Family of 5 Take on DL Oct 1-4 *TR finished* Pics still to come

[stubby]

I am really gonna try and update this as much as I can...but since I no longer have internet access at work it will probably be hit and miss.

Ok so let's get this party started:

THE CAST
Me-35 Have been to DL only one other time(4 years ago) and was only for 1 day.
DH-30 Has been multiple times as a child and young adult
Oldest DD-9-was only 5 on our last trip has vague memories-is NOT a girly girl and acts much older than she really is so will prob not be impressed by characters
Middle DD-7-No memories from previous trip-a total girly girl and some of the characters she will like some she won't care about
Youngest DD-5-was only 1 last trip-so this will be like her first trip-she is kinda girly-will LOVE the characters

THE PLAN
We plan on arriving around 3pm on Friday the 1st. If Disney still has the ParkHoppers 3 for 5 we will check into our hotel and then head straight to DL. It will be a MHP night and we do not have tickets so when they close DL if they don't keep DCA open we are going to Tortilla Jo's in DTD and then back to the hotel to swim...if they keep DCA open then we will go there til they close.
Saturday will be our MM day. And then Sunday and Monday we are planning on getting there at opening. Hoping to open and close the parks all 3 days. But, last time we left around 10 because we were getting tired and crabby. So we will see.
Right now we have NO dining plans(since Disney seems to be dragging their feet...although I am not sure we will do anything character wise anyway.)
We are also not doing F! or WOC(if they have it) or anything else along those lines because this is a budget trip(planning another trip for the family in April to visit family and trying to save for it) and w/ 3 kids things like these are NOT cheap....and to tell the truth the kids prefer the rides over the shows.

I feel like 2 months is plenty of time to take care of everything but I am also a procrastinator...so I know it is NOT.

Well, on that note..I think I better stop procrastinating and get ready for work.

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Right now we have NO dining plans(since Disney seems to be dragging their feet...although I am not sure we will do anything character wise anyway.)
We are also not doing F! or WOC(if they have it) or anything else along those lines because this is a budget trip(planning another trip for the family in April to visit family and trying to save for it) and w/ 3 kids things like these are NOT cheap....and to tell the truth the kids prefer the rides over the shows.


I'm on board, will be there right after you... you know you can do F! and WOC for free right? Or at the least F! for free and get the picnics for WOC--which are very reasonable, and not much more than you'd pay for a meal anyway...

[stubby]

I'm on board, will be there right after you... you know you can do F! and WOC for free right? Or at the least F! for free and get the picnics for WOC--which are very reasonable, and not much more than you'd pay for a meal anyway...

Yeah but my kids and dh are not the type to spend riding time sitting and waiting in one place to see a show...shoot I bet we won't even sit and watch the fireworks any of the nights we are there.

[stubby]

Have decided if the hours stay the same as they are for September we will do MM on Sunday. Thinking that we don't really want to get up at 7 on Sat...and also hoping that all the Gay Days people will sleep in on Sunday.

[stubby]

I think someone is trying to stop this trip to DL. Last week the kids went back to school. I had budgeted a certain amount for this and of course...I went over...ALOT. They wanted so many extra things(the school not the kids) that I spent a lot more than what I planned. And now this afternoon the air conditioning went out in our car...we live in the desert...there is NO WAY we can do w/out. So now I am going to have to have that fixed.

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Hope things are working out for you!!

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Yeah but my kids and dh are not the type to spend riding time sitting and waiting in one place to see a show...shoot I bet we won't even sit and watch the fireworks any of the nights we are there.

Well, you may not have to worry about the fireworks... unless they decide to show something else on non-party nights, Hallowishes (or whatever the Halloween fireworks are called) will only be on trick-or-treat party nights anyway... I can't got to DL without fireworks or Fantasmic... its just about our only downtime, so I look forward to it!

[stubby]

Hope things are working out for you!!

Thank you...actually getting a little better. Apparently the air is working again...not sure how or for how long but at least it didn't go out.

[stubby]

Time for another update...
We have changed plans a little. Instead of just doing 3 days we are going to add Friday night also. We are now going to be leaving at 7am so should be at the park by 2pm. That will give us at least 4 hours in Disney before they close for the Halloween stuff. After the park closes we are going to Tortilla Jo's for dinner.
We are getting so excited...just wish they would do an update on Disneyland's website.

