DisneyStitch626
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
So I have only been on this forum for about a week, and just reading everyones trip reports is getting me so excited for my own trip! 
It also helped me decide that I really want to write about my own trip, so I can look back and have all the day to day memories. But like I said, I am really new to this forum, so I apologize in advance if I dont have everything written properly. I am trying to remember all the abbreviations and things correctly.
Our trip isn't until October, but there is no harm in getting some ideas together a little early. This will be my second trip to Disneyland and my DBF's first ever trip. It has been over 13 years since I have been, and it was before DCA was constructed, so a lot of this trip will be new to me as well. Also the last time I went, was in October 1996, and back then they didn't decorate the park for Halloween like they do now (or at least it wasn't when we were there between Oct 11-15th), so I am excited to see all the cool things they put around the park. I am also kind of sad that DBF won't get to see some of the rides (SM and HM) in their original state, before he sees the Halloween versions, but it should still be a spectacular time!
Our plan is to drive down. We are coming from Alberta, Canada, and it just seems like flying is way too expensive. Also, with Dillon never having been to the US before, I thought it would be really enjoyable to take a nice road trip. It will be fairly long, but well worth it. Lets hope DBF enjoys it as much as I know I will.
We will be driving from Red Deer, which for those of you that don't know (if there is anyone reading this); its about an hour and a half north of Calgary. According to Google Maps, it will be about a 26 hour drive in total. We plan to leave right after work (hopefully the bosses let us go a little early) on Thursday September 30th, and drive as far as we can. Probably stopping in Great Falls. Our goal is to make it to Disneyland in the afternoon/early evening of the Saturday, so we can catch Fantasmic. This is just in case they are only playing it on the weekends, as I hear on off seasons, that is what they do. Since the schedule for it probably won't be posted for another several months, I am squeezing this Saturday evening in, just in case. It is one show I really want to make sure we don't miss. Anyways, we will be driving down through Salt Lake City and then eventually through Vegas, and then finally to Disneyland! We plan to spend Saturday-Thursday in the Disney parks, and then start the long trip back on Friday. We hope to spend an afternoon and night in Vegas on the Friday, then continue our way home and hope to make it to my Dads Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday evening. Monday is a holiday, so I hope to get back to Red Deer as early as possible, so we can have that day to re-coop before going back to work on Tuesday.
I dont really have a lot planned yet for the time in Disneyland, but for the most part I think we will keep it that way. I would like to have one or two nice meals there, and since the Tuesday will be my 30th birthday, I hope to have a nice meal in the park or at DTD that day. For the rest of the time, I think we will be saving money and eating at places on Harbor.
There are a few certain things that I want to make sure we do, but as far as time-lines, we will probably just take it as it comes. We plan to stay at the Ramada Maingate. I have heard mixed reviews about the place, but we really wont be spending a lot of time there, other than to shower and sleep, so the hotel isnt that big a deal. I would LOVE to be able to stay at one of the Disney hotels, but they are just too expensive for us this time around. The Maingate is also the hotel I stayed at the last time, and from what I remember, it wasnt a bad place. It is really close, and that is one of the main things for me. Since we will be spending as many hours as we can in the parks, we want something close by, and I am sure our feet will thank us for the short walks back in the evenings.
There are a few major things I would like to make sure I see and do while we are there. Hopefully - with it being kind of off-season - none of these things will be shut down for refurbs.
Here is my list:
Space Mountain this was my favourite ride the last time, and I want to see if it still holds its place!
Fantasmic as I mentioned before, seeing this is one of my greatest wishes.
Meet Stitch and Mickey I hope to get pictures with many characters, but these two are a must! I just hope I dont miss them!
Pirates Of The Carribean I think DBF is looking forward to this one the most. And its a classic, so I would really not want him (or I) to have to miss it.
Matterhorn This ride was shut down when I was there, so I would really like to be able to go on it this time.
Churros By far my favourite thing the last time I went. I am looking forward to all sorts of other foods as well, but we cant leave without having at least 2 of these!
These are just a few of my wishes, but I am hoping that none of the major rides are closed, as I really do love them all, and I don't want DBF to have to miss out on any. Also, with never having been to DCA, I hope none of the major attractions there are down. From all the trip reports I have read, I am really looking forward to TOT and TSM! And of course, one of the things I cant wait for -- shopping!!
Well this is all I have for now. I will be updating as I have more ideas and plans for our trip. I have 7 months to wait, and if I am this excited now, I am afraid to see what I will be like in the days before we go!
