From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[Tigfanjeff]

The website, including the deck plans, is mostly updated. A couple of people who moved rooms still need to be changed, but new people are all there.

I will get the 5K list and try and figure out the google spreadsheet thing once my Mac Pro is functional again (Hopefully today).

Looks like the computer is down for a couple of days waiting on parts. I'll see what I can do before then.

 

[ChipperMerlin]

The website, including the deck plans, is mostly updated. A couple of people who moved rooms still need to be changed, but new people are all there.

I will get the 5K list and try and figure out the google spreadsheet thing once my Mac Pro is functional again (Hopefully today).

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work on the group's behalf! Trust me, it's really appreciated.

Hope your Mac Pro is soon functional. Nothing like a computer which isn't working.

 

[carmie3377]

Jeff, THANKS for all your work on this!!!

 

[aan1701]

Jeff, take your time. Your website is great, and greatness takes time.

 

[Aunt KatKat]

Looks like the computer is down for a couple of days waiting on parts. I'll see what I can do before then.

Thank you so much for working on this!!!!!

Katherine

 

[WeLuvDCL]

I need some help from the west coasters on this cruise (or those that have visited the westcoast before).
In 2005, after the PC cruise, we stayed on the Queen Mary and went to DL with our 2 extra days before we had to fly back.
DH and I are debating what to do this time when we get to LA. We have friends that live in Las Vegas and have been discussing renting a car, driving to their house, spending time with them and doing some site-seeing, maybe even grand canyon. The problem is our friends are not planners at all. I love them dearly but whenever we try to make plans, something always seems to happen. I’m afraid they might have to be out of town on business or possibly even have moved back to FL or somewhere else by January.
Since we will be in LA in January we were wondering where the best (and closest) place might be to see snow? I know no one can predict when it will snow, I’m just asking where our best chances would be? Keep in mind, we live in Florida, so seeing snow and being able to build a snowman with DD is actually appealing to us.
Also, are there any other sites that we should see while we are there besides DL? Any other types of amusement parks, etc to enjoy with our 3yo DD?

 

[JenKatt]

Just had to share the good news. Jeff and I booked a 3 night Wonder cruise for April 22nd. The cast discount was too good to pass up. It'll just me the three of us. We don't anticipate doing much of anything except relaxing!

 

[carmie3377]

Just had to share the good news. Jeff and I booked a 3 night Wonder cruise for April 22nd. The cast discount was too good to pass up. It'll just me the three of us. We don't anticipate doing much of anything except relaxing!

Enjoy it! So wish we could do something like that but airfare would totally not be worth it for a 3 or 4 nighter. We could always cruise Carnival out of Galveston for 4 night but not sure I like the idea of that. I'm afraid that short cruise + Carnival = one big party.

 

[disfaninca]

I need some help from the west coasters on this cruise (or those that have visited the westcoast before).
In 2005, after the PC cruise, we stayed on the Queen Mary and went to DL with our 2 extra days before we had to fly back.
DH and I are debating what to do this time when we get to LA. We have friends that live in Las Vegas and have been discussing renting a car, driving to their house, spending time with them and doing some site-seeing, maybe even grand canyon. The problem is our friends are not planners at all. I love them dearly but whenever we try to make plans, something always seems to happen. I’m afraid they might have to be out of town on business or possibly even have moved back to FL or somewhere else by January.
Since we will be in LA in January we were wondering where the best (and closest) place might be to see snow? I know no one can predict when it will snow, I’m just asking where our best chances would be? Keep in mind, we live in Florida, so seeing snow and being able to build a snowman with DD is actually appealing to us.
Also, are there any other sites that we should see while we are there besides DL? Any other types of amusement parks, etc to enjoy with our 3yo DD?

Depending on how much snow we get, the San Bernadino Mountains usually get a decent amount of snow. Places like Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear are all up there. I'm not sure if there is anything closer to Anaheim. It is probably about two and a half or three hours away, depending on traffic. It is less than two hours from my house and I live about forty miles from DL. If we get a very cold storm, the snow would come down in lower elevations that might be a little closer.

