Proof that TR's are Fun!!!- My Birthday Celebration Trip Wrapped Up Into One Day!

[pepe3penelope]

Proof That TR’s are Fun!!!- My Birthday Celebration Trip Wrapped Up Into One Day!

THE BACKSTORY and INSPIRATION FOR THE TR’S TITLE:

I just finished my very first TR recently on a combined staycation at the Villas at the Grand Californian for 5 nights in July. Our family had such a blast. DD keeps talking about how much she has missed our vacation. Awww!!! Such wonderful memories.

Here’s the link in case you are interested: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3297545

Her birthday is the weekend of September 6th so we are also doing a 2 day/1 night stay at PPH. I've already started a TR and here is that link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=52164796#post52164796

I was sad to put that TR to end and it simultaneously inspired me to create another one. Just something for me to look forward to. DH and I work full-time and we never ask for the day off when our birthdays fall on a work day. Months ago I decided that was going to change this year! We have been approved to take Friday, October 24th off! Whoo-hoo!

The kids will be in school and/or with my parents. We plan to be there before rope drop and stay until 4pm. We have to take the tram back to the parking structure and fight traffic on a Friday back to the South Bay where we live. My goal is to pick them up by 5:15-5:30 the latest. Then we will go to a restaurant for a family dinner.

In summary, it will most likely be just DH and I going on this Disneyland Adult Day!!!

For photos from our staycation in July, just look at the thread shown above (there are lots).

Here are some of our favorite Disneyland and California Adventure pictures:









We got in line for rope drop and waited about 30 minutes to get these pictures!!!

DS wanted to grimace rather than smile for this shot!





PURPOSE OF THIS DAY TRIP
You must be thinking, “What a cruel mother…she’s going to Disneyland without her children!” I LOVE and ADORE my children. However, you have to plan your activities/rides on what they are allowed to ride and what they are willing to ride. Meals revolve around children’s menus.
Hey, it’s MY birthday! I want an adult day, with adult food, in an adult restaurant, and go on rides without any restrictions.

Here’s a GREAT example. Every 4 months it’s my turn at work to work on Saturday. It means I get Wednesday off to avoid overtime. No adult could come with me (DH, friends) so I made it a SOLO trip!!! I got in line for Disneyland 30 minutes before park opening and did EVERYTHING in my bucket list. I got to go on rides that I haven’t ridden in YEARS. I had such an AWESOME time!

More info to come...hope you stick around!

 

[crystal1313]

I don't think you're a cruel mother at all!! DH and I take solo trips without the kids too! (We don't tell them because they wouldn't be happy with us!) It's nice to have adult time and like you said, actually have a relaxing meal. Our last solo trip in May for the 24 hour event, we ate at Carthay and had such a great time! We could talk without being interrupted! And actually sit and take our time eating. It was wonderful. You will have a blast! So happy you are getting to celebrate your bday in such a fun place!!

 

[pepe3penelope]

I don't think you're a cruel mother at all!! DH and I take solo trips without the kids too! (We don't tell them because they wouldn't be happy with us!) It's nice to have adult time and like you said, actually have a relaxing meal. Our last solo trip in May for the 24 hour event, we ate at Carthay and had such a great time! We could talk without being interrupted! And actually sit and take our time eating. It was wonderful. You will have a blast! So happy you are getting to celebrate your bday in such a fun place!!

Hi, Crystal!!! So happy to have you on this thread as well! I'm probably looking forward to Carthay Circle the most!!! Did you do the lounge or restaurant? When I went solo last month I did the lounge & loved it!

 

[crystal1313]

We did both actually! We wandered into the lounge with no set plan. We immediately loved it. Our waitress was amazing. After sitting there for about 5 minutes we decided to see if we could get a reservation at the restaurant. We could, about a 45 minute wait! Yay!

Our meal was fantastic! For sure order the biscuits. I made DH order them as we are usually not appetizer people. We devoured them! LOL. So yummy and totally lived up to all the hype. We got to sit outside on the terrace and it was a gorgeous day. The parade went by as we were eating which was neat but I always get that darn song stuck in my head! Being able to have a cocktail was really nice too. I'm not a big drinker at all, but with a nice meal I enjoy a drink. We also had a fantastic server. The restaurant is gorgeous and I really wish I could have spent more time looking around the place. It's one of our new favorite spots to dine! You will love it!

