Disneyland Trip Planning 101

[dalepool]

I want to make this a FUN trip that a 7 year old wantabe video game player and his younger sister the 4 year old princess just might remember years from now.

I have reservations May3 - May 11 2011. I reserved an extra day each side as was not sure what Days were going to work for Mike with work and vacations and stuff. We will be staying 5 nights /6 days. Daughter would like to stay longer but we shall see.

The 6 of us will be flying out of pdx -Portland Oregon and into John Wayne Airport aka Orange Co Airport aka known as Santa Ana Airport. My husband has to use Super Shuttle for transportation to and from as we need handicapped transport with wheelchair. I am thinking a Limo for the remaining 5 But will need to check out prices for sure. I know I can get coupons with super Shuttle. But after reading information here I also see Limo service can be near same price and you get personalized service. I know the kids will have travel booster seats no matter what we do. Their Mom and Dad make sure the kids are in safety seats at all times when traveling.

Defining the six of us:

Me, Mom, Grandma, Planner ( I do take the time to talk meals and reservations over with the other 3 adults)

Dale, Grandpa, goes with the flow vacationer, Happiest making memories with our small family.

Daughter, Mommie, Mom, PTA member -in general a SAHM that gives time to school, cook, taxi driver Oh ya we covered that under MOM.

Son-in-law, Daddy, a working father that is very involved in school functions.

Grandson 7, One happy kid. Loves to play video games.

Granddaughter 4, Princess in waiting. Has all princess dresses and must wear each one at least once a day sigh LOL She loves loves loves puppies and kitties. No baby dolls for her -- only dogs and cat.

We now is where I have to be flexible. I have been on Kidney transplant list for right at 4 years now. 10 months of that and counting have been on list but inactive as almost pasted in April. Hearing the words, "you will be lucky to live to end of week." Those words sure set what is important --not money--not fame--not having it all. But will my grand kids remember me? I wanted to know I had made enough memories. Having jsut had one more surgery to get me back on active list. I am pretty sure I will be getting call again as soon as I am released to transplant active list. I am still going to make the arrangements for trip. I have put so many things on hold for last few years that since we have no guarantees in life I am going to move on like I will be able to do this trip. My husband is wheelchair bound as he has Lou Gherigs Disease. Poor Dale is going to be our "pack-****". His main job will be picture/video taker . He also will come in handy if Lilly gets tired and needs a lift around park or back to room. Good thing he has 2 knees--one for each child to rest on. This will be the only time I hope I speak of our medical issues.

I have reservations at HoJO. I lets grandkids decide and after looking at online pictures of the pirate water park they decided HOJO was the place to stay. I reserved two prime units using entertainment card. I have stayed there before and service, room size and cleanliness were A+. I am thinking I might be smart to see if I can have a Hospital bed brought in for our stay. I do not want to be difficult in any way. But it sure would be nice and much easier for Dale to sleep. Any other ideas please let me know.

we are planning two Breakfast with the characters. Goofy's and the one at PP or Goofy's and the Crystal palace one. We do get into the park early with that one. I know I know I can get cheaper Monte Cristo at the Restarant across from the BB, but there is something about those fire flies, the boats going splash, and boat riders tying to take our picture that makes the extra money spent seem worth it. We would like to reserve a meal with the WoC. We are unsure picnic or sit down at tatorria. I wish the lunch menu looked as good at the dinner for WoC. I would also like to eat at Grand California Restaurant-- the Breakfast buffet or the menu choices. Those should be our only 5 meals planned in park.

I love the fact that Mimi's is so close to HoJo's. We can call in order as we leave park for pick up on way home.

Will be getting the photo pass for sure.

Lil's will be doing the BBB at $200---Grandpa over rode my veto of the BBB experience. He said every little girl should be princess for a day. Those grandpa's . Oh ya I did say Memories are > Money .

Austen is going to do the pirate BBB. Will the $ 12.50 pirate program be as memorible as the $200 princess experience? We shall see but I think I am safe to say it will.

we would like to go to the Pirate or what is name of other one Dinner Show. I am starting to re-think this as transportation to and from maybe an issue. I did find some remarkable coupons in the anaheim area coupon page on net. It was BOGO free. We are thinking the kids would have fun. We are going to have to see if this will work out.

