Throwback Thursday - how did you plan your DL trip BEFORE the internet?

[Cheshirecatty]

1987. DW and I went for the first time after we were married. We used a travel agent. She took our info, then called us in a couple days. We went to her office and received a large envelope with airline tickets, two day park tickets, bus transfer from LAX, and our hotel info (The Cosmic Age, remember that one?). Can't recall the exact cost at the time, but it was somewhere between $500-600. She also recommended the Birnbaum guide which we bought and devoured. It was very helpful at the time. We had a great time, and look back fondly on that trip as it was kinda all new to us.

This made me chuckle---the Cosmic Age Lodge part, anyway---we stayed there for one night of our honeymoon, and it was a scream---turquoise and olive green decor---it was a blast!

So fun to read of someone else who not only remembered it, but actually stayed there as well!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

 

[elaw]

Whatever happened to just "winging it"?

We used to semi-regularly visit relatives living in Southern California. There would typically be a single day at Disneyland. No additional planning. Just drive, park, and decide what to do on the spot. There was something quite liberating about not having to worry about it and just letting things happen.

Exactly!

 

[mikana876]

Whatever happened to just "winging it"?

We used to semi-regularly visit relatives living in Southern California. There would typically be a single day at Disneyland. No additional planning. Just drive, park, and decide what to do on the spot. There was something quite liberating about not having to worry about it and just letting things happen.

This! Minus the liberating part. I've found that since I've learned how to research and plan my travel (not just at DL) that I've had much more enjoyable vacations.

 

[GracieB]

This made me chuckle---the Cosmic Age Lodge part, anyway---we stayed there for one night of our honeymoon, and it was a scream---turquoise and olive green decor---it was a blast!

So fun to read of someone else who not only remembered it, but actually stayed there as well!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

I stayed at its sister property, Stovall's Inn of Tomorrow, in 1978, arranged by a travel agent. Very corny space decor!

 

[rootbeer]

Yes, not only did we stay at the Cosmic Age, we ate breakfast in that restaurant that was made of train cars. Can't remember the name but it's long gone.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We've been going since early 60's, and growing up, our house was the go-to house for family living in Texas. It was good for me because that meant I went to Disneyland at least once a year, and one time we went THREE TIMES! That was huge back in the 70's.

We always started in Adventureland and went clockwise, ending in Tomorrowland. We were able to go on all the attractions that our deluxe books could buy. Mom would make a bunch of sandwiches, and we would go to our car to eat lunch. We couldn't afford to eat in the parks most of the time when I was growing up. We had a method for exploring tthe parks, and my cousins respected that in those days. lol

A couple of weeks ago, I was leaving, and there were a group of guys eating by their car in the Mickey's parking structure. It reminded me of my younger years, and I smiled.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Love this Mary Jo!

You were the lucky ones living in California!

Our cousins in Long Beach held that honor, and got to host the rest of the Family at Disneyland, each time they visited.

I'm envious you got to go at least once per year---we only got to go ONCE, and we saved for an entire year with a "'Dime Fund" to be able to afford it.

We also brought our own sandwiches(and ate in the car)!, and were allowed ONE souvenir each(I still have mine)!

I'll never forget the feeling of accomplishment we all felt, when we reached our money goal---it made our day at Disneyland all the sweeter!

 

[Pucka1378]

For Disneyland I grew up in San Diego and we never stayed overnight at a hotel. So we would just drive up on the day we planned on going. I remember first thing we would do was go to Blue Bayou to get our reservation for lunch or dinner... no call ahead back then.

We did one WDW trip before internet and the first one we went with the in laws and they took care of a rental house off property then we just bought tickets and went. No plan.

Second trip to WDW we had the internet...but this would have been early 2002... I just remember making our reservations online for hotel on property. That is it.

I am very much the same way in my planning now. I really don't enjoy all the pre planning I like just to go and do what I want on a whim.

