Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[deejdigsdis]

Hope you get it all worked out. Very exciting to have possibly 2 trips in the works.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Oh that's great! It sounds like something you might want to do.

I just didn't know why I waited until a few months till the event. But I just want to see what my schedule looks like first before I made it official. Now I am glad that I made the decision.

I can't believe you are only a few weeks away till your trip to DL with your DH.

Hope you get it all worked out. Very exciting to have possibly 2 trips in the works.

Thank you Deej. Right now I have two trips in the work and right now I could possibly have 4-6 trips this year. Possibly one in May during Memorial day weekend, my DA birthday trip in mid June, Destination D in August which I really want to go to and of course my birthday trip back in December after being in WDW the last two years. The ones that I am guaranteeing are the June trip and December trip. The other two will be decided later on.

The other two that I am thinking hard about around May before the Memorial day trip if DCA does a Sneak Peak of Cars Land before it is open to the general public during the summertime. I would love to see Cars Land before it is opened. The other possibility is during the Halloween season which I would like to go, but I have a lot of trips planned this year so I might have to miss it this year. I will keep you informed and everyone informed of what future trips I have planned.

 

[kaoden39]

I just didn't know why I waited until a few months till the event. But I just want to see what my schedule looks like first before I made it official. Now I am glad that I made the decision.

I can't believe you are only a few weeks away till your trip to DL with your DH.




Thank you Deej. Right now I have two trips in the work and right now I could possibly have 4-6 trips this year. Possibly one in May during Memorial day weekend, my DA birthday trip in mid June, Destination D in August which I really want to go to and of course my birthday trip back in December after being in WDW the last two years. The ones that I am guaranteeing are the June trip and December trip. The other two will be decided later on.

The other two that I am thinking hard about around May before the Memorial day trip if DCA does a Sneak Peak of Cars Land before it is open to the general public during the summertime. I would love to see Cars Land before it is opened. The other possibility is during the Halloween season which I would like to go, but I have a lot of trips planned this year so I might have to miss it this year. I will keep you informed and everyone informed of what future trips I have planned.

My trip does seem to be coming quick doesn't it?

 

[mvf-m11c]

My trip does seem to be coming quick doesn't it?

It is taking some time for your trip, but time goes by really quickly so you and your DH will be at the DLR shortly. I am always checking your TR for all your updates.

 

[kaoden39]

It is taking some time for your trip, but time goes by really quickly so you and your DH will be at the DLR shortly. I am always checking your TR for all your updates.

There isn't much to update about right now. Not unless it's useless stuff.

 

[franandaj]

Thank you Deej. Right now I have two trips in the work and right now I could possibly have 4-6 trips this year. Possibly one in May during Memorial day weekend, my DA birthday trip in mid June, Destination D in August which I really want to go to and of course my birthday trip back in December after being in WDW the last two years. The ones that I am guaranteeing are the June trip and December trip. The other two will be decided later on.

The other two that I am thinking hard about around May before the Memorial day trip if DCA does a Sneak Peak of Cars Land before it is open to the general public during the summertime. I would love to see Cars Land before it is opened. The other possibility is during the Halloween season which I would like to go, but I have a lot of trips planned this year so I might have to miss it this year. I will keep you informed and everyone informed of what future trips I have planned.

OMIgosh! I am so glad that that I read this. I haven't had much time to post, but I have been reading all your updates on both your TRs, loved the comparison of MMY between the two parks on the other TR.

But at the Bolded. Steven Clark told us at the Expo there would be another Destination-D, but I've been just so involved in our rennovations getting our apartments rented and ready to rent, I've been so behind on my DISing and other email stuff. I completely missed the announcement of the Destination-D! (Also Fran was really sick at that time so I wasn't thinking very well).

I'm so glad I read that though becuase I booked us into the VGC tonight for the Friday and Saturday nights for the Destination-D (with the new online booking system! ). I had to borrow points from my 2012 UY to get two nights in a 1 br and Sunday wasn't available, but we'll just have to suck it up and drive home tired without a place to nap in the afternoon.

At least we'll be staying overnight to get there early in the morning. Those lines were brutal at the last one in CA! Hey if you need help in finding a place in Long Beach, PM me. If you don't mind clutter and cats, we have a guest apartment attached to ours that we use for friends and family, not far from the Convention Center. However, there are cats, and the place will never be considered for architechtural digest, but it is clean, comfortable, and has direct TV!

