gigi78
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2008
- Messages
- 31
Being a long time lurker of the disboards I've always wanted to do a PTR/TR. Me and my family have been to DL at least 10 times in the past 12 years. This trip is going to be a little different than past trips. This will be my families first "real' family vacation without other family members. Normally we do Disney with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Don't get me wrong we've loved all those trips! Many of those trips wouldn't have happened without the grandparents funding them. BUT...this trip is extra special because of a few reasons it's our first trip with just the four of us and it's a surprise to our kids.
So let the planning begin!!!
First off one of the main reasons I decided to finally do a PTR is I love to plan and my DH hates to plan. Since this trip is a surprise it's making it really hard to plan and not having the normal input from my kids to help with all the planning details. When I mention something to my DH he just thinks I'm over thinking the entire trip. Don't get me wrong there are some things I think should be go with the flow but a basic itinerary never hurt anyone! Plus my family is one of those that constantly fight over where were going to eat. Convo typically goes. What do you want to eat? I don't care me neither! Ok how about... No I don't want that....Pick anything else. Than an hour goes by and we still haven't had anything to eat. So for times like that I want to have choices set aside so I can say here's what's on the itinerary for the day. If they're not feeling it we can change plans before we get to that moment before the angry hungry person turns into the incredible hulk. Which is usually me.
That being said I will introduce our cast of characters.
This was from our trip last year. We went for Thanksgiving and there were 8 of us there in total. This is us the only good picture with all of us.
Me: Heather (DW) The over planner, lover of all things Disney. I grew up going to Disneyland. My parents didn't have a lot of money growing up but they always found ways to take us to the most magical place on earth. A few times me and my brother even got to take friends (all expenses paid). I still have no idea how they pulled that off. I guess there was a reason we ate alot of beans growing up.
Stacy (DH) Kind of Anti Disney. Likes to not have a plan and go with the flow. It's true opposites do attract! After 18 years he sort of puts up with my family's Disney obsession. Although he thinks going to DL every year is way to much. Once he gets there he enjoys himself but getting him there is a battle in itself. This year is a little different. This trip was his idea and his idea to keep it a secret to surprise the kids. (Still not sure about the surprise) I don't like surprises I want to plan everything and have the kids help in all the planning.
The 3 loves of my life.
Kamryn (DS14) Loves all sports, his favorites are baseball & Nascar and also loves Disneyland. His first trip to DL he was 2. Taking him to DL/DCA makes me think he's still a little boy. He gets all excited and I love the non stop smile while we are there. His favorite rides are POC, SM & Screamin
My son hates to take pictures so usually they are with someone else or completely forced.
Haley (DD10) Hip Hop Haley or HayHay is what we call her. She loves to dance and sing and loves everything Disney. Pretty much her first trip was when I was 6months pregnant. Which I don't recommend! But her first official trip she was only 3 months practically right out of the womb. She went again at 2 and every year after that. In kindergarten she told a teacher she had three houses. Our's her Gma's and Disneyland.
Fav rides Peter pan & Alice & Wonderland.
Both my kids love every bit of the DL Vac planning. They have numerous books and videos they will read and watch over and over again until we leave. I've done something right
DETAILS....
When were going: Nov. 30th-Dec 6th.
We plan on getting 3 day park hoppers still trying to figure out if we would rather do 4 days in the park or maybe do US one of the days.
Where were staying: Stanford Inn & Suites. I got an amazing deal after taxes and everything $85.00 per night. The reviews were pretty good definitely not what were use to but I'm going in with an open mind. I couldn't justify spending almost $100 more just to stay at one of our favorites. We normally stay at Doubletree Garden Grove or the Hojo. I love both but Doubletree is our fav out of the 2. We don't mind driving and parking at Mickey/friends parking lot. We have parked here every time besides the 3x we've stayed onsite. Thanks to my amazing parents we have stayed at the PP & the DLH. Out of the two PP was our favorite. I really want to stay again but can't justify spending so much.
So far me and my DH have the 5th off. We plan on taking the kids to school just like any other day. However we will not be heading to work! We will come home and pack there bags get everything ready and take them out of school around noon.
SURPRISE!!! We're going to Disneyland! I imagine my kids will be jumping for joy!
We were just at DL/DCA last Thanksgiving. Normally we plan a yearly trip but alot of health issues for my parents we didn't plan anything this year. My DB, DSIL & DN just got back from there family vaca in Aug. and my kids were envious of there cousin. All they have been talking about is how lucky she is and they wish they were able to go too.
I plan on having my parents meet us at the school so they can see the kids faces when they find out where we are going and to take there backpacks home so were not lugging them in the car with the rest of our stuff. Plus I'm sure they will want to send them off with hugs and kisses.
Next stop Wahoo's.....
Whenever we go on family trips to Cali our first stop is always our favorite restaurant Wahoo's. This is a family tradition even my bro & sil do this. When my bro was just there they sent us pics of there food via text and ever since I've been wanting to do a road trip. We've been eating here for the past 12 years. A friend that use to live in So Cal told us about it and now we are sort of addicted. Both my kids love asking for free stickers. We have a fridge in our garage covered in the many stickers we have accumulated over the years.
