Of course! Doesn't everyone have a Pirates display in their Dining Room?
We're definitely going to enjoy the holiday weekend. We're going to Disneyland tomorrow!
That's great!! Actually, in all my insanity and constant thinking about our future vacations, I told DH the other day that I would like to go to Disneyland in July 2015, so that we could be there on the 60th anniversary of when it first opened (July 17th)! How nutty am I?
So...now you'll think I'm even more nuts...I started looking into hotels, and realized that there is an Embassy Suites right near Disneyland, and I read that you could walk to the parks from there...we love Embassy Suites, and this one is definitely affordable, and we love their breakfast! We're staying in one in Tampa next summer. So, I am trying to understand that concept that DL is so much smaller than WDW, and you could get everywhere on foot. I want to stay in CA for a minimum of 10 days though, so we could do more things like Universal Studios Hollywood, and stay in San Diego for 3 or 4 days. 2 weeks would be ideal though! I would also love to make it to San Francisco but I have no concept of distances in CA, except I know that San Francisco is not close to LA.
OK, enough of me hijacking your thread! Regarding vinylmation, I don't get the whole thing either...they don't really appeal to me.
I don't get the appeal of the vinylmation either......I think they're ugly!! I hate getting in line at a register that does the trading....I had one item, cash in hand & the family in front of me traded one in, opened it, trade it, opened it, etc for 10 mins while I waited.....it's like going to the express line at the checkout with someone with a full cart!!
Holy cow...that painting & the assistant egging those bidders. Must be nice to have $20000 just laying around to spend willy-nilly. I will never be one of those people (heavy sigh). I think it's great the artist was willing to do a 2nd painting but wowsers!!!!
$1000 deductible on the car....ouch!!! Hopefully this won't cost that much!!
WOW! How insane! I can't believe the assistant actually did that. Poor boy must have felt obligated and pressured to bid.
The whole idea of having your own picture like that would be awesome!
We have auctions for house sales over here and some 'dirty' tactics are used. But those in that room.......
Wish I had half the money in that room.
OMG! How could I get so far behind in Keeping Up with the latest Home Beautiful trends?
Construction starts tomorrow.....
That's great!! Actually, in all my insanity and constant thinking about our future vacations, I told DH the other day that I would like to go to Disneyland in July 2015, so that we could be there on the 60th anniversary of when it first opened (July 17th)! How nutty am I?
So...now you'll think I'm even more nuts...I started looking into hotels, and realized that there is an Embassy Suites right near Disneyland, and I read that you could walk to the parks from there...we love Embassy Suites, and this one is definitely affordable, and we love their breakfast! We're staying in one in Tampa next summer. So, I am trying to understand that concept that DL is so much smaller than WDW, and you could get everywhere on foot. I want to stay in CA for a minimum of 10 days though, so we could do more things like Universal Studios Hollywood, and stay in San Diego for 3 or 4 days. 2 weeks would be ideal though! I would also love to make it to San Francisco but I have no concept of distances in CA, except I know that San Francisco is not close to LA.
OK, enough of me hijacking your thread! Regarding vinylmation, I don't get the whole thing either...they don't really appeal to me.
San Francisco is like 8 hours away from LA...so that would be a trip all in it's own. However, if you can do 2 weeks in CA, you could probably make it to SF.
From what I heard about that family from last year's auction (I didn't go), evidently it probably didn't phase him. I mean all four of them had Sorcerer's passes, that was $4,000 to walk in the door.
You guys must drive pretty slow!
Omgoodness Bonnie! Yes! I see a DIS meet in July 2015! There are great hotels all around Disneyland that you can get to Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure by foot. The Grand Californian is VERY ideal though I so hope you think about making it out here soon! Your boys will definitely be old enough by that time.
San Francisco is like 8 hours away from LA...so that would be a trip all in it's own. However, if you can do 2 weeks in CA, you could probably make it to SF.
I was there for the 50th and the place was SOLD OUT. I wouldn't imagine any less for the 60th. Thinking about DLR, imagine the BCV, BWV, Swan and Dolphin. Then imagine that the entrance to Epcot is immediately outside BCV. That's DCA. The distance that you walk from BWV to the entrance of Epcot is about what you walk from the DLH to both park entrances. Staying at HOJO's you're even closer to the entrance of DL than if you're at the DLH. I don't know where the Embassy Suites are, but they can't be much farther than if you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin and walking to Epcot, or maybe walking to DHS from BWV.
If you had a car, you could do some time in SF, especially if you spent two weeks in CA. SF is about 400-425 miles from Anaheim. If you're interested in how it can be done, check out PIO's TR from January of this year, she and her family flew into LAX spent two nights in Anaheim and drove up the coast to the SF area.
