Kids 1st trip-an ever changing PTR-Update: 12-21 Itinerary 6.0 is now done

[JPFamilyMom]

A Big part of me going to my cousins wedding was for my Grandma to get to see my baby, they have never met. And the wedding of course was the reason for the DL trip.

Well on Sept 11th, a sad day in history, becomes another sad day for me and my family as well. My Grandma is moving up to Sacramento (she lives in Long Beach right now) and moving into a retirement home. She doesn't like traveling and has a hard time with it. So whether she will go to the wedding is up in the air now.

My cousin is having a very small informal wedding. A short no nonsense ceremony (I'm catholic so had a big nearly 2 hr ceremony ) And they are having a very informal reception at Buca Di Beppo. So he would not be upset in the slightest if I couldn't make it, though I really do want to go since we are very close. But since he is only inviting a hand full of people and trying to keep it intimate I may pass on the wedding and we may be planning a longer trip to California in 2010 to see Grandma in Sacramento then drive down the coast and hit DL and make our way down to San Diego to hit some places down there as well.

I have decided to not make any decisions until October after she is more settled and we can get a feel for how she is doing up there. Please keep her in your thoughts for a safe journey to her new home.

Ok, never mind all that. Was talking with my Mom today, and she said that is silly I should still go. Then I told her I was thinking of not putting Jack in school this year cause of the Swine Flu and how he catches EVERYTHING and how I would have to take him too now. She just looked at me. Later came back and started planning and said she was going too because she could not feel good about me taking both boys alone. And I said I'd be fine, and she said, really with Jack, what if this and that.... so I said I think you just want to go to DL, and she said well of course So the trip is on, Mom and Jack are coming along now. We are staying at Hojo's and will be stopping in Las Vegas to see my brother and sister and their families, two days at DL/CA, possibly one day at Knotts Berry Farm, and our trip became a week long now. Aren't Moms funny.

 

[All7OfUs]

YES! Mothers are funny! I just finished drafting my next major update, and there are some references to mothers in there! HA!

I think it's great she wants to help you out, and get a trip out of it as well. How sweet! I hope you tour the same way. I vowed last trip, I"d NEVER go with my family again- EVER! We are just NOT on the same page.

OMG!! I haven't heard Knotts mentioned in a veyr long time, Too funny!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

YES! Mothers are funny! I just finished drafting my next major update, and there are some references to mothers in there! HA!

I think it's great she wants to help you out, and get a trip out of it as well. How sweet! I hope you tour the same way. I vowed last trip, I"d NEVER go with my family again- EVER! We are just NOT on the same page.

OMG!! I haven't heard Knotts mentioned in a veyr long time, Too funny!

Oh I LOVE Knotts, grew up on it though. Can you say Funnel Cake, yum-o and of course the best jelly/jam ever

Plus they have snow in the kids area for Christmas

 

[JPFamilyMom]

First, OT- Read today that Disney bought Marvel

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Disney-to-buy-comic-book-apf-730717139.html?x=0

To me that is strange, but I'm not gonna lie and say I'm not happy about it, cause now my Spiderman obsessed little boy is part of my Disney family once again It will be interesting to see exactly what Disney does with the purchase and how it affects other theme parks and places

Princess half marathon update: I think I have decided not to do the half marathon. With the move and me starting this job I haven't had time to run But I think I might sign up for a local 5k in October in hopes to do the half marathon with DH in January 2011

June 2010 Update: So I made an executive decision and decided to stick with June, it just gives us more wiggle room in the planning, not trying to cram in the travel and vacation into a short week. Other than that no "real" updates

DL December 2009 Update: Well first off I'm 100 days away from departing and heading out west.
Excited, yeah, maybe a little I haven't seen my extended family since I was pregnant with Joey, I went for another Cousins wedding November 2007, also the last time I went to DL.

So talked to DH, he was upset I was taking Jack, because he had planned out a fun weekend for the two of them Then I told him how long we were going and I felt bad cause he was actually But glad, cause he really wants me to go, and knows my family needs to get to see the baby.

So here is our tentative travel itinerary:

December 2010 Disneyland/California Adventure Itinerary

Wednesday December 9: *Depart from Memphis Airport
*Arrive in Las Vegas, NV
*Stay with brother’s family

Thursday December 10: *Catch up with old friends/sister’s family
*Stay @ brother’s again

Friday December 11: *Depart Las Vegas in the a.m.
* A Christmas Carol at El Capitan in Hollywood?
*Arrive in beautiful Anaheim, CA
*Check into Hojo’s

Saturday December 12: *Character breakfast?
Or watch sunrise @ beach or Knotts
*Wedding
*Head to beach/watch Newport water pageant
*Dinner @ knotts? or Universal City Walk?

