Former AP holders going through Disney withdrawals...a pre-trip report (with pics!)

[JaneJetson]

The Anaheim Plaza seems nice by looking at the pics on their website.

I'm with you, I cannot pay a lot for a hotel. I would if I was going someplace where that was my main destination and there was nothing else to do. In other words, if I was going to some tropical island and I wanted a nice resort to hang out at.

But at Disney? No way. I'm in the parks all day!! LOL We don't even do those afternoon naps the way some families do, so why would I spend a fortune on a hotel I'll barely see? If it's clean, then I'm good to go.

This time I'm going to try and remember to take some photos of the hotel for my trip report. I didn't take any the last two times. And in general, I'm going to try to take photos specifically for my report....like pictures of the food and snacks we get and stuff like that.

 

[mommaU4]

This time I'm going to try and remember to take some photos of the hotel for my trip report. I didn't take any the last two times. And in general, I'm going to try to take photos specifically for my report....like pictures of the food and snacks we get and stuff like that.

Sounds good.

I had a hard time getting over feeling weird about taking pics of my food. I felt like everyone was staring at me. But once I got past it, I was taking pics of just about everything we ate. LOL
Although I still probably couldn't bring myself to do it in a nice restaurant, but we mainly eat at Counter Service and snack carts so it was ok.

 

[JaneJetson]

Sounds good.

I had a hard time getting over feeling weird about taking pics of my food. I felt like everyone was staring at me. But once I got past it, I was taking pics of just about everything we ate. LOL
Although I still probably couldn't bring myself to do it in a nice restaurant, but we mainly eat at Counter Service and snack carts so it was ok.

We never eat at the nicer places. It's just so much easier, cheaper, and quicker to get counter service. I'm a huge fan of the Pizza Port in tomorrowland.

 

[JaneJetson]

We are in California for 4 full days. We had planned on doing a 2-day park hopper. It's weird to not be able to go as much as we want. The last few times we went at least a little bit every day. Since we had an AP it didn't matter if we only went for an hour or so to walk around. But now it'll be different. I wouldn't pay for a full day if I was only going for an hour or two.

But then I got to thinking....if we arrive early enough in the day, we could probably do a 3-day park hopper. It depends on what flights we end up getting. So I think I'm going to do some searching and see which times look best. I looked a while back but I can't recall the exact times. But we will more than likely do a 3-day park hopper now because I'm sure we can find an earlier enough flight.

This is the first photo of us taken at Disneyland as a married couple!

 

[JaneJetson]

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I'll probably be adding random Disneyland photos to the end of all of my posts.

Here's one from my birthday in 2006....(I was 20 pounds lighter when this was taken. How depressing!)

And another one taken in front of Pirates while it was closed....

 

[heatherleigh]

Janeje, we have a Tempurpedic as well. I cannot sleep on anything else. It was so nice to have during all my pregnancies. Anything else makes my back ache. I'm so happy I talked my husband into getting it rather than that horrible Sleep number bed. My in-laws got that, and it is already going downhill (theirs is even newer than ours.)

We like ours so much, I intend on eventually switching every bed in our house out to Tempurpedics. When my 4-yr old needed a bed we got him a twin Temperpedic last year. It's so comfy. Of course I put a waterproof cover on his (you can order them off Tempurpedic's site) just in case. That would be horrible to ruin a mattress like that.

 

[JaneJetson]

Janeje, we have a Tempurpedic as well. I cannot sleep on anything else. It was so nice to have during all my pregnancies. Anything else makes my back ache. I'm so happy I talked my husband into getting it rather than that horrible Sleep number bed. My in-laws got that, and it is already going downhill (theirs is even newer than ours.)

We like ours so much, I intend on eventually switching every bed in our house out to Tempurpedics. When my 4-yr old needed a bed we got him a twin Temperpedic last year. It's so comfy. Of course I put a waterproof cover on his (you can order them off Tempurpedic's site) just in case. That would be horrible to ruin a mattress like that.