 

[mvf-m11c]

OMIgosh! I am so glad that that I read this. I haven't had much time to post, but I have been reading all your updates on both your TRs, loved the comparison of MMY between the two parks on the other TR.

But at the Bolded. Steven Clark told us at the Expo there would be another Destination-D, but I've been just so involved in our rennovations getting our apartments rented and ready to rent, I've been so behind on my DISing and other email stuff. I completely missed the announcement of the Destination-D! (Also Fran was really sick at that time so I wasn't thinking very well).

I'm so glad I read that though becuase I booked us into the VGC tonight for the Friday and Saturday nights for the Destination-D (with the new online booking system! ). I had to borrow points from my 2012 UY to get two nights in a 1 br and Sunday wasn't available, but we'll just have to suck it up and drive home tired without a place to nap in the afternoon.

At least we'll be staying overnight to get there early in the morning. Those lines were brutal at the last one in CA! Hey if you need help in finding a place in Long Beach, PM me. If you don't mind clutter and cats, we have a guest apartment attached to ours that we use for friends and family, not far from the Convention Center. However, there are cats, and the place will never be considered for architechtural digest, but it is clean, comfortable, and has direct TV!

Thank you Allison. I'm glad that you are enjoying my TR and the comparison of MMY at DL & WDW.

It is a good thing that you read my TR about Destination D in August. I didn't go to the first Destination D back in 2010 and I am hoping that I can make it possible this year. I remember that you have been to the Destination D at DL back in 2010 in September.

It is smart to get a room at the DLR so you won't have a long walk to Destination D. If I do go, I will get a off-site hotel that is close to the DLR hotel (possibly BW Stovall's). I don't want to spend a lot of money at the DLR hotel. I would like to stay at the DLR all the time, but I would do more trips if I stay off-site then staying on-site. The lines from the D23 Expo last August were so brutal and hopefully that this one won't be as bad. I do appreciate you offering a place for me to stay during my visit. But I will be possibly staying in between LB and DL during my late March trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It is now official. I will be going down to SoCal during the end of the 2nd weekend of March 22-25 for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Tournament that is being held at the Long Beach Convention Center. I am so excited to get the reservation done just about two months until the trip. I still have the trip in early March with my DA so I will have to plan out my TR until it is time to head to DL.

We will be staying at Hampton Inn Los Angeles/Orange County/Cypress that is between LB Convention Center and the DLR. I wanted to stay around the DLR so I can just walk on over to the park, but all the rooms were just way too expensive or not available. I read from a lot of different sites that this is a really nice hotel.

 

[deejdigsdis]

That's good news, Bret. I hope you're happy with your hotel choice and you have a great time.

 

[mvf-m11c]

That's good news, Bret. I hope you're happy with your hotel choice and you have a great time.

Thanks Deej. Even though the Hampton Inn is about 20 minutes from DL, the reviews from this hotel are very good. Not only the room, but it also have a breakfast buffet which is something I might need before I go to the LB Convention Center or DL.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I'll be there the same weekend as you. I'll be sure to bring my LGMH. Don't walk so fast this time!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'll be there the same weekend as you. I'll be sure to bring my LGMH. Don't walk so fast this time!

I was wondering what days you will be down there as i have seen your TR saying that you will be there the same time as me. I will have my blue wdw backpack with my LGMH on it. I will remember not to walk so fast during my visit.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am still trying to finish my[post=43986249]Friends and Family Holiday trip to WDW Dec 9 - 16, 2011[/post] before I head on over to DL in just 19 days. It is just taking along time to finish since I am not home much on my CPU. But I should get it done before my DL trip in early March. The trip during the Holiday season at WDW was really fun and exciting. The Holiday season is amazing, but I still prefer DL Holiday season way better than WDW. This is my opinion of DL and WDW during the Holiday season. We got to do a lot of rides and shows that we have planned during our trip. The best part of the trip for me is of course the nighttime shows like Wishes fireworks, Holiday Wishes, Illuminations, and the parades. I was bummed that we didn't see F! when it was raining, but WDW version is not as good as DL version.

Now I am planning my pre-trip for March 2 - 4, 2012 trip. This is a break trip for the two of us having worked a lot these last two months. I am about to finished up my basketball season this upcoming week while my DA have been working like crazy these past three months.

Cast: Me Bret 30 and my DA Fae 59

This will be our first trip to DL this year while we did a lot of Disney trips last year.

