So Excited~Won One More Disney Day Sweepstakes!!!

suevr

One More Disney Day Sweepstakes Winner :)
Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
664
Hi everyone! I just found out yesterday that I'm one of the grand prize winners in the One More Disney Day Sweepstakes so we're planning on coming to DLR for the first time! We have annual passes for WDW and go 2-3 times a year, but this is our first time coming to DLR and we are so excited!

Unfortunately, my husband is in the military and won't be around much during the next year so the only time we'll be able to visit is around the middle of July. We're hoping it won't be too crazy-busy or hot then! I know it won't be as bad as Orlando in July so that's good. The sweepstakes gives us 5-day parkhopper tickets so I'm assuming we'll be able to see pretty much everything during that time.

I've got a lot of reading and researching to do on here before we come. I don't know what our options will be when it comes to hotels. Hopefully Disney will give us a choice, and if so, I think we'd like to stay at the Grand Californian. It looks like the nicest and most convenient location to me, but please let me know if I'm wrong.

We have two boys, 5 and 8 so the plan is to get up early and get to the parks as soon as they open, eat lunch, then head back to the hotel for a nap. We do this at WDW and it's the only way they can make it through the evening. Hopefully they won't get jetlag though.

Part of the sweepstakes gives us a $1000 giftcard so we'll be using that for our food. We always camp in our travel trailer at Fort Wilderness and cook all of our meals there. We usually only eat at a Disney restaurant once during our trips, so this will be very different for us. I've heard that it's not nearly as important to make ADRs at DLR as it is at WDW. How far in advance can you make them? Is it important to make them in advance or can you actually make them that day or walk up to restaurants?

Everything looks like a short walk from the DLR hotels (parks and Downtown Disney). It that right?

Thanks in advance for all of your help. I look forward to learning a lot more about DLR by reading through all the threads on here. :)
 
Congratulations! That's awesome!

I'm also married to a military man, so I know all about the joys of planning a vacation around it lol.

If they give you a choice, I'd also pick the Grand! You just can't beat the location!

As far as dining, you are correct that it's not nearly as important to make reservations. You can make them starting 60 days out, and it's 60 days out from each day, so you can't call on 60 days from your first day and make them for the whole trip, you'd have to call each day, BUT in all honesty, you'd be fine waiting until 60 days from your last day and just making them all. It really doesn't book up that quickly! Since you're going in summer, I'd go ahead and make them if you know you'd like to eat somewhere at a certain time. Blue Bayou is probably the most important, as well as some of the character meals like Minnie's at the Plaza Inn. There have been many times that I've made reservations a day or two in advance, and some even the day of, so don't stress calling at exactly 60 days. $1,000 is a great budget to have for a 5-day trip for two adults and two kids! That card will go far.

Everything is really close - DTD, hotels, Disneyland, and California Adventure. Don't look at it as separate parks but as one big one.

Read all of the stickies, including this very important one: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

CONGRATS!
 
Congratulations! That is really cool! Everytime the Fedex truck drives down my street I secretly hope he will stop at my house. :)
 

Congratulations! How exciting for you. I only entered a couple of times. I hope you get to stay at the Grand California, it is beautiful and so close to the parks!
 
That is so awesome! I won a trip through Macy's in 09 that took us to DL and WDW. I had never been to DL, but had been to WDW 4x. I totally fell in love with DL. We stayed in the Grand Californian and there is nothing like it in WDW. Being able to walk to the parks was amazing. Enjoy every minute of it. You'll love it!
 
Congratulations! Definitely reserve a few favorite places to eat before hand so that you're not disappointed. :)
 
Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of your recommendations. I know I have months to plan but I don't know how much I'll have to decide this week when I hear from Disney. :)

So far there have been 5 DISers that have won out of 14 winners, so those are pretty good odds! :thumbsup2
 
Wonderful! Congrats! I've entered everyday, and hope for a visit from the magical FedEx truck too. Of course, I would choose WDW. ;)

You will find lots of nice people to answer your DL questions here on the DL boards, so ask away!

As a WDW vet, you'll really enjoy noticing the similarities and differences b/w DLR and WDW. Each place has it's own unique magic, and I love different things about each one. Since you're coming in July, you'll have much better weather than you would in Orlando and you'll get to experience Cars Land. Have a great time planning! How fun! :goodvibes
 
That is sooo awesome! Congrats to you and your family. DL is so incredible and special.
 
Congratulations, you and your family are going to have such a wonderful time! :)
 
Congratulations!!! Have fun on your trip!!!

Wow, 5 out of 14 winners have been Disboard-ers...that is so cool...I enter every day, hoping I'll be able to post my own "guess what...I won!" thread :laughing:
 
Thanks everyone. We are all so excited! My poor kids don't realize that we're not going for another six months though. They think it's tomorrow. LOL!

My biggest question right now is, if I have to rank my hotel choices, is this order the best choice?

1. Grand Californian
2. Disneyland Hotel
3. Paradise Pier
 




















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