Completed PTR - California or Bust!... But first we WDW! Last Change 3/10

[cinderkelly]

Sorry I can't help you with the car seat on the plane question but we have taken the stroller directly to the gate and then gate checked it, that was really great!

I completely understand your stress of traveling solo with your little one but I'm sure you'll do just fine! My biggest stresser would be getting thru security with all the equipment! I only flew solo with a little one once and that was 20 years ago so my memory of how I accomplished it has faded a bit! Flight attendants are usually really good at helping parents with little ones if you need some help on the plane too.

We never made it to Sesame Place when we lived on the East coast but it looks like a really cute park.

 

[NJlauren]

We've used a few but most recently we used a Britax Marathon 70 and it was fine so you should be good with that

good to know! I am testing our outs in Sept to Florida but on Jetblue, so seats will be different but at least I'll have an idea.

Sorry I can't help you with the car seat on the plane question but we have taken the stroller directly to the gate and then gate checked it, that was really great!

I completely understand your stress of traveling solo with your little one but I'm sure you'll do just fine! My biggest stresser would be getting thru security with all the equipment! I only flew solo with a little one once and that was 20 years ago so my memory of how I accomplished it has faded a bit! Flight attendants are usually really good at helping parents with little ones if you need some help on the plane too.

We never made it to Sesame Place when we lived on the East coast but it looks like a really cute park.

Security is one of my top worries! I am sure at the end of the day it will be fine, hopefully DD will cooperate, you know they seem to have there own ideas at the worst times!

 

[NJlauren]

General outline – San Diego Days 1 - 3

Staying on Coronado Island for the San Diego Leg of the trip, Currently have the Loews Coronado Bay booked for 2 nights.

Most Dos – See my Friend that lives there, Beach/pool , explore Coronado, the zoo MUST SEE PANDAS (No Panda emoticon?!)

Possible things to do – Children’s Museum, Balboa Park, Seaport Area, La Jolla, Baseball game, Seaworld maybe?

Here is a possible outline, subject to change 25 times between now and May.

Day 1 - Arrive San Diego 10:45am (not booked yet, but this is the flight I am hoping to take. ) Hopefully spend the day with my friend, running some errands, Target etc. (Food, diapers, anything i don't want to travel with), hang by the hotel relax. Maybe walk around by her apartment downtown. Tentative plan is to put DD down for a nap at 4:30 (or whatever her east coast bed time is at this point in time) let her sleep 2 or so hours then wake her and have her stay up till what I want her west coast bedtime to be…. Wish me luck, I totally made up this idea but it seems like a good one, maybe?

Day 2 – DH arrives hopefully by 10/11am, Hang out at the pool, the beach, relax, maybe head to La Jolla, or the children’s museum, or the Seaport area. Also DEPENDING on the baseball schedule we may try to fit in a game at one of our stops this trip, I love Baseball!

Day 3 – Checking out of the hotel, which could prove to be difficult with naps and such, but tentative plan, stay as late as possible at the hotel, hopefully get DD to nap on the way to the Zoo and Balboa park, spend the day there probably get dinner some place with my friend and her BF, then around DDs bed time start the drive to Disney!

Arrival at DL and DL Day 1!​

 

[SarahDisney]

Hi!
I've seen you around a bit, but your comment on my PTR finally gave me the extra push to come here and read this!

I don't have any experience flying with a toddler, but ... I've seen a lot of people gate check strollers. It seems to be the popular way to do it. I hope you can figure out something that works for you!

Sounds like you had fun at Sesame Place! I went a few times when I was little ... it's definitely a cute place to go once in a while.

San Diego plans sound great!

 

[NJlauren]

Hi!
I've seen you around a bit, but your comment on my PTR finally gave me the extra push to come here and read this!

I don't have any experience flying with a toddler, but ... I've seen a lot of people gate check strollers. It seems to be the popular way to do it. I hope you can figure out something that works for you!

Sounds like you had fun at Sesame Place! I went a few times when I was little ... it's definitely a cute place to go once in a while.

San Diego plans sound great!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I had seen you around a bit and linked your PTR from @Elevationist reports, and well I found your report/comments funny and a joy to read so had to comment!

Happy your here!!!

 

[MommyJKM]

I used to fly with my little one both internationally and domestic since she was 6 months old. I liked to bring the car seat ON TO the plane until she was about 18months old, then she was way too wiggly and large to do it.
We flew to New York when she was about your DD's age so about the same amount of time you'll be doing - and she was totally fine! My flight was about 9am and she usually woke at 8am napped at noon and 4pmm went to bed at 8pm. So the day of travel I woke her at 7am so she would fall asleep about an hour into the flight and it worked!

