Two Disneyworld Addicts Explore Disneyland and So Cal A Oct09 Pre Trip Report

[tink713]

Ok so I know that October 09 is a LONG time away, but I'm just so darn excited for our trip to Disneyland! When I say "our" I mean me and DH. We've been married for about 6 months now and we will be celebrating a belated 1st year anniversary while in Cali. Here we are-

Nope not the ones in the middle, we are the ones on the sides.
Here's a better picture of us.

So we are Disneyworld addicts. We went on our first trip together to WDW Nov.07. We've taken two other trips since. We even bought into DVC on our Disneymoon! I'm definetly a big planner, this time it's going to be a little hard for me, now that I have to wait until 60 days to make our priority seating(see I'm getting my DL lingo down already), unlike the 180 days that WDW previously was.

I have been to Disneyland multiple times as a kid, but DH has never been to Walt's first park. That's the main reason we decided to go to Disneyland this trip, it's a crime to love Disney but never visit Walt Disney's original park! Even though I've been before, it's been awhile so I've been doing LOTS of research.

We are going to be there Oct. 10-19 and we are using our DVC points to stay at the DL hotel. We don't have enough to stay the first night of our trip so we are trying to decide on a cheap hotel close by Disneyland for that one night. We are looking at either the Jolly Roger Hotel or HoJo. Any suggestions? So far, I know that we want to visit Disneyland, DCA, USH, Hollywood Boulevard, Seaworld. We also plan on doing the Warner Brothers VIP tour, and we are going to try to get into a live audience show taping. (Hoping for Chelsea Lately). Also, my aunt, uncle and cousins live in Downey, CA so we will be visiting them as well. I love California and just can't wait to be back!

My next post I'm going to try to put together a rough intinerary and restaurants we are planning on trying.

 

[KCmike]

Are you going to do the City Pass? Take some time to give your DH some lovely Pacific beach time.

 

[tink713]

We are going to do the CityPass, we were thinking about going to Huntington Beach, I'm not sure which beach is best out in Cali, as many times as I've been to California (5 times) I've never been to the beach. Crazy, I know.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Sounds like you've already got a good handle on your trip! Just make sure your hubby understands that Disneyland is much smaller than WDW. But also tell him that you are able to walk between parks, DTD & the resorts....no shuttles or buses to get you everywhere. As long as he's aware he won't be shocked (which I've read from other WDW fans).

We've taken a number of trips to California & haven't made it to the beaches yet...part of that may be we grew up on the Oregon coast & if you've seen one beach you've seen it all attitude. I know that's not true & the water in S. Cali is much warmer than what we had, but we always find other things we'd rather do. One of these days!!

I'll be looking forward to more as you plan, plan, plan. Have fun!!

 

[blabbermouth]

I totally know how you feel. It's 6 months til our trip and my fiance is going insane listening to me talk about all the tiny details and things I want to do so far in advance. I'll eventually start a PTR, but I'm trying to not think about it til after the wedding! Yet here I am...

I love your hair, so Ariel! (I bet you get that a lot, sorry)

 

[tink713]

Sounds like you've already got a good handle on your trip! Just make sure your hubby understands that Disneyland is much smaller than WDW. But also tell him that you are able to walk between parks, DTD & the resorts....no shuttles or buses to get you everywhere. As long as he's aware he won't be shocked (which I've read from other WDW fans).

We've taken a number of trips to California & haven't made it to the beaches yet...part of that may be we grew up on the Oregon coast & if you've seen one beach you've seen it all attitude. I know that's not true & the water in S. Cali is much warmer than what we had, but we always find other things we'd rather do. One of these days!!

I'll be looking forward to more as you plan, plan, plan. Have fun!!

Oh I've showed DH the maps of DL Resort he was a little surprised at how close everything was but he was excited. Now we don't have to wait 15-20 minutes for a bus to pick us up like at WDW!

And I know what you mean about beaches haha. I'm not the biggest beach person, so once I've seen one, it's good for me! We might try to make it to Huntington, we will see.

I totally know how you feel. It's 6 months til our trip and my fiance is going insane listening to me talk about all the tiny details and things I want to do so far in advance. I'll eventually start a PTR, but I'm trying to not think about it til after the wedding! Yet here I am...

