2013 Dis Exclusive BackstageMagic Adventure 6/9 - 6/14/13

[skier_pete]

Made that big final payment today.

Also 3 months from when we fly out,so I'm gonna call it three months. I'll be slightly more low-key than disneykiwi...

 

[starwood]

I put mine on my Disney visa so I still have 6 months to pay.

 

[skier_pete]

I put mine on my Disney visa so I still have 6 months to pay.

I almost did that, but I'd rather have the SWA miles. It's a near 2 % return versus the 1 % Disney gives. Plus now 1 free flight in Feb, 1 free flight for this trip, and what should be 2 free flights come November to WDW. 4400 points is almost a one-way ticket to MCO.

 

[ymxbfalcon]

Hey

Its the 3 month mark on my ticker!!


Just a bit excited

Made that big final payment today.

Also 3 months from when we fly out,so I'm gonna call it three months. I'll be slightly more low-key than disneykiwi...

I'm still two days away from being "officially" at three months out, but I don't mind celebrating a little early.

By the way, have any of you listened to/watched this week's podcast? I found the end of the housekeeping segment to be rather interesting.

 

[Chropistopy]

Yes. I've watched the show. Very excited about the announcement. Ready for the trip to be here already!

 

[skier_pete]

By the way, have any of you listened to/watched this week's podcast? I found the end of the housekeeping segment to be rather interesting.

DW and I just listened to it based on your comment. I won't be the first to spoil it for others, but I'll say: very, very, cool!

For those in a hurry, it's a little after the 10 minute mark on the 3/5 show.

Less spoilery: Looks like it also confirms Dustin and Shawn are joining the tour along with Pete and Walter...Welcome guys!

 

[kgibbler20]

Officially paid in full!! Now just gotta wait for bonus so I can pay off the card lol.


I was watching this week's show live and freaked out during our announcement!! "That's us!!! That's us!!!"

It's so real now!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

I put mine on my Disney visa so I still have 6 months to pay.

I did the Disney Visa thing, too. I like the 6 months interest free and getting a nice chunk o' rewards.


I heard the announcement on the podcast and I felt my eyes widen. Very cool. I thought my parade experience at Disneyland Paris was awesome, but something tells me this will be very special.

 

[jlynnACK]

It IS a small world! Tonite I went to the Table in Wonderland event at the great movie ride (which was incredible by the way) and after chatting with our table mates for a while discovered that I was chatting with rkdahl (Keith) and his wife Cathy who are also going on this BSM in June. What are the odds! It was great meeting you Keith and Cathy and I'm looking forward to hanging out with you in California.

And, it was great meeting you! What a great night!

 

[skier_pete]

I was watching this week's show live and freaked out during our announcement!! "That's us!!! That's us!!!"

It's so real now!!!

I turned to my wife while we were watching and said "Of the hundreds maybe thousands of people watching this, we're one of only thirty that this really matters to. That is really awesome."

I also want to say a quick thanks to Pete, John and their team that always plans something extra for these trips. It's one of the major reasons I wanted to do this trip through the DIS. That and the idea of hanging with a bunch of Disney nuts for a week. Well, that AND the actual tour.

(I am going to become so useless in the weeks leading up to this trip. )

 

[kgibbler20]

(I am going to become so useless in the weeks leading up to this trip. )

I run a store that rents tuxedos and our trip is 2 weeks after Prom season ends. Between the exhaustion from 7 weeks of hell and the excitement of the trip I don't know how I'll get anything done.

I still have to decide to commit to where we are going to stay the night before our adventure stops and Friday night. I have to figure out Southwests points and book our airfare. I'm so glad everything is planned for us!!

And I also second Pete's thank you to Kevin, John, and Pete for making all this happen for us. Even without anything extra, to think we can come together for these special trips with people we really will already feel like we know.

It's kind of funny too, June 8, 2005 was the last day of my first trip to WDW and our adventure starts on June 9 and it's my first trip to DL! I just thought it was cool!

 

[skier_pete]

I run a store that rents tuxedos and our trip is 2 weeks after Prom season ends. Between the exhaustion from 7 weeks of hell and the excitement of the trip I don't know how I'll get anything done.

Wow, good luck with all that! Sounds like you should get your booking out of the way soon!

I still have to decide to commit to where we are going to stay the night before our adventure stops and Friday night. I have to figure out Southwests points and book our airfare. I'm so glad everything is planned for us!!

Don't know if you are looking for your extra nights on the cheap as we are, but we are staying at the LAX Hilton on June 8th. It was only like $100 a night, and then we're renting a car from Hertz. The Loews Hollywood has a drop-off location for the Hertz rental cars, making it easy to return the car without having to return to the airport. (You have to drop it off by I think 2 PM on Sunday, though.)

I just got a real good rate at the Tropicana for Friday the 14th. It was $119 a night, which was less than we payed when we stayed there last year. Location is fantastic for an off-site property and can confirm that its good quality as well. I know many here are continuing their stays at the Disney hotels, but its not in our budget to do so, so I just thought I'd pass that on.

