Pre trip report that will turn live-june 26th-july 10th

[VallCopen]

I attempted a pre trip report last year but it didn't go very well, so I stopped, but I thought I might give it another shot this time.

We will be leaving on June 26th and flying into SNA, where we will went a car for the 2 weeks. Happy that I booked our car back in March because we got two weeks in a full size car (with Thrifty) for only 155.20 per week plus tax, which seemed like a very fair rate. Oh yeah, and by we I mean myself DM(40), DH(44), DD(12), DD(3), with other family members arriving at week two.

We will be staying at The Grand Hotel for the first 4 nights in a Downtown Disney View, which we have never done and are very excited. Then we will be moving into the VGC, in a 2 bedroom dedicated, for the next 10 days. We have only stayed at the VGC one other time, which was last year, and we are excited to go back to what my daughter calls HOME.

We are planning to do some trips up to LA/Hollywood but are not set on exactly what yet, since we have never been. Luckily we have season passes, so we can hit the parks for a few hours, leave for the afternoon when it is hot and then back to the parks for a few hours in the evening. We also haven't done Disney in July in about 7 years so I am a bit scared of what that will be like.

We are just getting so excited for this trip. My family loves Disney as do I, it is the one place we can just relax from work and just be kids, who needs to grow up anyway. I will put a few pictures of our last trip up so that I can get a feel for posting, since I have only downloaded on here once or twice. Also I will introduce you to the other family members coming on July 1st for 5 days but I will wait a bit for the introduction since the reason they are coming is due to a heart breaking story.

So here go some pictures. Oh and by the way I purchased a notebook, just for this trip, so that I could try and do a LIVE report from the Villa each night. I am not very computer literate so I hope I can manage and figure the wireless thing out when I get there.

Goofy taking our wee one for a walk

View from our Villa last year

Demi Lovato during the Christmas parade shooting

Us dressed as pirates at the Halloween Party

Daughter and Nephew having fun

Me getting stuck on the ride (VGC)#6 and getting a great score for the day

My daughters old friend Jack!!!!

Ok so it looks like I got this down!!!!

Well I think that is all I will write for tonight. I am not a humerous person, that is left for my hubby, but I promise I will post lots of fun pictures and a lot of information on the WOC and other happenings around the park.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I'm in! We are planning our first trip to DLR so I have been reading as much as I can! We leave 7/24. Would love to read your live report before we go!

 

[6Smiles]

I'm in. Love your pictures!

 

[koalagirl5]

Count me in too! I will be back home from DLR just before your trip, so I imagine I'll be devouring your live report to help with the withdrawals.

 

[VallCopen]

Thanks for subscribing... Here are a few more random shots from previous visits.

Nephews first visit to see Mickey

Love the Teacups at night

Little one that loves the Mickey Death Wheel - Swinging

San Diego Zoo Visit

 

[Karenann*]

Hello Vallcopen from a fellow Washingtonian! Grew up in Walla Walla and am in Wenatchee now. We are going to be down there July 3-12!!! Also doing a full Hollywood tour day. Looking forward tio hearing about your plans!

 

[VallCopen]

Karenann we are little more to the East but not to far from you. Wenatchee is very nice, we go there often. Sounds like you will be there for our second week. I am afraid to go for the 4th but it was the time that my other family from Colorado could meet us. Hope you have a great time.

 

[mom4princesses]

I'm in, cant wait for the daily updates.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Looking forward to the daily updates!

 

[VallCopen]

I don't want to depress everyone, but I thought I would elaborate a bit on the family that is coming to Disneyland during our stay. It is my cousin, whom I haven't seen in about 10 years, her husband of 2 years, and their 4 children (3 boys are hers and daughter is his) ages 9, 10, 12, 15. This will be their first family trip and we are praying not their last. My cousin lost a baby last year and due to the loss, had some test ran, which made them aware of 4 types of cancer she had. The cancers are Stomach, cervical, uterine and ovarian, with 2 of them stage 4. I don't honestly know if they are all seperate cancers or if one cancer spread to all those areas. Because she had some genes, something like HER gene and BRCA 1&2 she is not able to do common treatments like Chemo and Radiation but is in a study with one of the doctors who developed Tamoxafin (? spelling) so that is good news, since I have heard Tamoxafin is a good cancer med. When she was diagnosed last year they told her she had 6 months to live, but she has beat that time by atleast 5 months, so we are hopeful and praying. She later developed Breast Cancer, but has since beat that one and 2 others (in remission).

At this point she doesn't talk much about where the cancer is and just takes each day with such a positive attitude. She says she doesn't want to miss a day with her boys, since she is limited. She just continues to take her treatments, stay very active with her husband and kids and just loving life. It is to bad we (others) can't live our lives like this because to be honest no one knows the days they are given and anyone of us could be gone tomorrow, cancer or no cancer. I can't imagine how she must feel, especially with her boys since their biological dad is out of the picture. I am sure her new hubby will keep them but we haven't discussed it or even anything about her NOT making it, even though they only gave her months. Prayer, Prayer and more Prayer!!!!

We wanted so bad to get them in a Villa but by the time it was decided they would go, we couldn't get them in any room types. I wait listed until last week, for a 2 bedroom for 4 days, with no luck, so we dropped the waitlist. But they did get into a room at the Grand, standard view, but I am hoping they can get an upgrade, although it may be hard being over the 4th, but whatever they get they will be soooo happy, like I said before this is their first family trip. I am kinda worried about it being soooo busy but they are just so thrilled to go.

