My 4th Dis Diva Girls Trip was GREAT!! Completed 3/29

[DizNee Luver]

Getting excited for my 4th Diva Trip!! I wasn't able to go last year and I really missed seeing all my friends. The trip is Wednesday, February 25 thru Sunday, March 1, 2015.

I first started following along on the Dis Diva Thread back in 2009. We actually had a family/25th Anniversary Trip planned the same time the ladies would be there & I had the opportunity to meet a few of them for a small group picture.



I really wanted to join them in 2010 but wasn't able to. I did finally get to go in 2011. I went solo and then Mike (my DH) met me on the last day and we stayed a few days to celebrate our 27th Anniversary.





In 2012, I took Tyler (my DS). I found with my anxiety, that travelling alone was hard on me. I did Diva things while Tyler did the parks solo. Ty & I did quite a lot together too.





In 2013, I took Nick & Marie with me. (my DS & soon to be DIL). It was an engagement trip for them or an early wedding gift. They were married in September that year. Again, I did some of the Diva things but spent a good portion of my time with Nick & Marie.





In 2014 because we were going to be doing a 17 day road trip in the summer, I wasn't able to attend. Our summer trip was AMAZING, so no regrets!!!



A lot of the Divas will be staying at the Grand Californian Hotel but I chose to stay across the street at Best Western's Park Place Inn (use the money saved for other things!!)




More to come!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Trip Begins~Flight down: http://disboards.com/threads/gearin...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-4#post-53190626 POST #72
First Group Ride & End of Weds: http://disboards.com/threads/gearin...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-4#post-53196693 POST #73
Lunch at Cafe Orlean's: http://disboards.com/threads/gearin...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-5#post-53212184 POST #90
Partner's Statue Group Photo: http://disboards.com/threads/gearing-up-for-my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-5 POST #96
Meet-n-Greet Silent Auction: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ge...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-6#post-53214719 POST #105
Meet-n-Greet Raffle & Tables: http://disboards.com/threads/gearin...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-6#post-53214719 POST #106
M&G & Fundraising Commitee/Party Starts: http://disboards.com/threads/gearing-up-for-my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-6 POST #107
M&G Dinner, New Divas & Club Diva: http://disboards.com/threads/gearing-up-for-my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-6 POST #109
Steakhouse 55: http://disboards.com/threads/gearing-up-for-my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-6 POST #121
Scavenger Hunt Teams: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ge...a-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-7#post-53242219 POST #130
On the Hunt: http://www.disboards.com/threads/gearing-up-for-my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-ptr.3363063/page-7 POST #132
RSR & Disneyland Train: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-8#post-53290242 POST #150
Disney's California Story Tour: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-8#post-53301197 POST #151
Disney's California Story Tour: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-8#post-53308267 POST #154
Disney's California Story Tour: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-8 POST #155
Disney's California Story Tour: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-8 POST #157
Group Picture~Castle & Group Ride~Small World: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9#post-53330816 POST #167
Group Ride~Small World: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9 POST #168
Group Dinner~Carthay Circle: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9 POST #169
Group Dinner~Carthay Circle: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9 POST #170
Disneyland fun: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9 POST #171
Surf's Up & Flight Home: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9#post-53345277 POST #175
Photopass Pictures, Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9#post-53345591 POST #177
Photopass Pictures, Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-4th-dis-diva-girls-trip-was-great.3363063/page-9 POST #178

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Can't wait to see the TR!! Unfortunatley, the pictures are not showing

 

[DizNee Luver]

Can't wait to see the TR!! Unfortunatley, the pictures are not showing

Photobucket is being a pain right now (or my laptop has a virus I can't seem to find on the scans). Anywho's it should be fixed now!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We already did sign-ups for our meals, meet-n-greet party & scavenger hunt. We also ordered our shirt for this year.

The meals I signed up for are:
Wednesday (arrival day)~~None
Thursday~~Cafe Orlean's Lunch
Friday~~Ariel's Grotto (Princess Character Meal) Breakfast
Saturday~~Carthay Circle Dinner
Sunday~~(departure day) Surf's Up (Mickey Character Meal) Breakfast

The Meet-n-Greet will be held at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The theme is:
Disney's World of Color-ful Diva's
The party includes dinner and an auction of donated items to benefit the Give the Kids the World.
We are supposed to dress up all in our favorite color. I'm undecided what I'll be wearing at this time.

The Scavenger Hunt will be done in DCA. We have found we have more room to run around then we did at Disneyland. The theme is:
Diva's Carousel of Color
My team is kaoden39 & her 2 daughters. We don't plan on running to win, we just want to participate with a bunch of the other ladies. Our team name is The Lollipop Kids!! We'll wear different color shirts, have a colorful bow headband & carry around a Disney swirled lollipop!!!

I'm not sure if I'm going to set any other reservations outside of the planned group meals. I like Tortilla Jo's, Ralph Brennan's and with Fantasmic now being tied to a meal or dessert party, I'm trying to decide if I want to try and add something.

The group t-shirt is always designed and blinged out by one of our own Divas. Every year we get a new design!! This year will have a Small World feel to it.

