Only The Cool Kids Start Their Pre-Trip Reports This Early! - September Trip 2012

[BeckWhy]

Wow! This is something I haven't done in a very long time! It feels foreign to me.

Oh wait, y'all don't know me. Maybe I should introduce myself:

Well, that's me. Yep that cute redhead with pigtails. (Yes, they are pigtails!)
I'm Becky, 28, a lifetime resident of Western New York. You know, it's that place that gets a lot of snow. In fact one year we got like 8 feet in a week. I was in Vegas then, but my parents had to clean all that off the car when they landed. Don't get me wrong, I love snow. I'm actually like one of the 3 people here who doesn't complain about it. I'm the master lake effect snow driver too (front wheel drive, not all wheel drive).

Anyways, I'm a WDW vet as HydroGuy likes to call us. 12 trips under my belt? I know there are many who have more, but most people think I'm crazy for even going that much. Sorry, I love it there and it makes me happy. I'm sure you guys understand. I have NEVER been to Disneyland. This is a whole new experience for me (or a Whole New World according to Aladdin & Jasmin).

I had never considered visiting Disneyland in my life, until Year of a Million Dreams. Then I thought to myself "how fun would it be to get to see all the Disney parks around the world". Even still, I couldn't justify the cost to myself. I could go to WDW and be content.

UNTIL... CARS LAND. Yes, Cars is my favorite movie. Of all time, too, not just Disney. People think I'm some sort of nerd, but I know many of you understand. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty upset when I found out they were adding this to Disneyland and not WDW. But it finally kicked my butt into gear and got myself thinking it's time for a trip to the other coast.

Ok, so a little about my history. I've pretty much been going to WDW every other year since 2002. 2009 was an anomaly. Disney had just announced they would be redoing both Star Tours and Fantasyland. JetBlue also made the choice easier with offering the cheapest flights I have seen since 2003 (or 2005). 2009 was also my first solo trip, anywhere. I had my concerns, but read many reports of people going alone. My dad was also not fond of the idea (or the fact that I was going for so long). But no one else was able to go and I wanted to go. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I had the best time. I could run the show how I wanted it and no one to say otherwise! YAY! Well, with the closure of Fantasyland, I decided it was the last Disney trip I'd take until Fantasyland reopened. UNTIL... CARS LAND.

Aren't you sick of reading this yet?

So anyways, last year my dad asked me, "when are you planning on going to Disney World next?" My response "2015?" I think he was offended by that. He couldn't understand why. And didn't think I could go that long without going. I explained to him Fantasyland (of course he didn't remember me explain that to him in 2009) and my idea of going to Disneyland (and the major cost of it).

Well here we are: 2012, the year of Cars Land. And of course the major, extensive planning that goes with a trip. And the start of a beautiful pre-trip report.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I'm all ears

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm all ears

I started reading your trip report earlier today. I should be done with it by the time I go. You have a really good following.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Ready to read all about your plans!
We are also going to DL for our first trip this July!
We always go to WDW and just it so much!

 

[BeckWhy]

Ready to read all about your plans!
We are also going to DL for our first trip this July!
We always go to WDW and just it so much!

Are you doing a trip report? Are you guys going to check out Cars Land? Sorry, I'm obsessed, I know!

 

[BeckWhy]

Since last week I decided it's time to get my butt into gear and lose some weight. No it wasn't my New Years resolution, but I've been trying to lose weight since 2006 (2007 or 2008 is when I hit my heaviest). I'm down about 35 pounds since, but still have a lot to be back to where I was.

This is me, at my skinniest in 2002.

And here's me (not at my heaviest) in 2009.

Anyways, I started Weight Watchers in 2010. Up until Christmas I did really well and lost a bunch of weight. After the New Year they switched to this new Points Plus system, and it was NOT doing me any good. So I spent all of 2011 trying to figure it out. No matter what I ate, I was always starving! Towards the end of summer I finally caught the hang of it.

Come October and my life got extremely stressful. To make a long story short, I basically started working a second job and my first job wanted to fire me over it. I fought it like whoa and kept the first job (I just had to step down from my manager position). Then after that rolled into the holidays. Holidays plus working 60+ hour weeks (and job one never kept calling me in, so I never really knew when I was working there). Let's just say I went downhill fast. I put on almost 15 pounds in those 3 months.

