The BALD and the BEAUTIFUL are off to see Snow Wipe!...AGAIN!! PTR!

[reyasmommy]

So many updates to catch up on after a weekend away - how fun!

How nice do you want your hotel? We've stayed at Desert Inn and Suites which is about a 3 minute walk to the front gate. We were travelling once as a group and shared one of their guest suites - the room was clean, comfortable and very cheap, just nothing special or something worth writing home about.

The Candy Cane Inn and the Park Vue Inn get great reviews on Trip Advisor although i haven't stayed there...

Congrats on the bingo win too - must be a sign that Disney is meant to be

Welcome back!

I'm a little picky on what hotel I stay at. I don't have to stay at a Ritz, but the place has to be kind of nice. I like staying at places like Hilton Garden Inn or Sheraton. But I want to find a place that is clean, comfortable, and close walking distance to DLR.

I've heard of Candy Cane Inn... Maybe I'll research that place a little more. Do you know if it's a close walk to the park?

I've stayed at Desert Inn and Suites and Anaheim Plaza. Both are easy walking distance, Desert Inn being the closer of the two. Both are basic, no frills places but clean and comfortable enough. I've had rates as low as $59 a night with each, so they are great deals for the location. Also something that I really appreciated was that neither one charged a holding fee on your credit card. You won't be charged until you check in, unless you no-show, or cancel less that 48 hours from arrival. So if I find a low rate with either one(regardless if it's months and months away) I go ahead and book it.

Yes, I need to find a place that doesn't charge ya right away. I'll check out both places that you mentioned. Thank you SOOOOO much!

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[Rachael Q]

We like the HoJo and the Candy Cane Inn. The HoJo can be a long walk. The walk from the CCI is quicker than from the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier. It's really close to the parks. Both hotels have clean, comfortable rooms and free parking. The CCI includes breakfast and the HoJo doesn't. The pool area at the HoJo is better than the CCI.

We usually stay at the HoJo because we get better rates there than the CCI.

I'm looking forward to reading more.

I just started a pre trip report too for our Christmas trip.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2578146

 

[reyasmommy]

We like the HoJo and the Candy Cane Inn. The HoJo can be a long walk. The walk from the CCI is quicker than from the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier. It's really close to the parks. Both hotels have clean, comfortable rooms and free parking. The CCI includes breakfast and the HoJo doesn't. The pool area at the HoJo is better than the CCI.

We usually stay at the HoJo because we get better rates there than the CCI.

I'm looking forward to reading more.

I just started a pre trip report too for our Christmas trip.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2578146

I'll be sure to read it.

I checked out the CCI this morning. I actually really liked what I saw, but the prices are $10.00 more a night. Which would be a total of $100.00 or so. I need to weigh the pros and cons to both hotels.

Thanks for the info.

 

[maryr1oz]

The CCI has a shuttle bus too right?

I always seemed to see it as taunting me on the long walk back to a hotel on Katella we stayed at once...

 

[reyasmommy]

More of my precious past Disney Memories!!

Reya making a Wish!

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[reyasmommy]

More Pictures

Getting ready to see Muppets 3-D

One of my favorite pictures!

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[Rachael Q]

I love the photo of Reya making a wish, it's adorable.

The only discounts I've seen for the CCI are AAA rates. CCI would be my first choice if HoJo didn't have such great rates.

 

[reyasmommy]

I hope everyone had a Happy and exciting Halloween!

Today I'm hoping to make my final decision on a hotel and to book it ASAP, I'll let you all know what I decide. I also need to shop for party supplies for my DS's 1st birthday. I can hardly believe that he'll be one!! It seems just like yesterday that I was begging and begging that he would just come out !!.



Haven't been on in awhile, so thought I'd post some more pictures.

Jayden's 1st Disney Souviner....sleeps with it everynight.

Mmmmm mmmmm

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[Goofy_Mom]

I enjoy your pictures. Are some from WDW, I don't recognize the background on some of them, the Pooh characters mostly.