These are the first 3 years I attended and last year's shirt that I was able to order and get to use for this year's trip. (I borrowed this from our FB planning page)



Tinkermell (and her helpers) do awesome shirts!!!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love those shirts!! It sounds cool how there will be a small world theme

 

[DizNee Luver]

I love those shirts!! It sounds cool how there will be a small world theme

We get lots of compliments when we wear these shirts!!

 

[gardengirl2790]

Fellow Oregonian here, subbing in! I've followed your other trip reports. They are always so fun to read. I look forward to more!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Fellow Oregonian here, subbing in! I've followed your other trip reports. They are always so fun to read. I look forward to more!

Welcome!!! Where in Oregon? We're in the Corvallis area.

 

[gardengirl2790]

We are in the Portland metro area.

I love Corvallis, Go Beavs!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We are in the Portland metro area.

I love Corvallis, Go Beavs!

My oldest son & daughter in law live in Beaverton!

So yeah.....we live in Corvallis but most of my family are huge Duck fans!!! lol

 

[kaoden39]

I'm here! I'm here!

I am busy making the bows for our team. Think Madonna style bow/headband. Should be loads of fun and I am so excited!

 

[kelmac284]

Yay. So glad you have a new report. I'm am so jonesing for Disney or ANY trip for that matter. At this point we have nothing planned and since things have been so dicey until some things are set in stone like airfare and such I am not counting on anything so LOVE having your reports to keep me sane and give me something to look at.

I took myself off the diva page for now since I can't go for the next few years and it was making me too sad to see all the planning when I couldn't go.

I can't believe that the last full trip I have gone on was in 10. I did 09 and 10 with mom but even in 10 my aunt came along and while she was there we found we had to do more with her and couldn't dedicate ourselves to everything. We didn't go at all in 11, in 12 we were there but didn't participate (remember I met up with you and Michelle) and then in 13 again there for Katy's cheer but only did the scavy hunt and meet and greet. Didn't go at all last year and not going this year or next so I am feeling really out of the loop and missing it. By the time we go back it is going to seem weird and most of the new people won't even know who the heck I am LOL.

This is the first year I didn't order the shirt. I have one from every year but the first and I should have ordered one but since I'm not on the thread I didn't even hear about it. I am hoping though that after I see them maybe Mel will make some extras for newbies next year? Is she still doing that or am I out of luck if I didn't order one? If so oh well but Small world sounds like a cute theme. I should have been more on top of it but I totally spaced it.

So glad you get to go and with Michelle. How fun. I am bummed I won't be there when you both will but hopefully she will like it so much she will go again. We can't go in 16 either because my mom has her condo in Mexico in February next year and the girls and I are hoping to go with them again since it switches around and after next year it will be march, april, may etc and they don't have any time off plus as they are getting older they will be able to go less and less.

Anywho as always can't wait to see your updates and of course the actual report and live vicariously!! Also super excited to see your DW report. Still praying we are able to go in 16 as we are planning but again it is totally up in the air so looking forward to seeing yours!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm here! I'm here!

I am busy making the bows for our team. Think Madonna style bow/headband. Should be loads of fun and I am so excited!

Yay!!! I will get the check out for our team this next week. Kinda glad you posted about our scavy team!!! (almost forgot)

Yay. So glad you have a new report. I'm am so jonesing for Disney or ANY trip for that matter. At this point we have nothing planned and since things have been so dicey until some things are set in stone like airfare and such I am not counting on anything so LOVE having your reports to keep me sane and give me something to look at.

I took myself off the diva page for now since I can't go for the next few years and it was making me too sad to see all the planning when I couldn't go.

I can't believe that the last full trip I have gone on was in 10. I did 09 and 10 with mom but even in 10 my aunt came along and while she was there we found we had to do more with her and couldn't dedicate ourselves to everything. We didn't go at all in 11, in 12 we were there but didn't participate (remember I met up with you and Michelle) and then in 13 again there for Katy's cheer but only did the scavy hunt and meet and greet. Didn't go at all last year and not going this year or next so I am feeling really out of the loop and missing it. By the time we go back it is going to seem weird and most of the new people won't even know who the heck I am LOL.

This is the first year I didn't order the shirt. I have one from every year but the first and I should have ordered one but since I'm not on the thread I didn't even hear about it. I am hoping though that after I see them maybe Mel will make some extras for newbies next year? Is she still doing that or am I out of luck if I didn't order one? If so oh well but Small world sounds like a cute theme. I should have been more on top of it but I totally spaced it.

So glad you get to go and with Michelle. How fun. I am bummed I won't be there when you both will but hopefully she will like it so much she will go again. We can't go in 16 either because my mom has her condo in Mexico in February next year and the girls and I are hoping to go with them again since it switches around and after next year it will be march, april, may etc and they don't have any time off plus as they are getting older they will be able to go less and less.

Anywho as always can't wait to see your updates and of course the actual report and live vicariously!! Also super excited to see your DW report. Still praying we are able to go in 16 as we are planning but again it is totally up in the air so looking forward to seeing yours!!