I went to the $1 store and bought crayons and coloring books -which you would think are too old but aren't for an almost 2 year old- and squeaky toys and hard bound baby books and random items that I didn't care if we lost. I learned early on to only bring ONE familiar item for her to sleep with and the rest of the toys be ones that if we never saw them again who cares. I also bought her earphones and let her watch a few shows on the iPad. The earphones I used for shows at Disneyland as their little ears just can't take the sound. I still give my DD earphones for Fireworks and Fantasmic. She was just fine on the plane, we even did walks up and down the aisles just to give her some active time and nobody was ever bothered.

I do have 2 Mommy Travel Musts!

1. They don't usually have milk on airplanes, so bring your own and ask them to chill it for you. Even though my DD didn't use a bottle anymore, I brought a sippy cup and had it filled with milk for when the airplane elevates and for the descent and held her and it made her comfortable. You'll have to probably buy it IN the airport as some airports won't let you bring any but some will.

2. Ask the flight attendant when you get on the plane for 2 styrofoam cups (that they serve coffee in) and 2 wet paper towels in them. You put those over your baby's ears when you're either going up or down and use them to "pop" their eardrums if they get stuck. It stops the ear pressure! I learned it from a French woman when my DD was about 9 months old and used it until she was old enough to chew gum instead. (you can probably Google it but I swear by it)

I've found that toddlers also easily get acclimated to the time change. So my DD still went to bed at 8pm. I wouldn't worry. The best travel advice I got was a lady said to me (I'm paraphrasing) "You will never see these people on the plane again and probably half of them are parents too. So don't stress and keep your little one comfortable. Healthy kids are in tune with their surroundings and know how to adapt to their environment"

 

[NJlauren]

I used to fly with my little one both internationally and domestic since she was 6 months old. I liked to bring the car seat ON TO the plane until she was about 18months old, then she was way too wiggly and large to do it.
We flew to New York when she was about your DD's age so about the same amount of time you'll be doing - and she was totally fine! My flight was about 9am and she usually woke at 8am napped at noon and 4pmm went to bed at 8pm. So the day of travel I woke her at 7am so she would fall asleep about an hour into the flight and it worked!

I went to the $1 store and bought crayons and coloring books -which you would think are too old but aren't for an almost 2 year old- and squeaky toys and hard bound baby books and random items that I didn't care if we lost. I learned early on to only bring ONE familiar item for her to sleep with and the rest of the toys be ones that if we never saw them again who cares. I also bought her earphones and let her watch a few shows on the iPad. The earphones I used for shows at Disneyland as their little ears just can't take the sound. I still give my DD earphones for Fireworks and Fantasmic. She was just fine on the plane, we even did walks up and down the aisles just to give her some active time and nobody was ever bothered.

Thank you all your tips seems great and it makes me feel good to know other people have traveled with there kids and made it out alive ! I like hearing personal stories i think it helps easy my worrying! She has flown 3 round trips already and will probably have 2 more before May, but I feel like every stage brings a new challenge, This next trip will be the first with a car seat....I just didn't think we could handle the lap infant set up anymore. In May we skipped all night time events due to bedtime and worrying about the noise. Maybe i will get her some headphones for this trip so maybe we can try to catch them.....

I do have 2 Mommy Travel Musts!

1. They don't usually have milk on airplanes, so bring your own and ask them to chill it for you. Even though my DD didn't use a bottle anymore, I brought a sippy cup and had it filled with milk for when the airplane elevates and for the descent and held her and it made her comfortable. You'll have to probably buy it IN the airport as some airports won't let you bring any but some will

Def want milk, I also know my DD loves those pouches i keep wondering if they will let me travel with them.... I can't remember if we brought them last trip

2. Ask the flight attendant when you get on the plane for 2 styrofoam cups (that they serve coffee in) and 2 wet paper towels in them. You put those over your baby's ears when you're either going up or down and use them to "pop" their eardrums if they get stuck. It stops the ear pressure! I learned it from a French woman when my DD was about 9 months old and used it until she was old enough to chew gum instead. (you can probably Google it but I swear by it)

OH MY! I can't wait to try this out next week! Anything to help with the pressure, hell I might try it on myself!!

I've found that toddlers also easily get acclimated to the time change. So my DD still went to bed at 8pm. I wouldn't worry. The best travel advice I got was a lady said to me (I'm paraphrasing) "You will never see these people on the plane again and probably half of them are parents too. So don't stress and keep your little one comfortable. Healthy kids are in tune with their surroundings and know how to adapt to their environment"

I love this, and its so true! However I feel like recently I have heard stories of plans being grounded or not talking off because of kids, and well i think that's is BS but worry what if that's me!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Your tips are great and I can't wait to try them out!

