1 Summer, 2 Coasts, 3 Kids...Ready, Set, Go!

[OregonMomToWDW]

Well, we are now at 4 days out, so I decided to get busy and do my packing. The kids were almost done with theirs. Is it bad that I am not checking to see what is being packed? I will probably check Chelsea's suitcase. Don't want us to look unkept in our photopass pictures...if we have photopass pictures. Still no voucher. Anyway, I pull down my duffle. I am a bit upset having to use this, but it is huge. My regular suitcase got a leg broken off when we went to WDW and I haven't replaced it yet. I have one of the D~ purses (didn't want to use the term bag here, sounds funny when it is together) in my room that is already Scotch Guarded. So, while Chelsea was getting ready for bed (and after I had done 3 loads of laundry), I started packing. I stuck the bag at the very bottom. Then Chelsea just walks into my room. I covered it quickly. She had to use the bathroom. So, she finishes and then comes to my suitcase and tries to look through it to see what I am packing. I told her to stay out of my suitcase and go to bed. So, I am pretty sure she is at home digging through my suitcase today while I am at work. I would have done it as a child. I still have to Scotch Guard the Olaf bags. She will not leave me alone. From the time I walk in to the time I go to bed, she is attached. I will have to drop the kids off at the cheap movie theater this weekend to get some of the secret stuff done.

Weather forecast for Anaheim is 86 - 91 degrees. The low is 65 degrees, so pretty good. The first park day is supposed to be 91 degrees. I know when we went in April, the forecast had said high 80s for our trip and we never got above 70 degrees. With it being July, I think we can safely say 80s-90s.

I was disappointed to try on my clothes last night. I have lost 30 pounds since February, but my WDW clothes from last year, still fit, so either I gained 30 pounds after WDW and have lost them, or I don't know. I was really hoping not to look so plump in this year's pictures. Oh well. I will still jump to be in the pictures. I have one photo of my grandmother on my mom's side. No pictures of any other grandparents. I have very few photos of my parents. My mom refuses to be in pictures. I am who I am and I want my kids to remember me having fun and not too worried about what I look like.

A friend was giving me a hard time because this will be my 3rd trip to Disney in one year. He counted the late August trip last year, because this one falls within a year of that one. I haven't mentioned the early September trip, but that would be starting a new year. Any way you look at it, we have had lots of Disney. Maybe it is overboard, but I want to take them as long as I am able to and can afford it. Yes there are other trips I could take, but as a single mom, venturing into the unknown is a bit scary. Disney is relatively a safe trip. Marissa is getting older and may not be able to take many more trips while in college. Jacob may always live with me. I have to accept that.

My job wants me to get some work done, so I guess I should. Have a good day. I only have 2 more workdays before vacation!!!!!!!

 

[Denovagirl]

Darn those snooping kids! I can only imagine how hard it will be to keep secrets as mine get older. Olivia is already super inquisitive and she's only 5! For now, though, she pretty much believes anything mommy and daddy tell her. So it's pretty easy to surprise her with things.

Sooooooo close! The movie idea is a good one to get some stuff done without the kiddos around, I would do that!!

I'm also sure if your PP voucher doesn't arrive in time they'll be able to work it out at the park.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry...I wasn't on much the last two days (darn work!).

Glad the sunburn is better.

First snooping in the purse, now snooping in the suitcase.

I hope you can get some packing done this weekend...the movies sounds like a good way to get the kids out of the house.

I hope the voucher arrives today.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Darn those snooping kids! I can only imagine how hard it will be to keep secrets as mine get older. Olivia is already super inquisitive and she's only 5! For now, though, she pretty much believes anything mommy and daddy tell her. So it's pretty easy to surprise her with things.

Sooooooo close! The movie idea is a good one to get some stuff done without the kiddos around, I would do that!!

I'm also sure if your PP voucher doesn't arrive in time they'll be able to work it out at the park.

Hi Terri!

I am pretty much packed except for a few Disney items, such as our Olaf bags and the books on CDs.

My Chelsea is the biggest snoop. Has to know everything. She doesn't like to hear "none of your business." 3 days!!!!

I got the voucher yesterday. And it looks almost exactly to what we received last year from WDW, so noone batted an eye.

Sorry...I wasn't on much the last two days (darn work!).

Glad the sunburn is better.

First snooping in the purse, now snooping in the suitcase.

I hope you can get some packing done this weekend...the movies sounds like a good way to get the kids out of the house.

I hope the voucher arrives today.

Hi! Don't worry about not being on. I really hate when work gets in the way of my Disboards. It is so annoying. I usually go to Disboards first thing, but I had a 7 am meeting instead so I am 45 minutes behind schedule today.

