Three Great Reasons to CHOC Walk at Disneyland

As a new mom, my world was rocked with the birth of my first child. ?Jacob was born with a severe heart defect at a hospital not equipped to care for his physical needs. ? We fell into the world?of doctors, nurses, tubes, NICUs, PICUs, and more. ?It was terrifying- as you can imagine.

We learned quickly that being at the right hospital with the right doctors made all the difference for our child.

This is why I’m a passionate supporter of children’s hospitals. ?Many of you have contributed to?in honor of Jacob’s 15th birthday.? Thank you for your support: ?it’s meant a lot to me.

Do you still feel like giving? ?I’ve got another option for you.

And it involves a favorite of mine and yours: Disneyland.

Ahem- I’m looking at you, Disneyland runners!

The 2016 CHOC Walk will celebrate its 26th anniversary on Sunday, October 30, 2016. And you know what that means? COSTUMES! That’s right, you can dress up and walk for the kids through Disneyland.

I’m not sure it gets any better than that!

An estimated 15,000 walkers are expected to attend, making this the largest unique pediatric walk in the nation.

The 2016 CHOC Walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where ?CHOC Walkers? get a special peek at the magic of the Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort?s Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops, and restaurants have special offers for participants.

Why should you attend as a Disney-loving family? ?Here are three great reasons for you.

1.Participating in the CHOC Walk and supporting CHOC Children?s is an opportunity to carry on Walt Disney?s passion for supporting the health and wellness of the children in the community surrounding the Disneyland Resort and the advancement of pediatric medicine. Raising money for CHOC Children’s provides parents the opportunity to teach their children about the importance of helping others, as monies raised through supporting the CHOC Walk help to support the research conducted at and care provided by CHOC Children’s, as well as the hospital’s world-class programs sought after by families throughout the country.

2. By raising money for the CHOC Walk, Walkers can earn?prizes, including free Disneyland Resort tickets?that can provide a cost-saving option for families planning a Disneyland Resort vacation. Participants who raise between $375 and $599 earn?one Disneyland Resort?1-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket. Participants who raise $600 or more earn two Disneyland Resort?1-Day?Disneyland Resort?Park Hopper Tickets.

3. By participating in the Walk, families are not only helping to further CHOC?s mission, they are also able to gain a unique look at the Disneyland Resort through the Walk experience, purchase reduced-rate group ticket admission for the parks as part of the perks of participating in the Walk and enjoy special discounts in Downtown Disney the day of the Walk. Together, all of these make the CHOC Walk an ideal time to plan a family getaway or staycation to the Disneyland Resort. ?

In order to purchase the reduced-rate group tickets, Walkers must present their CHOC Walk In the Park wristband at a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth to purchase a special CHOC-Tober Disneyland Resort 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for $83 or a 1-Day 1-Park Ticket for $55 for use on the day of the walk or another visit to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. A maximum of 5 tickets may be purchased per wristband. The offer is valid on 10/30/2016?and tickets expire11/30/2016 with blackout dates of 11/19/2016-11/23/2016.

Event and registration information can be found at?www.chocwalk.org, and real-time event information can also be found on?Facebook,?Instagram, and?Twitter.?This year?s hashtag is #chocwalk.

I hope you can make it to Disneyland next week for this important cause. ?The kids thank you for it- and I do too!