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

[ColoradoLime]

Also, our Birnbaum's book makes every restaurant sound like a can't-miss. I know that cannot be true.

Birnbaum's is the "official" guide book of Disney. Translation, they get paid to not say anything bad. It's not an unbiased book by any means.

I'm still waiting on my Passporter book to arrive. It's taking F O R E V E R!

Woohoo! Our trip is almost completely free. I got a insurance settlement that paid for the hotel and tickets then a Disney gift card to pay for the two fancy meals we are doing. Now we just learned since we switched tv providers we get 250 dollars in a gift card. So besides gas I think we are paid up!

Nice!!!

We are going to swim and go to downtown dusney. I was thinking of goofys kitchen but its expensive so we are doing the surfs up in Thursday before we leave.

I'm debating this same thing. I'd really like to do Goofy's Kitchen to kick off our trip with characters, but apparently my DD is considered an adult so it would be a $100 meal...UGH. Downtown Disney is a good idea, since I don't know when else on our trip we would fit it in.

Ha- first world problems is exactly what I was thinking as I agonised about whether we should get ADRs for Prime Time Diner or Sci Fi Dine In at WDW.. We are so lucky to be able to make these great trips, it's good to remind ourselves- and our kids (!) from tIme to time....

Now as to DL food recommendations, Blue Bayou is a must if you want a TS experience you can only get at DL, the food can be hit-or-miss but the location inside POTC can't be beat

For a quick bite we like Cafe Orleans outside POTC, it has hands-down the best fries in the world: garlic Parmesan pommes frites, plus you can get Mickey beignets for dessert- now there's a balanced meal!!! ( hey the beignets have raspberry dipping sauce, that counts as fruit, doesn't it???)

also for a snack that is actually quite substantial, try a hand dipped corn dog from the little red cart off Main St, they are very good.

in DCA we really liked the cheddar broccoli soup served in a fantastic chewy sourdough bread bowl, from the Boardwalk food court are ( someone tell me it's proper Disney name please? ) over by Paradise Pier.

We will definitely be revisiting Trader Sams tiki bar at the DL Hotel this trip. It has fantastic theming, tasty bar snack menu and of course, great tiki cocktails!

If you want offsite dining locations, try Blakes Place BBQ ( you'll need a cab or car as it is off the tourist route a little), In n Out Burger mmmmmm, and a great little Vietnamese place on Ball Rd called OC Poultry- google it- they do an amazing roast chicken banh mi for something like $3, so good.

Thanks for all your recommendations!!

P.S. I hope you chose the Sci Fi Drive in at WDW - I that place!!

 

[aussie shaz]

She eats like a bird though and I can't see paying $30 for an adult meal for her that she'll barely eat. If I tell them she's 9 will they question me?

I don't have any first hand knowledge from Disneyland, but when we ate at a buffet where price was based on age, the server asked the kids how old they were. Depends if you want, or your daughter would be comfortable, to say she was 9. Luckily my youngest will only be 9 and 9 months when we go

 

[VandVsmama]

So what is everyone doing the first day they arrive in town?

We'll most arrive late afternoon so we aren't going to waste a park pass on that day. So far I'm thinking doing Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and then just settling in to our hotel. If it happens to be warm enough that night, we might visit the hotel pool.

We are considering doing Goofy's Kitchen for dinner as well if we can save up the extra $$ to splurge. Otherwise, we'll probably go to Rainforest Cafe for dinner instead. If the weather is decent, we might hit the pool. If it's too cold for swimming (we're from AZ, so are often spoiled by pools that are 79-80 degrees), we'll explore Downtown Disney and get everybody in bed early to hit the parks for EMH at 7am the next day.

 

[DLmama]

We're in the planning stages of going 5/4-5/7. It would be myself, DH, DS4, MIL & FIL, probably staying at the Del Sol. We'd be celebrating DS's 5th birthday a couple of weeks early.

 

[ColoradoLime]

We're in the planning stages of going 5/4-5/7. It would be myself, DH, DS4, MIL & FIL, probably staying at the Del Sol. We'd be celebrating DS's 5th birthday a couple of weeks early.

Yay!!!

We celebrated my DD's 7th birthday and got her a birthday pin upon checking in. She got so much special attention!!!

 

[ColoradoLime]

My trip is exactly 4 months from today! Woo Hoo!!

 

[lovebug33]

Yippee! Colorado lime!

 

[llouque]

My trip is exactly 4 months from today! Woo Hoo!!

I can't believe that I didn't realize the same thing! I booked our flights yesterday when I found a great sale. We wound up saving $1000 on airfare from what I was budgeting! I danced around my office all afternoon.

We get in quite early (before noon), and while I had not planned to hit the parks the first day, I realized we might not get another chance to see the fireworks or shows. So since we saved so much on our flights, I added a day to our tickets. I still expect us to take it slow though and probably hit the pool. If I'm not mistaken, Disney keeps their pools heated, so just the exit might be a little chilly.

I'm getting so excited about our trip! We are going to surprise our DD. She's almost 4 and still doesn't get advanced planning. So we'll surprise her the night before we leave. She is going to flip! She LOVES Cars and Lightening McQueen. DH and I both have to resist telling her all the time!

I haven't started planning our dining, but am excited about all the options. Actually, I'm excited about everything!!

 

[runmommyrun]

I was hoping to see a June planning thread....we will be there from 6/6-6/14 staying at VGC. This is our first ever trip to DLR and first ever to the West Coast (we are WDW Vets). My family is beyond excited about going to DLR; the kids are very excited about seeing Carsland and riding California Screamin, while DH and I are really excited about being in the park that Walt Built (of course we are excited to see everything else too). DH and I are all about the nostalgic of Disney and can't wait to see DL and ride the original rides that he had a first hand in creating .

