The I'm Driving My Family Nuts so I'll Share w/ People Like Me Pre-Trip Report...

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Yep...I've moved past the eye rolls and right on to instantly tuning out when I mention Disney to my family...pretty soon, it will be and hide when they see me coming, ...

This trip will be for my mother , 2 sisters , myself and 6yo princess ....

We will be visiting The Land March 6-13th...we have rooms at PPH, concierge level . This will be a first visit to the land for all but myself; and its been too many years to reveal since I've been.

We leave for SoCal on the 4th ...spending the 5th and most of the 6th w/ family in Temecula...we are taking my new car, and I've told everyone they get 1 suitcase...if you knew my yougest sister, you would be at the idea...

The two sisters will mostly be doing their own thing and joining the rest of us as they feel like it (other than the couple of character meals they've already committed to joining us at). Here's what the plans look like so far:

Sunday 3/6-Arrive at approximately 5, check in, refresh, dinner at Rainforest at 7, hit BaB/DTD and then hit the sack...

Monday 3/7-MTMM followed by Bfast at Minnie's at 10:30, then a rest break and then

Tuesday 3/8-MM in Fantasyland, Lunch at Goofy's at 11, rest break, and then possibly Aladdin/WoC that afternoon/night.

Wednesday 3/9-Nothing planned yet

Thursday 3/10-MM in Fantasyland, BBB at 10, Lunch at Ariel's at 1, rest break then maybe DCA.

Friday 3/11-Bfast w/ ChipNDale at 7:30, DCA, rest break, and then I'm considering suprising everyone w/ Fantasmic seating to watch the show and the fireworks.

Saturday 3/12-MM on Finding Nemo if we haven't ridden yet or if we want to repeat...nothing else yet

Sunday 3/13-Surf's Up Bfast at 8:30 then checkout and drive home

As you might be able to guess, the 6yo is REALLY excited about the characters . Also, my mom wants to do things she can enjoy w/ her, rather than watching/waiting while we do it (she can't ride most of the rides, she has major back problems)...

Since we are splurging on character meals, I will be bringing lots of goodies to hopefully cut back on the cost of souvenirs .

Whoops, its time to pick the princess up from kindy...more to follow later....

[JH87]

Haha that's how the people I work with act when I mention I'm planing another trip to Disneyland!! It's always "didn't you just go?" & "isn't Disneyland for kids?"
They thought I was nuts for buying an AP earlier this month!! But it makes most of them who haven't gone recently or have never gone at all wanna go since I always talk up how amazing it is.

Your trip sounds great! I will be there a few days after you, March 16. I love how you are planning lots of things besides rides so that your mom could feel more included.

Looking forward to the rest of your TR!!

& that's what I love about the DIS, when your family or friends can't take another word about DLR from you, everyone at the DIS is always so anxious and excited to hear about your upcoming trips.

[skiingfast]

I love your title.

You should consider doing Minnie's the hour before DL opens rather than after MTTMM. Although I would do those on different days since you will see characters at both.

Dessert Seating for F! will be great, but I'd consider seeing the fireworks from the Hub or Mainstreet on Saturday because it's a much better show from there.

[kaoden39]

It sounds great. You got me with the title.

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Originally Posted by JH87

that's what I love about the DIS, when your family or friends can't take another word about DLR from you, everyone at the DIS is always so anxious and excited to hear about your upcoming trips.

That's why I'm so glad I found the DIS, lol...between all the great tips, the great people, etc...not to mention feedback from people who are excited about it, I don't know how I'd be planning this trip w/o it

Originally Posted by skiingfast

I love your title.

You should consider doing Minnie's the hour before DL opens rather than after MTTMM. Although I would do those on different days since you will see characters at both.

Dessert Seating for F! will be great, but I'd consider seeing the fireworks from the Hub or Mainstreet on Saturday because it's a much better show from there.

Thanks! We originally had Minnie's happening on another morning, and changed it, then changed it again....actually, I've called the dining people about 6 times already in a two week period...pretty soon they're just going to put me on permanant hold . And I'm thinking of doing the fireworks Friday and Saturday....just figured if we do the dessert seating, we might as well stay seated for the fireworks

Originally Posted by kaoden39

It sounds great. You got me with the title.

Thanks! Nothing like a long, drawn out title to catch the eye, huh?

[kaoden39]

Originally Posted by LoveMyBeautifulGift

That's why I'm so glad I found the DIS, lol...between all the great tips, the great people, etc...not to mention feedback from people who are excited about it, I don't know how I'd be planning this trip w/o it



Thanks! We originally had Minnie's happening on another morning, and changed it, then changed it again....actually, I've called the dining people about 6 times already in a two week period...pretty soon they're just going to put me on permanant hold . And I'm thinking of doing the fireworks Friday and Saturday....just figured if we do the dessert seating, we might as well stay seated for the fireworks



Thanks! Nothing like a long, drawn out title to catch the eye, huh?

