PTR: Honeymoon Part 2--DL First Timers! 1/29-2/4 PPH-CL/GCV

[LuvLuvLuv]

Hi Everyone!

Let me introduce myself I'm Deena, a 28 year old with 2 jobs, a condo, a fiance, and a yorkie. I grew up going to WDW once or twice per year. I took a hiatus while I was in my early 20s while I made a move from PA to KY. I adjusted into work and independent life for a few years--and I was also broke from living on my own 300 miles away from home, lol. In early 2008, I began dating David, now my fiance, and shortly into our relationship--I had the yearning to have Disney back into my life. I finally had someone to vacation with, had a little savings and before you know it... we were on our first trip together. Since then, we've been to WDW 3 times per year together, and are getting married in 7 weeks on the Polynesian Beach!!

We always go for the Food and Wine Festival, so I felt that just because we were getting married then--didn't mean it was necessarily a honeymoon since we go there all the time. I asked where in the entire world he'd like to go. Assuming he'd say St. Lucia, Bora Bora, Italy, etc... he said, "well I'd like to go to Disneyland, if we had the money I'd like to go to Tokyo and Hong Kong too... then maybe Paris." All Disney locations--maybe I'm not the one with the Disney problem

So I started to do some research. I soon realized I wasn't in Orlando anymore and that everything I've become and expert on has been thrown out the window. I normally have 3 trips in the pipeline, have spreadsheets of dining reservations, resorts for split stays, park hours and show schedules. I felt defeated soon after just googling the word Disneyland.

After re-mentioning Disneyland to him, and how different it was, he expressed how he really would like to go there. I knew that I was going to have to take my research skills to the next level and really figure this place out. I have a tendency to make a snide comment in WDW for the clueless people that pay thousands of dollars to go on a vacation they know nothing about. Taking my smart remarks toward others to heart--I WILL know everything about this place before I get there... even if it takes me all 4 months!!

It may be a little early for a PTR... but follow along, help me learn, and hopefully this will be around to help another WDW addict learn Disneyland!

Next Up: When to Go *and* Where to Stay!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

When to Go

Well we go to WDW Nov 9-15, Split Stay between the Grand Floridian and the Yacht Club Club Level--Getting Married on the 10th. When we return, I go in to the Retail Holiday Season which is like Tax Season to an Accountant. The worst time ever, lol. I'm always ready for a break after the holiday stresses! He has built up vacation time he needs to use by the end of February--isn't he lucky? I didn't want to get into President's Day, then Spring Break, and I'm going to WDW in May on a solo trip while he's in Vegas with his guy friends. So it looked like January or early February. I didn't want to take vacation first thing in January because then you get into MLK day and such. So I was shooting for 2/1-2/5.

The next MAJOR dilemma was Where to Stay

Because of my WDW roots... I'm a resort snob. I knew right away I wanted to stay on property! I kept bouncing back and forth looking at pictures of the 3 on property resorts. I've dreamed of staying at the Grand Californian forever, and promised myself if ever I got to DL that I'd totally be there. That of course was before I knew anything about the resorts, lol. I just knew it sounded "Grand". I also know they have villas there! I rent points often for my smaller trips to cut costs, but was given the tip that since I was looking 4 months away that it would almost be impossible since there are so few rooms there

So I liked the look of Paradise Pier. I loved the brightness, the Mickey Lamp like they have at the Beach Club, the hallways... it all around was a happy looking resort! The pricepoint was okay--but since it was lower, I was getting the itch to look at Club Level. My Club Level itch gets fierce sometimes.

Then there's the Disneyland Hotel. The most gorgeous room ever. That headboard is reason enough to stay there!! The price point was as expected, but as I read through reviews and such--I was nervous about the construction. I also liked that Goofy's and Steakhouse 55 were here. Again--I reallllllly like that headboard.

So I take my research home to show him--and he likes them all We sat down and looked at more stuff and kept reading about the Good Neighbor Hotels. I needed a map--I just don't get how you can get closer... oooooooh... again, I'm not in Orlando anymore. So we start going thru the hotels. Once we saw the prices, my frugal senses kicked in and was comparing them to the DLH and I was trying hard to justify in my head just what to do. I kept thinking that if I get to CA for the first time in my life... that I deserved to stay on property. That evening was left without a solution.