PoohsFan1, I have to find out where you guys are! Too bad we will just miss one another at DL. We've crossed paths several times on Disboards!

Anyway, add us to the list of June visitors. We will be first-time DL visitors on June 1. Counting the days!!!! And as an aside... my son just received the Disneyland game for Xbox 360 for Christmas. I told him to REALLY learn the park. (It is crazy how that game pulls up the park map and rides, etc....). He may be able to guide us around better than anyone else! (He just turned 8, but sadly will probably be as good of a guide as his mother!). Happy Travels!!!!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

PoohsFan1, I have to find out where you guys are! Too bad we will just miss one another at DL. We've crossed paths several times on Disboards!

Anyway, add us to the list of June visitors. We will be first-time DL visitors on June 1. Counting the days!!!! And as an aside... my son just received the Disneyland game for Xbox 360 for Christmas. I told him to REALLY learn the park. (It is crazy how that game pulls up the park map and rides, etc....). He may be able to guide us around better than anyone else! (He just turned 8, but sadly will probably be as good of a guide as his mother!). Happy Travels!!!!!

It's nice seeing you again. We live in a Suburb of Chicago, Orland Park (Southwest Suburb). It's funny how many DL newbies that are on these threads. I am guessing Carsland has something to do with it . Even though I can't wait to see Carsland, I also can't wait to visit the original park. When exactly are your dates? How much are we going to miss you guys by? Hope you and your family have a great trip .

My kids also have Disneyland for XBox (they bought it once they found out we were going to DLR a few months ago) and have been playing it non stop. I haven't played it myself, but they keep telling me that I have to just so I can get the layout of the land . The problem is I am not that coordinated to play something like that....I may just sit there and watch them.

Coloradolime, how exciting that you will be there in exactly 4 months....we will be there 5 months from tomorrow . Time seems to be flying by fast, before you know it, it will be here .

 

[ColoradoLime]

Coloradolime, how exciting that you will be there in exactly 4 months....we will be there 5 months from tomorrow . Time seems to be flying by fast, before you know it, it will be here .

I sure hope it goes by fast, this waiting is the hardest part.

 

[ColoradoLime]

So I asked my mom if she wanted to come with us and she hasn't decided yet due to the cost. I let her know if just she came and not my dad she could stay in our room and I would pay for her park tickets so she'd only need airfare and food money.

(And I'm not excluding my dad on purpose, but he has PTSD and can't be around crowds and loud noises, so I'm presuming that he has no desire to come with.)

It would be fun to have her around with the kids, but I know she isn't a huge Disney fan. I know the only reason we went the ONE time as kids is because she knew we would like it, not because she would. (Totally different with our trips - the kids are just coming along for the ride!! )

 

[ColoradoGirl85]

Hi
I'm new to the Disboards

We are heading to Disneyland May 13th - 18th (me, hubby and our son who will be 4!) Staying at the HoJo

 

[californiamomof4grls]

The Arviso family is headed to Disneyland!!! May 27th- Jun 1st! We may even be going at the same time as my good friend and her family!! We have never gone this late in the year before we are looking forward to a real vacation with the kids! There last day of school will be May 25!! I plan on surprising my girls the last day of school for my daughters 6th grade graduation!! I AM SO STINKIN EXCITED!! We are staying at the DI&S!

 

[grammalisa]

Thanks for including us on the list! Will try to drop by and say Hi more. This Gramma has to get sewing for my 5 grandkids going they need to have some fancy Disney outfits! Poor embroidery and sewing machine thought it was going to get a break after xmas, lol. You all have a great day

 

[love2go2disney2]

We are going to Disneyland on june 9-14, cant wait!! We are staying at the Ho- Jo kids suite! I am having disney withdrawls!!

 

[ColoradoLime]

Hi
I'm new to the Disboards

We are heading to Disneyland May 13th - 18th (me, hubby and our son who will be 4!) Staying at the HoJo

Woo Hoo! Where in Colorado are you?

The Arviso family is headed to Disneyland!!! May 27th- Jun 1st! We may even be going at the same time as my good friend and her family!!

That will be so fun to go with friends!!

We are going to Disneyland on june 9-14, cant wait!! We are staying at the Ho- Jo kids suite! I am having disney withdrawls!!

Nice!!

 

[ColoradoLime]

So it just dawned on me that we are going to have to travel with our car seat since we're renting a car while at DL. UGH I hadn't thought about that little tidbit since we taking a "baby" with us this time.

 

[lovebug33]

So I asked my mom if she wanted to come with us and she hasn't decided yet due to the cost. I let her know if just she came and not my dad she could stay in our room and I would pay for her park tickets so she'd only need airfare and food money.

(And I'm not excluding my dad on purpose, but he has PTSD and can't be around crowds and loud noises, so I'm presuming that he has no desire to come with.)

It would be fun to have her around with the kids, but I know she isn't a huge Disney fan. I know the only reason we went the ONE time as kids is because she knew we would like it, not because she would. (Totally different with our trips - the kids are just coming along for the ride!! )

My Dad HATES Disney. Hates it. I remember going as a child and he was so grumpity. It is so different when they go with grandkids. My dad actually cracked a smile last time with my nephews. May change Mom's attitude a bit!

 

[ColoradoGirl85]

Woo Hoo! Where in Colorado are you?

I'm in the Littleton/Highlands Ranch area.

Traveling with car seats is a pain. We always use one of those car seat carriers that has straps like a backpack.....keeps those hands free to wrangle the little ones haha