Well, it is that and the fact that I experience pretty much the same thing with my family too. They go with me but no one else is nearly as excited as I am.

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Okay, onto the goods...

I am in the process of creating a bunch of goody bags/baskets to bring to the park...

First night (Sunday) I will somehow, magically "find" a welcome basket in the room filled w/ goodies for my 6yo...so far, it will have:
-Gift Card for BaB
-Invitation to Rainforest
-Pressed Penny Tubes and Smooshed Penny Holders
-A Stoller Tag
-An Autograph Book and/or The Disney Jr. Encyclopedia of Animated Characters (still waiting for this to come in at B&N, then I will decide) w/ Retractable Sharpies
-A Journal w/ Pens
-An ICE (In Case of Emergency) Card for her Lanyard
-Trading Pins on a Lanyard
-Welcome Letter
-Possibly New Disney Themed PJs

Just received the pins today (after scouring the Dis for advice about legit sellers) ; but the rest I still need to create/gather ...

For the rest of the week, I have been gathering goodies from the Dollar Store, the dollar spot at Target, and the dollar bins at Michaels...plus some clearance gift bags I picked up at WalMart for 75 cents....there are light sticks, stickers, stamps, puzzles, stencils, crayons, cards, etc. for each day, and each bag will be filled by character/theme...the idea is that, for example, when we hit TT then return to the room, she will find a goody bag full of Mickey/Minnie items to entertain herself quietly for a bit...hoping this will curb her need to buy every item she sees in the park and create a little excitement about going back to the room...or at least head off the arguments about not being tired . So far, I have: Mickey/Minnie, Tinkerbell/Fairies, Princesses, Toy Story and Winnie the Pooh (hopefully Critter Country will be open for at least the last part of our trip).

Still trying to figure out what I could do for the "extra" day...maybe something from in the park that she's been eyeing all week, or maybe I could just give her a bucket of change to play at the arcade in the hotel

Thanks to all the lovely Disigners on here, I also have plans to make:
-A Countdown Calendar (already have everything cut out/ready to go, just need to assemble)
-Mousekeeping Envelopes
-Invitations for the Character Meals/BBB to put out before she wakes up each morning
-A Nametag for My Mom's ECV
-Travel Games and Activities

I will try not to be a lazy bum and try to post pics of things as I complete them, if only because I like to brag about it when I manage to get crafty

Welll...that's all I have for now...I have been looking at ideas for the 6yo's clothes for the trip (I love any excuse to shop for clothes for her )...I've checked etsy, etc. but haven't found anything that I want badly enough to pay a premium for, yet . Will be hitting the Disney Store tomorrow though, so I might have some ideas for outfits by the end of this weekend...

[kaoden39]

Did you know that if you ask they will get you autographed character photos? I did that one year. They had them for me at the front desk when we got there.

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Originally Posted by kaoden39

Did you know that if you ask they will get you autographed character photos? I did that one year. They had them for me at the front desk when we got there.

Have heard that, but not sure how to get it done...also heard that I could have a first visit pin waiting for the 6yo , but again, still learning the ropes....

[kaoden39]

Originally Posted by LoveMyBeautifulGift

Have heard that, but not sure how to get it done...also heard that I could have a first visit pin waiting for the 6yo , but again, still learning the ropes....

Because you are staying onsite all you have to do is call and ask. I did this before and when we got there they were waiting. I was able to go to the desk and ask for them without anyone else seeing what I was getting.

And because you are staying concierge that opens even more assistance they will give you. Give the PPH a call.

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Originally Posted by kaoden39

Because you are staying onsite all you have to do is call and ask. I did this before and when we got there they were waiting. I was able to go to the desk and ask for them without anyone else seeing what I was getting.

And because you are staying concierge that opens even more assistance they will give you. Give the PPH a call.

Thanks for the info...I'll definitely give them a call...

[kaoden39]

Originally Posted by LoveMyBeautifulGift

Thanks for the info...I'll definitely give them a call...

You're welcome I was glad to help!! I hope you have a great trip!!

[AussieDisneyNut]

I love all your plans, especially the gift bags etc for your princess . I have been keeping my eye out for Disney bargains for my kids, but I'm not so crafty so I don't think I will be making them anything! Good luck with all your planning and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

[Funball]

Great Tr! thanks for sharing !!

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Thanks for all the replies!

Thought I would update quickly...did a little shopping for the 6yo ...this is what I have so far:



Not done yet, and I think I want to order some hair pretties to go with them...

I've also decided to put out new pjs for her to find each night...I picked up some ChipNDale pjs at Walmart and these from Kohls...



I've been lost in the Disigns threads this week . I did finish the countdown calendar...I will post a pic after I pull it out for her this week...

Oh-my sister decided she DOES want to spring for the Fantasmic dessert and offered to split the cost 50/50 w/ me for everyone ...she saw some of the pics of the dessert box while I was surfing the Dis and wanted one for herself ....Okay, back to work!