Trick or Treat! A Halloween Trip Report 10/1-4th

[kingshockey04]

Finally after weeks of procrastinating, I am starting my pre-trip report which will soon become my trip report….I leave in 8 days. Every day at work I had my countdown going on in my head, it helped me get through the tough “Back to School” season at the office supply store I work at. I need this trip badly and I can’t wait to tell you guys the story…So let’s get started. I hope it’s not boring.

And here’s the cast:

Me (22) – I’ve been to Disneyland a lot in my years. The most recent was in March. Every year it seems like I have a travel spot I must visit twice during Spring and Fall. Last year it was Maine. I visited there in April and October, this year Disneyland in March and October. Because of it been so expensive to fly, Maine was out of the question. So Disneyland is the next best thing. Wow, that was longer than I wanted it to be. Moving on….

Mom (age not necessary) – She’s been a bunch of times including spending Christmas morning there. I’m so jealous about that. Of course that was during the days when it wasn’t insanely busy on Christmas. Or atleast that’s what I think. I’m definitely glad she’ll be there this time to help me with the four kids we are taking. Last time one got sick and I had no clue what to do.

Lash (51, but don’t tell him that…he says he’s 25) - He’s my step dad and a great one at that. He made his first trip to Disneyland back in 2005 and he can’t wait to go back. Lash is the one who will go on all the roller coasters with the kids because both my mother and me won’t step near one.

Now this is where it gets tricky…..Now back in June when I was planning this trip I only intended on bringing my two older nephews DN10 and DN8. The cast has grown to two more kids – my little sister and little nephew. So back to the show…..

DN10 – His first time was in March and he loves the place. He wears his pin lanyard all over the place. Right now his favorite character is Jack Sparrow. His goal for this trip is to conquer California Screamin’…which he calls the Mickey Mouse rollercoaster.

DN8 – This trip will be his first time. I had to bribe him basically telling him that if he behaved in school and at home I would take him. He isn’t really into Disney that much, his favorite character is Spiderman. I would have liked to take him to Universal to meet him but we don’t have time. Maybe next time.

DSis10 - She is my little sister and came with me last time in March. We are both very much the same as far as planning goes. Her big trip for next year – Disney World. She is a little travel agent, going as far as finding what flight to take and dining accommodations. DSis is definitely a Princess and a Pirate mixed together…also a mouse (she loves cheese)

DN5 –He was added to the trip very last minute (only last week). It was sad because he thought he was going with the big boys. My older sister asked me if I would take him too and of course I was going to. The day that happened I was checking out Disney’s new promo for next year about celebrations. One of the celebrations was for the ‘First Trip’. After watching those clips I thought back to DN5 and knew I had to take him.

Here are a couple pictures of the cast…Mainly me, DSis and DN10 (actually all me, DN10 and DSis – because all my other pics are on my flash drive which is at work…of course)

With matching shirts…which of course we will have this time. Excluding the ‘rents.

One of my favorites.

Me in ’88. Just throwing this in because vintage Minnie is awesome.

Mickey Mouse bread. Oh how I miss you, can’t wait to eat you.


Well that’s it for tonight. I will be back tomorrow with more including our plans and more pictures. P.S. if spelling or grammar sucks it's because I was typing this and playing Madden at the same time. Go Patriots!

 

[kingshockey04]

So now that we’ve met the cast of characters, here is the plan for the trip. But like I’ve learned in the past, plans and schedules don’t always work out with kids. During our second day at DL in March, my DSis got sick on Tom Sawyer Island. That of course pushed all my plans back because I didn’t have “DSis gets sick at 11 am” on the schedule. Anyways so now I know it’s good to have a schedule but to remember things don’t always go according to it. This probably the only schedule we'll be following, everything else will just wing. Back to the plan…

October 1st Wednesday –
6:00am – The grown ups will be up getting last minute preparations done
7:30am – Wake up the kids; getting them dressed and fed
8:00 am – 8:45am: The kids will get a “call” from Enchanted Calls
9:00am – Leave Las Vegas
2:30 pm – Arrive in Anaheim; check into Hyatt Regency; relax and shower
5:00pm – Head to Disneyland Hotel for dinner
5:50pm – Dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen; after dinner explore DTD (and shop )
8:30pm – Back to Hotel; get ready for FIRST Disney day

