Our little thread of BIG changes, the neverending saga of the Resort Changers

[Grumpy Grandma]

We're doing an early Crystal Palace breakfast. We have an 8:20 ADR on a day the MK opens at 9.



Good b/c I am already having a panic attack over thinking about the LA traffic.



Butt in as much as you want, I can use the help. If this were a WDW trip, I wouldn't be nervous about it, even with it being so close. DL and CA are just so intimidating to me for some reason. I tried to get the DH to move, but he doesn't want to. We booked the tour through the Disney web site and from what I understand, we'll have the choice of either Venice Beach or Santa Monica Pier (if I remember right). They will pick us up and drop us off at our hotel (again, if I remember right). I just didn't want David driving since it's a site seeing thing. I looked at a map of the La Brea tar pits and hopefully, we can get there early enough to get into the parking lot since it has a guard.

Oh glad you aren't having to drive from Anaheim to Venice Beach or Santa Monica and then back again. Santa Monica is a family beach and Venice .... well is different .... be aware that there are pot shops along the boardwalk there and they ask if you want to come in and see the doctor. Lots of interesting people. None of what goes on there bothers me but my DH's family from Chicago was shocked. The two beaches are next to each other and you can walk along the beach or boardwalk from one to the other. My DD lived in Santa Monica until last August. Both DS and DD lived in what is known as the Miracle Mile which is walking distance to the tar pits. I know nothing about any parking lot there but lots of the residential street around that area are parking by permit only. If you are lucky you might find a spot on Wilshire Bl. There is a parking garage on Wilshire and Cochran which is only a few blocks from the tar pit.

I'll be at Pier 39 this weekend. We're staying at the Westin (I think it's on Market) .... anyway it's part way between Union Square and the waterfront. If I find anything that's great and not to be missed I'll let you know. We're not doing any fancy dinners so I'm no help there but I will be eating some clam chowder in a bread bowl on the wharf.

How far north of SF are you going? And then you're cutting across to Redding? I've done the drive from Sacramento to Salt Lake City ... very doable in one day .... don't know how much time would be added on leaving from Redding.

Any other questions I'll try to help.

 

[dimndgal1]

wookie - we loved the Santa Monica pier... the rides, the ambiance, the local shops!
The Disney family museum is in San Fran near the Golden Gate Bridge. I didn't get to go in but drove by it twice while I was lost (I spent A LOT of time lost in SF!).

BTW - If any cars are racing on the Bonneville Flats it's crazy to see. We saw several when moving cross country!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Oh glad you aren't having to drive from Anaheim to Venice Beach or Santa Monica and then back again. Santa Monica is a family beach and Venice .... well is different .... be aware that there are pot shops along the boardwalk there and they ask if you want to come in and see the doctor. Lots of interesting people. None of what goes on there bothers me but my DH's family from Chicago was shocked. The two beaches are next to each other and you can walk along the beach or boardwalk from one to the other. My DD lived in Santa Monica until last August. Both DS and DD lived in what is known as the Miracle Mile which is walking distance to the tar pits. I know nothing about any parking lot there but lots of the residential street around that area are parking by permit only. If you are lucky you might find a spot on Wilshire Bl. There is a parking garage on Wilshire and Cochran which is only a few blocks from the tar pit.

I'll be at Pier 39 this weekend. We're staying at the Westin (I think it's on Market) .... anyway it's part way between Union Square and the waterfront. If I find anything that's great and not to be missed I'll let you know. We're not doing any fancy dinners so I'm no help there but I will be eating some clam chowder in a bread bowl on the wharf.

How far north of SF are you going? And then you're cutting across to Redding? I've done the drive from Sacramento to Salt Lake City ... very doable in one day .... don't know how much time would be added on leaving from Redding.

Any other questions I'll try to help.

So which beach would you suggest us to go to? I was thinking Santa Monica, because of the pier.

We'll spend the night at a Holiday Inn at the corner of Columbus and North Point. When we go to Pier 39, the hubby wants to eat at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. and then go do the 7-D Experience.

I'm not really sure what route we are taking, but when we leave San Fran, the plan is to get to the Redwoods before it gets dark. Then we'll spend the night in Redding, but we won't go any further north than that.

wookie - we loved the Santa Monica pier... the rides, the ambiance, the local shops!
The Disney family museum is in San Fran near the Golden Gate Bridge. I didn't get to go in but drove by it twice while I was lost (I spent A LOT of time lost in SF!).

