Any updates on the upcoming trip? August is almost here!!
I'd be more excited if I didn't have so much to do before that trip, lol! But I think it'll be lovely to finally show Disneyland to Mom after she's asked about going there for years. She's had some rough times the last couple of years so this will also be nice given that context.
So in the end, the plans are to stay 1 night at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, then 3 nights at the Grand Californian (hotel side, "partial park view"), then a final night by the airport. This is the week after
D23. Spending the days more or less like so:
1. On her arrival day we're having lunch at Tam O'Shanter then doing a tour of the Disney Studios Lot. I'll bring tissues in case she gets misty seeing Walt's office (she loves anything to do with "Uncle Walt"). Then heading to Anaheim about 5 pm, checking in, and having food at Trader Sam's (and a drink for me; she doesn't drink). Maybe some shopping at Downtown Disney if she's not too tired from being on East Coast time. Maybe get all the way to the Esplanade to build the anticipation.
2. Second day: Finally she gets to see Disneyland! Going to get G+ and stack attractions for later so that in the morning while it's still less hot, she can just enjoy streetmosphere, looking around, and taking pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing her notice many differences from Magic Kingdom. Then we have Blue Bayou at 11 AM, will try for a table by the water. Then we'll do rides and more exploring. In the late afternoon, check into Grand Cal. She might want to rest for a half hour or so, or she might be too excited and will want to start exploring DCA, we'll see. Dinner reservation at Lamplight Lounge. I think by the end of this day, she'll more or less have her bearings about the parks' layout.
3. Third day: Start out at DCA. If she's feeling up to it we'll try to use early entry for Radiator Springs Racers. If not, oh well, we'll see what we find on G+ whenever we get into the park. Here's something that might change: currently have lunch Fantasmic Dining Package (2nd show) at River Bell, but if on the day before we're able to upgrade to the dining package at Blue Bayou, then we won't need this. We'll see. Will try to catch the parade at DL if didn't get to it the previous day. Also have Carthay Circle dinner! Hopefully by the end of this day we'll have gone on most rides once, but we'll see. Fireworks by the castle if not doing Fantasmic.
4. Fourth day: Character breakfast at the Plaza at Disneyland, then Cultivating the Magic tour. Late lunch at Cafe Orleans after. More rides/exploring. Not sure if we'll do G+ that day as we won't have as much time for rides. Maybe some ILLs instead. But will probably go on It's A Small World one last time as that's her favorite at MK (she was a seamstress and loves to see all the little costumes). Early evening we have the tour of Walt's apartment. Finally, the grand finale is World of Color (2nd show). It's the most different to the nighttime spectaculars at WDW so I think she'll love it.
5. Fifth Day: late character breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe. Then we head to our hotel by LAX to drop off luggage before going to see what's left of old Hollywood. Will of course look for Walt's star. I had wanted to see Inside Out 2 at El Capitan because she hasn't seen it and it would be special there, but they've switched to playing Deadpool and she definitely wouldn't like that. So instead we'll end the day by strolling around Santa Monica Pier/Beach.
6. Departure: We fly home in the morning. She's coming home with me and we're having dinner with DH that night so she can tell him what she thought of the trip. Then two days later, she goes home to FL and I go back to real life
