Girls Only Disneyland Trip ~ Old thread, link to new one in first post

[mommaU4]

I hope you all had a good day today. I was just playing catch up.
We took the kids to see a pet comedy show at Planet Hollywood on the Strip. It was cute, they liked it. And we had lunch at Earl of Sandwich. I can't get enough of that place. Mmmm.

Anyway, now I'm tired and ready to chill with the tv before bed.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Wow! Thanks Beth for the overview!

I love Halloween also, and am also worried about the weekend. I think we might get there a day earlier in order to have more fun with the boys. I'm not planning on doing much with them anyway. They are little, and so everything will take longer. I'd like to arrive Wed night, do MM thursday, have friday, party, and then leave Sat. I might stay until Sunday. Then on Sat maybe we can check out the Gardenwalk and the outlet store. That's my plan at least!

I'm hoping to talk my mother into coming also. She would have a blast. I wonder if Seaworld or Legoland have Halloween things that they do?

 

[mommaU4]

Wow! Thanks Beth for the overview!

I love Halloween also, and am also worried about the weekend. I think we might get there a day earlier in order to have more fun with the boys. I'm not planning on doing much with them anyway. They are little, and so everything will take longer. I'd like to arrive Wed night, do MM thursday, have friday, party, and then leave Sat. I might stay until Sunday. Then on Sat maybe we can check out the Gardenwalk and the outlet store. That's my plan at least!

I'm hoping to talk my mother into coming also. She would have a blast. I wonder if Seaworld or Legoland have Halloween things that they do?

No problem. I just wanted to warn you that if you've been to MNSSHP, not to expect it to be any where as grand. But in case I haven't already made it clear, I love, love, love Halloween so it's all good. lol

We did something similar to those days last year and the first 2 days (Wed and Thurs) were fine. Not bad at all. By Friday and then Saturday it was nuts. Just ask those ladies who tried to do the Haunted tour. It was a zoo.
Here's a pic of what it looked like in front of HM on the Saturday we were there. Shoulder to shoulder people and strollers every where. ICK!!

Not trying to scare anyone at all. But it's better to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. In my opinion anyway. Especially with little kids.

Legoland and Sea World both do Halloween events. It's becoming a much more popular holiday now and everyone is jumping on the money making band wagon.

Google it and you'll get lots of info. Here are some links to check out:
http://www.family-vacation-getaways-at-los-angeles-theme-parks.com/Legoland-Halloween-Fun.html

http://www.seaworldspooktacular.com/swcspook.html

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

That picture should have warning Beth!

Is there a reason we have to do the weekend girls? Do they not do parties during the week? Wow, I might have to rethink joining you all. If this is my one and only chance to take my boys, I don't want to have to fight that. Hmmmm....I'm thinking a nice Tuesday-Thursday meet sounds grand!

 

[mommaU4]

And the Best Western has an Entertainment Card rate too They also have microwave and fridges in the rooms, and wireless Internet (which is important to me as I work). I had big issues with the Internet at Hojo - I spent a TON of time on the phone with their Internet support (which is off-site) trying to get things to work properly as it kept dropping.... Not good when you're trying to work!

I've never had issues with their internet, but again I've only ever been in the Premium rooms. Not sure if that could make a difference somehow. And I've only used it for checking in on here.

Which Best Western is this? Isn't there more then one near DL? I want to check it out on tripadvisor. I'm weird, I know, but I won't book anything without reading reviews there first.

January stayed at the Carousel Inn on one of her trips. I wonder how she liked that and what that runs.....

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I just looked at last years dates. It looks like they offered Wed, Thurs, Fri night parties the week we are going. What would you all think of doing the party Thursday night instead of Friday night in order to hopefully beat the crowds?

 

[mommaU4]

That picture should have warning Beth!

Is there a reason we have to do the weekend girls? Do they not do parties during the week? Wow, I might have to rethink joining you all. If this is my one and only chance to take my boys, I don't want to have to fight that. Hmmmm....I'm thinking a nice Tuesday-Thursday meet sounds grand!

