April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill and I are finally starting to plan our pre-Tour days. Bill casually asked me if there are any stars I wanted to see on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I honestly drew a blank and only blurted out Walt Disney. I don't have a clue as to who has a star or not. So, I did some research and found a website that has ALL the stars and their locations. I thought y'all might find it interesting too ...

Hollywood Walk of Fame

FYI:
Disney, Roy O. MP 6833 Hollywood Blvd.
Disney, Walt MP 7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Disney, Walt TV 6747 Hollywood Blvd.
Disneyland, 50th Year 6834 Hollywood Blvd.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

If we add nights at the Hollywood Renaissance prior to the ABD Tour, can we request the same room for the Tour dates too?????? So, we don't have to change rooms after two night.

Jennifer

 

[stenogoddess]

Jennifer:

I went to a Walk of Fame website and started to print it out, and then noticed that it was 57 pages long! LOL ooops! So I just wrote down the ones I wanted, all the Disney type ones and the Gone with the Wind ones. Planning is such fun, ain't it!

 

[columnwest]

Hi Heather, glad you'll be joining us. Unfortunately, it was my partner Derek who was unable to come along. I'm actually going to be arriving in LAX for the ABD trip direct from Hong Kong Disneyland (and 2 weeks in Asia). Sadly, he couldn't get the extra week off from work, and I guess 2 weeks in Asia sounded more fun to him than 1 week in L.A.. Go figure! Anyways, I'm still coming, and I look forward to meeting you and everyone else.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm actually going to be arriving in LAX for the ABD trip direct from Hong Kong Disneyland (and 2 weeks in Asia).

Rub it in Chris. Yes we are jealous.

 

[columnwest]

Rub it in Chris. Yes we are jealous.

Well, I still haven't been to Tokyo yet. My Asia trip isn't going to Japan either, so I'm gonna have to leave that for the future. I'm pretty sure some of our fellow travellers have been though.

This is a good question: Has anyone going on our trip been to all 5 Disney Theme Park destinations (Anaheim, Florida, Japan, France, Hong Kong)?

 

[slapwhitey]

Welcome Heather!! We just landed in Seatte last week as well before our Alaska cruise. What a great city.

I gotta say that Alaska is without a doubt the most incredible place I have ever been. Definitely will have to get back at some point. Next up......WDW in October.

 

[Circusgirl]

Hi Heather, glad you'll be joining us. Unfortunately, it was my partner Derek who was unable to come along. I'm actually going to be arriving in LAX for the ABD trip direct from Hong Kong Disneyland (and 2 weeks in Asia). Sadly, he couldn't get the extra week off from work, and I guess 2 weeks in Asia sounded more fun to him than 1 week in L.A.. Go figure! Anyways, I'm still coming, and I look forward to meeting you and everyone else.

I'm sorry your partner can't be along for your whole fabulous trip, but I'm so glad it was timing only and not health or anything more serious. Thanks for the welcome, and I look forward to sharing this incredible trip with you!

Welcome Heather!! We just landed in Seatte last week as well before our Alaska cruise. What a great city.

I gotta say that Alaska is without a doubt the most incredible place I have ever been. Definitely will have to get back at some point. Next up......WDW in October.

Seattle is a sweet place to live, and I agree that Alaska is beyond what you could ever imagine before you go. I was lucky enough to be on tour there for three weeks some years ago, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. When I got home I dreamed about it every night for three weeks! I guess that is why some people actually decide to brave the winter and move there.

Kevin - Thanks for the updates. I still haven't gotten over my excitement about getting to have a clock counting down for this adventure!

Is anybody else going to be at the D23 Expo? I was able to squeeze in a weekend trip, so will be there Saturday/Sunday. It looks like an amazing time is in store.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Speaking of Seattle ... Bill is on a plane right now on his way to Seattle for business. He visits WA a few times a year for business. The thing he is most looking forward to ... Tully's. Even though Starbucks is based in WA, Bill says Tully's has "the best" coffee he has ever had.

Bill is leaving a sunny Texas today. We are suppose to get up to 97 today. Another "one last day to swim". We keep telling the the kids to enjoy the pool because it may be their last swim of the season. That was about three swims ago. Even with some recent storms, the weather has stayed pretty warm. Thankfully where were live, it doesn't get too humid (unlike Houston which I have heard is horrible like Orlando because it is about one hour inland). Being at WDW in June almost killed us. The humidity was so energy draining. We were sooooooo glad to be home to a dry heat. I never thought I would say (write) that. I am orginally from Massachusetts. I grew up with seasons. Unlike where I live now. We're lucky to turn on the fireplace in the wintertime. One year for Christmas morning, Bill turned on the A/C so I could have a fire. It just didn't feel like Christmas wearing shorts and sandals. Maybe, that is why I have been dragging my feet a bit on spending Christmas at WDW (the crowds have a little something to do with it too ). Bill has always talked about saving up our DVC points and renting a grand villa one year for Christmas. We spend Thanksgiving at WDW every year and it honestly doesn't feel any more special being at WDW than at home. I guess any excuse to be at WDW is a good one. Now, I wouldn't mind being on a Disney cruise for Christmas. However, we would have to mortgage the house to pay for it! They are VERY proud of their holiday cruises. Our "normal" cruise next November will have to suffice for now. I know, poor me. (just kidding! ) With the improvements to Castaway Cay, I can't wait to step foot on it next year. This year will be the first time in four years we haven't gone on a Disney cruise. I'm having withdrawals. They are so addicting, like the DISboards!

Jennifer

 

[stenogoddess]

Jennifer: Instead of going to WDW for Christmas, go on Jan 2. Crowds are gone and most of the decorations are still up!



