Thanks Uncle Sam! I'm going to Disneyland! PTR

I'm playing the car rental game now. I was able to drop the car down to $173 yesterday and I just checked Costco again and now I'm down to $166 total. I hope it keeps dropping! I love booking through Costco..its so easy to look at the major companies and cancel and rebook!


Jill in CO
 
I'm playing the car rental game now. I was able to drop the car down to $173 yesterday and I just checked Costco again and now I'm down to $166 total. I hope it keeps dropping! I love booking through Costco..its so easy to look at the major companies and cancel and rebook!


Jill in CO

I love Costco for car rentals! They are the best!
 
So a little vacation planning done although not for DL. I finally made a decision about flights and hotel for my September cruise. I resisted the siren song of F&W and am going to fly into Puerto Rico 3 days before the cruise so I'll have 2 full days of exploring San Juan before the cruise leaves on Saturday. I booked flights from Denver to San Juan on SW using my RR credits and I booked the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort for the 3 nights prior to the cruise. It gets pretty good reviews on TripAdvisor and the price wasn't bad.

I'm glad I finally made the decision and have flights and hotel locked in.

Jill in CO




Excellent. :thumbsup2 This is always a huge monkey off the back when it's taken care of. I love that you're exploring San Juan before the cruise. I've a good friend who's from Puerto Rico. Misses it badly. Said the food and friendliness cannot be beat.

:banana:

We'll have dueling trip reports!

Jill in CO


Yay us! :woohoo:
 

I'm back and caught up.

Your plans are coming right along.

I have NEVER eaten at In and Out Burger (we don't have any around us); Mark told me that is the first thing we are doing when we go to California next year.

I am totally clueless on DL in general and the food choices so I'm watching what you pick closely.

UGH on the kitchen. We came home to our entire first floor covered in tarps as they were painting while we were gone and still hadn't finished. I finally have my house back and will be putting everything back in the china cabinet, cleaning woodwork, blinds, etc, this weekend.
 
Sorry I've been gone so long! I went back to Kansas City last Thursday to see my niece and nephew for a long weekend. I survived Chuck E Cheese and a day at the Zoo with the kids, their parents, and my parents. I came back exhausted and back into renovation hell.

Most of the kitchen work is done and let me vent now....the workmanship isn't very good. :( It just makes me sad that my landlord did all this work (himself) and it doesn't look that great. It's not horrible but its the little things like the cabinets not being straight that I just can't unsee and it bothers me. I come from a long line of do it yourselfers and less than "perfect professional" results but this is worse. Ugh. Oh well, anything can be fixed. Vent over.

On to happier plans!

I've been conspiring with Alison and not only are we spending the day at DL/DCS on Wednesday, 4/2 but we just booked a Warner Brothers Studio tour on Monday, 3/31. Fran is going to join us for the WB tour. I'm super excited...I'm a huge Big Bang Theory geek and its one of the shows that films at WB. I think we are planning on hitting Johnny Reb's for dinner. I'm so excited I get to spend some more time with Alison and Fran!

My inner WDW planner is worrying I don't have enough restaurant reservations. Do I need to make ressies for breakfast at Carnation Cafe or Steakhouse 55? This whole lack of planning is driving me crazy!

Here is my day by day plan so far:

Saturday, 3/29
Leave Denver at 5:30 AM and Arrive at LAX at 7AM.
Pick up my car from Alamo (currently the cheapest per Costco!) and drive to the Arabella Hotel at DL. I'm sure the room won't be ready but fingers crossed. :) If not, I'll park the car and walk to DTD and hit the new Starbuck and then trade in my Orbitz voucher for my 5 day PH pass at the ticket window. I think I will hit DL and take it easy. Probably hit a CS location for lunch and then back to the hotel when the room is ready. After dumping luggage in the room and maybe a nap! I have a reservation at BB at 8:30...I'm hoping for a waterside table. Back to the hotel for the night.