The next morning, I came to work (I'm a receptionist) and decided since it was slow that I was going to spend my day on this trip. I went back over all the on property hotels, set them up in the system, and nearly choked when I saw the final price when tax was added. Tax is obviously significantly more in CA. If only I could get points, there wouldn't be any tax

I get into all the good neighbor hotels and start pricing. The green monster of financial sense came over me--the less we spend on a hotel, the better food, better stuff we can buy...etc. Before I knew it... I booked a King "Tamala" Suite at Desert Inn and Suites for $584. I liked the location, if it was as suite.. it had to be semi-nice, they had breakfast, and it would do. Was I positive about this decision... no. But it was a book now--pay later, and at the very least, I was at ease to have a place to lay my head if needed.

So I leave the hotel's website and come back to the Dis. I search for Desert Inn and of course bad reviews came up. I was feeling very discouraged and wondered if I should even be going somewhere that I had no clue about. So I just let the scenario go, and perused the boards for a bit. I went to another board that I frequently rent points from and was checking out what was going on over there--and it hit me. Just try. The worst that can happen is they tell you it's not available. So I shotgun a few requests to those with low per point rates and left the rest to fate. An hour later, I got a response saying that the first 3 nights were available, but the last Saturday was not. He offered to call back and check if the Tuesday before was available--I said sure... that'd be great--and if it is available for him to jump on it, and I gave him all my info. He emailed me back with my reservation number It was available!! The points reservation was only $72 more than the Desert Inn and Suites---a total win!!

We're staying at the Grand Californian Villas in a Studio from 1/31-2/4. This is the Tuesday after the marathon so I hope crowds aren't too bad... but I'm sooooooooo excited!! So it's really happening!! We're going to Disneyland!!

He's even happier that we'll be home for the Superbowl and not on the plane

Up next for planning is airports, flights, food and touring!!
((and a few pictures))

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

So here's a few pictures to help introduce us!
As you'll see.... I like to mix it up with my hair

 

[reyasmommy]

What a cute couple you two make. My DH and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary back in June. We were married at the Polynessian too. 3rd best day of my life! I'm hoping to renew our vows there for our 15th anniversary or somewhere else on Disney Property. Anyway, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I'm a WDW girl too. But we've been trying to alternate our Disney Vacations between DLR and WDW. We're going in 45 days and I'm beyond excited right now.

I'm jealous that you're staying at the Grand Californian. I intend on staying there someday, but right now I just can't justify spending that much money for a hotel that is only 5 minutes closer to the front gate. I've been considering staying at the PPH the prices went down a little bit, but it will still be another $50.00 extra per night. For $250.00 I could buy lots of fun stuff or take daughter to BBB?!?! If the price goes down more I might have to suck it up though.

Anyway, look forward to reading more.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

What a cute couple you two make. My DH and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary back in June. We were married at the Polynessian too. 3rd best day of my life! I'm hoping to renew our vows there for our 15th anniversary or somewhere else on Disney Property. Anyway, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I'm a WDW girl too. But we've been trying to alternate our Disney Vacations between DLR and WDW. We're going in 45 days and I'm beyond excited right now.

I'm jealous that you're staying at the Grand Californian. I intend on staying there someday, but right now I just can't justify spending that much money for a hotel that is only 5 minutes closer to the front gate. I've been considering staying at the PPH the prices went down a little bit, but it will still be another $50.00 extra per night. For $250.00 I could buy lots of fun stuff or take daughter to BBB?!?! If the price goes down more I might have to suck it up though.

Anyway, look forward to reading more.

Another Poly Bride--Yay!! I feel like I've entered an alternate universe with DL, but I'm hopeful to start alternating if we love it!! I agree with saving money for other things! We got a great deal renting DVC points, so that helped a lot. I was going to wait to see if an AP discount came up (I'm getting the Premier Passport), but got impatient and it all worked out!!

This week I have major wedding stuff to do, but I'll be back in my planning mode in a week or so!! Thanks for joining in!!
~Deena

 

[PrincessShea]

Congrats! I hope you have a great wedding

I am a former disbride and consider myself a WDW vet as well. DH and I just returned from our first DLR trip, and let me tell you, you have NOTHING to be worried about. DLR is a piece of cake compared to WDW.

I'll be very curious to read your impressions. In addition to WDW, DH and I have been to Disneyland Paris, which is an abomination...but I am happy to report that we found DLR very fun and had a great time...but...it did not compare to WDW, for us.