Don't get scared!! Just be prepared. (I suddenly feel like Scar from the Lion King.)

During the week it wasn't bad. At all. Those days were nice. The weekend was bad, I won't lie, but do the rides during the week and then do the kick back things like the shows, cookie decorating, character meals and stuff on the weekend.

I have to go on a weekend because Ruben works during the week and my birthday is actually on a Saturday and I want to get the free gift card. But no one else has to if they are worried about crowds.
Maybe you can do Wed thru Saturday. Some down time with the boys during the week and a meet up with everyone else on Friday or Saturday.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Don't get scared!! Just be prepared. (I suddenly feel like Scar from the Lion King.)

During the week it wasn't bad. At all. Those days were nice. The weekend was bad, I won't lie, but do the rides during the week and then do the kick back things like the shows, cookie decorating, character meals and stuff on the weekend.

I have to go on a weekend because Ruben works during the week and my birthday is actually on a Saturday and I want to get the free gift card. But no one else has to if they are worried about crowds.
Maybe you can do Wed thru Saturday. Some down time with the boys during the week and a meet up with everyone else on Friday or Saturday.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking also. See my above question about doing the party Thursday night. I also like that it starts and stops an hour earlier. Just my two cents!

 

[mechurchlady]

I do not know what is up with an april mini meet but am planning for October for a giant birthday bash. I have the Halloween party probably included in my plans. I am planning to party all day.

Nice stripper shoes

Does anyone know if Simcor is gluten free? I dead ended on that online.

I am going to check the front page to see what is what as I confuse easily and admit it. I got 7 months and plan to have a wild time then and all are welcome unless they eat my criss cross fries. Now to get some snacks and watch this thread take off to places no man dare goes.

 

[mommaU4]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking also. See my above question about doing the party Thursday night. I also like that it starts and stops an hour earlier. Just my two cents!

We did the party on a Thursday last year because I was worried Friday would be too crowded and too late of a night.

I guess I'd be open to it, but I can't say for sure yet. I need to talk it over with Ruben and see what he thinks will work with his time off.
But again, everyone should do what is best for their family. I'll be getting my free GC Saturday no matter what and getting my shopping on, so it's all good.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

But again, everyone should do what is best for their family. I'll be getting my free GC Saturday no matter what and getting my shopping on, so it's all good.

Yeah, we don't have to settle anything now. I just wanted to get my opinion out here for the world to see!

I want to get my shopping on, but a trip in August is not in the cards. Oh well.

I'm really wishing I had upgraded my PH to an AP now. Oh well...

 

[mommaU4]

I'm falling asleep now so I'm going to say good night. See y'all tomorrow!

 

[jordansmomma]

Mary Jo--I hope you had a WONDERFUL birthday at Disneyland today!



Mel, I am so sorry about your sister. Hugs and prayers to her (and you and your family).

And I totally missed the post about Linda being pregnant--does Bree know?



Heather I hope you feel better soon!



I was going to let you call . . . . but when you called are they applying it for everyone in our group or do we each need to call?



Dawn brought the strawberry marshmallows. Not sure where she got hers, but a lady brought some to the shower today and she found them in the Easter candy aisle of the grocery store.



You really don't know Beth very well, do you? this is the woman who worships stripper shoes. You're safe, believe me!




What she said. (and I don't think it was me either)


I have to say this, and hope I don't get flamed.


