Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[Charleston Princess]

What an exciting trip that will be, Brook!!!

 

[MEK]

Wowsa Brook - that is quite the adventure. I was wondering why I didn't see an update on your TR for awhile. It's obviously because you have been planning the trip of a lifetime! See what happens when you become a TA! Wow Wow WOW!!!!!!!

Happy planning!!!!!

 

[PirateKate]

¡Felicidades! I'm so excited for you all! A Mexican Riviera cruise followed by Disneyland sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear more about that!

Henry makes a very fearsome little pirate. I'm glad he won best costume!

 

[DisMomAmy]

​

 

[that's nice]

Brook......

I would like to say,

I'M JEALOUS!!!!!!!! & TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!


I can't wait to hear all about this one....

 

[Flossbolna]

Brook, wonderful news!! I am sure that you will love Disneyland!! And funny how you get to cruise even sooner than you expected.

 

[Poolrat]

Brook
I found this on yahoo today and well just read #10.


15-ways-not-raise-toddler

 

[photographymom517]

Brook
I found this on yahoo today and well just read #10.


15-ways-not-raise-toddler

Thanks for sharing!!! I definitely do a few of those things myself (like #10 for example!)

I really needed to read that this morning -- I got a good laugh out of thinking of all the things Luke's thrown into our toilet!

 

[photographymom517]

Great update Brook!!!

Love the Halloween costumes! They will be super cute for your cruise next year!

Thanks for sharing the video of Jake & the Neverland Pirates! I will definitely share it with Luke when he wakes up this morning -- he loves Jake! Well, ok -- he actually loves Captain Hook!!!

I'm so sad that we missed out on the show this year (oops, giving away yet more of my TR! LOL!) but hopefully will be able to put that AND Play & Dine into our plans for the next trip

It really just brightens up my day reading your reports!!! Honestly, sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I just say to myself "Let's catch up on Brook's report!" -- because I know it will instantly cheer me up! I thought I should share that with you

I am soooooo darn excited about your cruise AND trip to Disneyland!!!! I'll say the same thing I say to everyone going to DL --- take TONS of pictures of ToonTown for me, ok?! (Yeah I'm a little obsessed )

Can't wait to hear details about your trip!!! WOOHOO!!!!

 

[Caretames1]

Oh, so jealous! Now that sounds like an AWESOME vacation. Especially in Feburary to get away from all the snow and cold.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am so sorry for dropping the Mexican Riviera bomb and then DISAPPEARING for a week! Life has been busyyyyyyy - in both good and not so pleasant ways.

In the good ways - work is consistent and keeping me going. And so is Henry and family life.

In the not so great - many of you know this because you are friends with me on Facebook, but this week I found out my Dad will be getting a triple-bypass surgery on December 4, and this is also the week my Grandma goes into surgery for breast cancer. Her outlook is positive, it hasn't spread and it's not as serious as they once thought - but still it's cancer, and it's her 3rd surgery in about 10 years...she's 90. So to say I'm nervous about it is an understatement. Thank you to those who have said comforting words on Facebook - and thank you in advance for the wonderful response I know I will get here. You guys mean so much to me.

We also had some serious indecision about moving apartments, etc. Many of you know the saga! We live in a teeeeeeny apartment in Queens - 3 adults (my sister-in-law lives with us) and a toddler. We make it work. It's honestly way better than it sounds. But, we DO need more space and a bedroom with an actual door on it would be such a bonus in my world. Plus we are not zoned for a very good school district. PreK is free, so Henry is in a private school this year, but I don't want him in our zoned school for Kindergarten and beyond. So a while back we decided that we would skip a February Disney trip (unless the money tree grew!) and save the money to move.

Enter the gifted & talented program. Not saying Henry is, but he is doing well on the practice exams, and it's VERY much worth a shot. The G&T programs here are very good, while the general public school isn't horrible, but doesn't have the best reputation either. And why wouldn't I give my little man every chance possible to succeed? The G&T testing is in January, and we need to apply to schools in February. In our neighborhood there are 2 G&T schools close to where we live now (I like them both) and one south of us (that I also like). I have no idea where he'd get placed if he gets in. So.....we aren't going to move until we know what is going on with that, and we will just apply to all the schools we like in hopes he'll land a spot somewhere and we won't have to walk him 20+ blocks to school everyday! I was a total wreck about this decision for days, for some reason it was just sitting heavy on my heart-I despise not knowing what to do and the unknown. Several of you were there for me with prayers and encouraging words as you heard about it on Facebook, thank you! Joe had some wise words and time and prayer later and I have total peace about the decision we have made.

