Big Thanks to all my NEW DL friends-All booked and ready to go!

[jimmysmom74]

So I just wanted to put a out a big thank you to all those who assisted me with my decisions.
We are staying at the HoJo with the super saver rate nov.19-24. just booked it today. We got a 2 Queen room with pool/garden view. Don't really know if that is good, but the larger beds are important to us. I planned to book the FFI until we got this email yesterday. Hopefully the walk isn't too much farther.
As far as my SIL family, I tried to talk them into switching from the Comfort Inn Maingate (as many have suggested it was a long walk), but they are going to keep their plans. They really like the kids suite they booked and breakfast. We will just meet at the park daily.
I am sure I will have many more questions as I start planning meals and touring, but I just wanted to say THANKS!!!!

 

[IBLarsen]

So I just wanted to put a out a big thank you to all those who assisted me with my decisions.
We are staying at the HoJo with the super saver rate nov.19-24. just booked it today. We got a 2 Queen room with pool/garden view. Don't really know if that is good, but the larger beds are important to us. I planned to book the FFI until we got this email yesterday. Hopefully the walk isn't too much farther.
As far as my SIL family, I tried to talk them into switching from the Comfort Inn Maingate (as many have suggested it was a long walk), but they are going to keep their plans. They really like the kids suite they booked and breakfast. We will just meet at the park daily.
I am sure I will have many more questions as I start planning meals and touring, but I just wanted to say THANKS!!!!

I'm so happy you got all that worked out! I know the logistics can be overwhelming. Now the fun part begins!

 

[KateDrake]

That sounds wonderful! You guys will have a great time.

Something that has worked well for us when traveling with family or friends is to have the rule "Everyone is in charge of their own fun." If that means you have to split up a bit so that one family can go see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln while the other tracks down a fav character, that's OK! You don't have to spend every minute together. We often will make a dinner reservation or at least pick a restaurant, and be sure we meet up for at least one meal. That allows us to see each other at least once a day and compare what we want to do. And if we want to do the same thing, we can stick together. It's worked out well for us, so everyone gets to do what they want, but we also get in some quality time.

 

[jimmysmom74]

That sounds wonderful! You guys will have a great time.

Something that has worked well for us when traveling with family or friends is to have the rule "Everyone is in charge of their own fun." If that means you have to split up a bit so that one family can go see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln while the other tracks down a fav character, that's OK! You don't have to spend every minute together. We often will make a dinner reservation or at least pick a restaurant, and be sure we meet up for at least one meal. That allows us to see each other at least once a day and compare what we want to do. And if we want to do the same thing, we can stick together. It's worked out well for us, so everyone gets to do what they want, but we also get in some quality time.

That is great advice! I know I'm a planner, and I don't want to overwhelm them with schedules, but at Thanksgiving time I feel I have to try and use a touring plan. We have decided to meet at the park each morning, and start out together, make dinner reservations together, maybe lunch, and do the nighttime entertainment together.
Also thanks IBLarsen, we are really excited!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

So I just wanted to put a out a big thank you to all those who assisted me with my decisions.
We are staying at the HoJo with the super saver rate nov.19-24. just booked it today. We got a 2 Queen room with pool/garden view. Don't really know if that is good, but the larger beds are important to us. I planned to book the FFI until we got this email yesterday. Hopefully the walk isn't too much farther.
As far as my SIL family, I tried to talk them into switching from the Comfort Inn Maingate (as many have suggested it was a long walk), but they are going to keep their plans. They really like the kids suite they booked and breakfast. We will just meet at the park daily.
I am sure I will have many more questions as I start planning meals and touring, but I just wanted to say THANKS!!!!

Glad you have your plans worked out and that you got a good rate you are happy with. Our family has stayed in the 2 queen room with pool/garden view many, many times. This is our favorite room type aside from the kid suite. The room will be in building 2, and we have found this to be a quiet location. We have always felt there is ample space. The beds are very comfortable. There is a microwave, small fridge, and safe. I think they may have upgraded the t.v.s to flat screens, but we don't use the t.v. much on vacation anyway.

If your SIL is happy with the Comfort Inn Maingate, there's nothing wrong with it. I would emphasize though that it is not such a walkable distance after a busy day walking around the parks, especially if there are young children who will be walking and not pushed in a stroller. Your SIL should consider ART or driving to the parks as possibilities. We have stayed at Comfort Inn Maingate twice. The first day on our very first Disneyland trip because we were excited and energetic and in a hurry (and younger) we walked to the park with a walking 5 year old and a 3 year old in a stroller. I would guess the walk is around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles. We used ART that evening and to and from the parks for the rest of our stay. I personally hate having to bother with ART or parking and usually do not stay outside of comfortable walking distance. As for the Comfort Inn itself, the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom kid suite was very pleasant when we stayed in it seven years ago. The breakfast was much enjoyed by my boys. They have cereals, toast, fruit, make-your-own waffles, coffee, milk, juice, maybe a few other things. Breakfast did not start until 7 AM each day though, and that did slow us down a bit in the morning. The place seemed about the same when we stayed in a two queen room three years ago, but I found that room very noisy and didn't sleep well the one night we were there.

The upshot of all this is that I would recommend being willing to get started with your morning and having your SIL contact you when they are in the park. With your closer proximity to the park, there's a good chance that one or more mornings you will be able to be in the park and ready to do things before your SIL. You may find that you will have time to get a ride in or pick up a fastpass in the morning if your SIL's family is lagging behind. We had a great trip last summer with friends and family because we would join up and do things together periodically over the course of three days, but we all had the understanding that splitting up frequently was ok as interests and needs varied.

BTW, your dates will be very busy, so at least some planning is a good idea, especially with regard to where to eat Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[nbliss]

We stayed in the 2 queen garden pool room, great room! Not loud at all, beds super comfy. With the great rate, you won't be sorry! Have fun!