A DisneyWorld Lifer is going to Disneyland-the saga ends...

[tiggerwannabe]

That would be Sunday May 27th?




We do.

Yes, the 27th is our first day there...

How is Chad feeling? Better I hope~

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Aisling,

I am watching the Disneyland DVD right now and am wondering if you'd like me to send it on up to you when I am done with it?

I'm sure the answer is yes...I have your addy, so expect it soon

I caught a sale on Southwest today!

I got Brittany and my airfare out for $99 each!

We are flying in to San Jose, landng about noon, and I saved $100 each!

Last week this time the best price I could get came out to about $200 for each of us one way and because I waited I spent $240 total~Our flight home cost me about $250. So guess for $490 for two people to California and back, I done good. Yes?

 

[nskjerven]

flight prices sound great! Did ya get the one to LA too? (SNA airport, Orange County)????

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Not yet...Rose and me may still drive...

If we wanted to see he real coast of California, would we take Route 1? I see 5 is more direct but it's also inland, ergo, no scenery

I have east coast DISer friends, who have been to California to visit, suggest we drive...what do you say?

 

[nskjerven]

not east coast, but the drive on 1 is great, but long. We are always hard pressed to get to the park when we drive the coast, but we have done it a few times because it's so pretty. I guess if you leave really early you could do it to meet up with us that early evening.

 

[nskjerven]

btw the totally cheap flights from SJ or SFO to LA sell really quickly, they don't offer too many so watch them if you are still considering flying. they may be gone allready by today.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I'll check back with Rose today...

I checked yesterday. The fare went up $10 but it was still there~

Rose is good at getting up really early and I have a feeling she'll want to drive...how do I get through LA if we took Rt 1? It looks a bit of a mess on the map

 

[nskjerven]

we cut over to 5 at some point and drive in thru the grapevine, but not sure where...I sit in my seat and MMOB, can you see that, naw didn't think so...I'd check the maps on the web and just see who and what you think you want to see. Personally once you hit Santa Barbara I think you've seen the prettiest part of the drive so you can head in land....now I recall we'd headed in at Pismo Beach or near Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (sp)...I'll ask chicken, but you may want to drop him an email he isn't in the DIS mood these days.

You may even find that once you've taken in the coast from San Jose...Santa Cruz to Monterey area that you've had enough...it's all about the lenght you want to drive that day. I think the whole coast drive from here is about 8 hours. (give or take a minute for gas and bathroom break)

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Thanx Nan!

I started a couple threads on the Cali side of the DIS and got some useful input for our drive...

I am sorry to hear Paul is shying way from us...we miss our Chicken!!

 

[grimgrinnin]

I've got some good news, and I've got some possible bad news.

The good news is that I've got a new job. I'm now a consultant with a web development company (e-commerce). I get to work from home 100% of the time (unless I'm traveling).

The bad news - I might not be able to go to Disneyland in May. I'm not sure if I'll be able to take vacation that soon. It's not a definate 'not going', but I'm not certain.


grim

 

[ohdisco]

If you don't want to take 8+ hours to get to Disneyland, I suggest taking 101. 101 has beautiful scenery. You drive basically the coast after you hit Pismo Beach about half way to Disneyland. There are MANY pit stops along the way (The Madonna Inn/Solvang (the little dutch village...too cute!)/Santa Barbara/Etc). It's much faster than 1 (You have stoplights on 1, and you're basically going THROUGH cities), but it's much prettier than 5 (5 is huge and desolate/ugly! Also, if you hit the Grapevine at the wrong time, you're talking 3-5 hours of traffic). Also, 101 turns into 5 right where you want it to, taking you directly to Disneyland .

 

[tiggerwannabe]

OMG Grim, are you serious?!?!?!

Come on dude, you hafta come! I've gone into new jobs with vacations and simply "let them know" what I have planned.

I pray you can come but understand if you gotta do whatcha gotta do

ohdisco

thank you. 1 and 101 cross alot like our route 1 and 13 in Deleware, it's sounds alot easier than some of the other tips I got on my directions thread. Rose and I are gonna sit down with a map soon and go over our route.

Rose told me she may have a timeshare in Coronado for us to stay in between our last day in Anaheim and our first day in San Diego. She is trying to get an extra day in Anaheim but none are available. I mentioned La Jolla to her and she asked about Coronado. I told her it's worth checking out~

 

[tiggerwannabe]

So it's less than sixty days away...

Rose got our last bit-o-lodging for the trip...here's the full itinerary;

San Francisco, May 24th, 25th
San Jose, May 26th
Anaheim May 27th to the 30th
San Diego May 31st til June 4th

Plans so far;
Fly in seperately. DD and Me into San Jose at noon to visit with my friend Nan. See the kids after school and drive to San Francisco with the whole family.

Rose wants to work, so she and her DD fly into San Francisco direct, taking shuttle to hotel where DD and me should already be.