Whew. It felt kinda good to get all that out.

Now for the Mexican Riviera info!

Disney is offering their Travel Agents a DCL training program at a great rate, so I signed up for that - plus they are offering a very nice deal at Disneyland. So we figured I'd do the training and Joe and Henry would meet up with me in Disneyland for a week or so after. A surprisingly affordable and incredibly wonderful trip! Very unexpected, but we have the fundage now that we don't plan on moving for at least a while.

However, when I called the DVC is full (not terribly surprising) AND the cheapest room rate that we were counting on at Paradise Pier are also full. So the trip has changed forms countless times and it's currently looking like I'll be doing 1 day at Disneyland PRE-cruise (part of the training) and then the cruise, flying back right after it's over. Joe and Henry will stick it out in NYC and we might do something local, or take the train to Philly the next week for a night or two, since Henry has the week off school.

However, they have been offering some mighty fine deals on those sailings, so if the price goes low enough we will be able to swing the cruise for all 3 of us and I just wouldn't do the training program. We would probably do 1 or 2 nights at Disneyland as well if we could afford it. I would hate to get so close and not be able to go because of a few hundred dollars!

So regardless, I AM sailing the Mexican Riviera! I can't believe it!!!! It hasn't totally sunk in even. Have you seen pictures of Cabo?! HELLO! I cannot wait to have my toes in that sand in February. I just don't know if it will be with my men or not. Time will tell! I'll keep you updated.

And that also means I MUST FINISH THIS TR before then! I cannot believe how long it's taken me. This is horrible. Thank you all for hanging out with me for sooooooooooo long. I hope to get things back on track with regular updates. (how many times have I said that?! ) Plus I have the May AND August TRs. I need to get movin'!

 

[brookelizabeth]

How funny about the autograph book.

Would they let Henry just draw hiw own at that drawing class? I have yet to do it myself...maybe someday.
You did a great job!

Yep, they would have allowed him to; however, the chairs made me nervous to have him sit by himself. They are on a swing arm connected to the table, and aren't super tall, but aren't short either. I had visions of him falling off it....and the fact that a girl in front of us DID later in the class made me feel even better about not letting him do it solo! Maybe next year...

I love all of your pirate costumes! I think you will all look super cute for the cruise Pirate Night.

Poor Henry just watned to draw! Next time at the animation academy will work out much better I am sure.

How old was Henry when you first took him to Disney? If I remember correctly he was over a year?

I'm so excited to dress like a family of pirates for the cruise! Even Joe got into it.

Yes, Henry was 14 months when we first took him. It was fantastic. A very fun age! It was so cute to watch him be thrilled by rides on the boats, ducks and water fountains. What age are you thinking for Violet?

So, it is just me or does it look like Lotso has fallen through a hole in the floor!!?? Was he kneeling? Where are his legs?

OMG, there were people, in the offices!!?? Thats crazy!

Sorry there was some drawing drama, but I'm glad it all worked out!

Yes! Lotso was kneeling, but you are right-it does make him look funny.

I KNOW! I was so shocked to see people IN the offices and working! I could have just stood there for a while and watched them. Of course the thought that they are just interns or something passed through my mind too-not real animators, but making it look like they are.

Aww, all the Halloween costumes are so cute! Love Henry as a pirate-we saw a lot of people, both young and old, dressed as pirates at MNSSHP.

Glad you enjoyed the Animation Academy. It really is a fun attraction.

I really enjoyed dressing up like a pirate. It's such an easy costume and a ton of fun! Henry was excited to have a make-up beard.

I love your costumes, you guys look great! How cute that Henry just wanted to draw, not get autographs! I wonder if they would have let Henry sit and draw on his own paper during the class?

Yes, they would have him to, but the chairs inside the room made me too nervous. They were higher than you average chair and on a swing arm. I had visions of him tumbling to the ground--and a girl in our class actually did! Thankfully she was okay!

Great dancing, LOVED your Pirate costumes, and Henry is soooooo cute AGAIN! I LOVE how much he wanted to draw- their finished product looked great- just so sorry it was so hard to get to.

