4 Adults, 2 (Maybe 3) Birthdays, 1 Anniversary...NO KIDS!!! August 17-24, 2013

[RavenRequiem]

Well, I tried this once before and fell way short so I'm going to try this again. DH & I were able to visit DL last year at Halloween after not having been since we were 18 (1993(DH) & 1996(ME)). What a blast that was. It was only possible due to me winning a contest. GO ME!!! We were lucky enough to stay at the GCH and spend some money to stay elsewhere a bit longer to do MHP. As some of that trip REALLY did not go well, we are having a bit of a do-over/adults only/no family trip. This year we're going in August as the cast of characters prefer the original HM over NBCHM. This just happens to overlap a couple of birthdays. First up in our motley cast is myself (Jen) and DH (Shane):



Next up is our good friends Brittni & Jon Paul. Brittni is a Disney freak and we're dragging Jon Paul along for the ride. He's already been warned he has to be good.



Now how this story began:

Brittni hasn't been to DL for a few years and was EXTREMELY jealous that we went last October. We got to talking and finally around January/February we started firming up plans. I did a lot of pricing and we decided to spend the couple extra hundred $$ to stay at FFI. DH & I stayed down Harbor last time and it was just too far to walk, even as much as we do. Across the street was perfect. We had to decide dates. Well, DH's b-day is Aug. 23. Brittni's is Aug. 24. Seemed perfect. We're still debating about making Jon Paul celebrate his birthday at DL. His is Aug. 1st. Lest you think I'm out of the celebrations, DH & I's anniversary is Sept. 4th. Yep, we'll be celebrating 16 years this year. 2 years in a row celebrating at DL. Ok, I'm in heaven.

We're going to be in Anaheim the week before HM goes down for refurb. That was perfect for us. DH & I always went during busy times with our families. That's how we're used to. We just have to help Brittni along. She's used to the slower times like February. The perk of this trip will be single-rider as none of us have kids.

Well, I'll continue more in a bit as it's back to work I go.

 

[RavenRequiem]

Stops Along The Way
It's Paid Off
Soon but not soon enough
Is anybody out there?
Keeping my head in the game
Packed!

 

[RavenRequiem]

Today was the day. Today marked when our hotel, tickets, and character meal got paid off. It felt so good to know that the biggest cost was paid for and now there were only a few things left that couldn't really be paid ahead of time: gas, food, and souvenirs. Well, I will be getting Photopass+. It's a bit of a rush.


We're 39 days out from arriving in Anaheim. It'll still be a couple of days until we hit the parks as we're waiting until Monday to avoid the crowds. That could change but for now the itinerary is as follows:

Aug 16 - Leave SLC late for a night drive to Anaheim. Possibly stop in Vegas to walk and stretch our legs a bit.
Aug 17 - Arrival Day - Relax and enjoy just being in town. Probably lots of sleeping and swimming.
Aug 18 - Have no idea. Maybe Hollywood, a comic shop or 2, the beach, or anything that strikes our fancy.
Aug 19 - 1st Park day - Be there for rope drop in DL and just enjoy. None of us are big planners so we'll fly by the seat of our pants. There are certain rides that are MUST DO's but other wise, we'll pick up fastpasses and utilize single rider a bit.
Aug 20 - MM - Hit as many rides as possible on MM and then M&F at 9:20. This will be our 1 splurge meal and I am considering doing this as a birthday gift to Brittni & Jon Paul. We will mainly be doing counter-service meals as we're all still on a budget. DH & I shared a lot of meals last time and didn't eat nearly as much as we usually do.
Aug 21 - Off Day - Relax, maybe beach, maybe touristy stuff, maybe sleep (we're all open-close people). Who knows, we'll play by ear.
Aug 22 - DCA opening and wide-right then FP line. This will be the only time I will insist on being at DCA 1st thing. We'll probably have hit single rider previously and be hopping a lot.
Aug 23 - Last Day so we'll get as much as possible in.
Aug 24 - Leave for home, possibly with an overnight in Vegas, which means leaving early enough to actually have TIME in Vegas, not just a small bit. (long story, family drama, might have to finish the last trip report to explain)

Thanks for reading so far. Let me know what you think.

