3 Generations Trip To Disneyland Pre-Trip Report

[waydownunder]

3 Generations Trip To Disneyland Pre-Trip Report:

Hi All,
I am sooooooooooo excited about our trip to Disneyland in November , 4 long months to go and counting and thought I would have a go at doing a pre-trip report to help get me through our long cold winter days (we live in Christchurch New Zealand).

This is my first ever trip report so please be gentle if I am not doing this right .

First off let me introduce myself and my family
Cast:
Me – 45 years old and totally Disney obsessed. My favourite characters are Tink, Mickey, Pooh, Jack Skellington and any Disney Villian.

DH – 47 years old and my biggest supporter of my Disney obsession (won’t admit it but loves Donald Duck and Boo from Monsters Inc).

DD – 22 years old and has caught my Disney obsession (she was doomed from the start with me for a mother ). Her favourite characters are Eeyore, Belle, Jack Skellington, Simba and Maleficent.

DSIL – 20 years old and we are slowly reforming him to the Disney lifestyle. Favourite characters Jack Skellington , Lightning Mc Queen and Mickey.

DS – 20 years old and loves Disney animation (he is studying Digital design at present). Favourite characters Jack Skellington and all the marvel characters.

DM – 81 years old. This will be her 1 and only trip to Disneyland and the US so want to make it really special for her. Favourite characters Tink and Disney princesses.

My husband and I have been to Disneyland once before in 2007 but reading these boards looks like a lot has changed since then. It is a first time trip for the rest of my family.

I want this trip to be special for all of us but especially for my Mother who has given up a lot for her children and is always there for us no matter what. So if any one has any ideas of things I can do to give her special memories of our trip I would appreciate it.

Please feel free to comment or add your advise on our plans for our dream Disney Vacation.

 

[waydownunder]

We have booked 2 rooms at Anaheim Plaza Hotel, we would have loved to stay at one of the Disney Hotels but decided that the $$$ we have saved by staying off site could be better used for other things we want to do. All we will use the hotel for is to sleep and shower so do not need flash accommodation.
We are in Anaheim from 13th - 26th November and have 10 day hopper passes (special deal for Australians and New Zealanders). We picked these dates hoping that we can experience some of the Christmas at Disneyland offerings.

Thursday 13th:
Flying with United Airlines and arriving at LAX at 10.00am, booked Lansky for transfers to Plaza Hotel.
Drop Bags at Hotel and head over to Downtown Disney.
About 2.00pm head back to hotel for rest and pool time (earlier if we can get into our room.
Head back to DTD for early dinner then back to hotel for early night.

Friday 14th:
All day - Disneyland, we will take a rest break back at hotel in the afternoon if needed.

Saturday 15th:
All day - California Adventure, we will take a rest break back at hotel in the afternoon if needed.

Sunday 16th:
Morning – DLand/CA
Afternoon – Anaheim Plaza/Walmart
Evening – Dland

Monday 17th:
Morning – Outlet Express to Citadel Outlets
Afternoon – Citadel Outlets
Evening: DTD

Tuesday 18th:
All Day – Knott’s Berry Farm, ART Bus

Wednesday 19th:
Morning – Farmers Market and The Grove. Have booked Lansky for transport.
Afternoon – Us Girls going to American Girl and have booked a personal shopper.
Evening – DTD

Thursday 20th:
All Day – Universal Studios, have booked tour through Greyline.
Evening – Anaheim Garden Walk for Dinner

Friday 21st:
Morning – Dland/CA
Afternoon – Block at Orange – ART Bus
Evening – Dland/CA

Saturday 22nd:
All Day – Dland/CA

Sunday 23rd:
All Day – Dland/CA

Monday 24th:
Morning – Dland/CA
Afternoon – Westfield Main Place –ART Bus
Evening – Dland/CA

Tuesday 25th:
All Day – Dland/ CA

Wednesday 26th:
All Day – Dland/CA/DTD for last minute shopping. Leave park at 5.00pm for Lansky to take us back to Airport for flight home.

We will take rest breaks as required.
I will probably make changes to this once the calendar is available on Disneyland web site to accommodate the shows we want to see

 

[waydownunder]

Can you see if I have forgotten anything?

Airfares – United Airlines
Airport Transfers - Lansky
Travel Insurance
Anaheim Plaza Hotel
10 Day Disneyland Park Hoppers
Outlet Express Tickets – Citadel Outlets
Knott’s Berry Farm Tickets
The Grove Return Transfers - Lansky
Universal Studio Tour Tickets – Greyline
Pre-paid Excess Baggage – yep lot of shopping planned

 

[waydownunder]

Thursday 13th:
Lunch –
Dinner – Tortilla Jo’s

Friday 14th:
Breakfast – Rainforest Cafe
Lunch – Golden Horseshoe – I’m hanging out for my clam chowder in sourdough bowl yum!
Dinner – Big Thunder Ranch BBQ
Saturday 15th:
Breakfast – Riverbelle Terrace
Lunch – Earl of Sandwich
Dinner – Redd Rocket Pizza Port

Sunday 16th:
Breakfast – Surfs Up Character Breakfast
Lunch – Pacific Wharf Cafe
Dinner –

Monday 17th:
Breakfast – Mimi’s Cafe
Lunch –
Dinner – House of Blues

Tuesday 18th:
Breakfast – Denny’s
Lunch – Mrs Knott’s Chicken Dinner
Dinner – Bubba Gump

Wednesday 19th:
Breakfast – La Brea Bakery
Lunch –
Dinner – Rainforest Café

Thursday 20th:
Breakfast – Ihop
Lunch –
Dinner – Fire and Ice

So what do you think??

