Its a win- (Disneyland Diamond Days sweepstakes) win trip! A Dec 2015 PTR with live trip updates

[millie0312]

Hi everyone

Welcome to my FIRST PTR!! Bear with me as I figure out how to put it all together and get my planning together (LOTS AND LOTS of planning Because I'm not ocd or anything that way ). I will try to post LOTS of photos, LOTS of plans and info and keep it updated as my infant son allows lol

Cast:
Me, Amelia or "Millie" as many call me- 30
DH, Steven- 30
DD, Grace- 8
DS, Warren- 1
(more to come later on us)

So here is the back story:

In January of 2014, I was notified I had won a trip (including tickets and hotel stay) to DISNEYLAND!! I did one of these numbers

So since I am a type A personality with some OCD for planning (what is this go with the flow people speak of?!) I immediately bought the unofficial guide and started a year of planning for a December 2014 trip. We thought Disneyland sounds fun- we haven't gone as a family (DH and I had only gone as kids years ago and my kids had never been), lets do it! We figured we would have the trip of a lifetime, drive to Disneyland, do 3 days in the park, stay on-site at GCH, enjoy ourselves and maybe go back someday.....

Yuppp you guessed it- we are the new Disneyland addicted family- ALL of us including my 1 year old son who LOVES Disney and all it offers (HUGE Cars fan! but more on that later). So with a trip under our belt and a newly found addiction we were immediately figuring out how we could take another Disney trip (WDW or DLR) in 2015.....

The 2015 Story:

So when we left off, after finding a new Disney addiction DH and I were figuring out how to get to Disney in 2015- it was the most fun, family friendly trip we could think of taking! We are within driving distance to DLR (about 8-12 hours depending on traffic or how many times DS1 who HATES being in the car very long gets upset LOL), so we decided to figure out a way to save to get back to Disney. I coupon and enter sweepstakes, so I started saving my coupon earnings and entering EVERY Disney related sweeps I could find- gift cards, trips, etc.... Well our fairy god-mother must have been helping me enter because in Jan 2015 I found out DH (who I had enter) had won tickets to DLR!!! We won 6, 2 day, 1 park per day tickets- since only DD, DH and I need tickets (DS is too little) it worked out to us using 2 of the 2 day tickets, giving us FOUR days in the park!!

Now to figure out how to afford transportation (we need to rent a large SUV to fit me, DH, DD8, DS1 and my mom and our stuff) and on-site hotel (who can come back from staying at GCH last trip?).... While saving for our trip, I continued to try to win gift cards or trips and along came the Disneyland Diamond Days sweepstakes.... I told DH he needed to enter because we wanted to stay at the Fantasy Suite SO BAD (sigh- still my dream lol), so lo and behold guess what I see when checking his email.....

HE WON A WEEKLY PRIZE!!! So we are officially the week 7 (of the first round) winners of the Disneyland Diamond Days sweepstakes!!! We are so blessed and thankful for this because it is amazing!! Disneyland still will not tell us what exactly our win includes other than this: a trip for 4 including- a hotel stay on-site (we chose GCH), 3 day park hoppers, a "character experience"- I think this includes firework seating, dinner at BTRBBQ, FP for BTMRR, front row seats for Golden Horseshow (its the Americana experience) and airfare/ground transportation round trip.

The trip:

December 8- 16, 2015
Staying at the Grand Californian Resort Woods/Courtyard View room
5 Park Days (yay!!) including 2 days of 1 park per day and 3 days of hoppers
1 day of Knott's Berry Farm

We will be going to Disneyland BY PLANE (no driving for the not-car friendly infant) on December 8 SUPER early in the morning from our small local airport to LAX

We are taking Disneyland Express to GCH

We will use our first set of ticket wins with our second set of tickets to give us 5 park days- 2 days of no hoppping and 3 days of hopping

We will use our first and last days as travel only days

12-15 will be a day to meet one of my good friends and her DD (she is friends with my DD) at KBF- this is a yearly tradition

We are throwing one rest day into our trip so we don't get too exhausted (we start at rope drop, hit it hard, take a nap break, then close the parks) and to enjoy DTD and the hotel

