Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[Native NYer]

The Hard Rock looks absolutely beautiful! And being able to pool hop will be fantastic.

When are you making your final decision?
I'm changing resorts this week for, hopefully, the final time

 

[eandesmom]

So, what do you think? Is it the more than 7 days factor OR the fact that they just might not want to do HRH/ Universal??

I totally understand the different dynamic on things when more get involved!! I really do! It'd be a hard thing to have had our heart set on doing your own (your fam.) then having them join on.

By the way, I would never have thought of doing the 1/2 on the DDP 1/2 off. You are amazing at this stuff!!

I would love the 3 days with just us and Doug. It may still happen. It is also possible that my folks could join us however they typically want their own room as (bless my mom) she snores like the dickens. As does Paul actually but I get the sense Jeff really wants his mom and Paul there so for that reason alone, I'm ok with it.

Here's part of the issue, obviously we need to pay for everything 45 days out. For both parts of the trip. And we want to pay cash. So it's just having all that extra for Universal by then that's this issue as it's all basically due the same day.

However, really, I could pull the WDW park tickets off and add them back a week or 2 before or even get them once we arrive if we had to. Same thing with the DDP, that can go on as late as 3 days before. It's not like the price of either of those would change and we couldn't get them so paying for them 45 days out versus 14 really is no benefit. That extra 30 days to save/pay for that part actually should make a huge difference for us. The only reason the DDP is on the ressie now was so we could book the GG breakfast.

So...we'll be leaving it all alone for now. If Sandie and Paul get on board (Jeff's deal to deal with) great. If not, we will figure it out somehow.

Got a little behind...but all caught up now!!

Ahh...I missed all the excitement of ADR day!! But, it looks like you did really great!! Especially since you are trying to plan for 9 people! That's not an easy task.

Good luck with your 2nd interview!! I'm sure you will do great!!!

Wow!! A lot of decisions to be made! The pics of Hard Rock are really beautiful! I can definitely see why you want to stay there!!!!!!

Thanks Angie!

I feel like I have WAY too many ADR's but that's better than not enough at this point, Tusker is already completely gone for our week! It will really help to just sit down with Sandie with all of it but that probably won't be for at least a month.

I am sure it will all work out, in a way it's very good for us to take these hard looks and really make sure we are ok with our choices than have regrets later. I'm glad we are doing it.

Thanks on the interview!! I'm really excited about it.

We are planning on August 2011 !! The girls turn 16 on the 22nd so that will be included in the dates !! That deal for a one day pass sounds great I will have to check it out !! I was looking at the Pacific !!It looks really nice !!! I would check it out on my day there !!

Perfect! As long as they go after value dates start, which are the same over there as they are at WDW (after the 15th) they should get a decent rate. Super Saver rates (which are a buy more save more promotion) seem to come out for ever summer and get released in January so just keep an eye out for them. Staying longer really does save a LOT more. We could stay for 5 nights for only another $300 versus our 3 now! The rates will be comparable to staying deluxe at WDW but with a promo.

The RPH is lovely, I would have been very happy there but knew Taylor (and Jeff) would want the HRH. Evan didn't get input but that would have been his choice as well. I figure the girls got their choice on the YC so the boys should get theirs at HRH.

HRH looks lovely!

I'm afraid we'll be spending a day at universal on our next trip just for Harry Potter world.....or whatever it's called.

Actually, maybe I'll send dh and kids there and I'll enjoy a day by myself in WS....

Now now. You might be surprised at how much you like it. It IS possible to like both without being a traitor you know!

That's the ticket, Cherie!!

Hey! Don't be dissing my boy Harry!

The Hard Rock looks absolutely beautiful! And being able to pool hop will be fantastic.

When are you making your final decision?
I'm changing resorts this week for, hopefully, the final time

OMG I saw your big news on Anita's report.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I were to buy from Disney, that is where I'd buy. Resale at SSR for the THV but that current deal is really great!

I have seriously looked at it. For the cost of this trip we could buy a lot of points. However we'd still have to buy flights and food and pay for the Universal Part on top of those points or I might be arguing for it now! I am going to get Jeff on a tour while we are there though

I can't justify it now, with dues, with my current job situation and the plane but by August...who knows! It's a long shot though.

Honestly, if I get this job I can almost guarantee no changes to our plan other than maybe adding Sandie and Paul. If not, we will see.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I think your DDP plan to have one room on and one room off is awesome. I never would have thought of the. I am so keeping that idea in the back part of my brain for my extended family trip in 2011.