It's kind of funny too, June 8, 2005 was the last day of my first trip to WDW and our adventure starts on June 9 and it's my first trip to DL! I just thought it was cool!

That is pretty cool!

 

[kgibbler20]

Don't know if you are looking for your extra nights on the cheap as we are, but we are staying at the LAX Hilton on June 8th. It was only like $100 a night, and then we're renting a car from Hertz. The Loews Hollywood has a drop-off location for the Hertz rental cars, making it easy to return the car without having to return to the airport. (You have to drop it off by I think 2 PM on Sunday, though.)

I just got a real good rate at the Tropicana for Friday the 14th. It was $119 a night, which was less than we payed when we stayed there last year. Location is fantastic for an off-site property and can confirm that its good quality as well. I know many here are continuing their stays at the Disney hotels, but its not in our budget to do so, so I just thought I'd pass that on.

That's awesome to know. I looked at the Tropicana. We are definately on a budget too! To me a hotel room is a place to sleep and shower. I just want to be able to have all of Friday to finish our trip. And, there are no really late flights out of LAX to MCO so we would just get up and transfer anyhow.

I'll have to look into the car and staying near the airport instead of Hollywood. My mom works for Hilton so sometimes we can get good deals on rooms and with your info about car drop off now I really think that might be our option!!

Thanks for the info Pete!!

 

[Lee Disney]

We've reserved a car from Hertz as well and will pick it up at the airport when we arrive on Friday morning and then drop it off on Sunday before BSM starts. The price was super reasonable at about $30 (with an All State discount) a night and the Loews drop off area makes it really convenient! We will be staying at Loews for 2 extra nights before.
It's getting closer!! I can't wait!

 

[skier_pete]

We've reserved a car from Hertz as well and will pick it up at the airport when we arrive on Friday morning

Looks like us DISers will be booking out the Hertz lot. We should all put in some weird request like we want red cars or ski racks. (Trying to think of something that would be realistic and not cost extra but I got nothin'.)

Pete

 

[kgibbler20]

How is everyone planning on getting to their new hotels after? Cabs? Bus? Walk? I'm looking at the maps trying to figure out where we are going to stay and since I've never been there I really don't know how close things are.

Also, I found a Quality Inn right there that has good reviews and if you sign up for their reward program and per pay the room is only $80+taxes. I think this is where we are gonna stay. I did get our hotel for the night before the adventure starts so this just leaves flights so I can book the rental car and setting up the transfer back to LAX.

The fact that everything is pretty much planned out for us has really made me lazy when I'm usually a planning crazy person.

 

[starwood]

We are staying at grand Californian villas - so we only need to change rooms.

 

[skier_pete]

How is everyone planning on getting to their new hotels after? Cabs? Bus? Walk? I'm looking at the maps trying to figure out where we are going to stay and since I've never been there I really don't know how close things are.

Also, I found a Quality Inn right there that has good reviews and if you sign up for their reward program and per pay the room is only $80+taxes. I think this is where we are gonna stay. I did get our hotel for the night before the adventure starts so this just leaves flights so I can book the rental car and setting up the transfer back to LAX.

The fact that everything is pretty much planned out for us has really made me lazy when I'm usually a planning crazy person.

I get the crazy planning. I'm one of those. I've already spent significant time mapping out our November trip, with an entire second trip planned for an alternate date in October. I've purposefully reined it in on this trip to just let ABD handle everything. (Except those couple free days, which I why I've already worked out so much of it! Plus having been there last summer allows us familiarity with the layout.)

OK - from our experience. The Tropicana where we are staying is on Harbor Boulevard right across from the entrance. It is about a 5 minute walk to the entrance of Disneyland and DCA. However, the GC is on the other side of the entrances from Harbor Boulevard, making it probably a 10 minute walk from our hotel.

I googled the Quality Inn, and it shows up a little North up Harbor Boulevard and then up the street. When I "Walked" on google maps from there to Main Street USA I got "0.8 miles" or "15 minutes", which would have also been my guestimate, so probably 20 minute walk from the GC. (My opinion, the Tropicana or somewhere near there is well worth the extra $30-$40, especially for just one night. Walking to the Tropicana from DL/DCA is probably shorter than walking to the contemporary from the entrance of MK @ WDW.)

But, either location is too far to walk with luggage from the GC. My plan was to take a cab over. Can't be more than $10-$15. Happy to share one if we can work it out. (I was thinking that we would check out of GC in the AM after breakfast, but keep our bags there til late afternoon.)

Peter

 

[Disneygrl36]

So when do we need to start thinking about dining reservations at Disneyland? I know it's not like WDW but I want to make sure I get what we want for the times when ABD is not doing our dining plans & for our 2 days post trip.

 

[DisneyKevin]

ABD packs this trip pretty tight.

Even during the OYO (on your own) time, ABD will offer special things.

I dont want to give away surprises, but the days and nights are pretty full.

Priority seatings are easier to come by at DL.

If you are looking to dine at Blue Bayou, Napa Rose or have a large party...a priority seating is advised. Otherwise, we have never had an issue getting a table.

Just some advice.....