It's getting closer! - Oct Trip - Gay Days and Halloween

[Sphyrna]

It's no secret my best friend and I have had our ups and downs during our trips. This past June it wasn't as bad, just one bad dinner. Vacationing with someone definitely can be difficult at times. But it can also be great and provide great memories.

 

[MaleMaleficent]

I think that itinerary sounds great. We did Halloween at WDW last year, and if the fireworks are 1/2 what they were in Floriday, you'll be a-squealin'.

Hmmm. Travelling with friends to Disney parks. It can be somewhat of a sticky wicket. Heck, it's a sticky wicket with me and my partner, as he's not into Disney AT ALL. Once we were walking through Liberty Square after dark, not too many people around, and I was just really getting into being there and appreciating the detail, etc. I said something like "isn't this great?" And he snorted and said "Yeah, for being at a damn Disney park, it's WONDERFUL!" (insert sarcastic tone there). I tell you, I had to walk away before I smashed his skull into the Liberty Tree. LOL

So if they're into it, you're going to have a great time. If not, just take a deep breath, and make it a game to observe what tickles their pickle about the place. No matter how much one resists, there's always one thing at a Disney park that illicits that smile.

Sidebar: I was a follower of your blog, Zeitzeuge, for years. Miss it.

 

[zeitzeuge]

Someday I will stay at the Disneyland Hotel, but I have no desire to stay at The Grand Californian. That said, it's hard to justify staying onsite when cheaper hotels are so convenient.

I always shied away from going to Disney with a group, I just thought it'd be too much of hassle to coordinate everyone...HOWEVER...my last two visits to WDW was with a marvelous group of Dis'ers (you know who you are) and it was amazing. No divas or prima donnas...everyone was so easy going..it was the best trip ever!

That's how we feel. We stayed at DLH and it was great, but I couldnt' justify spending $200 a night. It was Steven's parents idea so they paid for it. GCH is really expensive, although it would be nice to be only yards from the front gates of DL and have your own private entrance into DCA.

In June I wish we could have spent MORE time with everyone. And I can't wait to see everyone next year! It really is nice how our group can have things planned, tell everyone to feel free to stop by if it fits their schedule, and we all just show up when/where we can. Much better than attempting to stay in a huge mob for 4 days in a row!

We would LOVE to attend Gay Days at WDW, but unless they move it to March I'm not sure we'll ever make it. LOL

I think that itinerary sounds great. We did Halloween at WDW last year, and if the fireworks are 1/2 what they were in Floriday, you'll be a-squealin'.

Hmmm. Travelling with friends to Disney parks. It can be somewhat of a sticky wicket. Heck, it's a sticky wicket with me and my partner, as he's not into Disney AT ALL. Once we were walking through Liberty Square after dark, not too many people around, and I was just really getting into being there and appreciating the detail, etc. I said something like "isn't this great?" And he snorted and said "Yeah, for being at a damn Disney park, it's WONDERFUL!" (insert sarcastic tone there). I tell you, I had to walk away before I smashed his skull into the Liberty Tree. LOL

So if they're into it, you're going to have a great time. If not, just take a deep breath, and make it a game to observe what tickles their pickle about the place. No matter how much one resists, there's always one thing at a Disney park that illicits that smile.

Sidebar: I was a follower of your blog, Zeitzeuge, for years. Miss it.

Luckily, my parter is a huge Disney fan like I am. We both love it equally. One of our friend who is going, we took for the first time a couple years ago and he still talks about it to this day. Two others, one is excited because she's a huge Jack Skellington fan and the other? Well, we'll see. He's got a conference in Anaheim the day after our trip, so that plus being able to spend time with us, is the only reason he's going. We told him we require everyone to wear Mickey ears on the first day, but he's already fighting us tooth and nail.

Wow and old blog reader? I thought most people had forgotten about me. I wrote in that thing for so long (10 years?) and had 1000 readers a day at one point. Then I just ran out of things to say. I have another one at http://zeitzeugeredux.blogspot.com but haven't written in it in months. I keep thinking I'm going to pick it up again and at least try to write weekly or so. It was just so hard to write something stupid, silly, funny, heartwarming or profound every day. LOL

A lot of pressure. Plus I'm sure I won't get my readership back.