 

[All7OfUs]

OK, I won't DIS your boy Harry. But I have to confess, I've never seen the movies, (I've seen the first one, and thought it was so-so) and have never read the books; so it would all be lost on me.

Now, I think it's good and wise to let Jeff deal with Jeff's fam. I would do the same with my DH, and work it out best I could with or w/o them. I do hope though you will get to at least get face to face with Sandy very soon.

I get what you're saying about the payments and doing it with cash. Leaving it alone though is ok too. YOu're right, the DDP and the tix wont' change, so that's easy peasy.

 

[eandesmom]

I think your DDP plan to have one room on and one room off is awesome. I never would have thought of the. I am so keeping that idea in the back part of my brain for my extended family trip in 2011.

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I think it really might be better than Free Dining for us for the flexibility aspect but still having a lot of our food pre-paid for. It was born out of a desperate attempt to find the same kind of savings we'd get if I put Eric back as being 9 on the DDP. Which he'd hate!

OK, I won't DIS your boy Harry. But I have to confess, I've never seen the movies, (I've seen the first one, and thought it was so-so) and have never read the books; so it would all be lost on me.

Now, I think it's good and wise to let Jeff deal with Jeff's fam. I would do the same with my DH, and work it out best I could with or w/o them. I do hope though you will get to at least get face to face with Sandy very soon.

I get what you're saying about the payments and doing it with cash. Leaving it alone though is ok too. YOu're right, the DDP and the tix wont' change, so that's easy peasy.

That's just wrong. Sad and wrong. You must read the books. All your children should read the books. Very very sad.

There really isn't anything to work out with Jeff's fam. If he wants to talk them into joining us, great, if not, that's ok too I just need to hammer out the Disney part with Sandie (to DDP or not, ADR's, Illuminations cruise etc) face to face if possible. But we do have lots of time and all the ADR's and backups are made. I'd just rather tweak sooner than later!

The beauty of not doing Free Dining (if it is offered and we really could get it) is that our current PIN is room only so it does allow us the flexibility of adding tickets and DDP later, whereas the FD would require the Tickets in the package upfront.

Cash all the way, we are financing the plane, that's enough!

 

[eandesmom]

California here we come!

In 54 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which means it’s time to focus on our California Adventure!

I have actually made some ADR’s though I’m not really thrilled with them. Disneyland only takes reservations 60 days out and only via the phone so I made a couple on Saturday. It didn’t exactly go according to plan.

Here is what I wanted.
4/17 House of Blues, Downtown Disney, 7:30pm
4/20 Wine Country Trattoria, California Adventure, 7:30 pm.

Here is what I got.
4/17 House of Blues, Downtown Disney, 5:30pm, outside seating requested
4/20 Naples Ristorante, Downtown Disney, 7:30 pm.

HOB doesn’t take reservations after 5:30 because of their live music, it’s all walk up after that.

The Wine Country Trattoria will be CLOSED while we are there for remodeling. Which seems unbelievably stupid given that it is one of two sit down restaurants in DCA, during food and wine! Not to mention the fact that we’d have gotten 10% off with our Disney Visa.

It is very likely we will skip out on both of these and either try our hand at a walk up at HOB or just go off-site. There are two brewpubs close by, one I’ve been to before (in Indy though, not Cali) and a new one that would work for the low key loosey goosey kind of trip this is as well as being non-budget breaking. I've looked at the DLR dining options and frankly, none of them really thrill me although we could end up just walking up at PCH grill or something who knows.

Other dining plans.

4/17 Breakfast at Jeff's favorite "joint" in Long Beach
4/18 Brunch on the Queen Mary. 10:30 reservation made, for dinner we will probably check out the Mexican place Jordan has recommended
4/19 my plan is to eat at Mrs. Knott’s for dinner, who does not take reservations and Johnny Rocketts for lunch counter service, which is in the park.
4/20 we will for sure do a lunch counter service at Taste Pilot Grill in DCA, looking forward to that one.

And of course a DISmeet with Jordan somewhere in there and my friend and her family will be joining us at the Queen Mary.

Now the question is…to PIN or not to PIN?