Is HOJO over by DLR nice? I tend to stay away from them because I am a hotel snob and a lot of times I see bad reviews for them. We usually go to the Marriott or Hilton brand hotels (hence the Embassy Suites, run by Hilton), and we prefer to stay in places that include breakfast.
It does sound like if we decided to fly there, we wouldn not need to rent a car for the days we go to DL if we stay at one of the neighboring hotels...we could just walk to the parks and DTD. That is very appealing...and one of the main reasons we bought our DVC membership at BWV...love being right near the parks!
Is HOJO over by DLR nice? I tend to stay away from them because I am a hotel snob and a lot of times I see bad reviews for them. We usually go to the Marriott or Hilton brand hotels (hence the Embassy Suites, run by Hilton), and we prefer to stay in places that include breakfast.
It does sound like if we decided to fly there, we wouldn not need to rent a car for the days we go to DL if we stay at one of the neighboring hotels...we could just walk to the parks and DTD. That is very appealing...and one of the main reasons we bought our DVC membership at BWV...love being right near the parks!
Oh, yes, I would definitely do a DIS meet with you guys! I know it's far away (more than 3 and a half years!), but our first family trip to WDW was in July 2008 and that was 3 years and 2 months ago...yet it feels like it was yesterday! My boys will be 8 and 10 in 2015. I told DH about it...I said that in 2013, we should go on a cruise for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary, and to DL in 2015 for the 60th! He seemed receptive, with that "you're crazy, thinking this far in advance...I don't even know what I want for breakfast today" kind of look!
8 hours to SF...yes, if spending 2 weeks in CA then it can be done. Is San Diego south of Anaheim? Would definitely be doing that, I know it's not too far away. Probably 3 days in San Diego, and maybe 4 or 5 days in Anaheim (maybe with a 3-day park hopper for the 2 theme parks), then to SF for a few days. We'll see! Either I will have to force myself to finally get on a plane again, or we would maybe make the trek across-country. I do have cousins in both Arizona (Scottsdale) and the Seattle, WA area...it would be great to head out west through the north and come back east through the south, and see all those places...hey, I girl can dream right?! But, I did mention this to DH and he said that depending on his position at work (he is almost finished with his internship to become a licensed school administrator!), he might be able to go on a very long trip like that. And with the boys being 8 and 10 that year, it probably could be done. It will just cost a lot, and we would have to find a way to make it work!
From your description, it sounds so nice that everything is in such close proximity! We walked to DHS from BWV last summer, both times we went there, and we enjoyed it. It took us 15 minutes to walk to the DHS entrance.
Is HOJO over by DLR nice? I tend to stay away from them because I am a hotel snob and a lot of times I see bad reviews for them. We usually go to the Marriott or Hilton brand hotels (hence the Embassy Suites, run by Hilton), and we prefer to stay in places that include breakfast.
Holy moly, $4000?! Wow, that's insane.
I forgot to add with traffic. One time from LB, DH and I drove to SF and it took us 10 hours! It was horrible. First the 5 going out of the city was bad, then the traffic from Hayward trying to get into SF was even worse. Kinda glad we live at the half way point now.
Oh, yes, I would definitely do a DIS meet with you guys! I know it's far away (more than 3 and a half years!), but our first family trip to WDW was in July 2008 and that was 3 years and 2 months ago...yet it feels like it was yesterday! My boys will be 8 and 10 in 2015. I told DH about it...I said that in 2013, we should go on a cruise for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary, and to DL in 2015 for the 60th! He seemed receptive, with that "you're crazy, thinking this far in advance...I don't even know what I want for breakfast today" kind of look!
8 hours to SF...yes, if spending 2 weeks in CA then it can be done. Is San Diego south of Anaheim? Would definitely be doing that, I know it's not too far away. Probably 3 days in San Diego, and maybe 4 or 5 days in Anaheim (maybe with a 3-day park hopper for the 2 theme parks), then to SF for a few days. We'll see! Either I will have to force myself to finally get on a plane again, or we would maybe make the trek across-country. I do have cousins in both Arizona (Scottsdale) and the Seattle, WA area...it would be great to head out west through the north and come back east through the south, and see all those places...hey, I girl can dream right?! But, I did mention this to DH and he said that depending on his position at work (he is almost finished with his internship to become a licensed school administrator!), he might be able to go on a very long trip like that. And with the boys being 8 and 10 that year, it probably could be done. It will just cost a lot, and we would have to find a way to make it work!
