Boo Bear's 1st TR *UPDATED w/ TONS of Details & PHOTOS*

[Boo Bear]

For those of you who don't know me already, I'm Bridgette and I will be moving to Santa Barbara on July 2nd. I'm a very family oriented person, and I'm leaving most of them behind in Indiana. This trip will be a great thing for me, as I pursue my education at the Brooks Institute of Photography.

My Favorite...
Disney theme...

[COLOR="black]"VINTAGE ALL THE WAY![/COLOR]
[SIZE="4"]
top 3 Characters...[/SIZE]

1)Mickey Mouse
2)Minnie Mouse
3)Eeyore


top 3 Disney Movies of all time...

1) Beauty and the Beast
2) Lilo and Stitch
3) Snow White or Little Mermaid



This solo trip is from July 3 through the 6th, 2009. I'm staying Concierge at the DLH for three nights. This is my first stay at the DLR, I've been to WDW though.

Yes. I am going to Disneyland on the 4th of July.
Yes. I understand the crowd situation.
No. It won't bother me.



Day 1: Planned so far.

• Arrive at DLR between 8 & 9am.
• Leave luggage at DLR and head to Main Street Bank to redeem my AP vouchers for Premium AP
• Take "Welcome to Disneyland Tour at 10am
• Go back to DLH and check out my room and maybe snack a little bit at the lounge
• Evening fireworks
• Fantasmic Dessert Seating at 10:30pm

Day 2: Will be crazy.

• Wake up super early and wait in line for early entry
• Take lots of books because I won't be able to ride many rides after regular park opening
• Shop around and take tons of street photography
• If pass outs are permitted, go hang by the Neverland Pool at DLH and score a few tasty adult beverages at Cove Bar
• Snack in the lounge and update my trip report
• Return to the parks with my books and plot a fireworks location hours and hours before they are scheduled

Day 3: More Disneyland.

• Arrive at park opening to walk onto some great rides
• Arrive at 10am for the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour"
• Shop around and get some FP for rides
• Head to DCA to try to see Aladdin
• Meander around DCA
• Lunch at DLH Concierge Lounge
• Shop and play at DTD
• Return to DCA for parades
• Try to make it back to DL to see fireworks or watch from DLH concierge lounge

Day 4: More DTD & Hodge Podge stuff



These are preliminary and not set in stone. I'll post more as plans begin to finalize! Thanks for checking this out!

B

 

[QueenDoOver]

Hi Bridgette,
Glad to see your pre-trip. It makes it so fun to look forward to the trip, although your trip is just around the corner. It sounds delightful to tell you the truth.

A couple of things. Why not hit the concierge lounge in the morning when you first arrive. You will have your key, and although you won't have your room, after check in, just zip up the glass elevator and grab yourself a water bottle or two and perhaps a mickey rice crispy treat? I think that would be a rather magical way to start the day. They don't mind at all about you taking stuff out, and in fact they have trays for that purpose.

I seem to know alot about it don't I for a gal that never stayed there. But, our last family trip, most of us stayed at HOJO and my cousins stayed at DLH Concierge at the AP rate. They had booked their room regular through Disney Travel Co, and when I found out what they were paying, I got them a concierge room for about a $1000 less for the trip. Needless to say, I was the favored guest visitor But we did hang at the pool with them several times, and they brought down trays of goodies poolside, as well as took them back to their room. It was pretty cool really.

They also have a wine and cheese thing in the evening, so you may want to fit that in one night too.

Poolside is the Lost Boys Bar, and they will happily package your drink up to take poolside. They have just lovely Lemondrops.

 

[BillyFan]

Your plans look great, Bridgette! If you're smart about collectin FPs, you should be able to get on plenty of rides on the 4th.

 

[Boo Bear]

Hi Bridgette,
Glad to see your pre-trip. It makes it so fun to look forward to the trip, although your trip is just around the corner. It sounds delightful to tell you the truth.

A couple of things. Why not hit the concierge lounge in the morning when you first arrive. You will have your key, and although you won't have your room, after check in, just zip up the glass elevator and grab yourself a water bottle or two and perhaps a mickey rice crispy treat? I think that would be a rather magical way to start the day. They don't mind at all about you taking stuff out, and in fact they have trays for that purpose.

I seem to know alot about it don't I for a gal that never stayed there. But, our last family trip, most of us stayed at HOJO and my cousins stayed at DLH Concierge at the AP rate. They had booked their room regular through Disney Travel Co, and when I found out what they were paying, I got them a concierge room for about a $1000 less for the trip. Needless to say, I was the favored guest visitor But we did hang at the pool with them several times, and they brought down trays of goodies poolside, as well as took them back to their room. It was pretty cool really.

They also have a wine and cheese thing in the evening, so you may want to fit that in one night too.

