California Here We Come! (a pre-trip report)

[GeminiAngel]

This trip was supposed to take place in February 2011, in sunny Florida, Disney World. But, sometimes life has other plans for you. Not that this is bad, just different from what I had envisioned.

Our Daughter used to be on a year-round school schedule and things were always worked out so her "track breaks" were in February. Which is when we planned all of our vacations. This allowed us to escape the really busy,
"on-season" times of vacationing. Well our school district realized they could save about 19 million dollars if we all went back to the regular 9 month system.

With us slaves to normal holiday & summer breaks, reality struck hard and it only meant one thing. We are so NOT doing WDW during spring break!!! It was suggested that I take Nova out of school for February, nope. Now I know lots of people do it, but its not for us. Kevin and I needed to have a sit-down and discuss our vacation plans.

We had long talked about doing a Anaheim/San Diego trip. Usually we go to either Disneyland or to Seaworld for a couple of days once a year. Lately its been more San Diego than Anahiem. It seem that its now been 5 years since we have been to Disneyland! Nova is now 9, and barely remembers DL! For shame, what kind of parents are we?

So what did we come up with you ask?.........

 

[brookies_mommy]

This trip was supposed to take place in February 2011, in sunny Florida, Disney World. But, sometimes life has other plans for you. Not that this is bad, just different from what I had envisioned.

Our Daughter used to be on a year-round school schedule and things were always worked out so her "track breaks" were in February. Which is when we planned all of our vacations. This allowed us to escape the really busy,
"on-season" times of vacationing. Well our school district realized they could save about 19 million dollars if we all went back to the regular 9 month system.

With us slaves to normal holiday & summer breaks, reality struck hard and it only meant one thing. We are so NOT doing WDW during spring break!!! It was suggested that I take Nova out of school for February, nope. Now I know lots of people do it, but its not for us. Kevin and I needed to have a sit-down and discuss our vacation plans.

We had long talked about doing a Anaheim/San Diego trip. Usually we go to either Disneyland or to Seaworld for a couple of days once a year. Lately its been more San Diego than Anahiem. It seem that its now been 5 years since we have been to Disneyland! Nova is now 9, and barely remembers DL! For shame, what kind of parents are we?

So what did we come up with you ask?.........

When are you going? And sounds like you picked DL!!!!

 

[GeminiAngel]

Welcome! Looks like your going in February.

 

[GeminiAngel]

We decided to go with our long time dream of both Anaheim and San Diego!
4 nights in Anahiem
4 nights in San Diego

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We will be going:

Wed 4/13 to Thu 4/21

Spring Break week begins here in Vegas April 16th. Although I'm against taking Nova out of school for a week or more, were not against taking her out for 3 days. My Mom and Dad always join us for these trips, and the last trip we took to WDW was a magical gathering. I say the more the merrier!

Kevin and I decided it was time to reach beyond vacationing with family and start taking friends with us. We invited Nova's longtime pal Brittany who is 11, then added on their other long time buddy Jordan. Brittany's parents are not joining us, but Jordan's Dad is. The only sad thing that turned out is my Dad decided not to join us. He is going to Florida to visit my 92 yr old Grandpa.

Cast:

Me: Traci,41 Hubby: Kevin,48 Our DD: Nova,9
My Mom: Maryann,65 Brittany,11
Jordie,8 (We arrive on her Birthday!) James,40 (Jordan's dad)

 

[GeminiAngel]

In our early planning stages, James had informed me that no matter how much his tax return is, he and Jordan will only be joining us for the Disneyland portion of the trip.

Currently he is really worried about his tax return. How many days they will be joining us is still in question. We are hoping he doesn't cancel on us.

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Day 1

Wed 4/13 - Flight to LAX 1:10pm
Jordan's Birthday Dinner

The plan is to have Brittany's Mom drop her off at our house on her way to work. That should be around 6am or so. A nice big breakfast will follow, with plenty of time to do the dishes. I'm just so excited to do dishes on my first vacation day.

The dog is to be dropped off at the vet for boarding about 8am. That event is followed by more fun, the picking up of the poop in the yard! Maybe the kids will want to help!

Off to the airport about 11:15am, and grab a quick bite if needed.
I'm not sure if we will need 2 cabs to the airport, lots of luggage.
We each will have our own bag, plus one or two carry on items. And Kevin's golf clubs will be in tow.

Upon arrival to LAX we need to catch the Disneyland shuttle provided by Coach America. I've already booked and paid for one-way tickets.

Jordie and James will be driving down, not sure of his time frame yet.

The 7 of us will be laying our heads down at Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites for the 4 nights. I really do love this place! Plenty of room and an indoor pool for the kiddies. We are getting the biggest suite they have, The C2.

We should be able to check-in by the time our motorcoach arrives to the hotel. We'll get settled in, run to the market on the corner grab some goodies and such. Then call James and see their E T A.

Jordan's birthday dinner will be at Tony Roma's
I had sent him the menu to Goofy's Kitchen, nada. To each is own.

After dinner we're lookin at wandering DTD or hitting the pool.
I wouldn't mind going to find the tile Kev and I bought back in 2005. Its near the last "A" in the CALIFORNIA sign.

Then off to bed for an early commando day.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Thu 4/14

Its Disneyland day!
Get the gang ready and off to breakfast at Denny's or IHop.
I'm thinking and hoping the park hours will be 9am to 12am.

Not sure of my plan of attack yet. But its looking like this:

Potc (its always our first ride at DL)
Indy, HM, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room & Dole whips!
BTMR. Just to start the day.

Notice no Splash or Winnie the Pooh? Well I just found out Critter Country will be closed! But everybody but me probably already knew that.
This really messes with my lunch plans. We were planning on the kids having a "candy lunch". I know, what am I nuts! Really its great!

Kev and I have always done this with Nova once a trip. Its always candy from Pooh's Hunny Spot, in Critter Country. We bring it to Hungry Bear, this way if you want some real lunch, you can get it.

As many times as I've been to DL, I still haven't seen the sword in the stone ceremony. And as I always say, this time for sure!
Would like to get the kids in to see Billy Hill & The Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. That show is so much fun!

For dinner, I will be making a ressie for Blue Bayou. I'm not sure if James and Jordan will be joining us here (due to cost). It was my Mom's only request, so I must honor it. Not that I mind eating here at all!! Its awesome!

Brittany and Nova Halloween 2009

Jordan and Nova 4th of July 2010

Kevin and Me, Galveston July 2010

Fireworks, Parades, and Fantasmic. Haven't decided what night to see what yet.