PTR-3 Generation Girls Only Trip!

[eryn the pooh]

Hello everyone! I've waited long enough for this! My pre-trip is all planned out, has been for weeks, but I've been waiting till closer to travel dates to post it.


Cast
Me-Eryn-31-12th visit to DL-last one was Feb 08
Mom/Granny-Vicki-52-about 5th visit to DL-last one March 02
Hailey-my daughter-12-6th visit to DL-last one March 07
Brazyl-niece/cousin-7-1st trip to DL!

Dates
March 8-15 at Howard Johnsons-3rd stay there-now my favorite hotel

I am the family Disney-addict. We went a few times when I was a kid, relatives in Arizona and California. Then I went with just a girlfriend when I was about 22 and that was it! I was in love. I now spend all my time at home planning for my next vacation and trying to get anyone I can to join me! I brought my daughter for her first time when she was 6 and she fell in love as well. Shes been every year since then, except last year. I had always wanted to bring my niece, so this sould be great! And I asked both my parents to come, but they just returned from a trip so my dad really needs to stay and work, but Im kinda excited for a girls trip. We've never done anything like this before.

 

[merrrydeath]

Woo hoo a girl trip! Have fun! Looking forward to hearing more.

Your 12 year old has already been twice as many times as me!

 

[eryn the pooh]

[I am a single Mom and I work threee jobs to keep us in Disney vacations yearly, and one of the jobs is a Cruise and Travel Specialist, and being that Dsineyland is my favorite vacation spot right now, I do alot of Disney vacations for people. That being said, I want to make sure that I can answer all thier questions before they leave so this trip I have a few things that I'm going to do that I haven't done before and don't yet have first-hand knowledge of.

They are as follows:
Do the Walk in Walts Footsteps Tour
Go over to the Pirates Island(Tom Sawyers)
Finding Nemo Subs(I cant remember if it was just to busy last Feb for us to wait in line or if they hadnt opened yet)
Toy Story Mania

And there are a few more new rides that my mother hasn't been on and everythings new to Brazyl, who just hits the height for ALL the rides!


We live way up North here in BC, yes theres alot of snow here and this has been the coldest winter in YEARS! Usually we just have maybe 1 week of -30 to -40C, but this year all of December was at least -25. So Im SO ready for some warm sun!

Brazyl lives in Victoria so she's going to meet us at the airport in Vancouver before the flight.

OK, so this is what Im thinking will happen, finally, eh?!

Sunday March 8

Our flight leaves from Prince George at 9:30am. Air Canada , I know, not our first choice, but it was the cheapest and right now, I'll forgo good service just this once to save a few $. We will only have carry-on so they won't have the chance to send our luggage somewhere else!
We have to get up and be out the door by 730-745, an hours drive to the airport. A quick 1 hour flight to Vancouver and we'll be meeting up with my sister, Brazyl and my new neice, Amicus , whom I actually haven't met yet
Our flight leaves Vancouver at 12:53 and lands at LAX at 3:54, or somewhere close to it!
I've always enjoyed using the Disneyland Resort Express Bus. It's never been packed and it's a nice drive for a quick nap.
At the hotel by 5ish.
I love Hojo's. Those pillow toppers on the beds, amazing. And that wonderful devut, incredible. Beautiful grounds, great people and just a short walk to Disneyland. Im really excited to see the cool new Castaway Cove!
I asked for a room facing the pool on the 2nd floor, with the wonderful skylights.

My plan is to drop off our stuff and go right to Vons for groceries, but maybe we could go for a swim first and then groceries!

No plans for dinner so far, Id just like to get to bed early and get a good nights sleep for our first day in Disneyland!