Your Mickey was AWESOME, too, Mommy! I love that drawing class- I hope someone in my family will go in there with me next week- if not, guess I'll be drawing by myself!

Thank you Ellen! The drawing class is awesome, I'm so glad we finally did it! Did you get to do it last week? I haven't seen it yet in the pictures you have posted on Facebook!

That is a pretty good Mickey considering! We did the class in Sept, and we got Stitch. Kadence's drawing ended up looking like an angry troll!

Love the costumes! Perfect for the ship.

that's hilarious! I look forward to Henry's first drawing on his own - we'll see how it turns out. He gets frustrated easily, so I'll have to prepare him for the class!

Looked like Halloween was a fun time for you folks.

I like the picture with Lotso. I've almost forgotten how mean he was in the movie.

Yes, the animation academy can induce some meltdowns. I remember that my son James was upset that his drawing didn't look "good enough" and was frustrated because there are no erasers on those pencils they give you. But your drawing looks really good, and the Joe/Henry collaboration ain't half-bad either!

That is exactly how I expect Henry to react the first time we let him draw on his own. He gets very frustrated easily when things don't happen the way he wants them to. He comes by it naturally though-both Joe and I are that way!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congrats to Henry winning best costume. Way to go. As far as drawing, the last time we did it my DS, 4 and a half at the time, he drew by himself. He loved it and kinda followed along. So maybe you could try that. And btw, you did a great job on your Mickey Mouse.

Thank you! I think next time I will let Henry have his own seat-the chairs themselves just made me nervous this time. I had visions of him falling right off it because of how they swing back and forth, and a young girl in the class did fall off! Thankfully she was okay though. By our next trip I think he'll be old enough though!

Your pirate family pictures are so adorable. Henry's costume is great - that pirate hair - love it! And WOOT! for moolah!

Unfortunately, I can't see the pictures on your regular update. I can't wait to see Joe and Henry's masterpiece. Too bad it was such a frustrating experience for both of them. I didn't think anyone ever got to draw Mickey so to that!

Isn't that hair hilarious?! At first he didn't like it at ALL, but then I think he saw a picture of Jack Sparrow and realized the hair was to look like Jack's and he now loves it.

I was very happy to draw the main mouse! He's my favorite! I didn't realize he was a "rare" character to get to draw!

Hey Brooke,
Would your son be able to draw it all on his own? We gave Beatriz her own paper and crayon and she left us alone long enough so we could make our drawings. Don't you love animation academy? Great job on your Mickey Mouse!

Q

It's so funny that so many people have asked this same question. But yes, I think next time I'll let him do it on his own. The chairs inside the class made me nervous by how they swing back and forth-I had visions of him falling right off and hitting his head...which happened to a girl in the class! But, by our next trip, I think he'll be old enough to realize the consequences if he plays around on them.

Hey Brook!!

Love your family costumes!! VERY VERY COOL!! Love Henry as a pirate! Congrats to him on winning, how fun for him!!!

Another update, your picture of the Mouse was awesome!! I have enjoyed drawing Sorceror Mickey in the past!!!

YAY for loving Disney Junior!! What a fun show and video!!

Thanks Jen!! It was so fun to dress up!

How cute to draw Sorcerer Mickey! It's such a fun class, I look forward to doing it again...perhaps this time in Disneyland!

Cute Halloween pics! How fun that Henry won the costume contest. Your hair is getting so long! I recently cut mine from a bob to a pixie like the actress Michelle Williams and I LOVE IT You cut yours off short before the trend you trendsetter!

Don't you hate not so magical moments at Disney? Glad it blew over quickly.

I always seem to be opposite on the trends-when short hair is in, I'm growing mine out. When long hair is in, I chop it all off! I haven't had long-ish hair since Henry was very young, so I thought it would be time to grow it out. Plus haircuts here are sooooooooo expensive! So far I like it longer, it's finally long enough for a pony tail! I'll probably wear it long for a couple years then chop, chop, chop again!

for Henry winning best costume (I would have voted for him too!).

You drew a great Mickey; perhaps next visit Henry can draw on his own????

I think we will let him draw on his own next time! If the chairs in the room still make me nervous with him sitting on them, we'll find a floor spot with a drawing board. He'd have a ball just scribbling on the paper!

Such fun halloween pics! Henry should save his prize money for his next Disney trip! I used to love it when I had my own spending money!

Maybe this next trip Henry will be ready for an autograph book. So funny all he wanted it for was coloring. Hopefully everything settled down after the drawing mishap!

