A Six Thousand Kilometer Road Trip to Disneyland and Back- TR has started on page 37!

[kaoden39]

That's right! That's $400 that can be used to spend on all that yummy food I keep reading about and souveniers!!

Exactly my thoughts. I know how expensive tickets can be. In my trip binder I have about $1500 worth of tickets and AP.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

That is a lot of money! It's amazing how much $$$ we all will pay towards Disney. I would never consider that for Six Flags or anything. Not that I don't want to go there, but I'm just not as willing to fork out the amount of money for it as I am for Disney.

Dillon is starting to show some excitement about the trip now, so that is getting me even more excited. Now that I know it's not just me, it feels that much more real.

 

[kaoden39]

That is a lot of money! It's amazing how much $$$ we all will pay towards Disney. I would never consider that for Six Flags or anything. Not that I don't want to go there, but I'm just not as willing to fork out the amount of money for it as I am for Disney.

Dillon is starting to show some excitement about the trip now, so that is getting me even more excited. Now that I know it's not just me, it feels that much more real.

Scotty has no excitement about the trip. He constantly tells me that this is for me and that kind of depresses me. Thankfully the kids are real excited about the trip.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Also next Friday we will have the money to book Planet Hollywood in Vegas, so once that is paid for, all we have to worry about is Food, Gas, and Souveniers!!!

I am still trying to figure out the best way to handle cash day by day. I don't want to have a whole bunch on us all the time, cause that is just asking for it. But I also don't want to pay ridiculous fees for using ATM's in the US either. I have been thinking about putting together a binder, and having sleeves for each day and keeping the information we will need for that day in that sleeve. Hotel reservation comf #'s, maps of the section we will be driving that day, PS times, etc. I was also thinking of having different envelopes with cash specifically for certain things. Like we are estimating $500 for gas (it wont be that much, but just to be safe) and have an envelope just for that. An envelope for Monday's food, Tuesdays food, etc and a separate envelope for souveniers, and stuff. That means carrying around cash, but I don't really know what else to do. If I have a credit card by then, the limit probably won't be very high, and I wouldn't want to rack that up anyways. Just use it for checking in, etc.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Scotty has no excitement about the trip. He constantly tells me that this is for me and that kind of depresses me. Thankfully the kids are real excited about the trip.

At least you have the kids to be excited with. I find that having someone to share your excitement with, is the best. Dillon is nowhere near as excited as me (or he doesn't show it), but at least now I know that this isn't just for me. Also one of the things I am most looking forward to, is his reaction to things, and seeing his excitement when he is there.

 

[kaoden39]

Also next Friday we will have the money to book Planet Hollywood in Vegas, so once that is paid for, all we have to worry about is Food, Gas, and Souveniers!!!

I am still trying to figure out the best way to handle cash day by day. I don't want to have a whole bunch on us all the time, cause that is just asking for it. But I also don't want to pay ridiculous fees for using ATM's in the US either. I have been thinking about putting together a binder, and having sleeves for each day and keeping the information we will need for that day in that sleeve. Hotel reservation comf #'s, maps of the section we will be driving that day, PS times, etc. I was also thinking of having different envelopes with cash specifically for certain things. Like we are estimating $500 for gas (it wont be that much, but just to be safe) and have an envelope just for that. An envelope for Monday's food, Tuesdays food, etc and a separate envelope for souveniers, and stuff. That means carrying around cash, but I don't really know what else to do. If I have a credit card by then, the limit probably won't be very high, and I wouldn't want to rack that up anyways. Just use it for checking in, etc.

What about purchasing a prepaid visa from like Bank of America and putting money on that. They can be used everywhere. I always feel better when I have everything paid for. And gas is so expensive. I am figuring $200 gas for us and we are only 412 miles away.

 

[kaoden39]

At least you have the kids to be excited with. I find that having someone to share your excitement with, is the best. Dillon is nowhere near as excited as me (or he doesn't show it), but at least now I know that this isn't just for me. Also one of the things I am most looking forward to, is his reaction to things, and seeing his excitement when he is there.

The main reason I bought myself an AP is because I am then guaranteeing myself another trip. Scotty wants to plan next years vacation. I am stating now I am not getting on a bicycle.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

What about purchasing a prepaid visa from like Bank of America and putting money on that. They can be used everywhere. I always feel better when I have everything paid for. And gas is so expensive. I am figuring $200 gas for us and we are only 412 miles away.

Actually, I just got one of those, and for some reason thinking about putting all the money on there just completely slipped my mind. But that would definitely be useful! I am afraid to get a real credit card, just because I am afraid of putting myself in debt. I just finally paid off my student loan, and so owing money again scares me a little! Do you think the hotels would accept them though for checking in? We are paying both hotels in full before we leave, so we won't owe anything, but I know they like the credit cards for incidentals and things. Thanks for that tip!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

The main reason I bought myself an AP is because I am then guaranteeing myself another trip. Scotty wants to plan next years vacation. I am stating now I am not getting on a bicycle.

I don't blame you for not wanting to get on a bicycle. But maybe he will pick something cool and you'll all love! I'm sure he would know that you and the kids would not be too into the bike idea.

 

[kaoden39]

Actually, I just got one of those, and for some reason thinking about putting all the money on there just completely slipped my mind. But that would definitely be useful! I am afraid to get a real credit card, just because I am afraid of putting myself in debt. I just finally paid off my student loan, and so owing money again scares me a little! Do you think the hotels would accept them though for checking in? We are paying both hotels in full before we leave, so we won't owe anything, but I know they like the credit cards for incidentals and things. Thanks for that tip!

