Pre Trip Planning First Time Adult Only

sasywtch

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
2,523
5 years and I've finally talked my guy friend into a DL trip! (seems a little wierd in your 50's to call him a boyfriend :lovestruc)

A little background on us:

We are in Sacramento

Guy friend in his 50's. Went to DL years ago when his only child was 10. Has never seen DCA, DTD and still thinks the monorail goes to the cafe at the hotel :lmao: He was raised camping, mother making sandwiches in the motel room but during his marriage, morphed into her family style of staying in expensive hotels, sit down dinners, etc. He is a government worker and needing to retire.

Me in my 50's and a government worker. Went to DL once growing up, grew up staying in nice hotels, sit down dinners. After getting married and having 4 kids, husband (now ex) and I took kids to DL yearly. My ex's employer usually paid for it as he worked for a major sponsor (certain corner in DL), husband ran the state fair so it was his bonus after the fair was over. My oldest son now takes his 2 kids to DL yearly much to the non delight of his wife. She mistakenly thought once was all they were going to do :lmao:

I've been on here showing BF all the food pictures, the hotel pictures and now have him talked into going. He unfortunately was bitten by a misquito 4 years ago, developed West Nile, almost died and has now developed encephilitis induced Parkinsons. He's still at the beginning stage with a shaky hand but I think he's thinking long term knowing I want to go before he gets worse.

The plan so far:
We are planning July for my birthday.
Thinking of leaving on a Friday.
His dad lives in Pismo Beach so we are going to leave early around 6am for the 5 hour drive to Pismo Beach, staying 2 nights. A little nerve racking for me as it's still hard to meet the parents even when you are in your 50's! I thought it was terrible when I was a teenager. Early dinner with his dad as he is 4pm dinner person.

Saturday- I'm hoping he takes his dad for a round of golf and I'll do some shop seeing as he's not a shopper.

Sunday-maybe take his dad out to breakfast and then do the drive up to the Hollywood area. This is definitely not his idea of fun but doing it for me. I'm looking into a hotel, we stayed in the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn last time so maybe that area again. I want to go do the typical Hollywood footprints, the Disney soda fountain, Rodeo Drive stuff. I've got to figure something out in this area for him so he doesn't get too bored. May possibly extend one night and do the Warner's Bros tour.

Tuesday-leisurely breakfast to wait out the traffic and then head down to DL!
This is where we differ and the reason for the explanation of how we have been vacationing years past. Having been divorced with 4 kids when they were teens, I learned to budget and stay at motels, take snacks and water to the parks. BF is use to nice hotels, sit down dinners. It sounds silly but it's extremely difficult for me to watch the money go out of my hands knowing I can do things cheaper. I am an extremely budget minded person the last 15 years. My BF has been slowing coming around to my way of thinking.

Checking into the Anaheim Plaza (got a $69 rate) and staying 5 nights. The first day we are checking out DTD and will probably eat at RFC. He wants to walk around and see how they tore down his cafe at the monorail stop at the hotel (for some reason he is fixated on that). He can't comprehend how the monorail doesn't go to the hotel anymore and the big parking lot is gone.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday-DL and DCA. This will be the first time that I am not going commando style. (at least I'm sincerely going to try). I've always gone with kids where someone runs off to get a FP, we go get in line for something else, crisscrossing the park and dead tired at 10pm. I want to actually see the buildings on Main Street, hear the dentist sound (which I did hear last year for the very first time only because I took my grandson for an ice cream and had to wait in line). I know me and this will be a hard habit to break. I'm thinking the way it will actually go is, the first two days commando, the last 2 days, relaxing. Might as well not lie to myself. Old habits are hard to break. I look at all the pictures and think to myself "I think I've seen that" but not really sure when running back and forth.

Sunday-we are still thinking here. We may drive back up the coast as I'd like to drop down a little and see Newport Beach and Coto (yes, I'm a Housewife fan) then head up and maybe stop by one night to see his dad.

Or, we may head over to Vegas for a few nights depending on $$ and how he feels.
Another wrinkle may be, we may decide to do the CA AP which means we may have to leave a day earlier to get to DL on Mon-Thurs before a blackout day. Still trying to make that decision. We can get 4 day passes a little cheaper through our union with no blackout dates but that AP is calling my name. (I would just have to talk him into going back in December).

I'm excited taking someone who hasn't been in years so it's pretty new to him. I'm also excited to actually stop and see things that everyone on here has taken pictures of that I've never noticed. I'm a little apprehensive about trying to slow down and eat at a sit down instead of counter service. The two of us are trying to compromise. He will definitely do it much better than I will. I've got one in the hole already as he loves green tomatoes so that lunch or dinner at Hungry Bear won't be hard for me to talk him into.

This sounds so silly but when you are in your 50's and living a certain way for 25-30 years and trying to combine that, it's not so easy and a little stressful but we are trying hard to compromise so no arguments.

I'm a huge snack person and showing him all the good junk food so that's helping some. You like pineapple? You have to try the Dole Whips.

Bought a new digital camera so going to take pictures and will do a trip report on how it all worked out. I need to slow down some, he needs to go some so hopefully there is a balance. When he took his son years ago (no DCA then and the rockets were up high), they didn't even go on half the rides. They went in for 4 hours and they were done! I think I'm more excited just to show him what I know about DL. So exciting to plan a trip!
 
Sounds like it will be a great trip!! Compromise is the key to a happy relationship!! I remember my parents when they both remarried......they both very set in their ways (and of course us kids too) had to learn to compromise and communicate.

First advice I can give you is.....you're on vacation...enjoy it.....don't sit and nickel & dime yourself to death....... Yes, wasting money is bad.....but I don't see spending a little more on a meal, that's delicious.....as a waste of money. Relax, take in the smells, sights & flavors....you'll be glad you did!!!

Second......just go with the flow. Don't over plan your days. I had only gone to DL with my family, so when I got to go with just my husband.......it was amazing!! A totally different vibe. Not running from one thing to the next. Not having to do a meal at a certain time. Getting to do what interested both of us and not the kids. So couple time at the parks can be very magical!!! We planned a couple meals & made ressies prior to going and the rest of the days were unplanned. Worked out nicely, we were well rested and had a blast!!!

Looking forward to see how your trip comes together!!!!
 










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