12-14 will be our day filled with special Disney planned activities!! I am hoping we will find out what at check in, but not sure when we will know what is planned or what it will be- LOVE the surprise and the fun but HATE that not knowning LOL

So that is the basics- stay tuned to hear more about the trip, planning, cast of characters, issues that have come up already (ACK LOL) and more including photos of crafts, our last trip, etc- I will try to make it fun and interactive!! Any trip advice is always welcome and hopefully there will be some people to follow along and enjoy our story

Chapters:
The Cast of characters
October 16th update
October 17th update with photos
Initial gameplan
Big Update 11/22

 

[guinea pig]

Boy, you certainly are lucky !! I enter every sweepstakes I can find and have only won once, 6 years ago!!! I also enter this one every day too! Will be following your PTR!

 

[koalagirl5]

Wow! I wish I was that lucky! Congrats, and I'll be tuning in.

 

[JenEMT]

Congratulations! Can't wait to hear about the trip! We will be there a few of your days also!

 

[millie0312]

Ok- running a bit behind on the ptr... We got my DD's school germs- twice! lol nothing like 2 sick kids and 2 sick parents Anyway- updates before I start in again
- We made reservations!! Minnie's, Storytellers, Steakhouse 55, F! RBT have been booked after dealing with the wonky dining system lol It only took a few tries to get on
- PP ordered and arrived- yay!!
- We pre-payed for our two character meals
- My sister booked her trip!!
- I think we figured out a tenative game plan for what events, tickets, parks, etc on what days- more to come on this!

Ok now for a detailed version of our cast

 

[millie0312]

Boy, you certainly are lucky !! I enter every sweepstakes I can find and have only won once, 6 years ago!!! I also enter this one every day too! Will be following your PTR!

Thanks- the Disneyland Diamond Days win was complete luck!! I cant imagine how many enter Most of my sweeps wins (I enter as a hobby but not much entering this year with a new baby) are more of a numbers thing- enter 100+ sweeps every day and each sweeps I entered daily since it started, but this one was not that way. Hopefully we see more DIS winners soon!

 

[millie0312]

Wow! I wish I was that lucky! Congrats, and I'll be tuning in.

Thanks! It was complete luck but it will be a blast so I'm so excited as its getting down to crunch time!

 

[millie0312]

Congratulations! Can't wait to hear about the trip! We will be there a few of your days also!

Hi Jen We will have to wave as we pass each other! I'm starting to worry about the crowds but it will still be fun!

 

[millie0312]

The Cast-


Me- Amelia

Disney history: Went to DLR a couple times with my dad growing up, my mom (divorced parents) who I lived with never took me and because I never went I never thought it was a big deal. I can remember as a kid going to a special concert there with my dad and not caring about anything else at Disney but that. I liked Disney movies or shows but I was not a Disney fanatic growing up. I did get to go to WDW once with my mom and it was a huge deal and I've always wanted to go back- hopefully that trip is in the works in a couple years! After our trip last year we are officially Disney fanatics now lol
Favorite color: blue
Favorite DLR ride: I can't decide but I loved both Screamin' and Soarin' which I didn't expect! We also love TSMM and Buzz as a family since we can switch off partners and compete- I'm the only one who thought of going online for tips but DH is a real life awesome shot so he can still usually tie/beat me lol
Least Favorite DLR ride: ToT- this shocks me as when I went to WDW and the ride was fairly new I loved it and went on it over and over! This time it was ok but I don't love rides that go up and down so many times- 1-2 times is fun but more and I'm kinda over it lol I'm also not a huge fan of the rides that get me wet if it's cold out (like in Dec when we go), so I let DH take DD on them lol
Favorite DLR character: this is a tough one but so far (that we've seen/met) I loved Cruella, the Mad Hatter and the Bears from Brother Bear. They all interacted well with me and DD so well and Cruella was hilarious!! She set her hat on DD and asked her about our cat at home and how soft he was (I had to explain to DD why she asked lol). The Mad Hatter sang the the un-birthday song with us and the Bears helped pull shy DD out of her shell by playing with her (I will post photos of all 3 at the end of the post).
Favorite DLR food: I really enjoyed my breakfast plates- I'm not a daring eater and have allergies so having the made to order omelette was a dream! Storytellers I'm talking to you (although we had other good breakfast and meals in general), but I'm drooling now just thinking about Storytellers lol
Favorite DLR treat: beignets (from the Jazz Kitchen) and Dole Whips (not the float)- so good!!
Favorite DLR restaurant: I really loved the Hungry Bear! The food was good but average, but the prices were decent, the seating was good, the area mellow and the view of ROA amazing! We loved laughing at the people canoeing by that we're getting heckled/yelled at by the CM I the canoe. We also enjoyed a bunch of others but last trip we went back here!