[Tablefor5]

You are there right when I leave.:thumbsup2 I love the HalloweenTime. We aren't doing the party this year though. Sounds like you have a great trip planned so far. Good Luck on keeping the "extra" expenses out of the way. I can relate with my kids just starting back to school also and all that additional cost besides school supplies. I just wrote so many checks for school pics, yearbooks, donation drive etc...I think we may be broke soon :rotfl: Glad I got our tixs already!
:)

[wjgoodman]

Sounds like you got your vacation nice and planned out to me hehe. i know what you me about the kids not sitting still, my girls just want to run around and do everything at once, and i must remind them we are in DL for 5 days.
I think im planning my trip right around the same time as yours, the weather should be pretty decent.

good luck with your vacation!

[stubby]

Wanted to give a brief update...
made our ressies for Tortilla Jo's. We are gonna eat there Friday night at 7 after Disneyland closes.

[stubby]

Have been stressing on the money situation...just bought new cells and now have a bill for that as well as a bill that came back to haunt me and my dd 5's kinder bill...so things are gonna be tighter. Was thinkin about takin a day off our trip...won't save a lot on tickets but on hotel and food we would save...and dh could go back to work instead of takin off which is costing us a small fortune. But I think we are just gonna have to be broke because we would have to give up Monday and since I thiink it will be the slowest day of our trip I am not willing to salvage it.
The trip is only 6 weeks 2 days away but feels so far off...and I know it's gonna sneak up on us fast. I just want it to get here already!!!

[stubby]

Just noticed the hours for our trip are all up now...looks like we will be doing our MM on Saturday after all. Was thinking of doing Sunday since I had heard it would be a 9 am opening but that does not look like the case so we will be gettin there early early Sat morning...here's hopin all the Gay Days people sleep in!

[stubby]

Getting so excited I can't stand it....and still over 5 weeks. Been working on planning out our days as best I can.

[stubby]

So I have been working on planning alot more(have a lot of down time at work). Here is my tentative schedule...let me know what you think...if it sounds ok...if it can be done(btw I know that spending the amount of hours we are in the park is gonna be killer but I think my family is up for it).

Fri-Leaving at 7:30 for the 5 hour drive. Hope to be in the park by no later than 2. Ride schedule below:
Indie(while dh rides this w/ dd 9 I will take dd7 and dd 5 on Jungle Cruise)
Indie(same set up only I take dd 7 and he takes dd9 and dd5)
Pirates
HM
Splash(if time)
Pooh(again if time)
Disneyland closes at 7 for the MHP and we have reservations at 7 for Tortilla Jo's.
After TJ's we are going to go back to DCA and try and ride a couple rides before the 11pm closing.

Sat-Magic Morning we plan to be at the park no later than 6:15
Here is the rides we hope to get in that day:
Nemo
Space
Matterhorn
Blab
Autopia
Teacups
Storybook Canal
Dumbo
Eat @ Village Haus
Casey Jr
Alice
Toad
Peter
Pinocchio
Snow
BTMRR
IASW
Gadget
Take DLRR to Tomorrowland
Space
BLAB
Eat @ Coke Corner
Pirates
HM
Splash
Pooh
BTMRR

Sun-Plan to be at park at 7:15
Pirates
Indie
HM
Splash
Matterhorn
Leave to DCA @ 10
GRR
Mullholland
Eat @ Pizza OOM MOW MW
jumpin
Mickey Wheel
Carousel
Fliks Flyers
LadyBug Boogie
Tuck N Roll
Heimlich
Monsters INc
TOT
Soarin
Back to DL
Eat @ Rancho Del Zocalo
Alice
Snow
Toad
BTMRR
Pirates
Space

MON-OUr last day be at the park @ 9:15
Pirates
HM
SPlash
eat @ River BElle
BTMRR
SPace
BLAB
Autopia
Matterhorn
Teacups
Toad
Peter
Indie
HM
Splash
Pooh
Eat @ Harbour Galley and Hungry Bear
Take DLRR t BLAB

So what do you think...can it be done?

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Wow... I do think it can be done... hmmm, some of the order of things I would change up... I am a firm believer in Peter Pan 1st, always 1st, as they say. So, on your MM day, I would probably do PP, then Nemo, Space, Matterhorn etc... and move Autopia till after MM is over for sure... which it might not be with only 4 rides done.