We tried the sleep number in the store and it was awful. We love our bed so far (it's been almost 2 months.) We actually got a waterproof thing for ours too. We like to eat and drink stuff in bed so we wanted to make sure we didn't ruin the mattress (especially since it's practically a huge sponge...haha.) It's too bad tempurpedics are so expensive. We got a good deal on ours though so that made us happy.

I see you're going to Disneyland in November. Do you have any kind of pre-trip report?

 

[heatherleigh]

No, I haven't started one. I'm afraid to in the event I don't ever finish it. Last year I had high hopes of doing a full report upon my return, and it never happened. However, I will most likely get it accomplished on this trip because I may have a notebook so I can update the report while we are on the trip.

The reason I say we "may" is because we do have a brand-new Apple laptop but it may not belong to us. It is a long story.

Two mos ago, DHL came to our house w/ a package. I signed for it, not knowing what it was. When my husband came home, he opened it (it was addressed to him) to find a $2,500 Apple that we NEVER ordered. We made several phone calls and figured out it was a scam. Someone had gotten a hold of our Visa and ordered it. The pkg was supposed to be diverted to their address but since it came overnight, we got it too soon.

We contacted the shipper (it was an outside co, not Apple) and they asked for our e-mail so they could send a shipping label. Well, they wanted all kinds of info before they sent us a label, so we told them they just needed to give us their address. We were not providing any additional info about ourselves.

Btw, since we notified Visa beforehand, we were not charged (it was pending.) We figured that the outfit that sent it to us (which was out of Vegas) is most likely a scam to begin w/. Their numbers have since been disconnected. We've had the computer sitting in it's box for over two mos now. My husband wants to bring it to the police and get it off our hands, but I'm more inclined to hang onto it. Since it has been so long, I've gotten sort of attached to it lol. If no one comes to claim it in the next couple mos, I plan to keep it.

So that's my long story about the computer and trip report. Sorry! But I have gotten a few tips from some of the people on this board who like to do reports. They take notes during the trip- in a journal. I will definitely do this no matter what. It's an exciting trip for us, because it will be our first ever at the DLH!

I look forward to continuing to read your pre and report! These are my favorite things on this board.

 

[JaneJetson]

No, I haven't started one. I'm afraid to in the event I don't ever finish it. Last year I had high hopes of doing a full report upon my return, and it never happened. However, I will most likely get it accomplished on this trip because I may have a notebook so I can update the report while we are on the trip.

The reason I say we "may" is because we do have a brand-new Apple laptop but it may not belong to us. It is a long story.

Two mos ago, DHL came to our house w/ a package. I signed for it, not knowing what it was. When my husband came home, he opened it (it was addressed to him) to find a $2,500 Apple that we NEVER ordered. We made several phone calls and figured out it was a scam. Someone had gotten a hold of our Visa and ordered it. The pkg was supposed to be diverted to their address but since it came overnight, we got it too soon.

We contacted the shipper (it was an outside co, not Apple) and they asked for our e-mail so they could send a shipping label. Well, they wanted all kinds of info before they sent us a label, so we told them they just needed to give us their address. We were not providing any additional info about ourselves.

Btw, since we notified Visa beforehand, we were not charged (it was pending.) We figured that the outfit that sent it to us (which was out of Vegas) is most likely a scam to begin w/. Their numbers have since been disconnected. We've had the computer sitting in it's box for over two mos now. My husband wants to bring it to the police and get it off our hands, but I'm more inclined to hang onto it. Since it has been so long, I've gotten sort of attached to it lol. If no one comes to claim it in the next couple mos, I plan to keep it.

So that's my long story about the computer and trip report. Sorry! But I have gotten a few tips from some of the people on this board who like to do reports. They take notes during the trip- in a journal. I will definitely do this no matter what. It's an exciting trip for us, because it will be our first ever at the DLH!

I look forward to continuing to read your pre and report! These are my favorite things on this board.