My trip is not until the first week of March and right now the two us us are gettting excited to head on over to Anaheim and get away from Sacramento. Since my DA has her own AP which is the DAP, we can go to DL anytime we want. So we thought it was perfect to go to DL the first weekend of March since it is not during Spring Break or the busy weekend of the last weekend of February. I have really thought of what weekend to go and this was the best weekend to go while our schedules are not crossing something. I was so exhausted from the WDW trip and glad that we will be heading back to DL. During this trip our goals are just to relax and have a fun time at the DLR. The main goal during this trip is to see the new segment of "The Magic, the Memories, & You!". The new segment with the Disney princesses have just begun this month and I really would like to videotape it during this trip. So this will be one of the shows that we will do that night. Also we plan on seeing WoC and see what the viewing area looks like with the construction wall right by LMR. Of course, I have to get pics of Cars Land from MFW. I just can't see myself not doing MFW during any trip since I like to get pics of the construction site of Cars Land.

We will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim. It is nice to drive instead of flying on my last trip, but I do bring a lot of bags and camera equipment so it does make sense to drive down in just 7 hours. It just not worth paying the extra money for extra bags and getting a rental car. This time my DA will bring her car to head on down to Anaheim. We were able to make it to Anaheim with one stop of gas and I this time I will be driving down with my vehicle. We will stop at Livingston (close to Merced) that is always on my way to Anaheim to see my grandmother. Than after we stop at my grandmothers house, than I will head on over to Anaheim. This time instead of leaving one day ahead which we usually do on any trips, we will leave on Friday morning from Sacramento and stop at my grandmothers house to see her. Then we will head on over to Anaheim. We will possibly get to the DLR late since we will start late. But we should be there around 3-4pm. So we will have some time to go to the parks after getting in. The reason we are not leaving on Thursday night is that we are going to the Sacramento Kings game versus the Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento. We have been looking forward to see the Clippers in person. So we don't plan on leaving after the game.

We will be staying at Best Westerns Anaheim Inn. Once again, we will be staying on Harbor Blvd, but not BWPPI which we usually stay. The price for BWPPI was just too expensive and BWAI was way cheaper. My DA really enjoyed BWAI the last trip in November and has no problem staying there again. But she would prefer BWPPI because of the shorter walk. As long we save a lot of money on the hotels, we can do more future trips.

We will be in the park for all three days of the trip and our plan is to leave around noon back to Sacramento.

Our goal for this trip is to relax and do some of our favorite rides. So overall, we are here just to have have fun with no plans. Acutally we will have some plans planned out during this relaxation trip. One of them is to see the new segment of MMY. Also go on MFW to get aerial photos of Cars Land. We'll definitely see all the construction area of Cars Land and BVS. I also heard that the monorail might be down during my visit and I was really bummed to hear that the monorail might be down during my trip. But we'll just wait and see what the word is. We plan on seeing WoC and see the new color viewing area at PP.

Right now I don't have a plan, but here are some things that we will do as of now.

Friday
Eat at the ESPN Zone to watch the Sacramento Kings play the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in LA. So we will be eating at the restaurant for awhile.

Saturday
Go to DL early to do our favorite rides. Get WoC FP for the first show at 8pm which of course will be the blue section. Go on MFW when the park opens. Also I plan on eating at WWS since I haven't eaten their in quite awhile. See WoC and go back to DL and see MMY new segment at 9:30pm.

Sunday
Do some rides that morning at both parks and head on back home to Sacramento.

The only sit down restaurant that we will be doing is the ESPN Zone on Friday night so we can watch the Kings and Lakers game. We will also eat at WWS and maybe have breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace.

I will write more about my TR and ask for any advice of what I should do with my time at the DLR during the Holiday season.

Thank you

 

[tksbaskets]

19 days will go quickly! Sounds like you are going to get a lot of fun in in three days.

We really enjoyed the Riverbelle Terrace for breakfast on our last trip. Nice that you are driving down so you don't have to worry about extra bags.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

19 days will go quickly! Sounds like you are going to get a lot of fun in in three days.

We really enjoyed the Riverbelle Terrace for breakfast on our last trip. Nice that you are driving down so you don't have to worry about extra bags.

TK

The days will go by quickly and all of a sudden I will be back at the DLR for another quick vacation. It will be very interesting to see how crowded the parks will be on a non spring break weekend which will be the next weekend so I don't have to worry about the crowd level unless something big is happening during my trip.

