SO Excited!!! (? for OR and WA travelers)

[DLovinFam]

Hi, I haven't been on here in a long time. Our last DL trip was Aug of 2005. We had a GREAT time!!!! Dh just agreed with me this weekend that I can start planning another trip next year for Spring Break of 2008. I know that sounds SO far away, but the way time flies, I know it will be here before we know it. Plus, I always plan way ahead and will start booking and planning in about 5 months from now. This trip will be as suprise for our kids so that will add another element of excitement for dh and I.

I'm so surprised dh agreed to another trip as soon as this because we just bought a house and he pretty much told the kids it will be a LONG LONG time before we go to DL again. I did tell him we would stay off site this time and wouldn't be spending nearly the amount of money we spent last time.

Besides, Dh's Mickey Mouse watch broke that he bought at DL our last trip, and he REALLY needs another one......from DL.......so this trip is really for him. ;o)

Anyways, my question for people traveling by car from Oregon or Washington
at the end of March. Have you encountered any snow along the way where it caused any problems traveling in it? The last two times we drove was in early Oct, and late Aug, so we didn't have that concern.

Thank you!

 

[Albort]

geez, 2008? thats soooooo loooooooooong to wait

 

[DLovinFam]

It is a long wait, but it was 5 years between our last two DL trips and this will be 2.5 years in between, so I'll take it! It's already been 14 months since our last trip and that time has gone by fast, so I can wait another 17 months. I'll book our ressies in about 5 months.

Planning and dreaming about an upcoming DL trip is half the fun for me.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I drove it in October once too and there was a little snow, but not much...nothing to worry about! I think it's hit and miss that time of year. Once when I was doing an exchange study in Arizona we drove home to Washington for Christmas and then back in January. Again, I don't recall snow being a huge problem. I think there was some, but not a lot. I remember the fog being very, very scary but I don't recall there was much snow. I think we were just lucky though. It was so beautiful...the mountains that time of year. It took my breath away! Anyway, it could have been much worse that time of year and when I look back I think I was a little crazy to do it but I would do it again! From what I can tell, they do a good job of clearing the roads when it does snow. However, if you are unlucky enough to travel during a snow storm you could have problems. I know if there is snow they will make you put chains on your tires (I believe in Roseburg), so be prepared for that. Me, I'm crazy enough to not worry about it. I would go any time of the year! Just check the ten day weather forecast before you leave and if it looks like snow is coming, purchase some chains for your tires! Drive slowly and carefully and make sure you have flairs and plenty of water and food in case you get stranded. I would think that in late March you have a reasonable chance of clear roads but I've never gone through that time of year so hopefully somebody else will post who knows more!

Anyway, good for you that you're planning your next trip! I just got back yesterday and feel wiped out from playing so hard! But despite that I'm ready to go back. I would brave any amount of snow to see Mickey Mouse and Captain Jack again!

 

[DLovinFam]

Thanks, Dakota Lynn! Yes, DL is worth the worry of possible snow. We will just be prepared.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! Are you already planning your next one?

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Several years ago I drove to northern CA in March; no snow, but LOTS of thick fog at times.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Thanks, Dakota Lynn! Yes, DL is worth the worry of possible snow. We will just be prepared.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! Are you already planning your next one?

Yes! I am already planning for the next time. We usually go in October but the weather is a bit too warm for me that time of year and since we've never seen Disneyland decorated for Christmas, I'm leaning towards the second week of December in 2007. It's not in stone just yet, but that is what I would love to do!

You know, by the time you go, the new Finding Nemo Submarine ride will be complete! I really regretted that we went too soon to ride that as Finding Nemo is one of my favorite Disney movies. The Monster's Inc Ride is fun and that will be new to you as well! Here's some picture we took on the Monster's Inc ride. I really LOVED it a lot!

If you like Pirates of Caribbean (which my family adores) then you'll love the Pirate theme that has taken over New Oreleans Square! There are several pirates that walk around chatting with people. My daughter just LOVED this. And the guy who plays Captain Jack Sparrow does so incredibly well. He looks and acts just like him!

Here's my mum with Captain Jack!

And my daughter:

Are you planning to spend a day at Universal Studios while you are there? It can be painful to think of spending a day away from Disneyland, but I really love Universal as well! It's so much fun to take pictures there!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Several years ago I drove to northern CA in March; no snow, but LOTS of thick fog at times.

That fog can be scary! It was so thick when we went through in January that you couldn't even see the road. I like adventure and get good adrenaline rushes from scary things, but I have to admit, that fog unnerved me big time. I hope I never experience anything like that ever again!

 

[DLovinFam]

Awww...thanks for the pics, Dakota Lynn! They are great! Monsters Inc. is one of ds's favorite movies, so I know he will love that ride, (as will the rest of us, I'm sure!) We also LOVE POC and New Orleans Square is one of my favorites, so I'm excited for the added Pirate theme! (dd is going to be a Pirate for Halloween)

I'm not sure if we will venture out of DL and visit Universal Studios. We really should. I haven't been there since I was a kid and I've heard wonderful things about it recently. I'll have to mention it to dh.

Christmas time would be a wonderful time to go! I have never been to DL during the holidays and would love to do that sometime!

 

[DLovinFam]

Several years ago I drove to northern CA in March; no snow, but LOTS of thick fog at times.