Here we are last year:

DH- Steven
Disney history: his family never really took family trips, but his grandparents took him and his brother once growing up. He always loved DLR and once we went last year he's just as jazzed to go back as me! He was a willing participant but he's not into planning trips or anything like I am lol
Favorite color: blue
Favorite DLR ride: Nemo subs (no matter how I try I can't shake him of this ride and my hope to skip it if it's too busy lol)
Least Favorite DLR ride: the "carnival" type rides on Paradise Pier
Favorite DLR character: Donald (though we have yet to meet him still)
Favorite DLR food: the clam chowder in a bread bowl (which extends out from just Disney food)
Favorite DLR treat: Dole whip
Favorite DLR restaurant: Hungry Bear

Here is us at DS' 1st birthday outing:

DD- Grace
Disney history: her first trip was last year and she loved it! She was SO excited to hear we got to go back this year and is looking to WDW someday!
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite DLR ride: Screamin' she loves the coasters!
Least Favorite DLR ride: ToT- we had to talk her into trying it once and she will not try it this year lol
Favorite DLR character: Cruella! She loved the interaction!!
Favorite DLR food: She was pretty happy with her Mickey pretzel last year
Favorite DLR treat: Beignets from Jazz Kitchen
Favorite DLR restaurant: (Does RFC count? Lol) she also enjoyed Hungry Bear

Here is DD with Cruella:

DS- Warren-
Disney history: he went to DLR last year at 3 months and seemed to enjoy it for the most part. He did well at the parks, but spent a majority of the time in a front pack on me so I'm scared and looking forward to him being more alert and running around this year.
Favorite color: Red
Favorite DLR ride: Last year we did several rounds of Winnie the Pooh- he liked the lights and the lack of line lol
Least Favorite DLR ride: POC- he did not appreciate the drops, getting splashed and thought it was too dark in some spots
Favorite DLR character: last year he really really liked Mater! He was not too interested in the other characters including Lightening
Favorite DLR food: tbd- he's eating solids and ready to chow down this year!
Favorite DLR treat: tbd
Favorite DLR restaurant: tbd

Here is DS on Winnie the Pooh (he liked it despite looking like he's in terror LOL):

And Here is DS is his full (Cheesy since he saw I was taking photos and he was hamming it up lol) Disney glory- on his new ride-on Disney planes toy with his Buzz Lightyear in the background in his shopping cart and yes that is a Disney planning DVD I let him drag around the house as his own (we already watched it lol):

Also joining us the whole trip will be my mom. My sister and her DD will also do 2 park days with us!
Here is DD and DS playing twister with their cousins (the one on the left will be with us in the parks):

 

[millie0312]

A few planning/fun things to add:

- While I was shopping for DS' Halloween outfit (Darth Vader pj's with a cape!!) I found this gem! A warm hat (which we needed) that has EARS on it for DS- score!! the mittens that came with it are warm and have ears on them too- SO CUTE!!

I also scored this super cute Cars jacket and Star Wars hoodie for DS to wear with a sweet sale (I'm a bargin hunter/couponer LOL) and with a gift card from birthday gifts from DS' birthday!

Here is a photo of my planning binder- do I need one? NO, but I'm that kind of planner LOL I might have a problem when my DLR planning binder looks like it should be for WDW (don't even get me started on that binder- custom HUGE binder LOL). I decorated it with my new to me (steal of a Craigslist deal) Cricut in Disney silhouettes in preperation for the shirts I will be making for our trip with silhouettes:
Front

Inside pocket

Back

And instead of renting a stroller we decided to upgrade our stroller (it was past time for a new one) and we got a steal on a Bob!! so new stroller, no need to rent and stuff holder at the airport!

