Homecoming trip to DL w/ my Marine

[*JoGo*]

This spring I will be flying out to San Diego to see my brother. He will be returning from Iraq "shortly". I cannot convey how many emotions I feel just typing that. Since we will not know when he's returning until he's on his way, he and I had decided I'd wait until later spring, so he's settled and sure to be stateside. So, I don't know definate dates for our trip... but it's finally time I've allowed myself to start planning. It's things like this, small milestones, that has gotten me thru this deployment. Aside from my dh, my brother is my best friend.

Now, I need help from those that have been to Disneyland!
Of the two of us, I'm the anal planner (or Bossy Older Sister). Often he's called ME to ask questions about things related to the USMC, lol. I utilize the internet!

Is Disneyland near Sea World? Or is it near the zoo? Should we stay on-site? We plan to stay one night near Disneyland, doing one day there and another day at either Sea World or the zoo... then returning to Camp Pendleton and doing things near there. With such a short stay near Disneyland, I wouldn't think it'd matter if we stayed on site, or does it?

We have a lot we'd like to do, and a fairly short amt of time to do it in. He'd like to get a 96 (96-hrs off/4days), hopefully against a weekend so we'd have 6 days, although depending on my flight times, 2 may be travel days for me.

And military discounts? I know Sea World we'd be able to get in free. Does Disney off any discounts?

Where should we eat -- at Disneyland and in that area? (nice but not 5 star, lol!)
Where should we stay?
Where should we go?
Must see/do things at Disneyland? San Diego area?
April or May???

Please help me make it wonderful... and a little relaxing, lol!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

First off for him coming home!!!!! I know how stressful those deployments can be on family. My younger brother is in the Navy and the times when he was on deployment were very tense and emotional for us! I know how excited you must be.

Here is some for his safe return!

I'm also the bossy older sister so I understand perfectly. When my brother came home we went straight to DL for 4 days!

I know they have Military discounts at DL I'm just not sure how much they are. Here is a thread posted recently that might help.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1344925

It is not necessary to stay onsite at DL like I feel it is at WDW. There are several hotels on Harbor BLVD that are close and much less expensive. A few to check out would be Best Western Park Place Inn, Howard Johnsons, Desert Inn, Carousel Inn and Park Vue inn.

I do enjoy staying onsite when I can it makes the trip that more special.

Disneyland and Sea World are about 1 1/2 hour apart. Sea World is about 20 minutes from the San Diego Zoo.

Of course you will go when he comes back but if you can avoid the first half of April that would be ideal. That is spring break season. I love to go late April or early May.

Take in the Blue Bayou at DL for a great meal that is nice but not 5 star. Wonderful atmosphere!

 

[TwingleMum]

God Bless your brother and keep him safe to you and your family for your sacrifice also. I'm new to DL but I wanted to say thanks and wish you a super magical trip

 

[*JoGo*]

Thank you both.

I'm thinking we'll drive up towards Disneyland, and stay there, off-site... then the next morning hit Disneyland and get a good full day in. Hopefully we get some good rates and can stay there again instead of driving back to CP after walking all over the Land all day. Then do Sea World. Maybe skip the zoo. I'm ordering a couple books off Amazon, Top 10 San Diego and Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. And it's looking like late April or May --- perfect timing!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Semper Fi...you should be proud.

Jack

 

[AZMickeyfans]

My brother is based on Coronado in San Diego. You should check that island out. My favorite place in San Diego. I also love La Jolla area. There is a place where you can watch them hang glide over the sea off the cliffs. It's so beautiful. I'll try to remember the name. We just know how to drive there!!!

 

[arliepooh68]

also you brother can get hotel vouchers for various hotels in the disneyland area. do you know what base he is actually stationed with?? ie, miramar, camp pendleton??? if he is at miramar that is pretty central located in san diego, for sea world. from san diego with no traffic takes us about 1 1/2 hours to get to disneyland, with traffic a whole nother story. . . we have learned to go up 15 and cross over on the 78, it actually saves time because you miss the delmar traffic area. . . Congrats on his return!

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

Disneyland is S of Los Angeles. It is a significant drive to San Diego and very stressful. I would rethink how much you want to do and see in the short time you have together. We 2 adults spent 5 complete days in Disneyland and Calkfiornia Adventure alone. You could do an easy side trip to Knott's. It is not necessary to stay in the park hotels as many other hotels in a variety of prices ring the park and are within shuttle or walking distance.

Congrats on your brother's homecoming!

 

[XTinabell]

I'm so happy to hear that you're brother is coming home. Your whole family must just be beside themselves.
Anyway my 2 cents is this:
Stay at the Howard Johnson hotel. It's a clean hotel, nice grounds, walking distance to the park, reasonable rates and you can see the fireworks from the pool area.
You can eat at Mimi's cafe which is right beside Howard Johnson, really good food but not 5 star. And of course there are a ton of places inside the park you could eat for a little more money.

I hope you guys have an awesome trip!

 

[*JoGo*]

Shawna - Thank you for all the info. I'll have to remember Coronado.

Arliepooh68 -- he's stationed @ Camp Pendelton. I didn't know about the voucher thing, I'll have him check that out! Also, thanks for the alternate route!

Jack - I am very proud. I'm not a chatty person IRL, but someone ask me about my brother and I cannot shut up, lol. Thanks

Disneyenthusiast - Thank you. We aren't going to do California Adventure. I'm hoping we'll have 6 days rather than 4, but planning on only 4. My top thing is Disneyland (riding Dumbo, seeing Mickey), his top thing is Sea World... anything else is just icing on the cake, lol.

Xtinabell - We are very excited, beside ourselves!! I will check out the HoJo. I only stayed at one, in Beaufort, SC, and I wasn't very happy. We were there for my brother's bootcamp graduation, and had to change rooms b/c our shower didn't work and the entire hotel was really musty. I felt gross. But, the hotels in that area can be that way b/c no matter what, they're booked every Wed-Fri for boot graduations and everyone's so happy to see their Marine, they'd sleep in a tent by a swamp. Thank you!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

No problem,

I am always chatty. Like you couldn't tell. When I talk about my brother I am extra

I get so proud of him I just can't shut up.