What to do? Possible short trip...

[707MickeyGirl]

Hello DISers. I’m trying to decide whether to take a short trip sometime during the last week of November. Normally, I’ll take all the DLR trips I can get. I’m in northern California and have had several nice trips over the past few years. I’ve taken my granddaughter on every trip except one. She is always the VIP of the group, and her presence provides so much of the magic for me. During all or part of each trip, my daughter usually joins us. Once my son (my granddaughter’s dad) finally got to join us, and it was especially sweet to see the two of them enjoying the parks together.

So. In a few weeks, my SO has a business conference at the convention center. His company is hosting a reception at Catal in DTD on one of the nights. What does this mean to me? Well… he’ll have a company-provided room at the Anaheim Marriott for each of the days he attends the conference. Although not a Disnerd himself, my SO respects my love of DLR and asked me if I would like to accompany him. My first thought was “OF COURSE!!!” (Silly question, right?)

I checked Southwest – yes there are still $49 flights available. Great! Hotel room is a non-issue… I can walk or use ART or the Toy Story shuttle to get to the parks while SO is conferencing. Park ticket is another issue. My AP is expired and I wasn’t planning on renewing it for 2017 because I only have one 5-day trip planned, due a Europe trip we’re going to be taking. (Hello, Disneyland Paris? It’s in the deck! And Neuschwanstein Castle is a definite!) It’s really not cost-effective to get an AP for one trip, so I’m looking at $295 for the 3-day PH. Then of course there are meals and souvenirs. Still… this type of trip wouldn’t be prohibitively expensive, even with zero time to budget.

So why the hesitation? Well… I’ve never gone to the parks solo. I’ve been reading some of the other threads about solo visits and a lot of people have a great time going alone. I might be okay with this, or I might miss my granddaughter terribly! Also, I’m taking an online class so I’d have to work that into my mini-vacation, and the third wrench in my plan is, of course, work. We’re going through a major system migration and the workload has been intense, and that last week of November we’re going to be coming off of a 4-day weekend due to the Thanksgiving holiday. I do have someone that could cover for me, but I’m a little hesitant to take 3 days off during the week following a 4-day weekend. I’d be at work either Monday and Tuesday, and off the rest of the week; or I’d be at work Monday, off Tuesday through Thursday, and at work Friday. Also… I did just have a Disneyland trip September 28th – October 2nd. Everyone’s going to roll their eyes… you’re going… again?! (Some people just don’t get it.)

Objective me says to stay home, focus on class, go to work, and save my money for Christmas shopping and my upcoming trip in April 2017. Disnerd me says what?! Give up a chance to go to Disneyland when the biggest expense (hotel) is going to be taken care of?

I need to make this decision quickly! All advice is welcome!

 

[chickapin parterre]

it will be a rare opportunity to visit a holiday ghost town disneyland because 2016, 17 and 18 have extra holiday daysat Disneyland. Also, october is not christmas, nor is April, and who knows what will happen. lodging is only going to become more expensive. Lodging was a factor in why my wife did not go with me in Feburary on several of my visits, she requires more than a Motel 6.....and you did mention working in your lodging. So for me a ghosttown holiday would be the sole purpose

 

[707MickeyGirl]

it will be a rare opportunity to visit a holiday ghost town disneyland because 2016, 17 and 18 have extra holiday daysat Disneyland. Also, october is not christmas, nor is April, and who knows what will happen. lodging is only going to become more expensive. Lodging was a factor in why my wife did not go with me in Feburary on several of my visits, she requires more than a Motel 6.....and you did mention working in your lodging. So for me a ghosttown holiday would be the sole purpose

