Our hopeful wishful Christmas jaunt

[kelmac284]

Let me start out with an introduction. My name is Kelly and I am 43 and I am married to Shane 37. We have two girls Katy 10 and Shelby 9. I have been a deluxe AP holder since 2006 and at this point the jury is out as to whether or not I will be renewing my pass next June because unfortunately the prices are getting a bit steep. But at least for now I have until June to enjoy my current pass and upon my last trip I upgraded my girls passes to AP's in the hopes that we might make a fall trip and then one more summer trip next year and get a few trips out of an AP for them as well.

Then RIGHT after we got home my mom who is my partner in crime and frequent trip taker as well decided that we would venture back to the "world". We have been to DW 3 times and usually only go about once every 3 years with our last trip being in Nov of 2008. However this past trip was the first time that we left without another trip on the horizon. We KNEW that we would someday be back but we had hoped that we would somehow be able to afford some other destinations such as Hawaii, perhaps a cruise or maybe even Europe.

However with our lovely economy such as it is that didn't happen. We WERE able to take a wonderful trip to Washington D.C./NYC last summer and I am SO grateful for that but it was not long after that my mom discovered that she had some unused weeks on her timeshare and after MUCH speculation we came to the determination that DW it was. Thus we are going back, just her and I and the girls this Nov.

My dh was unable to make this trip for the first time and was lamenting that fact and he has not been able to take a vacation, Disney or otherwise, since last Oct.

Therefore he mentioned a few weeks ago that he would like to take a short weekend getaway this fall and go to Disneyland. I told him the girls would not be able to miss anymore school as they will be missing 5 days for the DW trip and he said we could go over their Christmas break.

Normally I would NEVER want to go at such a busy time of year but heck I haven't been to Disney during Christmas in a few years and have been yearning to go back AND who I am to turn down another trip to the land, my fav place!!

So at this point it is all speculation and wishful thinking, hence the title of my report, but dh says it is a done deal so hopefully it all works out. Sometime in the next few days, hopefully this weekend I will probably at least reserve a room so that if it DOES come to pass at least we have that under our belts and since we don't need to actually PAY for it till we go it is easily cancelled at the last minute!

And since the girls and I have AP's the only other thing to do would be to get parkhoppers for dh which can ALSO be done at the last minute.

We will be driving which we haven't done in YEARS and we will be staying the budge route which we have ALSO not done in several trips.

The last 3 times I have been I have gotten VERY spoiled. This past June we got a GREAT rate and stayed at the Grand Californian which I have only ever done once before in 2002. I must say it was really not worth it but still fun to stay on property. Then in March on the ladies trip mom and I splurged and stayed at Paradise Pier. There is a ladies trip referenced in the main DL section of the boards and mom and I have gone twice now. And then the last trip we had that we splurged was last October we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. They once again had GREAT discounted rooms and although we had planned to stay at one of the discounted hotels on Harbor these rooms came available and we just couldn't pass it up.

So the past THREE trips I have taken we have stayed on property and gotten REALLY spoiled but alas there are NO discounts to be had and our run is over. So it is back with the masses and back to Harbor we go.

Our plan is to drive down on December 17th, the day the girls get out of school and stay at the Dessert Inn. We have stayed here several times and find it quite satisfactory, a great location and the price is right!

We plan to go to the parks on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and then drive home on Tuesday. It will be a very short trip but long enough to get a little taste of the land and a bit of holiday cheer. Plus that way dh will only miss a few days work and it is far enough away from christmas that we won't have to worry about our passes being blocked.

So that is the plan for the time being.

As I said I hope to at least book a room here shortly and then it is just a matter of waiting to see how things transpire. The trip should be relatively inexpensive so barring any unforseen issues I don't see any reason why it shouldn't come to pass. But we all know life has a way of getting in the way so I won't say it is for sure just yet!

Stay tuned for updates...

And just for fun here is a pic of my clan from the halloween party last oct so we know who we are talking about

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woo Hoo a Disneyland Trip Report!!!! You know I'll be here for the duration!!

 

[kelmac284]

YAY! I just hope this trip happens and I PROMISE I will try to post pics. Not as many as you of course (I'm too lazy ) but at least SOME!

 

[kelmac284]

Made the room ressie. Was quick and easy and hey it didn't cost me anything and now I have locked in the price. This way if it gets more expensive or if they run out of rooms as it gets closer I am set now!! So we are good to go!!

Now all I have to worry about is getting Shane's ticket right before we go and any ADRS we may want which I will prob not worry about till right before we go either. Unlike DW you can usually score dinning ressies at DL right up till the end. So I am not too worried. I will discuss it with DH when the time gets closer and we know for sure it is happening and then we can go from there. We usually do at least ONE nice meal and being that it is the week before Christmas we will prob DEF want to make ressies since I am sure it will be crowded!!

