PTR ~ Mommy & Me trip ~ March 09'

[Aprilisdisney]

I've never done a trip report before ~ although we've been to DLR many times. I've recently found this board, and find myself browsing through the threads far too many times throughout the day

DD and I will be heading to the Happiest Place on Earth, March 26th-31st. We are beyond excited. It's been far too long since I've been there, almost 6 years and it's been a little over a year and a half for DD (she went with grandparents

A little background: I'm 38 and a disney fanatic. Been to DLR too many times to actually remember/count. It was a yearly vacation for my family when I was younger. I continued the tradition with my own children, up until 2003 when I divorced ex-dh. DD is 15 and also LOVES DLR. She's been numerous times with and without me (a few times with grandparents, once with her dad and a couple of times with friends.

DH and I had been trying to figure out what to do for Spring Break and I kept coming back to DLR. We decided that we would surprise DD with the trip as a Mom and daughter trip! DH will be staying home with our 21 month old twins You can imagine how excited she was when we told her (of course I was/am just as excited)

Since then we've been to Home Depot and got our LGMH's and made a countdown calendar. I'll try to figure out how to post pictures ~ it's cute.

I can hardly believe that we only have 17 more seeps left!!! Time really has gone fast since we booked at the end of January.

April

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Oh what fun you two will have. I look forward to reading more.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh fun. And how wonderful of DH. I look forward to reading more.

 

[Belle Ella]

That sounds like so much fun! Looks like you'll be there while we are Can't wait to hear more.

 

[kingshockey04]

Can't wait to read more. I'd love to go on a Mother/Daughter trip with my mom but she hates DL....SHOCKING I KNOW. Me and my bros will be there the same time as you, I hope the crowds are manageable.

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Okay ~ our itinerary so far.

When we were originally trying to figure out something for Spring Break we were just playing around. We would price compare Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc. We had found some great deals, but by the time we went back they were gone.

I found a GREAT deal on Priceline, however kept going back and forth and decided to wait for DH to get home. When he heard the price he couldn't believe I hadn't booked it yet. Wanting to go SO much, I agreed and we booked.

Well of course now I'm having some second thoughts on the hotel. I read the reviews on numerous websites and they were mainly good with some not so good as well. I'm definitely not a 5 star necessary kinda gal, and we don't spend a lot of time in the room since we spend the majority of our day at the parks. However, now that I'm reading about everyones trips and their stays at HOJO (which we've stayed at many times) I wish I would have continued looking for different deals ~ although their weren't any rooms available for our stay.

Oh well ~ it is what it is!! We'll be fine and have a GREAT TIME

Here's are travel plans:

March 26th

Leave: Seatac/WA @ 4:25pm
Arrive: LGB @ 7:01pm
Get rental car @ airport
Grab In-n-Out Burger on our way to the hotel ~ YUMMY!!!
Arrive: Ramada Limited Suites Anaheim
Check in and head to either Target or Albertsons to pick up some water and a few snacks.
TRY and get some sleep ~ although I can only imagine how excited we're going to be for Friday morning to come

We're down to 16 seeps!!

April

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Thanks everyone!!

I can hardly believe that two weeks from now DD and I will be at the hotel... TRYING to sleep Yeah, good luck!!

I'm trying to figure out how to load pics, so bare with me

April

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Yay ~ I finally figured out how to post pictures

Here is DD and I at a Mariner game last year. We love going to the games, although they haven't been very good the last few years The KID is back this year though...so we're super excited to go to even more games

DH and I vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico May 08' with NO kiddos

DD, me and youngest DD & DS (not such a great picture of me ~ but the kiddos are darn cute )

Our countdown calendar is really filling up ~ only 12 more seeps! We've been counting down by rides that we want to go on ~ leaving our top ten rides for the last ten days.

Today: It's a Small World Can't wait to see the changes that were made since our last visit...although I'm sure I'll miss the 'old/nostalgic' way it used to be too

April

 

[wannagoback]

I would love to see a picture of your countdown calendar! I've been grabbing Mickey heads in various colors at home depot with the intent of doing something when we get closer to the trip. I'm at 179 days and I think it's a bit too early!

 

[Aprilisdisney]

I would love to see a picture of your countdown calendar! I've been grabbing Mickey heads in various colors at home depot with the intent of doing something when we get closer to the trip. I'm at 179 days and I think it's a bit too early!

It's never to early

Here's are countdown calendar **correction, yesterday was SNOW WHITE

We haven't filled today out yet as DD is busy working on homework. She has 3 big projects due a couple of days before we leave.


