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

[zeitzeuge]

Ok, so we're down to a little over two months for our trip to DL for Gay Days and Halloween. Nice to be able to kill two birds with one stone.

This trip is requiring something that I hate. Trip Planning. Yes, I now have a folder of confirmations and a spreadsheet and I cringe every time I have to open it up. With people joining us (or not joining us, but more on that in a minute), it's requiring us to be pseudo tour guides, insuring our guests have the best time possible. Showing them all the sights and sounds. Pointing out things of interest. Tell them the history. Yes, they've already told us that we need to do this. LOL.

Now the pressure is on.

With World of Color, Glow Fest, Club 33, Fantasmic!, MHP (Mickey's Halloween Party), Halloween Fireworks, regular fireworks plus Pixar Parade, Celebrate! Street Party and I think there's a halloween parade? I think I'm going a little goo goo in the brain.

It's not helping that we have unofficially, 6 people going with us. Four of those six haven't bought tickets, aren't 100% sure, or too lazy to get off their butt and get it done. I don't know. I just have everything done early.

Our hotel is paid for. Flights are bought and half paid for already. MHP and Parkhopper tickets are purchased as of today.

Thursday night:
DTD for shopping and dinner.

Friday:
Spend the day at DL and DCA.
7pm is MHP at DL
9pm Halloween Fireworks (parade?)

Saturday:
Spend the day at DL and DCA
Pick up WOC tickets around 11am'ish for 11:15pm showing
5:30 - Club 33 dinner
9:00 Fantasmic!
9:30 Regular Fireworks
11:15 World of Color

Sunday:
Spend a relaxing day at DL and DCA
Afternoon Pixar Parade
End the night at DL like always

Sounds like a plan? A busy one and one with more time constraints. We've already discussed and said that we're not going to allow the newbies to dictate when or where we go. They're along for the ride. If they want to do something different, go back to the hotel to relax, eat somewhere else or whatever, they're more then happy to go on their own for a while.

Now if we can just get everyone to commit and buy their tickets. LOL

Ok, back to stressing out.

 

[PghLybrt]

Sounds like a plan? A busy one and one with more time constraints. We've already discussed and said that we're not going to allow the newbies to dictate when or where we go. They're along for the ride. If they want to do something different, go back to the hotel to relax, eat somewhere else or whatever, they're more then happy to go on their own for a while.

Now if we can just get everyone to commit and buy their tickets. LOL

Ok, back to stressing out.

I think it sounds like a great plan! I agree with you about newbies! We have 2 coming along in Nov and they are more than welcome to do their own thing or to follow us! Basically for us it is only park and where we eat other than that they can dictate shows/rides or lack there of! The ticket buying was a sore spot here too, so I just bought them. Of course I am not going to any extra nights or anything so even if they don't show (for whatever reason) those tickets will be good for us next year!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You know how I feel about group travel.
You have my condolences.
Can't wait to see you this weekend!!!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I think it sounds like a great plan! I agree with you about newbies! We have 2 coming along in Nov and they are more than welcome to do their own thing or to follow us! Basically for us it is only park and where we eat other than that they can dictate shows/rides or lack there of! The ticket buying was a sore spot here too, so I just bought them. Of course I am not going to any extra nights or anything so even if they don't show (for whatever reason) those tickets will be good for us next year!

Well, I bought our tickets and two others for people who have already committed and gave me money for flights. The rest, I sent a detailed email with links on what to buy and for when.

You know how I feel about group travel.
You have my condolences.
Can't wait to see you this weekend!!!

It's always just been Steven and I. We have full reign over our day and where we go and what we do. It's our own special time in the parks. This will be different in a way, but one argument, one pouty face, or one complaint and they'll have a rude awakening in the middle of DL.

Mama don't play that way. LOL

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I find group travel to be suffocating.

I LOVE to be at WDW at the same time as our friends. I don't like to go to WDW WITH other people. And the difference in those 2 scenarios is HUUUUUGE!

Meeting up around the parks or for a meal or drinks is my favorite!
I don't even mind planning for a group.

What I hate is feeling obligated to be "hostess" the whole time, waiting for people who stop every 10 feet to look in shops or go to the restroom or buy a snack or whatever. I am destination oriented. THIS is where I am going, I am going there NOW, and you better not impede my progress!

We are very set in our ways, and trying to incorporate other people into our routine from morning 'til night for a week at a time is NOT a good thing.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I find group travel to be suffocating.

I LOVE to be at WDW at the same time as our friends. I don't like to go to WDW WITH other people. And the difference in those 2 scenarios is HUUUUUGE!

Meeting up around the parks or for a meal or drinks is my favorite!
I don't even mind planning for a group.

What I hate is feeling obligated to be "hostess" the whole time, waiting for people who stop every 10 feet to look in shops or go to the restroom or buy a snack or whatever. I am destination oriented. THIS is where I am going, I am going there NOW, and you better not impede my progress!

We are very set in our ways, and trying to incorporate other people into our routine from morning 'til night for a week at a time is NOT a good thing.

Luckily, we don't have a full destination type plan. We have certain things planned out, but if we know we can see or do something another afternoon or night, we adjust, depending on our mood.