Some of our plans are to BBQ a couple nights and then we are taking them to Napa for a quiet dinner one night too. We will be having a birthday party for my 3 year old and their 9 year old daughter on one of our BBQ nights. We have never met her husband either but he seems like an awesome, supportive man. We are having a Limo pick them up from SNA instead of just a van, since it was only 108.00 more total for the round trip transfer (whole family). I thought that was very reasonable to get private fun Limo service that the kids will always remember. I know Disney isn't far from SNA, so the trip will be short, and might be a waste of the extra $$, but I thought it would be fun. They will be at Disney with us for 4 nights, I hope that is long enough, but that was all they could take off from work.

If anyone has any ideas for a memorable trip or experience please feel free to let me know. I have thought about doing the Fantasmic Seating, and I have also thought about doing a private Cabana, especially since my cousin said she won't be able to do the parks all day and night. But really haven't come up with anything positive yet.

I hope I didn't get anyone to down about their situation, although it is sad, they are soooo upbeat and positive. I know this trip will be great fun, spiritually positive, memorable and just plain heart warming and I am glad we will get to enjoy it with them. Disney Here We Come................

 

[VallCopen]

So we are down to about 17 days now. I plan on taking my new laptop to work this week to see if I can figure out how to get on line, post and download pics before we leave for the trip.

We have also added 2 days at the beginning of our trip at a hotel that is right by the airport. We thought that it would be fun to take the little one swimming and just get a bit of a head start on our trip. And maybe a pedi or mani for me and my older daughter, but I don't know what the hubby will think of that, but hey a girls got to have nice toes with flip flops. Right?

My husband is good at drawing so he made countdown pages, starting with day 10, to hang up on the fridge each day for our daughter. Each page is a different Disney Character and says something to the effects of Can't wait to see ya in 10 days partner!!! (that one WOOD be Woody's). I think he did one with Sulley, Jessie, Woody, Nemo, Mike (from Monsties), Pluto, Goofy, Minnie, Buzz, and Pinocchio. I think he is planning on Mickey for the day we leave, but hasn't got that one done yet. I will post each one as those days show up. I told my hubby he should make them more generic, without our girls names, and then I could make copies to send to some Dis people to use for their countdowns.

Hope everyone has a great week!!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Just want to say that I think what you and your husband are doing for your cousin and her family is wonderful. I don't have any ideas other than what you posted since we are still a month or so away from our first trip but I think your plans thus far sound wonderful.

I will send prayers and good thoughts your cousins way!

 

[kaoden39]

I am in. And I am praying for your cousin and her family.

 

[VallCopen]

Thank you for the prayers. Right now she seems to be doing pretty good so I hope that continues.

Only a couple more weeks left and then the live reports will begin!!!! If anyone has any favorites or special things they want to see just let me know and I will do my best to get it posted for you. See ya all on day 10 when I post the first countdown page.

 

[jwwi]

subbing........

My DH and I will be checking into the Grand on the 9th of July, just at the end of your trip. So I hope your live reports will be of help to us. I am a WDW vet but have not been to DL since 1993. I have never stayed close to the park, only one day visits. There seems to be increased information on the dis about WOC as the date draws close for the Grand Opening of the show. Are you going to do any dinner pkgs to get reserved seating?

Prayers to you and your family.

 

[VallCopen]

jwwi we have never done WDW but can't wait to try in the near future (2-3 years).

I have booked a few dinners so far. First we have 2 dinners planned at Napa Rose. This is our favorite so we always try to do it once. We also have ressies at Steakhouse 55, Naples, Goofy's kitchen and WOC at Ariels Grotto. I wanted to book more dinners but between changing my eating habits (diet) and the cost we decided to call it good. We are unsure about the WOC but for the price I decided to book it and if we want we can always cancel it. It will depend on if we have a good view from our room or not and if we are able to get tickets from the fast pass before our reservation day, but I thought I should atleast book it before they are all gone, in case it is a BIG HIT. My daughter really wants to try the Cheesecake Factory, off site @ the Garden Walk, but I am not sure if we will make it or not. Other than that the rest will be left to chance.

 

[Tikestoublie]

Love the PTR so far and definitely looking forward to the updates.

I think being able to take this trip with your cousin and her family is wonderful. I cannot even begin to imagine how much this will mean to all of them. Great memories they will have. Sounds like she is a real trooper. Good to hear. Faith and hope can do miracles. Shall pray for one for all of you.

Enjoy the planning and the trip. Eagerly awaiting details. Going in July and hopefully staying at GCH, though not the Villas - but that's ok. Just being there will be great!

 

[jwwi]

Not sure if you had a chance to see Good Morning America, Sam Champion was doing a preview of the WOC this morning. Wow, amazing. I wonder if you will be able to watch from somewhere at GCH, I would probably watch each night. Let me know if you notice an area at the resort that is available. BTW, I will not be staying in the villas, just a standard room.

If you do go to Cheesecake Factory plan on sharing meals, their portion sizes are HUGE. You can always order more food if necessary. So many choices..... I will definitely check out menus for WOC meals, and have wanted to try Napa Rose too. Seems like the prices are high at Napa Rose, but have only heard great things about it. I think we will be at ESPN Zone since we are also on a sports vacation.

 

[VallCopen]

Tikestoublie thank you for the prayers we appreciate them very much. We feel blessed that the Lord has allowed us to take this trip with them. So much fun and so many memories will be made. Anywhere at Disney is Great, but I do think the Grand Hotel is GRAND.

jwwi thank you for the heads up on meals at Cheesecake factory, we are small eaters so we will keep that in mind. I so missed Good Morning America. I will let you know if I see anything that looks good outside of the dedicated area. You are going to be there on the 9th right? How long is your trip? HMMM!!!

 

[jwwi]

We will be staying 5 nights at the GCH, arriving mid day on the 9th. I will be getting a 5 day pass, but we will have all star events two of the nights. Not sure what pass I will have for DH, he really doesn't think he wants to spend much time at the parks. But that won't stop me from spending a little bit of each day checking things out.