Wow! That's pretty weird. Good thing you weren't charged for it. I don't know what I'd do with the computer if I were in that situation.

Well, if you decide to do a report, be sure to let me know! I've never stayed onsite at Disneyland (and we probably never will) so it would be fun to hear about your experience.

I love reading people's reports and seeing photos. But it's hard for me to read a lot of reports at once. I usually try to join them as early as i can because it's hard to catch up if it's 20 pages in already.

 

[JaneJetson]

Today I searched flight times. I also found out I was wrong about the fees for cashing in my airline miles. I thought it was a $20 fee (no clue where I read that the other day.) But apparently it's $25 a ticket. But still...$50 (plus $30 bags) is still better than buying the tickets regularly.

I searched expedia.com and orbitz.com just to see their prices. Both were the same. The cheapest flights were $400 for January 21st - 26th. We're flying into John Wayne (Orange County/SNA) because it's our favorite. It saves a lot of time.

Those prices will probably go down when January gets closer. I searched for the dates were had planned on going in November and they are around $262. But either way...we're saving quite a bit of money by cashing in my miles. If we don't use them for this trip, we'd just use them for our next WDW trip which would cost about the same.

The flight we'll probably choose on the 21st leaves at 7am and get to SNA at about 10:15. The next one leaves at 9:15 and gets in and 1pm. As much as I like to sleep in, I think I'd still want to take the 7am flight. And the flight I like best for thr 26th leaves at 2:20pm and gets home at 9:20. Both days we have a stop in Denver. We have around an hour and a half in Denver which is the pefect amount of time to get some food and relax.

So for our flights we're paying...
50,000 miles from my rewards
$50 in booking fees
$30 for baggage fees (one bag each)
total = $80

$80 is much better than $800.

Random Disneyland photos.....

A rainy day in March 2005....

Mirrors at DCA...May 2005

 

[reyasmommy]

Today I searched flight times. I also found out I was wrong about the fees for cashing in my airline miles. I thought it was a $20 fee (no clue where I read that the other day.) But apparently it's $25 a ticket. But still...$50 (plus $30 bags) is still better than buying the tickets regularly.

I searched expedia.com and orbitz.com just to see their prices. Both were the same. The cheapest flights were $400 for January 21st - 26th. We're flying into John Wayne (Orange County/SNA) because it's our favorite. It saves a lot of time.

Those prices will probably go down when January gets closer. I searched for the dates were had planned on going in November and they are around $262. But either way...we're saving quite a bit of money by cashing in my miles. If we don't use them for this trip, we'd just use them for our next WDW trip which would cost about the same.

The flight we'll probably choose on the 21st leaves at 7am and get to SNA at about 10:15. The next one leaves at 9:15 and gets in and 1pm. As much as I like to sleep in, I think I'd still want to take the 7am flight. And the flight I like best for thr 26th leaves at 2:20pm and gets home at 9:20. Both days we have a stop in Denver. We have around an hour and a half in Denver which is the pefect amount of time to get some food and relax.

So for our flights we're paying...
50,000 miles from my rewards
$50 in booking fees
$30 for baggage fees (one bag each)
total = $80

$80 is much better than $800.

Random Disneyland photos.....

A rainy day in March 2005....

Mirrors at DCA...May 2005

You guys are stinking cute!

Well..... I live in Denver and I worked at DIA for 8 years, and if you're going to have a long layover and like mexican food I suggest going to Que Bueno on the B Concourse.... Mmmmmmmmmm that's the ONLY thing I miss about working there.

 

[JaneJetson]

Thanks. I don't think we're that cute....haha. That first photo was taken just a few days he proposed to me. (He proposed at Disneyland, of course.)

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks. I don't think we're that cute....haha. That first photo was taken just a few days he proposed to me. (He proposed at Disneyland, of course.)

Awww, how sweet.

I am such a dork, I was actually on youtube the other day searching for "Disney marriage proposals". There were some really cute ones though!