That's just what we did with the money! I stuck it away for a future trip. He finds plentyyyyyyy of things he wants on any vacation, so that will come in handy!

He's a little artist, he could literally sit and draw/color for an hour. I bring scrap paper with me a lot of times just because I know he'll be thrilled coloring/drawing away if we have to wait for something or have a long commute! He's got a dozen little notebooks that he's filled right up with his drawings.

 

[chloe770]

Wow! How did I miss all that? Never been to Mexico but it does look nice. I'm sure you will have a great time. I hope you get to spend a couple of days at Disneyland. It really is a special place...and will always have a special place in my heart. Actually getting ready to head to GameStop now to pick up a copy of Disneyland Adventures so we can visit everyday from home To bad it's a Christmas gift and I will have to wait.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love the pirate family! Yay for Henry winning best costume!

The new Disney Junior show looks fun! We've never been... the year the boys would have been interested, it was being refurbed. Then they outgrew it!

I love the drawing class! It's one of Zach's favorite things to do. It's hard because he wants to draw, but he gets frustrated when it doesn't come out perfect. Sorry you had an issue there too.

Oh that stinks about not getting to see Disney Junior! It's a cute show. I know Henry will likely be outgrowing it in the near future. I will NOT miss sitting on the floor, but I will miss watching him dance and lite up to the show.

I am pretty sure we'll have the frustration element with Henry too. He loves to draw, but if it doesn't turn out just the way he expects it, he gets upset...already, at such a young age!

EXCELLENT pirate costumes! Looks like Halloween was great for you guys. And congratulations to Henry for winning best costume. He is super cute. I love the Photopass picture of him with Lotso.

Thank you! It was really fun to dress up for. I think Joe needs a bit more of a pirate look, but I don't want to push it.

Great pictures and I think everyone's Mickeys turned out great!

I was pretty impressed with our Mickeys given the fact that I cannot draw and the frustration the boys had!

Stopped reading for a while, but now I'm all caught up.

Great pictures from the trip. And great job on the family of pirates. Obviously not having been reading for a while didn't notice the Cruise ticker till the other day. You are cruising the week before my family and I.

That cruise is for the June 2 out of NYC - I cannot wait! Are you doing a NYC one as well?

You are a great pirate family and congrats to Henry for winning the contest!

What a shame about the drawing mishap. I have a confession to make, though -- I had to giggle a little that you had no idea all of that was going on and were just happily drawing away. Your Mickey turned out great!

I was just loving that class! And I'm really glad I didn't realize it all honestly, it would have ruined my time!

Great costumes!!! We actually got to trick-or-treat last night. They canceled it in our town due to all the downed trees and power lines.

Joe & Henry's picture still looked good despite the drama during the class. You did a great job too!

I think a couple towns did that! Crazy, crazy weather we've had here in the NE lately! I'm LOVING this warm, long fall though. I'll take the 60's and upper 50s right through the winter please!

Catching up here Brook! I'm not sure where I left off! So I'm just jumping back in.

First off, Henry IS the cutest pirate ever! He even has the smirk done pat, perfect! I'm not surprised he won, he really did look adorable. I love the family pirate picture too, your hair is getting loooong now, it looks great!

Ah, the infamous Animation Academy meltdown. Yup, been there done that my friend! It was with my youngest DD, she was four at the time and not able to really draw which caused an immediate flood of tears and then a sour attitude by this mama who really just wanted to draw... But poor Joe! I can imagine his frustration as well as Henry's. However, I love their joint drawing! You should frame it. And yours was fabulous! Great job!

Aw, thank you!!! He was loving his pirate outfit and having a "beard". And all the other little boys at the church loved his sword.

I have a feeling when we let Henry draw on his own next time we might get another meltdown out of frustration. I hope to prepare him in advance, or even convince him to just do his own thing. We shall see how it goes...

You know, I think you told me I was the cutest pirate ever.....

You do make a pretty fantastic pirate!!! That's a great costume-where did you find it?

I love your costumes Brook!

Bummer on the drawing class. We have never been so next trip will definitely check it out. Poor Joe though. I bet he was frustrated.

I didn't realize the show was now called Disney Junior. My kids are all too old to be into that anymore. And that makes their mom sad.

The drawing class is really neat! Such a unique offering, I'm glad we did it-despite the melting. Next time we'll try to get a front row seat too to help Joe!