BTW - If any cars are racing on the Bonneville Flats it's crazy to see. We saw several when moving cross country!

I would love to stop at the museum, but the DH will be in a rush to get up to the redwoods.

 

[dimndgal1]

I'm not really sure what route we are taking, but when we leave San Fran, the plan is to get to the Redwoods before it gets dark. Then we'll spend the night in Redding, but we won't go any further north than that.[/FONT][/COLOR]

I would love to stop at the museum, but the DH will be in a rush to get up to the redwoods.

Bummer, but I understand -- DH is a road trip commando... SOO many places I want to stop on I-95 and soooo hard to convince him.

**********************************************

so, I just saw the new character dining options for SW weekend: OMG, I don't even really like SW and I want to do it!
Per my TA: Star Wars Weekends UPDATE! Two new character meal experiences will be available through Star Wars Weekends at the Hollywood Studios Park. Dinner at Hollywood and Vine will feature Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. There will also be a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In featuring Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader, while clips of Star Wars movies play on the big screen!

How awesome is that!

 

[pas130]

We are going to do dinner at Trail's End, which I am super excited about as it gets great reviews. And then we will go do the campfire at Ft. Wilderness where Chip and Dale appear. Is that an option?

You know you can do the EWP and the beach or wishes. I know you can do it from GF too, but there is something remote and peaceful on the FW beach

We did that one year (the campfire) and it was fun, but you only got to see Chip OR Dale, not both. Don't remember if they did autographs or not...and it was a PAIN to get to it since it's in the middle of the campground...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

UGH

We are all switched over to Yacht Club! I will have to keep checking to see if we can upgrade from Garden to Lagoon view though (those were all booked except at CL). So, there may be one more change still to come!

AWESOME!! Congrats. I would upload some pics but I am locked out of my photobucket account and my little guy broke my laptop GRRRR

Hi all!

I check in time to time but I was sad I didn't have a trip planned

Then I caught a good airfare deal.... You know how that goes... Lots of possibilities and changing in our head

If you haven't seen it orbitz has 15%off on top of disney sale (if available for your dates). It is OUTTAHERE. Then I read today a post that 20%off with DISCOVER.

I DISCOVERED I could cancel my last day at AOA and keep poly the whole 5 days

Any help needed with orbitz let me know.

Going back to read a few days, I am behind but miss ya and welcome to newbies.

I also did the Orbitz discover deal, then ch-ch-changed my whole trip Sounds awesome!! back

We're doing an early Crystal Palace breakfast. We have an 8:20 ADR on a day the MK opens at 9.



Good b/c I am already having a panic attack over thinking about the LA traffic.



Butt in as much as you want, I can use the help. If this were a WDW trip, I wouldn't be nervous about it, even with it being so close. DL and CA are just so intimidating to me for some reason. I tried to get the DH to move, but he doesn't want to. We booked the tour through the Disney web site and from what I understand, we'll have the choice of either Venice Beach or Santa Monica Pier (if I remember right). They will pick us up and drop us off at our hotel (again, if I remember right). I just didn't want David driving since it's a site seeing thing. I looked at a map of the La Brea tar pits and hopefully, we can get there early enough to get into the parking lot since it has a guard.

There does seem to be SO much to do in SoCal, I am enjoying all the advice!!

It'll be our first time doing CL! I'm afraid we'll get spoiled.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

You will, we did

so, I just saw the new character dining options for SW weekend: OMG, I don't even really like SW and I want to do it!
Per my TA: Star Wars Weekends UPDATE! Two new character meal experiences will be available through Star Wars Weekends at the Hollywood Studios Park. Dinner at Hollywood and Vine will feature Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. There will also be a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In featuring Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader, while clips of Star Wars movies play on the big screen!

How awesome is that!

That sounds awesome!!! WOW! Sorry you had a crapola afternoon yesterday

 

[trishadono]

Bummer, but I understand -- DH is a road trip commando... SOO many places I want to stop on I-95 and soooo hard to convince him.

**********************************************

so, I just saw the new character dining options for SW weekend: OMG, I don't even really like SW and I want to do it!
Per my TA: Star Wars Weekends UPDATE! Two new character meal experiences will be available through Star Wars Weekends at the Hollywood Studios Park. Dinner at Hollywood and Vine will feature Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. There will also be a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In featuring Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader, while clips of Star Wars movies play on the big screen!

How awesome is that!

