2 Q's: Driving & Dining

[squirrel]

The Best Western Park Place Inn includes a continental buffet. Not sure if the Best Western that you are staying at includes one. That will help with one meal if it does. Most seem to have a fridge and microwave also.

I buy one of the souviener popcorn buckets and then when that's gone I can pop more at the hotel and refill the bucket.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Good points.
We are getting the Military 3 day passes for $99, and I don't think we can upgrade those to extra days?

Also, we are NOT morning people. DD sleeps in till 10ish most mornings and has a healthy nap and down by 11 at night. We're totally night owls and I doubt it will change with the exhaustion of DL. MM would be more torture than restful. In addition we are going to JPL for a tour and want to spend a day at the beach. I think 4 days would be our max for DL on this trip, but only if we can upgrade the Military passes at a not outrageous cost.

Didn't know you had the military passes. Probably can't add a day, but doesn't hurt to ask. Sounds like you've got everything in hand and you're right...if you (and especially DD) are not morning people, it's best to plan for that. DH is not a morning person and believes that vacations should be restful (HA!) so I only do rope drop if I'm visiting with others and DH gets to the park later.

 

[CSAColl]

Yeah, I'd like to hit rope drop one morning, but it will probably just be me and the bebe. DH will enjoy a morning off!

 

[mommamonster]

I've thought of another question: Do we need to make hotel reservations for the end of September in Medford/Yreka? My husband thinks we should just drive as far as we can get and then stop, I think he wants to make it to Redding the first day. Is there any chance we'll find an open (nice/clean) hotel if we don't reserve?

If you make it to Redding I believe you'll have quite a few options. On Hilltop Drive (parallel to I-5) there are about half dozen nice hotels(I want to say Best Western, Red Lion, Holiday Inn and a couple others) as well as economy motels. Around the corner from there is a nice Hilton Garden Inn. A few miles south of that is a nice Gaia hotel, and about 30 minutes south of Redding in Red Bluff is a Hampton Inn & Suites that is newer and looks nice, plus a bunch of motels along the river. From my experience with the area for the last few years, there are not a lot of huge events that would fill up every local hotel.

 

[thunderbird1]

Yeah, we're definitely taking the Coho. It gets me to a Jack in the Box the quickest LOL. I miss living in the states when it comes to good fast food.

If you like good fast food, then you must make sure to include In-n-Out Burger several times on your drive. We driven from Vancouver, WA to DL a couple of times over the last two years, and In-n-Out Burger pit stops are an essential part of that drive. We make sure to carry the list of locations with us--the first one is in Redding, lol.

I second everyone else in that at the end of September, you should be fine without reservations in the smaller town in northern CA. Having a list of several to choose from in various towns is a good idea; we also carry a AAA or similar travel book with us so we have lots of options and phone numbers handy.

I totally agree with you about preferring to be in the parks late at night rather than early, but keep in mind that the parks tend to close earlier during off peak times. On weekends, they'll probably still be open until 11 or midnight, but on weekdays they will likely close around 8 or 9. Also note that the Halloween parties will probably begin around the end of September, and last year DL closed at 7 on Halloween party nights.

If you are there on a Halloween party night, that might be a great alternative if you are unable to add a day to your military tickets. It's cheaper than a regular one day ticket, the park will be open until midnight, the crowds will be low, and there will be a lot going on that you won't get to experience on your regular park days. Look for more info from Disney and on this site as your trip gets closer.

 

[CSAColl]

If you are there on a Halloween party night, that might be a great alternative if you are unable to add a day to your military tickets. It's cheaper than a regular one day ticket, the park will be open until midnight, the crowds will be low, and there will be a lot going on that you won't get to experience on your regular park days. Look for more info from Disney and on this site as your trip gets closer.

This is awesome! Thank you so much.
Yes, I think hubby and I will add this while baby stays at the hotel with grandma.