LV to Anaheim..Pre-trip report to DLR November 20-23

[chelseagirl_lv]

Hello to everyone! This is my first thread on this forum. I am tooo excited about our upcoming trip, and that I am going to start this pre trip report. I love having a way to release my excitement to other people besides my DFo. He is great, but at times doesnt listen to everything i say, just nods and says honey!
We are planning on going October 22-26. 10-22 is my DS's 9th birthday , and I thought a couple of months ago, what a better birthday surprise than a trip to DL! This will be his first trip to DL, as well as the entire family's first.

First things first, roll call:

Me, 29 DFo,30 DS, 8 DD,2

I have invited my sister and brothers to come with us. We have not been on a family vacation in a long time, it will be great if they can come with. Only my little sister has confirmed she will come with!
My hotel choices are scattered and I have not come to a definite decision. My first choice is the Marriott Suites. However after reading that ART is not the most reliable transportation to and from the park, I have gone to looking at Residence Inn Maingate on Clemente. It is a little more expensive, but I am asking myself what is my time worth? Waiting for a shuttle to take us back to the hotel for a mid-day break or walking a few more minutes, and be in our hotel room by the time a shuttle would arrive?? I have also just landed a promotion at my work this week and my budget for the trip has now increased slightly. To my surprise, my DFo said that our budget can afford a night at one of the DLR hotels! I am on so off I am today to calling DLR reservation desk for some prices. To be continued on the hotel search...

A little more on the itinerary as it stands so far:
I am looking at leaving on Wednesday afternoon. Picking my DS from school and driving straight through to the hotel. We are thinking about staying at the DLR hotel this night, that way we can just wake up in the morning and go straight in to the park Thursday for MM. Since Wednesay will be DS's bday, we are thinking about Goofy's Kitchen for his bday dinner.
Thursday: MM,all day DL, break around 1-4pm (checking into other hotel at that time also) dinner at Mimi's.
Friday: Morning TT(tickets thru AAA both MM and TT come with the 3 day PH), then right over to DCA. Break 2-5p,early dinner, and DCA and DL parking hopping the rest of the evening.
Saturday: sleeping in! getting everything we did not do this day, from shopping to walkthroughs of entire DLR. Doing all favorite rides. Upgrading 3 day PH's to AP's!!! (thank you, new job )
Sunday: sleeping in, breakfast somewhere , packing, leaving hotel for the beach, and then back home.

I am hoping that these dates will stand. My new promotion doesnt kick in for another couple of weeks, and I have to wait 30 days after i start until I can take any time off. Crossing my fingers.....

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

Ok, looking at prices for DLH and PP, which one would you go with??? Looking at two things: space and cleanliness.

Thanks for your input.

 

[reyasmommy]

Sounds good. Hope the rest of your family will be able to join you. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

 

[MommyLove]

Congrats on the promotion!

Sorry, I can't help you with the hotel recommendations if you want comparisons with PP or DLH.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[mommaU4]

Hi! Look forward to reading more about your trip planning. Your son's b-day is close to mine. I'm 10/24.

Congrats on the promotion and good luck on the trip planning. Making final decisions is always hard. Although I've heard the theming is nicer at DLH. Never stayed at either one though, so I can't comment for sure.

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

I stayed up last night, contemplating three different hotels.After deciding that we are not going to stay onsite this trip I am looking at these other hotels to add the fourth night stay. Reason I am not staying at DLR is I would rather spend that $300 on dinners or souvenoirs. Maybe next year when i have the AP's and can get that special rate
I am a Marriott fan, I wont stay anywhere else. I am all about good sleep and a comfortable bed, and I cannot get enough of the Marriott beds, they are sooooo comfy. I cant make up my mind on these three:
Marriott Suites
Residence Inn Maingate
Residence Inn Resort Area

Now two of the three hotels are much further away than the other, which is a definite con. I hate discovering Trip Advisor, I am afraid this site has turned me into a indecisive person. I hate reading negative reviews, however some can be helpful. Then again the positive reviews can be totally misleading as well (Doubletree hotel in Del Mar, CA-do not stay there ever!) I am probably going to need to know if my siblings are coming with, we will definitely need the extra room and that will narrow down the selection.