 

[hematite153]

Hmmm. Travelling with friends to Disney parks. It can be somewhat of a sticky wicket. Heck, it's a sticky wicket with me and my partner, as he's not into Disney AT ALL. Once we were walking through Liberty Square after dark, not too many people around, and I was just really getting into being there and appreciating the detail, etc. I said something like "isn't this great?" And he snorted and said "Yeah, for being at a damn Disney park, it's WONDERFUL!" (insert sarcastic tone there). I tell you, I had to walk away before I smashed his skull into the Liberty Tree. LOL

Sounds like you and your new Disney fanatic friend need to take a double-date-like trip to WDW. The two of you can spend long days in the parks and enjoy all the magic and your partners can join you when they feel like it and otherwise, enjoy the resorts, shop, golf, visit neighbouring attractions, etc.

 

[Tony-NJ]

For someone who hates to plan - you sure took on a lot! It's interesting to hear what you say about staying on disney property in CA vs staying across the street. I've never been but did just do a lot of edecation on Disney Travel and they would have you believe that the Disney hotels are the closest!

Good luck - your itinerary sounds busy but I bet it will all be worth it!

 

[zeitzeuge]

For someone who hates to plan - you sure took on a lot! It's interesting to hear what you say about staying on disney property in CA vs staying across the street. I've never been but did just do a lot of edecation on Disney Travel and they would have you believe that the Disney hotels are the closest!

Good luck - your itinerary sounds busy but I bet it will all be worth it!

Tell me about it. Steven and I have already said that we're going to have to make an emergency trip to DL in December, just the two of us for a couple days to get our "alone time" in at the parks.

I was just looking at an arial park map and yes, the DLH is twice the walk as about a handful of local hotels across the street from the esplanade. Crazy.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tell me about it. Steven and I have already said that we're going to have to make an emergency trip to DL in December, just the two of us for a couple days to get our "alone time" in at the parks.

I was just looking at an arial park map and yes, the DLH is twice the walk as about a handful of local hotels across the street from the esplanade. Crazy.

Some of the offsite WDW hotels are closer to certain parks than the onsite resorts, too. AKL is close to virtually nothing, but it's my favorite anyway!

Yes, I highly recommend a scheduled "Do-Over" after any group trip. Helps you get the bad memories out.

 

[Gypsybear]

Well, after this weekend, you know how I feel about traveling with groups....

By day 3, I was ready for some clubbin'....and I mean some heads....

Good luck with your group....

 

[franandaj]

I love the Grand Californian, so much that even as a local we bought points there! We may see you over the Gay Days weekend, we'll be staying Saturday night in a Studio Villa, and also dining at the club that evening, but later than you two.

It is true that the distance from the front of Hojo's is the same distance from the Sorcerer Mickey hat at the DLH. But there is nothing like sitting on your balcony sipping a glass of wine watching the rides of Paradise Pier. Because my DP is disabled, we spend a lot of time in the room relaxing. This allows her to take a nap in the afternoon and recharge her batteries before we go out for the night (literally and figuratively!)

I hope everything works out for you and your entourage!

 

[Sphyrna]

By day 3, I was ready for some clubbin'....and I mean some heads....

 

[npmommie]

The halloween decorations start going up about the 2nd or 3rd week in October, little by little. By October 1st, they're all up.

We're cheap when we go to the parks, so we can spend our money INside rather than OUTside. We also are up at 6am to be at the gates by 7am for Early Morning Hours and usually always stay until close. The hotel is nothing but a place to sleep and shower. Even when we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, it was a great place to say, it was beautiful and very convienent, but we spent no time in our room or took advantage of the pool, so it depends on what you use a hotel for.

for us we like to spend time at the resort too , swimming or whatever, we are not get there at opening stay til closing types.
nice to know about the halloween decor

 

[M4travels]

Tell me about it. Steven and I have already said that we're going to have to make an emergency trip to DL in December, just the two of us for a couple days to get our "alone time" in at the parks.

Well, if it was somewhere around the 12th or 13th we just might be able to meet up! Granted, that won't be "alone time" but we all could say hello and each go on our merry ways!

Michael

 

[zeitzeuge]

Well, if it was somewhere around the 12th or 13th we just might be able to meet up! Granted, that won't be "alone time" but we all could say hello and each go on our merry ways!