Yep, they changed the name in February from Playhouse Disney. I'm not entirely sure why??? But with the change they added in Jake and the Neverland Pirates show, which is very cute and successful!

Home sick and catching up on your TR.
Now, I may want to switch a few nights over to BWV.

sick days are the best days to DIS! I LOVE the BWV. That location is superb and the resort is stunning!

Well, someone certainly has an inflated opinion of himself! Ok Tim, you do make a cute pirate but Henry kinda outdid you! Did you see his little smirk?? (And I love how Ana is hanging on your leg, she looks so little!)

 

[Flossbolna]

Brook, your plans sound really exciting!!

Have you considered staying off property at DL? I think it is really not so much of a difference there as it is at WDW. There are a number of hotels which are in walkable distance to DL. We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn in 2005 and thought it was quite lovely. I am sure over at the DL boards would be many recommendations.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hey BE!

Great update and fantastic job on the photos as always. We missed Animation Academy, but the reason now eludes me. I believe we had an ADR to get to or something of that nature. Love the costumes. Looks like Henry was having a ball.

Next trip you'll have to try to get to the Animation Academy! And speaking of next trip....what are your plans for yours?

Brook, I've finally caught up on the last three or four updates! I love how y'all have such fun together, but yet are real enough to even share the melt downs.
Attitudes happen and people lose their cools. Yes, even at Disney , what are you gonna do about it? My family seems to lose their minds there more than any where esle, what the heck is up with that?!?
Maybe it seems like it since we're all forced to be in the same proximity of one another more than any other time, sad to say. With all that goes on in life, work, school, after school activities, computers, t.v., video games and ipods, it's a down right mircale we don't all kill one another while at WDW!!!
Folks! I think we just figured out one of the biggest factors of why we see the melt downs that we do while in WDW.......or have them.

I think you are RIGHT! While vacation is fun and wonderful, it also adds an element of stress in dealing with each other all day long, plus trying to do things/get places. Throw in some exhaustion and heat and you have a recipe for a meltdown! Henry, Joe and I all have 'em - it just happened to be Joe and Henry's turn this time.

Great pirate costume! And cash to boot! Nice

Seeing your pictures today when it's so cool outside is like taking a step into a very nice dream...

It's chillier here today too, I think I need to stare at a pic of a palm tree and dream away!

Wow! Can't wait to hear all the details!

Can't wait to hear all the details.

Waiting for details.

Sorry about disappearing for so long!

So when are you guys coming to Montreal?? hehe

Oh, maybe someday! The times I have been in Canada I have loved it!

I need the like button

WOW....thats amazing! I am so jealous!!! I cant wait to hear all the delightful details

I'm still in a bit of shock that's it's real myself!

So excited for your cruise Brook!

And finally caught up. Poor Henry and Joe, I feel bad for both of them and can totally see how that could go south very quickly.

Great regroup though, as always.

It was a rough moment, but thankfully it didn't last. Not all family meltdowns are over that quickly.

I always said I want to be that girl on the stage. Kids seem to respond well to me. I think it would be fun.

Isn't it kinda funny how Lotso is kinda flat because he bent down hehe sorry I must be tired.

I had forgotten Joe was legally blind until I saw him look at the menu at Ellen's Must be hard sometimes. A LOT of times.

I can totally imagine you being "Casey" on stage there!! It would be a fun job I think too.

I don't always forget that Joe is legally blind, but I do forget OFTEN that he's color blind. You'd be surprised how many things we describe with color...and how hard it is to describe something without saying the color! And how many things (software programs, websites and more) rely on color for options and things.

yay!! A trip to Disneyland! How exciting!

It still seems surreal!

What an exciting trip that will be, Brook!!!

It is! I'm VERY curious to see how it will all work out and just wish I knew the future.

Wowsa Brook - that is quite the adventure. I was wondering why I didn't see an update on your TR for awhile. It's obviously because you have been planning the trip of a lifetime! See what happens when you become a TA! Wow Wow WOW!!!!!!!

Happy planning!!!!!

Yes! I have been busy with work things for clients AND trying to figure this trip out--along with all the other family stuff I posted above. It's been a busyyyy time that has kept me away from the DIS a ton. I miss everyone so much and feel like I'm missing out on my friends' lives!

¡Felicidades! I'm so excited for you all! A Mexican Riviera cruise followed by Disneyland sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear more about that!