The sunburn is starting to peel. It is her first sunburn so she is a bit freaked out.

The voucher did arrive yesterday. I was super excited to see that. Plus, Marissa got a couple of her costume packages for MNSSHP yesterday too (from China). There is part of the costume that has some assembly required and the directions are in Chinese. Too bad she is majoring in Japanese. I told her to call my cousin that majored in Chinese to help her, but she said she could figure it out. She worked on it for 3 hours last night. I see a phone call to my cousin soon.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

3 DAYS!!!! Good thing I had my meeting early this morning. That is all the work I am planning to do today. My brain is fully on vacation mode. Thankfully, I don't have any access to patients.

My voucher for photopass + came. Yay! That was the last thing I was waiting for. It looked exactly like the one we got for WDW last year, so the kids didn't think anything of it.

I got my first layer of Scotch Guard on my Olaf bags. Hard to do that in secret...especially with that smell. More toxic fumes to mix with the Noxema fumes. I may have a bit of brain damage by the end of summer.

I had the kids find all of their socks in their rooms and wash them. Thankfully, Chelsea wears the mismatched ones, so it is ok if one goes missing. Marissa has like 15 socks that have no mate. I don't know what she does with them. I had 3 or 4 without mates (of my favorite ones). The other box-full I think will be going to the trash.

I know I won't get the Magic Bands until after July 31st, but when should I get the Magical Express tags? I remember getting those really early last time. I will worry about that when I get back from Disneyland.

I need to catch up on the other threads I am following, so I best finish up. I hate when I go too long and have to sign back in, because it automatically thinks I have read the posts and then I have to search for the last post read.

Have a great day. I am not sure I will post much this weekend. I will try to get my daughter to bring laptop in case there is time to post while at DLR. Difficult though, because at DLR, we actually can manage to tour from 8 am - 12 am and we usually don't leave the parks.

I will leave off with things I have to do this trip at DLR:
Indiana Jones (was closed in April)
Radiator Springs Racers (we had to be evacuated off the ride last time, so we never finished it)
Aladdin!!!! So funny. Seriously would pay a 1 day DL ticket price just for this show.
I have never been on the Storybook canal boats.
I have never been to the Tiki lounge show thing.
I will ride some of the classic dark rides that they don't have at WDW. (I don't like them much though.)
Spend time in Toontown with Chelsea.
Mickey head shaped beignets from the Mint Julep bar. So good. So fantastically good.
See Captain America again.
Find Flik and take a picture with him and my Flik Serendipi D~ bag.
Ride Indiana Jones again. Love this ride.
Everything else will just be an added bonus.
Find a Disneyland 2014 pin (shouldn't be difficult).

I will miss everyone while I am gone.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Why is the last day at work before vacation always so hard? They were doing construction on other side of my cube wall. Loud and annoying. I was doing a month end report at was $4500 off. Searched and searched. Accounting had put expenses in a department that was deactivated 2 years ago! Took me hours. It was Friday afternoon and everyone else left around 1. I left at 4. 6:30-4 on a prevacation day? Just not right.

I am really wishing we were leaving today. Hard to wait till Monday. 1 kiddo just woke up so I better get moving.

 

[Chicago Mo]

I wanted to wish you a WONDERFUL FULL OF MAGIC TRIP!!!!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I wanted to wish you a WONDERFUL FULL OF MAGIC TRIP!!!!

Thank you! We are heading out in a few hours. Chelsea has dug through every bag and every suitcase. It has been an interesting weekend.

 

[KatMark]

I like all the things you want to do at DL...they all sound like so much fun. One day I will get there!

So glad the voucher came.

In case I don't get back here since I've got a lot of work and I leave for Vegas on Thursday, have a magical time.

 

[Denovagirl]

Have Fun!!! Safe travels & pixie dust!!

 

[LB1122]

Hope you are having an awesome trip and look forward to seeing how the surprise all came out and the results.

Love that you jump in those photos. I too am on a weight losing quest but you are so right about be present in photos no matter what.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

I like all the things you want to do at DL...they all sound like so much fun. One day I will get there!

So glad the voucher came.

In case I don't get back here since I've got a lot of work and I leave for Vegas on Thursday, have a magical time.

Thanks. We made ot safely here. 15 hours is a lot of driving for one person. Have a great time in Vegas. I have only gone once on a business trip but really loved it!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks. We made ot safely here. 15 hours is a lot of driving for one person. Have a great time in Vegas. I have only gone once on a business trip but really loved it!

I'm glad you made it safely; hope the kids were surprised

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Trying to do replies on the mobile version is no bueno. We arrived safe...not sure about sound though. That is a long drive and the traffic was horrible. I am wondering if I will ever make the drive again.

