PTR & TR-The trip of many "Firsts," introducing our kids to Disneyland!

[Sisa]

We have hit the 30 day mark, which I decided deserved a post. It still doesn't feel real, that in a month we will be in Disneyland. At this point, I have talked about Disneyland for over a year and I think DD2 is thinking it will never happen. 'Crazy mommy, every time she puts my shoes on I ask if it's time to go to Disneyland and it's just another trip to the store.' I am constantly reassuring both kids that we will be going. I probably should have just waited to tell them until closer to our trip. Definitely noted for the next trip.

Not a whole lot going on in the trip planning part. Other than the hours & entertainment schedule was released for our trip dates. I was able to get a better idea of what we would see and when. Although, I am still waiting to hear the details on the Villain Dance Party.
I was bummed to see DL closing at 5:00pm one night (7:00pm was already frustrating enough), but I was happy they are opening an hour earlier. Luckily, it is DBF's date night so we won't be in the parks anyways. I had planned on eating at the Plaza Inn that night for dinner, so I am trying to figure out where to eat now.
Breakfast is still up in the air. We want to eat prior to EMH and not waste time eating during that precious time. I heard there was a cafe/store in our hotel so we may check that out for breakfast options, maybe walk to IHOP or McDonalds. I am not sure how long of a walk that will be from our hotel but I am guessing it's doable.

In other news...
We planned this trip knowing it might conflict with the starting date of preschool for DD4 (her 2nd year). We just found out she starts school the day before we leave. So she will still get to go on her first day (which I am happy about) and then miss the next 3. She is actually kind of excited about it because she only goes to school one day and then gets to go to Disneyland the next day.

We have been going on walks with the kids to try and increase their walking distance, let's just say it's a good thing we are bringing their strollers.

It's going to be a very busy month getting packed for our trip, getting ready for school, and the start of my cheer season but I cannot wait! I will check in with you all later

 

[HunnyDis78]

I'm on board. We're taking our family on our first Disney trip also (and my first since I was in high school..oh, so long ago), but not until next year. I'm afraid I'm driving our travel agent nuts with all the questions (sorry Katie @ Dreams UL!) so I'll hop on your thread and see what your experiences are like. Our kids are in the same age range as yours ( will be 6, 4 & 2 at the time of our trip in May). Good Luck and I may have to start one of these threads for myself as I get closer.

 

[Sisa]

I'm on board. We're taking our family on our first Disney trip also (and my first since I was in high school..oh, so long ago), but not until next year. I'm afraid I'm driving our travel agent nuts with all the questions (sorry Katie @ Dreams UL!) so I'll hop on your thread and see what your experiences are like. Our kids are in the same age range as yours ( will be 6, 4 & 2 at the time of our trip in May). Good Luck and I may have to start one of these threads for myself as I get closer.

Glad you are joining in! Sometimes, I wish I had a travel agent to ask questions, I think that will be the way to go next time. I just bug the people on the various boards I have joined I hope reading our TR will help you a little on planning yours. Please do a TR! I LOVE reading them and am always looking for more to read, especially TR's with kids!

 

[luulu1999]

Can't wait to read more!!! We went to DL at Christmas last year and it was the first trip for me my boyfriend and our kids!!! We ate a rainforest cafe and it was expensive but I thought the food was yummy I had some kind of Avacado Burger and it was great!! I don't know if we are going to be eating there again on our next trip but we may ....and as far as the kids being to young thing my cousin told me the same thing my kids are 4 & 5 but every time we see a disneyland commercial or watching Cars or anything to do with Disney they talk about their trip and they talk about it on a daily basis.....they know we are going back but don't really understand the concept of how long next year is I am hoping to end up surprising them when we leave all though we drive and its 27hrs to drive for us so I don't know how im going to pull it off

 

[Sisa]

Can't wait to read more!!! We went to DL at Christmas last year and it was the first trip for me my boyfriend and our kids!!! We ate a rainforest cafe and it was expensive but I thought the food was yummy I had some kind of Avacado Burger and it was great!! I don't know if we are going to be eating there again on our next trip but we may ....and as far as the kids being to young thing my cousin told me the same thing my kids are 4 & 5 but every time we see a disneyland commercial or watching Cars or anything to do with Disney they talk about their trip and they talk about it on a daily basis.....they know we are going back but don't really understand the concept of how long next year is I am hoping to end up surprising them when we leave all though we drive and its 27hrs to drive for us so I don't know how im going to pull it off

I am glad to hear you enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe, I agree it is expensive. Did your kids like it?
It's nice to have feedback of young kids who do remember their fun trip, I think my daughter will remember especially. That child remembers things from way back that I don't even remember. My Son may not remember much of this trip, but he's 2 and is still free to get into the parks, so I figure why not. He may not remember, but I'm sure he will have a good time. He loves Toy Story and Cars, he knows all the characters and loves watching the movies.
Did you guys enjoy going at Christmas time, I really want to visit the parks then. What time of year are you planning on going next year?
I think surprising is the way to go, I am sure you can come up with something. Any relatives out of state you could be seeing? Or maybe it's just a road trip? I think I will be doing a surprise trip next time too.