I am glad we are going!! I love it there at Christmas time and to be honest I can't remember the last time I was there at that time of year. We were at DW in Nov of 08 and they had their Christmas stuff somewhat up. They don't put as much stuff up there as they do in DL. At DL it seems that literally the day after halloween they start putting stuff up and by the first week of November the place is completely decked out for Christmas. Whereas at DW we were there at Thanksgiving and they literally don't start doing some of the Christmas stuff till AFTER thanksgiving. There ARE decorations and such but they don't do the full christmas offerings and ALL the complete decs till after the thanksgiving holiday. Not sure why that is but that is what we were told.

Nonetheless I am REALLY looking forward to seeing the castle with the icicle lights, the snow on main street and of course It's a Small World. Oh and of course Haunted Mansion Holiday! To be honest I prefer the parks decorated for the holidays!!

Can't wait!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I really want to see the park all decorated up........Christmas is my favorite holiday & it would be a dream to me to visit during that time!!

 

[kelmac284]

It truly is my FAV time to go! I love halloween to but it really gets me all emotional and teary eyed hearing the white christmas song and hearing the lady tell the story when they light up the lights on the castle at night. Plus the snow and just everything. It is SO beautiful at night with everything lit up and small world is so festive and it REALLY gets you in the christmas spirit.

If you EVER get the chance to go you HAVE to go cuz it is just wonderful.

I will be sure and take LOTS of pics!!!

 

[kelmac284]

Here are a few pics I found from a trip awhile ago that gives you some ideas. I am sure you have seen pics but anyway just thought I would share.

 

[DizNee Luver]

*+*+*+*AWESOME*+*+*+* I love those pics!!

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks! And I think that was actually our last trip at Christmas. It was like 06 or 07 I think. Whenever it was it was awhile ago I know that cuz you can tell how small the girls were. We have gone at halloween in 07 and then again last year but not for a LONG time at Christmas so I am really excited!!

 

[kelmac284]

Well I have been doing more thinking about our trip and we have decided that we are going to make a stop at Universal on our way home on Tues. We are driving so we can do that and we haven't been there in a LONG time either so we are going to get up bright and early, check out of our hotel and head up to Hollywood and go to universal and do the backlot tour and maybe ride a few rides and depending on if Shane can find out if he is working the next day will determine how long we stay. A lot of times when he asks for time off he ends up getting laid off for the next few days sooo if he is going to be laid off anyway we may stay longer but it is all up in the air at this point but for now we are going to go and probably stay till at least noon or 1 just to see it again and do the tour and maybe ride the mummy and 1 or 2 other old favs before heading home.

I have also been thinking about our dinning plans for Disney and although Shane didn't really care I am thinking more and more that if we want to eat at ANY decent places wer are going to make ADRS because of the time we will be there and also since he has never seen WOC we have decided that we are going to try and do the AG meal one more time.

I thought about trying the picnics this time but since he has never seen it he said he would like to try the meal and that way we have a much better shot AND this time I know where to go since I have done it once. So hopefully we will all fair a bit better and have a better experience.

I plan to take him to Riverbelle one day as well and we are debating about doing a character breakfast. Don't know that I want to spend the money so that is up in the air at this point.

But I would like to do at least one nice meal a day so Sat we are doing WOC, Sunday we are going to do the BBQ and Monday I am thinking about lunch at CC and dinner at BB.

Again this is all tentative but these are what I am thinking for now. I still have a few months before I can make the ADRS but that is what I am playing with for now.

My DW trip is pretty much all planned so it is fun to think about what we might be able to do at DL!

 

[kelmac284]

Thought I would update this since my DW trip is in 2 days and THIS trip is in only about 35 days!!!

We are SO excited to finally be going to Florida and we are also really excited about DL next month.

Everything is pretty much set and a few things have changed since I last wrote.

For a time we thought we might have to cancel so I had cancelled our ressies at DI but then when we decided we were able to go again I re-booked through Getaway today and we are now staying at the HOJO. I have been on the ladies trip twice and they have stayed there every time and everyone raves about it so I am finally going to see what all the hype is about

And we also have our ADRS. We have WOC booked for Sat, the BBQ for lunch on Sunday and Carnation cafe for lunch on Monday and Blue Bayou for dinner on Monday. We may do a breakfast or two but don't have any ressies we may just drop in to a few places.

I also found a deal on Univ tickets through AAA and as soon as I get back from Florida we will be purchasing those through our local office. At this point we are still planning on a half day on that Tues but depending on Shane's work we may still the whole day and possibly longer.

We are really excited and I will be updating more when I get back.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Things are falling together for your DL trip & tomorrow is your WDW trip!!!! So exciting!!! I'll have to live thru your trips....since I don't know if we'll ever be able to afford a WDW trip Hopefully if we move to the Sac area next summer.....we'll be able to slip down to DL for both Halloween & the Christmas seasons!!