But I've decided I need to take control of it! So I'm back on my Weight Watchers. It's only my second day, but so far so good. I also decided I need to do some sort of exercise, so belly dancing it is. I figured it would help shed extra inches around my waist area. I'll let you know how it works.

Anyways, I had trouble sleeping last night and didn't wake up early enough to get a workout in. I ate a "later" breakfast and a "later" lunch. So I'm hoping I can hold my hunger off "later" for dinner and get a quick dance in beforehand. Otherwise, I guess today was a failure, but I'll be back to the basics tomorrow!

I won't be visiting Disneyland until the fall, so I'm hoping to lose anywhere from 40 - 60 pounds.

 

[princesszelda]

Count me in!

 

[BeckWhy]

Ok, so how about some information about the trip?

I don't know who's going. The idea was I was going to go by myself when it surfaced a while ago. My mom suggested me asking my older sister, Vicki, since Vicki was talking about a new trip to WDW. So I mentioned it to her, and she told me if she planned on going to Disneyland it would be during a business trip to LA.

Then somewhere along the line Vicki started to show interest in going. So we started to talk about it. And continued to talk about it.

WELL, that's where a problem arises. Vicki and I went to WDW together in 2004. Let's just say it was a bit rough. I had my ideas of what I wanted to do, and she had hers. They didn't quite match up.

So I suggested my mom come along too. That way my mom could stick to my sister when I wanted to do my own thing.

Recently my sister decided she wanted to buy an apartment instead of renting one (she lives in Brooklyn). My mom is worried that Vicki won't have the money to go on the trip. So once again I am thinking I'm going by myself.

There is still the chance my mom will come (and my sister too) assuming my mom can afford it.

 

[BeckWhy]

Let's talk about a hotels.

At first glance my first choice was Paradise Pier since it was the most inexpensive of all the DLR hotels... until I saw the pictures of the new Disneyland Hotel. AMAZING! And expensive.

Now I'm a WDW vet so my first intentions were to stay onsite, because that's what I do when I go to WDW. Well of course I read HydroGuy's guide and started to look at Good Neighbor Hotels. On or offsite I'm nervous about being safe.

I've pretty much limited down my hotel choices because of the price difference. I can stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel and pay for the rest of my trip for under the cost of the Disneyland Hotel alone.

I believe if I go alone I'll be staying at the Best Western Park Place Inn. I like the looks of the rooms, the cost, the continental breakfast (concept at least), and that it is RIGHT across the street.

If I have travel companions here's the choices:
Best Western Park Place Inn
Best Western Stovall's Inn
Howard Johnson

What is everyone's opinions on them? I know the Howard Johnson has a nice pool. But what about other things? Let's try: what's the continental breakfasts like at the Best Westerns? what's the customer service like? cleanliness? closet space? any other experiences? HAHA I don't know.

 

[princesszelda]

When I go we stay at the best western park place. It is a nice room and extremely close to the crosswalk. I don't think you can get any closer.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Are you doing a trip report? Are you guys going to check out Cars Land? Sorry, I'm obsessed, I know!

No TR this time! Yes...I'm hoping cars land is open when we go! . Obsessed?? No! I'm working on my DH to let's get PRemier Passes so we can use them in July at DL, Thanksgiving at WDW ( I'm determined to see the Christmas decor!) and then June 2013 at WDW!

 

[BeckWhy]

No TR this time! Yes...I'm hoping cars land is open when we go! . Obsessed?? No! I'm working on my DH to let's get PRemier Passes so we can use them in July at DL, Thanksgiving at WDW ( I'm determined to see the Christmas decor!) and then June 2013 at WDW!

Well I expect a full report on Cars Land upon your return! Just kidding! But if you could let me know what's open (rides, shops, restaurants) that would be wonderful. I'm sure there will be many posts about it come this summer, but oh well. I'd appreciate it. I just really want the whole she-bang to be open for my trip...

Which I just realized, I haven't stated when I plan on going. That's coming up next!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Well I expect a full report on Cars Land upon your return! Just kidding! But if you could let me know what's open (rides, shops, restaurants) that would be wonderful. I'm sure there will be many posts about it come this summer, but oh well. I'd appreciate it. I just really want the whole she-bang to be open for my trip...