 

[petals]

I have no kids so all my trips are kid free lol. Enjoy it when you get a chance to minus kids... I do love your DD's frozen t-shirt btw

 

[MommyJKM]

Hi Penelope!
Little known secret -- you CAN request the private rooms at the Carthay Circle and as long as another larger group doesn't ask for it before you - you can have it!
I don't ask for the Hollywood Room, but we always ask for the Buena Vista. There is also the Hyperion which seats 6 I think. If they see you have requested a private room then they are more likely to seat you there anyway.

Enjoy!

 

[pepe3penelope]

I have no kids so all my trips are kid free lol. Enjoy it when you get a chance to minus kids... I do love your DD's frozen t-shirt btw

Hi, there! Glad to have you jump to this thread as well!

DD's Frozen shirt actually looks much prettier in person. We got it at Disneyland. She loves to wear it.

I wasn't planning on taking them to the Frozen line because I had heard of how long it gets. But when the CM at the turnstiles took our passes and saw their Frozen shirts, he said, "You should go now." He assured me that it wouldn't be that ghastly 3-4 hours. He was right; it was about 30 minutes and they were soooo happy.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Hi Penelope!
Little known secret -- you CAN request the private rooms at the Carthay Circle and as long as another larger group doesn't ask for it before you - you can have it!
I don't ask for the Hollywood Room, but we always ask for the Buena Vista. There is also the Hyperion which seats 6 I think. If they see you have requested a private room then they are more likely to seat you there anyway.

Enjoy!

OMG!!! REALLY?!?!?!

I had read on someone else's TR that he did a free tour of Carthay Circle. I plan on calling tomorrow and ask about that. At the same time, I will ask about the private room. Do you think it would be granted if it were just the 2 of us? Does it matter which private room to ask for? What are the differences amongst them all? Is there a charge to be in the private room? I hope they would grant me pixie dust on my birthday! I will cross my fingers and post the result on this thread!

 

[petals]

Hi, there! Glad to have you jump to this thread as well!

DD's Frozen shirt actually looks much prettier in person. We got it at Disneyland. She loves to wear it.

I wasn't planning on taking them to the Frozen line because I had heard of how long it gets. But when the CM at the turnstiles took our passes and saw their Frozen shirts, he said, "You should go now." He assured me that it wouldn't be that ghastly 3-4 hours. He was right; it was about 30 minutes and they were soooo happy.

30 minutes I can handle. We waited longer for the dwarves in WDW at the Halloween and Christmas parties there... well we did the smart thing and got in line an hour or so before the party started!

 

[MommyJKM]

OMG!!! REALLY?!?!?!

I had read on someone else's TR that he did a free tour of Carthay Circle. I plan on calling tomorrow and ask about that. At the same time, I will ask about the private room. Do you think it would be granted if it were just the 2 of us? Does it matter which private room to ask for? What are the differences amongst them all? Is there a charge to be in the private room? I hope they would grant me pixie dust on my birthday! I will cross my fingers and post the result on this thread!

You can always do the tour of Carthay- another Disney secret, but I don't think they schedule it. You have to just ask at the front desk and wait for a good time. I've done the private Hyperion Room and Buena Vista Room with just 2 or 3 people multiple times.

There isn't a charge - you just have to be prepared to stay for awhile as the servers usually assume you're spending your time hanging out there. We once at the Hyperion for 3 hours with 4 people.

The other two rooms are Hollywood and I think Premium or something like that. They are for larger parties of like 15 or 20. But if they are empty and the smaller two are taken you are able to get them!

Enjoy! And have the duck wings and biscuits for me!

 

[pepe3penelope]

You can always do the tour of Carthay- another Disney secret, but I don't think they schedule it. You have to just ask at the front desk and wait for a good time. I've done the private Hyperion Room and Buena Vista Room with just 2 or 3 people multiple times.