I've stayed at BWPPI, Faifield, and Carousel. They're all okay, nothing to write home about, and within 5 minutes of the gates on Harbor Blvd. We're going to try Camolot this time, I've heard good things.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Don't worry to much about the lack of posts. The number of views is a good sign you have repeat visitors checking back to see your updates. (that's what i tell myself about my PTR/TR)

 

[reyasmommy]

I enjoy your pictures. Are some from WDW, I don't recognize the background on some of them, the Pooh characters mostly.

I've stayed at BWPPI, Faifield, and Carousel. They're all okay, nothing to write home about, and within 5 minutes of the gates on Harbor Blvd. We're going to try Camolot this time, I've heard good things.

Yes, there are a few from our trip to WDW back in March.

I don't know why I'm having such a tough time finding the right hotel for us. I think it's because I'm really picky when it comes to where we stay. I'm going to look into BWPPI and Fairfield. My dad stayed at the Carousel once and didn't like it much.

Does anybody know if the sheraton is close by?

Don't worry to much about the lack of posts. The number of views is a good sign you have repeat visitors checking back to see your updates. (that's what i tell myself about my PTR/TR)

Thanks, that's what I keep trying to tell myself as well.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Yes, there are a few from our trip to WDW back in March.

I don't know why I'm having such a tough time finding the right hotel for us. I think it's because I'm really picky when it comes to where we stay. I'm going to look into BWPPI and Fairfield. My dad stayed at the Carousel once and didn't like it much

Does anybody know if the sheraton is close by?

Thanks, that's what I keep trying to tell myself as well.

I can't answer your Sheraton question, I've never stayed there. We're not liking the Carousel much anymore. 5 years ago it was okay, but it's gone downhill. Of the three I mentioned, I think I liked Fairfield the best. It was a little further than the other two, but the area was nice and you could see the fireworks from the pool. I'll report on the Camolot on my TR, and try to remember to drop a line here, too.

 

[reyasmommy]

I booked our hotel today, we've decided to go back to the Annabella. I got a King and Queen bedroom for $114.00 using our AAA card. Total of $1,205.00 after taxes. I was going through pictures of our last DLR trip and was reminded of how nice the place is, plus I won't be able to beat the price as far as hotel quality IMHO.


I also booked a Full Size rental car through Budget using a discount code from Walmart. Rental price for 9 days is $174.00 including taxes.

It's starting to feel real now.

Thought I would post some more pictures as well.

Reya's 1st pin-trading experience

The kids getting their Gift bags from "Mickey Mouse"

Alyssa and Stitch

Logan kissing Lilo at breakfast

Logan is such a loverbug

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[JustAKid]

I booked our hotel today, we've decided to go back to the Annabella. I got a King and Queen bedroom for $114.00 using our AAA card. Total of $1,205.00 after taxes. I was going through pictures of our last DLR trip and was reminded of how nice the place is, plus I won't be able to beat the price as far as hotel quality IMHO.


I also booked a Full Size rental car through Budget using a discount code from Walmart. Rental price for 9 days is $174.00 including taxes.

It's starting to feel real now.

Logan kissing Lilo at breakfast

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YAY!!! Congrats on making the first step into "it's official"-dom. I'm so excited for you. Would you happen to have any pics of the Annabella? I can always go look it up but thought a Dis-perspective might be a bit more beneficial.

Also, LOVE that in this picture the person holding Logan is making the kissy face too. When I'm putting chapstik on my kids I unconciously make the face I wish they would make.

 

[reyasmommy]

YAY!!! Congrats on making the first step into "it's official"-dom. I'm so excited for you. Would you happen to have any pics of the Annabella? I can always go look it up but thought a Dis-perspective might be a bit more beneficial.

Also, LOVE that in this picture the person holding Logan is making the kissy face too. When I'm putting chapstik on my kids I unconciously make the face I wish they would make.

Yes, I think I have some pictures. I'll check my photobucket album and post them for you. I was worried at first because it looks like a motel not hotel. But it's a VERY nice motel. The grounds are beautiful, the people were nice and helpful, the pool was lovely, the rooms were comfortable, and it was an easy walk to the parks. We would cut through the Grand Californian every morning too.

That's Logans mommy, my SIL. She'll be the one joining us on our trip. I couldn't find a picture of her to post earlier in my PTR.

