¤*~*¤May/June 2013 ¤*~*¤Trip Planning Thread

[ColoradoLime]

Definitely!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

Just curious if anyone is planning on making any dining reservations when their reservation windows are opened up (I think April is when it is for us June DISers )? If you are, which restaurants are you planning on eating at? I am working on a list of places to eat when we are there. Since this is our first time to DLR I have been reading all of the restaurant menus and everything looks so good but of course I only have so many days to eat at them all . I know I definitely am going to make reservations for Minnie's Breakfast in DL, Napa Rose, Big Thunder BBQ, and Storyteller's Cafe character breakfast. I am also thinking of making a reservation for Steakhouse 55 because DH loves eating steaks and this seems to be something right up his alley. I was also thinking of Carthay Circle but am still on the fence about that one since my kids can be picky eaters when they want to. Anyways, what is everyone else's plans?

 

[ColoradoLime]

Yeah I'm planning on making some reservations. We're going to do two character meals - Goofy's Kitchen for dinner on our first night and Surf's Up with Mickey Breakfast, probably on our last day.

In between we'll do Carnation Cafe and Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. I really wish we could eat at Blue Bayou but the menu doesn't appeal to me so I can't see spending that kind of money just for experience.

I'm actually disappointed in the offerings at DLR vs WDW. So we'll eat the rest of our meals at counter service or some of the nearby recommended restaurants.

 

[ColoradoLime]

We did tell the kids last night. I didn't record the entire scavenger hunt, but here is the end with their reaction to the reveal.




Afterwards, when it all started sinking in, then my son wouldn't stop talking about all the characters he wanted to meet. He especially wants to see Doc McStuffins and rumor has it she'll be park of the new Disney Jr. stage show. He also said he wants to see Clarabelle which just shows how much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he watches and I don't think anyone else thinks about her as a top character. lol

And P.S. - Kindly ignore the mess in the video - I'm in the process of organizing our closet and lots of items have leaked out into the bedroom.

 

[lovebug33]

We did tell the kids last night. I didn't record the entire scavenger hunt, but here is the end with their reaction to the reveal.




Afterwards, when it all started sinking in, then my son wouldn't stop talking about all the characters he wanted to meet. He especially wants to see Doc McStuffins and rumor has it she'll be park of the new Disney Jr. stage show. He also said he wants to see Clarabelle which just shows how much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he watches and I don't think anyone else thinks about her as a top character. lol

And P.S. - Kindly ignore the mess in the video - I'm in the process of organizing our closet and lots of items have leaked out into the bedroom.

OMG! They are so cute. I don't know if your son knew what was going on, but he was sure trying hard to process!

 

[splash5]

We are in! We will be there from May31-June 6 and will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[ColoradoLime]

OMG! They are so cute. I don't know if your son knew what was going on, but he was sure trying hard to process!

Thanks!! Yeah it took him a bit but he knows now and can't stop talking about it. Lol

 

[ColoradoLime]

We are in! We will be there from May31-June 6 and will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel!

Yay-welcome!!

 

[ColoradoGirl85]

We did tell the kids last night. I didn't record the entire scavenger hunt, but here is the end with their reaction to the reveal.




Afterwards, when it all started sinking in, then my son wouldn't stop talking about all the characters he wanted to meet. He especially wants to see Doc McStuffins and rumor has it she'll be park of the new Disney Jr. stage show. He also said he wants to see Clarabelle which just shows how much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he watches and I don't think anyone else thinks about her as a top character. lol

And P.S. - Kindly ignore the mess in the video - I'm in the process of organizing our closet and lots of items have leaked out into the bedroom.

Sooo cute!! What sweet kiddos you have!

 

[ColoradoGirl85]

How much planning do you guys do? Are you going to plan out all of you meals ahead of time? Will have a plan of attack as far as the parks are concerned?

I am going to do some planning....but not too much. Last trip I spent so much time planning and most of it went out the window when we arrived. Last trip we tackled one land every morning then headed to CA adventure every afternoon. We hit the must do's early in the trip to make sure we had time. I know Carsland is going to change that a little bit though. I figure we will plan on one day to be at CA Adventure at opening and make our way through Carsland. I don't think my son will be tall enough for Radio Springs Racers yet, so hubby and I can do single rider if needed.

As far as eating goes, we don't eat much in that park to save on money. We have a general plan of where we will eat outside the park (based on coupons haha) and eat a few snacks at the park throughout the week.

 

[melbarkwith]

Just curious if anyone is planning on making any dining reservations when their reservation windows are opened up (I think April is when it is for us June DISers )? If you are, which restaurants are you planning on eating at?

We are definitely planning on making reservations as soon as we can. It's all part of the fun for us to call from Australia and do this

On our definite list is Carnation Cafe and Plaza Inn Breakfast. DD#3 will be turning 7 on our second last day at the park and we are trying to decide whether to go to Ariel's or Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. She doesn't know it but I'm going to try to organise a cake to be delivered there too

And we have changed our accommodation - yesterday we booked a 2br/2ba condo instead of staying at the Islander

 

[melbarkwith]

We did tell the kids last night. I didn't record the entire scavenger hunt, but here is the end with their reaction to the reveal.




