Ohhhh boy~ here we go again! Anderson/VanDamme Vegas/California road trip vacation!

[JaneJetson]

Quest4Fun does know his stuff....
He's my husband....haha.

We're most likely going to stop by Newport Beach in January when we're in town. I like walking around there. Parking does kind of stink though.

I love the shirts and nightgown you bought! So cute!!

 

[reyasmommy]

I'll try to lend a hand. I was born and raised in the area so I'll share what I know.

First and foremost. Skip the tours. They both sound pretty lousy. No offense if you've been on them and had a blast. You're better off hitting the staples on your own and skipping the shopping stops. Those tours won't hold much interest for kids or really any age. Here are some that they might enjoy.

Chinese Theater (walk of fame is right out front as well)
Griffith Observatory
Venice Beach
Santa Monica Pier

Back to Orange County and the beaches. Both Huntington and Newport are great in their own special way. If you want to actually lay on a towell and play in the surf then Huntington is the way to go. There is more parking near the beach. You'll have to pay for either but you won't have trouble getting a spot at Huntington. Newport has more to see if you want a beach to walk around at. Check out the Wedge while you're there. Large waves and daring people. Always entertaining year round.

Don't let the Nebraska location fool you. I just moved here a little over a year ago after almost 30 years in Orange County and LA.

Thank you!!! Very helpful indeed!

 

[reyasmommy]

Quest4Fun does know his stuff....
He's my husband....haha.

We're most likely going to stop by Newport Beach in January when we're in town. I like walking around there. Parking does kind of stink though.

I love the shirts and nightgown you bought! So cute!!

Who knows, maybe we'll check out both?!? Hopefully the parking won't be to bad since we'll be going on a Thursday.

 

[reyasmommy]

Now I'm trying to decide on a character breakfast.... Any suggestions?!?

 

[JaneJetson]

Hmm...sorry, no help here. I've never done one. But in a few years if we have some kids...maybe you'll be able to help us....haha.

 

[mommaU4]

Now I'm trying to decide on a character breakfast.... Any suggestions?!?

Well, we've only done one, Lilo and Stitch, so I can't really offer opinions on the others.

I will say that we had a wonderful time when we went. It wasn't too crowded, the character interaction was such fun, the food was very good (mmm, pineapple scones!) and it was nice because if you wanted to you had the option of ordering off the menu if you didn't want the buffet.

I've read less then favorable reviews of the Minnie and Friends one, as well as the Princess one at Ariel's Grotto. Of course that's not going to stop me from attending the Princess lunch in October. LOL I'm just not expecting it to be very good. I'm going mainly so my twins can see the Princesses.

Good luck! Can't wait to hear which one you choose and how it turns out.

 

[reyasmommy]

Well, we've only done one, Lilo and Stitch, so I can't really offer opinions on the others.

I will say that we had a wonderful time when we went. It wasn't too crowded, the character interaction was such fun, the food was very good (mmm, pinapple scones!) and it was nice because if you wanted to you had the option of ordering off the menu if you didn't want the buffet.

I've read less then favorable reviews of the Minnie and Friends one, as well as the Princess one at Ariel's Grotto. Of course that's not going to stop me from attending the Princess lunch in October. LOL I'm just not expecting it to be very good. I'm going mainly so my twins can see the Princesses.

Good luck! Can't wait to hear which one you choose and how it turns out.

You're so AWESOME!! You always give me the best advice. What would I do without my DEAR BETH!!

Well...... I think I'll make reservations for Lilo and stitch for our last day at DL. Only because that will give me time to gauge how DD will do with interacting with the characters. She was terrified of them when we went to WDW last year. Hopefully she's grown out of that. Within the last week she's become obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I'm hoping that will get her excited to meet the characters?!?!

I am SOOOO ready to leave on this trip. This is going to be the longest 38 days of my life.


OH..... and I decided to pack up all the items I bought for the kids. Thinking that they would all fit in a small suitcase. HA HA!! Not even close. I found a LARGE gift bag that I had in a closet from one of Reya's past birthdays and filled that up with as much stuff as I could and everything else is going to need to fit in one of our 2 large suitcases. YEP! Think I went a little overboard.

 

[mommaU4]

You're so AWESOME!! You always give me the best advice. What would I do without my DEAR BETH!!

YEP! Think I went a little overboard.