From there we plan on heading to our hotel and resting up for our long day on Friday.
More details to come....
So let the planning begin!!!
First off one of the main reasons I decided to finally do a PTR is I love to plan and my DH hates to plan. Since this trip is a surprise it's making it really hard to plan and not having the normal input from my kids to help with all the planning details. When I mention something to my DH he just thinks I'm over thinking the entire trip. Don't get me wrong there are some things I think should be go with the flow but a basic itinerary never hurt anyone! Plus my family is one of those that constantly fight over where were going to eat. Convo typically goes. What do you want to eat? I don't care me neither! Ok how about... No I don't want that....Pick anything else. Than an hour goes by and we still haven't had anything to eat. So for times like that I want to have choices set aside so I can say here's what's on the itinerary for the day. If they're not feeling it we can change plans before we get to that moment before the angry hungry person turns into the incredible hulk. Which is usually me.
That being said I will introduce our cast of characters.
This was from our trip last year. We went for Thanksgiving and there were 8 of us there in total. This is us the only good picture with all of us.
Me: Heather (DW) The over planner, lover of all things Disney. I grew up going to Disneyland. My parents didn't have a lot of money growing up but they always found ways to take us to the most magical place on earth. A few times me and my brother even got to take friends (all expenses paid). I still have no idea how they pulled that off. I guess there was a reason we ate alot of beans growing up.
Stacy (DH) Kind of Anti Disney. Likes to not have a plan and go with the flow. It's true opposites do attract! After 18 years he sort of puts up with my family's Disney obsession. Although he thinks going to DL every year is way to much. Once he gets there he enjoys himself but getting him there is a battle in itself. This year is a little different. This trip was his idea and his idea to keep it a secret to surprise the kids. (Still not sure about the surprise) I don't like surprises I want to plan everything and have the kids help in all the planning.
The 3 loves of my life.
Kamryn (DS14) Loves all sports, his favorites are baseball & Nascar and also loves Disneyland. His first trip to DL he was 2. Taking him to DL/DCA makes me think he's still a little boy. He gets all excited and I love the non stop smile while we are there. His favorite rides are POC, SM & Screamin
My son hates to take pictures so usually they are with someone else or completely forced.
Haley (DD10) Hip Hop Haley or HayHay is what we call her. She loves to dance and sing and loves everything Disney. Pretty much her first trip was when I was 6months pregnant. Which I don't recommend! But her first official trip she was only 3 months practically right out of the womb. She went again at 2 and every year after that. In kindergarten she told a teacher she had three houses. Our's her Gma's and Disneyland.
Fav rides Peter pan & Alice & Wonderland.
Both my kids love every bit of the DL Vac planning. They have numerous books and videos they will read and watch over and over again until we leave. I've done something right
DETAILS....
When were going: Nov. 30th-Dec 6th.
We plan on getting 3 day park hoppers still trying to figure out if we would rather do 4 days in the park or maybe do US one of the days.
Where were staying: Stanford Inn & Suites. I got an amazing deal after taxes and everything $85.00 per night. The reviews were pretty good definitely not what were use to but I'm going in with an open mind. I couldn't justify spending almost $100 more just to stay at one of our favorites. We normally stay at Doubletree Garden Grove or the Hojo. I love both but Doubletree is our fav out of the 2. We don't mind driving and parking at Mickey/friends parking lot. We have parked here every time besides the 3x we've stayed onsite. Thanks to my amazing parents we have stayed at the PP & the DLH. Out of the two PP was our favorite. I really want to stay again but can't justify spending so much.
So far me and my DH have the 5th off. We plan on taking the kids to school just like any other day. However we will not be heading to work! We will come home and pack there bags get everything ready and take them out of school around noon.
SURPRISE!!! We're going to Disneyland! I imagine my kids will be jumping for joy!
We were just at DL/DCA last Thanksgiving. Normally we plan a yearly trip but alot of health issues for my parents we didn't plan anything this year. My DB, DSIL & DN just got back from there family vaca in Aug. and my kids were envious of there cousin. All they have been talking about is how lucky she is and they wish they were able to go too.
I plan on having my parents meet us at the school so they can see the kids faces when they find out where we are going and to take there backpacks home so were not lugging them in the car with the rest of our stuff. Plus I'm sure they will want to send them off with hugs and kisses.
Next stop Wahoo's.....
Whenever we go on family trips to Cali our first stop is always our favorite restaurant Wahoo's. This is a family tradition even my bro & sil do this. When my bro was just there they sent us pics of there food via text and ever since I've been wanting to do a road trip. We've been eating here for the past 12 years. A friend that use to live in So Cal told us about it and now we are sort of addicted. Both my kids love asking for free stickers. We have a fridge in our garage covered in the many stickers we have accumulated over the years.
From there we plan on heading to our hotel and resting up for our long day on Friday.
More details to come....
I'm glad to hear your favorite trip to DL was a surprise. Thanks for following along.
Wishing you lots of pixie dust on your trip!