The hotel room is nice and the kids like they all get their own beds. It is a motel and we are on the top floor (3rd). It is quite the walk to Disneyland from our motel, so I bought our ART passes. That should help our feet.

We finished the entire 1st book in the Kingdom Keepers series on cd today in only one day. It finished right when we were approaching our exit.

Our motel last night was not anything I wish to ever repeat. Ever. Not sure I want to discuss it. The room was clean enough. Just it was scary. To get to our room you had to go behind cement walls...past other doors with no windows and our door was at bottom of stairwell. Just screamed danger. You go in the door and notice windows and another door on opposite wall of room. That leads out to the pool area. That was semi ok. The caution tape blocking the stairs was a nice touch. We had 2 queens. It was fine for 1 night.

We are going through trading pins and seeing which to not take to park so I need to go. I will update more later. Park is open from 8 am to midnight. Busy days.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

The surprise...fell flat. I pulled over at a nice rest area. We weren't to the border yet. I turned my phone camera on and started recording. I told them we weren't going to the cabin. Chelsea accused me of lying. I told her we were going to Disneyland instead. She got mad. Accused me of playing a mean joke on them because I wanted a reveal video. She said she wasn't going to fall for it. I turnex off the camera. Not worth it. Jacob said he wouldn't believe it either. When it became clear we were really going to Disney he was a bit disappointed because he really wanted to go to the cabin. Oh well. I tried.

 

[DMGeurts]

Darn snoopy kids... LOL I know there is NO WAY I could pull off a surprise like that for my girls. Kudos to you!

Lol about D~ purses/bags... Hehehe... I do get that comment occasionally.

I think 3 trips in one year - especially as a single parent - is remarkable and wonderful! You are creating wonderful memories! Not only that - but I totally agree about Disney being a safe place to travel alone with the kids... Seriously, they pick you up at the airport, take care of everything until the end of your trip, drop you back off at the airport - you can't go wrong with that. IMO.

And I agree... Jump into those pictures, your kids will have wonderful memories of you enjoying your time with them. Congratulations on your 30 lb loss, that is FANTASTIC!!!!

Hahaha about the Scotch Guard... LOL - seriously - I did all of my bags, including the bags I used last year, just in case... And I hate that smell. But - I do believe, especially if your bag is a lighter color, it really helps.

I usually get all of my trip stuff about 30 days out, take or give a little.

Oh goodness - that one night motel sounds scary! Glad it was only 1 night.

Also happy to hear that you had a safe trip! I didn't realize you were driving the whole way! How long was it?

LOL I shouldn't laugh that your surprise would fall flat - but that is exactly what would happen to me if I tried that. Just enjoy your trip anyways - I know that all of you are having fun today!

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh NO!!! So sorry it didn't work like you wanted it to!
the hotel does sounds creepy!!!

I do hope you have a wonderful trip here on out!!!

 

[KatMark]

The surprise...fell flat. I pulled over at a nice rest area. We weren't to the border yet. I turned my phone camera on and started recording. I told them we weren't going to the cabin. Chelsea accused me of lying. I told her we were going to Disneyland instead. She got mad. Accused me of playing a mean joke on them because I wanted a reveal video. She said she wasn't going to fall for it. I turnex off the camera. Not worth it. Jacob said he wouldn't believe it either. When it became clear we were really going to Disney he was a bit disappointed because he really wanted to go to the cabin. Oh well. I tried.

Darn...sorry the surprise didn't work. Well you are there now...have a magical time.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Darn snoopy kids... LOL I know there is NO WAY I could pull off a surprise like that for my girls. Kudos to you!

Lol about D~ purses/bags... Hehehe... I do get that comment occasionally.

I think 3 trips in one year - especially as a single parent - is remarkable and wonderful! You are creating wonderful memories! Not only that - but I totally agree about Disney being a safe place to travel alone with the kids... Seriously, they pick you up at the airport, take care of everything until the end of your trip, drop you back off at the airport - you can't go wrong with that. IMO.

And I agree... Jump into those pictures, your kids will have wonderful memories of you enjoying your time with them. Congratulations on your 30 lb loss, that is FANTASTIC!!!!

I was in quite a few of the pictures. We only had about 105 Photopass pictures (but it was 3 days). I guess that was ok. Lots of people loved the bags! Not sure if Disneyland is as safe as WDW. I will explain below.

Hahaha about the Scotch Guard... LOL - seriously - I did all of my bags, including the bags I used last year, just in case... And I hate that smell. But - I do believe, especially if your bag is a lighter color, it really helps.

I usually get all of my trip stuff about 30 days out, take or give a little.

We had our luggage tags waiting for us when we got back and an email saying they shipped our Magic Bands!