 

[millie0312]

The initial gameplan:
All meals are very tenative especially CS meals
Here is my thoughts on which parks, where to eat, which tickets to use, etc- I will post my actual touring plans later
Any thoughts on this would be welcomed- I keep changing it up and changing my mind and re-thinking it all LOL

December 8-
Leave our local airport at 6 am and arrive at lax around 7:30 am
We are taking the DL express bus from LAX to DLR and hoping to catch the 7:55 bus (I know probably not going to happen with a gate checked stroller and 2 carry on's each and 1 check on each), but maybe we will take our time and catch the next one (I think its an hour later) and miss some traffic- haha LA miss traffic....
We should arrive around 9-10 am at GCH and will leave our bags and check in (hoping if we check in early we will get a good room)- We might have to do some room switching if we don't get pixie dusted so I'm hoping and praying we do!! Switching rooms twice would not be fun with 2 kids LOL
We don't have any particular plans today but getting ready and getting to our airport for a 6 am flight means we plan on a nap when our room is ready, but we will probably hang out in DTD, maybe check out hotel activities if they have something fun (towel folding, movie, storytime, etc) plus maybe a swim if its not freezing (well DD may swim even if it is lol)
Breakfast: airport food/snacks
Lunch: possibly at Pizza Press- I believe there are coupons online
Dinner: possibly at RFC- Have a free kids meal coupon, a $25 credit and will be getting a gift card

Wed, December 9- EE DCA
I think we will start at DCA with EE and a one-park per day ticket (so DCA all day)- I hate to not start at DLR but EE makes it worth it and using a 1 park/day on a slower (well slower than it will be later) day makes more sense
Breakfast: Flos?
Lunch: Smokejumpers?
Dinner:Whitewater Snacks?

Thurs, December 10: EE DLR My Mom's birthday
I think we will do DLR with EE and 1 park/day (last one before we use our hoppers). Trying to figure out something special to do for my mom- maybe room service of goodies, a cake, etc?
Breakfast: RBT?
Lunch: Hungry Bear?
Dinner:

Fri, December 11: EE DCA- My sister is with us
I have a feeling with the 60th, the holidays, closures, star wars, big groups, tapings and events that it will start getting hard to walk today- a couple days earlier then last year. My sister does not have hoppers or MM so I will recommend she do DLR today. I will start using my hoppers and start out at DCA EE for about 2 hours then hop over to DLR for the rest of the day to meet my sister. She isn't a rd kind of girl I guess (gasp! complete opposite of me who knows better LOL but she will learn- DLR is not what it was 5 years ago in the slow time of Jan!). I have F! adr at RBT (BB would be awesome but I can't eat the food there due to allergies) so weather permitting we will watch F! in style
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner: F! RBT?

Sat, December 12- DLR EE
This will be the opposite of yesterday- I will recommend my sister does DCA and we will do DLR EE then join her in a couple hours at DCA with hoppers. I also have F! adr today in case of bad weather yesterday.
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner:

Sun, December 13- DCA EE
Day off the parks, my sister leaves. Today we will relax and maybe do more swimming, hotel activities and DTD.
Breakfast: Storytellers with my sister
Lunch:
Dinner:

Mon, December 14- DCA EE
Today is hopefully our day to get the activities Disney has planned for us- what they are- I do not know yet.... They actually won't tell me- some I might learn about at check in, some later? I'm just hoping this is the day they do it as I don't even know that much lol! Here is what it may include: front row seats and photo on stage at the Golden Horseshoe (we never even went in last year!), BTMRR FP, fireworks seating, dinner at BTRBBQ (but I have severe allergies so this could change). This is our last park day
Breakfast: Miinie and Friends
Lunch:
Dinner: BBQ?

