PTR: J's 7th B-day & L's First Trip!

[carebee21]

Cast of Characters:

Me: 29 years old and an absolute Disney fanatic!

DH: 32 years old and could careless about Disney eek but he appeases J & I and I think secretly he may be warming up to Disney...

J: My 6 almost 7 year old son. He's all boy. Always full of energy, into everything and has no fear. He loves Disney and he's excited for Haunted Mansion Halloween as he loves Nightmare Before Christmas.
L: L is 6 years old and she's just sweet as can be. Her mom is one of my friends. This will be L's first trip to Disneyland, her first vacation, her first time riding rides or going to an amusement park and staying in a hotel.

 

[carebee21]

How this trip came to be: My DH, I & J have season passes. They expire at the end of Oct and we're not going to renew for a variety of reasons, with the main two being a trip to Disneyworld for two weeks and my sons school changing from year round to a traditional schedule, meaning less time for us to go in the offseason. So we wanted to do one last hurrah. Additionally, J loves nightmare before Christmas but never got to meet Jack last year, so he's hoping he can this year.

We went for almost two weeks in the summer, due to my dad and DH having back to back conventions. I babysat L two days before we left and she was crying because she wanted to go so badly. But since we were sharing a room with my parents for the first part of our trip, and I wouldn't take her for two weeks, there was no way we could bring her. So when we started planning an October trip we planned it with the intention of bringing her. Her mom is a single mom and has had a hard time making ends meet, so when I asked her about the trip and told her we would pay for all of it she was crying and said she could definately come.

So we picked our dates based on them having two teacher days and not having to miss any school. So on 10/07 we're packing up the car and leaving as soon as they get out of school. It's about a five hour drive, plus a stop for dinner and any potty breaks, so we're hoping to make it in around 11ish. I'm hoping the kids stay quiet watching movies, coloring or even falling asleep! We're staying at the Quality Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort, right behind Hojo's as we got a phenomanal rate, and they have a hot, free breakfast every morning. We're going to the parks 10/08-10/10, Downtown Disney the morning of 10/11 for souvenirs and then driving home.

 

[carebee21]

We have dinner planned at Goofy's Kitchen on Friday night, due to Disneyland closing early due to the Halloween party. And lunch on Saturday at Carnation Cafe. We also have restaraunt.com certificates to House of Blues and Fire & Ice in Gardenwalk, so that's probably where we'll eat the other nights, but we'll see.

Aside from those two reservations, we have no other plans, just to let the kids lead the way. My son is an avid pin trader so we've been buying cheap pins at the Disney outlet store by my house and putting them away for J & L to both trade. I bought L a Belle and Snow White dress and a little princess crown and I'm so excited to dress her up.

So I think that's all! We have 5 more days and we're really excited! I'll update the thread once we return home!!!

 

[carebee21]

We leave tomorrow!!!!

 

[dalepool]

We used to take my daughters best friend to Disneyland ( they are both 28 and have been bf since they were 5 and in kindergarten.) When people would find out we took a soon to be 1st grader to Dl for 2 weeks counting travel time, we would get the "Are you kidding me" look. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received is when I heard Ash say how wonderful my husband and I treated her and that I was like a mom to her. . After lots of trips to Disneyland, 4 Trips to WDW and 3 trips to Hawaii with us I would take both girls on trips again including families.

What a wonderful act of kindness you have bestowed on your friends child. Trust me she will never forget. Can't wait to read about the trip will bring back memories of past trips.

Patty