I missed the magic of the Hojo. It was cute. I can see where kids would love the pirate cove thing in warm weather. The landscaping was pretty, and the room was clean and cheap (although it could have been cheaper!). We had a corner room with no balcony, and did not have the upgraded mattress. The people at the front desk were mixed. When we checked out the man at the desk could not understand how we were paying. (Splitting the remaining nights in half.) The baggage man was nice. I don't know, it didn't seem that special. I think I missed the specialness. I've heard people say Lorealle was great to us, but I'm missing where. I found the ent code both times myself by looking on the website. We all had to call ourselves to get it applied to Sunday night, and then I find out not everyone got it even after doing that! We were told that she would apply the code to all of us for the whole stay if it became available. She didn't. She updates the codes on the website (I think!). She updated the ent code on the website on March 5th, and came to our party, but didn't tell anyone about the code. I'm not trying to be hard on her, but I just don't see where we got any special treatment. OK.....flame away....

ETA-I do want to make it clear that stay was good, it just wasn't what I expected after all the praise on the board. It's that extra something that I missed. Also, imagine how excited and ready to party we would all have been if we knew that we were saving money the whole weekend at the party! I could have found something to do with that extra money!

I totally agree with you too. Although I didn't have any issues (well, other than the Ent. Rate thing which Molly was right and I was wrong!)



What toy story mania thing are you all talking about?

For the Halloween party, I don't remember a parade or anything. Basically, they have candy stations set up around DCA and various characters out walking around for photo ops. some, like the princesses, are staged in certain areas with backdrops and photopass photogs. Lots of people wear costumes, but I think most of the characters are in their "regular" costumes. And yes, the rides are open.



Have fun on your latest "non-date"!!!!!

As for me, I am tired. the bridal shower was a huge success, but a lot of work and then i went over to the nursing home to visit my Mom for an hour or two. I'm back home now, and dragging. The good news--however--is that my Mom is due to be released on Monday! I am so glad--last night she seemed really overmedicated and not getting better so i talked to her nurse and we adjusted her meds and she is so much more alert and herself today. Of course, I need to (i) work, (ii) get ready to pack for WDW and (iii) cook a corned beef tomorrow (the latter for Monday dinner when Mom comes here). Not sure how I'm going to get it all done--better make a FULL pot of coffee in the morning!

Ok, other than that I'm going to let the rest of you chatty ladies take over and I'm going to bed soon! TTYL![/QUOTE]

Yes, it was fun!! John is a sweetheart!! or something like that...not that is..

This is a family site!

cupcakes???
like cleaning house?? I dunno...her husband is in Kuwait!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you, everyone for the birthday greetings!

Yesterday, Kelly & I went to Disneyland (where else would we go), and I got my Birthday Fun Card - at Disneyland they're $69. We went shopping, and Kelly used her Funcard (her 20th birthday was last Sunday), and the $50 I gave her to buy a Nightmare Before Christmas sweat jacket with sleeves that are attached with zippers, and she got two fluffy plushies she has been looking at of Jack Skellington and Zero. She also got a soft Tigger pillow (Tigger and Nightmare Before Christmas - go figure). So she was very happy with her purchases.

I took her to the Disneyana store, where they have this print of Main Street with the characters. There are three hidden mickeys in it, and it took me about 20 minutes to find them one day, so I took her to show her the hidden mickeys, and she found them all in about 5 minutes . They had a print of Tinkerbell signed by the artist Pacheco (forget his first name). These prints were available to D23 members in the morning, and then anyone could get them by afternoon. I was admiring it, and Kelly bought it for me. So sweet of her.

I didn't get anything with my card yet. I'm eyeing a Tinkerbell t-shirt that has 53 (I guess when Peter Pan came out?) and Disneyland on it. I really like it, and have only seen it at the GC hotel gift shop so need to go back before they sell out & get it.

Oh, and we ran into Jill (4FosterKids) on Main Street & had a nice chat. She said she was so happy to have been able to go to the pizza party & plans to join in again next year.

Thanks again, everyone. That was so nice of you to remember me.

mj

 

[Queenbillabong]

I've never had issues with their internet, but again I've only ever been in the Premium rooms. Not sure if that could make a difference somehow. And I've only used it for checking in on here.