Ugh, dd said "the force is not strong in her" Guess I will have to settle for a star wars themed cupcake. (They better have them again! They were awesome choc and pb with a choc darth vader head and choc light saber on top!)

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

wookie I would suggest Santa Monica Beach. If you were doing the beach while still in Orange County (Disney) I would say Newport Beach which is my favorite So Cal beach. Santa Monica will give you the flavor of the CA beach scene. Little bit of useless info: Decades old disagreement between Santa Monica Beach (So Cal) and Santa Cruz Beach (Nor Cal) as to which town is Surf City (Beach Boys).

 

[pixarmom]

wookie I would suggest Santa Monica Beach. If you were doing the beach while still in Orange County (Disney) I would say Newport Beach which is my favorite So Cal beach. Santa Monica will give you the flavor of the CA beach scene. Little bit of useless info: Decades old disagreement between Santa Monica Beach (So Cal) and Santa Cruz Beach (Nor Cal) as to which town is Surf City (Beach Boys).

Did Linda say Newport??? Of course, that's the best beach ever. And now that I found my new favorite beach house rental, it's really the best beach ever. But if choices are Santa Monica or Venice, definitely Santa Monica.

Meanwhile, here's my Newport thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2895078

I'm originally from the Bay Area and my mom grew up in Southern California, so we did the San Francisco to SoCal drive many times. Most recently, my husband and I took our boys on that drive in 2012. Love it!

Koh, you will get spoiled. We received a complimentary upgrade to CL several years ago, and it's addictive - especially with kids!

 

[Koh1977]

Bummer, but I understand -- DH is a road trip commando... SOO many places I want to stop on I-95 and soooo hard to convince him. ********************************************** so, I just saw the new character dining options for SW weekend: OMG, I don't even really like SW and I want to do it! Per my TA: Star Wars Weekends UPDATE! Two new character meal experiences will be available through Star Wars Weekends at the Hollywood Studios Park. Dinner at Hollywood and Vine will feature Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. There will also be a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In featuring Stormtroopers, Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader, while clips of Star Wars movies play on the big screen! How awesome is that!

I KNOW!! :-( I'm so disappointed that we can't move our trip to June. Although I think I may be the only one truly excited about seeing them all!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Did Linda say Newport??? Of course, that's the best beach ever. And now that I found my new favorite beach house rental, it's really the best beach ever. But if choices are Santa Monica or Venice, definitely Santa Monica.

Meanwhile, here's my Newport thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2895078

I'm originally from the Bay Area and my mom grew up in Southern California, so we did the San Francisco to SoCal drive many times. Most recently, my husband and I took our boys on that drive in 2012. Love it!

Koh, you will get spoiled. We received a complimentary upgrade to CL several years ago, and it's addictive - especially with kids!

I've been waiting for you to comment on So Cal beaches!

 

[Janet B]

Happy Hump Day Peeps!!

A big to all our newbies!! Majorly behind ... work keeps getting in the way...


A big shout out to our Iheart!! Hope you are having a fabulous time!

Melissa, welcome back my friend! Seems like you all had a great time from the pix!

Pixarmom... sooo did you add another day?

Wookie, love your Road trip/DL itinerary! Some day we will make it out west but in the meantime will live thru you and Linda.

MM, Nice ADRs! Maybe Sam and I will try Narcoosse this trip.

Krystal, Nice ADRs too.. did you switch out the Backyard BBQ?

Hi RCers: It is so good to "see" you all. I bounced around quickly here trying to catch up but I am hopeless behind. Life has been crazy here to say the least. Mom's been sick, and I've had a house full of company for 2 weeks now, including a 17-month old.

Magic, late in commenting, happy you had a great time and do hope Mom is better... are the guests gone yet?

We are already booked GF SL for the same time next spring as DH decided that GF overtakes POP as his new favorite resort. He's such a spazz with his resort likes!

LOL!! that's okay, DH is still tops in my book! Happy that he rocked the driving and lived to tell (the tall tales) about it!!

My DH says he is never quite sure where we will stay until we get there and check-in

and might he be concerned you might pull a Cha-cha-change on propoerty??

Hmmm...now I'm rethinking the Backyard BBQ at FW...DD was watching youTube videos last night and wasn't impressed with it...Maybe just do Garden Grill at Epcot for our Chip and Dale fix...? Then we get pics and autographs...our dining is definitely all about the characters!

Like dimnigal1, we love the character interaction at GG. If you don't get a ADR, a good substitute is the meet and greet outside innovations...it as fantastic and they spent several minutes with my two nieces.