Oh goodness - that one night motel sounds scary! Glad it was only 1 night.

Also happy to hear that you had a safe trip! I didn't realize you were driving the whole way! How long was it?

LOL I shouldn't laugh that your surprise would fall flat - but that is exactly what would happen to me if I tried that. Just enjoy your trip anyways - I know that all of you are having fun today!

D~

I rewatched the "surprise" video and it is pretty funny now. I wasn't thinking it was funny when I was recording it though. I will have to figure out how to post a video on here.

Oh NO!!! So sorry it didn't work like you wanted it to!
the hotel does sounds creepy!!!

I do hope you have a wonderful trip here on out!!!

Thanks Mo. We had a great time. The hotel was creepy.

Darn...sorry the surprise didn't work. Well you are there now...have a magical time.

We did have a wonderful time. I will update soon.

Ok, just a quick update this morning. I am back at work. Our hotel on the way home was much better. In the middle of nowhere but nicer. Although the woman next door talked very loudly.

First, let me give some details about the arrival. It was very exciting to see the first glimpses of Space Mountain and Tower of Terror. We are driving past all these wonderful hotels wondering where ours is. Well it was 2 blocks away, but each block is about a mile. We finally see it. It is a 3 story motel, with huge hotels surrounding it, so it looks like a miniature. Check in was a breeze and I bought our passes for the Anaheim Resort Transit. The kids all staked out their beds and we went for a long walk to find food. Panda Restaurant (Chinese) for 3 of us and Subway for Chelsea. Then we headed back to shower and get ready for an early start the next morning.

Disneyland Day 1:
I wake up at 5:45 am. Park opens at 8 and the bus starts running at 7 then every 20 minutes after (at least that is what the brochure says). We get ready and are eating the free breakfast at 6:30 am. It was probably the worst hotel breakfast I have ever had. Anyway, we finish and are at the stop by 7 am. There is a homeless person sleeping on the bench. I have to keep the excited kids quiet, because I did not want to wake her. There was another guy waiting for the bus (the stop was being shared with the regular Orange County Transit buses). He had lots of tattoos and piercings. I think the kids were intimidated, but he was actually pretty nice. The bus shows up at 7:11 and we load. Then we make the long loop and are at Disneyland at 7:40 am. We get in line and in 10 minutes are inside the park. I may have already mentioned this part. Chelsea and I went to wait for the photopass store to open and Jacob and Marissa headed to Adventureland to get fastpasses for Indiana Jones. I got my photopass lanyard and the connection part kept coming undone, so it just got stuffed in the side of my bag. We went to find Jacob and Marissa. My ticket didn't work for fastpasses, so while I walked back to the front of the park to get it rescanned, I sent them on Jungle Cruise. I met up with them and we did Indiana Jones standby. It was the first time riding this for Chelsea. She wasn't a big fan. It was a bit too jerky for me this time and I wasn't really impressed as I once was. We got off and then used our fastpasses. Now, the fastpass line merges right after the outside queue. You still have the entire inside queue. In the morning, we maybe passed 20 people in the outside queue. We still had to wait about 25 minutes to ride. So, lesson learned, you do not need a fastpass for Indiana Jones if you are there for rope drop. You will however want one for the afternoon. OMG those lines were insanely long....everywhere and every ride. We then headed to Space Mountain to get Fast Passes. This is where the order gets fuzzy and I will need my notes to finish day 1. However, I will say, we always knew which stop was ours when getting off the bus, because there ALWAYS was a homeless person sleeping on the bench. ALWAYS!!!!! Once you leave the parks gates...the Disney bubble kind of pops.

I went through all of my photopass pictures when I got home. Needed to order the CD ASAP because I read it can mess up the Memory Maker ones because the Photopass pictures on there for 30 days and so I could have only the first 2 days of the WDW trip on there. So, I ordered right away to clear out that account. There was one picture missing...the one with the Magic shot of Jacob and Chelsea dancing with Olaf. Oh well. I didn't want to hunt it down. I was under a time crunch. The rest really turned out good, so as soon as I have them, there will be lots of pictures to post.

 

[Denovagirl]

Well. Hmm. These notes are helpful for future DLR trips I suppose, I really need to do research when the time comes for hotel then!? I figured they'd all be super nice with Disney so popular right there. And omg, the homeless person bus stop... wow. Yea, I imagine that Disney bubble def popped, huh?

BUT you were at DLR making memories and having fun with your kids, so I am sure the overall trip was fantastic, right?? I can't wait to see the photos!! Bummer on loosing one, I lost several last trip and didn't know they had a way of tracking them down until long after we'd ordered our CD...

Can't wait to hear more, glad you are home safe and sound!