Tues, December 15-
A day at KBF with my friend and her DD! Wedo this yearly- we love KBF and catching up with my friend! We are going to take the Metro bus so no car seat issues and hassle, plus cheap transport.
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner:

Wed, December 16-
Travel Day home- our flight leaves LAX at 12:30 pm
Breakfast: Steakhouse 55
Lunch:

I will change add soon, but that is my plan at this point but input is always appreciated especially with how busy it might be then!

 

[JenEMT]

Great report so far, I'm enjoying reading it...and totally going to copy some thing lol. Is that coupon for RFC available online, or just something you stumbled across? We will be eating there on the 12, and I've been trying to research deals lol.

I'm also hoping for some pixie dust upon our check in @ PPH. We have 2 rooms for 5 nights each, so I doubt we will. I'm thinking of wearing my bride sweater to see if that helps.

Are we there yet?

 

[millie0312]

Great report so far, I'm enjoying reading it...and totally going to copy some thing lol. Is that coupon for RFC available online, or just something you stumbled across? We will be eating there on the 12, and I've been trying to research deals lol.

I'm also hoping for some pixie dust upon our check in @ PPH. We have 2 rooms for 5 nights each, so I doubt we will. I'm thinking of wearing my bride sweater to see if that helps.

Are we there yet?

RFC is awesome!! I signed up my DD for the kids birthday email, so now every year she gets a coupon (unless they sent it for my birthday not sure but Im pretty sure hers) for a free kids meal or chefs app- we always go for the kids meal. Plus my mom signed up for the landry card so each Dec she gets $25 there and last year because we just signed up (its an initial $25) we got a second $25 credit- so dinner was free! not sure about other coupons available, but DD eating free is awesome!! Heres to hoping for Pixie dusted check in!! Even a little better view would be awesome- PPH has such great park views!! Almost time!!! Now if they would post the hours and schedule... lol

 

[AZMermaid]

Following!! Congrats on your wins! I won 8 3 day park hoppers a million years ago when Tower of Terror opened. I'm so excited to read more!

 

[IMADLFAN]

How were you notified that you were a winner?

 

[millie0312]

How were you notified that you were a winner?

We got an email from the company that runs the sweepstakes

 

[millie0312]

Oh my- I'm not sure where the time has gone, but 2 weeks to go!!! Lots of planning and updates that I will try to finish tonight so this is up to date

Budget: I made a budget for food, expenses, etc. As of right now I am figuring $75/day per adult (2 of us), $55/day for DD and $20/day for DS. I would rather estimate over rather then under and I realize some days will be more and some less. I even did a mock meal plan with meals for each of us I thought we'd eat at each place I thought we might eat at daily including snacks (we have a long list to try!) and drinks (plus tips for TS meals). I also printed up the prices/menus so my family can decide on a place/meal if we don't follow my plan. I also factored in things like suvenirs, tips (shuttle driver, bell hop, maid service, etc), KBF tickets, checked luggage, a grocery order, bus passes to KBF, Build a Bear for DD, the GCH magic shop experience for DD, etc. We feel pretty good about an idea of costs unless someone can think of others? We also pre-purchased our PP+, both character meals (our vouchers include tax and tip) and some Disney GC's. I also plan to buy some discounted GC's for Build a Bear, RFC and Starbucks

Knott's Berry Farm: We found out police/Fire/EMT's (and a seperate deal for military) get FREE KBF tickets for themselves and 1 guest, plus up to 6 additional tickets for $30 each through January!! That means we lucked out not pre-buying our tickets yet as we now just need 1 st the discounted rate (we will buy them at the door with DH's fire ID). So nice to not have to worry about that cost!! We also decided to use the Metro bus to/from KBF so we wouldn't need to deal with a rental car, extra costs, car seats, etc. It seems easy and at $1.75 each way or less- you can't beat the costs!

