Need Help! Trip to DL before DH goes to Iraq.

[dd0809]

I am in need of a lot of advice. My husband is deploying to Iraq again with his reserve unit out of Tenn. He will be at 29 Palms, Ca from May to August for training. We found out he will only get 4-5 days of military leave before he leaves. Depending on flight arrangements he could lose almost a day on each side of his leave dates just for travel. As you can guess, time is precious, so we thought a better idea would be for me and our 2 year old son to travel out to him at DL, that way we won't waste any time. He can rent a car on base and drive up in about 2 hours. We will find out his exact leave dates soon.

So any advice on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, which airport is better (I can get nonstop flights from Nashville to LAX and Ontario on Southwest), transportation? I really don't want to have to take our son's carseat because I will be by myself (we have the CARES harness for the plane). I will have our luggage and stroller oh yeah, and a 2 year old . We want to see to sights but more importantly just spend time together so we will go early for a few hours then come back to the hotel for naps and the pool, then head back later. Basically, if you were in my situation what are your Must Dos? What would you slurge on?

I have already found lots of great info in the threads. Thanks in advance

 

[disney-inspired]

I am in need of a lot of advice. My husband is deploying to Iraq again with his reserve unit out of Tenn. He will be at 29 Palms, Ca from May to August for training. We found out he will only get 4-5 days of military leave before he leaves. Depending on flight arrangements he could lose almost a day on each side of his leave dates just for travel. As you can guess, time is precious, so we thought a better idea would be for me and our 2 year old son to travel out to him at DL, that way we won't waste any time. He can rent a car on base and drive up in about 2 hours. We will find out his exact leave dates soon.

So any advice on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, which airport is better (I can get nonstop flights from Nashville to LAX and Ontario on Southwest), transportation? I really don't want to have to take our son's carseat because I will be by myself (we have the CARES harness for the plane). I will have our luggage and stroller oh yeah, and a 2 year old . We want to see to sights but more importantly just spend time together so we will go early for a few hours then come back to the hotel for naps and the pool, then head back later. Basically, if you were in my situation what are your Must Dos? What would you slurge on?

I have already found lots of great info in the threads. Thanks in advance

My sincerest best wishes to your family, especially to your DH

I hope you have the best time together and that your husband's tour doesn't last too long.

Must-Do's:
Take tons of photopass pictures for memories.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Wow! Hugs from my family to yours. I have nothing but the upmost respect for soliders and all of those who love and support them.

Since DH will be in 29 Palms - I would say fly into Ontario. If he can time it so he can pick you up you will be "on his way" to Disneyland.

Can he get a carseat with his car rental?? That would make travel easier for you. If you can splurge - stay at the Disneyland hotel. The pools are great and you won't want to hassle with the transportation system with a 2 year old. That would be my splurge - location.

If you need the stroller for airport situations - Ontario is not that big but not sure where you are flying out of and whether or not DS is a runner like 2 year olds can be maybe leave the stroller at home too and rent one at Disneyland.

Must Sees in So Cal with a 2 year old? Wow - Newport Beach is great. But really if you stay put the time you spend will be terrific.

God Bless you all. Have a great time!!

 

[arliepooh68]

call the disneyland hotel for pricing. . . you can also go on base and see what they have for pricing on hotels and tickets. . . i'm sure 29 palms (I would think, I know they don't have much) has an ITT/MWR office for dland tickets as well. . .

ontario is your closest airport on the way if he picks you up to disneyland. I would also let whatever hotel you end up staying at know your situation, they just might surprise you with something. . is he able to have his leave dates set in stone/?? if so that will make planning much much easier. ahead of time I would find out about the car rentals nearby or onbase. . . My dh recently retired from the navy so coming from the navy side I'm hoping you have a great support system where you are and my best advise is keep yourself busy and do not watch the news! if you have support meetings, GO. and make sure you make the pre deployement and prehomecoming meetings, they have a lot of helpful advice, etc for you.

 

[DLR29]

Check with his local MWR for discounts on admission tickets. You can get a very good discount for military workers.

 

[PixiePowered]

I'd definitely suggest splurging on the hotel... and stay at one of the DLR hotels! And absolutely take as many pictures as possible! Character meals are always fun, too. We love Goofy's Kitchen and Plaza Inn character breakfast!

Good luck and god bless!

 

[mikayla73]

If the DLR hotels are too bg of a splurge, there are hotels that are right across the street from the DL entrance. I have stayed at the Tropicana, Park Vue, and Best Western Anaheim Inn, all three were great and really close to the DL crosswalk.

My advice is to make sure you take your time and enjoy each other, that to me is more important than making sure I ride very ride.

If you don't splurge on the hotel, I'd splurge on a great dinner. If your son is into the characters, do a character meal. If not, then do a special meal for you and your DH, the DLR resturants are pretty kid friendly so any of them you choose would probably be good for your son. The Blue Bayou is one of my favorites, the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Photopass is great too, you'll get some great pics and all of you will be in them

from our family to yours.

 

[pixiewings71]

Please tell your DH Thank You, from my family! We appreciate what he does very much! And Thank YOU for supporting him.

I can't really add much but I wanted to mention getting the tix from the base, they will be cheaper that way and it may help you with hotel/flight/souvie costs. Also, when making any hotel reservations mention the reason for the trip and you may get better pricing offered to you. Have a great time with your DH and DS!

 

[dd0809]

Thanks so much for all the advice and warm wishes. I truely appreciate it.

I went today and purchased Fodor's Disneyland with kids. Thus far, it has been a huge help.

I think we will stay on-site and I am looking into any military discounts on tickets and hotels. I think we will do a couple of character meals because my son will really enjoy it, and we won't waste any time standing in line for characters in the park. Also, great advice about Photopass. That way we are all in the photos!

Thank you so much for all your help.