Poolside is the Lost Boys Bar, and they will happily package your drink up to take poolside. They have just lovely Lemondrops.

Fantastic suggestions, thank you so much! Right now I'm just trying to get my apartment packed this last day at home.... whew!

 

[tinkermell]

Hi Brigette!

Thought I'd check in too!

Mel

 

[Boo Bear]

Hi Tina & Melody! Thanks for checking out my pre-trip report. I won't be able to pre-anything as I have a million things to do before I load the moving truck tomorrow. I'm so not close to being packed. I have to pack for the road trip with my brother, for the overall California move and for Disneyland. I'm going to sleep for a few hours and then go at it again very early. *yawn*

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Sup girl!!

 

[Boo Bear]

Sup girl!!

Hey Courtney! I love your trip reports so much so that I decided to give it a go for my own upcoming trips! I hope I do alright

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Hey Courtney! I love your trip reports so much so that I decided to give it a go for my own upcoming trips! I hope I do alright

Omg Bridgette, your TRs are going to be fantastic!!!!

I really hope you have a safe trip over here to the West Coast! It's been real overcast over here lately, but still fairly warm. The beach is waiting for you!

 

[lulubelle]

How exciting for you Bridgette.
I agree with Tracey, take advantage of the concierge service as much as possible, it is wonderful and you will feel spoiled!

 

[Boo Bear]

Ok checking back in for my Pre-TR! I haven't made any additional reservations, but I'm going to leave for Anaheim after I drop my brother off at the Santa Barbara airport at 6am on Friday. I don't have to meet up with my tour group until a little before 10am, so I'll drop my things off at the DLH, pop up to the concierge lounge for treats and beverages, then head to redeem my annual pass during early entry since I'll be a resort hotel guest. Sound like a good plan?

 

[QueenDoOver]

Sounds good. Don't forget to get your picture taken by all the photopass photographers. You can decide about purchasing after you get home and review them.
If your AP processing goes quickly, and you have extra time, I love a jaunt around the park on the train. Sort of gets me set for experiencing the parks.

Have fun!

 

[Boo Bear]

Sounds good. Don't forget to get your picture taken by all the photopass photographers. You can decide about purchasing after you get home and review them.
If your AP processing goes quickly, and you have extra time, I love a jaunt around the park on the train. Sort of gets me set for experiencing the parks.

Have fun!

I won't forget the photopass thing! I might get the CD with my birthday fun card during my trip in a few weeks. ONLY 36 MORE HOURS!

 

[Stacerita]

Looking forward to reading your report.

 

[disneydreamer74]

Hi Bridgette, and welcome to the west coast. I am a hoosier native as well (Fort Wayne) so I know the culture shock you will experience!!! Santa Barbara is soooo beautiful! Hope you are having a blast!!

 

[Boo Bear]

Okay I'm officially working on my real TR this very second! I'll post the link once I get started. Right now I'm just mapping it all out. It's going to be major!

Hi Bridgette, and welcome to the west coast. I am a hoosier native as well (Fort Wayne) so I know the culture shock you will experience!!! Santa Barbara is soooo beautiful! Hope you are having a blast!!

Hello fellow Indiananin (I still can't believe that's what we're called.... of course besides Hoosiers!) I visited Santa Barbara once for my 16th birthday (the trip wasn't so great-it's a long story) and then again in March with my parents to check out my new school and everything. I'm living in a guest space at Hope Ranch and it's absolutely perfect for me. There are a few minor glitches with the place, but nothing that can't be fixed. I agree, it's heaven on earth here. Yesterday I was driving down the street to my house and passed a man on a horse just walking down the street. Now that's something you don't see everyday!

 

[Sarah84]

Hi Bridgette just came across your TR and look forward to reading it. Hope you are enjoying living in Santa Barbara

 

[Boo Bear]

*This Trip Report is Still in Progress*

My name is Bridgette and I’m 24 (will be 25 on July 16th). I just moved to Santa Barbara, CA on July 2nd because I will be pursuing a second degree in photography at the Brooks Institute. The most important thing to me in the world is my family, and I was very sad to leave them. I chose to make this trip to Disneyland so soon after arriving at my new home because the 4th of July has always been a huge family tradition and this is the first time I’ve had to miss out. So I figured, what would be a better way to lift my spirit than to make a solo trip to Disneyland for the 4th of July?! After having completed my trip, I can honestly say it was EXACTLY what I needed, and I can’t wait to share everything with you all!


Day 1 - July 3rd

I arrived at Disneyland at 9am on July 3rd. After a few wrong turns I finally found the Disneyland Hotel. As luck would have it, a room on the concierge floor with a pool view was available right away, so I took it.

This will be a link to the details and photos of my concierge experience at DLH very shortly.

 

[Boo Bear]

Yes, Sarah, I love it!

 

[Docter419]

I can't wait to hear more, I won't be there till september. ARG