Thanks for reply! That is helpful. I know we don't know what it's going to do from year to year, but it's nice to know what others have experienced.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We drove down from WA in late March - early April '06 and it was not a fun drive. We were constantly looking at the weather forecast for southern OR, northern CA and the grapevine. We luckily didn't encounter any snow, but that was by sheer luck. We missed the snow heading back home by about 6 hours. We also drove through the night on the way down and the weather was awful. It was rainy, windy and foggy. We decided to spend the night in Redding on the way back up and strictly drive in the day. I'd say take your time and not to rush the driving like we did. Be prepared for snow (we had chains with us), look at weather reports and be flexible with your plans. We drove down again to DL in Aud '06 and that drive went a lot smoother.

Congratulations of your house and on planning your next DL trip.

 

[DLovinFam]

We drove down from WA in late March - early April '06 and it was not a fun drive. We were constantly looking at the weather forecast for southern OR, northern CA and the grapevine. We luckily didn't encounter any snow, but that was by sheer luck. We missed the snow heading back home by about 6 hours. We also drove through the night on the way down and the weather was awful. It was rainy, windy and foggy. We decided to spend the night in Redding on the way back up and strictly drive in the day. I'd say take your time and not to rush the driving like we did. Be prepared for snow (we had chains with us), look at weather reports and be flexible with your plans. We drove down again to DL in Aud '06 and that drive went a lot smoother.

Congratulations of your house and on planning your next DL trip.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Our last trip was in Aug of '05 and we had a beautiful trip all the way down and back as well. I do love going in the summer for that reason. My thought on going in the Spring was to save money, but if we need to buy snow tires for the van (It won't take chains) that really wouldn't be saving us anything. Hmmmm.... I wonder if dh would consider going Aug of '07. lol I don't want to wait until Aug. of '08 because that really DOES sound too far away! lol

Thanks again! Oh, and thanks for the "congrats" on the house! We are really enjoying it!

 

[mom2dzb]

. . . I can start planning another trip next year for Spring Break of 2008. I know that sounds SO far away, but the way time flies, I know it will be here before we know it. . . . This trip will be as suprise for our kids so that will add another element of excitement for dh and I.

I agree that it seems like a long time away, but manageable. What I couldn't do is keep it a secret all that time! I started making plans for a surprise trip in February last week and my kids already know about it. Good luck with that whole "keeping it a secret" thing.

 

[DLovinFam]

I agree that it seems like a long time away, but manageable. What I couldn't do is keep it a secret all that time! I started making plans for a surprise trip in February last week and my kids already know about it. Good luck with that whole "keeping it a secret" thing.

LOL I don't know how well I'm going to do either, and dh has very little faith that we (meaning I) will be able to keep it a surprise. He knows how I was last time and I couldn't stop talking about DL for 11 months. LOL

 

[Misskitty3]

Maybe you could use the Alaska Airlines promo were "kids fly free" and you could all fly...

 

[DLovinFam]

Maybe you could use the Alaska Airlines promo were "kids fly free" and you could all fly...

Thank you for the suggestion. I will have to check into that and see what that would run us. I will have to see if my older kids qualify as "kids" especially my oldest. She will be 16.

 

[gnbuggy]

I think that they do close the Grapevine on occasion due to snow. I encountered this twice. Once during spring break and in Aug. This last January DH and I went to DL we have to pick up DSS in Wheatland CA. The Siskiyou had a chain requirement. We chained in Medford. It took us 2 1/2 hrs to get to Yreka. I think we saw snow at the Anderson pass also. The fog can be scary. It is soo thick. Where in Oregon are you, DLovinFam? Have fun planning.

 

[Captjackson]

We drove to DLR last February, and only had "bare and wet" roads over the Siskiyous. We also had thick fog driving over the grapevine. Other than that, it was just fine.

 

[DLovinFam]

I think that they do close the Grapevine on occasion due to snow. I encountered this twice. Once during spring break and in Aug. This last January DH and I went to DL we have to pick up DSS in Wheatland CA. The Siskiyou had a chain requirement. We chained in Medford. It took us 2 1/2 hrs to get to Yreka. I think we saw snow at the Anderson pass also. The fog can be scary. It is soo thick. Where in Oregon are you, DLovinFam? Have fun planning.

Fog and snow....that does not sound fun. I'm trying to think of another time of year, besides summer that the kids have some time off. I don't mind taking my youngest out of school for a week....he'd be in kindergarten, but my girls will be in middle school and high school and I'd hate to take them out for a week and have them get behind. I was thinking of next Oct. but they really don't have much time off then. The grade school kids do, but not the older kids.

I wonder what traveling hwy 101 would be like weather wise in March? I know it would take longer.....but....any thoughts on that?

We are in the Portland area....Hillsboro. Where in Oregon are you, gnbuggy?
Thank you for your help.

 

[DLovinFam]

We drove to DLR last February, and only had "bare and wet" roads over the Siskiyous. We also had thick fog driving over the grapevine. Other than that, it was just fine.

Wow I guess it can just be so different from year to year. I keep going back and forth on going in March. lol Good thing we have lots of time to think about it. If an alternate route would avoid possible snow, then I'll probably plan on March with a back up plan (hwy 101). I sure wish our van took chains then I wouldn't worry about it.

Thank you!