That's a good point! I hadn't thought about the Christmas decorations being up... that's definitely something to think about.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I've had one solo trip when I was attending a conference and had some solo hours while I was an "off duty" chaperone for a school trip. I LOVED my solo time! Don't get me wrong...I enjoy experiencing the Disney magic with my Disney-loving DH and both Disney-loving DDs. But having time by myself in the parks was quite magical. I spent some time going on favorite rides, of course, but the moments that stand out most in my memory were the opportunities to simply soak in the atmosphere. I ate outside at Cafe Orleans and people watched as I enjoyed the sights and sounds around me. I would stop to listen to musical acts for as long as I wanted without feeling guilty for holding my kids up from the next ride. I could get to an event early and enjoy the scenery or get to an event late knowing there was usually a spot for one person. I used single-rider lines! And though I'm only a mediocre photographer, I enjoyed finding quiet spots to capture interesting pictures. I think everyone who loves Disney should have the opportunity to experience some solo time (whether for an afternoon or a longer trip).

 

[SMD]

Could you shorten the trip by a day and just do 2 park days and do another day at work? I'd take the shortest trip possible and only if it would cause fewer issues at work than doing the full trip. Have you checked to see if there's a ticket offer through the convention? A cheaper ticket and one less day of food saves a little for the next trip. Although, Disneyland isn't going anywhere, and neither are Southwest fare sales, so it's not the end of the world to put work first, since working pays for all the other trips too, right?

 

[Tasscrapper]

Something else to consider is if you shorten the trip does that make the cost of transport go up from the airport?

It sounds to me as if the biggest thing holding you back is not having your granddaughter with you. I would say take the trip and explore the parks in a new way. Can you imagine the treasures you might find or learn about that you might then be able to share with her later? Work is being intense? Take a couple days break and come back rejuvenated and fresh. The class would possibly be a bit more problematic if you aren't disciplined. Will you do what you need to while there?

Sometimes as adults we are hestitant to do things for ourselves. What we would encourage someone else to do we feel like we shouldn't for whatever reason. I have work, it costs to much (the money could be better used somewhere else), what will people say, I should be responsible, my house is dirty, there's so much at home I should be doing, isn't it selfish to go by myself? Oh, and once again, what will people say??

Who cares what people say! Kudos to you for finding something in this world that brings you joy and kudos to your husband for inviting you and wanting you to come experience the joy again! Money can always be saved again or re-earned. What is the point of working if we don't take the opportunities to enjoy life when we are presented with them? Ok, I've convinced me . . . you should go and have a great time!!!

It's funny how I can totally see why you should go and how I would absolutely take the opportunity in your place and yet I am trying to decide if we should go on spring break. My worries are a little different but . . . why can I accept it so easily for others and stress about it for myself?? I would love to do a solo trip or another trip with just my dh. A time you don't have to worry about what everyone else wants to do, if the kids need to eat or a melt down will happen. this person likes this kind of ride and this one doesn't ect.

Go and enjoy yourself. Find new things and a new way of looking at a place you love.

 

[WonkaKid]

So why the hesitation? Well… I’ve never gone to the parks solo. I’ve been reading some of the other threads about solo visits and a lot of people have a great time going alone.

Hello 707MickeyGirl. I do solo trips all the time (just did one yesterday) and always have a blast. I tend to be highly independent (I've traveled to Europe about a dozen times on my own including DL Paris). I recommend that you give it a shot. How bad can a trip to DL be? ;-). And here's something else I've found: I rarely get lonely at the parks but when/if I do, talking to random guests and/or CMs always helps me to feel better. Not sure how extroverted you are -- I'll approach and talk to nearly anyone -- but even short casual chats can go a long way. I find that about 95% of the people I strike up conversations with are receptive. And it sounds like you'll be just in time for the handmade candy canes. I say go for it!