Henry makes a very fearsome little pirate. I'm glad he won best costume!

I am SO excited to see Cabo and just be on that boat!

 

[brookelizabeth]

​

Thank you! I always love a dancing banana!

Brook......

I would like to say,

I'M JEALOUS!!!!!!!! & TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!


I can't wait to hear all about this one....

Kids Sail Free Tim! It would be a cheap trip! (the flight is one of the more expensive elements unfortunately!)

Brook, wonderful news!! I am sure that you will love Disneyland!! And funny how you get to cruise even sooner than you expected.

I know! I didn't expect that AT ALL. Maybe a tour of the Fantasy when she visits NYC, but not an actual cruise!

Brook
I found this on yahoo today and well just read #10.
15-ways-not-raise-toddler

Love it!!!!

Thanks for sharing!!! I definitely do a few of those things myself (like #10 for example!)

I really needed to read that this morning -- I got a good laugh out of thinking of all the things Luke's thrown into our toilet!

Thankfully the toilet has never fascinated Henry. *knocks on wood*

Great update Brook!!!

Love the Halloween costumes! They will be super cute for your cruise next year!

Thanks for sharing the video of Jake & the Neverland Pirates! I will definitely share it with Luke when he wakes up this morning -- he loves Jake! Well, ok -- he actually loves Captain Hook!!!

I'm so sad that we missed out on the show this year (oops, giving away yet more of my TR! LOL!) but hopefully will be able to put that AND Play & Dine into our plans for the next trip

It really just brightens up my day reading your reports!!! Honestly, sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I just say to myself "Let's catch up on Brook's report!" -- because I know it will instantly cheer me up! I thought I should share that with you

I am soooooo darn excited about your cruise AND trip to Disneyland!!!! I'll say the same thing I say to everyone going to DL --- take TONS of pictures of ToonTown for me, ok?! (Yeah I'm a little obsessed )

Can't wait to hear details about your trip!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Oh bummer about missing Disney Junior! That is such a cute show. But yes, NEXT TRIP! And next trip Jake will be at your meal too! It would be fun if they had Captain Hook out for Meet & Greets with Jake.

You are too sweet! I'm so glad my reports can make you cheer up! Usually TRs do the same for me...but sometimes they just make me sad if I don't have a trip in the works and they are so hard to read.

And yes! I will be visiting their ToonTown for SURE! I can't wait to see it!

Oh, so jealous! Now that sounds like an AWESOME vacation. Especially in Feburary to get away from all the snow and cold.

Exactly!!! It will be therapy to my soul to be in warm weather, on a beach, toes in the sand!

Wow! How did I miss all that? Never been to Mexico but it does look nice. I'm sure you will have a great time. I hope you get to spend a couple of days at Disneyland. It really is a special place...and will always have a special place in my heart. Actually getting ready to head to GameStop now to pick up a copy of Disneyland Adventures so we can visit everyday from home To bad it's a Christmas gift and I will have to wait.

It has all just come about very recently! The day I posted it here was the day I booked it - and I almost immediately cancelled due to all our back and forths about the trip, so I've kept it kind of quiet until now, when we have decided I will be going for sure! I can't wait to see Disneyland!

I need to check out this Disneyland Adventures game...sounds like something I will like - is it just for the xBox? We have a Wii.

Brook, your plans sound really exciting!!

Have you considered staying off property at DL? I think it is really not so much of a difference there as it is at WDW. There are a number of hotels which are in walkable distance to DL. We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn in 2005 and thought it was quite lovely. I am sure over at the DL boards would be many recommendations.

Well, yes-BUT, the Disneyland hotel deal for TAs comes with park tickets and a discounted room, so it ends up being quite a bit cheaper to stay onsite, but not quite as cheap as we were hoping for originally! I think we could still swing it, but paying off the June cruise (payment due in March) would be very tricky.

I have done quite a bit of research on the offsite hotels for Clients (and myself), one thing I hope to do if time allows, is to go check out a few of them and get pictures. I really like that the offsite options are so close!

 

[KatMark]

Brook, your new plans sound very exciting. And, as I wrote to you on FB, I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[KristiMc]

Wow Brook - I'm so excited for you that you will get to cruise on the Wonder (my first cruise was on that beautiful ship back in 2000). Are you guys still planning on doing the Magic in June - I hope you are.