It also helped me decide that I really want to write about my own trip, so I can look back and have all the day to day memories. But like I said, I am really new to this forum, so I apologize in advance if I dont have everything written properly. I am trying to remember all the abbreviations and things correctly.Our trip isn't until October, but there is no harm in getting some ideas together a little early. This will be my second trip to Disneyland and my DBF's first ever trip. It has been over 13 years since I have been, and it was before DCA was constructed, so a lot of this trip will be new to me as well. Also the last time I went, was in October 1996, and back then they didn't decorate the park for Halloween like they do now (or at least it wasn't when we were there between Oct 11-15th), so I am excited to see all the cool things they put around the park. I am also kind of sad that DBF won't get to see some of the rides (SM and HM) in their original state, before he sees the Halloween versions, but it should still be a spectacular time!
Our plan is to drive down. We are coming from Alberta, Canada, and it just seems like flying is way too expensive. Also, with Dillon never having been to the US before, I thought it would be really enjoyable to take a nice road trip. It will be fairly long, but well worth it. Lets hope DBF enjoys it as much as I know I will.
We will be driving from Red Deer, which for those of you that don't know (if there is anyone reading this); its about an hour and a half north of Calgary. According to Google Maps, it will be about a 26 hour drive in total. We plan to leave right after work (hopefully the bosses let us go a little early) on Thursday September 30th, and drive as far as we can. Probably stopping in Great Falls. Our goal is to make it to Disneyland in the afternoon/early evening of the Saturday, so we can catch Fantasmic. This is just in case they are only playing it on the weekends, as I hear on off seasons, that is what they do. Since the schedule for it probably won't be posted for another several months, I am squeezing this Saturday evening in, just in case. It is one show I really want to make sure we don't miss. Anyways, we will be driving down through Salt Lake City and then eventually through Vegas, and then finally to Disneyland! We plan to spend Saturday-Thursday in the Disney parks, and then start the long trip back on Friday. We hope to spend an afternoon and night in Vegas on the Friday, then continue our way home and hope to make it to my Dads Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday evening. Monday is a holiday, so I hope to get back to Red Deer as early as possible, so we can have that day to re-coop before going back to work on Tuesday.
I dont really have a lot planned yet for the time in Disneyland, but for the most part I think we will keep it that way. I would like to have one or two nice meals there, and since the Tuesday will be my 30th birthday, I hope to have a nice meal in the park or at DTD that day. For the rest of the time, I think we will be saving money and eating at places on Harbor.
There are a few certain things that I want to make sure we do, but as far as time-lines, we will probably just take it as it comes. We plan to stay at the Ramada Maingate. I have heard mixed reviews about the place, but we really wont be spending a lot of time there, other than to shower and sleep, so the hotel isnt that big a deal. I would LOVE to be able to stay at one of the Disney hotels, but they are just too expensive for us this time around. The Maingate is also the hotel I stayed at the last time, and from what I remember, it wasnt a bad place. It is really close, and that is one of the main things for me. Since we will be spending as many hours as we can in the parks, we want something close by, and I am sure our feet will thank us for the short walks back in the evenings.
There are a few major things I would like to make sure I see and do while we are there. Hopefully - with it being kind of off-season - none of these things will be shut down for refurbs.
Here is my list:
Space Mountain this was my favourite ride the last time, and I want to see if it still holds its place!
Fantasmic as I mentioned before, seeing this is one of my greatest wishes.
Meet Stitch and Mickey I hope to get pictures with many characters, but these two are a must! I just hope I dont miss them!
Pirates Of The Carribean I think DBF is looking forward to this one the most. And its a classic, so I would really not want him (or I) to have to miss it.
Matterhorn This ride was shut down when I was there, so I would really like to be able to go on it this time.
Churros By far my favourite thing the last time I went. I am looking forward to all sorts of other foods as well, but we cant leave without having at least 2 of these!
These are just a few of my wishes, but I am hoping that none of the major rides are closed, as I really do love them all, and I don't want DBF to have to miss out on any. Also, with never having been to DCA, I hope none of the major attractions there are down. From all the trip reports I have read, I am really looking forward to TOT and TSM! And of course, one of the things I cant wait for -- shopping!!
Well this is all I have for now. I will be updating as I have more ideas and plans for our trip. I have 7 months to wait, and if I am this excited now, I am afraid to see what I will be like in the days before we go!
Looks like I am buying myself a new copy of Lilo and Stitch very soon! I have had that one since the day that movie was released, so I am a little sad. Looks like I watch it too much! 
5 full fun-filled days in the DLR!!! 
It would be just too much money for both trips, and could also be over lapping, depending on the date they choose. I sure hope they change their minds! I am looking so forward to this trip! You only turn 30 once! But I guess a family wedding is pretty important as well. 
. We will probably make the other PS for this day. Either GK or BB, which ever we didn't do on Monday. Then we will finish our shopping and try and get in anything we missed, or ride our favourites. I want to take an hour or so with my DSLR and walk around just taking pictures of things. Not sure if it would be better to do that on the weekend when everything is busy, or wait until we've done everything we want to do. It just seems like if it's not going to be too busy, I'd rather use that time to be on the rides and things. 