But, we do kind of like the hostess type thing and the idea of taking 6 people who don't get our disney obsession and have NEVER been, yet want to see what it's all about, makes me want to turn them into huge disneydorks as well.

It's my mission.

 

[starann]

But, we do kind of like the hostess type thing and the idea of taking 6 people who don't get our disney obsession and have NEVER been, yet want to see what it's all about, makes me want to turn them into huge disneydorks as well.

It's my mission.

DOn't be surprised (or upset) if they don't..........I went to WDW with my inlaws expecting them to LOVE it the way I do.....no dice and I was REALLY disapointed...........then again they are a different breed!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We have never been with actual newbies. We went with friends who had been 2 or 3 times before, but they never exhaustively researched all of the possibilities. So the first time we all went together they were AMAZED at all the stuff we accomplished. But they were reluctant to ever go off by themselves, which was hard for me. If we happened to get separated they would call me, and want us to stay in one spot until they caught up with us. After multiple days of that I was ready for a little space.

 

[PHILCT]

Your trip itinerary sounds awesome.

I have found it difficult to coordinate trips with family or friends in the past, so now I really don't do it that often, it is just too painful.

What makes it worse is using my DVC and setting up the 2 bedroom condo and ending up having an uncommitted couple who back out in the last 6 weeks, and never bought an airline ticket to begin with. And you ended up sending them like all those email alerts every time there is a huge airline fare drop.

Also making restaurant reservations for like 8 and then switching it to like 6 or 4, makes me want to scream. They think Disney Dining is nothing to manipulate at the 42 day window. And yet you agreed to some of their favorite restaurant choices over your own.

So now most of them realize I will not entertain group trips easily, or the trend to add more people under the: "Can I come along, I will try and save for it by the time it gets near the trip". I have never had anyone easily volunteer for the pullout couch !

Your plan sounds way better, it sounds like your not sharing any accommodations or special restaurant reservations.

----- Enough of my group trip negativity ----

Have a great time ! I wish I were going, I would be wearing my Rainbow ICON Mickey Pin each day !

Phil

 

[npmommie]

when do they put the halloween stuff up at DL?
we may go next summer or fall, not sure, if its fall, I would love to see the halloween theme!
where are you staying?
never been to DL, is it worth it to stay on property, I am so drawn to the Grand Californian
( as my dh would say " of course you are!!")

 

[rosiep]

when do they put the halloween stuff up at DL?
we may go next summer or fall, not sure, if its fall, I would love to see the halloween theme!
where are you staying?
never been to DL, is it worth it to stay on property, I am so drawn to the Grand Californian
( as my dh would say " of course you are!!")

I'm curious as to where you stay too. I've been 3 times, once I stayed onsite at Paradise Pier. It was beautiful but after also staying across the street on Harbour Blvd for half the price I just couldn't justify the cost...although I still hope to stay at the Disneyland Hotel someday (nostalgic reasons).

 

[hematite153]

Good luck!

We've gone twice with other people. The first time we planned to spend most of our time together and we did eventually get tired of each other.

The other time we provided copious amounts of information in advance and then scheduled 3-5 hours per day of together time and clearly stated that the rest of the day was open and we'd be heading off on our own. It worked much better. We didn't get sick of them, plus, we could make it clear that during the together time we were in charge of where we were going and at what pace. They didn't have to come and they could return to things that they thought we'd walked past too fast.

 

[Mousemom]

I too am curious as to where you are staying. Living close enough to Disneyland that we can drive, we have been many times. We've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel several times and love it. We used to stay off properties but after we stayed at the Disneyland hotel once my husband decided that we would always try to stay there. My last trip was with my SIL and neices and we stayed at The Howard Johnson. It was nice too. As for traveling with a group. We did one trip to WDW with family and felt like we wasted so much time waiting for people. We rented a van for us all to go together - that was a huge mistake. They liked to sleep in and not get to the parks until after lunch. We don't make it to the parks for rope drop but we do like to get to the parks by 10:00 am. Now I tell people I'm happy to help with phone numbers and ideas but I won't do all the planning. Our last trip with family was great. We met up a few times for dinner, water parks, and parades but other than that everyone did their own thing. Good luck!

 

[zeitzeuge]

when do they put the halloween stuff up at DL?
we may go next summer or fall, not sure, if its fall, I would love to see the halloween theme!
where are you staying?
never been to DL, is it worth it to stay on property, I am so drawn to the Grand Californian
( as my dh would say " of course you are!!")

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.

Normally we stay at the Fairfield Marriott Inn. It's clean, nice staff, decent rooms and it's about 99-110 a night. It literally takes about 5-7 minutes to walk to the front gate. There's also HoJo's and CandyCane Inn, which are are the same quality and have specials from time to time.

This trip we're staying at the newly refurbished Super 8 which is more of a 15 minute walk and it's on Katela Avenue. More walking, but it was only $42 a night. We prefer staying off site and getting a cheap hotel across the street. It's easier. Funny thing, the distance from Disney Hotel to the front gate is actually a longer walk then staying at HoJo's across the street from DL. Although you can take the monorail in and it drops you off in Tomorrowland.

