Ok, ok I've been posting on here for a few months now, or at least since I decided to do DL. I've been wanting to post a pre-trip report but I kept thinking..who on Earth will read this? Considering I'm reading everyone else's reports, I guess I now know the answer to that..so here it goes.
I'm a Northern California girl, born and raised. I did spend some time in San Diego while I was in the Navy and I absolutely LOVE Southern California too. I have not been to DL since I was 7ish. I have vague memories of the RV trip my family took down there, and I'm beyond excited to go now at 33yo. I think I decided on a whim that we should go. If it were up to DH, he'd sit home all the time. I'm the traveler at heart and although Ireland was on my list next, I changed the plans to accomodate the youngins. Ok, and myself too haha. BTW- My contract for my job is ending the week we are going to Disneyland. What better way to start off my unemployment then with this trip!
Cast of Characters
Me- Jenn 33 (last trip was 1982, gulp)
DH- Lenny 32 (last trip was somewhere around 1994 for his grad night)
DD- Lindsay 2 1/2 (1st timer)
DN- Mason 9 (his 10th birthday is right after we go, so we surprised him with this trip and he is so excited. It's his first time too!)
I've been reading lots of tips and tricks on the internet. I'm a planner by nature, and luckily DH is the more laid back one so we tend to balance each other out. I've outlined our trip, but left a few things open. Here's the plan so far...Oh, and I booked a balcony room facing Disney at Hojo's at the Ent rate, and bought our 4 day park hoppers from GAT.com and they are on the way!
Saturday 10/25:
Drive to Fresno and stay with my in-laws overnight so we don't have too long of a drive Sunday!
Sunday 10/26:
Leave Fresno early, gas up, grab a pumpkin spice latte
and hit the road. Arrive in Anaheim early afternoon. Check in to Hotel (Hojo's) if it's ready. If it's not, drop bags off and head to DTD and hang out for awhile. Get checked into hotel eventually and head back to ESPN zone for Sunday football! We are huge fantasy football players, and so is my nephew so we want to watch the games. Sadly, there's no Sunday night game boo! So we'll head back to the hotel, swim, rest and maybe see the fireworks from our balcony. Then we'll get lots of sleep (hopefully) for Monday at DL!
Monday 10/27:
I have PS for Plaza Inn, Minnie's Breakfast at 940am. So we'll get to the gates as early as we can. The CM said they would open at 930 and to be at the gates then so we can get to the restaurant. After bfast we'll head to DL and start in FL or TL. I want to do a section or two a day so we can hit everything we want without running all over the place like chicken's with our heads cut off LOL. I figure I'll see how DD does nap wise, and if she doesn't crash in her stroller then we'll head back to the hotel and eat some snacks/lunch and get some rest. Head back over to the park and hit some rides we forgot earlier or have FP's for. I think there are no parades or fireworks while we're here, so we'll just head out after it closes and get some sleep.
Tuesday 10/28: EE day. Eat bfast at the hotel (we'll bring a cooler and bag of goodies). Plan to get up early, hit some rides, grab FP's and explore DL more. Back to the hotel for naps, rest and lunch. Head back to DL for more playing. Dinner at DL. Maybe RF cafe, or somewhere inside DL.
Wednesday 10/29:
Sleep in a bit, bfast at the hotel or grab lattes and danish at the bakery in DL. This day is for DCA. Visa meet and greet. We'll hang out there all day. I'm hoping DD will nap in her stroller this day. Head back to hotel early afternoon, rest, eat dinner, dress in costumes and head back to DCA for MToT party!!
Thursday 10/30: EE day! Bfast at the hotel. Hit things we might have missed along the way because this is our last day. Check out, maybe leave our bags there and go back to DL for awhile. I don't think we'll close the park down, because we have to drive home this night. So we'll leave whenever we feel ready.
Ok, so that's the plan tentatively. Any ideas? Suggestions? Comments?
So far I've bought some goodies for everyone: tshirts, pins for the kids and me hehe. I bought Linz a Belle dress to wear one day and I got the Minnie pumpkin dress for MToT. I need to get something for me and DH will probably not wear a costume BOO!
Questions:
- DD is about 37 inches, will she get to go on most rides?
- DH is very tall and has broad shoulders, any ride restrictions? At Six Flags, the ones that go over the shoulders don't fit him.
- DN will want to check out the Jedi training. Is there a place I can find out times for this? Should I make him a sign?
- We are Disney Visa holders and won't be using the strollers because we'll bring our Mac Volo, however I want to let someone else have my stroller rentals. How can I do this? Just check one out and give it to someone?
- How is Rainforest Cafe? Worth it for the kids? Food?