October 2nd Thursday-

8:00am- Wake up; get everyone ready; breakfast (not sure yet what we’ll eat; something quick and fast)
9:00 am- Leave hotel for DCA
10:00 am – DCA opens; head for Toy Story Mania
1:30 pm – PS at Wine Country Trattoria
3:30pm – Leave DCA; head to DL , straight to Pirates of the Carribean
6:30pm – Find a spot for parade
7:00pm – Parade of Dreams
8:00pm- Park closes; head to hotel

October 3rd Friday-

6:00am – Wake up; get ready; breakfast
7:00am- Leave hotel for Disneyland
8:00am – Disneyland opens; head to Peter Pan
1:00pm – Take break; leave DL and head to hotel; pick up lunch somewhere nearby
5:00pm- Come back to DL (do you think that’s to long of a break?)
8:45pm – Find spot for fireworks
9:25pm –Fireworks
12:00am- DL closes (will try to make it to close)

October 4th Saturday-
12:00pm- Hotel check out time; leave Anaheim for Las Vegas unless the Dodgers make the playoffs then we’ll head down to L.A. to catch the game(fingers crossed)

So there’s the plan…whatta you think? Bad? Good? I wish we had more time in the parks because I feel like we’ll be rushed. I guess I’m just use to the four days we had in March.

Here are a few pictures of what I’ve been working on the past week.

We’ll wear these shirts at Goofy’s Kitchen. I found the designs from the DISigns board from donatalie. Those girls there are very talented and awesome.

These are for our first day in the parks. I’m still debating though if I want to wait and wear these in Friday which is our first full day at DL. Made from Telynn on the DISigns board.

Cute Halloween shirts for the kids. I forget who this design is from but it’s so cute.

Goody bags for the road. Inside there’s coloring books, crayons, candy and CD players. Stuff to keep them entertained.

Now this might look like a regular suitcase to you……

but inside is….

All these goodies. I’m making them welcome bags. On our way to dinner, I will make up some excuse to head back to the room real quick and set them up. I can’t wait.

Yummy treats for the road and parks.

Anyhoo this is all I have for right now. Still ironing out the rest of the details….speaking of ironing, I have to work on that to. I’ll continue this later on.

 

[kingshockey04]

Well here we are...less than 24 hours until we leave for Anaheim. 48 until we actually hit the parks. All the packing is almost done (why am I on the DISboards when there's packing to do?), the car is clean, the kids are bathed and getting ready to go to bed. Tonight we gave them their "road trip" kits that included activity books, crayons, cd players and pocket video games. After the gift opening they all sat down in the living room and watched Cars. So far everyone is pretty excited, talking about what rides they want to go on first.

We'll hit the road at 9 am, on the dot (hopefully atleast). I arranged for Mickey, Belle and Tigger to call the kids an hour before we leave (through the enchanted calls site) so I can't wait for that. Anyways, this update will be short because I still have stuff to accomplish and I don't know if anyone is reading this anyways . BUT I will try to post some pics, we'll have the laptop.

Talk to you later!

 

[pink49erfn]

I'm reading! Have an awesome trip!! Your shirts you made look very nice!!

Can't wait for more updates

 

[Mycutekitties]

How exciting! Can't wait to read more.

 

[travelmel]

WOW, I loved your PTR and before I could comment, I got to the end and you were already gone!!!

Your road goodies look fantastic and your Disney goodies make me want you to adopt me!

I think your plans sound great and although it's probably too late I would say this:

On day 1 of Disney I would go over to DL and collect a couple of FP's before entering DCA. But either way you will be having so much fun!

Can't wait to read more

P.S. since your title is Trick or Treat, here's a cute graphic for ya...

H A P P Y
H A L L O W E E N !

EDIT: Oh, AND!!! I love your shirts!