Speaking of siblings, they wont return my calls! I am infuriated, trying to make these ressies, and they wont call me back to say yah or nah. I am obsessing realllly bad this weekend over making some definitely itinerary, so I am sure my type A needs to take a chill pill. But seriously, when you get a call and voicemail, be polite and return the call! manners people!

Thank you for reading my rant!

 

[reyasmommy]

I too am ALL about a comfortable bed while I'm on vacation. I'm sorta a hotel snob! I don't need to stay at a 4 seasons or a Ritz ((actually I've never stayed at either of those)) but it does have to be nice. I'm really pleased with the Courtyard Marriotts and Hilton Garden Inn's. You should see if they have any of those nearby. We're going to be staying at the Anabella this month. One of the only reasons I chose it was because of the beds. Plus it's in walking distance to the parks and the rooms look pretty big. I'll let you know how the beds are when I get back.

 

[davidsprincess]

Have you checked out the Fairfield Inn? It is right across the street from the entrance, the rooms are a nice size and the beds are the same, but for a cheaper price.

 

[perlster]

DFo may be another one for the abbreviations list.

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

DFo may be another one for the abbreviations list.

I thought it stood for fiance.
Sorry for the confusion. I will just use DF. Honestly by now it should be DH, we have been together for 7 years

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

My 2 yr old DD just went pee on the potty for the first time tonight!!!!!!

So excited for her. I am attempting to train her in time for the trip, but I sincerely doubt that she will be fully trained, I may still have to have her in pullups. I think she will be too excited to care to pee. But who knows......

I am sooooo thrilled, I thought I might share this moment with everyone!

 

[reyasmommy]

I thought it stood for fiance.
Sorry for the confusion. I will just use DF. Honestly by now it should be DH, we have been together for 7 years

I hate using abbreviations. I think it's easier and faster to just type out the whole word.

My 2 yr old DD just went pee on the potty for the first time tonight!!!!!!

So excited for her. I am attempting to train her in time for the trip, but I sincerely doubt that she will be fully trained, I may still have to have her in pullups. I think she will be too excited to care to pee. But who knows......

I am sooooo thrilled, I thought I might share this moment with everyone!

Congrats. My DD just used her potty for the first time last week. We're slowly trying to introduce her to it, and we'll get serious once we get back from our trip.

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

I made my reservations for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen! I thought this might be a great dinner for my DS's birthday. The CM would assisted me (Janet) was well received and very helpful. Thanks for the tip on the City Hall Birthday button (I already knew this, but it was very nice of her to offer the information). Great job Janet

Sad news though.....my siblings have all backed out of going with us. I am really ticked about this, but hey what can you do? I was really hoping to spend time with them since it has been ages since we have all been on a trip together. We use to go to Pismo Beach, CA every year for camping when we were kids. It was one of the best and memorable times of my life. Oh well maybe next time.

That leaves the hotel to pick from. Thank you for the suggestion on the Fairfield Inn. I will definitely check it out. To be continued....

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

Some possibly disappointing news....I am with HR yesterday, finalizing paperwork and such for my promotion. I come to find out that there is a rule in the contract that states new employees cannot take any time off or use their PTO for 90 days. I am hoping I can escape that clause, because I have been with the company as a per-diem employee for almost a year now. I am anxiously waiting their decision. I should know by the end of the week. I really dont want to postpone my trip, but know I am going to spend today making plan B......

I just ordered DL shirts and Pjs from Disneyshopping.com, will be posting pictures in the near future.

 

[mommaU4]

Goofy's Kitchen sounds like so much fun! Good choice!

I'm sorry everyone backed out. That does suck, but like you said what can you do. It will be their loss. Oh, and I love Pismo Beach!! Only went camping there one time though. Usually we get a hotel on the beach.