We are all switched over to Yacht Club! I will have to keep checking to see if we can upgrade from Garden to Lagoon view though (those were all booked except at CL). So, there may be one more change still to come!

ONLY one??

LOOOONG day (capped off by snow that they swore wouldn't stick but is!!!) Had the dreaded phone call from the prinicpal (DD got a little too bored in class and went too creative), had to fight about a medical bill (luckilly insurance took up my battle once they realized the issue was double billing), and LO has been a fussy-butt... and finally cut her first tooth!

Love your creative DD! And happy the LO has her first tooth.

Oh and put my dates on page one please and thank you!

5/30-6/4 me and dd19 poly CL here we come! Somebody is turning 50 and will need lots of wine

Nice to "see" you back here Trish!
Going to update the list now...What a great birthday trip you have lined up. And yes, wine is definitely in order.

-----------------------------------------------------

Missed so many posts and will try to catch up.. waving hello to Ginny, Sheila, Jen, Dani, Heather, Linda, Sue, Christine, Miss M, and everyone I missed.

 

[Koh1977]

Hi all!

Yes, Garden Grill has been added and Mickey's BBQ has been removed. DD's newest thing is the fact that she wants to ride the Barnstormer. I swear. No more YouTube videos for her! She gets so upset that she can't eat with the characters and give them hugs, kisses, and high fives NOW. We're definitely going to have one happy little girl in July!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Koh1977]

I think we're all set now! 7/11-7/16 WL CL 7/11 - Epcot Akershus 5:15pm 7/12 - Animal Kingdom Mickey's Backyard BBQ 6:30pm 7/13 - Magic Kingdom Liberty Tree Tavern 12:55pm 7/14 - Hollywood Studios Hollywood & Vine 12:30pm 7/15 - Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace 8:05am Wishes dessert party 7/16 - leave :-( Chef Mickey's 11:00am Is it summer yet?? Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

So Akershus was changed to Garden Grill and we're doing CRT for dinner our first MK day, no LTT, and added 1900 Park Fare for dinner as well. paying OOP for the two breakfasts, but it is pretty equal to what the BBQ was costing, so...it works. that way we can just do QS at the resort for dinner on our AK day, swim, catch the EWP and maybe movie?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Sue M]

Hi all!

I check in time to time but I was sad I didn't have a trip planned

Then I caught a good airfare deal.... You know how that goes... Lots of possibilities and changing in our head

If you haven't seen it orbitz has 15%off on top of disney sale (if available for your dates). It is OUTTAHERE. Then I read today a post that 20%off with DISCOVER.

I DISCOVERED I could cancel my last day at AOA and keep poly the whole 5 days

Any help needed with orbitz let me know.


Going back to read a few days, I am behind but miss ya and welcome to newbies.

congrats, they also had a good rate for Universal Royal Pacific at $160/night before tax. But I'm keeping my Portofino rate!!

Janet is it August yet??

 

[trishadono]

congrats, they also had a good rate for Universal Royal Pacific at $160/night before tax. But I'm keeping my Portofino rate!!

Janet is it August yet??

Hey I did universal wwohp 2 years ago and did HRH. Liked the walk but meh for hotel. PM me if you have any help/tips to offer about ideas for opening of Diagon Alley.

 

[dimndgal1]

GG - I never knew that about Santa Monica! We loved visiting the BW there... DD6's first roller coaster! BTW - Mother's Day is a GREAT day to hit the rides... did it two years in a row and loved it!

That sounds awesome!!! WOW! Sorry you had a crapola afternoon yesterday

Many thanks! Today is going a little smoother - LO is sleeping lots to make up for last two days, so far no phone calls from school (so far!), and DH has made two jokes about CL.... I planted a seed!!!! If spring would just get here, I'd be content!

Ugh, dd said "the force is not strong in her" Guess I will have to settle for a star wars themed cupcake. (They better have them again! They were awesome choc and pb with a choc darth vader head and choc light saber on top!)

OOOH, that sounds DELICIOUS! I'm trying to convince my parental units we need to do SW weekend next year (with my AP). DFather is a big fan and I'd rather do it before the hype for the new movie!!!

Happy Hump Day Peeps!!
Like dimnigal1, we love the character interaction at GG. If you don't get a ADR, a good substitute is the meet and greet outside innovations...it as fantastic and they spent several minutes with my two nieces.

