DH said "We're going to Disneyland!"

[mapmakerj]

I was just so excited I had to post. We have been to WDW four times and have our fifth trip planned for next summer. As my only child is growing up so fast, we are making a list of vacation ideas for our summer vacations that we want to make with him before he graduates high school. (I know we are very early planners since he is in 5th grade this fall). Well, DH said before DS gets involved in sports, jobs etc. and it is hard for him to take a long vacation, he wants to plan a 2+ week trip to Southern California and go to Disneyland. He said to start my research- we go July 2012! I am a WDW planning pro but I am a complete newbie when it comes to DL/CA. This will be a first for all three of us. I will definately be hanging out on this board more often to help with my planning.

 

[Mindy71]

You are so right about getting these trips in before the kids' schedules really strart to take over! Now that I have a couple teenagers, its nearly impossible to get a Disney trip in. There is never a good time. We have pulled them out of school for a week a couple times, but now that they are older it just doesn't feel right. The sports schedules go year round now too so its so important to do it while you can. Have fun planning!!

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

Yeah for planning!!!
It is never to early to plan!
Have a good time planning your vaca, everyone is very nice on this board and full of info!

 

[Lissame]

My recommendation is to read everything in the sticky posts at the top of the page. Then ask questions--they always get answers! We're a friendly bunch.

 

[skiingfast]

If you haven't been I would see San Franciso while in California. Also maybe Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. 2 weeks is a lot of time and you can see more than the beach.

 

[KCmike]

Our favorite vacation (and we've been to WDW several time) is the time we went to San Diego (Hotel Del Coronado) and Disneyland. California has so much to offer. We have seen Monterey, San Fran, Yosemite National Park (family favorite) and up and down the Pacific. You will love California. Great Weather and the original park that started it all. Disneyland has become our favorite Disney park. We can't stop going back.

 

[guarian22]

Good luck and have fun with the planning. It may be a ways off but it's never too early to start. A couple of recommendations: 1) get the Unofficial Guide for DL - it's pretty good. 2) You won't be able to start planning this in yet, but CarsLand in DCA is supposed to be opening in 2012 so you will definately want to get into that if it opens by then. Keep your eyes open in the next year or so for more information on that, but definately leave time for it. I love Cars and really hope to get there in 2012 after it opens.

Have fun, ask all the questions you can come up. Did I mention to just have fun? It's the most important part.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I have to say, you picked a perfect time! Supposedly, the work in DCA will be done by then and you'll get to see Cars Land, the Little Mermaid ride, WOC and all those other park changes. July is also my favorite month for going to DLR. The summer schedule is underway and there are no grad nights to worry about. Just keep reading things and I think you will absorb it.

If you think 2012 is planning ahead, I'm planning for a 2014 first trip to WDW! We have two teen boys we can't take out of school so we think we will just wait until they are done. Plus, I can't pass up the next few years at DLR with all these changes. But I've just been reading various WDW boards trying to take it all in. I don't think DLR is nearly as complicated as WDW so you should have no trouble figuring it all out by the time you go.

 

[superme80]

Have fun!!! I am planning my first family trip for November 2012!

 

[jimreuter]

Make an 11:30 AM reservation at the Blue Bayou restaurant, get there at 11:15 and request a waterside table.

 

[mapmakerj]

We definately want to eat at Blue Bayou and were planning on an early lunch. Thanks for the tip about getting there early to request a waterside table. My DS would love that.