Which I just realized, I haven't stated when I plan on going. That's coming up next!

You got it! Yes,..wondering when you planned on going!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Let's talk about a hotels.


If I have travel companions here's the choices:
Best Western Park Place Inn
Best Western Stovall's Inn
Howard Johnson

HAHA I don't know.

I've stayed at all 3, each has their pros. This board LOVES HOJO, it's a nice clean hotel, but not directly across the street and does not have breakfast. It does have free parking and free internet though. Still certainly within walking distance. Great customer service, check out their entertainment rates for cheaper rates, as low as 59 per night.

Stovall's Inn. Is a little farther, you would walk through the Grand and DTD to get to DL. Nice free breakfast with a couple of hot items, free internet, updated rooms, great customer service but parking is not free, $8 per day I think.

It's been years since I stayed at Park Place so I won't comment since things may have changed. Close is nice though.

 

[BeckWhy]

I've never seen a not clean hotel room, well, that I know of. I'm not really sure what I'd look for in a hotel either. I'm not really a swimmer, so a pool isn't my biggest concern. Essentially, I just sleep there, shower there, and watch tv. If my mom and sister go, we will probably play cards. As for having the breakfast available, that's just a plus. If they just serve bagels, fruit, donuts, and the like I'd be good with that since I'd end up buying one of those every morning to eat. So it would save me like $3 a day. HEHE Plus we won't be driving a car.

IF I'm staying by MYSELF, I will more than likely stay at the Best Western Park Place Inn because it's RIGHT there. Unless someone convinces me I'm safe walking to the either two by myself.

If it's just two of us, any of the hotels will be considered. If it's all three it will be between the Best Western Park Place Inn and Howard Johnson's.

Ideally I'd want to stay at The Disneyland Hotel, but it costs so much money and with hotels closer and cheaper...

Money is bit of an issue for me and my mom, well maybe my sister too. I was prepare to pay the expense of The Disneyland Hotel, but now I'm not so sure I want to. And right now (even though we aren't booking right now), it's cheapest to stay at Stovall's Inn, followed by Park Place Inn, and HoJo's in the rear.

 

[princesszelda]

Good luck on deciding. We will be staying at the Best Western Park Place aka BWPPI starting tomorrow night and we will be leaving on Sunday. Like I said we really like it and I really like how close it is at the end of the night when I am tired of walking. When I see that crosswalk I know I am almost there. It is comfort.

 

[BeckWhy]

So I've made it obvious that I won't be going to Disneyland until after Cars Land opens. I will also state that I hate traveling during the summer months, so I've decided that it looks like I'll be going to Disneyland ---

Drum roll please!

In October or November.

I'm definitely leaning more towards October. I was planning on the beginning but I heard that Toy Story Midway Mania will be closed until October 10th. So I'm considering October 17th to October 23rd.

I think I'm convinced of going to Mickey's Halloween Party this year, too.

I can't wait until martinolichfamily (is that supposed to be Martinolich family or am I just seeing things? ) comes back from their July trip so I can get the down low on Cars Land.

If we decide to go in November... well I haven't decided on dates yet.

 

[BeckWhy]

And just because I haven't gotten enough attention today:

It's my birthday! Yes, thank you thank you. *Bows*

 

[BeckWhy]

Good luck on deciding. We will be staying at the Best Western Park Place aka BWPPI starting tomorrow night and we will be leaving on Sunday. Like I said we really like it and I really like how close it is at the end of the night when I am tired of walking. When I see that crosswalk I know I am almost there. It is comfort.

I'm assuming the BWPPI is probably a shorter walk than when I'm at any of the parks in WDW and have to walk to the bus stop for POP Century.

Let me know how the customer service is while you're there. And if you check out the breakfast, let me know how that is and what they serve.

BWPPI has both a mini-fridge and microwave in the room, right?

 

[BeckWhy]

I like to make random three line posts, so here comes another one.

If you like to look at pictures, I'm definitely a person to follow. I take about 1200 pictures a trip, and I usually post all of them. You can check out my trip report from WDW 2006 if you want to see. And if you want to see pictures from 2008 or 2009 let me know. I'll get them online or something!