As far as other things to see. Other amusement parks around are:
Knotts Berry Farm (closest to DL, but not a great choice) http://www.knotts.com/
Lego Land (might be a great choice for DD) http://www.legoland.com/California.htm
Sea World in San Diego http://www.seaworld.com/sandiego/default.aspx
San Diego Wild Animal Park http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/
Universal Studios close to where I live http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/
Griffith Observatory (this is up in the hills, great view up there). You learn about planets and other stuff. Not sure if they have anything for a three year old. http://www.griffithobs.org/
That is all I can think of right now. I hope this helps.

 

[Tami0220]

I need some help from the west coasters on this cruise (or those that have visited the westcoast before).
In 2005, after the PC cruise, we stayed on the Queen Mary and went to DL with our 2 extra days before we had to fly back.
DH and I are debating what to do this time when we get to LA. We have friends that live in Las Vegas and have been discussing renting a car, driving to their house, spending time with them and doing some site-seeing, maybe even grand canyon. The problem is our friends are not planners at all. I love them dearly but whenever we try to make plans, something always seems to happen. I’m afraid they might have to be out of town on business or possibly even have moved back to FL or somewhere else by January.
Since we will be in LA in January we were wondering where the best (and closest) place might be to see snow? I know no one can predict when it will snow, I’m just asking where our best chances would be? Keep in mind, we live in Florida, so seeing snow and being able to build a snowman with DD is actually appealing to us.
Also, are there any other sites that we should see while we are there besides DL? Any other types of amusement parks, etc to enjoy with our 3yo DD?

You should definitely rent a car! Flagstaff near the Grand Canyon, has had snow this year like you wouldnt believe. Seeing the Grand Canyon with snow is beautiful. Las Vegas is fun too. You can spend weeks there and never put a nickel in a slot machine. Almost all of the casinos have some sort of entertainment that isnt gambling related. Circus Circus has great hotel prices and circus entertainment for the kids as well as an indoor theme park. Ethyl M chocolates and M & M factories are fun. Talking statues at Ceasers, FAO Schwartz, Excalibur I could go on and on. There is a mountain range quite close to Las Vegas its either Red Rock or Mt Charleston that would possibly have snow that time of year also. Good luck planning.

 

[Bookwood]

. I do have the Radisson booked for the night before the cruise, but I am thinking of changing it to a place that has a Washer and Dryer. :

Last May the Radisson had a nice laundry room (coin op of course).

 

[LindaBabe]

I need some help from the west coasters on this cruise (or those that have visited the westcoast before).
In 2005, after the PC cruise, we stayed on the Queen Mary and went to DL with our 2 extra days before we had to fly back.
DH and I are debating what to do this time when we get to LA. We have friends that live in Las Vegas and have been discussing renting a car, driving to their house, spending time with them and doing some site-seeing, maybe even grand canyon. The problem is our friends are not planners at all. I love them dearly but whenever we try to make plans, something always seems to happen. I’m afraid they might have to be out of town on business or possibly even have moved back to FL or somewhere else by January.
Since we will be in LA in January we were wondering where the best (and closest) place might be to see snow? I know no one can predict when it will snow, I’m just asking where our best chances would be? Keep in mind, we live in Florida, so seeing snow and being able to build a snowman with DD is actually appealing to us.
Also, are there any other sites that we should see while we are there besides DL? Any other types of amusement parks, etc to enjoy with our 3yo DD?

If you're not doing Southern California attractions, you might want to fly to vegas and rent your car up there. It's a long boring 4+ hour drive across the desert. (Although, the Roy Rogers museum is, or used to be, in Victorville, on the way) Or fly to flagstaff, instead, if your friends flake on you.

IN Southern California, we loved Knotts Berry Farm and the Griffith observatory, and La Brea Tar pits and Ventura Beach and Joshua Tree National Monument, and Big Bear. There is so much to do in the LA area and San Diego (Zoo, museums, Sea World) you could spend weeks.

Grand Canyon is beautiful - you could spend a lot of time in Arizona too. (Didn't we just make your decisions easier?)