Have the best time on your trip!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it & hopefully see some pics!!

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks Laurie actually I leave tomorrow but we are SO excited!! SO much left to do today though WHEW!! I will def be posting pics and updates on FB although my stupid phone doesn't always let me respond to people's posts but I will certainly be posting as much as I can and not sure if my phone will WORK back there but if it does I will!!

I will do a full report with pics when I get back!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woo Hoo!!

 

[thealfi]

Hope your family has a lot of fun! I'm heading down with my parents the week after on the 24th. We're driving down from SF starting at around 4AM. Plan to stop at Universal Studios around 10-11AM before heading into Anaheim at 8PM. We'll only be in the Disney Parks on the 25th and 26th. Are we Disney-Crazy or what?

Have you tried staying at the Anaheim Plaza Hotel? It's our favorite, though it is one whole block away from the park entrance. I plan on writing up a Disneyland Trip Report from the trip.

It sure has been a great experience going to the parks. Starting going when I was 7, and eleven years later I'm still going. I miss those days when I could get in for kids price

Once again, I hope you and your family have many memorable moments! Oh! and be sure to pick up some Disneyland "Honorary Citizen" pins at Mainstreet City Hall!

 

[kelmac284]

Well we are back from the "world". We had an AWESOME time and I am in the midst of doing a trip report on the DW boards.

So that means only a few short weeks and THIS trip will be underway. It will be MUCH shorter and a lot less grandiose but I am none the less looking forward to it because it means I get to see DL during the holidays which I haven't seen in awhile and we are driving which we haven't done in a long time either but that means we are free to get more fun stuff cuz we are not restricted by the plane AND we can leave when we want because we don't have to worry about flights etc.

Happy Turkey day everyone and soon I will be writing to say I am leaving!!!

 

[tinkermell]

HI Kelly! I'm here and waiting.

 

[kelmac284]

Mel actually we are going to Disney LAND also over Christmas week and I started this for a report on that. For my Disney WORLD report if that is what you were interested in I think this might work.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39076664#post39076664

Otherwise if you were wanting to read about our xmas trip to Disneyland it won't be till prob after the holiday.

 

[kelmac284]

Just a small update. Orig we were driving down next Fri the 17th and going to the parks on Sat, Sun and Mon and then on our way home we were going to stop at universal for a few hours. Well we went and bought the tickets and got a great deal through AAA. Adults for kids prices AND buy 1 day get 2nd day free. But even still for the 4 of us it was almost 300 bucks. It seems like EVERY time Shane asks for time off he ends up getting laid off the day after he gets back. (politics) but anyway since we can't guarantee that that will happen this time and since we paid so much for the tix AND I found out universal has a cool christmas deal going on we just bit the bullet and he is going to take wed off as well.

So yesterday I booked at room at the marriott in Burbank (we stayed there a few years back and it is very nice AND a good price!!) and we are now going to spend all of Tues at Universal. Spend Tues night at the marriott and then drive home on Wed.

So I am very excited about that and just hope that all this talk of awfult crowds doesn't make for a miserable trip!

I have already told Shane and the girls that we need to be prepared to get there bright and early each day and just be ready to get as much done as possible in the first few hours and get as many fp's as possible and then when it gets unbearable we will just shop, people watch or leave and go to DTD.

So hopefully it will still be somewhat enjoyable!

1 week from tomorrow!!

 

[kelmac284]

Well the day is finally here. We leave today! Wouldn't you know they have been talking on here since Thanksgiving about how the crowds have been worse then they have seen them in 13 years!! Then on top of that it is supposed to rain the ENTIRE time we are supposed to be there and not just rain but at least here they are predicting the worst storm in 5 years. They are releasing a bunch of water from the dam because of possible flooding, expecting 6 FEET of snow in the mountains. UGH! Then last night I started getting a sore throat/ear. I'm telling you the gods are trying to tell me something. Honestly if I hadn't paid for our hotel already I would blow it off but I know shane really wants to go and this is his one and only vacation so I REALLY hope it doesn't suck any worse than I am already afraid it is going to. My only hope is that with the crap weather that the crowds will be less!

But it definitely makes it harder to enjoy and I am worried about a lot of things getting cancelled like WOC and we are going to have to wait till literally right till we eat at Ariels to decide if we want to go for it and then it STILL could get cancelled.

Most likely the bbq will be out of luck and not sure about cc.

Also one of my diva friends michelle is possibly meeting us tomorrow so that should be fun at least.

I am REALLY nervous about the whole thing esp getting over the grapevine and hope that it is a warm storm at least and that the roads don't close! If we can just GET there I know we can deal with the wet!

No matter what we can go on indoor rides and shows, shop and eat. We will find a way to have fun. Not sure how the rain will affect universal and I really hope we get to see the christmas stuff there but I guess we will see!

Anyway I will be back wed afternoon/eve so will try to update either that night or on Thurs.