I don't see why they wouldn't. I am sure that there is a way for them to check and make sure that there is the money on the card. The reason I thought about it is because I did that for my kids at Christmas. I bought them the prepaid cards because they wanted money to shop with. Another thought is you can put money on Disney gift cards.

 

[kaoden39]

I don't blame you for not wanting to get on a bicycle. But maybe he will pick something cool and you'll all love! I'm sure he would know that you and the kids would not be too into the bike idea.

I am not sure that he realizes just how much we really dislike the bikes. I am hoping he picks a camping trip, so there is something for us to do while he is riding on his bike. There are days I really dislike the bike. Last year there was no vacation because all of his vacation days were used for bicycle races.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I was thinking about the Disney card idea too. I just don't know how much money we will need. I guess in a couple months we will have a better idea. Dillon and I can sit down and if I can find a good list or a map of all the disney food places, and we can pick out what we want to try. We will probably only do a few. Our hotel serves a free breakfast, so other than my character breakfast that I want to do, we will probably just eat that or McDonald's. And other than a lunch and maybe a couple dinners, everything else will probably be snacks and out of the park stuff. So if we can esitmate how much we will spend on food and a certain amount for souveniers, then Disney cards will be a good idea!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I am not sure that he realizes just how much we really dislike the bikes. I am hoping he picks a camping trip, so there is something for us to do while he is riding on his bike. There are days I really dislike the bike. Last year there was no vacation because all of his vacation days were used for bicycle races.

Maybe it's hard for him to realize that even though Disney is mostly your thing, there is a variety of things there that everyone can enjoy. Where riding bikes is just riding bikes. Camping would be a better trip, cause then at least everyone could find things to do!

 

[kaoden39]

I was thinking about the Disney card idea too. I just don't know how much money we will need. I guess in a couple months we will have a better idea. Dillon and I can sit down and if I can find a good list or a map of all the disney food places, and we can pick out what we want to try. We will probably only do a few. Our hotel serves a free breakfast, so other than my character breakfast that I want to do, we will probably just eat that or McDonald's. And other than a lunch and maybe a couple dinners, everything else will probably be snacks and out of the park stuff. So if we can esitmate how much we will spend on food and a certain amount for souveniers, then Disney cards will be a good idea!

Well, I can probably help you with part of that. When I go in June I can get you the little pamphlet that they hand out at the parks. I am sure that there are maps in those. And there are a few websites that have menus and such on them that you can look at and get an idea.

 

[kaoden39]

Maybe it's hard for him to realize that even though Disney is mostly your thing, there is a variety of things there that everyone can enjoy. Where riding bikes is just riding bikes. Camping would be a better trip, cause then at least everyone could find things to do!

The kids really hate the bike. I mean they really hate the bike.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

That would be so great! Thank you.

I have tried to print out the map from the site that has all the to-do's you can check off, but it doesn't print right and it's not clear enough to really see anything.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Also I just remembered that allears.net is a good place to look, because they have the menus with prices. That way we can get a good idea of how much we will be spending. But a map would be great as well. A lot of things I can still remember and get an idea of where it is, but after 13 years, some things start to fade a bit.


And I will have to agree with the kids. Biking is a fun leisure activity, but I am sure I would get pretty bored of it if I had a family member that was obsessed. Although of course I would be supportive of his interests. I try my best to understand computers when Dillon is rambling, but sometimes it just flies right over my head.

 

[kaoden39]

That would be so great! Thank you.

I have tried to print out the map from the site that has all the to-do's you can check off, but it doesn't print right and it's not clear enough to really see anything.

They don't print out nice do they? I tried that and it just didn't work. I will get you one from each park. And what about pictures of any restaurant you might want to see? I have seen those too and it can help give you an idea about the prices.

 

[kaoden39]

Also I just remembered that allears.net is a good place to look, because they have the menus with prices. That way we can get a good idea of how much we will be spending. But a map would be great as well. A lot of things I can still remember and get an idea of where it is, but after 13 years, some things start to fade a bit.


And I will have to agree with the kids. Biking is a fun leisure activity, but I am sure I would get pretty bored of it if I had a family member that was obsessed. Although of course I would be supportive of his interests. I try my best to understand computers when Dillon is rambling, but sometimes it just flies right over my head.

Well, that and they change things. There is a restaurant listed for Fantasyland that I have no clue where it is and I was there just three years ago. Have you even been to DCA? I don't think it was opened last time you were there was it? So a map to that would be a helpful thing too.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

They don't print out nice do they? I tried that and it just didn't work. I will get you one from each park. And what about pictures of any restaurant you might want to see? I have seen those too and it can help give you an idea about the prices.

No they didn't print out too great. It looks great on the screen before you print, because it's all 3D and colorful, which is nice, but when it prints out, it just seems to small to see too easily. Also the list prints out funny too, and you get half a map and half a list on one page, and it's just a mess!

And anything about the restuarants would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
We are (well I am, cause all I have done to Dillon is show him the trip report pictures of food) thinking about doing PCH for sure, then Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou and Big Thunder BBQ are the big ones we are thinking about now. Also possibly ESPN because Dillon wants to see the arcade there, so we might just make a meal out of it.