I love your rainy day pic with the hot cocoa. (or coffee?) I'm probably in the minority, but I always loved being in the parks during the rain. It's very romantic.

 

[JaneJetson]

Right after he proposed....

Two days later...eating cookies and holding hands at Disneyland...

Here are a couple photos of the chapel we got married in (not Disney related but I feel like sharing anyway....)

 

[mommaU4]

Awwww, that is so romantic! I love hearing stories like that.
What a great memory for you two, and one that you can go back and relive each time you walk over that bridge.

The pictures are really nice. What a cute chapel!

 

[JaneJetson]

Awwww, that is so romantic! I love hearing stories like that.
What a great memory for you two, and one that you can go back and relive each time you walk over that bridge.

The pictures are really nice. What a cute chapel!

We actually kiss each other everytime we walk over the bridge...haha.

 

[Quest4fun]

Contrary to what wife will say here I am excited about the trip. Wife likes planning the trip. When I do it I pick a date and just do it. The whole ordeal takes about 15 minutes then I don't ponder it until a week or so before we leave. That is why wife does it instead.

She is right about the car thing. I'm obsessed with automobiles. Not just the cool cars either. Econoboxes, station wagons, family cars, etc. It's a sickness.

Wife and I love bargains and rarely pay full price unless we have to. It's thrilling to get a deal.

 

[JaneJetson]

So here's a rundown of what day 1 will look like....

Wednesday 21st....(all times are just estimates, of course.)

3:00am - Get up, get ready. Do last minute packing. Eat some food.
4:45am - Leave for airport.
5:15am - Get to airport.
7:00am - Fly to Denver.
7:30am - Arrive in Denver (1 hour time difference.) Maybe grab a coffee or a muffin.
9:00am - Fly to Santa Ana.
10:15am - Arrive in Santa Ana (another hour time change.)
10:30am - Get bags. Hopefully this doesn't take too long.
11:00am - Get rental car and leave airport.
11:15am - Get an early lunch at Coco's or Tiffy's probably.
Noon - Go to Target and buy a case of bottled water (so much cheaper than water in the parks.) Also get some snacks (granola bars, cheez-its, stuff like that.) Maybe get some cereal and milk.
12:30 - Go to hotel. See if we can check-in early. If yes, take baggage to room. If not, leave baggage at front desk.
1:00 - Pack up my fanny pack (and possibly a backpack with extras to put into a locker.)
1:15 - HEAD TO DISNEYLAND!!!!

At Disneyland, we don't really plan things much. I just know I want to take our time and enjoy everything. Take lots of photos and just have a good time.

 

[mommaU4]

Contrary to what wife will say here I am excited about the trip. Wife likes planning the trip. When I do it I pick a date and just do it. The whole ordeal takes about 15 minutes then I don't ponder it until a week or so before we leave. That is why wife does it instead.

She is right about the car thing. I'm obsessed with automobiles. Not just the cool cars either. Econoboxes, station wagons, family cars, etc. It's a sickness.

Wife and I love bargains and rarely pay full price unless we have to. It's thrilling to get a deal.

You plan like my husband plans. Short and sweet.

You two need a Mickey car like the one I posted pics of to combine your love of cars and her love of Disney!
Mickey Car link

Plans for Day One look good. Well, other then the 3 a.m. wake up call. LOL

Can't wait to read more......

 

[JaneJetson]

You plan like my husband plans. Short and sweet.

You two need a Mickey car like the one I posted pics of to combine your love of cars and her love of Disney!
Mickey Car link

Plans for Day One look good. Well, other then the 3 a.m. wake up call. LOL

Can't wait to read more......

Yeah...3am is sooo early. But it takes me forever to do my last minute packing stuff. And it takes us 30 minutes to get to the airport. And I like to be there plenty early. I think I got up even earlier before our WDW trip. I thought I'd be too tired to do anything the first day...but we still had enough energy to walk around epcot. So hopefully we'll be okay this time.

I didn't realize you had a trip report! It's super long (19 pages!) but next week when I have time I'm going to read it