2 Weeks to GO!

[Supermavs]

Hi all! I have been reading the DISforums for oh, at least a year and now that our big trip is upon us, I decided to ask the burning questions...

First-a bit about our trip...My grandfather passed away last year this time. My mom decided to use part of her inheritance on a once in a lifetime trip for the whole family to go to DL, part celebration of his life and legacy, and part just a fun trip. She has 4 daughters (I am number2) and we are all married with several kids. So, this will be quite the crowd! (All told-10 adults, and 14 kids ranging in age from 14 down to 5 months old...three 2 year olds, oy vey!!)
We are leaving Nov. 22, and will be there for a whole week. She booked us all rooms at the Residence Inn, Maingate. Yes, the crowds over Thanksgiving are bound to be dreadful, but with so many schedules to arrange, this is what worked.

So-I am doing what I can to make this a wonderful special trip. I have gotten many tips from the board and hope to learn of some more.

What I have planned-
-i will order a cake to have at the hotel on night one, a 'welcome to DL' cake. I think we have to call at least 3 days ahead, and we must pick it up as we are not at one of the 3 disney hotels, correct?

-I am printing off activity pages for the drive down. Plan on making goody bags (with the activity pages, crayons, ring pop, etc in them) Any ideas?

-If possible will upgrade our 6 day hopper tickets to deluxe season passes on last day...(if we did on first day we would not be allowed to enter park on the holiday weekend, correct?)

What I need-
-Any ideas for a good restaurant for a subsitute Thanksgiving meal. No turkey needed, Italian or the like would be wonderful. Thinking of going on Friday?

-What is a nice gift or thing we can do for my parents as a thank you? Dinner out at Napa Rose? A massage? I have not been down there in 4 years, I am not up on the latest...

-Anything else that would be a huge not-to-miss thing to make it a special trip? We are needing to be careful, budget wise.

Thanks in advance!!

Becky...

...whose 5 kids are maybe as excited as she is!!

 

[azdisneylover]

(((Big hugs ))) Losing someone is never easy. What a wonderful way to celebrate your Grandfather by spending time together at the happiest place on earth.
I love the cake idea. We always look for reasons to have cake here! LOL
Goodie bags sound great! Having something special waiting for them in the hotel room would be fun too! "forget your camera and catch up to everyone" and put the stuff out in the rooms.
Dollar stores have great stuff to put into the goodie bags, glow sticks, lots of Disney stuff, different candies, etc.Gum, granola bars, nuts, goldfish crackers, etc, autograph books with a pen (one side for the autograph the other for the picture with the character). Walgreens has Disney disposable cameras on sale this week, buy 2 get one free reg. 7.99.Maybe you can get some Disney Dollars for the older ones. Make rice kripie treats and favorite cookies to be waiting for a snack at night. I ordered aquaclips to go with fanny packs for everyone filled with their favorite snacks soo I do not feel like a pack mule. Make LGMH for everyone in your party with 1 heart grandpa, or in loving memory of grandpa written on them.
If your mom went to DL with your grandpa, find out what your mom loved the most, and try to incorporate it into your plans. Take lots of pics, and have a wonderful time. With little ones, plan for the unexpected.
As a thank you to your parents, maybe a scrapbook with pictures and journaling of this wonderful trip would be a wonderful gift.

ps the only good Italian Restaurant I know of is Frantones in Downey.

 

[firsttimemom]

Hi Becky- we'll be there 11/21-11/26 at the same hotel! With a group that big, you'll probably be easy to spot at breakfast!

A nice dinner would be a great way to thank them. I've also heard great things about Steakhouse 55 from the podcast crew here. We're going there for dinner on Sunday the 23rd for our kids bday. Another thought is to look into one of the tours offered. We did a segway tour last month at EPCOT which was fabulous and I've heard one is offered at California Adventure. There's also a holiday tour at DL which they might like.

Hope this helps!

Liz

 

[BecBennett]

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is a great restaurant, our favourite of our trip.

Don't forget the first timer badges from City Hall.

 

[Supermavs]

Thanks for the ideas, I will look into Ralph Brennen's Kitchen and Steakhouse 55.
I would never have thought of doing a tour for them, that might be something to look into. Where are they listed?

I just LOVE the mickey head with in memory of Grandpa on it. It will be touching and really special.

I never thought to pull the old "forgot the camera" trick to set things out...that is fun.

Autograph books would be great, you can get those at the dollar store?!

I suddenly feel like I have so much to do!

Any other ideas?

Becky

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

What about shirts? Something that everyone can wear at the park and then also mom can wear once she gets home.
Either just simple Mikey head matching one, or Memory of Grandpa ones or Thanks mom shirts, or even one with your whole family on it....

Check out the Creative DISigns thread and you will begin a whole new adventure of wanting each and every design on there turned into a shirt.