DIS Meet Dec 8 07

[JoiseyMom]

Bill if you are reading this STOP! Birthday surprise spoiler alert!!!!!!!



Bill informed me he does NOT want to go to WDW for his 40th birthday in June. But, he didn't say he didn't want to go to DLR. So, I have started pricing and working out a trip to Disneyland Resort in California for this June.

I need your help if you have been to Disneyland in California. I've priced the trip for DLR hotels and Good Neighbor hotels. I wanted to know if anyone has stayed at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel or Best Western Park Place Inn? Also, why is the Disneyland Hotel more than Paradise Pier? I thought DH was older. Does anyone have any "Good Neighbor" hotels they recommend? There seems to be a BIG difference in price to stay on-property. However, pretty much everyone on the Disneyland threads says it really is NOT worth staying in a Disney hotel. Any suggestions or opinions?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Jennifer

PS - Bill called today to book our after-cruise lodging. We're "officially" booked at AKV (Kidani Village - Two-Bedroom Savannah-View) for before and after our cruise in November/December. If possible, we plan to switch the after cruise lodging to Bay Lake Tower.)

OK...we were just at DLR in August. We stayed at HOJO's. Very nice...and get the entertainment book. We got the room for 59/nite!! What a deal. The pool area they just redid..and the kids were upset that we never had a chance to use it. It's a very short walk to the parks, there are restaurants across the street. Go to the DLR board..they have lots of great info. I don't know much about the onsite hotels except the prices and the Disney speil on them. I wouls stay at HOJO's again. Go to this link http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14
this will tell you what days they have available for the Entertainment Book discounts. The boards have some good info too!!

Unless you want to spend the money to stay on site...HoJo's rocks!!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Congratulations!

Your family is quickly growing. First the new puppy and now a future DDIL.

Jennifer

Thanks so much. It really isn't a surprise to us. They have been going out 7 years this coming April. They currently live together...and it was just a matter of time. We are very happy..we adore her!! She rocks!! Her family loves DS too!

 

[BethC1952]

DS25 asked his girlfriend's parents for her hand in marriage yesterday!!

He is gonna go ring shopping this weekend. My FDIL, knows nothing about it yet!! Everyone else does though!!

Congratulations! That's so exciting! If you need advice on being a good MIL I'm always available to help. I must be good at it, since they have moved in with us twice since they were married! This time, it looks like we'll be together a VERY long time!

Beth

 

[JoiseyMom]

Congratulations! That's so exciting! If you need advice on being a good MIL I'm always available to help. I must be good at it, since they have moved in with us twice since they were married! This time, it looks like we'll be together a VERY long time!

Beth

LOL, thanks so much!! Since I once had the worst mil in the world and have a decent one now..I think I know what to do.

First...only give your opinion when asked. Don't be naggy...and MYOB!!! It's their life let them make their own mistakes...just be around to help them pick up the pieces!! And I will lay the Jewish guilt on DS..not on DDIL!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

this will tell you what days they have available for the Entertainment Book discounts. The boards have some good info too!!

Unless you want to spend the money to stay on site...HoJo's rocks!!

Thanks for the info! Out of all the off-site hotel/motels, HoJo's seemed to be have the best reputation. Glad to know someone who has actually stayed there and WOULD again. What is the "Entertainment Book"? We have those locally for like restaurants and local hotel discounts or by one get one free meal. Would I have to buy one for the DLR area to get the discount? We have a AAA membership. Maybe, I can get a discount with that too? Never hurts to try.

Also, I am a little confused on the Magical Mornings. If we stayed on-property would we get to go to ALL of them or only one. I know with a three or more days tickets (whether you are on or off-property) you can get in ONCE during MM. Do they offer any "extra" perks for on-site guests?

I am pretty certain, considering all the other money I am forking over for the trip, it would be wise to save money somewhere and stay off-property.

Jennifer

 

[JoiseyMom]

Thanks for the info! Out of all the off-site hotel/motels, HoJo's seemed to be have the best reputation. Glad to know someone who has actually stayed there and WOULD again. What is the "Entertainment Book"? We have those locally for like restaurants and local hotel discounts or by one get one free meal. Would I have to buy one for the DLR area to get the discount? We have a AAA membership. Maybe, I can get a discount with that too? Never hurts to try.

Also, I am a little confused on the Magical Mornings. If we stayed on-property would we get to go to ALL of them or only one. I know with a three or more days tickets (whether you are on or off-property) you can get in ONCE during MM. Do they offer any "extra" perks for on-site guests?

I am pretty certain, considering all the other money I am forking over for the trip, it would be wise to save money somewhere and stay off-property.

