There's no place like home, a December 2011 DVC pre-trip. 12/2 p56 DL and WDW updates

[dizdame55]

Depending on when my niece graduates and my other nephew plans his wedding...I'll be looking at trying to make that time line happen!

 

[rentayenta]

Depending on when my niece graduates and my other nephew plans his wedding...I'll be looking at trying to make that time line happen!

That would be so fun! You are the best auntie ever!!!!!

Jenna will be there too. She's awesome- you'll love her. She's very sweet, nothing like us.

 

[dizdame55]

You know me, the more the merrier!

 

[rentayenta]

You know me, the more the merrier!

Indeed I do. Are you a DLH junkie now?

 

[dizdame55]

oh hell yeah, we did a two bedroom suite this summer, concierge level....we could have put 10 people in the living room!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awww, I love the Disneyland pictures! We briefly talked about going there in June but unfortunately it's a lot more expensive than going to FL.

The 2 times we've been there have been right after Christmas so we've only seen the holiday version of the Haunted Mansion (and IASW for that matter)...but it is pretty cool! It's so fun comparing the two parks. Can't wait until we do get back to Disneyland.

 

[rentayenta]

oh hell yeah, we did a two bedroom suite this summer, concierge level....we could have put 10 people in the living room!

Do you have pictures? Any plans for WDW?

Awww, I love the Disneyland pictures! We briefly talked about going there in June but unfortunately it's a lot more expensive than going to FL.

For us, it's the opposite. We can spend $300 in fuel or $1,200-$1,500 in flights. And now that we have APs, it's a no brainer. Fortunately GCV are our 2nd favorite DVC.

The 2 times we've been there have been right after Christmas so we've only seen the holiday version of the Haunted Mansion (and IASW for that matter)...but it is pretty cool! It's so fun comparing the two parks. Can't wait until we do get back to Disneyland.

It is fun. I like IASW either way but really love HMH. It's nice to not have my feet kill at the end of the day but I also missed having so much to do like at WDW.

 

[rentayenta]

21 days until California!!! ​

28 days until GCV DVC ressie for June 2010 trip!!! ​

138 days until GVC DVC ressie for Oct. 2010 trip!!! ​

149 days until Mexico!!! ​

189 days until PS for June Disneyland trip!!! ​

249 days until Disneyland in June!!!​

292 days until PS for October Disneyland trip!!! ​

352 days until Disneyland!!! ​

453 until THV/SSR ressie!!! ​

607 days until ADRs!!! ​

787 days until WDW!!! ​

 

[vamassey1]

I love your Disneyland pictures. Thanks so much for sharing especially since I've never been. Someday . . .

 

[rentayenta]

I love your Disneyland pictures. Thanks so much for sharing especially since I've never been. Someday . . .

You are very welcome. It's a trip worth making at least once, even if you are far.

 

[glennbo123]

Ahh, I saw the plush yeti that we talked about on my TR. Did she get it at Disneyland?

Great pictures by the way. Thanks for posting them. I was going to post about how tan you look in that picture on the bus too, but saw that Dawn beat me to it.

 

[dizdame55]

Jen .... don't fall over dead but I totally forgot to take pictures of the suite...we were so busy doing other stuff. We did fantasmic, build a bear, sent the boys on a tender ride, got to ride HM 3x in a row without getting out of the doom buggies...it was a killer trip.

This trip is a standard room no view no concierge but on property so we get both MM for the weekend. I'm dragging the girls out even tho we'll close the trick or treat on friday, so I can get great shots of them in front of the statue and castle without crowds of strangers, then we'll go back early and swim and rest then close the parks after the new fireworks show.

As for WDW, right now, health issues permitting, we're going to go for her 30th in 2011...not sure exactly when, but it will be in the cooler season so I am thinking probably November for the Christmas decorations but we haven't decided. I am leaning towards buying dvc points for a bigger more comfortable space but still be on property.

 

[rentayenta]

Ahh, I saw the plush yeti that we talked about on my TR. Did she get it at Disneyland?

They don't sell the Yeti in Disneyland. The Yeti is not a big deal like in WDW but of course the Yeti at Disneyland is associated with the Matterhorn which is more about nostalgia than a new popular thrill ride like EE.

Great pictures by the way. Thanks for posting them. I was going to post about how tan you look in that picture on the bus too, but saw that Dawn beat me to it.

I didn't feel very tan but I guess that's what two days by the pool will do for ya.

Jen .... don't fall over dead but I totally forgot to take pictures of the suite...we were so busy doing other stuff. We did fantasmic, build a bear, sent the boys on a tender ride, got to ride HM 3x in a row without getting out of the doom buggies...it was a killer trip.

No pics??????? That is so unlike you! Sounds like a great trip though and not crowded for sure. What is a tender ride?

This trip is a standard room no view no concierge but on property so we get both MM for the weekend. I'm dragging the girls out even tho we'll close the trick or treat on friday, so I can get great shots of them in front of the statue and castle without crowds of strangers, then we'll go back early and swim and rest then close the parks after the new fireworks show.

I love how I perspectives change. I remember when staying on property was a treat and now it's old hat

I the empty castle shots!!!!! Ours has some chick in it pushing her stroller.