I love your hair, so Ariel! (I bet you get that a lot, sorry)

If only our trips were sooner! Wayyy too far away! I don't know if I will have things to talk about for another 7 months but we will see!

Thanks, I do get that all the time, but I don't mind...Ariel is one of my favorite characters!

 

[Sarah84]

Congratulations on your trip plans, sounds like its going to be a good one.
Look forward to reading more

 

[Belle Ella]

It sounds like it's going to be one helluv a trip! So exciting! I don't know how you can manage - it's so far away! I'm planning another DLR getaway in September for my birthday and if I didn't have this months to occupy my time (for now) I would be a wreck, lol.

Can't wait to hear more from you! Keep the pics coming, we like our colors!

 

[tink713]

Congratulations on your trip plans, sounds like its going to be a good one.

Look forward to reading more

Yay another reader!

It sounds like it's going to be one helluv a trip! So exciting! I don't know how you can manage - it's so far away! I'm planning another DLR getaway in September for my birthday and if I didn't have this months to occupy my time (for now) I would be a wreck, lol.

Can't wait to hear more from you! Keep the pics coming, we like our colors!

I don't know how I'm going to keep myself occupied until then! It's soo far away, but for my birthday in July, DH and I are going to NYC for a few nights to see Little Mermaid on Broadway so that helps split up the wait a little. Here's some more pics for you. Sadly I don't have any past DL pictures on my computer.

DH "driving" the monorail at WDW

 

[kaoden39]

Oh how fun. I look forward to reading all your plans.

 

[tink713]

Ok so I finally put together a rough idea of what we plan to do each day. However not knowing the park hours and nightly entertainment it was a little difficult.

Sat Oct 10
Arrive @ LAX at 9:45 pm
Pick up rental car
Head to HoJo for the night

Sun Oct 11
Check in @ DLH
Disneyland/DCA
Dinner w/ fam at Joes Crab Shack

Mon Oct 12
Warner Bros. Studio tour
Some mall...not sure which one
Dinner @ Medival Times

Tues Oct 13
PCH Grill-breakfast
Disneyland/DCA
Blue Bayou-dinner

Wed Oct 14
Universal Studios
possibly Chelsea Lately taping (if we can get in)
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen-dinner

Thurs Oct 15
Seaworld
Plaza Inn-dinner

Fri Oct 16
DL/DCA
Carnation Cafe
A Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour
Wine Country Trattoria

Sat Oct 17
Hollywood
Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum
Steakhouse 55-dinner

Sun Oct 18
Goofy's Kitchen-breakfast
DL/DCA
Dinner w/ fam again at ?????

Mon Oct 19
Leaving @ 11:30

We still need to fit in the Fireworks, Fantasmic, and the Electrical Parade. Does anyone know when these generally are showing?

Also, we want to fit in a few more meals, at Napa Rose, and Yamabuki.
We are also definetly going to Sonic, Jack in the Box, In N' Out, and Krispy Kreme since we don't have any of those out here in the east.

 

[tink713]

So since I didn't include any pictures in that last post here's some pictures of the "babies"

Our yorkie Sebastian and our chihuahua Nemo.

Unfortunatly, they have to stay behind on all of our vacations. We are looking for a place to board them now. Usually they stay with my parents but last time they went there they had so many accidents that I don't think my parents will ever want to watch the little devils again.

 

[Belle Ella]

Also, we want to fit in a few more meals, at Napa Rose, and Yamabuki.
We are also definetly going to Sonic, Jack in the Box, In N' Out, and Krispy Kreme since we don't have any of those out here in the east.

HA! Thank you for reminding me about In-N-Out! I figured out what we're having for lunch on our drive down there. I'm addicted, and even living in California I hardly ever get my fill. Can't justify the 45 minute drive when gas makes me want to pull my hair out. But the option is better than none at all!

Love the pic of DH "driving" the Monorail. That's awesome!!

Oh, and I haven't done it at all recently, but I so loved Medieval Times!!

 

[tink713]

HA! Thank you for reminding me about In-N-Out! I figured out what we're having for lunch on our drive down there. I'm addicted, and even living in California I hardly ever get my fill. Can't justify the 45 minute drive when gas makes me want to pull my hair out. But the option is better than none at all!