Michael

I'm not sure exactly which weekend it would be. When is it the least busy the first few weeks? I think the 12th and 13th is the least? It all depends on Steven's bonus. And I think we can fit in more than a quick hello.

 

[M4travels]

I'm not sure exactly which weekend it would be. When is it the least busy the first few weeks? I think the 12th and 13th is the least? It all depends on Steven's bonus. And I think we can fit in more than a quick hello.

The first weekend of December is USUALLY Candlelight Processional. We are currently scheduled to arrive back in port (doing a 7-day RCCL out of L.A. to Mexican Riviera) on Sunday the 12th, spend 2 nights at GCV, and then head back south on the 14th. If you're there during that time it would be great to see you guys!

Just think, you might have another trip to plan!

 

[zeitzeuge]

The first weekend of December is USUALLY Candlelight Processional. We are currently scheduled to arrive back in port (doing a 7-day RCCL out of L.A. to Mexican Riviera) on Sunday the 12th, spend 2 nights at GCV, and then head back south on the 14th. If you're there during that time it would be great to see you guys!

Just think, you might have another trip to plan!

I think you're right. The only time we went during Christmas was the first weekend and it was the Candlelight Processional down Mainstreet. Although it was beautiful to see, the crowds that weekend were horrible.

If we do go, it would definitely be the following weekend.

 

[dmwang9]

My hat is off to you for taking on the planning of this trip.

I notice on your itinerary that you're having dinner at Club 33 one evening. I'm very jealous!

 

[zeitzeuge]

My hat is off to you for taking on the planning of this trip.

I notice on your itinerary that you're having dinner at Club 33 one evening. I'm very jealous!

Well if I could just get them to pay their part of the bills I've charged so far, we'd be doing even better. LOL

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's one mistake I did NOT make - nobody ever owed me money for anything!

I booked and paid for a tour as part of my Christmas gift to our friends, so that was fine.

We agreed to share the cost of a PhotoPass CD, and we didn't pre-order it so we just walked up to the desk at MK and had them burn our CD from the PhotoPass cards. My friend had apparently forgotten that I gave them the tour as a gift because he paid for the entire CD. I told him no, the tour was a gift, and I wanted to split the cost of the CD. I tried to give him Disney Dollars for my half and he said "Don't you have anything other than this play money?" I was FURIOUS. I told him the resort would accept it for room charges OR they would swap it back into regular money for him OR he could spend it ANYWHERE in the parks. Talk about ungrateful! The CM who rang up the CD would have VERY GLADLY accepted the Disney Dollars, so I was even more livid about my friend's response. I should have just said "Nope. This is all I have. I'll just keep it and owe you for the CD."

 

[zeitzeuge]

Found a great park map of DL and DCA, showing how close they are to one another. Right on the edge of the right hand side of the parks would be the good neighbor hotels across the street and to the left of the Esplanade between parks is DTD which takes you to the DLR hotels. Plus, it lists all the attractions which is nice.

For those who've never been of course.

http://www.disneylandstockphotos.com/disneyland_park_guide.php

 

[zeitzeuge]

A little over a month away! The way work has been going lately, and all the work we've been doing as Sisters, I think this upcoming vacation to Disneyland is going to be more welcomed than any other. Normally we're always very excited for our trips, but this one seems double that.

We started off with 7 and now we're down to 4. Steven, myself and our friends Ray and Stacie. Two of our Sister friends haven't said anything anymore about the trip, so we're assuming they're not going. My best friend couldn't seem to get his life in order to be able to have the funds to go. So that leaves the four of us. I can't tell you how much of a load that takes off of us trying to show them a good time.

Both of them are laid back, easy going and will "go with the flow" and if they don't want to do something with us, they'll go on their own. That's just how they are. If they're tired, they'll go back to the hotel room and meet us out later. The others, we weren't so sure of. So less stress for me.

Stacie was in Anaheim a month ago for a conference and they were given nighttime passes to DL. She wanted to wait and be a Disney virgin with us on her first day, but she couldn't pass up a free night at the park. I don't blame her. She didn't ride much except POTC and HM and a couple other small c tickets, then walked around a lot with her friend. She didn't get to see parades, Fantasmic!, WOC or even the fireworks, so it will be like a whole new experience for her.

Now to explain to them how special Club 33 is. They don't get it. Yet.