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

[tiggerwannabe]

Riddle me this batman, where does she put the trip report

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I wanted to start a pre-trip report...but don't know where it would be proper to write this...

I am a lurker of these boards, I read Nebo and Lauralee and Delswife's reports, I have only ever been to Walt Disney World and have been there many times. This is my first trip ever, out West. I want to share my story, cause I love reading all about yours, but wasn't sure if it be proper to write about California here...Arrrgh!

I am learning sooo much about Anaheim and California and Disneyland itself.

I was just virtually touring our hotel-I can't believe how close we are gonna be staying! We chose the BestWestern Park Plaza by suggestion of a friend...

but please, allow me go back a little so you understand my story~~~~~~

My Mother decided to try a Disney Cruise. She has two daughters, I of course am one, and two granddaughters...she has 3 grandsons and a couple son-in-laws as well but they are not included in any of these trips...don't ask why, they all have been to Disney, but these are meant to be "girl" trips.

aaaaaaaaaanyway....

Mom took my sister and niece to Mexico on the 7 day western and then took my daughter and myself on the 7 day eastern cruise.

My Mother learned a few things on her first cruise;

1st and foremost, she LOVED it, and was absolutely going to go again.

2nd, hurricane season may be cheaper, but that's because there's hurricane's out there during hurricane season.

3rd, there are threads on the DIS for people cruising together, to get to know each other loooong before they board.

When she and I were discussing *my* cruise with her, we talked about timing. Between the extra 3 days they had to spend on the ship, the totally backwards and omitted ports from the itinerary, and rough seas their last day on board, I wasn't too keen on going in September. Mom also learned that my niece would have been happier, had she brought a friend on the cruise, so we invited a friend of my DD to sail with us. This friend is adamant about not missing school tho, so when we invited her and looked at the schedule, Christmas week was the only week we could sail where Stef wouldn't lose any time from school. Mom said ok!

We were all booked to sail the week starting December 24th, 2005 and docking back at Port Canaveral on New Years Eve.

What to do next?

Well, I am a dedicated DISer, so I perused over to the cruise meets board. Mom knew about this board, and so did I a little, cause she had met up with fellow DISers on her cruise to Mexico.

So I went looking for cruisemates and I found em. A Mahvelous group, from all over the continental United States and even a couple from England. We were set. We all started talking about meeting up and who's staying where and who's doing what and a few even linked dining all together. We wound up thirteen at our table! Every night we took turns with who sat next to whom. Not every meal was done together, breakfasts were kinda spotty with attendees, but we were always together for dinner, every night of our cruise.

Needless to say, we all became friends.

----I know I'm waaay off the Disneyland story, but I am getting there...really I am ----

One family lives in California, one set lives in Arizona and the other family from our dinner group live in New York, my family lives in New Jersey.

Fast Forward to today.~~~~~

What began as a trip with my daughter, DDs best friend who cruised with us and DDsBFs Mom...what was planned YEARS ago for us to go to California together, and cruise the coast and visit all the parks and sightsee together.

----DD and DDsBF are both 18 now and this was to be our "girls" trip, My Friend Rose and I planned this literally when these two were 5 years old----


Well, it has since turned into a reunion of all who cruised together! Well almost, my Mom still hasn't said she'd come. I have Stef's Mom coming in her stead.

My crew are flying in to San Francisco area first, touring the golden gate bridge, the wharf and the city...then moving on to San Jose to meet up with our California friends, #1 to see POTC III together and #2 to drive to Disneyland together!!! We are ALL meeting up at the Best Western, even the family from New York! The family from Phoenix are bringing their little souvenir~

Since the trip is just over 3 months away, I am doing my restaurant homework...I have already figured out our tickets and our hotel room is booked. Since Southwest flies out to California, I will wait for their schedule to come out and most likely book with them. Besides that, my specific itinerary will be next to get filled in. What rides to do first, what rides are fast passes, what rides are different and which are the same.

I am really looking forward to riding Indiana Jones and a few other rides I've never had the pleasure of riding. Specifically, Mr Toad's Wild Ride! My first trip to Disney World with my family was in 1993, we didn't ride it cause my then 5 year old daughter was too afraid to. Well, as most of you may know, it closed shortly after that trip and was long gone when we got back to the World in 1997. This one, for nostalgic reasons, is gonna be at the top of my list of rides to hit first!

We've got 3 day park hopper passes and I intend to hit every ride in both parks before I go home. My crew also plans on visiting Universal Hollywood, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo before we go home. I am an avid photographer and will bring back lotsa pics to go with my story, I hope I haven't board you all to death already...I am just so ready for this trip! ​

 

[nskjerven]

love it. can't wait for the next installment...(hee hee hee)

you never told me about Wild Toad (molly's favorite too...."the wind in the willows"....la la la la)

and as for indy....Wilson is now tall enough to go and that means he drives!!!!

We're set my friend....

write more, I'll read.

xo,

N (the one from SJ who is hosting the PoC party arrrggggg)

 

[grimgrinnin]

Sounds like fun! Can I go?

Indy RULES!!! My favorite ride of all time. Dont' forget the Matterhorn!

grim

 

[Aisling]

Great pre-trip report! I see you're destined to become the next Dis TR Legend!
Waiting to read more details.

 

[DISUNC]

I am a lurker of these boards, I read Nebo and Lauralee and Delswife's reports

First the No Postcard Scandal!!!! Now this!!!

...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

First the No Postcard Scandal!!!! Now this!!!

...

Oh Puhleeease!