Which Best Western is this? Isn't there more then one near DL? I want to check it out on tripadvisor. I'm weird, I know, but I won't book anything without reading reviews there first.

January stayed at the Carousel Inn on one of her trips. I wonder how she liked that and what that runs.....

Well, all the Best Westerns have the Entertainment Card rate, but I believe Trudi was mentioning the Best Western Park Place Inn - right at the crosswalk.

 

[KerTggr]

Wow! Spent yesterday in the car with DH driving down to Palm Springs and catching up on your posts via my phone. (OT - I really need to get a new phone if I'm going to keep up with this thread!) This has been my first chance to post.

I saw a few pages of posts back that you were talking about a tie-dyed T-shirt. Don't know the exact history there, but have you guys seen this: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11237 ? Here is a link to how people have Disney'd it up: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1112661&page=2&pp=15

The tie dye one I did was http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1210609 as well as a home cooked version (didn't turn out as well).

I've done both this and the tie dye one and find that the solar flare was easier and less expensive when you aren't making a ton of them (I'm pretty crafty having been a GS & leader for a total of 14 years). Could even buy the same inks as you can get them @ Jo-Ann's/michael's. And could make a template of tink instead of mickey, or whatever and all could use... Just some thoughts.

 

[toocherie]

Good morning girls! I am really tired today and starting out slowly--here it is 9 a.m. and I haven't even showered yet! Yikes!

On the hotel thing, when it looked like we weren't going to have a conference room at Hojo for the night we had I started calling around and the Fairfield Inn had one and asked to be able to make a bid for our business. Does anyone want to head up a hotel search committee? Also, do we all have to stay at the same hotel? Just wonderin--Kelly and Dawn, did you think it impacted your stay?

I know for me if there was a great AP rate at paradise pier I wouldn't mind staying there so I get Magic Morning--otherwise with an AP I don't have that opportunity. And then again, it might be that I might be staying DVC if I can get our dates. (In fact, that's what I would probably do--otherwise why have it?)

The Hojo conf room is great, but I think if our group grows much more we will have outgrown that room and will have to consider an alternative.

Ok, off to take a shower and have a breakfast and actually read the paper for once. Then to work to do a couple things, to see Mom and then home to cook a corned beef for tomorrow's dinner when she gets home.

Talk to you all later!

 

[stacielee]

Evening all. I am back from my day. The girls did GREAT at their site sale. Shane and I sat at one end of the store and Katy was at the other end with our leader. Shelby had one man that bought a WHOLE case of thin mints and we had a lady buy 8 boxes of lemonades plus 3 boxes of peanut butter patties plus we had several other people buy multiple boxes and about 5 or 6 people just give donations including one lady that bought 30 bucks worth and gave me 40 and donated the other 10 in change to the military. We had a thing that you could donate a box to the soliders.

Oh man! I wish I would have known you had the Lemonades; our council has the other lemon cookies and I love the Lemonades!! Oh well, maybe next time.

What toy story mania thing are you all talking about?

For the Halloween party, I don't remember a parade or anything. Basically, they have candy stations set up around DCA and various characters out walking around for photo ops. some, like the princesses, are staged in certain areas with backdrops and photopass photogs. Lots of people wear costumes, but I think most of the characters are in their "regular" costumes. And yes, the rides are open.

Oh, I forgot to say, Cheryl have you tried doing the corned beef in the crock pot? I did that last year and it was yummy!!

There is a Toy Story Mania game that you can play on your phone; I downloaded it from the T-Mobile website, since that's what I have. You'd have to check if it's available for your phone and/or carrier. I did find it on a couple of free download websites, but couldn't get it to work that way.

There was also the Halloween tour that was fun, even if it was a little disjointed.

 

[fairykin]

KerTggr... i love palm springs..did you have fun? The casitas at La Quinta are wonderful.

Good Morning Miss CheryL
hhmmm...i'm tired too.
We didn't have any problem staying at an alternative hotel.