 

[DizMe]

My grandma lived close to DL so we went for day trips using her place as a home base. In the 60s, we didn't plan except to decide what we'd go on first and which tickets we'd use for what ride. In those days they had the ticket books and you could only ride on so many things. If you ran out of, say, E tickets but still wanted to ride, you could buy more at little booths around the park. My sister and I used our own money to buy an extra ticket for Pirates when my parents weren't around because buying extra tickets was frowned upon.

In the 70s, we began using brochures. In the 80s, we would just call down to our go-to motel (The Magic Carpet or the sister property next door, The Magic Lantern) and make a reservation. I would get a discount card from work and get money off at the ticket booth for our park tickets.

I don't remember when I started using the internet, but I think it's a lifesaver these days with the crowds, hotel stays and extras.

First trip was in 1965. I was 9 and I am not sure Mom and dad really planned much. They made calls to relatives and we stayed with them and went to the parks. Same for the following trips though we did get to stay at a motel in 1970 which was cool. We knew the parks were closed on Monday and Tuesday sometimes. In the 70's - 90's we just booked a motel and went down. I don't think we checked hours or anything like that. I remember getting the AAA hotel guides to look at all the motels available. We could not afford anything expensive but back then the Tropicana and Mecca were not bad. We stayed at the Magic Carpet a lot too.

I saved this postcard from 1984! The sign advertises Free bus to park (but the entrance at that time was right across the street--it's now CA), Color TV and dial phones in all rooms, and waterbeds available

 

[GracieB]

My grandma lived close to DL so we went for day trips using her place as a home base. In the 60s, we didn't plan except to decide what we'd go on first and which tickets we'd use for what ride. In those days they had the ticket books and you could only ride on so many things. If you ran out of, say, E tickets but still wanted to ride, you could buy more at little booths around the park. My sister and I used our own money to buy an extra ticket for Pirates when my parents weren't around because buying extra tickets was frowned upon.

In the 70s, we began using brochures. In the 80s, we would just call down to our go-to motel (The Magic Carpet or the sister property next door, The Magic Lantern) and make a reservation. I would get a discount card from work and get money off at the ticket booth for our park tickets.

I don't remember when I started using the internet, but I think it's a lifesaver these days with the crowds, hotel stays and extras.



I saved this postcard from 1984! The sign advertises Free bus to park (but the entrance at that time was right across the street--it's now CA), Color TV and dial phones in all rooms, and waterbeds available

I remember the motels advertising how close they were, but the old parking lot was huge! As a result, we usually drove or took a shuttle.

 

[DizMe]

I remember the motels advertising how close they were, but the old parking lot was huge! As a result, we usually drove or took a shuttle.

Oh, yeah! You're right!! It was a loooooooong trek from the front entrance to the ticket booths! I'd forgotten that.

 

[GracieB]

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This made me chuckle---the Cosmic Age Lodge part, anyway---we stayed there for one night of our honeymoon, and it was a scream---turquoise and olive green decor---it was a blast!

So fun to read of someone else who not only remembered it, but actually stayed there as well!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

Check out this retro view:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywoodplace/6163966732/in/set-72157607701783767/

 

[Cheshirecatty]

GracieB, what fantastic pictures!

Boy howdy, those bring back memories! So fun! (Gotta love the advertisement---Moon Level Luxury!!!)

Thanks so much for sharing those---much appreciated!

 

[zanzibar138]

Loving the vintage photos! As someone who never saw any of this, I'm finding it fascinating, and would love to know more about some of the old hotels that are no more

 

[GracieB]

Loving the vintage photos! As someone who never saw any of this, I'm finding it fascinating, and would love to know more about some of the old hotels that are no more

The Inn of Tomorrow was the flagship property, developed around 1961 by a man, Mr. Stovall, who was enraptured by America's space exploration interest. The lobby was truly ridiculous, with an elaborate space motif. Sadly, much o f it was removed by 1990. It is today Stovall's Inn.


http://stovallsinn.com/property-info-2/hotel-history/

 

[larina]

I used AAA and park maps to plan our earlier trips.