After seeing all your photos from River Belle Terrace and WWS those are the quick counter service restaurants that we will be eating on our trip. I haven't eaten at the River Belle Terrace during breakfast since we go on the rides when the park is not that crowded.


Also I like to say that I have made another trip to the DLR which is crazy. I will be heading in March which will be the third time on a one day trip. This will be the 2nd time in my life that I will be doing three separate Disney trips in one month. The last one which was back in 2010 when I went to DL during St. Patrick's day, the one day unexpected day at DL and the WDW Spring Break trip. I will be heading back to Anaheim in just a couple of days (March 27th) from my 2nd trip to the DLR on March 22nd to 25th. The reason why I am doing a one day trip to the DLR and come back that day is that the DLR announced that they are having a Annual Pass Preview at the DLR of the merchandise, food, entertainment, costumes, and guided tours the DLR is doing for this summer. I was really excited that the DLR is doing a Sneak Peek of the new merchandise and activities at the DLR for the summertime.

I really don't want to do another trip in such a short time after getting back from the DLR trip in a couple of days. But I can't pass the opportunity to get some of the new merchandise for Cars Land and see what the food, costumes and tours that they are offering for this summer.

I was lucky to get a good deal with Southwest Airlines rate for $69 for one way and it was totaled at $138 for a round trip which is not a bad price to go to OC and back home to Sacramento. I will also be planning on taking the Disney Express bus to get to the park and back to the OC airport.

This trip all of my time will be mostly be at the AP Sneak Peek which is at Stage 17 at DCA. So I will write up a report while I am at the park. I hope that they will let us take pictures during the Sneak Peek. The main reason is to get as much of the new Cars Land merchandise and bring it back home. Good thing that the Sneak Peek is on the weekdays instead of the weekend because I will be in New Orleans during the men's NCAA Final Four. I can't believe I will be doing three trips in just two weeks which is crazy.

I'll be a crazy month.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
The sneak peek sounds great! It would be too good to pass up. I'll be anxious to see what is in store for us at DLR in the future

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
The sneak peek sounds great! It would be too good to pass up. I'll be anxious to see what is in store for us at DLR in the future

It was hard to pass it up and I really didn't want to head on back to DL in such a short time. I am so excited to hear what the DLR is going to show, buy and talk about for this summer. I'll try to do a live TR and update the new details at Stage 17.

I still need to finish my TR since I am only less then two weeks away till my early March trip with my DA.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

yeppieee! in spite of the rumors,i haven't fallen off the earth..yet!
,


better yet , we too are starting the "getting ready process".
we got 2 new water camera for hawaii,

been busy as a bee, & bumbling too,


thanks a bunch , for reminding me of your wdw trip, i did some
glancing....& realized it was your most recent trip. oh, the
pictures i saw were just great, out of the world!

sure wish we were going as son as you, green with envy,
( doesn't that smilee remind you of a little green man?


your pictures really put me in the disneyland spirit! this will be our
third trip. we'll be @ the grand cailfornia again! i am not as savy as
others esp. when it come to disneyland..did not realized they tore
down the old pool/pirate ship. our first trip was right before taking
the magic pc cruise, 08. i glad we took some pictures of my kids
posing with it. blink & you miss something @ the parks.

again , i can't thanks you enough for sharing all yuor wonderful
pictures. maybe if we ever @ wdw @ the same time, we can take
you up to the top of the world tower so you can get those
pictures? and it's a cool place to watch wishes too!

my lil'ariel is growing up...& she just stunning! if i ever get some of
my pictures from last year member cruise, i can do a story. ( though
my lost camera from last year alaska never show up, my wife's
camera had quite a few on hers. ) , was sharing with our disney
dvc helper...& how i took many picture with her & ariel. the
pictures reminded me of my sister "paper dolls" ( we're a big
family of 10 kids) . you could "cut" out ariel dress and paste
cover my daughter...& you would have a hard time telling the
difference! except.. my daughter had no make up on, &
her hair isn't a wig.

the other day ...her mother was working on her hair as she
came strolling past. wow! she is becoming such a beautiful
young lady! sorry to brag,
but i just wish my mother-her grandmother could have live to
"see" their grand-daughter. ( she dies 10 years before she
was born- ). what a blessing she has been, she came
almost 10 years after we decided no more "kids." right after
the 96 olympics..i went & got the red-hair gymist, never
guessing she would be red hair, and a girl!

without her, ,we would have never re-started going back to wdw,
or blt owners. is it funny how such a little thing changed your
life..for good?


i never get tire of reading & seeing your wonderful pictures, they
put me in the mood for our upcoming trips. i read on the other
boards, about ariel being their favorite princess....i never get
tired when the lil'girls asking my daughter if she the real ariel.
the girl that played her....on our alaska cruise, befriended
her when she on her free time...we have made many new friends
@ the parks /cruises....i think it's one of walt intended goals.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I say go as often as you can, while you can.