Well bummer......sorry it was bringing you down! I know last year when I knew I wouldn't be going.....I felt down too, so I get it! ......but, like these trip reports......I lived through their excitement!

 

[DizNee Luver]

So I finally got one of my flights bought. I know I'm going now!!

I'm flying on Southwest from Portland to the Santa Ana/John Wayne airport on Wednesday, Feb 25th. I'll leave Portland at 11:10am and arrive in the OC around 2:30pm. I do have to change planes in Sacramento.

The flight back is spendy since it falls on a Sunday. I really don't want to spend an extra night but I might have to figure out if it would pay to push off until Monday.

 

[RI Disney Star]

So I finally got one of my flights bought. I know I'm going now!!

I'm flying on Southwest from Portland to the Santa Ana/John Wayne airport on Wednesday, Feb 25th. I'll leave Portland at 11:10am and arrive in the OC around 2:30pm. I do have to change planes in Sacramento.

The flight back is spendy since it falls on a Sunday. I really don't want to spend an extra night but I might have to figure out if it would pay to push off until Monday.

Following along. Sounds like an awesome trip. You'll have so much fun, I can't wait to hear all about it.

FYI...did you know that if Southwest's fares drop you can rebook and get a credit. They don't refund your money but you can use the credit for future travel.

I arrived in Florida yesterday. I'll be here till February 4. Hubby and I went to Downtown Disney for lunch today at Earl of Sandwich. It was great. We're heading to the airport in about an hour to pick up Mom and tomorrow I head back to the airport to send hubby home. I'm really going to miss him.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Following along. Sounds like an awesome trip. You'll have so much fun, I can't wait to hear all about it.

FYI...did you know that if Southwest's fares drop you can rebook and get a credit. They don't refund your money but you can use the credit for future travel.

I arrived in Florida yesterday. I'll be here till February 4. Hubby and I went to Downtown Disney for lunch today at Earl of Sandwich. It was great. We're heading to the airport in about an hour to pick up Mom and tomorrow I head back to the airport to send hubby home. I'm really going to miss him.

I didn't know that about SW.....of course, they run those awesome deals.....but never the Portland to Santa Ana flight.

Have fun!!! Earl of Sandwich......yum!! I'll have to figure out what I can eat when I go in February. I've pretty much given up gluten and I don't have stomach problems any more (I've also lost weight). Hope the weather stays nice while you are down there Beth!

I'm sorry hubby doesn't get to stay longer...........

 

[kelmac284]

Yay for getting a flight. That is the stage we are at with our NY trip. We need to buy airfare to determine exactly when we are going into which airport (although I think we have pretty much decided Newark is our best bet) and then how to secure the best deal. It is always such a crap shoot. We kind of know what our budget is and have some ideas but with my mom going on her trip right now etc she needed to wait so that is what is making me nervous. She had some money that she put on her cards from our little trip in Nov and now of course they are on their trip now so that is why I suggested that "we" not take any other trips to save up for the big trips in the summer. But of course she wanted to go to Mexico so that is why I am nervous about it happening. IF and when we buy airfare though then I will know that it is going to happen but until then to me it's up in the air. I also hope she doesn't have to cut our trip short due to finances. There is so much we have planned to do and see and after the NYC days it is not too bad mostly smaller cheaper hotels and a lot of looking at stuff not having to spend much hopefully. So hopefully it all works out because I think this is a once in a lifetime deal. At least with them.

Anywho so excited for you and maybe you could get someone to share that last night with and take an early monday flight back. That is what mom and I have done if the cost is significant. Good luck and looking forward to more updates!!

 

[DnA2010]

Yay for a new PTR! I love following your planning almost as much as your TR's!
I really enjoyed following your 2013, so for sure going to enjoy 2015! Live through you

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yay for getting a flight. That is the stage we are at with our NY trip. We need to buy airfare to determine exactly when we are going into which airport (although I think we have pretty much decided Newark is our best bet) and then how to secure the best deal. It is always such a crap shoot. We kind of know what our budget is and have some ideas but with my mom going on her trip right now etc she needed to wait so that is what is making me nervous. She had some money that she put on her cards from our little trip in Nov and now of course they are on their trip now so that is why I suggested that "we" not take any other trips to save up for the big trips in the summer. But of course she wanted to go to Mexico so that is why I am nervous about it happening. IF and when we buy airfare though then I will know that it is going to happen but until then to me it's up in the air. I also hope she doesn't have to cut our trip short due to finances. There is so much we have planned to do and see and after the NYC days it is not too bad mostly smaller cheaper hotels and a lot of looking at stuff not having to spend much hopefully. So hopefully it all works out because I think this is a once in a lifetime deal. At least with them.

Anywho so excited for you and maybe you could get someone to share that last night with and take an early monday flight back. That is what mom and I have done if the cost is significant. Good luck and looking forward to more updates!!

Hopefully when your mom gets back, you'll get to book the flights. Once you have that, the planning can move forward!

Yay for a new PTR! I love following your planning almost as much as your TR's!
I really enjoyed following your 2013, so for sure going to enjoy 2015! Live through you

Yay, I'm glad you're here Allyson!! Maybe you should join in on one of these Diva trips!!