There isn't a charge - you just have to be prepared to stay for awhile as the servers usually assume you're spending your time hanging out there. We once at the Hyperion for 3 hours with 4 people.

The other two rooms are Hollywood and I think Premium or something like that. They are for larger parties of like 15 or 20. But if they are empty and the smaller two are taken you are able to get them!

Enjoy! And have the duck wings and biscuits for me!

Hurray! Thank you for the tips. After work today, I'll make some phone calls and see what I can do! I've also heard about the biscuits. It's just the 2 of us so I'm not sure how much food we can handle!!!

 

[pepe3penelope]

I just got off the phone with Disney Dining (I was actually on hold for almost 10 minutes! Wow!). I did confirm that Carthay Circle holds a free daily tour at 10:30. Matt (aka whoever) told me it lasts about 30-40 minutes. I just have to check in for the tour.

I made a reservation for DH & I at the restaurant for the 1st available time at 11:30. I told the CM it is for my birthday celebration. She put in my request for the small private dining room. We shall see if I am granted pixie dust!!!

I am soooo excited! Whoo-hoo!!!

 

[MommyJKM]

I just got off the phone with Disney Dining (I was actually on hold for almost 10 minutes! Wow!). I did confirm that Carthay Circle holds a free daily tour at 10:30. Matt (aka whoever) told me it lasts about 30-40 minutes. I just have to check in for the tour.

I made a reservation for DH & I at the restaurant for the 1st available time at 11:30. I told the CM it is for my birthday celebration. She put in my request for the small private dining room. We shall see if I am granted pixie dust!!!

I am soooo excited! Whoo-hoo!!!

I had to call for something today and was on hold for 16 minutes! Maybe because of the holiday?

The tour is probably faster than 30 minutes and it's pretty cool - we did the version for VIP's and it points out the fun pieces of the restaurant. When you are done quietly ASK for a peek into 1901! Another secret. Say you want to see the original Snow White manuscript and they will most likely take you into the lobby and make sure you get to see the Walt "ghost" appearing on the wall. The Snow White only lets you stand there for 30 seconds before an alarm goes off!

I'm sure they will give you one of the rooms - call about 2 days before and ask for the specific room!

My husband and I get the biscuits and duck wings and share the pork chop. Delish!

 

[pepe3penelope]

So sorry that I've been MIA for so long & not posting anything!

Last month we did a mini weekend birthday trip at DLH for DD's 7th birthday. The night before we left we had found our home burglarized. I was so sad, violated, & traumatized when we checked in the next morning. To make a long story short, Disney definitely came through for this family. We were pixie dusted with so much kindness. I'm still working on that TR & I think that's also why I haven't posted on this TR.

So, it dawned on me that this TR is next Friday!!!!!!! Whoooooo-hoooooo!

Hmmmm...can you tell I'm a little bit excited? DH and I are going sans children!!! My best friend and her husband might come, but I doubt it. My parents are taking DD to school and watching DS. I didn't tell them that DH & I took the day off for my birthday so that we could go to Disneyland. They seriously would NOT understand. They threw me off because they announced that they are going somewhere overnight and may not come back to their house on my birthday until about 9:30 in the morning!!! What?!?!?! Are you kidding me? Normally, DH drops them off at 7am before going to work & this is what we were going to do. By the time we enter the park entrance, it may be 11am!!!! What a waste of a day!!! They open at 8am!!!

Anyway, we'll see. I was going to pick up the kids around 5pm, but now we may pick them up at 6-6:30.

We were just at Disneyland this past Saturday with the kids. Thought I'd share this pic.

We waited 55 minutes to meet Jack Skellington & Sally. They were playing with the Mickey & Minnie versions of themselves. It was soooo adorable!

 

[pepe3penelope]

We completed this day trip last Friday the 24th, but I first finished my other TR for last month's DD7's birthday weekend trip. Will work on this one next week!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Subscribing

 

[pepe3penelope]

Subscribing

Hi, there! So glad you jumped over to this TR thread.

Hope to be able to update, but this will be a crazy week for me!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Wow! Work has been so crazy busy and life, in general, will be busy this week. I'm hoping to post later in the week! I can't believe it's going to be Christmas soon. Time sure flies!