 

[tlovesdis]

I'm in!!! I love reading trip reports!

As for RFC, we love it! Yes it is overpriced, but what isn't at DLR??? Teh atmosphere is great as well! We think the food is great and we usually share as most portions are pretty big! But then we tend to share almost everywhere we eat at DLR!

Maybe since Dl is closing early the day you wanted to do Plaza Inn, you could do it for lunch instead and have a light dinner somewhere in DTD or the DLH has two great options for light meals (Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's - plus at Trader Sam's mom and dad can have a drink!!!)! The fried green beans and pork flatbread are super yummy!!!!

Feel free to ask questions to any of us (well I can't speak for everyone, but I would be more than happy to answer your questions)! That's what's so great about these boards!!!!

 

[Sisa]

I'm in!!! I love reading trip reports!

As for RFC, we love it! Yes it is overpriced, but what isn't at DLR??? Teh atmosphere is great as well! We think the food is great and we usually share as most portions are pretty big! But then we tend to share almost everywhere we eat at DLR!

Maybe since Dl is closing early the day you wanted to do Plaza Inn, you could do it for lunch instead and have a light dinner somewhere in DTD or the DLH has two great options for light meals (Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's - plus at Trader Sam's mom and dad can have a drink!!!)! The fried green beans and pork flatbread are super yummy!!!!

Feel free to ask questions to any of us (well I can't speak for everyone, but I would be more than happy to answer your questions)! That's what's so great about these boards!!!!

Haha totally agree, I have been trying to figure out how much food will cost us so we can try to save enough money to bring with us and realizing how expensive it all is.
Doing Plaza for lunch is what I was thinking too. I would really like to eat there and the only other day we can do it is the same day we are doing our Minnie & Friends breakfast there. I don't really want to eat at the same place twice in one day lol.
Another vote for Tangaroa Terrace, yay! We will definitely be eating there at least once. Trader Sam's is on my list for our date night!
Thank you, I will be sure to post any questions I have on here! I don't know what I would do without these boards!

 

[luulu1999]

I am glad to hear you enjoyed the Rainforest Cafe, I agree it is expensive. Did your kids like it?
It's nice to have feedback of young kids who do remember their fun trip, I think my daughter will remember especially. That child remembers things from way back that I don't even remember. My Son may not remember much of this trip, but he's 2 and is still free to get into the parks, so I figure why not. He may not remember, but I'm sure he will have a good time. He loves Toy Story and Cars, he knows all the characters and loves watching the movies.
Did you guys enjoy going at Christmas time, I really want to visit the parks then. What time of year are you planning on going next year?
I think surprising is the way to go, I am sure you can come up with something. Any relatives out of state you could be seeing? Or maybe it's just a road trip? I think I will be doing a surprise trip next time too.

My kids loved rainforest...we sat right next to a gorilla that kept going off lol...we did enjoy going for Christmas but it rained I think all 3 mornings we were there so were going in july next year....I think I may just tell them were going to the beach or something I dont know ill figure out something...but im really bad at secrets so I hope I can not spill the beans

 

[Sisa]

My kids loved rainforest...we sat right next to a gorilla that kept going off lol...we did enjoy going for Christmas but it rained I think all 3 mornings we were there so were going in july next year....I think I may just tell them were going to the beach or something I dont know ill figure out something...but im really bad at secrets so I hope I can not spill the beans

That's great! I am pretty sure DD4 will love the RFC, but DD2 might be a little scared/nervous. I hope he loves it too.
Raining every morning of your trip? Major bummer. I hear the rain scares people off, was it pretty quiet?
The beach sounds like a good excuse! A surprise trip to DL is the ultimate secret to have to keep, I am sure it is very hard to do but would be totally worth it if you can make it without telling them. I'm sure I would have an extremely hard time not telling my kids too.

 

[Sisa]

Look what just arrived in the mail today!!!



It feels so much more REAL now that we have all our documents!

I love the 5 day park hoppers, I was expecting just a paper ticket...theses are much cooler!!!



We are 19 days away and getting things ready day by day.