Jennifer

This is the website for EB http://www.entertainment.com/discount/?linkName=GOOGLE. Yes it is the book with all the coupons. The EB rate is so much better then the AAA rate....if the EB rate is available for your room type and dates. I wouldn't buy it until you got the room. You don't need to show your card until you actually check in. I got the rate for our CA the morning of the day we were going to check in. I called that morning as we were driving to DS and they gave me the rate. We checked in over 12 hours later!! I save over 200.00 for 2 nites!! You can't beat that!

I am not really sure of the magic mornings and staying onsite. Did the DL board have an info on that?? The unofficial guide has some good info on DL too. I borrowed a copy from the Library!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Beth - Any news yet??????? Inquiring minds want to know.

Jennifer

 

[BethC1952]

Beth - Any news yet??????? Inquiring minds want to know.

Jennifer

No, nothing yet! She goes to both her regular OB GYN and her High-Risk specialist on Friday. They have both told her that, if everything looks good, they may be able to schedule her surgery as early as Monday of next week. In the meantime, they've finally finished painting the nursery and putting all of the clothes into drawers and on shelves. Now all we need is a couple of babies!

Beth

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

No, nothing yet! She goes to both her regular OB GYN and her High-Risk specialist on Friday. They have both told her that, if everything looks good, they may be able to schedule her surgery as early as Monday of next week. In the meantime, they've finally finished painting the nursery and putting all of the clothes into drawers and on shelves. Now all we need is a couple of babies!

Beth

The babies are very considerate babies. They're waiting for everything to be ready for them to come home.

Eventually, they do have to come out and see the world. In their own time.

Enjoy the peace and quiet for now.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I went ahead and booked our DLR trip today. I opted for the Disneyland Hotel (Since it is a special occasion and I got a great AAA rate). Also, staying "on-property" I can book Will and Emily into Pinocchio's Workshop (child care). A semi-childless night at DLR, I can't wait!!!!!! I am planning on having dinner or lunch at Blue Bayou for Bill's Birthday. Since, we will have park tickets with our package, we can get the Birthday FastPass on his special day. He is going to be sooooooooooo surprised. I can't wait to see his face when we are leaving Vegas and I tell him we are NOT heading home. I am going to make our Vegas reservation later. I am torn between Paris and Treasure Island.

Off to get Emily from school and then to the doctor to get her stitches out.

Jennifer

 

[JoiseyMom]

I went ahead and booked our DLR trip today. I opted for the Disneyland Hotel (Since it is a special occasion and I got a great AAA rate). Also, staying "on-property" I can book Will and Emily into Pinocchio's Workshop (child care). A semi-childless night at DLR, I can't wait!!!!!! I am planning on having dinner or lunch at Blue Bayou for Bill's Birthday. Since, we will have park tickets with our package, we can get the Birthday FastPass on his special day. He is going to be sooooooooooo surprised. I can't wait to see his face when we are leaving Vegas and I tell him we are NOT heading home. I am going to make our Vegas reservation later. I am torn between Paris and Treasure Island.

Off to get Emily from school and then to the doctor to get her stitches out.

Jennifer

Congrats on finalizing everything!! Blue Bayou looks nice from the POC ride!!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Hey Beth..do you guys need a diaper genie?? I have one with plenty of spare refills!! Let me know!! It's the original model.

 

[BethC1952]

Hey Beth..do you guys need a diaper genie?? I have one with plenty of spare refills!! Let me know!! It's the original model.

You know, I think that's one thing we don't have! Let me check with DDIL tonight and let you know! Thanks for the offer.

Beth

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Jennifer-Congrats on making your reservations!!! I hope Bill is super surprised. I've been trying to talk Robby into going out there for a while now, but we just can't tear ourselves away from WDW just yet.

Beth-I'm glad you guys were able to get everything finished before the babies arrived, but I know you guys are ready to have them here. Good luck with everything!!!

Well, we picked up our puppy Saturday. We haven't gotten any pictures yet because we're too busy playing with him and trying to get him to go potty outside. He's getting there though!!! I'll try to get Robby to take some pictures of him tonight. He's SOOOOO cute!!!!!!!!

 

[BethC1952]

Hey Beth..do you guys need a diaper genie?? I have one with plenty of spare refills!! Let me know!! It's the original model.

Meryl: DS and DDIL would LOVE the diaper genie. With all the stuff that we have (and some things we have 2, 3, 4 (we have five twin strollers!)) there is no diaper genie! I'll PM you over the weekend and we'll make the arrangements.

Beth-I'm glad you guys were able to get everything finished before the babies arrived, but I know you guys are ready to have them here. Good luck with everything!!!

