Trip Sadly Over - GCH July 19th - 24th

[Tikestoublie]

Fairly new to writing on the board - but have been reading everything I can to get my Disney fix before our trip.

A little about us. Me - 35. Did Disney as a child and then had a long break. Moved to Australia so no Disney for me. But, came back and have done 3 trips in the last 2 years. In 2008 took my DD, at the time 10 for her first trip. She loved it! But, because of bad planning and trying to do beach and other stuff we didn't even have 2 full days in the park. Meant she didn't get to see a lot and sadly missed Splash as it broke when we were going on it. Also bringing DGM again, actually she paying for the trip so guess leaving her behind would be bad.

My DD, now 12, almost 13 - Yay birthday trip, had major surgery last year, so not only is this a bday trip but also an I survived trip. Everyone is getting excited.

Our trip is planned for 19 July to 24 July. 4 full days and 2 half days!! The plan is to take a 7am flight from Portland, getting to Long Beach about 9:30. Grab a car, hit store for snacks...and off to Disneyland!! On Saturday take an evening flight so we can enjoy last minute things in the park during the morning/afternoon. The hardest part will be that I fly back from Denver on the 18th - Arrive Portland 9pm, go home re-pack, shower, wash clothes, load car and back to the airport. Sleep? Who needs sleep!

So far I have narrowed done my hotel choices. Grand Californian! And because I cannot actually secure our booking till next month I have my fallback choice - DLH. Until I can book am checking prices every day and think Costco will be the way we go. Much thanks to all the wonderful tips here. Being able to see how things have worked out for others has been incredibly helpful.

I finally got my PS's secured yesterday and today. Had to call back now that they have WOC meals out. Now to sit back and find out how that plan is actually going to work. Yay for guinea pigs! Hopefully it all goes off without a hitch.

I am currently working out my list of things we must see, times for shows, and how to get it all done without falling over. With all the great advice on here I am certain it will be a blast.

Certain I have more to say but snacks are calling. Sorry if my writing is a bit chaotic. That kind of day.

 

[kaoden39]

Sounds wonderful already!! I am along for the ride.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Sigh. Been so busy reading other TR forgot to come back here.

So, shall try and make it back later tonight with my initial dining challenges - with questions.

And thanks Kaoden39. So new to this and hoping can keep it at least a little entertaining. Though seeing so many of these others, those are some HUGE shoes to fill.

Would post past trip pics but nut quite sure how to yet or if I even can.

 

[kaoden39]

Sigh. Been so busy reading other TR forgot to come back here.

So, shall try and make it back later tonight with my initial dining challenges - with questions.

And thanks Kaoden39. So new to this and hoping can keep it at least a little entertaining. Though seeing so many of these others, those are some HUGE shoes to fill.

Would post past trip pics but nut quite sure how to yet or if I even can.

Well, the way that I post pictures that I have saved on photobucket. I use the image code and post it that way.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Have to see if I still have an account there. Wondering if it works from Picasa?
Just read the FAQ and said something about linking from my pc but seems people have had problems with this. Guess all I can do is try.

 

[kaoden39]

Have to see if I still have an account there. Wondering if it works from Picasa?
Just read the FAQ and said something about linking from my pc but seems people have had problems with this. Guess all I can do is try.

I would be willing to bet Picasa has the same thing. I have never linked from my computer except for my avatar picture. Good luck!!

 

[Tikestoublie]

Thanks. Reading through I am wondering if I have not posted enough yet to be worthy of picture posting. LOL! But I shall not give up.

Till I get it shall enjoy al the other posts I have been reading.

And work to get an update up here. Swear there will be no sleep till Disneyland.

 

[Tikestoublie]

A test to see if I can get a picture on here.

 

[Tikestoublie]

 

[Tikestoublie]

One more try.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Yay! It looks like you figured out the picture-posting thing! I upload to photobucket from Picasa. Love Picasa. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Ok, so while I procrastinate the continuation of my PTR here are some pics from our last few trips. So excited I now know what I am doing.

DD first trip to DLR. Way too short, hence a great reason to go again!

After dropping her off for ToT - not a Mommy friendly ride.

Next up...pictures from my DD free trips. Another reason to go back. boy was she unhappy to find out I was going again just 4 months after taking her.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Well, a couple more before we leave the DD behind.

Keeping cool.

GRR line was insane but at least we had shade.

And after a long day of park hopping....

Now...on to an all adult adventure through the Happiest Place on Earth!!

Had waited forever it felt like to finally be here for the HMH and here I was.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Guess there should be a warning. I take a lot of photos! Am a photographer on the side, though wouldn't know it by some of these. What I get for taking the little camera on some of these trips.

What he said.

Ok, all the pics for now. Really should be working on my PTR and plans. Once again need to call Disney Dining. And am working on a notebook to organize all the things we want to do and EAT 5 days plus seemed like a lot...till I wrote down all we wanted to do. You know - everything!

So, question. I already let Disney Dining know about the birthday but wondering if should alert them on reservations about allergies or if I wait till we get there? Anybody know or done this? Major allergies to tree nuts and fish so very important my food does not have any of this in it.

TIA!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Hello! We will be arriving as your trip is ending on the 24th! This is our first trip.

LOVE your pictures! Can't wait for the rest of your report!

 

[kaoden39]

Good job on getting your pictures posted!! Love them. On the food allergies I think I would call now and then again reinforce it again when you get there. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Hello! We will be arriving as your trip is ending on the 24th! This is our first trip.

LOVE your pictures! Can't wait for the rest of your report!

How fun. You should have a blast.