 

[Sisa]

Grr, sorry for the giant photos. I even resized them. My first 2 photos turned out so good. Gah. Still getting used to Photo bucket I guess.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along.

 

[luulu1999]

aww Im so envious we still have such a long time to wait

 

[Sisa]

Following along.

Glad to have you joining in!

aww Im so envious we still have such a long time to wait

And when you get yours, I will be envious wanting to go back

 

[Sisa]

8 DAYS!!!!


I finally got all 4 shirts of our shirts made, we will wear them our first day. I bought iron ons through Maggie's Castle on Etsy, then bought white shirts one by one (big mistake). I missed out on the white shirt I had seen a few weeks ago that I wanted for myself and when I went back to buy it, they were all gone. Then trying to find a white short sleeve toddler shirt at the end of summer is nearly impossible, the long sleeved shirts were brought in. I could find kids and adults still but no toddler. I ended up having to order one online. Anyway, I am happy to have that task finished!

Here they are...




As I said earlier, we are carrying on everything so no checking our bags and waiting for them afterwards. As I promised, here are some pictures. Proof to that it was possible


Here is DD's Suitcase all packed and ready to go. Her outfits are all in ziplock baggies ready for her to pull one out and get ready.



Here is DS'




This is what my smaller carry on looks like. Some of this will go in my husbands bag, but he will be packing the night before so I won't be able to show his. We also have some things to add that can't be packed yet like cameras, tablet, chargers, DVD's, snacks etc.



DD's Airplane Bag



DS' Airplane Bag



I think I need a few more things for DS' Airplane bag. DD has quite a bit more, she is just so easy to shop for.

So all that's left is packing my suitcase, DH's suitcase and DH's smaller bag.

We will be taking our dogs to stay at my inlaws the morning of our trip, and my father in law will be taking us to the airport. I'm still unsure what time we should get to the airport. I know they say 2 hours in advance but we aren't checking anything and our flight leaves at 6 in the morning on a week day, so traffic will not be an issue and I am sure the airport will be pretty quiet. Although, knowing me I won't be sleeping out of excitement anyways, so I guess might as well get there early right? Hopefully the kids will sleep in the car on the way there....hey I can dream right?

Another topic, I am struggling with is what we will do for our date night. I am thinking maybe we get the kids a quick dinner instead of us all at a sit down meal. So that we can get into DL and get on a couple rides before they close and head to DCA until they close. Then grab dinner for ourselves and finish it up with a drink at Trader Sam's. DBF has offered to let us use their car if we'd like to go else where for our date night after the parks close, I am just not sure what is relatively close and open late. Any suggestions?
I am also hoping DS will be okay left with DBF while we go out. He has only been left with his Grandparents who he sees every weekend. This will be his first time left with DBF who he knows well and is around often but never left with. Plus he's in a hotel room which is all new to him.
I am bringing some Disney DVD's and hopeful he will just be tired and chill out watching a movie. (Fingers Crossed)

My DD is getting really excited because our countdown chain is getting so short, I think it's finally hitting her that we really are leaving real soon.
I can't believe it's September already!

I am hoping to have one more post before we leave, but if I don't get a chance, stay tuned for the trip report when we get back

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Subbing!

Shirts are super cute! I'm all for matching shirts on vacation.

 

[Sisa]

Subbing!

Shirts are super cute! I'm all for matching shirts on vacation.

Welcome Glad you are joining in.

Thanks, I love matching shirts too, but DH does not. I am thankful he agreed to do one day in matching Disney shirts.

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Welcome Glad you are joining in.

Thanks, I love matching shirts too, but DH does not. I am thankful he agreed to do one day in matching Disney shirts.

My DH doesn't mind them, but my brother does. We just threaten to make him his own shirt to wear on matching shirt day that says "I don't do matching shirts". So far it's worked and he will humor us for at least one day.

 

[luulu1999]

LOVE the shirts!!! I really want to do matching shirts at least a few days of our trip, they make for great pics How exciting that you only have a short time left!!! Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back

 

[Sisa]

My DH doesn't mind them, but my brother does. We just threaten to make him his own shirt to wear on matching shirt day that says "I don't do matching shirts". So far it's worked and he will humor us for at least one day.

That is an AWESOME idea, I love it! I am totally borrowing that for next time

LOVE the shirts!!! I really want to do matching shirts at least a few days of our trip, they make for great pics How exciting that you only have a short time left!!! Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back

Thank you! Matching shirts really do make such cute pictures.
Thanks, one week until we are in the happiest place on Earth. This week will be the hardest waiting since we started counting down.