Our extra special trip with Papa (TR in progress)

[MommyWithDreams]

I am beyond excited for this very special trip so I figured why not start my Pre Trip Report now.

This trip is extra special...my Dad will be going with my son Ayden and I. This is like a dream come true. I have not been to Disneyland with my Dad since I was a little girl. My Dad has always wanted to go back...but since my mom is so "anti Disney" (crazy I know) he never has. I have been trying for years to get him to go....but he never cracks. Well.......he cracked! I'm bummed that DBF Chris won't be able to go with us, but I tear up just picture Papa and Ayden walking down Mainstreet USA together.

At this point we're driving . Hoping that changes and we find a good flight because I'm definitely not a car person. Lots more to come...

Dates: 2/27-3/5
Staying at HoJo's

 

[skiingfast]

Hope you find a good flight.

I'm sure you dad will like reliving taking you for the first time when he's there with Ayden.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Hope you find a good flight.

I'm sure you dad will like reliving taking you for the first time when he's there with Ayden.

I think you're right. It's going to be an amazing experience there with both of them I just know it. I'll probably have tears, happy tears of course most of the time.

So great news....we are FLYING! We booked a flight on Jet Blue last week flying into Long Beach for the first time ever.

We're thinking of going to Knotts on Monday. My dad really wants that Fried Chicken he remembers so well. I hate to miss a day at Disney but I think my son would enjoy Knotts. He's a huge fan of Snoopy so I think he'd like the kids area. I have not been to Knotts since I was a kid myself.

I need to post more on my TR. I'm glad to see I have at least one reader. Pictures normally help, my last TR's were full of pictures.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I can't figure out how to get my last TR in my signature without just posting the link. Anyone know how to change the link to the title ??

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2084442

 

[brookies_mommy]

I can't figure out how to get my last TR in my signature without just posting the link. Anyone know how to change the link to the title ??

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2084442

you have to write what you want.. highlight it then click the clobe with the link and that should link it.

But this trip is going to be perfect for you guys!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

you have to write what you want.. highlight it then click the clobe with the link and that should link it.

But this trip is going to be perfect for you guys!!

Thanks I'll try that.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woo Hoo can't wait to see you!!!

So if you get a chance look into my TR from last summer. The link is below. We did a Knott's day.....it should be listed on the 1st page so you can find it in the lengthy report I did. The dinner there was the bomb!!!! The park was let's just say.......ewwwwwwww!!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Woo Hoo can't wait to see you!!!

So if you get a chance look into my TR from last summer. The link is below. We did a Knott's day.....it should be listed on the 1st page so you can find it in the lengthy report I did. The dinner there was the bomb!!!! The park was let's just say.......ewwwwwwww!!!

I can't wait to see you too Laurie! I'll take a look at your TR. I'm sure the park is in no way compared to DL. Especially the cleanliness. Dad really wanted to go to Universal Studiods..it's just so unbelievably expensive. At least we're doing it very early in our trip so we can end it all on Disneyland!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We had debated between Knotts & Universal & went with Knotts since I had fond memories of this place from my childhood. I wasn't expecting DL while there, but the feel/vibe was so different that I felt like I was at an expensive carnival. We didn't see any characters at all & we spent a few hours in the kid area. Some of the rides in the kid area, Ayden will be too big for....we found that to be true for Anthony. (and Anthony is a small 9 yr old).

The prices & quality of food was horrible....so just be aware of those facts. Like I said, the Knott's Chicken Dinner was truly a highlight. It was sooooo good!!!!

Hopefully you'll have a better experience!! But ending with DL is a great plan!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

We had debated between Knotts & Universal & went with Knotts since I had fond memories of this place from my childhood. I wasn't expecting DL while there, but the feel/vibe was so different that I felt like I was at an expensive carnival. We didn't see any characters at all & we spent a few hours in the kid area. Some of the rides in the kid area, Ayden will be too big for....we found that to be true for Anthony. (and Anthony is a small 9 yr old).

The prices & quality of food was horrible....so just be aware of those facts. Like I said, the Knott's Chicken Dinner was truly a highlight. It was sooooo good!!!!

Hopefully you'll have a better experience!! But ending with DL is a great plan!!

So I think we nixed Knotts, and then we went back to Universal...but because of cost I think we're just going to do DL for all our days. For $4 more we get an extra day at DL instead of the $80 for Universal. Just makes more since. With the shorter hours doing disney for 6 days is perfect for us. I can't wait. I still need to get our tickets from getawaytoday.com.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

So I'm really late getting this PTR together, it's finally time to add some pictures.

The Cast: Me, Janelle....mom to a 7 year old son named Ayden. I've always been a lover of Disneyland. I was 6 months old the first time I went. My parents took my sister and I to DL almost every year for 7 years straight. That's probably why my mom dislikes DL so much. I divorced in January 2006 and started dating my other half "Chris" in August 2006. Unfortunately he can't join us on this trip due to work...but he's thrilled that my dad will be with us.