Walking/Trolley Tour of San Francisco, Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli's and the Fireman's Monument, that windy road Nan drove a stolen vw bus on. Haight & Ashbury and anything else we can find to visit while in San Francisco.

Get rental car~

Pirates of the Carribbean III in San Jose with the Skjervens

Drive to Monterey for a little sightseein' take the Pacific Coast Highway for as long as we can stand it, then hit Rt 5 for our stint in Disneyland! We'll hit DTD the first night. Disneyland for 2 full days, both parks. Universal Studios and Hollywood and LA for one day. Rose'll still have the rental car, so variations to this plan may occur.

Anaheim to San Diego is a really short run, our exact plans for the last day in Anaheim is also subject to change Right now, I'd have to guess breakfast with whoever's left-Nan and Aisling spoke of leaving DL before us. Grim, now says he might not even go So it could be breakfast for four on our last day in downtown disney california~

For San Diego, we want to see the Zoo and Sea World. We want to drive to Coronado for the day, a day on a California Beach! Rose and me spend half our life on or planning to go, to the beach. I Love the Beach! Did I say I love the beach? ... good....just cheacking....

After the beach, we're gonna give back the car.

We expect to do Sea World and the Zoo via a shuttle we hope the resort has for us to use. San Diego is that small, isn't it? We'll also shuttle ourselves to the airport in San Diego when it's time to go home. We're traveling back together, unlike traveling in.

Then we go home....I want to rest before I go home anyway...that time difference is gonna KILL me when it's time to go back East. So I told DD tonight, I intend to Veg...in the sun, in a lounger, enjoying what's left of our vacation, she said she'll be right there with me

This trip seems so real to me, and I haven't even left yet. I've always dreamt of California. Never realized I lived there for three full years!! I was a baby of course. Mom and Dad were Navy. We moved around. Alot.

California is my dream. My ultimate vacation. I pray my daughter and my best friend and hers have the time of our lives. We've planned this so many years ago, I'll hate to see this journey end. I'll be sure to take alot of pictures, do you think 1 gig'll be enough??? If not, I got backup. My little point and shoot is good for another 1000 pictures easy.

My one and only souvenir I have to buy myself?

A scrapbook.

Sharla would be proud


I can't wait to see my old cruisin friends again, I made them here on the DIS.



Love You All! Mean It~


colleen.

 

[nskjerven]

OMG Grim, are you serious?!?!?!

Come on dude, you hafta come! I've gone into new jobs with vacations and simply "let them know" what I have planned.

I pray you can come but understand if you gotta do whatcha gotta do

Grim, we gotta see that baby!!!! If you are telecomuting then do it from the road (ask the chicken it really can work)

Rose told me she may have a timeshare in Coronado ~

LOVE THE ISLAND... go even if for the day, to stay on it even better, like butter.... (coronado is the island, fyi)

So it's less than sixty days away...

San Diego is that small, isn't it?

nope, it's huge just like the rest of the state...but you might find public transportation. We've always had a car, but look online and see what cha find....



I can't wait to see my old cruisin friends again, I made them here on the DIS.


miss you too, seems really close and really far away at the same time, make sense?


Love You All! Mean It~


back at ya

colleen.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Yes, I got the "Island" reference...moreso cause I saw it on a map just yesterday

We didn't get the place on Coronado but that is where our Beach Day is gonna be I was just looking at a travel page on La Jolla's Children's Pool(?) Britt and me wanna see some Seals~

It was also suggested to me that if we get out of Anaheim to do a LA tour that we try to hit Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, the Strip, Ventura Beach and Santa Monica Pier. I'm wondering if all that can be done in a day Maybe if we go back into LA the day we go to San Diego and make it a touring travel day...comments? questions?

~Where are Ya Grim?!! We need to know if'n your coming please~

 

[PrincessaC]

Hiya Colleen~

I was just reading your pre-trip report. My it sounds like it's going to be lots of fun!

One of these days we'll make it out to Cali too... I hope... but in the mean time I look forward to your pictures.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Callllyyyyyy!!!

Welcome~and your wish is my command

This trip started as a once in a lifetime one for me but as we get closer, I know I will get out there again...Cali's in my blood, I can't wait to experience the real thing.

 

[grimgrinnin]

~Where are Ya Grim?!! We need to know if'n your coming please~

I won't know for a while. All depends on if the launch date for my first project gets pushed back or not. I know it's already been pushed back a couple of times.


I know all about 'working vacations'. I helped launch Mikasa.com from the Magic on my first cruise. I was up all night in the computer lab, then went Kayaking in St. Martin. I suggest getting a good night's sleep before kayaking...


grim

 

[tiggerwannabe]

We'd love to see you guys but would obviously understand if YOU have to bow out...

Will Dede and Piper still be able to join us?

Even if it's only for a couple days????

Ppppppppppleeeeeaaaase!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

So Nanette...how's that Club 33 thing going????

I need to make ADRs for Blue Bayou if we're gonna eat there and am curious if your'e able to secure us a ressie at the Club~

Happy Easter my Friends!

colleen.