My boyfriend is preparing to grill HefTy burgers .. big juicey homemade burgers with the onion soup mix in them.. yummY. Then we will take them to my parents and eat on their patio with my kids and the grandchildren.

My mom wants to decorate her yard today for easter..she has the big blow up white floppy earred bunny and giant easter eggs to scatter around her flowerbeds.

MaryJo.. Your daughters hoodie sounds so cute with the zippers! I didn't know you could save your birthday card for another trip? That's kewl to know.

Has anyone ever tried to get a group rate on site? Surely they must have some form of this.

Perhaps we should have looked at rates when selecting the dates for the event. Sometimes it's a big drop in price with just a weeks difference.

 

[mommaU4]

Well, all the Best Westerns have the Entertainment Card rate, but I believe Trudi was mentioning the Best Western Park Place Inn - right at the crosswalk.

Thanks. I'll have to read the reviews on that.

I saw a few pages of posts back that you were talking about a tie-dyed T-shirt. Don't know the exact history there, but have you guys seen this: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11237 ? Here is a link to how people have Disney'd it up: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1112661&page=2&pp=15

The tie dye one I did was http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1210609 as well as a home cooked version (didn't turn out as well).

I've done both this and the tie dye one and find that the solar flare was easier and less expensive when you aren't making a ton of them (I'm pretty crafty having been a GS & leader for a total of 14 years). Could even buy the same inks as you can get them @ Jo-Ann's/michael's. And could make a template of tink instead of mickey, or whatever and all could use... Just some thoughts.

Those are very cute!!

On the hotel thing, when it looked like we weren't going to have a conference room at Hojo for the night we had I started calling around and the Fairfield Inn had one and asked to be able to make a bid for our business. Does anyone want to head up a hotel search committee? Also, do we all have to stay at the same hotel? Just wonderin--Kelly and Dawn, did you think it impacted your stay?

I know for me if there was a great AP rate at paradise pier I wouldn't mind staying there so I get Magic Morning--otherwise with an AP I don't have that opportunity. And then again, it might be that I might be staying DVC if I can get our dates. (In fact, that's what I would probably do--otherwise why have it?)

The Hojo conf room is great, but I think if our group grows much more we will have outgrown that room and will have to consider an alternative.

Ok, off to take a shower and have a breakfast and actually read the paper for once. Then to work to do a couple things, to see Mom and then home to cook a corned beef for tomorrow's dinner when she gets home.

Talk to you all later!

I remember us talking about the Fairfield, but weren't they the ones who wouldn't let us bring in any outside food or drink? I can't remember now.

We definitely do not have to all stay at the same hotel. I personally think it's more fun and with a group of ladies traveling solo, is safer, but no it's not required at all.

I doubt I'll stay on site though. To do that I'd really have to have 5 roommates to keep the cost down!! I'm too stingy. I need my money for spending in the park. Especially when I'm rarely in my room unless it's to sleep and especially if we are adding another night to the trip. But that's just me.

Has anyone ever tried to get a group rate on site? Surely they must have some form of this.

Perhaps we should have looked at rates when selecting the dates for the event. Sometimes it's a big drop in price with just a weeks difference.

I haven't tried to get a group rate on site at Disneyland but I did when we went to WDW and it was a pain in the butt. We ended up not doing it because they wanted a contract and someone had to basically sign it saying they were responsible for the rooms. So in WDW we ended up at different resorts, which wasn't as fun.

Same with Candy Cane Inn near Disneyland. Those of you from the first trip might remember how we were originally going to stay there, but to get the cheaper group rate, they wanted a contract signed by one person and guaranteed with a credit card.

I'm sorry, I'll do a lot of things for the trip, but I cannot put up my credit card to cover all the rooms in the event someone drops out. Especially with as much changing as seems to go on, kwim?

So if someone else was willing to take that gamble OR if we could find a hotel that doesn't require a minimum number of rooms and a signed contract to get a group rate, that would be nice.