Here is one of DD with Mickey from 98' ~ wow she was only 4. Time goes by SO fast!! It's not the best picture, as I had to take a picture of the picture

 

[kaoden39]

Your daughter looks so much like you. It's getting so close. How exciting for you.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Hello April! Cool PTR, you're almost to single digits already!

It is great that you're doing a mommy and me trip, on down the line we want to do some special trips like that with our daughters. So far the best we've pulled off was one day at WDW we asked each of our girls what park they each wanted to go back to and it ended up being my younger DD and I at Disney (MGM) Studios and DW and my older DD at EPCOT. It was a very special and memorable day.

I like your countdown calendar, very colorful and great idea about the top 10 rides Good luck with the continued planning and such!

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Your daughter looks so much like you. It's getting so close. How exciting for you.

Thanks ~ she's definitely my mini-me!!

It still seems so far away it some ways...on the planning/packing side I'm starting to freak out a little though

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Hello April! Cool PTR, you're almost to single digits already!

It is great that you're doing a mommy and me trip, on down the line we want to do some special trips like that with our daughters. So far the best we've pulled off was one day at WDW we asked each of our girls what park they each wanted to go back to and it ended up being my younger DD and I at Disney (MGM) Studios and DW and my older DD at EPCOT. It was a very special and memorable day.

I like your countdown calendar, very colorful and great idea about the top 10 rides Good luck with the continued planning and such!

That's a great idea too! DH was going to go originally, then the more we talked it seemed like a great time for DD and I to have some quality/special one on one time together. They grow up WAY too fast! DH is looking forward to spending some extra time with the lil ones as well

We're down to 11 seeps!!

 

[Aprilisdisney]

We've been trying to decide if we're going to do a character meal. We've been to Goofy's kitchen quite a few times ~ and LOVE it. Have had breakfast with Minnie and friends as well. I was looking at Storytellers or Lilo & Stitch's breakfast and Ariel's grotto.

I'm leaning towards surprising DD with Goofy's kitchen, as I know she would love it. Does anyone know the prices? It's been quite a few years since we've been (01' or 02')

April

 

[disneydance]

Subscribing
I cant wait for your trip to begin
I hope you have a blast with the rest of the crowd
I know that this is going to be a very busy time as we know of many other people going during this time
But I'm sure you will have a blast
I see you live in Lake Stevens by the way that means we live near lol (Arlington)

 

[Aprilisdisney]

Subscribing
I cant wait for your trip to begin
I hope you have a blast with the rest of the crowd
I know that this is going to be a very busy time as we know of many other people going during this time
But I'm sure you will have a blast
I see you live in Lake Stevens by the way that means we live near lol (Arlington)

Thanks!!
LOL ~ It really is a Small World after all

I figured it was going to be busy ~ it's all good though! I'm on the strange side and don't really mind the crowds that much. It makes for good people watching
I can't hardly believe that three days from now we'll be on our way to the hotel

April

 

[kaoden39]

Gosh it's so close! I am so excited for you!

 

[disneydance]

Thanks!!
LOL ~ It really is a Small World after all

I figured it was going to be busy ~ it's all good though! I'm on the strange side and don't really mind the crowds that much. It makes for good people watching
I can't hardly believe that three days from now we'll be on our way to the hotel

April

Yes our school band leaves on Friday which is about 40 kids and many parents tagging along
We know of a performing group going down with a about 30 families so thats going to be a large group
Then we know of many people going down since its Spring Break lol
I hope you have a blast in a way I'm kinda jealous even though were going in 3 months lol
I guess our crowds arent going to be much better since its the week school gets out lol

 

[DizNee Luver]

First of all.....HI!!!! I too am a mom of twins (22 mths) both girls.....loved the pic of your cuties!!!

You were questioning character meals & prices....so here goes (we were there March 7-14)

Goofy's Kitchen breakfast/lunch buffet: $32.21 which covers tax & gratuity
Goofy's Kitchen dinner buffet: $39.64 same as above

Lilo-n-Stitch buffet: $27.25 which covers tax & gratuity.
this is a smaller buffet & you see a character before being seated & then we only had Lilo & Stitch coming to the tables......BUT they came & played with us about 5 times during our meal. They had a character switch at the photo op spot, so we took the kids up to see them as well. We loved!!!!!! this meal. It was so much fun!!

Ariel's Grotto Princess Breakfast: $34.68 which covers tax & gratuity
this meal is served family-style & was very good. You meet Ariel before being seated. The princesses are announced one at a time & then come to each table. You will see 4. There's some singing by a squire?? & it's a lot of fun for those who love princesses.

As for the Storytellers, we've never done this one...so can't help on that.

Hope that helps & look forward to more before you leave & of course tons of pics & info on your return!!!!!

Sounds like you & your daughter will have a fantastic time together!