PTR: Whoever's family vacation for October 2015

[whoever]

If you don't know the players already, check out the TRs in my signature.

When: Arrive Saturday, October 10 and depart on Sunday, October 18, 2015
Where: Disneyland Hotel Premium View Concierge Room
What:
Eight possible park days likely (looking into AP for the entire family).
Probably half-day cabana rental.
Priority viewing for some of the shows and parades.
Dining at SH55, BB, Carthay, TT, Sam's, Goofy's Kitchen, and either Napa Chef's Counter or C33 (need to figure out whether I should start begging for a 33 reservation now or not) as highlights.
A MHP while we are there. (current plan is we go as the Tiki Room).
Extensive use of DLH pools and amenities.

The room has been booked. All the rest... still up in the air.. Help me decide the particulars.

 

[VandVsmama]

I LOVE your costume idea for the MHP! Go to the MHP on a weekday instead of a Friday or weekend day. Friday MHP's are more likely to have tons of southern CA locals. The other MHP days will be really busy, too, but midweek you might have better luck with lines & such.

Goofy's Kitchen - go there on your arrival day or as last meal on departure day (assuming you have an evening or late afternoon flight). It's a fun way to kick off or end a trip!

C33 - Go to Napa Chef's Counter instead. Unless you personally know someone who is a Club 33 member, your chances of getting a Club 33 reservation are pretty slim.

Cabana rental - do this halfway through your trip as a way to take a longer break from the parks one day. Maybe do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner that day as well and then go to DL for Paint the Night parade and/or fireworks.

You're going to have such a great time!!!

 

[whoever]

I LOVE your costume idea for the MHP! Go to the MHP on a weekday instead of a Friday or weekend day. Friday MHP's are more likely to have tons of southern CA locals. The other MHP days will be really busy, too, but midweek you might have better luck with lines & such.

Great recommendation. We'll have to decide probably next month as I think they opened up MHP tickets for APs in late June or Early July last year. Definitely will take that into consideration.

Goofy's Kitchen - go there on your arrival day or as last meal on departure day (assuming you have an evening or late afternoon flight). It's a fun way to kick off or end a trip!

I think it would make the perfect opportunity to do as our last thing at the resort before checking out. Another great recommendation.

C33 -

Go to Napa Chef's Counter instead. Unless you personally know someone who is a Club 33 member, your chances of getting a Club 33 reservation are pretty slim.

I would never presume to assume I could get a reservation (hence the begging part), especially with the new rules, but I do know a few members who have blessed me in the past with reservations. I did REALLY love the Chef's table last time as well. I'm so torn between the two experiences. NRCT edges out C33 in the food category, but C33 blows it away in ambiance and location/amenities. Still torn on this one. Thankfully I've got a long while to mull it over.

Cabana rental - do this halfway through your trip as a way to take a longer break from the parks one day. Maybe do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner that day as well and then go to DL for Paint the Night parade and/or fireworks.

I'm thinking now maybe for whatever gets forecasted as the heaviest park attendance day would be a great option.

You're going to have such a great time!!!

Always do. This time we've got enough time to slow down and smell the roses though. Usually we are rush, rush, rush with only four nights on property.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I'm a BIG fan of long stays. The pressure is completely off and it's so much more relaxing! I've read some of your previous TRs and you & your family always look you're having such a great time - you already know how to do everything right so I think the extra time is just going to make your trip that much more magical.

 

[whoever]

I'm thinking some tours would be fun. I'm going to VERY much try for the Art of Craft tour. It has been cancelled every time I've tried in the past. I think the DCA California Story would be a fun one too, and if there's a guarantee that the Dream Suite would be on it, I'd do Walk in Walt's Footsteps again. Does the DLH offer any tours of the grounds?

Things I'm going to REALLY try for this time... Wheelhouse of the Twain is a must. Tender Ride Perhaps (do they still do those?). As we'll be using the monorail, riding in the cockpit would be a huge win too. Hmm... what else...

 

[whoever]

Katherine modeling her purse with matching wallet she made out of mickey mouse duct tape. And I quote...."I did it without any instructions or even YouTube.". Watch out Vera Bradley and Dooney and Bourke. Katherine is going to cut into your business.

 

[momof4fans]

I'm impressed!

 

[Angrose]

As we'll be using the monorail, riding in the cockpit would be a huge win too. Hmm... what else...

It's super easy to ride in front of the monorail, just go up to the front section and ask the conductor. No problemo! We were lucky and got to do it several times, it's probably one of DS7's favorite things to do. Your trip sounds so lovely! I would love to go for more than a few days at a time, but we never have enough vacation time. Someday, maybe when I retire!

Let us know when Katherine opens her Etsy store. I'd like to put in my order for a Tinker Bell wallet now, please

 

[whoever]

It's super easy to ride in front of the monorail, just go up to the front section and ask the conductor. No problemo! We were lucky and got to do it several times, it's probably one of DS7's favorite things to do.

