PTR - May 2015, BIG family trip!

[WheresTheLove]

Hello! My name is Jessica. This is my first trip report, and I'm very excited to announce that 10 members of my family and I have booked a trip to DLR from May 24-28! We will be staying at the Carousel Inn (for the first time since 1997), and have included a character breakfast in our trip. Here are the cast of characters:

Me and DH:

Here we are at Goofy's kitchen! Our first trip together was in April 2013 during our three month long roadtrip around America. DH (Boyfriend at the time ) was extremely unsure about even going to Disneyland as he thought he might not like it and that it would be a waste of time that we could spend doing "other things" DH is from England and during his visit to America was more into seeing "nature"...hiking, mountains, oceans. Little did he know that he would absolutely fall in love with Disneyland after the first day there! He was pretty happy at that point that I had convinced him to get a 5-day hopper pass!

Mom and Dad:

Here I am with my parents in 2007, after a crazy ride on Splash Mountain! I owe my love of Disneyland to them, as they took our family on our first trip in 1997 when I was 9. Ever since, all I ever do is look forward to when I will be able to go "home" next! My parents are paying for this trip for us, and I can't wait to experience the parks with them again!

To be continued...7 more cast members to meet!

 

[kaoden39]

Hello! Isn't it funny how men especially are so convinced they aren't going to like Disneyland but then become like kids when they are there?

A three month long road trip? Oh my goodness! I love a good road trip! That must have been a fun experience!

 

[WheresTheLove]

Continuing on, here are the next characters!

In-Laws:

DH's parents will be joining us --- ALL THE WAY FROM ENGLAND! It will be almost a year since we've seen them, and they have never been to a Disney park before! Can it get any more exciting?! I can't wait to experience the parks with such lovely people, and I'm really looking forward to seeing their reactions as they see everything for the first time! (Picture was from their first trip to Seattle for our wedding, on the "Ride the Ducks " tour of the city!)

Brother and his Fiancee:

My best childhood memories were with my brother, Jake, at DLR. Since we haven't been to the parks together since 2007 (his last time there), I am so excited to relive those special moments with him! Now that he's a dad and engaged, it will be a different experience but JUST AS FUN, if not moreso! It will be my first trip with his fiancee, Kaley, as well! I took this picture of them at our state fair this summer!

Almost done, three left!

 

[WheresTheLove]

Hello! Isn't it funny how men especially are so convinced they aren't going to like Disneyland but then become like kids when they are there?

A three month long road trip? Oh my goodness! I love a good road trip! That must have been a fun experience!

I told him he would love it. He should know I'm always right!

It was a once in a lifetime, AMAZING experience! I was lucky enough to be able to take the time off of work, and DH quit his job in the UK in order to come over here and do it! It was so worth it! It was a bit stressful at the time, not knowing how things would work out, but now he's living and working here and I couldn't be happier with the memories we made while traveling together!

 

[kaoden39]

I told him he would love it. He should know I'm always right!

It was a once in a lifetime, AMAZING experience! I was lucky enough to be able to take the time off of work, and DH quit his job in the UK in order to come over here and do it! It was so worth it! It was a bit stressful at the time, not knowing how things would work out, but now he's living and working here and I couldn't be happier with the memories we made while traveling together!

When our kids were younger we used to go on road trips every school break. Normally it was during school breaks and it was so much fun. Never that long though and always in California. Well, except one time we were up camping in either Burney or McCloud, California and we decided to drive up to Oregon so the kids could say that they had been there. I miss those road trips.

 

[WheresTheLove]

Wrapping up the cast!

Aunt (not pictured) and Uncle:



In 2002, my parents, brother and I took our DLR trip with my dad's brother and his wife. It was so fun to have them along, because they are literally cool with EVERYthing! They are genuinely happy to go with the flow, follow the pace and choices of the group, and add such a carefree and fun atmosphere wherever they go! (As you may be able to tell from the photo )

And lastly, the true motivation of this entire trip, my niece...
Princess G

This will be G's first plane ride, and first trip to DLR! She is two years old and the absolute princess and joy of our family. I can't wait for her to get into her Minnie dress and to see her reactions to all of the characters and exciting new things! It's perfect, as well, that we'll have a huge group to take turns sitting out with her on some of the more grown-up attractions! She is so energetic and fun, and sure to make our entire trip that much more magical!

 

[WheresTheLove]

When our kids were younger we used to go on road trips every school break. Normally it was during school breaks and it was so much fun. Never that long though and always in California. Well, except one time we were up camping in either Burney or McCloud, California and we decided to drive up to Oregon so the kids could say that they had been there. I miss those road trips.