 

[waydownunder]

My PhotoPass plus has justed arrived

 

[waydownunder]

Friday 21st:
Breakfast – Rainforest Cafe
Lunch –
Dinner – Mc Donald’s

Saturday 22nd:
Breakfast – Flo’s V8 Cafe
Lunch – Ariel’s Grotto Character Meal
Dinner – ESPN

Sunday 23rd:
Breakfast – Tomorrowland Terrace
Lunch – Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
Dinner – Flo’s V8 Cafe

Monday 24th:
Breakfast – Denny’s
Lunch –
Dinner – Mimi’s Café

Tuesday 25th:
Breakfast – Minnie and Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn
Lunch – Blue Bayou
Dinner – Hungry Bear

Wednesday 26th:
Breakfast – Rainforest Cafe
Lunch –
Dinner -

 

[ishbit92]

Wow, sounds like an awesome vacation! You New Zealanders are lucky to get 10 day passes

My family will actually be there at the same time (November 18-24), and we have a very similar crew in terms of age and levels of loving Disney!

It will be my Disney-obsessed mom, my dad, me (I'm 22 and also inherited my Disney obsession from my mom), my 23 year old boyfriend (also trying to convert him to Disney haha), and my 19 year old brother. No grandma in our crew though, and we are from the other side of the world (Alaska).

Have you thought about having a nice family dinner at Carthay Circle? That would be something special for the whole family. I've only ever ate there once but they have delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere.

Oh, and have you thought about any of the tours? I'm really considering going on either the Walk in Walts Footsteps, the Holiday tour, or the new tour in DCA (can't remember what it's called). Maybe the Walk in Walts tour would be good for your family since you're new to the park

How exciting that it will be most of your family's first trip! Have you guys ever gone to any other Disney parks as a family? I'm sure your kids will LOVE it, my family has gone numerous times & my brother & I just have a blast every time even though we're "big kids" . I haven't been during the holidays since I was 7 though, so I am very excited about that. I hear the park is gorgeous. Only 4.5 more months!

 

[paisleymoo]

Thursday 13th:
Flying with United Airlines and arriving at LAX at 10.00am, booked Lansky for transfers to Plaza Hotel.
Drop Bags at Hotel and head over to Downtown Disney.
About 2.00pm head back to hotel for rest and pool time (earlier if we can get into our room.
Head back to DTD for early dinner then back to hotel for early night.

Friday 14th:
All day - Disneyland, we will take a rest break back at hotel in the afternoon if needed.

Saturday 15th:
All day - California Adventure, we will take a rest break back at hotel in the afternoon if needed.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who does this! Day one - rest and DTD, Day two, all about DL, day 3 all CA!! Cant wait to see the rest of your trip!

 

[waydownunder]

Wow, sounds like an awesome vacation! You New Zealanders are lucky to get 10 day passes

My family will actually be there at the same time (November 18-24), and we have a very similar crew in terms of age and levels of loving Disney!

It will be my Disney-obsessed mom, my dad, me (I'm 22 and also inherited my Disney obsession from my mom), my 23 year old boyfriend (also trying to convert him to Disney haha), and my 19 year old brother. No grandma in our crew though, and we are from the other side of the world (Alaska).

Have you thought about having a nice family dinner at Carthay Circle? That would be something special for the whole family. I've only ever ate there once but they have delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere.

Oh, and have you thought about any of the tours? I'm really considering going on either the Walk in Walts Footsteps, the Holiday tour, or the new tour in DCA (can't remember what it's called). Maybe the Walk in Walts tour would be good for your family since you're new to the park

How exciting that it will be most of your family's first trip! Have you guys ever gone to any other Disney parks as a family? I'm sure your kids will LOVE it, my family has gone numerous times & my brother & I just have a blast every time even though we're "big kids" . I haven't been during the holidays since I was 7 though, so I am very excited about that. I hear the park is gorgeous. Only 4.5 more months!

Hi ishbit92

Yes I have been considering doing a WOC meal at Cathay Circle as I have seen great reviews on these boards.

I am also seriously thinking about doing a tour but can't decide on which one.

No we have never been to any other disney park but now all the kids are older and leaving the nest my DH and I are going to go to WDW and also a Disney cruise through Alaska, hopefully in the next year or 2.

I to are excited about experiencing Christmas at Disneyland especially the decorations and shows.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Hope you to have a magical trip

 

[waydownunder]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who does this! Day one - rest and DTD, Day two, all about DL, day 3 all CA!! Cant wait to see the rest of your trip!

Hi Paisleymoo,

After a 20 hour plus flight and standbys I really don't want to waste a day of our pass when everyone will be to tired to enjoy their 1st time at Disneyland.

I tell you I'm really glad I did plan a down day for our 1st day as the airline has just changed our flight times. We now have to be at our local airport at 4.20am and now land at LAX at 6.20am instead of 10.00am that makes 23 hours of flight time and standby time at airports but it will all be worth it once we are at Disneyland.