Meals: We have reservations for: F! dinner at RBT (we are too picky to eat at BB even though I'd rather eat there!!) twice- we will cancel one when we make sure one or the other won't be cancelled by rain, a character meal at Storytellers (we love the food, service and characters there), a character meal at Minnie's (yay!! Hoping to see some unusual ones plus Pooh and family since they were displaced this holiday season ), a reservation at Steakhouse 55 for breakfast and possibly Disney is sending us to BTMBBQ (I hope they are and can accommodate my black pepper allergy). We are a tough crowd to please because I'm allergic to pepper and sensitive to spices and I'm picky, my DD is picky, my DH and DS want certain things (not picky luckily just want their meat and potatoes) and my mom wants healthy options (we like to eat less healthy on vacation LOL). Add in my niece who also has a special diet and we make for a tough group- needless to say we may have to split up for meals, but we shall see.... My initial plan is to plan all our restaurant choices, plan back ups and change it up as needed. My goal is to please as many as I can at one place, get variety (I do not want a burger twice a day lol) and try a different view/place each meal. Last year we tended to eat at the same places and similar foods- it was fine, but we missed out on good food, cool places to see and it was a bit boring- we have our favorites we will go back to eat at, but variety this time lol Here is my tenative meal plan:
Dec 8- Breakfast- at airport
Lunch- at Pizza Press (we will walk- the reviews are GREAT about it!)
Dinner- RFC- we have a coupon for a free kids meal ,plus a $25 credit
Dec 9- park day DCA- Breakfast- Flos (love it!!)
Lunch- Smokejumpers
Dinner- Lucky Fortune Cookery
Dec 10- My mom's birthday! Day off and my sister will meet us around 3-4 pm- Breakfast- Storytellers (love it there)
Lunch- White Water Snacks (such a mellow, yummy place!)
Dinner- Tangeroa Terrace (with a peek at Trader Sams)
Dec 11- Park day- DCA start and possible hopping if F! works out- with my sister/niece- Breakfast- Flos again (not much choices besides them and food carts- we will revisit)
Lunch- Still deciding- DCA seems more limited on food choices- we may eat at Cocina?
Dinner- RBT F! dinner (hopefully)
Dec 12- Park day- DL with no hopper with my sister/niece- Breakfast-Galactic grill (hope we see Boba!)
Lunch- Village Haus
Dinner- Zocalo/Jolly Holiday (we can't all eat Mexican food)
December 13- Park Day- Disney activities planned- my sister leaves- starting at DCA and hopping to DL- Breakfast- RBT (boo for the last breakfast ever there possibly)
Lunch- Harbour Galley, Hungry Bear (we can't all eat soup/breadbowl in our group lol)
Dinner- BTRBBQ from Disney?? We still haven't heard....
December 14- KBF day- Breakfast- Ralph Brennans or White Water Snacks
Lunch- KBF- maybe Panda Express
Dinner- KBF- maybe Mrs. Knotts
December 15- Last park day- start in DL- then hop- Breakfast- Minnie's!
Lunch- Galactic Grill
Dinner- Plaza Inn
December 16- leaving Breakfast- Steakhouse 55
Lunch- at airport
We are sweet/snack people so here is our ever growing list of items to get/try:
Dole whips
Beignets (we will try the parks this year to compare to Jazz Kitchen lol)
Ghiradelli Ice Cream
GCH hot chocolate
Mint julep
Napolini pizza
Tiger tail (as in the breadsticks) plus a skewer
Ritas drinks
Cozy Cone treats
Fresh Caramel corn if they are still making it
A corn dog (gotta compare DL vs CA)
Cinnamon crisps
Frozen lemonade at Hungry Bear
Churros
KBF fudge
(I may add to this list as I think of other goodies).
We are planning on making a Von's order so we will bring in most of our drinks, some snacks/fruit and will have a mini breakfast to start us off at EE before we eat later in the morning. We plan on getting basics like soda, water, juices (for breakfast daily), cereals, chips, crackers, fruit, yogurt, muffins, string cheeses and baby meals (they are handy in case DS needs something now), etc.

