Slowly but quickly a special someone’s birthday is approaching. After almost a year since the world turned to havoc because of COVID and some say Kobe’s death, April 3rd is just a day under a month away. Luckily, places all around Los Angeles are open, or getting around to opening. Unfortunately, my wife and I are still pretty careful about dining out, going out, and just about everything else. All this leads me to think of what can I get or do for my wife for her upcoming birthday?

Regarding things to do, the two that have claimed the top spots on the list of options are Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney California Adventure Park. Throughout COVID, both have been closed, but have just recently launched their “Taste of…” events allowing the public and pass holders to purchases limited time event tickets to enter the parks for a dining, shopping, and walking experience.

To Start off, Universal Studios is hosting their “Taste of Universal” beginning on March 12 and ending on April 4th, Friday through Sundays only. Being the first time the theme park will open its doors since it closed back in Spring of 2020, the event will have limited capacity and feature only certain areas of the park and all rides closed. The price ranges for adults begin at $44 plus tax on Fridays and $49 plus tax on Saturday and Sundays. Children ages 3-9 can get in at $25 plus tax on all days and there are discounted tickets available to pass holders. A total of 4 park dining experiences will be available including Springfield USA, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Cafe, and Hollywood & Dine. Additionally, guests will be able to do something shopping with select stores open including a preview of “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash,” and the Animation Store. Parking is currently free for CityWalk and Universal Studios visitors, so the only price to worry about will be to purchase a ticket and any additional shopping or food and beverage items.

The other option is Disney California Adventure’s “A Touch of Disney” event taking place from March 18 through April 5th and will be happening on Thursdays through Monday. Unlike Universal, the park has opened a portion of its Buena Vista street to visitors for snack purchases and shopping at select stores. Disney’s price range is a bit more steep compared to Universal, being $75 plus tax for anyone age 3 and up. The price does include a $25 dining credit, free parking, and access to PhotoPass for photos captured the day of visit. No rides will be open with this being only a dining and shopping experience as well as access to walk to certain areas of the park. Some of the dining visitors can expect include Smokejumpers Grills, Carthay Circle Lounge, Award Wieners, and a number of fruit, snacks, and dessert cars located throughout the area.

Now, moving over to items to purchase as a second part of the gift vans, amazon, gift cards are all choice, but a pair of long sleeve tie dye shirts from EandA by Marianne, a small business shop on Etsy may end up being the choice. The Etsy shop creates customized items and clothing and also features a few options. The options include Dodgers, Lakers, Raiders, Cowboys, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny themed long and short sleeve shirts available for $32 plus tax. Being long time and die hard Lakers and Dodger fans, the choices are pretty easy.