Our MM usually goes like this: PP, Dumbo, Alice, Toad, Pinocchio, Snow, Snow (always twice! its dd's favorite!), Teacups, Matterhorn, and by then MM is over (maybe 10 minutes over), and we FP Space and ride BLAB, then go back to Casey Jr, and IASW etc etc... Nemo isn't a priority of ours, did it once, and dd hasn't asked to do it again :confused3

In my experience the 3 lines that get long the quickest in Fantasyland are PP, Dumbo & Alice... I won't even include Storybookland boats, as it always seems to be open sporadically, and we will ride that one, but its line tends to be crazy too.

Your Sunday looks a lot like what we do... we skip the MM usually and go to DL from 8-10 and then DCA from 10-lunch, go back and take a nap, and then do DL after nap until 9 or so pm.

Isn't it sooo much fun to plan? :thumbsup2

[stubby]

. I am a firm believer in Peter Pan 1st, always 1st, as they say. So, on your MM day, I would probably do PP, then Nemo, Space, Matterhorn etc... and move Autopia till after MM is over for sure... which it might not be with only 4 rides done.

Our MM usually goes like this: PP, Dumbo, Alice, Toad, Pinocchio, Snow, Snow (always twice! its dd's favorite!), Teacups, Matterhorn, and by then MM is over (maybe 10 minutes over), and we FP Space and ride BLAB, then go back to Casey Jr, and IASW etc etc... Nemo isn't a priority of ours, did it once, and dd hasn't asked to do it again :confused3

In my experience the 3 lines that get long the quickest in Fantasyland are PP, Dumbo & Alice... I won't even include Storybookland boats, as it always seems to be open sporadically, and we will ride that one, but its line tends to be crazy too.

Your Sunday looks a lot like what we do... we skip the MM usually and go to DL from 8-10 and then DCA from 10-lunch, go back and take a nap, and then do DL after nap until 9 or so pm.

Isn't it sooo much fun to plan? :thumbsup2

We didn't get to do Nemo last trip since it was closed for reimagining. So that is why it is one of those have to do's...as was Pirates. Space, Indie, and Matterhorn did not get done because the kids were too little. And since these are all hubbys favs we put them first on the off chance something happens and they go down the rest of the trip. I know it don't happen often but it would be our luck.

Definately loving the planning. Not loving what the meal prices are looking like. I could eat at some nice places here for the price of a couple burgers there. :sad2:

[stubby]

Well I found out that both Village House and Pizza Oom Mow Mow will be closed so I am changing Village House to Taste Pilots and Pizza to Red Rockett's which means I have to move things around but it works out. I wanted to try the loaded fries at Taste Pilots anyway.
Kids are talking about the trip constantly(well maybe not as much as me.) My one daughter said.."Mom the kids don't believe I am going." I was like well you can show them your stuff when you get back. Not sure why they don't believe her...I mean we live five hours away...not on the other side of the country or in Europe. Maybe people just don't take their kids????:confused3

[stubby]

Well down to 24 days left. Getting harder to control myself. Not much has changed since last update. Having some money trouble...a little worried about having to cut trip a day short..really don't want to.

Kids are counting down. Did manage to get 2 ponchos at the dollar tree...wish they had had 3 more. Now we are gonna have to try and stop at another one on the way there. But, I am so afraid it may rain while we are there. And even if it don't if it is cold and we ride GRR we will need them.

Gotta get jackets for my oldest and dh..she outgrew hers and he doesn't have one. Also need to pick up dramamine and aleve...and something for breakfast as we won't be eating that in the park.

[stubby]

We are down to 2 weeks..I can't wait but in a way I feel like it is gonna be a really rough time til then. The week we leave we have so much to do... 3 parent teacher conferences, a chorus concert, and I have to work 40 hrs in 4 days....not to mention driving our dog an hr and a half for someone to watch for us. Add in packing, kids school, and all the other little things that get in the way...I am gonna be exhausted. Definately worth it tho!!! Come on October!

[stubby]

Well we have only nine days to go...and I can't wait. Driving dh crazy. Also my laptop is broken yet again....twice in the six months we have had it. So have to do everything from cell. I work the next eight days...hope it keeps me busy.

[stubby]

Well we had to call and cancel Monday night...have to work Tuesday morn...which means we get home at around 2 am and I have to be at work at 6. And of course it is gonna be a 12 hour day.
We got our coupon for Tortilla Jo's printed out last night. I finally picked out what I am wearin and the girls are supposed to be doing their stuff tonight.
I am so tired already...7th day straight and all of them were at least ten hours. But I am sooo excited I can't stand it.