I guess that's it for now! I hope I haven't bored anyone to tears lol. Thanks for reading.
I'm a Northern California girl, born and raised. I did spend some time in San Diego while I was in the Navy and I absolutely LOVE Southern California too. I have not been to DL since I was 7ish. I have vague memories of the RV trip my family took down there, and I'm beyond excited to go now at 33yo. I think I decided on a whim that we should go. If it were up to DH, he'd sit home all the time. I'm the traveler at heart and although Ireland was on my list next, I changed the plans to accomodate the youngins. Ok, and myself too haha. BTW- My contract for my job is ending the week we are going to Disneyland. What better way to start off my unemployment then with this trip!
Cast of Characters
Me- Jenn 33 (last trip was 1982, gulp)
DH- Lenny 32 (last trip was somewhere around 1994 for his grad night)
DD- Lindsay 2 1/2 (1st timer)
DN- Mason 9 (his 10th birthday is right after we go, so we surprised him with this trip and he is so excited. It's his first time too!)
I've been reading lots of tips and tricks on the internet. I'm a planner by nature, and luckily DH is the more laid back one so we tend to balance each other out. I've outlined our trip, but left a few things open. Here's the plan so far...Oh, and I booked a balcony room facing Disney at Hojo's at the Ent rate, and bought our 4 day park hoppers from GAT.com and they are on the way!
Saturday 10/25:
Drive to Fresno and stay with my in-laws overnight so we don't have too long of a drive Sunday!
Sunday 10/26:
Leave Fresno early, gas up, grab a pumpkin spice latte
and hit the road. Arrive in Anaheim early afternoon. Check in to Hotel (Hojo's) if it's ready. If it's not, drop bags off and head to DTD and hang out for awhile. Get checked into hotel eventually and head back to ESPN zone for Sunday football! We are huge fantasy football players, and so is my nephew so we want to watch the games. Sadly, there's no Sunday night game boo! So we'll head back to the hotel, swim, rest and maybe see the fireworks from our balcony. Then we'll get lots of sleep (hopefully) for Monday at DL!Monday 10/27:
I have PS for Plaza Inn, Minnie's Breakfast at 940am. So we'll get to the gates as early as we can. The CM said they would open at 930 and to be at the gates then so we can get to the restaurant. After bfast we'll head to DL and start in FL or TL. I want to do a section or two a day so we can hit everything we want without running all over the place like chicken's with our heads cut off LOL. I figure I'll see how DD does nap wise, and if she doesn't crash in her stroller then we'll head back to the hotel and eat some snacks/lunch and get some rest. Head back over to the park and hit some rides we forgot earlier or have FP's for. I think there are no parades or fireworks while we're here, so we'll just head out after it closes and get some sleep.
Tuesday 10/28: EE day. Eat bfast at the hotel (we'll bring a cooler and bag of goodies). Plan to get up early, hit some rides, grab FP's and explore DL more. Back to the hotel for naps, rest and lunch. Head back to DL for more playing. Dinner at DL. Maybe RF cafe, or somewhere inside DL.
Wednesday 10/29:
Sleep in a bit, bfast at the hotel or grab lattes and danish at the bakery in DL. This day is for DCA. Visa meet and greet. We'll hang out there all day. I'm hoping DD will nap in her stroller this day. Head back to hotel early afternoon, rest, eat dinner, dress in costumes and head back to DCA for MToT party!!
Thursday 10/30: EE day! Bfast at the hotel. Hit things we might have missed along the way because this is our last day. Check out, maybe leave our bags there and go back to DL for awhile. I don't think we'll close the park down, because we have to drive home this night. So we'll leave whenever we feel ready.
Ok, so that's the plan tentatively. Any ideas? Suggestions? Comments?
So far I've bought some goodies for everyone: tshirts, pins for the kids and me hehe. I bought Linz a Belle dress to wear one day and I got the Minnie pumpkin dress for MToT. I need to get something for me and DH will probably not wear a costume BOO!
Questions:
- DD is about 37 inches, will she get to go on most rides?
- DH is very tall and has broad shoulders, any ride restrictions? At Six Flags, the ones that go over the shoulders don't fit him.
- DN will want to check out the Jedi training. Is there a place I can find out times for this? Should I make him a sign?
- We are Disney Visa holders and won't be using the strollers because we'll bring our Mac Volo, however I want to let someone else have my stroller rentals. How can I do this? Just check one out and give it to someone?
- How is Rainforest Cafe? Worth it for the kids? Food?
I guess that's it for now! I hope I haven't bored anyone to tears lol. Thanks for reading.
. I think though when I go in 27 days 
scared1: only 27, I still have tons of planning to do) I will make signs.
(some people are so skeptical!! LOL)