LOL You'd do just fine with all the other amazing advice here on the DIS.
As far as going over board, well, that's part of the fun right!!!

I was wondering, is your DH very involved in the planning? Or is he more like mine where he says just tell me when and where and I'll be there. LOL

 

[reyasmommy]

LOL You'd do just fine with all the other amazing advice here on the DIS.
As far as going over board, well, that's part of the fun right!!!

I was wondering, is your DH very involved in the planning? Or is he more like mine where he says just tell me when and where and I'll be there. LOL

Just like your DH. He pays for it and I plan it. He's just along for the ride.

 

[JaneJetson]

Hmm...that must be a husband thing. Mine is pretty much the same way. Luckily he puts up with me talking about the trip all the time. But in return, I have to listen to him talk about looking for a new car (even though we aren't getting one until NEXT November.)

 

[reyasmommy]

DH is going to be taking his Sabatical next month! YAY!! He's going to be off from September 11th- October 13th. So he'll be off a week before we leave and almost 2 weeks after we get back!

 

[mommaU4]

DH is going to be taking his Sabatical next month! YAY!! He's going to be off from September 11th- October 13th. So he'll be off a week before we leave and almost 2 weeks after we get back!

Wow. That's nice.


And yes, I think it is a husband thing. Mine likes to hear about the planning, but prefers I make all the decisions.

 

[Quest4fun]

Now I'm trying to decide on a character breakfast.... Any suggestions?!?

I went to the one at Disneyland park a bazillion years ago (eight) and enjoyed it quite a bit. If you leave your kids at home the characters won't pay much attention to you.

 

[reyasmommy]

Beth... I found some cute Halloween pictures I took on our trip to WDW last year. Thought you would enjoy.

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So off topic..... Did anybody hear about those protesters that were arrested in front of Disneyland recently?

 

[JaneJetson]

Wow! Last year's halloween deocorations look so much cuter than the ones from 2006! Your daughter is too adorable.

EDIT - just realized those are WDW. Oops. Haha. Either way, they are better than the Disneyland ones I saw in 2006.

I've joined a thread about the protestors. Big mistake....we're all arguing though...haha.

 

[mommaU4]

Beth... I found some cute Halloween pictures I took on our trip to WDW last year. Thought you would enjoy.

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So off topic..... Did anybody hear about those protesters that were arrested in front of Disneyland recently?

Ooooh, thanks!! Very nice.

Wow! Last year's halloween deocorations look so much cuter than the ones from 2006! Your daughter is too adorable.

EDIT - just realized those are WDW. Oops. Haha. Either way, they are better than the Disneyland ones I saw in 2006.

I've joined a thread about the protestors. Big mistake....we're all arguing though...haha.

I wasn't there in 2006, but I wonder if they did more in DL last year, because Main Street for example had decorations and pumpkins everywhere! I was surprised. Some were the same as the WDW ones, like the pumpkin and leaves on the lamp posts. And the area by Big Thunder Ranch was really done up.
I guess we'll see what this year looks like!



I heard about the arrests but I'm staying off those threads. LOL It's not something I want to debate about since I really don't know the whole story.

 

[reyasmommy]

Wow! Last year's halloween deocorations look so much cuter than the ones from 2006! Your daughter is too adorable.

EDIT - just realized those are WDW. Oops. Haha. Either way, they are better than the Disneyland ones I saw in 2006.

I've joined a thread about the protestors. Big mistake....we're all arguing though...haha.

When did you go in 2006?? We were there in OCT in 2006 too. Reya's first DL trip.

HUH! I'll have to check that thread out. lol.

 

[reyasmommy]

Hey Beth! Did you notice the 40 lbs lost banner? Just barely... Made it by 1/2 a pound. I'm having a treat day tonight though. I sooooo deserve it. Hopefully I won't gain much!

 

[travelmel]

Hey Beth! Did you notice the 40 lbs lost banner? Just barely... Made it by 1/2 a pound. I'm having a treat day tonight though. I sooooo deserve it. Hopefully I won't gain much!

Way to go on the 40lbs!

 

[mommaU4]

Hey Beth! Did you notice the 40 lbs lost banner? Just barely... Made it by 1/2 a pound. I'm having a treat day tonight though. I sooooo deserve it. Hopefully I won't gain much!

Wow, I see that!!!! You look smokin hot in that banner!
Way to go girl!!!!