Sunday, 3/30

I have the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour booked at 9:30. I also have the Fantasmic Dessert package booked for the second show at 10:30. I'm guessing there will be a walk back to the hotel for a mid-day rest/nap.

Monday, 3/31

Not sure what I'm doing in the morning but I'm meeting with Alison and Fran for a Warner Bros Studio tour at 1:45 and then dinner at Johnny Reb's in Long Beach. Totally looking forward to today so I can meet some new friends in 3D!!!!!!!

Tuesday, 4/1

No big plans today.

Wednesday, 4/2

I'm meeting Alison for a big tour of DL and DCA!!! I cannot wait!!!!

Thursday, 4/3

No big plans other than Chef's Counter at Napa Rose. I've been wanting to eat here forever and I took Alison's advice and booked the Chef's Counter. I'm planning on doing Chef's Choice and the wine pairings. I'm a foodie and I cannot wait for this experience.

Friday, 4/4

This is my last day at DL. I'm going to finish up or redo anything I haven't gotten to do yet. I have a dinner reservation at Napa Rose again but may change.

Saturday, 4/5

Departure day. :( I think I may go see Casa de Neva today but need to finalize those plans with Alison and Fran. I need to introduce myself and befriend Olga. You never know when I may need to crash her suite. :)

My plane leave LAX at 8pm and back to Denver at 11:30 pm.

Sunday, 4/6

Do laundry and change out my suitcase for a business trip to Philadelphia on Monday, 4/7. My dog may not know who I am after 2 weeks away!

Jill in CO
 
Jill!!! This is coming up fast. 9 days. :thumbsup2



Sorry about the kitchen. That's the pits!! Is there a way the landlord can come back again and straighten some of the doors?


Your plans for the vacay sounds fantastic. Looks like you, Alison and Fran are going to have two great days together. :thumbsup2
 
Jill, I'm so sorry about the kitchen. I would be venting too.

Our oldest son is a Big Bang Theory fan as well.

Plans are sounding great.
 
I'm sorry about the kitchen. Michael built almost our entire house and can't stop focusing on the imperfections. It's been over 8 years. I don't see any of it. Can you squint? ;)


Your plans look amazing. Johnny Rebs is so good. :cloud9: Try the sweet tea. It's a fun kitschy place.

Have fun with A&F and snuggle our roomie for me. LOL!

We're literally traveling the same day. Praying to the good weather gods for us both.
 
Sorry I've been gone so long! I went back to Kansas City last Thursday to see my niece and nephew for a long weekend. I survived Chuck E Cheese and a day at the Zoo with the kids, their parents, and my parents. I came back exhausted and back into renovation hell.

Most of the kitchen work is done and let me vent now....the workmanship isn't very good. :( It just makes me sad that my landlord did all this work (himself) and it doesn't look that great. It's not horrible but its the little things like the cabinets not being straight that I just can't unsee and it bothers me. I come from a long line of do it yourselfers and less than "perfect professional" results but this is worse. Ugh. Oh well, anything can be fixed. Vent over.

I’m sorry that you have to deal with this kind of stuff. Fran’s father used to do fix ups and he did everything with bubble gum and duct tape. Thank God we found Gale and he and his guys do beautiful work on our cabinets and things.

On to happier plans!

I've been conspiring with Alison and not only are we spending the day at DL/DCS on Wednesday, 4/2 but we just booked a Warner Brothers Studio tour on Monday, 3/31. Fran is going to join us for the WB tour. I'm super excited...I'm a huge Big Bang Theory geek and its one of the shows that films at WB. I think we are planning on hitting Johnny Reb's for dinner. I'm so excited I get to spend some more time with Alison and Fran!

My inner WDW planner is worrying I don't have enough restaurant reservations. Do I need to make ressies for breakfast at Carnation Cafe or Steakhouse 55? This whole lack of planning is driving me crazy! .

I would make ressies for Carnation Café, but I bet you could walk in at Steakhouse 55.