Love the pic of DH "driving" the Monorail. That's awesome!!

Oh, and I haven't done it at all recently, but I so loved Medieval Times!!

Mmmmm In-N-Out! Normally I don't eat much red meat but I make the exception for In-N-Out, one of my favorite places in Cali! DH has never tried it before and he's pretty excited about the idea of the "secret" menu.

We've never tried Medieval Times before, but I also came across a pirates dinner show, now I'm trying to decide between the two.

 

[blabbermouth]

We still need to fit in the Fireworks, Fantasmic, and the Electrical Parade. Does anyone know when these generally are showing?

Also, we want to fit in a few more meals, at Napa Rose, and Yamabuki.
We are also definetly going to Sonic, Jack in the Box, In N' Out, and Krispy Kreme since we don't have any of those out here in the east.

Laughingplace.com shows past hours/schedule for things like fireworks. 'They' say that it's pretty typical from year to year. But who knows with the way this year is going!

I also and definitely looking forward to Jack in the Box and In N Out. Oh yeah, and the Disney restaurants too!

Your itinerary looks like fun.

 

[Bunless]

What a great trip!

A couple of things from my DH and I, as we are DINKS who love Disney...

--the best thing that DL resort has over WDW? how small it is, and how close everything is. It makes it so, so easy to tour. It also makes it easy to take naps in the afternoon.

--Have the beignets at the Jazz Kitchen express, along with the chicory coffee--it's the real thing.

--Take the free tours of the DLH and the GCH. Even if you don't have time for the tour, go look around at GCH.

--Do you drink martinis? If so, since you'll be there in the fall, go get the Chai Martini at the Uva Bar.

--Walk in Walts Footsteps is AMAZING.

--When you go to the Blue Bayou, do everything in the New Orleans area first (except Pirates), get yourself immersed in the atmosphere, let yourself believe you're there, eat, then go on Pirates. Just pretend you're part of the story from the first moment you step in NOS.

--Use the Vacation Planning services!

 

[tink713]

Laughingplace.com shows past hours/schedule for things like fireworks. 'They' say that it's pretty typical from year to year. But who knows with the way this year is going!

I also and definitely looking forward to Jack in the Box and In N Out. Oh yeah, and the Disney restaurants too!

Your itinerary looks like fun.

Oh thanks! What a great website, that might help a little. I just can't wait till the trip gets closer!

What a great trip!

A couple of things from my DH and I, as we are DINKS who love Disney...

--the best thing that DL resort has over WDW? how small it is, and how close everything is. It makes it so, so easy to tour. It also makes it easy to take naps in the afternoon.

--Have the beignets at the Jazz Kitchen express, along with the chicory coffee--it's the real thing.

--Take the free tours of the DLH and the GCH. Even if you don't have time for the tour, go look around at GCH.

--Do you drink martinis? If so, since you'll be there in the fall, go get the Chai Martini at the Uva Bar.

--Walk in Walts Footsteps is AMAZING.

--When you go to the Blue Bayou, do everything in the New Orleans area first (except Pirates), get yourself immersed in the atmosphere, let yourself believe you're there, eat, then go on Pirates. Just pretend you're part of the story from the first moment you step in NOS.

--Use the Vacation Planning services!

Are the beignets at the Jazz Kitchen the Mickey beignets I've been seeing? If so I'm definetly trying those! Thanks for all the great tips, I'm definetly taking notes!

 

[tink713]

In an attempt to distract myself for the next 7 months, this past weekend DH and I went out and bought a cork board to display all of our pins on. Plus I ordered about 30 more pins on ebay. My lanyard and his had run out of room so we figured that this is the perfect way to display them all.

We also picked up this book.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good guide book for not only DL but for all of Southern California's attractions?

 

[kaoden39]

I happen to be very fond of the Disneyland Passporter. They have a website, that book is how I found Disboards and the rest is history. Go to passporter.com

 

[tink713]

I happen to be very fond of the Disneyland Passporter. They have a website, that book is how I found Disboards and the rest is history. Go to passporter.com

Thanks for the link! I just ordered myself one, can't wait until it gets here! DH is going to kill me after all the things I've already ordered for this trip, and it's still 7 months away!