We received a 30% off room only PIN and are debating 2 nights at a DLR hotel. Actually I guess technically it isn't a PIN as there are none during our dates as best I can tell and the buy 3 get 5 isn't a great deal for us as it's more tickets than we want or need. Technically it's a Disney Visa discount. We could only do 2 as our package with Alaska requires a minimum of 2 nights. Currently we have 4 nights at the Crowne Plaza and one of those is free. So we’d only get $123 back by dropping a night and 30% off or not, it would go up to do 2 nights at a DLR property. So is paying another $269 to stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel worth it? That’s the question. We’d get an extra morning hour and I do have to admit the rooftop pool with a waterslide and a view of DCA does sound pretty cool. It is supposed to be our budget trip so I don’t think Jeff will go for it but you just never know, he can be unpredictable with this stuff!

I’m also firming up my shopping list. I have some things on my agenda! The boys will get a small amount to spend too, enough for a t-shirt or a hat most likely, maybe a pin or 2, but it’s not going to be huge in the souvie department . However. I must have one of these!

Yep, it’s Disneyland's 55th anniversary. I like this mug! Although realizing it is only 55 years old makes me feel old for some reason.

I also want something specifically from the food and wine festival. What, I don’t know but it will hit me there I’m sure. Maybe wine glasses, maybe a lanyard, who knows.

I plan to hit D Street and get a tee or a tank and maybe some summer pj’s to wear on the August trip if I see something that strikes my fancy.

We will see if I can stick to this list!

 

[jordanyosh]

I never have seen or read any of Harry Potter.

 

[eandesmom]

I never have seen or read any of Harry Potter.

well you can still be my friend but really, you're missing out!

 

[jordanyosh]

Great plans...

I'm always an advocate of staying onsite, but since you have offsite plans and you'll be renting a car anyway........may not need to stay onsite.

Naples not bad--not write home about worthy.

Better italian restaurant in Fullerton....Roman Cucina....mmm.....

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I know zip about DL. Okay I know it's smaller. I hope to make it there one day but I don't have any immediate plans for it so I'm really no help with the planning. But I'm looking forward to hearing aobut.

I would run the idea by your DH of staying onsite but it might be easier to just stay put.

 

[eandesmom]

Great plans...

I'm always an advocate of staying onsite, but since you have offsite plans and you'll be renting a car anyway........may not need to stay onsite.

Naples not bad--not write home about worthy.

Better italian restaurant in Fullerton....Roman Cucina....mmm.....

Oh YUM! I just looked them up and that looks really yummy! And I love the price point. Is walking in, if we did it on the Tuesday night instead of the Saturday, likely to be a problem? Thinking they might be pretty busy on Sat but less so on Tuesday and we could check out JT Schmid's on Sat. I really liked the food at Alcatraz in Indy but they don't have an IPA and JT Schmid's does so it will probably win out. Plus they take ressies which on a Sat night would be good.

Budget wise both are a far better option that HOB or Naples lol! Only real benefit to Naples is walking to it from the Park and would be nice if we are staying at Paradise Pier but I'm not sure it's that big of a deal. WCT would have been nice so we could stay in the park but I've zero desire to eat at Ariel's which is the only other sit down option.

How far is the drive to Roman Cucina?

 

[jordanyosh]

Downtown Fullerton is dead during the week. It's a party destination on the weekends....

JT Schmids will only be busy if there's a game going on so check the Angels schedule.....

5-6 miles straight up Harbor Blvd on the left.

 

[eandesmom]

I know zip about DL. Okay I know it's smaller. I hope to make it there one day but I don't have any immediate plans for it so I'm really no help with the planning. But I'm looking forward to hearing aobut.

I would run the idea by your DH of staying onsite but it might be easier to just stay put.

Oh I am (running the idea by Jeff) we will see what he thinks!

Downtown Fullerton is dead during the week. It's a party destination on the weekends....

JT Schmids will only be busy if there's a game going on so check the Angels schedule.....

5-6 miles straight up Harbor Blvd on the left.

Great info, you rock! Of course that could make Jeff and Evan happy, who would be very content watching the A's during dinner....

 

[carissanboys]

I am so jealous that you're going to California and DL. I have so many friends out there that I would love to meet in person! And getting to visit Disneyland and Calfornia Adventure would be pretty cool too.

 

[eandesmom]

I am so jealous that you're going to California and DL. I have so many friends out there that I would love to meet in person! And getting to visit Disneyland and Calfornia Adventure would be pretty cool too.

Well unless Jeff changes his mind we will not be going to Disneyland, just California Adventure (and Downtown Disney of course). It is possible we will end up with 1 day park hoppers but not likely and it is also possible once there, 2 little boys will wear him down and we end up going to DL for a half day on Wednesday before our flight home.

But doubtful. It is completely illogical. He says no DL since we will be doing MK in August but DCA is ok with him. Knott's is a must do and 2 days of parks is fine with me so it's all good, just kind of funny if you ask me! Still it does help keep it a budget trip!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Opps.