For the 50th, was it sold out for the entire week-long period around the 50th, or was it mainly just that day? How bad was it? It does seem that since the parks are smaller, they could each be easily done in one day...plus it is not nearly as humid in CA as it is in Florida in the summer. How hot does it get though?
I haven't stayed in the HoJo but some of the other Aussies have and they seem to like it....
If it were me, I'd look at the Residence Inn Maingate and work out whether you don't mind the slightly longer walk from there. It is a good neighbour hotel and breakfast is included.....cook your own hot waffles.
DH and I stayed at the HOJO for our first trip to DL in 2007. We loved it! The rooms are large and very clean and the walk to DLR isn't bad at all. I'd highly recommend it. At the time, we got a really good Entertainment Book rate that I learned about on Mousesavers.com. You can read more about our stay there in my blog by clicking on "12/2007 1st trip to DLR" link in my sig.
It only takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (depending on traffic of course) to get to San Diego from Anaheim, so not far at all. I think you all would have an AMAZING time out here, traveling the West Coast. It's gorgeous pretty much all year around (obviously Summer is very ideal). When the time gets closer all of us over here will definitely help you plan!
I've heard GREAT things about Hojo in Anaheim. I'm not sure if she still does it anymore, but I believe the manager (or one of the managers) has a DIS profile and would post on the Disneyland Boards pretty often, listening to customers experiences with Hojo's (haven't been on the Disneyland Boards in a very long time, so not sure if she still does this), but from what i've read, they are one of the best, when it comes to listening and taking action to a customers wants/needs. At a great price point too!
We had one of those trips once. Usually around Christmas, Thanksgiving or other holiday weekends. We now try to only travel at times when others don't. That's also another reason we like to stop and visit our friend in your hometown.
OK 2015 DISmeet! I don't think that's too soon to plan. There is a group of us (some on this thread) who are already planning a 2013 Game Forum meet. We have some solid plans already laid down, potluck supper, Wishes Cruise, Dinner at Raglan Road!
That would be totally do able driving if you had about a month. That way you wouldn't have to rush and do 8-10 hour driving days every day. You could easily make it to Seattle and then go leisurely down the coast spending a few days in SF. Maybe some time in LA and then on to Anaheim for a few days, and San Diego before heading back through Arizona.
I only went on the day of the 50th, but I bet it was not that bad for the other days in the week. Some people say you can do each park in a day, others say give it an additional day to do what you missed. I would say 4-5 days so you can take your time. Enjoy some of the restaurants and not feel bad about waiting in some of the lines if they are longer.
I was out there yesterday and the Embassy Suites is in the same Parking lot at the Residence Inn Maingate. For me it's a long walk, but we always stay on property (no point in staying if we don't). You might consider saving up some of your BWV points and just doing the nights when you are going to the parks at the VGC then stay elsewhere in LA for other sightseeting and same for San Diego.
I'm glad to hear that you can get good Entertainment Rates there. I know a lot of people who stay at the HOJO do so because they are mostly in the parks and don't need a fancy hotel room. However, I've only heard good things about it as well.
I've had 3 hour driving experiences to San Diego from Long Beach, especially on Friday afternoons. However we will all help you out, so that you have a very smooth trip and a GREAT time!
OK, it's not too soon to plan a 2015 trip...this is one of the reasons I love it here so much! All of you understand my lunacy in trip planning!
I would love to make that drive to Seattle and down the coast, and be away for a month. I have the time, since I never work summer school. DH is in the process of trying to become a school administrator, so it depends on his work duties at that point, and whether he needs to be around more in the summer.
I would love to also be able to use BWV points for this type of trip, but the problem is that we have just enough to go for 10 nights every other year in a 1BR at BWV. I know that we could replace a WDW trip with a DLR trip one time, but I don't think I want to go 4 whole years without my beloved Epcot! The other thing that concerns me is the availability at VGC 7 months out, since it is not our home resort. We like the Embassy Suites, gives us lots of room and it includes breakfast too, which is a plus. I guess we could also look into getting a points transfer from a VGC member, and book it 11 months out. But that would depend on the going rate for renting points at that time.
Anyway, it has always been a dream of mine to see CA, and I would really love to be there for DL's 60th!
Nuf said.........
Wowsers!!!!! The auction really would have been something to see....just knowing you were rubbing elbows with that much money being thrown around......lol We wouldn't have bid on anything, but it would have been very exciting to watch it all happen!!!
I think that is the same boat from Peter Pan, just backwards In the picture on the floor, you're looking at it head on. In the picture from the auction, the photo was taken from the back at an angle, so... I think it's the same
But still, holy cow that's a lot of money!
Great update!
Those auction prices are insane. Add me to the list of people who could put that amount of disposable income to good use.