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm sure you'll have a great time! :cool1: :banana: :wizard: :woohoo:

[stubby]

At this time tomorrow we will be half way there. Everything is packed minus a few last minute things. Kids are really excited...btw all the conferences went great...3 smart girls! I am headed to work in an hr and a half...my last ten hour shift and then when I get home tonight gonna try and sleep if I can. Everyone please cross their fingers that everything goes ok w/ our trip getting there.

[Goofy_Mom]

I just saw this thread. Did you ever find ponchos? At Target or Walmart in there camping section, you can find ponchos. They're 1.99, put more durable IMO. If you have a Bass Pro Shop close by, they'll have some also. I've even seen the jacket/pant poncho combo.

What kind of laptop did you get? My DH ordered me one from Dell for my b-day. Don't take it the wrong way, but I hope it isn't the one you have.

Can't wait to read about your trip, have a good time.:thumbsup2

[stubby]

We are going to be leaving the house in about 45 mins. We have to go to the bank to deposit and get some money then a quick stop to get breakfast and on the road. Hope to be at the park no later than 2. It is less than a five hr drive so that shouldn't be a problem if all goes well. Will try and do a post or two at the park but we will see.

[stubby]

Had a great day yesterday. Rode what we wanted to despite leaving the park at 8:30 due to dh and dd5 bein too tired.

[stubby]

So we left at 7:30 as planned however the atm at the bank was broken so we finally left town an hour and a half late at 9. We arrived at the hotel the Anaheim Plaza Inn at 1:30. Dropped our bags and went to the park. We went straight to Pirates only a 10 minute wait...crowds were really light still. Over to Indie where dh and dd9 rode this and dd7, dd5, and I rode Jungle. Again not a very long wait at all. From there we went over to Splash...practically a walk on. Then Pooh. From there we went to Pooh's cornere and got a smore and tigger tail. I am not a marshmallow fan so neither of these were very impressive to me. After this we decided to head to downtown Disney to see if we could get in dinner early. We get to Tortilla Jo's and I realize I had forgotten our coupon. So dh and dd9 ran back to the hotel to get it. We finally got in at 6:30. We liked the food a lot. I had the chicken fajitas"dh had a burrito, and dds had the nachos. Total on the order was under 30 after they removed our coupon. And they brought free ice cream for dh for his bday. After dinner we headed over to DCA. It was packed. We headed straight for TOT. An hour wait. I totally loved it...dh not so much...nor did dd5. By the time we got off the little one and dh...who had worked all night and had no sleep were exhausted so back to the hotel we went.


Day 2 will be posted tomorrow....I have to go to work and need a nap first.

[stubby]

Weather-sprinkles in am hot in afternoon park was very busy
Here are the rides we rode as best as I can remember
Matterhorn x2
Spacex4
Nemo
Autopia
Buzzx4
Splashx2
Piratesx2
Indie
Tea cups
Alice
Toad
Peter pan
Pinocchio
Pooh
Storybook
Our meals for the day...
Daisy's Diner
2 adult hot dog and 3 kids hot dogs $35
River Belle
2 Tennessee BBQ Sands and 3 kids turkey cost around $50 -loved this food.
We also took quite a few pics this day which I will post later.

[stubby]

So today was DCA day. I liked that there were less crowds...did not like the drunk rude vulgar peopleWe started out at Disneyland. Rode splash twice and pooh and then the railroad over to the toontown station and rode snow and IASW. Then headed for DCA. First we did Soarin which we did three times that day. Then over to GRR two times. By that time we were hungry so over to Cocina. Loved the food. After that we went to ride Triton's and from there we got a pic w Woody and a green army man. From there it was a trip around Mickey's wheel and then two times on the Zephyr. After that we went over to watch muppet vision and turtle talk and then got a pic w Sulley. Over to a bugs land for Francis, flik's, and the bumper cars. We did heimlich too. Then we decided to head up and get Taste Pilots and ice cream.

By this time we had had enuf of DCA so back to DL. We rode Pirates and then Indie twice and then headed over to Buzz a few times. Also did space twice and Astro. Again we were tired so back to the hotel.

[stubby]

So this would be our last day. We got there about 9:15 and left at 6. We rode splash, pooh, snow, toad, pinocchio, saw the princesses, gadgets,monorail, dlrr, pirates, indie, hmh, jungle cruise. We ate at Rancho. We also got pics w/ the mad hatter and Jack and Sally. Ate lots of snacks this day and hot chocolate since we were wet and cold. My oldest and youngest both cried as we were leaving. It was so sad. So now we are tryin to plan a trip back in March.