Our DL w/out our kids trip report!

[ozbrooke]

Great trip report, and loved the photos! How did your daughters feel about being left behind while their parents went off to enjoy disneyland?

 

[lori1043]

Great trip report, and loved the photos! How did your daughters feel about being left behind while their parents went off to enjoy disneyland?

When we first mentioned it they were a bit bummed and not so happy about it. We explained that married couples EVEN WITH kids need to take some time with each other and how important that is to maintain a healthy relationship and that if THEY had the opportunity to go, wouldn't they? I told them it was a place I had always wanted to go ever since I was about 18 years old and fell in love with the Mouse's history. We explained that daddy had 2 free flights and 3 nights points at a hotel from all his traveling last year and that since we were wanting some time away by ourselves anyway, this was our chance to do it and go to DL.

DD9 tells me the same night we told them that she understood and even though she wasn't happy we were going to DL without her and her sister, she was happy for us to be able to go.

DD7 gives me a note the next day(that i kept) that says it is okay with her to go have fun in DL, but she will miss us.

Not that we were getting thier permission, but it felt good that my kids accepted it and let us know and did not whine about it. We try to go somewhere w/out kids every couple years for a couple nights(and this was the longest we have ever left our kids) and when this opportunity came up DH jumped on it and booked it as a semi surprise . After he told me, I got our passes and started the packing and planning. This is the FIRST time I had ever gone on a trip with only a months notice-it was kinda' cool!

Oh DD9 did tell us that we couldn't ride anything(in jest) so every time I called her from DL from some long line, I teased that "NO,I wasn't riding anything here in DL!" On day 3 she called me and told me "okay mom, you can ride the roller coaster you're in line for 45 minutes for"(California Screamin'). We have a lot of dry humor in our family, I guess!

Lori

PS-oh and I'd go w/ DH again w/out kids- we had NO WORRIES! Hakuna Matata!

 

[lori1043]

Okay well now that I am a month out from my trip to DL- I am really having trouble waiting for WDW next year with our kiddos! I wanna go back Oh well , I am thanmkful we were ABLE to go and I'll never forget it! I am luckier than some that I COULD go and for that I feel blessed.

I mentioned on the NO, La thread that DH had applied to some jobs for Disney down there in Orlando-nothing ever came of them though-BUT he is applying for a job in Palm Beach Gardens today through where he works now. I am thinking we are destined to stay in NO-which is great!- but I still want to retire close to WDW and GKTW-so we can volunteer there. So, we'll see if that pans out-Lori


I miss you DISNEYLAND, we'll be back with our kids...

 

[PNO4TE]

Lori -

I enjoyed reading your TR very much. My DH and I are taking our first DL trip without kids this summer too. However, our "kids" are 28 and 21! My first trip to DL was when I turned 16 on a family vacation and I fell in love with it and everything Disney then. This trip will come 40 years to the month after that one and my DH and I decided we needed to go back. Bsides, we will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on the trip too!

The last time we were at DL they were still building DCA (1999) so I appreciate the pictures and descriptions of all that you did there too.

 

[lori1043]

Lori -

I enjoyed reading your TR very much. My DH and I are taking our first DL trip without kids this summer too. However, our "kids" are 28 and 21! My first trip to DL was when I turned 16 on a family vacation and I fell in love with it and everything Disney then. This trip will come 40 years to the month after that one and my DH and I decided we needed to go back. Bsides, we will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on the trip too!

The last time we were at DL they were still building DCA (1999) so I appreciate the pictures and descriptions of all that you did there too.

Not only did I fall head over heels with my eventual DH when I was 16, but I fell in love with THE mouse too! My first trip was WDW in 1986 when I was 16-and I was hooked! I think it is WONDERFUL you and DH are celebrating your anniversary on the trip-be sure to let "someone" know. Maybe you'll get some extra special treatment .
I am glad my trip report could help you out-I can't wait to get back to DL with our kiddos one day!

Lori

 

[claribella]

You are awesome for sharing those. You got two places I have yet to go to, ESPN zone and the Drawing in the Animation building.! I need to get to both of those and your pics made me realize that! Thanks for sharing!

 

[mt mommy]

Great trip report. I'm sad I didn't get my own picture with Oscar from Carnation Cafe. I talked to him a long time, but never got a picture.

 

[lori1043]

Great trip report. I'm sad I didn't get my own picture with Oscar from Carnation Cafe. I talked to him a long time, but never got a picture.