I'm curious as to where you stay too. I've been 3 times, once I stayed onsite at Paradise Pier. It was beautiful but after also staying across the street on Harbour Blvd for half the price I just couldn't justify the cost...although I still hope to stay at the Disneyland Hotel someday (nostalgic reasons).

I think everyone should try the onsite hotels at least once. Grand Californian is incredible, but really pricey. But hey, it's worth it people tell me. Disneyland Hotel is in the middle of being 100% updated, inside and out. One tower is complete, the 2nd one was started about a month ago. They all 3 will be remodeled, including the pool, wedding lawn and dining areas in the middle by 2012. Prices I think average $200 a night. I've never stayed at Paradise Pier, but they say it's nice too. I think it's the cheapest of the three resort hotels.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I think 2-3 of our friends will probably stick to us like glue. Which is fine. They're our closest friends and we all get along so well. But they are also the type of friends that if they want to do their own thing at some point or go back to the hotel to rest, they'll do it without thinking twice about it.

The other 2 friends, we don't know as well. They're part of our group The Dallas Mission to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. We've only hung out with them in that setting and not as much on a personal level. But we get along and they're excited about going. Although they haven't booked anything yet, so I'm not even sure they're committed to going.

There were two other friends who wanted to go, but I'm sure aren't now. They're the type to argue and complain to one another all the time. I'm kind of glad they're not going with us because I would have had to step in at some point and remind them about Disneyland being the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am glad the whiny ones have backed out.

I think what irritated me about my friend griping all the time was the unsaid implication that his complaints were MY fault. It's MY fault he can't see animals from the balcony, MY fault the housekeeper didn't wipe ALL of the whiskers out of the sink, MY fault the rooms don't connect, MY fault we weren't seated PRECISELY at our ADR time. Yes, I did the planning but at no time did I state that any and all issues would be solely MY fault. Anything that we managed to resolve was immediately replaced by some other crisis.

When we planned the trip I didn't know we were going to stay in a group every minute of every day. That little revelation came later. I am still boggled by how hanging out at home is so different than traveling together. Before that first group trip I wouldn't have predicted that I would DISLIKE group travel as much as I did!

 

[rosiep]

Normally we stay at the Fairfield Marriott Inn. It's clean, nice staff, decent rooms and it's about 99-110 a night. It literally takes about 5-7 minutes to walk to the front gate. There's also HoJo's and CandyCane Inn, which are are the same quality and have specials from time to time.

This trip we're staying at the newly refurbished Super 8 which is more of a 15 minute walk and it's on Katela Avenue. More walking, but it was only $42 a night. We prefer staying off site and getting a cheap hotel across the street. It's easier. Funny thing, the distance from Disney Hotel to the front gate is actually a longer walk then staying at HoJo's across the street from DL. Although you can take the monorail in and it drops you off in Tomorrowland.

.

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!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

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!

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!

 

[cmpdw4me]

I find group travel to be suffocating.

I LOVE to be at WDW at the same time as our friends. I don't like to go to WDW WITH other people. And the difference in those 2 scenarios is HUUUUUGE!

Meeting up around the parks or for a meal or drinks is my favorite!
I don't even mind planning for a group.

What I hate is feeling obligated to be "hostess" the whole time, waiting for people who stop every 10 feet to look in shops or go to the restroom or buy a snack or whatever. I am destination oriented. THIS is where I am going, I am going there NOW, and you better not impede my progress!

We are very set in our ways, and trying to incorporate other people into our routine from morning 'til night for a week at a time is NOT a good thing.

I agree on this. However, IF you go with the RIGHT people, it can be amazing. My upcoming trip, there will be SEVEN ladies, that's right, SEVEN of us. We are all HUGE DW fanatics and all are very comfortable doing our own things. We're meeting up for dinner every night. I think it's gonna work out great. I will say, I would NEVER agree to do this with anyone else, other than my family. We all know eachother's boundaries, and are just so happy to BE around eachother. 3 of them are flying in from CA and we just don't see them but maybe once a year. This trip will be huge.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I agree on this. However, IF you go with the RIGHT people, it can be amazing. My upcoming trip, there will be SEVEN ladies, that's right, SEVEN of us. We are all HUGE DW fanatics and all are very comfortable doing our own things. We're meeting up for dinner every night. I think it's gonna work out great. I will say, I would NEVER agree to do this with anyone else, other than my family. We all know eachother's boundaries, and are just so happy to BE around eachother. 3 of them are flying in from CA and we just don't see them but maybe once a year. This trip will be huge.

I could probably travel with my cousin and her family just because they wouldn't expect to be together the whole time. And we enjoy their company. Can't think of any other family I could tolerate. But realistically, if we brought my mom to WDW if she was driving me nuts I would TELL HER she was driving me nuts and I would spend some time away from her.

It sounds easy to tell friends they are making you crazy, but the practice is harder than the theory. I felt like our friendship was really damaged by that trip, and I am much less tolerant of little annoyances now than I would be had we not gone on that trip. Chances are the things that grate on my nerves now are things I wouldn't even notice had I not spent a week trying to ignore them. Maybe.