So much planning to do. Please Please If you know any fun, near fun, things to do --Places to eat--- places to spend money Please let me know.

I do have a $15.00 gift card for each of kids for a disney hat. ( More if needed) I do like the goofy hats because they are goofy . Shirts and such are not that important unless one captures one of the kids eye. Guess I need to go plant another money tree. One tree is not gonna be enough.

Thanks for reading and pre-thanks for any information given

Patty

Doing the Happy Dance


NO MORE LAUNDRY FOR ME ON VACATION THAT IS WHY I AM BRINGING DAUGHTER

 

[jitterbug]

I hope you make it back onto the transplant waitlist. I was my Dad's living donor 8 years ago and it's amazing the difference for him pre- and post-transplant. Best of luck with getting a good match and sounds like you're already making the most with what you're given!

Sounds like you're doing some great trip planning. I was just on amazon and found a book that we're going to use for autographs. It's something like an encyclopedia of animated characters for about $13. We figure we don't know who we might run into, so it'll be nice having a book full of every character. Might work for your grandkids since you're planning the character meals too.

For the airport transfers, mousesavers.com mentions that from SNA, you can get a taxi or taxi van from the airport for $40 or less including tip, which is econonically your best bet.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions for you.

 

[dalepool]

Since I am pretty sure we are going to fly Alaska Air and since I have enough miles for 3 round trips using miles ( They are 25k rt right now) guess I best get working on that. I get companion fare for husband at $99 so am just looking at 2 rt regular price. Prices seem to be hovering around 280-300 rt. I hate to wait on air fare to go down as then it seems miles needed for rt go up. I had looked earlier and miles needed was near 40-50k rt.

Planning almost gives me a head ache. I do think there are times following and waiting for price drop can bite you in the bu**.

Isn't there a planning fairy that gets you best prices and best days? Oh where Oh where did that fairy go. I best get me a magic wand-- looks like I am gona need it

 

[jitterbug]

Got your PM, but I don't have enough posts to PM you back or post links for that matter. Guess I'd better get crackin'. In any case, it's called Disney Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters. Found it on Amazon, but I'm guessing you can find it at the other book sellers too.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

With regards to mickey hats, I wanted to let you know that there are two Mad Hatter stores in DL. They both have all the stock hats and to the "name" thing. They now have a two line option that lets you add the date or the occassion along with the name and some have choice of color for the embrodery. The Mad Hatter next to the tea cups is small and always busy/cramped. Not very friendly for wheelchairs. However, the Mad Hatter in Town Square (to the right as you enter the park) is a bit bigger, not as crowded, and in addition to all the regular hats that you can find at most stores they have a build your own Mickey hat. You have your choice of 5 or 6 "hats", 5 or 6 "ears" (they snap on) and over 20 "patches". The chances of anyone else in the park having "your" hat is very slim. You can put as many patches as your hat/wallet can handle (you pay by part). The patches stick on at first. After you get your name swen on, the CM will ask for the last time if the placement of the patch(s) is in the right spot then press in on permantly with an iron.

Have fun with making memories with your little ones wishing you the best of luck.

 

[dalepool]

Thank You so much. Now I need to get crackin' and make so reservations.

Kids would like to leave on the 6:40 am flight so we get into Anaheim at 9 am ish. That seems way to early for me. Guess I can sleep on plane. I would prefer to go say the 4pm or 7 pm flight get setttled in and not be tired first day. I know it is one more night payment. But having to get to airport at 4 am with a hour drive before just seems to not be right in any way.

Iam going to try and do a food review of places we eat. This will include any meals at Garden walk. I do want to try pf Changs I have found the new freezer dishes to not be bad so thinking the fresh cooked meals should be awesome. We love Cheesecake factory. There is a factory I pass everyday on way to beach and then back to condo. We own a condo in Hawaii so I ususally cook most days but do get appitizers to go with my cooked meals. Love the spring/summer rolls.

It might be nice to show ppl how the food looks, what goes with what, and how much food you get. So many dishes can be shared as portions are so big.