Same here- he was sooo sweet. He gave us an autographed employee newletter announcing his tenure and someone elses too who worked in DL in the pyrotechnics area!! He had been there just as long!

On another note- I am itching to get back to DL one day and show my kids!! I cannot wait for our celebration in WDW next Feb, but there was something about DL that just drew me-ahh, well, maybe it was due to NOT having my kids there and being somewhere where my admiration for my earthly "hero" was brought to life, oh, AND it was California-my first time!!!. Just thinking of all Walt put into his life, into his work-he walked these streets and continued his dream on this planet-I admire his imagination and vision. I wish I had a 1/10000 of it! DL really captured the nostalgic, animation making(the old way), Disney for me. Well, MK does anyway-thankfully, WDW captures that well too-except for that Main Street firestation light!

Glad you enjoyed my photos!
Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just spent an enjoyable time revisiting your trip to DL! The pics are great! You look like you had sooo much fun! I would love to convince my family to go and stay at the DL Hotel -- that mural is beautiful! The last time I went to DL, I was about five -- I think it is time for another trip!

I can totally sympathize with you about the airport -- when we flew out of Boston a few years ago, I kept going off in the metal detector. Then they whisked me away from my family, used a more sophisticated wand, called in a female security officer, and patted me down. I was in tears (I cry when I am angry, stressed, or embarrassed)!!! They finally figured out that it was the metal barrette I was using to pull back my hair in a ponytail! I never even thought of that because the outside is tortoiseshell.

Thanks for giving me the link! I had so much fun reading your TR!

 

[lori1043]

I can totally sympathize with you about the airport -- when we flew out of Boston a few years ago, I kept going off in the metal detector. Then they whisked me away from my family, used a more sophisticated wand, called in a female security officer, and patted me down. I was in tears (I cry when I am angry, stressed, or embarrassed)!!!

MEEEE TOOOOOOO! I am telling ya! we are almost 2 peas in a pod!!! It cracks me up to read your words on your TR/PTR, b/c I can see me doing/saying the same things. Glad you enjoyed. Still can't seem to get the other one done. Still haven't put my photos to music on a CD, which i usually have done within a week of the trip. Life is very fast right now. Trying to get the breaks to work better!!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

MEEEE TOOOOOOO! I am telling ya! we are almost 2 peas in a pod!!! It cracks me up to read your words on your TR/PTR, b/c I can see me doing/saying the same things. Glad you enjoyed. Still can't seem to get the other one done. Still haven't put my photos to music on a CD, which i usually have done within a week of the trip. Life is very fast right now. Trying to get the breaks to work better!!

Lori

We are 2 peas in a pod!!!

I can totally relate to being busy right now -- as the end of school nears, things always seem to get crazier and crazier!

Looking forward to hearing more about this year's trip when you get a chance.

 

[Bloodhound]

Hi we are planning a trip to DLR/DCA Oct 24-31...I was wondering if you explain what the 16.00 was for in the Art vending machine....was it a boarding pass for the Tram?

 

[Nancyg56]

Lori, thank you for sharing your trip with us. I am looking forward to my first trip to DL and your TR makes it more exciting!

I got my first visit to DW when my then BF, now DH decided it was high time for me to visit. He took my kids a few years later so I married a Disney Man.

I told him I am going to scope DL out and then he and I an take my DGD, another Disney fanatic

 

[lori1043]

Hi we are planning a trip to DLR/DCA Oct 24-31...I was wondering if you explain what the 16.00 was for in the Art vending machine....was it a boarding pass for the Tram?

DL doesn't have complimentary transportation b/t hotels and parks, so you can buy a ART(anahiem regional transit??) card, I think it was $3 per person, per day, BUT you have to have exact amount b/c you get the card out of a machine(Like an 'el' or subway card) that doesn't give change. I have no idea of the exact amount any more-sorry!! Don't remember! BUT I have to tell you that you need to see how far your hotel is away from the parks, b/c it is nothing like WDW. Imagine this to get an idea of the set up: DL and DCA are in the middle with DD, like a big "square", then on the very outer rim of the square are many many hotels and restaurants. We stayed at the Hilton Anahiem Convention center and we could walk out of the back door of the hotel (by the parking garage) walk across a street(sort of big street but no soo busy), and enter the DL parking lot, where you can catch a DL tram. It looked further on a map but was very close. We had DL out of our window, it was amazing. I did notice the very close Howard Johnson(the top rated HoJo in the country) that I read about on mousesavers. We are reasonably able bodies late thirty-something year olds and felt the walk was not only easy, but a gorgeous walk. Close enough to enjoy a fun filled park morning and go back to rest or chill out a couple hours and go back for more park fun. It was closer or just as close as the Poly to the MK. The only closer hotels are the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. which are very cool and very different from a WDW hotel,I think. There were characters just walking through the DL hotel and hanging about and the pool area was Peter Pan themed-soo cute. I wished I had taken a picture. The GC was sort of more rustic(like WL) but grander, like the GF. I saw very little of this hotel, but it has direct access to DCA. DL has a monorail close by that goes right into Tomorrowland, so you HAVE to have a ticket for that one or you cannot ride it. I tried, just to ride the DL monorail, but was not able to. Bummer.