I hope things go smoothly for you work wise. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't have to postpone your trip!

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

Goofy's Kitchen sounds like so much fun! Good choice!

I'm sorry everyone backed out. That does suck, but like you said what can you do. It will be their loss. Oh, and I love Pismo Beach!! Only went camping there one time though. Usually we get a hotel on the beach.

I hope things go smoothly for you work wise. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't have to postpone your trip!

Thanks Beth. If you ever get the chance, stay at the Oceano Campground, it is in Oceano, south of Grand Ave and Hwy 1. Really nice place, good Mexican restaurant on the corner. I have such fond memories there.

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

What a busy week! I am still adjusting to my new schedule which is full time days. No updates on the trip. I have a bad feeling I will be doing quite a bit in the coming weeks, being a true queen procrastinator
I am still deciding on whether to attend the Mickey Mouse or Treat this year. Halloween costumes are still on the fence. DS is going to be Tinkerbell and I am really trying to convince DF to dress up as Captain Hook yeah right! DS has said absolutely no to being Peter Pan (a very cute picture for me, not so for DS who thinks he has to wear green tights). I told him that green tights are awesome, so says everyone on this forum !!! How about it ladies, bright green tights with the red hooker heels

To be continued...

 

[reyasmommy]

What a busy week! I am still adjusting to my new schedule which is full time days. No updates on the trip. I have a bad feeling I will be doing quite a bit in the coming weeks, being a true queen procrastinator
I am still deciding on whether to attend the Mickey Mouse or Treat this year. Halloween costumes are still on the fence. DS is going to be Tinkerbell and I am really trying to convince DF to dress up as Captain Hook yeah right! DS has said absolutely no to being Peter Pan (a very cute picture for me, not so for DS who thinks he has to wear green tights). I told him that green tights are awesome, so says everyone on this forum !!! How about it ladies, bright green tights with the red hooker heels

To be continued...

OMG! You just made me laugh so hard!

You can't blame him for not wanting to wear green tights! Bad mommy!

j/k!

I look forward to reading more!

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

My DS has come to a decision on the Halloween costume. It is Anakin Skywalker. Now to find the costume and get it here in time for the trip.

I am tooo excited. A couple of nights ago, I went on Marriott.com to check on my reservations and to check for a hotel for the Girls Only trip in March. To my surprise, they are having a 20 percent off Rejuvenation Rates Promotion through December 21st Needless to say I was busy changing my current reservations to reflect the new prices, which are cheaper than AAA.

I am soo busy at work that when I get home at night, I am too exhausted with keeping up on my trip planning. DS started third grade yesterday. I was a mess! I walked him to his classroom, to make sure we had the correct room number. He is in the portables this year, he is not too excited about it, but the room itself is larger than the regular classrooms. So after we found the correct room, he put down is bookbag and ran to play with friends. He did not even have a dot this year ( they have dots on the pavement to indicate to the lower grades on where to line up for the beginning of the day). I asked for a quick hug, and he leaned up against me, and said "Mom, not in public!". I said ok, and wished him a great day. Then I felt the tears welling up in my eyes I barely got to my car, and started crying. I was worse than his first day in first grade! When I got to work, the girls were very supportive, and also saying that it is time to cut that umbilical! I cant believe he is in third grade. It is going by wayyyyy too fast! I went through my day in a daze. Hopefully today will be better, even though I felt the tears again starting as I just watched him go off to school. I need to keep myself busy and it looks like my DD is going to have no problem helping me with that problem! Talk to you guys later!

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks Beth. If you ever get the chance, stay at the Oceano Campground, it is in Oceano, south of Grand Ave and Hwy 1. Really nice place, good Mexican restaurant on the corner. I have such fond memories there.

Thanks for that tip. I love Mexican food. LOL

Then I felt the tears welling up in my eyes I barely got to my car, and started crying. I was worse than his first day in first grade!