Disney Time Sweepstakes Winners Help Us Plan and Chat!
- Thread starter Gantu
- Start date
Hello all! We checked in yesterday afternoon and thought we'd give you guys a peek at the amazing surprises! Just a note, when they gave us our gift cards we ended up getting one for $250 in addition to the $500 for spending money and $500 for shopping spree. I'm assuming it's the substitute for the photopass merchandise but we're going to use ours to go to Goofy's Kitchen.
We arrived in LA around 11 so when we got to the resort our room was not ready. We spent some time being completely overwhelmed by the awesome and got amessage that our room was ready. Here's a peek at what awaited us inside:
There was also a huge banner outside the door that said: "Surprise!"
We were SO overwhelmed. It was probably the best experience of our lives.
We arrived in LA around 11 so when we got to the resort our room was not ready. We spent some time being completely overwhelmed by the awesome and got amessage that our room was ready. Here's a peek at what awaited us inside:
There was also a huge banner outside the door that said: "Surprise!"
We were SO overwhelmed. It was probably the best experience of our lives.
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
I'm so excited for you guys! 5 months until we go. Have an amazing time I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home.
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
That's so cool! Time can't go fast enough.
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
Any trip reports yet?
Our trip was awesome! We got back on the 7th but things have been pretty hectic since then, sorry!
We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and were greeted by tons of surprises when we checked in - not sure if you guys were able to see the photo (my sister who also uses this account said someone had asked about it and that she would send it to them - did that happen?)
We ended up getting 3 gift cards. The $500 spending money, another $500 for our "downtown disney shopping spree" (which we used for food), and $250 which we assumed was for Photopass since the rules stated that that would be up to $250 hopefully that answers your question.
Here's a short summary of our trip in case you're interested
Day one - Thanks to the difference in time we arrived at the hotel around noon and were thankful for almost a full day to play in the parks (we only stayed the 5 days). Mostly we walked around in a daze - too exited to function. We only went to Disneyland that day and did a handful of attractions. There was so much to look at!
Day two - The day of our VIP tour was AMAZING! We were escorted by a man named Mark from Huntington Beach and it was absolutely the best time I've had at Disney. He seemed to know exactly what we wanted to do and know - he gave us so many amazing facts and stories and took us through the fastpass line on a TON of rides. We got more done in that day than we did the rest of the week (but that may have something to do with what happened later that night...details to follow). We started off the day in Cars Land - we did Radiator Springs Racers twice in a row and it was absolutely the best! We did California Adventure and Disneyland on that day and probably went on about half the rides we wanted to. It was honestly the best day ever. That night we had World of Color viewing/dining. But first, Mark arranged for priority seating for the parade in Disneyland right above the train station and we loved it so much! Afterwards we picked up our picnic dinner from Sonoma Terrace and headed to World of Color which WE ADORED. Oh my gosh, it was so amazing. I honestly was not prepared for how blown away I would be. Now here is where it becomes a bit of a sob story. WARNING: do not eat the picnic lunches at Sonoma Terrace! My friend and I both got the Mediterranean Veggie Wrap (as did my sister although she did not eat her sandwich as we did). Later that night my friend and I were violently ill. I had never had food poisoning before and it was awful. It lasted all night. We are almost certain it was the wrap because it was the only thing she and I both ate that the other two did not. Long story short, we were up all night and lost almost all of the next day sleeping/recovering. I was so upset. We managed to get up and out to see the fireworks which were awesome but we were not back to 100% until the next morning.
Day four - Feeling better, we took it upon ourselves to check out the remaining rides and shows we wanted to see. The Aladdin Musical and Fantasmic were the highlights of our day. I enjoyed this Fantasmic slightly more than WDW's (which I feel guilty about since I am an ex-WDW cast member and have, until now been highly devoted to it but I must say that I enjoyed many things more at Disneyland than I did at WDW - maybe because the experience was fresh? Who knows!)
Day five - We caught a red eye home so we had almost all day again to fit some last minute stuff in. We missed out on a ton (and I'm itching to goback already so I can see/do all things I missed). We ended up splitting up to see things that only one or two of us wanted. My sister and I went to to see the Red Car News Boys and get our picture taken with Walt on Buena Vista Street. Loved the show so much. Definitely the highlight of our day in addition to riding in the front of the monorail into Disneyland! We've always wanted to do that!!!