My son: Ayden, 7, going on 17....lover of Disneyland especially BTMRR.

My Dad: Larry.... I still can't believe he's going to Disneyland again, but so thankful he is.

Here's my Dad and I in June from our trip to Washington.


Ayden and I from our last trip.


I have a love for Goofy...obviously.

 

[funatdisney]

I would like to join and read along. So now you have 3 readers. I look forward to your adventures with your dad, son and Mickey.

 

[Bungle]

4 readers now.

 

[DizNee Luver]

So another day at DL is never a bad thing!! It will be weird going during a time the hours are shorter......I've never done that before!!

Are you still going to try & get your dad over to the chicken dinner at Mrs Knott's restaurant?? It really would be worth the trip & make for a nice dinner.

Are you planning any character meals, WoC, Fantasmic or other sit down meals??

Does Ayden know yet or are you still keeping it a secret?

 

[brookies_mommy]

I'm still reading too

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Hello and to all my new readers!!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

So another day at DL is never a bad thing!! It will be weird going during a time the hours are shorter......I've never done that before!!

Are you still going to try & get your dad over to the chicken dinner at Mrs Knott's restaurant?? It really would be worth the trip & make for a nice dinner.

Are you planning any character meals, WoC, Fantasmic or other sit down meals??

Does Ayden know yet or are you still keeping it a secret?

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I just typed a big ol long response to you Laurie and I lost it all.

Anyway, yes the shorter hours are strange...that's why we always make our trip 5-6 days so we still feel like we see everything. We still have two late nights, a Sunday and a Friday so we still close the park those two days.

Not sure if we're going to head over for the Knotts dinner or not, just depends on what Dad wants to do. We probably won't get a car at all so we'll probably stick close to DL. We have PS for Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans, my two faves. Not sure about a character meal yet. We've done Goofy's Kitchen and Plaza Inn and I liked Plaza Inn the best. Dad has never been to one and I think he'd enjoy it.

We'll probably do Fireworks on Sunday, I am always afraid they will get cancelled so we try to do that first. They got cancelled our last time there and were very bummed about it. I like the fireworks more than Fantasmic. I still need to read the thread on WOC, I'm still a little confused about how all that works. We'll probably do Fantasmic on Friday night. I'm not a huge Fantasmic fan but I know Dad would probably like to see it.

Ayden still has no clue WHEN we're going. He knows we're talking about it but doesn't know when. I am going to try to keep it a secret until the night before or maybe even the morning of. I just know I need to tell him before we leave the house because he'd be really upset if he couldn't say goodbye to Chris and Dodger.

I am just so beyond excited, it's been two years and I'm so ready to go back. I'm really sad that Chris can't go with us this time, it won't be the same without him. I'm really looking forward though to the time with my Dad.

I posted something on the Diva thread about stopping by the M&G after the park closes....but nobody responded. I would have Ayden with me so that's why I wanted to question everyone. I probably won't because I don't want to ruin the whole "ladies only" thing with stopping by with Ayden eventhough it would be a quick and hi and bye type of thing. I still have your number so I will still certainly text you in the park and hopefully we can meet up for a quick picture at least.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'd pose the question again......unfortunately the thread hits speed bumps & nobody posts, but as we get closer....things will pick back up. I really don't think any one would mind!!

World of Color is awesome!!! You have different options on seeing this. You can get to DCA at opening & run up to GRR & get FP's for the show. Depending on color, will depend on where you will stand for the show. You can go online & order picnics for $15 (ish???) that you can pick up anytime the day of the show. You can eat them for lunch or dinner. You will be given a FP for a certain area reserved for picnics. You could go all out & do a very nice dinner at Ariel's or Wine Country for about $40/adult. The meal was fabulous & to me, worth every penny for the meal & where we got to be for the show. We were dead center, one level up from the water.....the only people below us were the ones that wanted to be in the wet zone. You get a FP for the reserved preferred dining section.

About 7pm, you start lining up. They have CM's with colored flags that coordinate with your FP color. You get in that line & they will lead you into your section. If you get there early & near the front of the line, you can get right on the railings, this way, no one will be blocking your view.....otherwise, hang back in the section you're in & hopefully standing in the back....you will get a clear view as well. A lot of the sections have different levels & stairs & you just want to try & position yourself so you won't have someone directly in your line of vision.

The general FP (from GRR) is more crowded than the reserved dining section....so we took that into consideration when we decided which way to go.

The show is worth going to.......we were blown away by it!!!

Hope that helps.........I have pics from the show in my TR from last summer. Otherwise go on YouTube & catch a video of it.

 

[Bungle]

My niece went to WOC recently and did the picnic package. She said the kids meals were better than the adults. Also they went mid week and said the lines weren't all that crazy.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

My niece went to WOC recently and did the picnic package. She said the kids meals were better than the adults. Also they went mid week and said the lines weren't all that crazy.

Interesting...what are the kids meals? I only saw the adults which honestly nothing looked that great to me.