Sunday December 13: *DL/CA day

Monday December 14: *DL/CA day

Tuesday December 15: *?Character breakfast If didn’t on the 12th
*Head back to Las Vegas
*Stay at Cannery Hotel

Wednesday December 16: Fly home

 

[All7OfUs]

I did too! We grew up in Hemet. Do you know where that is? We would drive up there just to get a chicken dinner!! Yummo! I loved the corkscrew and Montezuma's Revenge!

Anyway, I've never been to CA!!! It opened long after I left So. Cal.; when I was still there, I parked my car in the CM parking lot which was exactly where CA stands now- if I'm not mistaken

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I did too! We grew up in Hemet. Do you know where that is? We would drive up there just to get a chicken dinner!! Yummo! I loved the corkscrew and Montezuma's Revenge!

Anyway, I've never been to CA!!! It opened long after I left So. Cal.; when I was still there, I parked my car in the CM parking lot which was exactly where CA stands now- if I'm not mistaken

OH MAN, you must be like my long lost sister. My parents lived in Hemet right after my dad retired, before moving to NV, and I lived with them for a semester and went to San Jacinto College for one term. Worked at the Target in Hemet. Big thrill was driving to the mall in Riverside

I've only been to CA once, and it was a quick sort of trip (1 day PH to DL/CA when I went for that other wedding), so I'll be looking forward to doing some exploring over there. I don't think the new Cars area will be open when we go, so that is kinda sad, but all the more reason to plan another trip. I have A LOT of family in California, so another trip could be in our future when the boys are a couple years older. Right now my focus is really on WDW though. hehe you know aside from this Dec trip

 

[jenjolt]

Love your DL itinerary! I'm so excited to see all your pictures from there! DL is a place I really would like to visit sometime but California seems so far away LOL...maybe when I'm in Texas!!!

Glad that your world has been united with Spiderman joining the Disney family that is FANTASTIC!

 

[All7OfUs]

OH MAN, you must be like my long lost sister. My parents lived in Hemet right after my dad retired, before moving to NV, and I lived with them for a semester and went to San Jacinto College for one term. Worked at the Target in Hemet. Big thrill was driving to the mall in Riverside

I've only been to CA once, and it was a quick sort of trip (1 day PH to DL/CA when I went for that other wedding), so I'll be looking forward to doing some exploring over there. I don't think the new Cars area will be open when we go, so that is kinda sad, but all the more reason to plan another trip. I have A LOT of family in California, so another trip could be in our future when the boys are a couple years older. Right now my focus is really on WDW though. hehe you know aside from this Dec trip

OMG!! Yes, we could be! I went to MSJC for a semester, too, between Northern Arizona and UC Irvine. (moved back home for a spell). And yes, every day off from school (holidays, weekends, etc..) we'd drive to Riverside for the mall, or for a movie, or to go to Farrells Ice Cream Parlor. Very funny, what teens will do for a kick. So it was either Riverside or San Diego.

I was already gone when Target came in, but the teensy-weensy little mall was there. HA! We called it the "small".

During my 2 quarters and for a summer at UCI, I was a CM at DL, in the Blue Bayou at DL. LOVED IT!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Love your DL itinerary! I'm so excited to see all your pictures from there! DL is a place I really would like to visit sometime but California seems so far away LOL...maybe when I'm in Texas!!!

Glad that your world has been united with Spiderman joining the Disney family that is FANTASTIC!

You are the one moving to TX, I thought so, I had posted a comment on it earlier in the PTR. You will definitely have to make a trip to California when you move to Texas. It is a must Jen. I think I'll do a whole TR on DL just to entice you like I really need to entice you

OMG!! Yes, we could be! I went to MSJC for a semester, too, between Northern Arizona and UC Irvine. (moved back home for a spell). And yes, every day off from school (holidays, weekends, etc..) we'd drive to Riverside for the mall, or for a movie, or to go to Farrells Ice Cream Parlor. Very funny, what teens will do for a kick. So it was either Riverside or San Diego.

I was already gone when Target came in, but the teensy-weensy little mall was there. HA! We called it the "small".

During my 2 quarters and for a summer at UCI, I was a CM at DL, in the Blue Bayou at DL. LOVED IT!