Afterwards, when it all started sinking in, then my son wouldn't stop talking about all the characters he wanted to meet. He especially wants to see Doc McStuffins and rumor has it she'll be park of the new Disney Jr. stage show. He also said he wants to see Clarabelle which just shows how much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he watches and I don't think anyone else thinks about her as a top character. lol

And P.S. - Kindly ignore the mess in the video - I'm in the process of organizing our closet and lots of items have leaked out into the bedroom.

Your kids are gorgeous! I wish I had done something like that to let ours know about our trip. Just couldn't keep my mouth shut long enough!

 

[ColoradoLime]

Sooo cute!! What sweet kiddos you have!

Your kids are gorgeous!

Thanks!!

 

[VandVsmama]

I just got a trip windfall for our DL trip! Was talking with the mom of my ODD's best buddy while our kids were in dance class yesterday. Told the mom about our plans to go to DL when school is out at the end of May. She offered to let us borrow their stroller! I'm so excited because this is going to save me $50-60 in stroller rental fees. I *was* going to use City Strollers so we could have a stroller to use in the walk back to the hotel from the parks at the end of the day.

But now that's $50-60 that I can put toward something else! YAHOO! WOOT! WOOT!

Also went to the Dollar Tree store today and stocked up on glow sticks, glow necklaces, glow wands, glow bracelets. All for $1 each. The glow bracelet packs were 5 per pack, but given the size of one's wrist, you might need to connect 2 together.

Anyway, I thought I'd mention the Dollar Tree find in case anybody is looking to save a buck or 2 on their trip. They have all different colors & stuff and they carry these glow sticks/bracelets/necklaces/etc. all year round.

I also bought a 48-piece Disney Rapunzel puzzle there, too. Just have to find another Disney princess one (so I have 1 ea. to put in the gift bags I'm going to put together for ODD & YDD).

I told my kids 2 days ago that we are going to DL some time this year. Big mistake! Now several times a day, YDD (who's 4) asks "Can we go to DL now? how about tomorrow? Can we go now?" Serves me right! LOL!

 

[Kansas Mom]

I am not a seasoned flyer. When will be the best time to book flights? We will fly out of Denver to SNA. I have been looking at prices on southwest, but I am not sure what a good price is. They are about $131 one way right now.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We haven't bought our airfare yet. We are coming from Chicago and the prices are a bit too high for us right now. However, DH and I were just talking yesterday about it, he wants to wait until February to really start stalking the different airlines for lower prices. Normally I would of already had our airfare taken care of if we were heading to WDW, however DLR is a whole different ball game .

I guess to really answer your question, it is really a wait and see game (at least for us). I would just keep checking the different sites and once you find a price that you like, then jump on it because airfare can change in the blink of an eye. Good luck.

 

[ColoradoLime]

What are you guys doing for transportation to the hotel. I ignored the transportation thread because we planned on renting a car. Now the family doesn't want to do a beach day and I'm hating the thought of having to bring a car seat so I'm rethinking our plan.

 

[BlueFairy]

I am not a seasoned flyer. When will be the best time to book flights? We will fly out of Denver to SNA. I have been looking at prices on southwest, but I am not sure what a good price is. They are about $131 one way right now.

Farecompare.com ( I think) is a great way to track. We use SOuthwest and have already booked because they will price adjust if they advertise a lower rate and you call them. They are running sale prices BHM to SAN for more than $200 one way right now. The big sale is announced in their newsletter every Tuesday, but so far not past early May. So in the next few weeks I'd expect a drop. Don't wait too long because your seats will get pricey when you get close.

 

[gardenergirl]

Hi,
We've had a hard time deciding on the details of our trip. First it was 3 days in the parks, then 4 and then "what the heck it's only $60 more" 5 days. But, I totally forgot that Sunday will be father's day. EEP! Someone mentioned that a few pages back (THANKS!)

Will be in the parks June 13-17 Carousel Hotel

Carousel reviews aren't all that fab, but it was cheaper than Fairfield and BWPPI. We will probably spend most of our time (and money-LOL) at parks anyway.

We thought long and hard about BW Stovall's, but in the end went with a little shorter walk.

My hubs is interested in eating "local" in Anaheim, especially Mex. food, but I don't think it will be worth moving the car. If anyone has suggestions for "non-chain" places to eat, please post!

Trying to decide on where to stay for rest of trip is making me a crazy person! We were thinking of staying a night (one!) in a beachfront property. Almost booked a night in La Jolla, then found out they have a bird poop smell problem in the cove right under the hotel, and then the next beach I looked at has a nuclear power plant. Sitting directly over a fault line. Seriously?? That's something I would never have thought to look for. It's been there for years and years with few problems, but still.... So, no firm plans for June 10-12, other than headed to San Diego and the zoo.

Thanks to all for sharing your vacation planning!

 

[ColoradoLime]

Hi,


My hubs is interested in eating "local" in Anaheim, especially Mex. food, but I don't think it will be worth moving the car. If anyone has suggestions for "non-chain" places to eat, please post!

I asked others specifically about pizza off-site and these both got rave reviews and are near to Harbor Blvd (possibly within walking distance).

http://www.pizzapressoc.com

http://www.marrispizza.com