 

[Elevationist]

Staying on Coronado Island for the San Diego Leg of the trip, Currently have the Loews Coronado Bay booked for 2 nights.

Oooh, this is a BEAUTIFUL area. I haven't been myself, but I've booked for a few clients. I think you'll love it!

Beach/pool

This sounds so good right now. So so good. It's too hot. FALL WEATHER, WHERE ARE YOU?!

the zoo MUST SEE PANDAS (No Panda emoticon?!)

Yes yes yes! THIS! While my Disneyland trip is still a million years away (probably 2019 or 2020), I am already planning to take the inclusion that includes R/T transportation and admission to the San Diego Zoo for a day. I am a big zoo and aquarium person, so I have to do it!

 

[NJlauren]

Must be my lucky day multi quote worked from my phone!

AND you stopped by a little early!

Oooh, this is a BEAUTIFUL area. I haven't been myself, but I've booked for a few clients. I think you'll love it!

We went a few years back to watch the sunset gorgeous! I wasn't even thinking about staying her but then DH suggested it and I was kept thinking how perfect it is. I'm really excited to stay here!

This sounds so good right now. So so good. It's too hot. FALL WEATHER, WHERE ARE YOU?!

Ugh I know so hot! But I think (hope) today is our last hot day here, I love fall weather but not freezing! San Diego has pretty much perfect weather all the time I wonder if I would get sick of it!

es yes yes! THIS! While my Disneyland trip is still a million years away (probably 2019 or 2020), I am already planning to take the inclusion that includes R/T transportation and admission to the San Diego Zoo for a day. I am a big zoo and aquarium person, so I have to do it!

I am really excited to check this Zoo out again! Such a great zoo and I love any zoo that has Pandas! <---- does that look like a panda when I post?

ETA it's a blank space no panda

 

[Elevationist]

I am really excited to check this Zoo out again! Such a great zoo and I love any zoo that has Pandas! <---- does that look like a panda when I post?

ETA it's a blank space no panda

Come to Zoo Atlanta! They have TWIN pandas!

When they was wittle babies...

And more recently...

 

[NJlauren]

Come to Zoo Atlanta! They have TWIN pandas!

When they was wittle babies...

And more recently...

OMG I LOVE THEM! I want a PANDA FOR A PET!

 

[NJlauren]

So I promised a Disneyland update today so here it is!!!

We will drive to DL hopefully while DD sleeps. Hoping to check in between 9-10 they says it's an hour and a half (about no traffic) so with a goal of being on the road between 7:30 and 8:30 I figure lucky if we are there at 9 unlucky 11? I'm hoping for 10ish, Check in and hopefully get a good nights rest!

So I really had a hard time picking a hotel, I went back and forth on a few things onsite or offsite and which hotel! I got some great feedback on some threads I posted on the DIS in the DL section, the DL people are amazing as are most of the DIS I know

Anyway I narrowed it down to two options one onsite and one offsite.

Offsite - Courtyard Marriott Anaheim theme park, this hotel is walk able and is a pretty new hotel option!

It looks pretty amazing (Pic from google!)

Onsite - Disneyland hotel!

This just SCREAMS Disney to me!

I am leaning towards onsite, there are a few perks that I would love! Early entry not that I really needed to mention that! I would love love to power walk at DCA in the morning! Plus I love the idea of being all Disney since it is such a short amount of time.

My plan Tuesday is to do early entry at Disneyland Park, I am happy that Tuesday is a DL early entry day, and I hope it stays that way! I am pretty bad about making an exact touring plan ever let alone this far in advance but I do have some ideas for the day.

I would like to get up early to walk DCA while DH and DD have breakfast in the room and hang out, then I would come back and grab them and we can head to DL for early entry, even if we aren't there right at 8 that's fine with me.

Somethings I would really like to do in Disneyland are, Peter Pan, Its Small World (is it really longer then WDW?? But DD loved it in WDW so we will go again), Carousel, Winnie the Pooh, Mr. Toads wild ride, Pinocchio, Snow White, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Big Thunder Ranch, Alice in Wonderland, and Buzzlight Year.

Now I am not 100% set on having to do anything, and I tend to not mind missing rides that DD can't go on. If we do rider swap fine and if not that's ok too. A friend at work gave me a copy of a book called a tear free guide to Disneyland, so I am going to check it out and see if it recommends skipping any rides, but in the end we will use our judgement. We aren't the type that must do everything, it just isn't how we tour, we WILL pick a few MUST DO's and make sure to do them but if we miss other things its just an excuse to come back, and I WILL use that as an excuse!

Depending on how DD is doing we may head to the hotel for a mid day break, or we may just do early dinner and head back early, its hard for me to predict what her schedule is going to be like 9 months from now, but even when we get there we will play some thing by ear, I think overall it will be more enjoyable for us. Plus i would love some pool time and resort time!