 

[eryn the pooh]

Im one of those planner kind of people, obviously! I like to plan out every detail before hand. I don't think it's so I know whats happening at all times but I think it's so that I can spend time imagining that Im already there.
I printed off all the menus to all the resturaunts so my mom and I can go over them and pick out what foods we want to make sure to eat!
My favorites:
Bengal BBQ-asparagus wrapped in bacon(now a family tradition on all get togethers)
Dole Whips......yyyuuuummmm....
Beignets from Jazz Kitchen mmmmmmmmm
Haileys favorites:
Clam Chowder in a breadbowl(I didnt tell her what it was when I got it, she just tried it, said she liked it. I told her when we got home what it was, she HATES seafood, but she now boasts that she loves clam chowder!)
Churroes-I think she can live off of them!
And Dole Whips

I want to make sure to have a lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, thats always fun and Ive had good luck with the food.
We might go to the Blue Byou, just for the atmosphere. I think it over priced WAY to much and I didnt think the food was anything to email home about.
I would like to have breakfast in the park one morning, probebly River Belle Terrace.

Anyway, it's all good!

 

[DizNee Luver]

How exciting to do an all girls trip!! Sounds like you have a great plan & you should have a great time!! We'll be there the same time you are, so here's to warm weather & small crowds!! (wishing, hoping...)
Can't wait to read more!

 

[eryn the pooh]

So heres an idea of what Im planning for each day:

Mon March 9
Disneyland hours are 9-9 today. Up at around 7, 715. Cereal and fruit for breakfast and out the door by about 815. I've been trying to make it a tradition to take a round trip on the train first thing on our first day. So after we go to City Hall for a 1st time button for Brazyl and birthday buttons for Mom(the 21st) and Hailey(the 24th), then we'll do a round trip on the train.

Hailey and I then do Indiana Jones but Id like to at least get Brazyl a little used to what rides are like before I throw her on that!
So we'll just grab FP's for it and go on Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, and Splash, if its warm enough. If Brazyl seems ready, we'll do BTMRR and Indiana Jones. Jungle Cruise and the Tiki room. After that, Tomorrowland. Grab any FP's and just go with the flow. Lunch in the park, DCA around supper. Stay till closing and then, depending on Brazyl, either back to the hotel or to DL till closing.

Tues March 10
Up, dressed, fed and out by 830. First thing is head to Finding Nemo and try to get in line, hopefully the line isnt crazy! After go to Fantasyland and try and do everything there, with minimal waits I hope! Id like to catch the Aladdin show in DCA today. We saw it once and it was great!


More to come....

 

[DizNee Luver]

DCA around supper. Stay till closing and then, depending on Brazyl, either back to the hotel or to DL till closing.

Keep in mind that DCA closes at 6pm

 

[eryn the pooh]

Ya, I guess maybe we should head over right after lunch to get in a few hours before closing!

Today I bought our medical insurance and am debating on also doing the San Diego/Tijuana tour. We've enjoyed Universal Studioes and San Diego Zoo before. Its started snowing last night and its been snowing all day

I cant wait to leave!

 

[eryn the pooh]

Wed Mar 11

If we do do the San Diego/Mexico trip, I think we'll do it today. If not, I'd like to sleep in!

Do some laundry, , get more groceries, maybe do a bit of shopping in Downtown Disney and then have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.

My mom hasnt seen the Grand California yet, so Id really like to take her to the lobby. Its so beautiful, I cant wait to stay there one day.

DCA until closing. Hopefully its hot , I want to go a few times on GRR. Disneyland till closing there. One of Haileys favorite rides is BTMRR, and last time we went together we went on it 4 times in a row right before closing so Id like to try and do that again. It was a blast!

 

[eryn the pooh]

Thur Mar 12

What Id really like to do today is split up. Me and Brazyl, Hailey and my mom. Just to give us each a bit of a break from eachother. Id like to take Brazyl to Fantasyland or Toontown and do all the kid rides that Hailey doesnt really like anymore. Alice, Storyland Canal, its a small world. Meet for lunch in NOS and maybe switch again so Hailey and I can go do the rides mom doesnt want to do like California Screamin and ToT.
Then meet again around supper. If we havent done yet, Id like to do the 3D movies and see Aladdin.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Wed Mar 11


One of Haileys favorite rides is BTMRR, and last time we went together we went on it 4 times in a row right before closing so Id like to try and do that again. It was a blast!

I like Hailey!!! BTMRR is my favorite ride from both parks!!!! We ride it 2-3 times during the day & then marathon it at night!!!