 

[ChipperMerlin]

I need some help from the west coasters on this cruise (or those that have visited the westcoast before).
In 2005, after the PC cruise, we stayed on the Queen Mary and went to DL with our 2 extra days before we had to fly back.
DH and I are debating what to do this time when we get to LA. We have friends that live in Las Vegas and have been discussing renting a car, driving to their house, spending time with them and doing some site-seeing, maybe even grand canyon. The problem is our friends are not planners at all. I love them dearly but whenever we try to make plans, something always seems to happen. I’m afraid they might have to be out of town on business or possibly even have moved back to FL or somewhere else by January.
Since we will be in LA in January we were wondering where the best (and closest) place might be to see snow? I know no one can predict when it will snow, I’m just asking where our best chances would be? Keep in mind, we live in Florida, so seeing snow and being able to build a snowman with DD is actually appealing to us.
Also, are there any other sites that we should see while we are there besides DL? Any other types of amusement parks, etc to enjoy with our 3yo DD?

Your 3yo DD might enjoy Legoland - located in Carlsbad. Then continue on down the road and take in the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. I think there are still pandas and koalas at the San Diego Zoo.

I also agree with the idea of flying to Lost Wages - with a side trip to the Grand Canyon. If you're a "foodie," Las Vegas is a mini-paradise. We love Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesar's Palace; Sea Blue at MGM Grand; etc, etc, etc.

 

[mom4mad]

We're thinking of staying at the airport the night before, too. Even though DS will only be in kindergarten, I'm not sure I want him out of school for 5 weeks straight. Plus I anticipate needing the couple of days to finish packing.

But after all the bad weather around the country this year I'm so paranoid that flights will be cancelled and we won't have a plane to fly out to FL in time. Just call me a worry-wart.

We are definitely staying at GCVillas for a couple nights after the cruise though. DH just got that all booked.

You are not the only worry wart. We are flying from LAX to Seattle on the 5th, then Seattle to MCO on a red eye 5th to 6th, I too am worried about winter weather and getting to the port in time, but we can't leave any earlier. We arrive MCO at 7:16 am, so I figure that gives us about 6 hours of time to get stuck somewhere and still be able to make the ship. Everyone is probably wondering why we are flying thru Seattle-credit card points with Alaska airlines.

 

[aan1701]

Everyone is probably wondering why we are flying thru Seattle-credit card points with Alaska airlines.

Hey I know all about weird routes to get places. When I com home Thursday, I might need to change planes twice and have 4 segments. I understand completly. You have to do what you have to do.

 

[Bookwood]

Forgot to say last night (because cyberspace ate my first response)
thanks for Jeff for working on the cruise website-- I really appreciate the fact it's there to check!

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Thank you all for the help on what to do in/around LA!!

Thanks Candy for providing websites for everything, that is VERY helpful in deciding what might be best for DD.

I would love to see the Grand Canyon too. Decisions..decisions!
I'm so glad we still have a few months to decide because you all have given me more options than I expected! I dont' want to wait too long because depending on what we do, it will be different airports/flights.

Thanks again everyone!

If anyone is staying at the port the day before the cruise, check out the thread below. You may be able to get free tickets to Kennedy Space Center if you call this far in advance.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2402626&highlight=kennedy+space

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Everybody!

 

[aan1701]

Well it is the last full day and again it is cold. Kinda hard to believe that is it warmer back at home than it is here. The funny thing is looks like Sat back home will be cold and rainy, I just can't win. Anyway I am off to DHS, then to Welcome home Wed., then to Whispering Caynon, then to DTD to renew DW AP and our Tables in Wonderland, then back to finish packing. DME is a 9 A.M. pickup.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Just had to share the good news. Jeff and I booked a 3 night Wonder cruise for April 22nd. The cast discount was too good to pass up. It'll just me the three of us. We don't anticipate doing much of anything except relaxing!

Congrats! We almost booked that cruise until the FL resident rate came out for DH birthday. We are going to miss you by 2 weeks, we'll be on the May 6th 3NT.