Well, we picked up our puppy Saturday. We haven't gotten any pictures yet because we're too busy playing with him and trying to get him to go potty outside. He's getting there though!!! I'll try to get Robby to take some pictures of him tonight. He's SOOOOO cute!!!!!!!!

Tina:

Thanks for the good luck wishes. We're tired of waiting! Poor DDIL can hardly move right now. Here's a link to a picture I took on Christmas day. She could still stand close enough to the sink to wash a few dishes. Now she can't even reach the faucet to turn on the water!

Enjoy that puppy. Our animals are as much a part of the family as we are.

Beth

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Tina - Are you crate-training your puppy? That has worked in the past for us on house-training a puppy. I can't wait to see a current photo of the cutie. I am sure they are being super spoiled.

Jennifer-Congrats on making your reservations!!! I hope Bill is super surprised. I've been trying to talk Robby into going out there for a while now, but we just can't tear ourselves away from WDW just yet.

I was shocked when Bill told me he DIDN'T want to go to WDW for his birthday. Maybe, it was his little hint for a DLR trip??????? I hope I can keep the secret. I plan to run out to B&N this weekend and pick-up some DLR books like the Passporter and Unofficial Guide. I will need to hide those really well and read them only when Bill is out of the house. I told Bill I was planning "something" for his birthday. So, he is not allowed to look at the bank statement this month. I had to put down a deposit for DLR. Also, I still need to book a room for Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. If available, I may try and book the El Tovar Hotel in the Grand Canyon. We'll see.

I thought Wendy posted, she would be at DLR this year. Does anyone remember when? I can't find the post. It's hard to keep up with that woman's vacations. I've joked in the past that she needs to write a book. But, she really does need to write something about all her wonderful adventures.

Jennifer

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Tina - Are you crate-training your puppy? That has worked in the past for us on house-training a puppy. I can't wait to see a current photo of the cutie. I am sure they are being super spoiled.

We are trying to crate training him. It's going better than I expected so far, but we still have accidents. Robby and I were talking last night and so far we haven't been disciplining him when he has an accident in the house, but we were debating whether or not we should. What have you guys done?? We've only had him a week, and he's is already going outside 95% of the time we take him out, but it's like he leaves little "dribbles" sometimes after he has come back in. I know he's a baby and he's just learning, and we are being very patient with him, but I just want to know we are doing the right things with him.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Meryl: DS and DDIL would LOVE the diaper genie. With all the stuff that we have (and some things we have 2, 3, 4 (we have five twin strollers!)) there is no diaper genie! I'll PM you over the weekend and we'll make the arrangements.

Beth

Kewl!! Something outta my spare room!! LOL

I may have some baby toys around..I am going to check out what I have.
OMG...how did you wind up with 5 double strollers?? I can undestand car seats.. but strollers?? LOL!!!

Beth..do you still have my email??

 

[JoiseyMom]

We are trying to crate training him. It's going better than I expected so far, but we still have accidents. Robby and I were talking last night and so far we haven't been disciplining him when he has an accident in the house, but we were debating whether or not we should. What have you guys done?? We've only had him a week, and he's is already going outside 95% of the time we take him out, but it's like he leaves little "dribbles" sometimes after he has come back in. I know he's a baby and he's just learning, and we are being very patient with him, but I just want to know we are doing the right things with him.

Well, you should only discipline him if you catch him in the act of going potty in the house. If you don't see it happening..punishing will do no good. Puppy will have no idea what is going on. Mine is 3 months and as long as I catch her...after she has been walked we are ok. She still has accidents.. she is crated and I will put her back in if she goes in the house and I catch her. She has gone to the back door to let us know on a very few occations..so we are getting there. Are you trying to outdoor and papertrain him?? She sometimes goes on the paper I have out..but not all the time. I don't reward or punish for that.

When we take her out we give her treats when she is done, and praise her with good potty as she is doing her buisness. If you google puppy training, there is TONS of info onthe web!!

I now know how to make a puppy puke, and that canned pumpkin is good for both constipation and diarrhea.

Also both of you have to be consistent in the words/phrases you use.

 

[Pooh_Girl]

That's pretty much what we have been doing too. The only time we are really using a puppy pad is in his crate incase he goes while he's in there. So far though, he's only gone twice in his crate while we've been gone. I'll give him a treat and praise him each time he goes outside and we try to catch him in the act, but sometimes we can't tell he's doing anything. He's a sneaky pooch!!! I think here in the next month we might try and get him into some basic obedience classes at Petco. They also have a puppy play date to try to get puppies socialized.