We got into Disneyland at 7am for an 8am opening day (early admission for resort guests, we stayed at DLH)...and we were pretty much done with all the major things by 11. By 12:30 we had done "everything" and had collected 4 fastpasses. I know this is a result of the commando training we had at WDW...so again, have no fear!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Congrats! I hope you have a great wedding

I am a former disbride and consider myself a WDW vet as well. DH and I just returned from our first DLR trip, and let me tell you, you have NOTHING to be worried about. DLR is a piece of cake compared to WDW.

I'll be very curious to read your impressions. In addition to WDW, DH and I have been to Disneyland Paris, which is an abomination...but I am happy to report that we found DLR very fun and had a great time...but...it did not compare to WDW, for us.

We got into Disneyland at 7am for an 8am opening day (early admission for resort guests, we stayed at DLH)...and we were pretty much done with all the major things by 11. By 12:30 we had done "everything" and had collected 4 fastpasses. I know this is a result of the commando training we had at WDW...so again, have no fear!

Welcome!! Thanks for putting my mind at ease!! Lol, we are commando trained at WDW aren't we?? I'm getting so excited about going--but I have to keep thinking: Wedding first, then Christmas, then Disneyland Sometimes I can't keep my priorities straight! Thanks for joining in!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

So wedding stuff has taken over--as I figured it would. We have an unconventional party next Sunday that is the odd equivilent to a wedding reception... but before. Kind of like a Jack/Jill shower. We're not having an at home reception after because when we get back, it'll be Thanksgiving--then Christmas... and I work retail, all my friends work retail--and we won't see ANY free time until January. Getting together after just doesn't seem like a possibility.

With that being said... my family isn't from here--they're in PA so they aren't coming. Wedding announcements will be sent to them... so hopefully we get a little $love$ after those are sent and that will pay for our airfare

As much as I don't want to fly into LAX--it's looking like they're the only ones who have decent flight times that fit our needs. We want to take the red-eye back so we can spend the whole day there on Saturday. As quickly as time is flying right now... I feel like we'll be there in no time!!

I have my calendar marked for when I have to call for dining reservations. We know for sure that we want to do Ariel's for World of Color. The rest is all up in the air, but I'm sure we'll be at least be at Steakhouse 55, Naples, and Goofy's Brunch!

Well I wanted to check in and give an update!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Yeah---I kind of abandoned this poor PTR.

Well the last minute wedding stuff, the wedding, and the holidays have taken over much of my time!! Now that we're getting closer--I have much more to say!!

First of all... I'm married!! I know I said we were staying at GF/YC for the wedding, but I'm a true Resort Changer and we ended up at CR/OKW, lol. We had a great time, but it was a busy trip and really more of a "wedding trip" than a honeymoon. Soooo this is our REAL honeymoon!!

As of right now, I added on 1/29-1/31 to the front of our trip at PP-CL-TPV. I can't wait to see how Club Level is there!! We then move to GCV until 2/4. We haven't got airfare yet so nothing is written in stone. We're waiting to see if we can find a doggy sitter, if not--then we have to drive from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to take my dog to my family--then fly out of there and drive back home. That would suck--but flights are cheaper there.

Now that we added days on we have more food options!! Here's what we think:

Breakfast:
Minnie's Breakfast
Goofy's Brunch

Lunch:
Cafe Orleans
Jazz Kitchen Express
Tortilla Jo's
Plaza
Napolini
Red Wagon

Dinner:
PCH Grill
Storytellers
Blue Bayou
Naples
Ariels (WOC)
ESPN Zone

I'm really getting anxious for park hours and showtimes to come out because I want to plan it all out!! I also want to book a Spa day for myself I can't wait to get away--it'll be here before we know it!!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

A little over 2 weeks to go! Here's a little update!

I've tried to take the "non-planning" approach as advised, but here is my problem. Since I was little, we always went to the same places--Disney World, Lancaster/Hershey PA, Cedar Point and Put-in-Bay in Ohio. Year after year, sometimes multiple times in a year. I've never been somewhere that I haven't been familiar with as a child. This makes me want to plan, and be nervous, and question every move I make about this trip.

Travel plans are finalized.

We are driving to PA on Saturday 1/28 to take my doggie to my family's house. We'll go to dinner and spend the night there. The next day, we will fly out of Pittsburgh to SNA. We fly back to Pittsburgh on Saturday, spend the evening with family and leave the next day in time for him to get home and see the Superbowl. I booked SuperShuttle round trip with a coupon code. It seemed like a good deal--hope it is!

More to come!