I know it's kind of a random summary (and a bit of a novel - sorry about the length) but I thought I'd post some of the highlights.
Is anyone else on their trip now/back?
We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and were greeted by tons of surprises when we checked in - not sure if you guys were able to see the photo (my sister who also uses this account said someone had asked about it and that she would send it to them - did that happen?)
We ended up getting 3 gift cards. The $500 spending money, another $500 for our "downtown disney shopping spree" (which we used for food), and $250 which we assumed was for Photopass since the rules stated that that would be up to $250 hopefully that answers your question.
Here's a short summary of our trip in case you're interested
Day one - Thanks to the difference in time we arrived at the hotel around noon and were thankful for almost a full day to play in the parks (we only stayed the 5 days). Mostly we walked around in a daze - too exited to function. We only went to Disneyland that day and did a handful of attractions. There was so much to look at!
Day two - The day of our VIP tour was AMAZING! We were escorted by a man named Mark from Huntington Beach and it was absolutely the best time I've had at Disney. He seemed to know exactly what we wanted to do and know - he gave us so many amazing facts and stories and took us through the fastpass line on a TON of rides. We got more done in that day than we did the rest of the week (but that may have something to do with what happened later that night...details to follow). We started off the day in Cars Land - we did Radiator Springs Racers twice in a row and it was absolutely the best! We did California Adventure and Disneyland on that day and probably went on about half the rides we wanted to. It was honestly the best day ever. That night we had World of Color viewing/dining. But first, Mark arranged for priority seating for the parade in Disneyland right above the train station and we loved it so much! Afterwards we picked up our picnic dinner from Sonoma Terrace and headed to World of Color which WE ADORED. Oh my gosh, it was so amazing. I honestly was not prepared for how blown away I would be. Now here is where it becomes a bit of a sob story. WARNING: do not eat the picnic lunches at Sonoma Terrace! My friend and I both got the Mediterranean Veggie Wrap (as did my sister although she did not eat her sandwich as we did). Later that night my friend and I were violently ill. I had never had food poisoning before and it was awful. It lasted all night. We are almost certain it was the wrap because it was the only thing she and I both ate that the other two did not. Long story short, we were up all night and lost almost all of the next day sleeping/recovering. I was so upset. We managed to get up and out to see the fireworks which were awesome but we were not back to 100% until the next morning.
Day four - Feeling better, we took it upon ourselves to check out the remaining rides and shows we wanted to see. The Aladdin Musical and Fantasmic were the highlights of our day. I enjoyed this Fantasmic slightly more than WDW's (which I feel guilty about since I am an ex-WDW cast member and have, until now been highly devoted to it but I must say that I enjoyed many things more at Disneyland than I did at WDW - maybe because the experience was fresh? Who knows!)
Day five - We caught a red eye home so we had almost all day again to fit some last minute stuff in. We missed out on a ton (and I'm itching to goback already so I can see/do all things I missed). We ended up splitting up to see things that only one or two of us wanted. My sister and I went to to see the Red Car News Boys and get our picture taken with Walt on Buena Vista Street. Loved the show so much. Definitely the highlight of our day in addition to riding in the front of the monorail into Disneyland! We've always wanted to do that!!!
I know it's kind of a random summary (and a bit of a novel - sorry about the length) but I thought I'd post some of the highlights.
Is anyone else on their trip now/back?
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
Sounds like it was an overall good trip, that really sucks about the food poisoning. Did you let them know? You might not be the only ones to get sick. I hope you will post some pictures if you get a chance.
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
I'm not sure if it would be, but we are waiting to buy our nsshp tickets until we are there with our gift cards, we will still get the advanced price. We are going early October so I'm not worried the party will sell out. I will probably order the photo pass plus and pay out of pocket for it before we go though.
Just alittle update from us. We'll be leaving for our trip on the 17th and returning the 25th.
We received our flight ticket about 3 weeks ago. The first problem was that for the flight there our party was scattered all around the airplane, naturally we wasn't too pleased about that since this is our first time flying, aswell as our kid's. We decided to pay out of pocket in-order to upgrade our seating to econo-plus, which came out to a extra $140 or so.
For the flight back, they originally had us booked for seats 24-27 which sounded ideal, however seat 27 ended up being in the next row on the opposite side of the plane. Thankfully were able to switch this seat to one of the seats behind number 25.
Just incase anyone was wondering, all of this was handled directly thought the flight company, so if you would like to change your seating arrangements, you can just call them up with your ticket reservation number and they'll take care of you.