I am thinking we will do one Table Service a day and we have PLENTY of time to decide where we want to eat since reservations don't even open up till 60 days before! But I am think of either Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans for lunch or dinner, and Quick Service for the other meal.

This is a quick overview for Disneyland day 1! Disneyland Day 2 DCA coming soon!!

Some other things I am thinking about, I am thinking only 1 character meal, and I am thinking we will do it Thursday for breakfast with princess, unless the add a Disney Junior meal before May. I am hoping DD is better with the character then she was at Sesame Place recently, but if not we will skip M&G's this trip, but I think the princesses may be better then Mickey and such.... But who knows...If she has a bad reaction on day one to even the princess we will cancel the character meal.

But first we WDW!​

 

[Elevationist]

DISNEYLAND HOTEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm super-partial to on-site properites. And you're right, it doesn't get much more Disney than the DISNEYLAND HOTEL.

And... It's the one I've already picked out for my own DL trip in 4-5 years or so.

 

[cinderkelly]

I adored the Disneyland Hotel!!! The room we had was huge and loved the layout of the pool. Having early entry every morning was great. I believe we were in the Adventure Tower, so close to DTD and only about a 5-10 min walk to DLP and DCA. I know the Disney hotels at DLR are more expensive than some of the mods at DW but so worth it in my opinion. I'd have a hard time staying off site next time.

I really liked Blue Bayou also, a little expensive of course, but so cool to eat inside PoTC! I do believe IASM is longer than at DW, and so cool the boats go outside. I'm so excited for you and your DL trip! I love the subtle differences between DLR and DW

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Come to Zoo Atlanta! They have TWIN pandas!

When did I miss twin Pandas being born?!?!?!

 

[Elevationist]

When did I miss twin Pandas being born?!?!?!

July 2013! They just celebrated their 2nd birthday!

 

[NJlauren]

July 2013! They just celebrated their 2nd birthday!

MUST SEE PANDAS!

 

[NJlauren]

DISNEYLAND HOTEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm super-partial to on-site properites. And you're right, it doesn't get much more Disney than the DISNEYLAND HOTEL.

And... It's the one I've already picked out for my own DL trip in 4-5 years or so.

I think we need a DL PTR Lady, only half kidding

I am totally leaning towards the Disneyland Hotel, I almost feel like it will be a waste to go and NOT stay there!

Also on an unrelated note have you stay at the Pop ever? Any opinion?

I adored the Disneyland Hotel!!! The room we had was huge and loved the layout of the pool. Having early entry every morning was great. I believe we were in the Adventure Tower, so close to DTD and only about a 5-10 min walk to DLP and DCA. I know the Disney hotels at DLR are more expensive than some of the mods at DW but so worth it in my opinion. I'd have a hard time staying off site next time.

I really liked Blue Bayou also, a little expensive of course, but so cool to eat inside PoTC! I do believe IASM is longer than at DW, and so cool the boats go outside. I'm so excited for you and your DL trip! I love the subtle differences between DLR and DW

IASM goes out side!?!?!?! I think I need to do some more research on the rides and stuff! I totally want to check out Blue Bayou, I mean one pricey meal is ok, now if i can only actually limit it to one meal ... I tend to go over board! Was it scary in Blue Bayou for a toddler? If you remember i was hoping not (another thing I need to do more research on)

I mean you are making it REALLY hard to not stay at the Disneyland Hotel! I feel like its the way to go!

 

[Elevationist]

I think we need a DL PTR Lady, only half kidding

Don't tempt me, woman!

I am totally leaning towards the Disneyland Hotel, I almost feel like it will be a waste to go and NOT stay there!

It totally will be.

Also on an unrelated note have you stay at the Pop ever? Any opinion?

Stayed at Pop a year ago! Liked it better than the All-Stars! Great bus service! Nommy food court! My TR for that trip (09/14-POP) is in my signature towards the bottom, if you wan to see photos and stuffs!

I mean you are making it REALLY hard to not stay at the Disneyland Hotel! I feel like its the way to go!

The universe is telling you to book Disneyland Hotel!

 

[NJlauren]

Stayed at Pop a year ago! Liked it better than the All-Stars! Great bus service! Nommy food court! My TR for that trip (09/14-POP) is in my signature towards the bottom, if you wan to see photos and stuffs!

Not going to lie... Just read/skimmed the whole trip report, your Solo Trip Reports have me wanting a Solo trip! Need to do some more research... Need to go digging for info on Family suites too...

The universe is telling you to book Disneyland Hotel!

Umm who said it wasn't booked? They are both booked.... Its just a matter of which one I keep