Good news for us on that. I assume with the stay at the DLH we'll make ample use out of the monorail vs. walking.

Your trip sounds so lovely! I would love to go for more than a few days at a time, but we never have enough vacation time. Someday, maybe when I retire!

I hear that. Even though I can take as much vacation as I so desire, I take under three weeks per year. Just too much to do for work ALWAYS.

Let us know when Katherine opens her Etsy store. I'd like to put in my order for a Tinker Bell wallet now, please

I'll get her started on it and see what she can do.


Anybody done the "Grand Quest" where a set of clues take guests on a hunt around the resort?

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Wow, what a fabulous purse your DD has created!
We have done the grand quest before. The kids had a great time (spoiler alert: they liked the prize at the end). I think it took us maybe 15 minutes, but it was still a fun change.
The DLH has a "happiest hotel on earth" tour. I enjoyed it, and thought it was a wonderful hotel freebie!
I think the rest of your family should buy AP'S. Let's not kid around here, you know you will take another trip within the year, so this will "save" you money!!!!
Looking forward to reading another one of your trip reports. Sounds like this trip will be perfect.

 

[whoever]

Wow, what a fabulous purse your DD has created!
We have done the grand quest before. The kids had a great time (spoiler alert: they liked the prize at the end). I think it took us maybe 15 minutes, but it was still a fun change.

Adding that to the list...

One other thing I saw was washcloth folding. My oldest would LOVE that. She's into everything creative and loves making her own pop up books, and engineering pretty much anything (hence the purse).

The DLH has a "happiest hotel on earth" tour. I enjoyed it, and thought it was a wonderful hotel freebie!

That sounds awesome. I've got a couple books on the history of the DLH, so this sounds right up my alley.

I think the rest of your family should buy AP'S. Let's not kid around here, you know you will take another trip within the year, so this will "save" you money!!!!
Looking forward to reading another one of your trip reports. Sounds like this trip will be perfect.

I just renewed my AP today. It expired in 3 weeks. I'm going to take a trip or two solo this summer to see the 60th stuff, so it just made sense. Buying the family APs... that's going to hit my pocket book a bit harder. Only 3 needed now because Victoria will be 2 when we check in on our October trip, but another AP will likely be warranted in the near future. Man... a family of five is going to get expensive.

 

[whoever]

Kicking around the idea of trying to round up 7-10 Disney friends and having a dinner party in the Premier room at Carthay...

 

[whoever]

One more thing to cross of the list. This buying five tickets thing is getting pricey.

The girls are now thinking we'll be going as Disney Villians.

We are also thinking about thinking about doing in-room sitters and doing a tour together. I really want to re-take the WIWF tour to see the dream suite. I wouldn't mind doing the California story tour either. Need to plan our Napa Night too. Maybe that Friday when the Halloween Party is going.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

your trip sounds great - actually overlaps when we will be there (though only going for 4 nights with 3 park days)

Your costume idea sounds really cute - love group costumes!

And the purse/wallet your daughter made is very impressive!

 

[whoever]

OK, it's official!!! We are doing the CHOC walk on Sunday. Now I just have to raise $65 times four or more to donate to do the walk/run!! Game ON!!! Nothing better than giving back WHILE you enjoy Disneyland!!!

Its also 62 days out!!! Time for the ADR/priority seating bookings for parades and shows. First day will be BB dining package for F!. Next, Cabana after the CHOC walk.

 

[Angrose]

I think it's great that you're doing the CHOC walk as a family! It sounds like a fun experience and a really unique way to see the parks while supporting a worthy cause. Here are some stories about the experience from a blogger that I follow: http://babesindisneylandblog.com/?s=choc
I would love to participate someday, but my son's darn fall soccer schedule always gets in the way!
I'm looking forward to reading your trip report when you return. Happy planning!

 

[whoever]

OK, we are 54 days out and we've managed to book the CHOC walk, our Cabana for after the walk, our Napa Rose reservation (regular seating, not Chef's counter), but the F! dining package and WOC dining have proven elusive. They keep saying the booking window hasn't opened up. We've been playing phone tag with our concierge gal too, so no help there. Have to figure out tours. Amy and I would love to get a sitter and do WIWF together. I'd like to do California Story while they do Ariel's Grotto some day. Soo much left to plan.

 

[whoever]

So another week closer to our trip, and not one additional reservation has been made. After playing endless rounds of phone tag with Disney Special Activities, Amy sent an email outlining what we are still trying to book and received a response that they would work on it. Hopefully we can get some of these reservations made soon.

The girls are planning costumes for the MHP and need to come to some final decisions so Amy can start sewing. As of now, we are planning to be Disney villains and the two older girls have plans to Disneybound as their favorite attractions on another day.

 

[ADLFAN]

I love the attraction Disney Bounds!! I saw one for Splash that was so cute, glamorous lumber Jack style, I guess!

What attractions are they going for?

 

[whoever]

Katherine wants to be Matterhorn and Charlotte wants to be Tea Cups.