We booked our airfare!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

This is a good question: Has anyone going on our trip been to all 5 Disney Theme Park destinations (Anaheim, Florida, Japan, France, Hong Kong)?

No, but our children have a pin from each park . . .

WDW - we obtained
Disneyland California - we obtained
Disneyland Paris - fellow DISer and now friend
Disneyland Japan - fellow DISer and now friend
Disneyland Hong Kong - DH's co-worker

It's neat to see the pins from the other resorts. Also, looking on the back of the pin packaging and seeing euro and yen was fun for the kids. I created a shadow box to display the pins. We have promised the children a stop at Disneyland Paris when we take our European trip in a few years. I can't wait! I just have to control myself and not take any WDW or DLR trips in 2011 and we can finally hop the pond with the kids in 2012. However, the new Disney ships will be out by then and temptation may sneak in.

Jennifer

(Speaking of Europe ... Before the deposit was non-refundable, Bill tried to "tempt me" with a trip to France and Italy next Spring instead of this trip. He ran the numbers and it was pretty close. Needless to say, I chose THIS trip. )

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Jennifer: Instead of going to WDW for Christmas, go on Jan 2. Crowds are gone and most of the decorations are still up!

That's an idea!



We booked our airfare!

Congrats! One step closer to the trip!!!!

When I looked last week, Southwest and American Airlines still hadn't gone out that far. I assume since you are booked, the April flights have been released. Off to the AA and SW sites to do some pricing ...

Jennifer

 

[stenogoddess]

Jennifer: We booked on Delta, so their dates are out. ATL is the airport I grew up with, so I always like to change planes there when I can so I know bascially where I'm going. I know a lot of people don't love Delta, but so far we do. But now that I know everyone else's problems everytime we fly I think, don't let this trip be the one that changes my mind!

 

[aspen37]

Chris, I think you have been to more Disney Parks than any of us. I have only been to DL and WDW. I hope to make it to DLP next fall.

 

[spokanemom]

I am jealous of you all booking your flights! I have to iron out a few details yet before I even know what day I will be coming in. Southwest opens up the next booking window (through May 7, 2010) on October 13, so I need to wait for that too. Ugh, I hate waiting...

 

[Dodie]

Hello fellow adventurers!

We're back from a quick WDW trip (9/2-9/6) and I wanted to pop in and say hello!

Since I'm usually thinking two trips ahead, I started my grid (the spreadsheet-like table that I create for each trip) for this trip this morning!!!! My December Disapalooza grid is well underway too!

I'm loving the varied countdown line-up in my signture now - a WDW trip, a Disneyland trip, and a DCL cruise!

 

[columnwest]

Welcome Heather!! We just landed in Seatte last week as well before our Alaska cruise. What a great city.

I gotta say that Alaska is without a doubt the most incredible place I have ever been. Definitely will have to get back at some point. Next up......WDW in October.

Hey, I just got back from an Alaska cruise myself! What ship were you on? I was on the Norwegian Sun. The natural scenery in Alaska was breathtaking though the cities (Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau) served up a lot of cheeeze (not the dairy kind) for the tourists.

I agree with everyone, Seattle is a great city. Vancouver (where I am now) is okay, but Seattle wins hands down. I lived there for five years before moving up here, but it still feels like home to me. Oh, and the food in Seattle is amazing! The Triple Coconut Cream Pie from Dahlia Bakery is out of this world. I'm still searching for good (preferably non-Asian) food in Vancouver.

 

[slapwhitey]

Hey, I just got back from an Alaska cruise myself! What ship were you on? I was on the Norwegian Sun. The natural scenery in Alaska was breathtaking though the cities (Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau) served up a lot of cheeeze (not the dairy kind) for the tourists.

I agree with everyone, Seattle is a great city. Vancouver (where I am now) is okay, but Seattle wins hands down. I lived there for five years before moving up here, but it still feels like home to me. Oh, and the food in Seattle is amazing! The Triple Coconut Cream Pie from Dahlia Bakery is out of this world. I'm still searching for good (preferably non-Asian) food in Vancouver.

I definitely agree with the cheeze.....same as I'm used to while cruising the Carribean.

We were on the Star Princess.....nice ship but they could use some entertainment for the under 65 crowd. Not that it wasn't great, just a little limited. We've been spoiled by DCL.

 

[MerriePoppins]

Hello fellow adventurers!

We're back from a quick WDW trip (9/2-9/6) and I wanted to pop in and say hello!

Since I'm usually thinking two trips ahead, I started my grid (the spreadsheet-like table that I create for each trip) for this trip this morning!!!! My December Disapalooza grid is well underway too!

I'm loving the varied countdown line-up in my signture now - a WDW trip, a Disneyland trip, and a DCL cruise!

Welcome back Dodie !! How was your trip?

We missed you in INDY.

See you in December

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill flies home tonight from Seattle. My Mom has kept me company with the kids this week. Having her here has been nice. She is staying with us until the third week of November. Hopefully, her house will be completed by then. I just realized today's date, September 11th. I don't know if Bill knew that when he made his flight plans for today. I know nothing will happen. But, it is still nerve wracking to fly on such a date with a negative history.

With all you knowledgeable WDW folks on here, I thought you might be interested to know Disney has started taking applications for the Moms Panel again (you don't have to be a Mom to submit). They started taking submissions yesterday and will accept the first 20,000 to be considered for the Moms Panel. If chosen, you win a free trip to WDW the second week of December!!!! (some of you will already be there!)

I applied yesterday.

Moms Panel Website

Jennifer