On to happier plans!


Here is my day by day plan so far:

Saturday, 3/29
Leave Denver at 5:30 AM and Arrive at LAX at 7AM.
Pick up my car from Alamo (currently the cheapest per Costco!) and drive to the Arabella Hotel at DL. I'm sure the room won't be ready but fingers crossed. :) If not, I'll park the car and walk to DTD and hit the new Starbuck and then trade in my Orbitz voucher for my 5 day PH pass at the ticket window. I think I will hit DL and take it easy. Probably hit a CS location for lunch and then back to the hotel when the room is ready. After dumping luggage in the room and maybe a nap! I have a reservation at BB at 8:30...I'm hoping for a waterside table. Back to the hotel for the night. .

I would get there early and tell them that you are willing to wait for a waterside table.

Sunday, 3/30

I have the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour booked at 9:30. I also have the Fantasmic Dessert package booked for the second show at 10:30. I'm guessing there will be a walk back to the hotel for a mid-day rest/nap.

Monday, 3/31

Not sure what I'm doing in the morning but I'm meeting with Alison and Fran for a Warner Bros Studio tour at 1:45 and then dinner at Johnny Reb's in Long Beach. Totally looking forward to today so I can meet some new friends in 3D!!!!!!! .

Woohoo!!!! This should be fun!

Tuesday, 4/1

No big plans today.

Wednesday, 4/2.
I'm meeting Alison for a big tour of DL and DCA!!! I cannot wait!!!! .

Yay! This should be fun!

Thursday, 4/3

No big plans other than Chef's Counter at Napa Rose. I've been wanting to eat here forever and I took Alison's advice and booked the Chef's Counter. I'm planning on doing Chef's Choice and the wine pairings. I'm a foodie and I cannot wait for this experience.

Friday, 4/4

This is my last day at DL. I'm going to finish up or redo anything I haven't gotten to do yet. I have a dinner reservation at Napa Rose again but may change. .

I’m hoping we can do something different!

Saturday, 4/5

Departure day. :( I think I may go see Casa de Nueva today but need to finalize those plans with Alison and Fran. I need to introduce myself and befriend Olga. You never know when I may need to crash her suite. :) .

Olga won’t be at the new house, no one lives there now, and won’t for a long time. But you can see the house, we are hoping that the architect thing will go through.

My plane leave LAX at 8pm and back to Denver at 11:30 pm.

Sunday, 4/6

Do laundry and change out my suitcase for a business trip to Philadelphia on Monday, 4/7. My dog may not know who I am after 2 weeks away!

Jill in CO

Yikes! You leave again that quickly. We always wonder if our cats will remember us.
 
Oh Wow - chuck e cheese (or however you spell it) - I'm sorry! That place is total chaos. :faint:

Sorry you are not pleased with the kitchen upgrade. That's got to be so frustrating because you have absolutely no control over it. Boo! I agree with Jenny - lots of squinting. :rotfl:

Your plans sound wonderful. I really can't wait to hear all about your trip. Sorry you are off on another trip before you can start writing.
 
Jill!!! This is coming up fast. 9 days. :thumbsup2



Sorry about the kitchen. That's the pits!! Is there a way the landlord can come back again and straighten some of the doors?


Your plans for the vacay sounds fantastic. Looks like you, Alison and Fran are going to have two great days together. :thumbsup2

Jill, I'm so sorry about the kitchen. I would be venting too.

Our oldest son is a Big Bang Theory fan as well.

Plans are sounding great.

I'm sorry about the kitchen. Michael built almost our entire house and can't stop focusing on the imperfections. It's been over 8 years. I don't see any of it. Can you squint? ;)


Your plans look amazing. Johnny Rebs is so good. :cloud9: Try the sweet tea. It's a fun kitschy place.

Have fun with A&F and snuggle our roomie for me. LOL!

We're literally traveling the same day. Praying to the good weather gods for us both.