 

[VandVsmama]

I think that you should go. I was at DL this past Friday all by myself and it was great. First time I've gone when it's been just me and no little kids to corral. It was really nice. In fact, I wish that I'd had an extra day because there's a lot that I missed. I didn't get to watch the full castle or Main Street station shows that the Disneyland band does...those are really cool. There are rides I didn't have time to go on. I didn't have time to leisurely shop everywhere I wanted to. For example, I totally missed the Pieces of 8 store in New Orleans Square. I also missed that NOS store that has all of the Haunted Mansion merchandise. I forgot about browsing in the Gag Factory store in Toontown (I didn't go into Toontown at all, in fact). I missed the Main Street Cinema. Didn't watch any fireworks (but they were only 5 min long, so I don't feel so bad about missing that). Didn't get to ride in 1 of the horse-drawn trolley cars. Didn't get to ride in the old fashioned firetruck down Main Street. Missed watching Alice and the Mad Hatter play musical chairs with little kids at Coke Corner in the afternoon. Didn't stop to feed the ducks.

You could take a tour while you're there. "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" tour, for example. That's an extra $105 over the cost of a ticket, I believe.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I

Could you shorten the trip by a day and just do 2 park days and do another day at work? I'd take the shortest trip possible and only if it would cause fewer issues at work than doing the full trip. Have you checked to see if there's a ticket offer through the convention? A cheaper ticket and one less day of food saves a little for the next trip. Although, Disneyland isn't going anywhere, and neither are Southwest fare sales, so it's not the end of the world to put work first, since working pays for all the other trips too, right?

I could shorten the trip to two days, and that might be the way to go, depending on how the next couple of weeks pan out. Two days are better than zero days!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

It sounds to me as if the biggest thing holding you back is not having your granddaughter with you. I would say take the trip and explore the parks in a new way.

Go and enjoy yourself. Find new things and a new way of looking at a place you love.

You're right - not having my granddaughter with me is a big factor. I love the idea of reframing this thought, and just going into it with a different perspective of exploring the parks in a new way. Thank you so much for your suggestions!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Hello 707MickeyGirl. I do solo trips all the time (just did one yesterday) and always have a blast. I tend to be highly independent (I've traveled to Europe about a dozen times on my own including DL Paris). I recommend that you give it a shot. How bad can a trip to DL be? ;-). And here's something else I've found: I rarely get lonely at the parks but when/if I do, talking to random guests and/or CMs always helps me to feel better. Not sure how extroverted you are -- I'll approach and talk to nearly anyone -- but even short casual chats can go a long way. I find that about 95% of the people I strike up conversations with are receptive. And it sounds like you'll be just in time for the handmade candy canes. I say go for it!

Handmade candy canes! I've never been there for those! Wide words from a veteran soloist - thank you!

I think that you should go. I was at DL this past Friday all by myself and it was great. First time I've gone when it's been just me and no little kids to corral. It was really nice.

Thank you for your reply! I'm feeling better about going solo, especially after hearing from first-timers who had a great time.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Does your DH have access to convention tickets? That would help with the ticket cost.

I would definitely go if I were in your shoes. I have done a few solo trips and I love them, even if I do miss my kids !

 

[kgwoozle]

I agree with everyone else and say go for it. I have spent a bunch of time in the park on my own and love it. I fact, I usually go with a big group and ditch them.
The photopass peeps a great for solos. I have gotten some of the best photo's when I have been on my own.

I've made a survey of the bars, not that I really drink any thing hard at them. I Jam to the street performers. I've hung out on a bench and watched the world go by. I take crazy photo's with Woozle. Strike up conversations with random people and Cast members. If you pay attention you will see lots of single folks hanging out and often they are willing to chat. Keep in mind I'm pretty introverted, so it's kind of amazing.

Doing an adults only Disneyland trip is a very different experience than doing it with kids. It is a great way to see Disneyland through an adult lens. If you start missing your granddaughter, think of it as practice for when your granddaughter grows older and how to help keep the magic alive and the things you can do together as she becomes a young women.

I love visiting Disneyland the week after Thanksgiving, I always feel a special magic. I fact I'll be there that week
Oswald spotted Woozle in my bag and insisted he be in the photo. It was a slightly odd but fun experience.