You really get to spend a lot of quality time together on roadtrips - listening to good music, seeing things you've never seen before, it's so exciting, yet so relaxing at the same time! Give me a long, open road and I'm satisfied. (Unless, of course, going to DLR is an option! )

 

[kaoden39]

Wow! You guys are going to have a good size group! We were 8 last January and 9 in 2010. Big groups can be so much fun!

 

[WheresTheLove]

Wow! You guys are going to have a good size group! We were 8 last January and 9 in 2010. Big groups can be so much fun!

I'm excited, but a little nervous about it? This will be my first trip with a big group (our previous biggest group was six - but that was with my aunt and uncle who are going this year, and they go along with ANYthing so that doesn't really count ), and also my first time visiting with a little one! It will be different, but I'm sure that everything will work out great! It's easy enough for people to break off on their own and join up with the group later if interests differ.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm excited, but a little nervous about it? This will be my first trip with a big group (our previous biggest group was six - but that was with my aunt and uncle who are going this year, and they go along with ANYthing so that doesn't really count ), and also my first time visiting with a little one! It will be different, but I'm sure that everything will work out great! It's easy enough for people to break off on their own and join up with the group later if interests differ.

Think of all of the fun photopass picture you can do as a group!

 

[WheresTheLove]

Think of all of the fun photopass picture you can do as a group!

We've actually never done photopass before! I think this is the perfect trip to change that.

 

[kaoden39]

We've actually never done photopass before! I think this is the perfect trip to change that.

We did it for the first time last January and we ended up with around 370 photos after I added different borders and things. I really considered it a bargain and it was so much fun. We were at the point that the photopass photographers were telling us where they were going to be and when.

 

[WheresTheLove]

We did it for the first time last January and we ended up with around 370 photos after I added different borders and things. I really considered it a bargain and it was so much fun. We were at the point that the photopass photographers were telling us where they were going to be and when.

Sounds awesome! I need to make sure we have tons of photos from this trip, it's a very unique opportunity that we're all able to be together. I'll make sure we try it this time. I've taken on the role of "trip planner", and will include this in my agenda!

 

[Angrose]

Hi Jessica! My DH is from England too! North London. I lived there for 3 years before we got married. Like you, I took him to DLR on his first trip to America. He enjoyed it, but preferred Vegas

You are so sweet to plan this trip for your family. We will be taking our first holiday time trip in a few weeks and I was hoping that my MIL could join us, but she just wasn't up for making the long journey. We'll get her to the parks eventually though! Mind you, we go over there every summer so I do see a Disneyland Paris trip happening in the next few years

You will have such a wonderful trip with your little niece. My DS is 6 and we took him almost 2 years ago for his 5th birthday for the first time. Afternoon breaks are a must! Also, definitely check out Turtle Talk with Crush in DCA. So cute and a great place to rest your feet.

I'm looking forward to reading more about your trip!

 

[WheresTheLove]

Hi Jessica! My DH is from England too! North London. I lived there for 3 years before we got married. Like you, I took him to DLR on his first trip to America. He enjoyed it, but preferred Vegas

You are so sweet to plan this trip for your family. We will be taking our first holiday time trip in a few weeks and I was hoping that my MIL could join us, but she just wasn't up for making the long journey. We'll get her to the parks eventually though! Mind you, we go over there every summer so I do see a Disneyland Paris trip happening in the next few years

You will have such a wonderful trip with your little niece. My DS is 6 and we took him almost 2 years ago for his 5th birthday for the first time. Afternoon breaks are a must! Also, definitely check out Turtle Talk with Crush in DCA. So cute and a great place to rest your feet.

I'm looking forward to reading more about your trip!

How cool that your DH is from England, as well! My DH is from Essex! He stayed here with me on a tourist visa for 6 months (extended to 9 months) during our year of dating, the rest of the time we were separated while he was in England. So glad we are together now, and I know he doesn't have to leave again!

My hubby liked Vegas there, we've been there twice together so far and only DLR once. But that will change in May! I hope your MIL makes it to DLR soon! I begged DH to take me to DL Paris when I visited him in the UK, but he said he didn't think it would be as fun as DLR, since "everything would be in french", and used that as his excuse. I, personally, wouldn't have minded the language barrier.

I had almost forgotten about Turtle Talk! Princess G will absolutely love that. Haven't experienced it with a little one before, I'm so excited to see her reactions to everything! Thanks for the reply!