If you'd given me anything to read more recently than NOVEMBER! your name would be up there!!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

love it. can't wait for the next installment...(hee hee hee)

you never told me about Wild Toad (molly's favorite too...."the wind in the willows"....la la la la)

and as for indy....Wilson is now tall enough to go and that means he drives!!!!

We're set my friend....

write more, I'll read.

xo,

N (the one from SJ who is hosting the PoC party arrrggggg)

Molly is totally gonna be my ride guide!

She's the one who's got me interested in how much better your small world and pirates are...

I've been looking and DL pictures and videos all day today getting to know the lay of the land...

3 3 and 3

3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days from today, we'll be in Cali babeee~

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Sounds like fun! Can I go?

Indy RULES!!! My favorite ride of all time. Dont' forget the Matterhorn!

grim

ABSOLUTELY!!

be sure to bring the family tho

I wanna do all the rides! Really...

Even Autopia~the cars look kinda cool~

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Great pre-trip report! I see you're destined to become the next Dis TR Legend!
Waiting to read more details.

Legend? Nahhhh...

I am simply happy to have somewhere to share~

As Nan can attest, my itinerary is quite blank at the moment...

I keep hearing about eating at Blue Bayou, you west coasters need to give me some idea as to where we're gonna get our ADR's for???

Starting with the first night~

Thanx for coming over guys,

I can't wait to get this puppy started

 

[nskjerven]

Autopia duh....of course. You also have to buy a photo to sticker on your license.

ADRs.....hmmmm we need to check out the fantasmic dessert/dining option (Grim, have you ever gotten thoser ressies?) I know they do some 90 days out I think....

I'll get off my hinnie and see if my cousin's husband's cousin was really true in offering me a 33 ressie. That I'll get working on now. I'll make it for as many as we can (tigg 4, me & paul,Aisling 3? grim 2(not sure about the little miss p for this night, we'd stick our in the club at Grand CA if we get ressies...then we have to stay there huh?)

blue bayou of course. there really aren't the dining options here that there are in WDW, so it isn't hard to figure out the food stuff.

ah yes, molly is the ride guide but the key is willie, we call him WPS (like GPS, but W instead) we work the crowds very effectively. Oh come on, you know me total freak of getting all the disney I can in a short amount of time (and then have a beer)

wish me luck for tomorrow....ressies for repo

nite, waiting for more of your plan dearie....

 

[grimgrinnin]

ADRs.....hmmmm we need to check out the fantasmic dessert/dining option (Grim, have you ever gotten thoser ressies?)

Yes, yes I have

I'll get off my hinnie and see if my cousin's husband's cousin was really true in offering me a 33 ressie.

Whoa - what?


grim

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I am so lost...and embarrassed...

Now I gotta go look up 33

Is it possible to try to do the Fantasmic thing the first night there?

and Nan, I will understand if you go with the GCH. I saw pictures, that place is GORGEOUS! and just like last time, we can all have an excuse to visit the hotel with you there. You gonna do concierge if you change your ressies?

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I can't find it!!! What's a 33?!?!?!?!

Nan,

I'm working on filling in those details you spoke of, I should have a better idea and share soon~

 

[tiggerwannabe]

This is a new twist for y'all pre-trip report readers!

You get to see the planning as it all happens!

NAN!

I hope you come on today, I will also email you and Paul this question...

If I get a hotel in San Jose area, where do you suggest I book???

I have my priority club rewards page open and searching for hotels as I write this...

 

[grimgrinnin]

I can't find it!!! What's a 33?!?!?!?!

Club 33. It's an ultra-exclusive private club/restaurant - members only. The only place in Disneyland that sells booze. The holy grail of Disney Geekdom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_33



grim

 

[grimgrinnin]

Is it possible to try to do the Fantasmic thing the first night there?

The Fantasmic! Dessert Buffet is about $60 per person (extra - that does't include park admission). It's only worth it (to me) if you can get the balcony seating. It is so cool to sit on that balcony above the HORDES of people below. The Desserts are better on the balcony as well.
Here's the buffet from our October, 2005 trip:

More info:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-fantasmic.htm

grim

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Wow!

Nan I will be forever edebted if you get us into Club 33...

I'm in for the dessert buffet if you all are...it says only 20 people fit up in the balcony, it'll be tricky to get that tho won't it since we are 13?

-lucky number 13-

I hereby make a pact to be on the phone, first thing in the am, on April 27th, if we all agree to get ourselves these ressies~

Is it worth the $59 at all if we only get preferred?

 

[nskjerven]

I'd gladly pay for the fantasmic stuff, any price. Seating is a bear (not the word I was going to use here, but it's a family page)

Didn't I tell you the 33 story from the wedding in London, oh yeah that trip we took were my kids had the CHICKEN POX????

If we do GCA in May, no conceirge there. It's ridulouly priced. I only did that at AKL as it was my "once in a lifetime trip" But of course we could all hang there and use the pool together.

(btw, I booked Panama...I'm going to book NYE, but not tell chicken, let's hope he doesn't find the thread) (did anyone else book NYE yet?) man is that off topic or what. blabber....

N

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Nahhhh, you're not off topic...

You confirmed for me that we'll do the Fantasmic dessert package!

Will be be in Anaheim early enough to do this our first night?

I want to book the cruise but need to wait a week or two...

My son's big party is this weekend and I need to replenish the fundage a little before I put that deposit down on our cruise...it's $200 down per person right?

And no, I don't remember a Club 33 story

Dish woman, dish!