Only 4 days to go and I'm panicking!

[we*luv*orlando!!]

This will be our first time to California and now with only 4 days to go I have that slightly sick feeling - have I overplanned or not planned enough? Have I done everything? Will the weather here ruin any plans for our travel outwards? What have I forgotton? Will we like Vegas? Will the hotels be nice? Will the kids behave? AArrggHHHHHH!
This will be the last time we will PAY for our DS who is 21 and has just got his degree so will from now on be earning his own money! Also going is our DD who is 14 and my sister (41 ) Our two kids can either get on really well or be at each others throats, it's just down to luck on the day! I have explained to DS that we are only in Vegas for two whole days and one of those we will have our GC tour but he seems to think he will win big at poker, meet famous stars and hook up with a rich young lady all in that space of time. DH is also getting worried at us leaving DS playing poker while we go off, even though he is nearly 22 and over 6ft tall, so this could be a potential falling out! The only good thing is that he is without a girlfriend at home this time; when we last took him to Florida 4 years ago he was really mopey over his girlfriend back home the whole time!
DH does not want to drive (even though he is a trained Police driver!) hence the tours. We are staying close enough in Anaheim to walk to the parks. The holiday was booked over a year ago. I just feel that there is something I have not done, or have overlooked. I don't normally feel like this over other holidays. It may be because it will all be new to us; we love Florida so much perhaps I am worried this will not live up to that and we will have spent a load of money!!! Also have not received the tickets yet, the holiday company say the post them out 7 days before but there is a postal strike looming!! I want them now!!
I have time to post this really long post (for me) as I work in admin in the local school and am off work now. Don't be jealous, it's really poor pay as only get paid for 39 weeks of the year!

Here is our itinerary:

6th Aug - Heathrow, United Airlines flight to San Francisco to connect to Las Vegas, staying at the Tuscany Casino and Suites just off the strip for 3 nights.

7th Aug - No booked plans, DS wants to play poker (I will keep the bulk of his money on me! ) while the rest of us will go up the strip. Want to look in all the hotels but especially the Venetian and NYNY. Aim to end up at the Fremont area by evening.

8th Aug - Flight for us all over the Grand Canyon at midday. Was going to helicopter flight but our financial situation has altered alot recently and so we need to cut back somewhere so a small plane has been booked. This was not the preferred choice of the kids and my sister so expect lots of moaning!

9th Aug - Fly to John Wayne Airport, shuttle to Best Western Pavillions, Anaheim at 1pm. Straight to Disneyland!!!

10th Aug - Disneyland California Adventure park all day

11th Aug - The block at Orange shopping until around 3pm then DH and DS are off to Angel Stadium to see the Angels play the Minnesota Twins. The girls are going to Downtown Disney to shop, shop, shop, eat and maybe a film!

12th Aug - Grayline tour of Los Angeles and famous landmarks

13th Aug - Disneyland

14th Aug - Disney California Adventure

15th Aug - Tour to Universal Studios Hollywood

16th Aug - Tour of Movie Stars home and shopping

17th Aug - last day at Disneyland

18th Aug - LAX flight to Heathrow at 6pm

19th Aug - arrive Heathrow around midday, local taxi firm to pick us up, expect to be home around teatime. Fall exhausted into bed and cry!

Have no ADR booked, we just eat when we feel hungry and as me and my sis are vegetarians we need to see the menu before we go in anywhere. The boys and DD like to eat american fare, burgers, dogs, pizza, we don't really do big posh meals!! Plus it will be cheaper.
I always do a diary for here at home and will post a trip report from this if anyone is interested.
I would like to send thanks to Amber15 who has helped me out with a couple of questions, thanks Amber!
If you have read this far then thanks for bearing with me!!
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[PirateFish989]

I think that you are going to have a great time!

When my family goes to Disneyland we don't usually make any reservations for meals in the parks, but we did last year at the Wine Country Trattoria in DCA and I loved it (they have vegetarian dishes and their Lasagne Rustica is to die for). Also, you guys might like the Farmer's market (also in DCA) that has what I consider yummy "American" food. My family has found that eating whenever we are hungry is best and Disneyland and DCA have some great restraunts, both sit down and counter service.

I hope that your trip goes well and I can't wait to read more!

 

[GailT]

Sounds like you have a great trip planned. I am sure you are going to have a FUNtastic time, I wish I was going with you, you have it planned down to a T

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I think you can plan plan plan....and even if you do hit a bump in the road it's Disneyland, fun will be had by all. Have a great time!

 

[kitsch]

I think you will have a great time as long as you know what to expect. Remember that DLR sits on a small piece of land in the middle of a large metropolitan area and is not as secluded as WDW. Also traffic is worst than Orlando. With that in mind, I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.

I noticed that on 11th of August, you will be shopping at The Block. Personally, I never cared for that place to do my shopping. It's more of an entertainment oriented mall w/lots of restaurants and bars and a few boutiques thrown in for good measure.

Unless, you are going there for a particular shop that's not found anywhere else, I would skip it and go to South Coast Plaza instead. Yes, it has many designer boutiques, but it also has tons of affordable stuff too (H&M, Zara, AE). They also have shuttle pick ups (not free) from a few of the big Anaheim hotels.

www.southcoastplaza.com

 

[abby]

Relax, it will be a great trip. Your son is old enough to play poker alone. (this from the kid who parents almost died when I went to Reno alone for a night at 22.)

Just enjoy and don't worry you will have a fun trip.

 

[tinkermell]

I'm thinking you are home by now! I hope everything went well.
Would love to hear about your trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[heatherleigh]

Anxiously awaiting your DL review...

 

[we*luv*orlando!!]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments! we are back and had a fantastic time! I'm just going to post a report now under a new thread so look out for it!!

Am sad at being home though, don't think I have ever felt so down before.....