Another little hiccup was in planning the meals. Unfortunately I sat on my hands too long trying to figure out the best places to eat that I missed the dessert party reservations. I knew I should've just reserved it when I had the chance, it would've been perfect for our first night
. I'll keep checking it everyday on the off chance that a spot will open up but I'm not getting my hopes up.
Also, I was also told that in order to book the recreational activities, you must book it through their office if it requires a credit card or prepaid, if not then you'll just be issued a $500 gc instead.
I still have lots of planning and not much time left!
We received our flight ticket about 3 weeks ago. The first problem was that for the flight there our party was scattered all around the airplane, naturally we wasn't too pleased about that since this is our first time flying, aswell as our kid's. We decided to pay out of pocket in-order to upgrade our seating to econo-plus, which came out to a extra $140 or so.
For the flight back, they originally had us booked for seats 24-27 which sounded ideal, however seat 27 ended up being in the next row on the opposite side of the plane. Thankfully were able to switch this seat to one of the seats behind number 25.
Just incase anyone was wondering, all of this was handled directly thought the flight company, so if you would like to change your seating arrangements, you can just call them up with your ticket reservation number and they'll take care of you.
Another little hiccup was in planning the meals. Unfortunately I sat on my hands too long trying to figure out the best places to eat that I missed the dessert party reservations. I knew I should've just reserved it when I had the chance, it would've been perfect for our first night
. I'll keep checking it everyday on the off chance that a spot will open up but I'm not getting my hopes up. Also, I was also told that in order to book the recreational activities, you must book it through their office if it requires a credit card or prepaid, if not then you'll just be issued a $500 gc instead.
I still have lots of planning and not much time left!
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
Just alittle update from us. We'll be leaving for our trip on the 17th and returning the 25th.
We received our flight ticket about 3 weeks ago. The first problem was that for the flight there our party was scattered all around the airplane, naturally we wasn't too pleased about that since this is our first time flying, aswell as our kid's. We decided to pay out of pocket in-order to upgrade our seating to econo-plus, which came out to a extra $140 or so.
For the flight back, they originally had us booked for seats 24-27 which sounded ideal, however seat 27 ended up being in the next row on the opposite side of the plane. Thankfully were able to switch this seat to one of the seats behind number 25.
Just incase anyone was wondering, all of this was handled directly thought the flight company, so if you would like to change your seating arrangements, you can just call them up with your ticket reservation number and they'll take care of you.
Another little hiccup was in planning the meals. Unfortunately I sat on my hands too long trying to figure out the best places to eat that I missed the dessert party reservations. I knew I should've just reserved it when I had the chance, it would've been perfect for our first night
Also, I was also told that in order to book the recreational activities, you must book it through their office if it requires a credit card or prepaid, if not then you'll just be issued a $500 gc instead.
I still have lots of planning and not much time left!
Have a great trip. I'm getting anxious for ours, 91 days to go!
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
How long before your trip did you get your flight itinerary? We have 3 months still but I'm getting impatient, should I call or is this similar to the time frame you all had?
@keltiesmom
We never actually contacted them regarding the flight information. One day we just received a email about the tickets, which was near the middle of June. I do remember reading somewhere that we should expect the tickets / reservation numbers between 30-60 days, which it was right within that time frame.
@Spearfish
Our flight was booked through United, however I'm not sure about the others.
Also another little update. The day after I had posted that last update, I drove myself crazy constantly checking the website for reservations to open up for the dessert party. I was extremely looking forward to doing it as I know it would've made the kids first night at Disney that much better, litterately the icing on the cake. When I checked for the last time that day, I was greeted with a available reservation!
We never actually contacted them regarding the flight information. One day we just received a email about the tickets, which was near the middle of June. I do remember reading somewhere that we should expect the tickets / reservation numbers between 30-60 days, which it was right within that time frame.
@Spearfish
Our flight was booked through United, however I'm not sure about the others.
Also another little update. The day after I had posted that last update, I drove myself crazy constantly checking the website for reservations to open up for the dessert party. I was extremely looking forward to doing it as I know it would've made the kids first night at Disney that much better, litterately the icing on the cake. When I checked for the last time that day, I was greeted with a available reservation!
keltiesmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
We got our flight itinerary! I'm so excited, we arrive in Orlando at 5:35am we will have the whole day to play, rather than losing time with travel.
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