 

[reyasmommy]

JustAKid---- Here's some random pictures I have of the Annabella. The first couple of pictures are stock photos. The picture of the room is exactly what our room looked like. And by the way we had the conceirge room. I wouldn't recommend the extra money for that. The only thing that made it nice was the little semi private patio we had.

Nook with the queen size bed

Entry to our room

Our Patio

Our building

Pool

Lobby

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[mommaU4]

Yay!!! I'm so happy to have one of my old readers!

It sorta feels like just yesterday that I was planning my last trip. So much has changed since then though. My daughter has hair, she'll be 5 years old when we leave, we'll be traveling with two 18 month old babies. My DSIL had a baby girl 10 days after I had my son. So it will be interesting traveling with two more kiddos.

Thanks for reading.....and chime in whenever ya want.

You have another "old reader" back! I remember following along on one of your other reports and it was great! I cannot believe how much Reya has grown. Still a cutie though. Where does the time go?? Congrats on your son. How fun to travel with such a large group.

Also congrats on the Bingo win! I never win anything. Ever. LOL To win $500 would be like winning $5,000 for me!

I think it's good you booked the Annabella again. If you liked it before, chances are you'll enjoy it again so it's one less thing to fret over.

Looking forward to more.

 

[reyasmommy]

You have another "old reader" back! I remember following along on one of your other reports and it was great! I cannot believe how much Reya has grown. Still a cutie though. Where does the time go?? Congrats on your son. How fun to travel with such a large group.

Also congrats on the Bingo win! I never win anything. Ever. LOL To win $500 would be like winning $5,000 for me!

I think it's good you booked the Annabella again. If you liked it before, chances are you'll enjoy it again so it's one less thing to fret over.

Looking forward to more.

Yay!!! I'm so happy you found me!

How's Vegas treating you?

Yes, Reya has grown. And she FINALLY has hair!!!

I've never won anything before last week. I was shocked. It would have been $1000.00, except someone else called bingo at the same time and I needed to split the win with them.

Unfortunately I've already spent the money. It went towards xmas presents. But on a positive note all my nieces and nephews are bought and paid for now.

 

[reyasmommy]

More pictures from our Character Breakfast.

Chad and Logan

Alyssa and Max

Reya hiding from the characters. She spent most of the time under the table terrified. I'm happy to report that shes gotten over her fears.

So much wonderful interaction. The characters spent lots of time with the kids and sat at our table numerous times.

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[DizNee Luver]

I think I followed your last report & just stumbled across your new one!! Congrats on your upcoming 10th Anniversary!!! We did our 25th last year at Disneyland & it was our best trip ever!!! We had planned to go alone but ended up with 4 of our kids & it really did make it that much more special. Having more family with you will also make your trip more memorable!! You might be able to take turns at babysitting to give alone time for all the adults thru-out the trip. We had to do that this trip, as we took our 3 yr old autistic twins that absolutely had to get their afternoons at the motel & early bed times. This allowed everyone a chance to go off & do things they wanted & it worked out to be a fair trade off having every adult take their turn(s). Hopefully you'll be able to work something out so you & hubby can have your anniversary evening alone!!

Not sure what restaurants are your favorites, but we did Blue Bayou for our dinner & really enjoyed it.....we sat waterside & had great service & food. Other's like Napa Rose....I've never been....partly because of fear of the cost & I don't tend to take any dressy clothes.

Make sure people know you're celebrating your anniversary by getting a button & wearing all week......also mention it for all your priority seatings!!! You should get special desserts at most of the sit-down restaurants. We also told the Mark Twain CM's & we got to ride up in the wheel-house & ring the bell & blow the horn.....really quite a view from up there!! We also mentioned it to the CM's at the monorail & we got to sit up in the front with the pilot....also a great view!

I think you'll be happy with going back to the Annabelle.....you're familiar with it & knowing the layout & how things work there, just eases your mind when traveling. We've never stayed there before but always interested in seeing others reviews of places!!

Loving all the pictures!! Your kiddo's are really growing!

Congrats on winning at Bingo....haven't played in years....but those kind of wins are few & far between!! I did hit for $600 on Keno right before our trip & that was super exciting!!

Will try to remember to check back in to see how the plannings going!!