If we ever get to go back, we will stay at the same place or at the HoJo, if we do not have points. I wouldn't even bother paying the prices to stay at the Disney hotels, unless I got a good deal that makes it worth it.

Glad I could still help someone0it was a wonderful trip and has good memories! Enjoy your trip!

Lori

 

[Bloodhound]

DL doesn't have complimentary transportation b/t hotels and parks, so you can buy a ART(anahiem regional transit??) card, I think it was $3 per person, per day, BUT you have to have exact amount b/c you get the card out of a machine(Like an 'el' or subway card) that doesn't give change. I have no idea of the exact amount any more-sorry!! Don't remember! BUT I have to tell you that you need to see how far your hotel is away from the parks, b/c it is nothing like WDW. Imagine this to get an idea of the set up: DL and DCA are in the middle with DD, like a big "square", then on the very outer rim of the square are many many hotels and restaurants. We stayed at the Hilton Anahiem Convention center and we could walk out of the back door of the hotel (by the parking garage) walk across a street(sort of big street but no soo busy), and enter the DL parking lot, where you can catch a DL tram. It looked further on a map but was very close. We had DL out of our window, it was amazing. I did notice the very close Howard Johnson(the top rated HoJo in the country) that I read about on mousesavers. We are reasonably able bodies late thirty-something year olds and felt the walk was not only easy, but a gorgeous walk. Close enough to enjoy a fun filled park morning and go back to rest or chill out a couple hours and go back for more park fun. It was closer or just as close as the Poly to the MK. The only closer hotels are the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. which are very cool and very different from a WDW hotel,I think. There were characters just walking through the DL hotel and hanging about and the pool area was Peter Pan themed-soo cute. I wished I had taken a picture. The GC was sort of more rustic(like WL) but grander, like the GF. I saw very little of this hotel, but it has direct access to DCA. DL has a monorail close by that goes right into Tomorrowland, so you HAVE to have a ticket for that one or you cannot ride it. I tried, just to ride the DL monorail, but was not able to. Bummer.

If we ever get to go back, we will stay at the same place or at the HoJo, if we do not have points. I wouldn't even bother paying the prices to stay at the Disney hotels, unless I got a good deal that makes it worth it.

Glad I could still help someone0it was a wonderful trip and has good memories! Enjoy your trip!

Lori

Thanks so much with your explanation...very helpful we dont have any ressies as of yet...Im waiting for the best deals we can find.

 

[lori1043]

Thanks so much with your explanation...very helpful we dont have any ressies as of yet...Im waiting for the best deals we can find.

Have fun!!! I am hoping to get back there in the next 5-8 years!!

In the mean time, we are doing the cruise(DCL, of course), WDW, and plan to do some educational trips to Wahington DC, Williamsburg, etc--all the early US history spots!!

Lori

 

[Bloodhound]

Have fun!!! I am hoping to get back there in the next 5-8 years!!

In the mean time, we are doing the cruise(DCL, of course), WDW, and plan to do some educational trips to Wahington DC, Williamsburg, etc--all the early US history spots!!

Lori

We will be going to WDW more often than DL ourselves and I would like to take a DCL trip combined with a stay at pop for my next trip to WDW.

 

[lori1043]

OMG what a teaser!!! Yum!!! I am going to send that pic to my DH!!!

YOU ARE WELCOME!!!

ANYTIME!

Lori

Here's a Dole Whip for being so helpful....lol

We will be going to WDW more often than DL ourselves and I would like to take a DCL trip combined with a stay at pop for my next trip to WDW.

 

[Bloodhound]

Hey where did everybody go?


News Flash ....just in....4 Big Guys Goes To HollyWood...Its Offical ...flights and car rental are booked....Were Going to DisneyLand...you may now resume your regularly sheduled program...

 

[MTCruiser]

thanks for the great trip report