 

[winkers]

now I'm hungry!......

 

[Native NYer]

Your California trip is right around the corner!
I love that mug. So cute!
How does dining reservations work for the DLR?

Brunch on the Queen Mary sounds just lovely.

I would stick to the Crowne Plaza. The extra $269 could be used for your August WDW trip. Plus, will you really need the extra hour at DCA?

Will DLR's Food and Wine Festival work the same way as the one at WDW?

And since you're a mom, I'll ask this...
What's an appropriate amount of spending money for a kid? I don't want to go crazy and let my nephews just pick out whatever they want, which I've been known to do

And thanks for the congrats on BLT. I'm so happy with the decision. It pushes the GF back a bit. I plan on a weekend next year.

If you're ready to buy during your August trip, definitely go on the tour. We went to the Doorway to Dreams center at Roosevelt Field Mall. The BLT model was amazing. You'll definitely want to purchase on the spot. Plus, the one bedroom has two full bathrooms. Really nice for a large family trip :thumbsup

 

[MEK]

I love those pictures of the HRH. Podsnel just wrote about HRH in her last TR. They had an amazing meal right at the pool. And that pool looks so inviting. My fav is the guitar water fountain. Everything is so guitar there. I know if I stayed there I would miss my guitar every day. Yes -its true - you can miss your guitar!

 

[eandesmom]

Opps.

Oops? no oops. But I'd love that link you took off before I could respond as I am not done with the reveal stuff. Or at least haven't printed or ordered a thing yet lol!

now I'm hungry!......

me too

Your California trip is right around the corner!
I love that mug. So cute!
How does dining reservations work for the DLR?

Brunch on the Queen Mary sounds just lovely.

I would stick to the Crowne Plaza. The extra $269 could be used for your August WDW trip. Plus, will you really need the extra hour at DCA?

Will DLR's Food and Wine Festival work the same way as the one at WDW?

And since you're a mom, I'll ask this...
What's an appropriate amount of spending money for a kid? I don't want to go crazy and let my nephews just pick out whatever they want, which I've been known to do

And thanks for the congrats on BLT. I'm so happy with the decision. It pushes the GF back a bit. I plan on a weekend next year.

If you're ready to buy during your August trip, definitely go on the tour. We went to the Doorway to Dreams center at Roosevelt Field Mall. The BLT model was amazing. You'll definitely want to purchase on the spot. Plus, the one bedroom has two full bathrooms. Really nice for a large family trip :thumbsup

For dining reservations you have to call and it's only for 60 days out. As far as the $269 goes it's kind of funny. The issue is not so much the total cost but rather the per night room cost for the Universal part I'm having a hard time justifying/reconciling/making peace with.

The Cali trip is a steal already, even if we add the $269 to it. If we add that, our per day costs are like $300 (including flights and a car!), not including food for the 4 of us (or park tickets to Knott's and the QM tour..if we do the QM tour, haven't actually decided on that one yet).

For WDW it's more like $650 per day for 6 of us for the Disney part which does include the DDP and then $900 for 6 of us for the Universal part, which does not include food. Of course flights are on top of both.

Having a really hard time with that $900 a night. It's not that we can't do it, I just really don't like the number!

As to souvie money. Last year, for a week long trip, we gave each child a budget of $50. They did GREAT with it. It was enough that they could get 1-2 "bigger" things with it, as well as some small stuff. So for example for fifty bucks here is what each got.

Eric - Sorcerer Mickey embroidered hat, 3 pins, lanyard, Space Mountain "badge" with his name on it.

Evan - Goofy embroidered hat, EE T-shirt, 3 pins, lanyard.

Kendall - RRC/Aerosmith sweats, 3 pins, lanyard

Taylor - one pin, Mickey Tee, AK necklace. Seems like he got something else at AK but I can't recall what.

They really didn't need more than that, it was just enough that they all felt like they got plenty and didn't ask us for anything on top of it. They did a really good job of budgeting their funds too and all of them still use what they bought which is a beautiful thing!

For the Cali trip it will probably be a budget of $25. That would get them a hat or a tee and maybe one pin but probably not a sweatshirt. For FL we may add a little to the budget to account for Universal but then again probably not as I guarantee you Sandie will buy them stuff on top of their budgets so we will probably stick with $50-60 per kid. Evan, Kendall and Eric may have birthday money though so we will see.

I don't think we'd buy in August but you never know. How long is the tour?