spring break road trips, so we were able to relax, enjoy the ride, and enjoy each other as a family.  And after all, isn't that what Spring Break is all about?

Disclosure: I received a loaner car for review purposes courtesy of STI. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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