Oh man, I have only dined at Blue Bayou once, that is so great that you got to work there. One of my sorority sisters worked on main street. I auditioned at DL several times but never made it all the way through Oh well.... I did get to be in two parades though just didn't get paid for it, meaning I wasn't a CM, just a lucky selected person.

 

[that's nice]

I will come clean and tell you I know absolutely nothing, nada, zitch about DL. Well I know 1 thing... the castle is Princess Aurora's... that's it! But your plan looks good... i think?

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Your December trip sounds lovely...Moms are great-aren't they...

the El Capitan is a lovely theatre-we made it a point to see a film there-is the Christmas Carol showing a tradition they do?

BtW-how long is the drive from Los Vegas to LA...I like to tuck these facts away... for future reference-you never know when you might need them...

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I will come clean and tell you I know absolutely nothing, nada, zitch about DL. Well I know 1 thing... the castle is Princess Aurora's... that's it! But your plan looks good... i think?

That is OK, I'll let it slide, you'll just have to read my TR that I've decided to write. I grew up in DL basically, and am just learning about WDW... so there you go I think it depends on which half of the states you grow up on.

Your December trip sounds lovely...Moms are great-aren't they...

the El Capitan is a lovely theatre-we made it a point to see a film there-is the Christmas Carol showing a tradition they do?

BtW-how long is the drive from Los Vegas to LA...I like to tuck these facts away... for future reference-you never know when you might need them...

The El Capitan shows just Disney movies I believe. I'm excited cause they also have a little diner, so we'll eat there, and a gift shop, so I might let the boys pick up a special El Capitan pin while there. The Christmas Carol they are showing is the new one that is being released... the one with Jim Carrey, the one we did the Train Tour for. So no not a tradition I don't believe. It will be my first trip to the theater I think, I may have gone as a child but don't remember

The drive is only about 4 hrs (we have done it several times), but it depends on whose driving and of course the time of day as if you hit rush hour which isn't such a rush as you near anaheim it can be longer. My cousin can do it in about 3-3 1/2 hrs and we do it in about 5 hrs with a stop or two
Going to los angeles I would add on another hour or 2 or 3 depending on traffic, I've driven from long beach to los angeles and it's taken me an hour and a half before gotta love California driving, NOT

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi Jessica!!! I'm all caught up! I didn't even realize you were going to DL in December--how exciting!! And a pin code--whoo hoo!!! I love your lists--my kind of organization!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Hi Jessica!!! I'm all caught up! I didn't even realize you were going to DL in December--how exciting!! And a pin code--whoo hoo!!! I love your lists--my kind of organization!!

Yes well all my extended family, not all but most, live in California (up to Sacramento and down to Long Beach) and my cousin is getting married so that is the plan.

Today I found out that my Grandma is for sure NOT going to the wedding, and as a result 3 of my aunts aren't going as well. Mom still thinks we should go, but I'm wondering if I should wait until DH has some time and we can do like a week or two in California: drive up the coast to visit Grandma in Sacramento and down to Anaheim for DL/CA and then even further south to San Diego for the stuff down there. I'm still moving forward with my December planning, but going to have a talk with my Dh this week and see what his thoughts are. I know Mom wants to visit my brother and sister in Nevada, but she is already going out next month to see them, and I would rather put the money toward WDW. I want to be at my cousins wedding, but I wouldn't really get to see much family since it seems like really not a lot of people are going.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I suppose you'll notice a few changes in my signature, well if you are paying attention I humor myself, feel free to my DH does all the time. Anyhow I have officially canceled the DL trip I was sad about it at first, but it was causing me more stress than happiness and taking away from my planning our first trip to the World which I'm much more excited about see happy dancing

That decision came about with the official news that Grandma wasn't going and that three of my Aunts were no longer invited and then the decision we made to put Jack in a two day a week pre-k program. So yes, as long as everything falls into place, Jack will be starting pre-k next month, I have to call the director to set everything up. I'll just send a nicer wedding gift, and my cousin is heading this way sometime next year for a church conference.

Talked with DH today to get official dates set for WDW and he has decided the second week in June will be when we go, this way we won't be making any last minute changes if need be. So the plan (he still needs to clear this with the other football coaches) is to leave here on June 6 and arrive in Florida on June 7th I'm ready to go into super planning mode now, plus very excited about the ADR switch back to 180 days out.

My travel agent is at Walt Disney World right now, but looking forward to her return to start getting things set up.