If I had the time available and the finances to do it, I'd be at DLR or WDW every month!

Excited to follow along!

 

[mvf-m11c]

yeppieee! in spite of the rumors,i haven't fallen off the earth..yet!
,


better yet , we too are starting the "getting ready process".
we got 2 new water camera for hawaii,

been busy as a bee, & bumbling too,


thanks a bunch , for reminding me of your wdw trip, i did some
glancing....& realized it was your most recent trip. oh, the
pictures i saw were just great, out of the world!

sure wish we were going as son as you, green with envy,
( doesn't that smilee remind you of a little green man?


your pictures really put me in the disneyland spirit! this will be our
third trip. we'll be @ the grand cailfornia again! i am not as savy as
others esp. when it come to disneyland..did not realized they tore
down the old pool/pirate ship. our first trip was right before taking
the magic pc cruise, 08. i glad we took some pictures of my kids
posing with it. blink & you miss something @ the parks.

again , i can't thanks you enough for sharing all yuor wonderful
pictures. maybe if we ever @ wdw @ the same time, we can take
you up to the top of the world tower so you can get those
pictures? and it's a cool place to watch wishes too!

my lil'ariel is growing up...& she just stunning! if i ever get some of
my pictures from last year member cruise, i can do a story. ( though
my lost camera from last year alaska never show up, my wife's
camera had quite a few on hers. ) , was sharing with our disney
dvc helper...& how i took many picture with her & ariel. the
pictures reminded me of my sister "paper dolls" ( we're a big
family of 10 kids) . you could "cut" out ariel dress and paste
cover my daughter...& you would have a hard time telling the
difference! except.. my daughter had no make up on, &
her hair isn't a wig.

the other day ...her mother was working on her hair as she
came strolling past. wow! she is becoming such a beautiful
young lady! sorry to brag,
but i just wish my mother-her grandmother could have live to
"see" their grand-daughter. ( she dies 10 years before she
was born- ). what a blessing she has been, she came
almost 10 years after we decided no more "kids." right after
the 96 olympics..i went & got the red-hair gymist, never
guessing she would be red hair, and a girl!

without her, ,we would have never re-started going back to wdw,
or blt owners. is it funny how such a little thing changed your
life..for good?


i never get tire of reading & seeing your wonderful pictures, they
put me in the mood for our upcoming trips. i read on the other
boards, about ariel being their favorite princess....i never get
tired when the lil'girls asking my daughter if she the real ariel.
the girl that played her....on our alaska cruise, befriended
her when she on her free time...we have made many new friends
@ the parks /cruises....i think it's one of walt intended goals.

It's nice to hear from you Lil' Grumpy.

Glad to hear that you got some water cameras for your upcoming trip.

Your welcome and I'm glad that you are enjoying my WDW TR. I still need to finish it up before I head back to Anaheim in a couple of weeks. It will be really nice to go back and relax after long months of the basketball season.

The days will go by quickly and your upcoming trip will be there shortly.

It is sad to see the old pool at the DL hotel tore down, but you will like the new pool and the monorail slides at the DL hotel.

Glad that you enjoy the pictures that I take during each of my Disney trips. If we ever are at WDW the same time, it will be a pleasure to meet you in person. Sadly to say that I will not be going to WDW this year since I am planning to see the new FL expansion completed by 2013. But right now, I'm just planning for this year and will decide later on if I want to go back to WDW.

It is always good to have someone that likes to do something that you like to do and enjoy it together. I wish most of my family is in the spirit of Disney, but they have their own reasons and I have mine.

Thank you so much Lil' Grumpy

I say go as often as you can, while you can.

If I had the time available and the finances to do it, I'd be at DLR or WDW every month!

Excited to follow along!

I would definitely go as much as I can, but I just don't want to go when it is close to another trip. I can possibly wait for about a couple of weeks, if I don't go so many days in a row.

You got a good point about that. It would be nice to go to any of the Disney parks every month.

Thank you Michelle.