As for WDW, right now, health issues permitting, we're going to go for her 30th in 2011...not sure exactly when, but it will be in the cooler season so I am thinking probably November for the Christmas decorations but we haven't decided. I am leaning towards buying dvc points for a bigger more comfortable space but still be on property.

You so should look into buying DVC especially if you are thinking early December 2011. Early Dec. is value season and the points are so low! I know it's a ways off but let me know if you need any info. I have done more research than humanly possible. hard to believe, I know. We are looking at Dec. 2011 for our next WDW trip too. The Osborne Lights in DHS look unreal in the photos so I cannot imagine what they look like IRL. The GF has a real size gingerbread house even!!!!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Love your pictures! We were there the week before you so it brought back memories. I especially loved the shot of your oldest, taking one for the team My oldest just turned 10 and there is a 5-8 year age difference between her and her 2 youngest sisters so we have lots of pictures of her begrudgingly waiting in line for things like Playhouse Disney .

 

[DisneyJo]

Your trip looks fantastic and you look fabulous. It all looks very different to WDW, which do you prefer or are there for's and against's for each?

 

[rentayenta]

Love your pictures! We were there the week before you so it brought back memories. I especially loved the shot of your oldest, taking one for the team My oldest just turned 10 and there is a 5-8 year age difference between her and her 2 youngest sisters so we have lots of pictures of her begrudgingly waiting in line for things like Playhouse Disney .

Thanks! It's good for them to have to comply. I always tell her that there was no one to have to wait for her when she was little so she needs to suck it up!

The parks were so magical and your photos have me totally psyched for GCV!

Your trip looks fantastic and you look fabulous. It all looks very different to WDW, which do you prefer or are there for's and against's for each?

Thanks! I feel really good; best in 10 years really. The parks are different and similar at the same time if that makes sense.

I could go on and on about the pros of each but I won't bore you to death. I will share some though

Disneyland is the park I grew up with so for me, it's nearest my heart. As far as attractions, their Fantasyland is far superior to WDW's- not just the rides but the whole way it looks. Also DL's Space and POTC are much better. I also like Soarin' while in CA better for some reason. DL's Tiki Room is the original. It also had Toad, Indy, Matterhorn, Strybook Boats, and Alice which are all big hits for my family. Their ToonTown is also cooler.

WDW's Peter Pan is better and has Philharmagic. It also has 2 more parks which is a bonus. It has EE, Test Track, and WS which are all amazing. The food at WDW is SO much better- there are tons more choices which is good for longer trips. WDW had CoP too which I enjoy and the old PeopleMover.

DL is more intimate but you still forget Anaheim is right outside the gates.

I like how all inclusive WDW is.

 

[jordanyosh]

Those pix are great. Just a different feel to them huh? DL just have as different appeal from WDW not better not worse, just different. More cozy...does that even make sense?

PEEPS and alot of them too!

HMH is the best...but Small World Holiday is da bomb diggity.

 

[rentayenta]

Those pix are great. Just a different feel to them huh? DL just have as different appeal from WDW not better not worse, just different. More cozy...does that even make sense?

PEEPS and alot of them too!

HMH is the best...but Small World Holiday is da bomb diggity.

It totally makes sense. It is more cozy and familiar.

I peeps. I walked even closer but looked a little obvious. I don't blend in like you do.

IASW Holiday is da bomb diggity fa sho!

 

[jordanyosh]

And really I'm not a big IASW fan...sorry, it's true, but Small World Holiday is soooo awesome!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Thanks! It's good for them to have to comply. I always tell her that there was no one to have to wait for her when she was little so she needs to suck it up!

The parks were so magical and your photos have me totally psyched for GCV!

Yes, I am a planning mad woman right now trying to figure out how many times we will get back to DL/ GCV using our APs this year. So far I have:

Dec 6-9th, 2009- 2 bdrm Villa at GC w/ my Parents (Disneyland at Christmas is my FAVORITE!)
May 9-11th, 2010- Studio Villa at GC, Happy Mother's Day to ME trip
Early Sept/ Disneyland 1/ Marathon OR late Sept 2010- This will be at the tail end of our APs but if we go for the 1/2 marathon (my dh is running his 1st 1/2 marathon this Dec so he is interested in the DL one) we will be in the "magic" season for points so that really prices us out of the Villas unless we want to switch hotels on race day so I am thinking of just booking a Hojos "pirate" themed suite instead for that weekend as the AP rate is really reasonable OR stay at Paradise Pier on points as Labor day weekend is strangely in the "Super Value" category here. The Hojos really makes more sense AND would allow me to bank my remaining 2010 points but staying on property, even in DL, really enhances the "magic" for me.

2011- WDW
2012-Hawaii

My last 2 will likely require us to add on points to make them a reality but my dh is loving the DVC life so maybe a stay at Hojos is just what is needed to secure a nice 50-100 point add on. (NO offense to Hojos fan, it is really great and the new suites look awesome, he just likes the Disney on property magic a little more than he would care to admit and ometimes needs a little reminder of this )

I need to make some countdowns- you put me to shame!!