I forgot to add that I officially decided on All Star Movies for our resort. This trip is really for the boys, and the Toy Story buildings will really make them happy.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh gosh! I too, am a little sad about your cancellation! What a bummer! But, I think for ANY trip, a lot of things needs to fall into place, and they just didn't for this one. Ah well... onto better things. Although I still do love DL, I enjoy WDW much, MUCH more!

So, June. I'm so glad you have your dates pinned down, and you can really start planning. I am really excited that the park hours and ADR stuff is going back to 180 days as well. What a difference it will make!

Anyway, let's get planning, eh?

 

[that's nice]

Sorry about your DL trip and not going to the wedding.

But planning for June in WDW should be very exciting!!!!

Never stayed at All-Stars but the boys should love it. The 180 days will work in your favor. You have a few months to plan and get everything set to book those ADR's. I'm not sure where you will find ideas of where to eat though???

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Oh gosh! I too, am a little sad about your cancellation! What a bummer! But, I think for ANY trip, a lot of things needs to fall into place, and they just didn't for this one. Ah well... onto better things. Although I still do love DL, I enjoy WDW much, MUCH more!

So, June. I'm so glad you have your dates pinned down, and you can really start planning. I am really excited that the park hours and ADR stuff is going back to 180 days as well. What a difference it will make!

Anyway, let's get planning, eh?

Yep, DL will always be there, think they are trying to expand again, and this way when we do go radiator springs will be open by that time. I figure a year or so we'll plan a trip to go out and see all the family up and down the coast.

I'm super excited to plan for June, woo hoo, got a cute little tink notebook/journal for pre planning and TR journaling while there

Sorry about your DL trip and not going to the wedding.

But planning for June in WDW should be very exciting!!!!

Never stayed at All-Stars but the boys should love it. The 180 days will work in your favor. You have a few months to plan and get everything set to book those ADR's. I'm not sure where you will find ideas of where to eat though???

Yeah, where on earth would I find ideas on where to eat? I think I know where to find out a lot about Kona, which is on our list now

 

[JPFamilyMom]

So going along with my 100 day countdown calendar, countdown party, etc I've continued to work on my Mickey heads and ideas of what to write on them (meanwhile I still have 268 days to go, lol). Well switching from March to June some Mickey heads will need to be changed. So I'm giving you our first 50 things we are looking forward to our counting down to for our June trip- minus the handful I pulled out that were related to March (birthday meals, 1/2 marathon accomplishments, etc.)

And so here are the first 50 things

Each head reads ______Days until____________

1. ... look for hidden Mickeys

2. We sail with pirates

3. we find Nemo in the sea

4. ?????
5. we travel the world in a day (epcot)

6. an adventure with Pooh and Friends

7. ????
8. we try a Dole Whip

9. ??????
10. our dreams come true

11. pictures with the Mouse

12. Mickey ears ice-cream bar

13. pictures in front of the castle

14. Mickey waffles

15. our dream vacation

16. a ride on the monorail

17. walking down mainstreet

18. Aunt Bea gets her Lady and the Tramp

19. we ride on a steam engine

20. breakfast at Chef Mickey's

21. we see 40 foot Woody and Buzz

22. the world becomes small (Small World)

23. ???
24. Peter Pan helps us fly

25. we defeat Zurg

 

[JPFamilyMom]

26. laughing with Monsters

27. Toy Story Mania

28. we ride Dumbo

29. we wear mouse ears

30. the search for Push the trash can

31. ??????
32. we meet Woody and Buzz

33. we enter a world of imagination

34. Nemo the musical

35. we cruise the jungle

36. candy creations @ Goofy's candy co.

37. we explore Mickey's country house

38. we talk to a turtle

39. Jacks first big boy ride
40. penny squishing

41. animal encounters
42. dining with Winnie the Pooh

43. swimming everyday

44. a backlot tour

45. we go on safari

46. a Jamboree with the Country Bears

47. fun matching shirts
48. Jacks First trip
49. Joey's First trip
50 Grandpa's First trip

Ok, so there you have it our first 50 things we are counting down to see and do. So I guess some give away some of our plans, but our plans are still forming.... and I still have 50 more things to see and do coming. I think I might add trying the tonga toast to the list or macadamia nut pancakes or Kona coffee or something, but those are for me so they might be in the next 50, top 50 I want to be pictures of things Jack can relate to. Oh yeah, did I mention I need to find pictures of all those things now (yep had some time, so found some of the pictures, still need to think on a few)

Can't wait to take my own pictures of all these things