And thanks. Will get more up soon...I swear.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Good job on getting your pictures posted!! Love them. On the food allergies I think I would call now and then again reinforce it again when you get there. Better to be safe than sorry.

Yeah, I just need to be able to take time to call them again. Big worries are the treats and whether they have hidden nuts. Ate coffee cake like that once - not something to repeat. And then whether they share cooking oil.

Will make an effort to get on to them tomorrow.


Now, for my tentative dining schedule. This is hard because I am normally one to just go with the flow and when finally hungry just pick something. This trip however I actually wanted to enjoy some of the foods I had never experienced. I absolutely French Onion and Baked Potato Soup, and after everyone's pictures of them I started to realize that maybe this trip I just indulge my stomach along with the rest of.

So, this is what it looks like.

Monday 19 July

Breakfast – Airport
Lunch – CS Whatever we find
Dinner – Tortilla Joes??

Tuesday 20 July (Magic Morning)

Breakfast – Park CS
Lunch – Carnation Café 3:30
Dinner – House of Blues??

Wednesday 21 July

Breakfast – PCH Character Meal 9am
Lunch – CS Somewhere
Dinner – Ariel’s 6pm (WOC Meal)

Thursday 22 July (Magic Morning)

Breakfast – Park CS
Lunch – Café Orleans 1pm
Dinner – WCT 8pm (WOC Meal)

Friday 23 July

Breakfast – Park CS/Compass DTD
Lunch – Blue Bayou 2pm
Dinner – Park??

Saturday 24 July (Magic Morning) Check out Day

Breakfast – CS Somewhere
Lunch – CS Park
Dinner – Airport/Portland
​

Still a bit rough and subject to change, but needed some kind of plan. Now that they have the park schedule for our dates posted I will work on laying out what things we want to see and how to make it all fit. Some moments I swear I need a whole different degree just to plan a vacation.

 

[kaoden39]

May I recommend getting breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace? They serve a good breakfast.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Actually, was wondering about that. Unable to sleep and stuck in my ubber planning mode I have been going through the menus to see where I might find food all 3 of us can eat I have started this!

Food Info:

Blue Bayou –
Monte Cristo 22.00
Dessert Crème Brule

Café Orleans –
French Onion Soup 8.00
Pomme Frites 5.00
Beignets – 7.00

Carnation Café –
Chef Salad 11.00
Croissant Chicken Club 11.00
Smoked Turkey 10.00
1/2 Sand & Soup 10.00
Baked Potato Soup – 6.00

Plaza Inn Character Breakfast –
28.00

Counter Services Meals:

Bengal Barbecue (Adventure Land)
Chicken/Beef Skewer 4.00
Mickey Pretzel w/Cheese 4.00

French Market (New Orleans)
Citrus Chicken w/tatos 13.00
Garden Salad 4.00

Harbour Galley (Critter Country)
Bread Bowl w/Cheddar Broccoli 9.00


Hungry Bear (Critter Country)
Burgers w/Fries 8.00 – 9.00
Onion Rings 4.00
Funnel Cake 6.00

Plaza Inn (Main St)
Fried Chicken Meal 14.00
Chicken Alfredo 13.00

Rancho del Zocalo (Frontierland)
Enchilada Platter 10.00
Carne Asada/Enchilada 12.00
Soft Tacos 10.00
Kids Burrito or Taco Meal 7.00

Red Rockett’s Pizza Port (Tomorrowland)
Spaghetti w/Meatballs 9.00
Chicken Pasta 9.00
Large Pizza Slice 6.00 – 7.00

River Belle Terrace (Frontierland)
(Breakfast)
Mark Twain - Eggs, Tatos, Meat, Biscuit 8.00
Steamboat – Pancakes, Eggs, Meat 8.00
Pancakes solo 5.50
Tatos 3.00
(Lunch/Dinner)
Roast or Turkey Meal 13.00

Tomorrowland Terrace (Tomorrowland)
Burgers 8.00 – 9.00
Turkey Club Sandwich 8.50
Kid’s Turkey Wrap Meal 6.00

Village Haus (Fantasyland)
Burgers 8.00 – 9.00
Pizza 8.00
Turkey Club 8.50

Quick Snacks:

Blue Ribbon Bakery (Main St)
~Breakfast/Lunch/Snacks~
Sandwich Ham/Turkey 8.50
Chocolate Croissant 3.00

Coke Corner (Main St)
Hot Dog 6.00
Pretzel w/Cheese 4.00

Tiki Juice Bar (Adventureland)
Dole Whip 3.00

Troubadour Tavern (Fantasyland)
Bratwurst 7.00
Baked Tatos 6.50

California Adventure Dining:


Downtown Disney Dining:

Grand California Dining:

Chicken Quesadilla 12.00
Sticky Spare Ribs 11.00

Storyteller’s Lunch 11:30 – 2 Weekends 11:30 – 5
Spare Ribs 9.00
Chicken Quesadilla 9.00
Dinner 5 – 10pm
Buffet 30.00
Chicken in Red Wine 20.00
​

Still have more places to add but hoping it will give me a bit of a cheat sheet to look at in our room. Can be so hard to find places that have food I can eat, and that my horribly picky mother will eat.

If only they had curry somewhere, then at least DD and I would be set.

Really hoping they get WOC sorted out and am eagerly awaiting the first round of victims..er, I mean guests...who give us feedback. Comparing the two so far I am thinking AG is going to be best for me. The chicken meal doesn't sound too bad. Had a look at the picnic meal but from what I can tell I would be going hungry.