Love your creative DD! And happy the LO has her first tooth.

Hope you are well Ms Janet! Glad you appreciate DD's creativity because DH and I were less than thrilled with it . It's so frustrating because i can totally get why she does what she does (she does have a reason) it's just not thought all the way through... *sighs* she takes after Mommy.

Iheart - hope all is gooooooooood!

Hi all!

Yes, Garden Grill has been added and Mickey's BBQ has been removed. DD's newest thing is the fact that she wants to ride the Barnstormer. I swear. No more YouTube videos for her! She gets so upset that she can't eat with the characters and give them hugs, kisses, and high fives NOW. We're definitely going to have one happy little girl in July!

So Akershus was changed to Garden Grill and we're doing CRT for dinner our first MK day, no LTT, and added 1900 Park Fare for dinner as well. paying OOP for the two breakfasts, but it is pretty equal to what the BBQ was costing, so...it works. that way we can just do QS at the resort for dinner on our AK day, swim, catch the EWP and maybe movie?

I got lost in your ch-ch-changes! I think I'm sorted out and I like how you're moving on up!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Just got our Busch Gardens, Williamsburg trip set up for May... not nearly as much fun as planning a Disney trip. Excited to take DD6 on her first looping coaster! Loch Ness Monster was my first looper so it'll be so fun. Hoping the weather warms up so LO and I can start walking regularly and build my endurance for BG. Can't wait for LO to meet Elmo and friends (great trial run for plushies at DW!)

No ch-ch-changes for DW but hoping to get airfare done tonight! And if DH mentions CL one more time, I'm going to take it as an invitation!

 

[pixarmom]

Hi all!

Yes, Garden Grill has been added and Mickey's BBQ has been removed. DD's newest thing is the fact that she wants to ride the Barnstormer. I swear. No more YouTube videos for her! She gets so upset that she can't eat with the characters and give them hugs, kisses, and high fives NOW. We're definitely going to have one happy little girl in July!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We love Garden Grill! It's our arrival night tradition and we have an ADR there for next Monday night. Yay! I love the salad and bread so much that I don't typically get past that, but our boys say the rest of it continues to be quite good! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Just got our Busch Gardens, Williamsburg trip set up for May... not nearly as much fun as planning a Disney trip. Excited to take DD6 on her first looping coaster! Loch Ness Monster was my first looper so it'll be so fun. Hoping the weather warms up so LO and I can start walking regularly and build my endurance for BG. Can't wait for LO to meet Elmo and friends (great trial run for plushies at DW!)

No ch-ch-changes for DW but hoping to get airfare done tonight! And if DH mentions CL one more time, I'm going to take it as an invitation!

Happy planning! Yes, it's definitely an invitation to book CL! We moved from California when I was young, and most of my growing up years were in Fairfax, Va, so I remember many Williamsburg trips! (The coast-to-coast is how I got started at DL, but then switched to WDW!) We took the kids a few years ago while visiting my parents in D.C. and our oldest really enjoyed it. May is such a better time to go - we were there in late March and the weather was crummy.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

congrats, they also had a good rate for Universal Royal Pacific at $160/night before tax. But I'm keeping my Portofino rate!!

Janet is it August yet??

It's going to be quite the party at the Poly!

 

[Koh1977]

We love Garden Grill! It's our arrival night tradition and we have an ADR there for next Monday night. Yay! I love the salad and bread so much that I don't typically get past that, but our boys say the rest of it continues to be quite good! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Happy planning! Yes, it's definitely an invitation to book CL! We moved from California when I was young, and most of my growing up years were in Fairfax, Va, so I remember many Williamsburg trips! (The coast-to-coast is how I got started at DL, but then switched to WDW!) We took the kids a few years ago while visiting my parents in D.C. and our oldest really enjoyed it. May is such a better time to go - we were there in late March and the weather was crummy.

I too love Garden Grill and DH always forgets that he really likes the food there. Lol. I enjoyed seeing Williamsburg (we didn't do Busch Gardens) when I was younger. Loved the quaint, historic town.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Sue M]

It's going to be quite the party at the Poly!

I too love Garden Grill and DH always forgets that he really likes the food there. Lol. I enjoyed seeing Williamsburg (we didn't do Busch Gardens) when I was younger. Loved the quaint, historic town.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I think I may have to try Garden Grill! Always try to find some firsts for each trip. We have ADR for LTT this trip! A new to us ADR, and a dinner BOG. We've been for lunch, but not dinner!