I think splitting the group up for a while sounds like a great idea!!

Definately take in Aladdin....you will be amazed by how great this production is!!! Our must-do 3D movie is the Muppets!! Hilarious!!! My 2 yr old thought it was a real hoot!!

 

[eryn the pooh]

So mom said no to Mexico. I think shes worried about taking Brazyl across the Mexican border, even though we have a permission letter signed by her mom and dad. Oh well. Now Im thinkig maybe Seaworld for Wednesday. We went in 02, but Id like to go again. We'll see.

Fri Mar 13
Parks are open later AND Fantsmic is on, which we also havent seen since 02

I think we'll sleep in again. It's gonna be a long night in the park!

Breakfast, swim and off to the park. Today Id like to leave the girls with mom and go do some shopping alone for a while. Maybe meet for lunch and switch, Ill take the girls. We havent seen the new Garden Walk so maybe we could all go there for supper and to browse. I want to make sure we have a good spot for Fantsmic. After just do rides till closing or till we're to tired to walk anymore.

Sat Mar 14

Last day

I just want to do all our favoerites again, make sure to do anything we've missed and just take the day as it comes. Id like to have a nice sit down dinner for our last night in the parks. Not sure where yet. The most important thing is to have fun and try not to cry

Funny, Im a little sad just having written the last day of the pre-trip report! Just forgot that I actually havent even started day 1 yet! Only 11 more sleeps!

Hailey went to her grammas this past weekend and came home with an annoying cough Shes not to bad during the day but shes coughing like crazy all night! Im gonna let her sleep in this morning keep her home today. It better be gone before we leave! That would not be a nice thing to have when your on vacation. Im sure she'll be OK

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm the same way about even talking about our last day.....we should probably get there & do everything before being sad that its over....

Kinda funny to sit here & read your plans (mainly the dates) we're going to be there at the same time (I think we're off by one day). I so want to keep my eyes out for you....just to make sure you're having a blast!!!!

10 days here!!!

 

[eryn the pooh]

It is kinda exciting knowing that we're gonna be there the same time as other disboarders, eh?! I'll be getting to Hojos on the last day that the Disboards Girls only group is there! Id love to have made it to one function, but Ill be missing them all Oh well, maybe next time!

So we've made a decision, we're going to Seaworld. Been there once, had a really nice time. Brazyls never been to anything like it so she'll really enjoy it . I was thinking we would go on Wednesday but we probebly wouldn't get back till 7 or 8 and the park closes at 9 so Im thinking maybe Friday so when we get back we can still go to the park for a few hours.

I want to post some photos but Ive never before. Can anyone help me out with what to do?

 

[eryn the pooh]

I guess not!

SINGLE DIGITS! YAHOO!
9 MORE SLEEPS TILL SUNNY CALIFORNIA!

 

[albertamommyof4]

sorry cant really help with picture uploads as i never have, but photobucket should work, have fun on your trip.

 

[Belle Ella]

Photobucket is usually a good bet for posting your photos - easy and convenient codes for sharing. Webshots is another that I have used in the past before I switched to my pro Flickr account.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I set up a free acct on photobucket. You upload your pics & it will give you 4 codes (use the bottom one) copy it & then press the yellow box above where you type in the replys. clear the http:/ then paste the code & click the add image button. When it shows up in your reply it will be text. You will have this on both ends

 

[Belle Ella]

I set up a free acct on photobucket. You upload your pics & it will give you 4 codes (use the bottom one) copy it & then press the yellow box above where you type in the replys. clear the http:/ then paste the code & click the add image button. When it shows up in your reply it will be text. You will have this on both ends twice, clear one from either end & it should work fine. There may be an easier way, but that's how I've gotten it to work. Can't wait to see some pics!!! :cool1:[/QUOTE]

Actually, with PB they give the IMG code so you don't even have to use the [b]insert image[/b] button in the message text options. Just copy and paste it (it will be called the BBCode) and you're good to go.

 

[eryn the pooh]

OK, here i go! Wish me luck!

If this works, this is me in the pink shades and my friend Sarah last Feb on BTMRR