Plan of attack: So sadly after all my planning madness- our plans have appeared to change... sigh- now to start all over Anyway- after months of asking Disney what day the activities they were planning for us were on (with no answer bunches of times) and many many requests for a specific day for those plans- they decided to do whatever they wanted to do anyway and luckily I found out about it two weeks before our trip and not later!! I am not a go with the flow kind of girl especially during the busy holiday times in the parks- I want my schedule made and ADR's done months ahead. Well I STILL have NO idea what Disney is planning and since I don't know what they are planning I cannot find it in myself to skip their activities, so we changed our WHOLE schedule around the best we could- I am still in the process of changing ADR's (hoping I can still get what I need....) and changing activities as well.... So while I am still blessed to have this trip, it's not without its stresses lol Anyway- here is the updated plan as of now- subject to change apparently
Dec 8- Tues- arrive at GCH around 9-10 am, check in (we requested the same room we had last year or similar although with the hotel booked and apparently the CM I talked to thought it was a "premium" room, even though last year it was a woods view room),
store bags until room is ready
Hang out at DTD,
watch the movie at the GCH (or DLH or PPH whichever it is at),
explore the other two DLR hotels,
exchange character meal vouchers for tickets,
do the hotel scavenger hunt
Dec 9- Wed- Park day use non- hopper ticket at DCA with EE
exact touring plan to follow (they all have to be redone now...) but start out at TSMM, then hit up the cars characters, then RSR, CA screamin, soarin, pier area
WOC possibly, watch the Pixar's play time (we love the army men!!), Viva Navidad, Aladdin at some point
Check out the scream contest in front of Monster's Inc at regular park opening if they still do it (DD wants to win lol)
The only ride we missed last year is Monsters Inc and we LOVED Screamin so those are a must today- the rest is just icing on the cake
We also want to check out the kids areas (Bugs, Up) so DS can play
Park hours: 8 am- 9 pm with 7 am EE
Dec 10- Day off- Explore DTD, go swimming, meet up when my sister/niece arrives
Dec 11- Park day- Start in DCA (with EE) and hop to DL with hopper, with sister/niece
See other WOC
Do the basic rides with my family (they haven't been to DLR in 5 years- before Cars land!!)
Aladdin?
F! dinner if the weather hold out
Park hours- DL- 8 am-12 am DCA- 8 am- 11 pm with 7 am EE
Dec 12- Park day- DL with non hoppers (with EE)- with my sister/niece
F! if yesterday had bad weather
Hit up the basics- probably start at PP, then Matterhorn, tour around FL
Mickey and the Magical Map?
Park hours- DL- 8am- 12 am with 7 am EE, DCA- 8 am- 11 pm
Dec 13- Disney led day- not sure when I will know what will happen so this is the basic plan- Start in DCA- hop to DL
Park hours: DL- 8am- 12 am with 7 am EE, DCA- 8 am- 11 pm
Dec 14- KBF
Dec 15- Park day- DL (with EE) then hop- last park day
Dec 16- Leaving to go home
That gives us 2 travel days, 1 day off, 1 KBF day and 5 park days. We will have 3 EE at DCA and 2 at DL.

Well I will have to come back tomorrow to finish, but as a teaser of whats to come..... I made these last night for our trip

To be continued.....

 

[JenEMT]

Holy cow... So learning about the KBF deal just blew me away. Since three of us are paramedics, we would only need to buy one $30 ticket. Ummm...we may need to extend our stay by one day! Thanks for this info lol....now if I could also set a final ga,e plan for our Disney days. This season of the force stuff is throwing me off. I hope your planing goes well also

 

[millie0312]

So I will try to put my planning up here post trip- all the planning took up all my tr time lol anyway I will try to do some live updates here before I do a full trip report-
Day 1- we woke up at 3 am after going to bed after midnight lol only to lug our way through airport security and be delayed lol for maintenance. Luckily DD is fine with her stuff to do and DS tired himself out after entertaining the crowd around us so he is on his way to a nap! Next up LAX, Disneyland Express shuttle then checking in and DTD (plus a swim since it's supposed to be 82 today lol)

 

[millie0312]

Holy cow... So learning about the KBF deal just blew me away. Since three of us are paramedics, we would only need to buy one $30 ticket. Ummm...we may need to extend our stay by one day! Thanks for this info lol....now if I could also set a final ga,e plan for our Disney days. This season of the force stuff is throwing me off. I hope your planing goes well also

Yes- we were prepping to pay for our tickets ahead of time then saw that deal- yay!! Love kbf it's so fun there!