I’m sorry that you have to deal with this kind of stuff. Fran’s father used to do fix ups and he did everything with bubble gum and duct tape. Thank God we found Gale and he and his guys do beautiful work on our cabinets and things.



I would make ressies for Carnation Café, but I bet you could walk in at Steakhouse 55.



I would get there early and tell them that you are willing to wait for a waterside table.



Woohoo!!!! This should be fun!



Yay! This should be fun!



I’m hoping we can do something different!



Olga won’t be at the new house, no one lives there now, and won’t for a long time. But you can see the house, we are hoping that the architect thing will go through.



Yikes! You leave again that quickly. We always wonder if our cats will remember us.

Oh Wow - chuck e cheese (or however you spell it) - I'm sorry! That place is total chaos. :faint:

Sorry you are not pleased with the kitchen upgrade. That's got to be so frustrating because you have absolutely no control over it. Boo! I agree with Jenny - lots of squinting. :rotfl:

Your plans sound wonderful. I really can't wait to hear all about your trip. Sorry you are off on another trip before you can start writing.

Thanks guys! I'm trying to just let the kitchen part go. It is much better than I had since it hadn't been remodeled since 1959. ;)

I can't believe the trip is so close!!! 9 more sleeps. I'm super excited to spend time with Alison and Fran.

I just rebooked my rental car again and found one for $149...I hope they keep dropping!

Jill in CO
 
This time next week I will be enjoying dinner at Blue Bayou after my first day at DLR! Just 7 more sleeps until I leave!

I made a breakfast reservation for Carnation Cafe for Monday, March 31. There are some other plans going on in the background but I'm not sure I can talk about them yet. :) Yep, I'm a tease!

I'm headed out to see Chicago tonight with John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn. I need to get serious about starting to pack! I can't wait to pack short sleeves and shorts while it is snowing here!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jill in CO
 
You know you're getting close when you're down to 1 week!
 
Really looking forward to reading about what you got up to, Jill.

Enjoy the countdown.
 
6 more sleeps!

I haven't started packing yet...I'm trying to play guess the weather. :) Looks like mid 70's so far so I'm thinking I will need jeans/t-shirts for the most part. I'll probably throw in some capri's too just it in case it gets warmer. I'll keep an eye on the weather as I get closer as well.

I was surfing Travelzoo to see if there was any Mandera Spa deals and found a deal for a whale watching tour out of Long Beach. I'm kind of thinking about doing it on the last Saturday that I fly home. They have a 9AM tour that day. Any thoughts?

http://2seewhales.com/index.asp

Chicago was great! I had super seats. John O'Hurley sings just like he talks! I did splurge and subscribe for next year's Broadway season. I'm excited because Kinky Boots will be here in September.

Jill in CO
 
Hi again Jill!

I'm getting so excited for you! Will you do me a big favor and drop a quick line about your Blue Bayou experience next week? I want to know if the ride being down for refurb affected your reservation (or if it destroyed the ambiance). We have lunch ressies in May while it's still scheduled to be down, but we have a backup plan if need be.

I'm also anxious to hear all about the Chef's Counter. We'll be there on a Thursday evening as well. I'm wondering if Chef Sutton typically works on Thursdays, and how you enjoyed your dishes (regardless).

Thanks and have a magical trip!
 
Hi again Jill!

I'm getting so excited for you! Will you do me a big favor and drop a quick line about your Blue Bayou experience next week? I want to know if the ride being down for refurb affected your reservation (or if it destroyed the ambiance). We have lunch ressies in May while it's still scheduled to be down, but we have a backup plan if need be.

I'm also anxious to hear all about the Chef's Counter. We'll be there on a Thursday evening as well. I'm wondering if Chef Sutton typically works on Thursdays, and how you enjoyed your dishes (regardless).

Thanks and have a magical trip!

I'll be sure to report back but I'm not showing POTC as being closed at least per the DL website. I'll let you know one way or the other.

Jill in CO
 













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