 

[RavenRequiem]

Well, that's it. We are now down to just less than a month from when we leave. Hotel & tickets are paid for, Photopass+ is ordered, and now we just have to wait. It's been a very long few months and we are really in need of this trip. I'm looking forward to being able to just go wherever we want and do whatever strikes our fancy.

I think our first ride will be Haunted Mansion. That is Brittni's favorite and DH and I went last year, we have no preference for our first ride. I think most days we'll be there for rope drop and get as much done as possible early in the day and just enjoy everything we can.

As far as doing things at home, I am getting ready to prepare for the penny presses. I will take all of mine from last year and try to get as many as possible that I missed. It was so much fun getting those last year. I must remember to pick up a map.

Thanks for following along and I hope you enjoy.

 

[RavenRequiem]

Well, so far no one has commented but I'll keep going if only to have a history for myself. Today was a great day. All because I received the fun little documents in the mail today.





So now we get to the hurry up and wait. I know it's getting here but there really is a lot to do, mainly the normal household chores but at least we have someone to take care of our house. I don't have to worry about that any more.

Well, enjoy your day and I'll bring more updates as they come.

 

[burly]

Hi, I'm along for the ride!
looking forward to more...
doesn't it seem like when it gets close, even though things are paid off, you still have planning to do??


KIM

 

[RavenRequiem]

For now all the planing we are doing is getting through the workdays and regular life. There is enough going on there that it's driving us a bit crazy. I have to make sure I'm all caught up at my job before I leave so that nothing gets left behind. That will be interesting. Within the next couple of weeks we'll begin doing some packing and such. I still need to shop for a nice short summer dress. After wearing my maxi dress last night. I want to find something for at least 1 day that isn't shorts.

 

[RavenRequiem]

Well, now it's about 2 weeks out before we leave (off by a day or 2 but close enough). Now I just have to keep my head in the game here at home instead of dreaming it away for the trip. It's been tough with all of the different issues going on at work. Not to mention working 2 jobs and just feeling like ALL I'm doing right now is working. Now is when I have to buckle down, get all caught up on my typing and just plain get organized so I don't come back to a nightmare.

Not to mention, just over a week after we return, our own city of Salt Lake is having a Comic Con. Disney and comics in 2 weeks? Geesh. I may just go into geek overload. This will be quite the lovely time period.

 

[burly]

Dang! Good luck getting it all done before you go.
Just remember to breath! lol

are you excited yet????

 

[RavenRequiem]

Dang! Good luck getting it all done before you go.
Just remember to breath! lol

are you excited yet????

Goodness! I am so excited but it's being tempered with the fact that we have to get our entire house clean in the next week and a half. This means laundry, full-out cleaning of different rooms, including some carpet cleaning which we started yesterday. Basically time consuming stuff in between working and working.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along.

 

[Chaitali]

I'm following along too Is FFI Fairfield Inn? We're staying there for our October trip so can't wait to hear how it is. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[RavenRequiem]

Yes, FFI is Fairfield Inn. I'm looking forward to being so close since we were be several blocks away last time.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Following along!

 

[RavenRequiem]

Well, it's almost here. We leave on Friday! That's just 2 DAYS AWAY!!! Ok, I'm a bit excited. I haven't written anything lately because we've been so busy cleaning the house and working with a little bit of packing thrown in there for good measure. The deal was that the house had to be completely clean before we leave. Well, I've been working very hard and now the only thing left is the kitchen and it's mostly cosmetic. You know, wiping counters, a few dishes, and of course, the floors. After spending all day Sunday reclaiming the bedroom, the kitchen won't be too bad. I'll be getting to that tomorrow after work. I've been working 2 jobs and have had both all week. Tonight is my last night at the part time job until after the trip.

Last night we finished packing. No, really, we did. We had done some on Sunday whilst cleaning the bedroom as a lot of that included laundry and moving some things around. Granted a lot of that was stuff from our last trip that is coming with us. But last night was the night I made my husband buckle down and pick out his clothes for the trip. YAY!!!! All we have to do is throw the shoes in the car. Don't want to do this yet as I keep changing what shoes I'm wearing.

Well, back to work I go. I may update through the trip but we'll see. Friday night comes soon. I'm looking forward to the drive. Have a Disney Day!

 

[Chaitali]

You must be on your way (or already there) by now. I hope you're having a great time!