Yes! "Do Over" trip, baby!

[avalon451]

Well, I did it-- I booked another trip, for October 12th-16th.

We went for the FIRST time for any of us, in March. DD, myself and 3 daughters. BUT, the 12 y.o. got very sick, and we spent a lot of time switching off in the hotel with her. She missed a good half or more of the fun, and was so sick by the time we got home she had to have i.v. fluids in the doctor's office.

We'd spent so much time and money to make it a magical first trip. We stayed at the GCH, took a limo to and from the airport, booked Fantasmic reserved seating... well, I won't say it was a complete disaster, because she did recover a little most days, but it was a disappointment.

After talking about it, DH and I decided we need to take another run at it. So, it's going to be a "DO OVER!" mom and daughter trip for 3 days. We're staying at HoJo's. Dad will have a fun couple of days at home with the younger two (they are cool with it, they realize how much big sis missed).

So now I'm pysched all over again!

Thanks so much to all of you who encouraged me to try again, when I first posted about our disappointment! You have been very supportive and have given me so much info. You guys rock!

The best part of all: DD12 was pretty traumatized by missing out, and also because she felt so guilty for holding us back. When we came home she said, "Mom, don't even mention the word Disneyland-- it makes me want to throw up." But NOW-- she is just as excited as before the trip, and is talking enthusiastically about all the rides that she can't wait to try! She has made a pact with me... she will ride California Screamin' with me if I will ride the teacups with her

Yippee! My daughter may yet be a DL convert!

 

[disney-inspired]

Yay, for do-overs!

 

[mariezp]

That is great! A mother/daughter trip sounds like a blast!

 

[Queenbillabong]

That's great! I hope you have a wonderful time and nobody gets sick! Ride the teacups for me

 

[mystic_path]

Well I am really happy to hear that your making it back to Disneyland with your daughter. I cant imagine being that sick when on a Disneyland vacation. Its going to be so much fun for you. I went with just my mom on a Disneyland vacation 2 years ago, and let me tell you that that was one of the best experiences of my life. Her and I had some one on one girlie bonding and we could do girl things and have a pleasant few days away from the boys for a change. I think Disney worked its magic in more ways then just the park because even though her and I were always close, she and I have traveled even more places together and we have become closer on a totally different level. Hopefully that will happen with you and your daughter on this up coming trip. Let us all know how it goes for you.

 

[Bugsmom73]

How wonderful for both of you.

 

[davidsprincess]

That is so awsome! Have lots of fun and take lots of pictures!

 

[blue donkey]

Yeah. Glad that you'll be able to have some special time with your oldest @ DLR.

Your other children also "rock" for being so understanding about big sis & mom's special trip.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

Oh wow! You're going to have so much fun! October is a good time to go. The park is all decked out for Halloween.

Here is our video from last October if you want to see what it's like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPOHCrB5Jwg

 

[50sjayne]

That's so awesome- and you'll get to see the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion ;-) Right on.

 

[pixiewings71]

YAY!!!! Have fun together!!

 

[avalon451]

Thanks so much, everybody! Casey's Mommie, I loved your video! How cute Casey is! I'm excited to see all the Halloween decorations.

I read somewhere that October can be pretty busy, though-- is there a "fall break?" Does anybody know when this usually happens? We'll be there the 12th-16th.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

We were there Oct 14th - 18th 2007. It was a Sun-Wed. Sounds like it was around the same time that you are going. It was more crowded than it was when we went in February, but it was TOO bad. Arizona had some schools with a fall break when we went. I heard the week before we went was A LOT worse because some LA/orange county schools had their break that week.

We got there around 7 Sunday night and it was wall to wall people. We left after 20 minutes because it was NOT fun. We ate dinner at Denny's put the little one to bed and while the grandparents stayed with Casey dh and I went back and it seemed 80% of the people had left. We didn't have to wait for anything! So if you can stay up late on Sunday night, I highly recommend it!

The rest of the week was only slightly busy. It seemed like there was a lot of people on the walkways, but we didn't have to wait longer than 25 minutes for anything. Make sure you understand fastpass (see Hyrdoguys tips) and take breaks everyday!

We took a break from around 12:30 - 3:30 everyday to nap. This worked great because we missed all of the peak crowds.

 

[LindaM]

Good for you two, you'll have so much fun together. My DD and I are going on our first girls only trip this June DH and DS don't get Disney like us, so we want to experience all we can. We are talking about making this something we do with each other every two years.

 

[CMG1]

What great news! Good for you two!! I remember reading your first posting and felt so bad for you all.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yay for the 2 of you!! Have a great time!

 

[avalon451]

We were there Oct 14th - 18th 2007. It was a Sun-Wed. Sounds like it was around the same time that you are going. It was more crowded than it was when we went in February, but it was TOO bad. Arizona had some schools with a fall break when we went. I heard the week before we went was A LOT worse because some LA/orange county schools had their break that week.

We got there around 7 Sunday night and it was wall to wall people. We left after 20 minutes because it was NOT fun. We ate dinner at Denny's put the little one to bed and while the grandparents stayed with Casey dh and I went back and it seemed 80% of the people had left. We didn't have to wait for anything! So if you can stay up late on Sunday night, I highly recommend it!

The rest of the week was only slightly busy. It seemed like there was a lot of people on the walkways, but we didn't have to wait longer than 25 minutes for anything. Make sure you understand fastpass (see Hyrdoguys tips) and take breaks everyday!

We took a break from around 12:30 - 3:30 everyday to nap. This worked great because we missed all of the peak crowds.

Thanks, CM, that's good to know! I hope we don't hit OC's fall break. Do you remember what the park hours were when you were there? Also, I wonder if they will have fireworks and Fantasmic during the week? I'm guessing probably not? Not a huge deal, though. We sure enjoyed them the first time, and DD did get to see them, so we HAVE experienced them.


We are getting 3 day park hoppers and spending Mon., Tue. and Wed in the park, so we can use our one EE on Tuesday. Sunday night will be: arrive around 6 p.m., dinner in DTD and early bed. Thursday will be sleep in, pack up leisurely and check out, and have lunch somewhere before getting our plane back to Seattle at 3:30. In between, as per Hydroguy's tips (I'm a firm believer! Especially after experiencing Spring Break crowds!) we'll be at the gates 30 mins before opening and collecting FPs to use after our mid-day break back at the hotel!

 

[Casey's Mommie]

Do you remember what the park hours were when you were there? Also, I wonder if they will have fireworks and Fantasmic during the week? I'm guessing probably not?

The hours during the week were 10-8 and there were no fireworks or Fantasmic. You might want to check out the price difference between a 3 day ticket and a 4 day ticket. If it's a small enough amount it might be fun to close the park on Sunday. When we went it was open until midnight and they had fantasmic and fireworks.

 

[avalon451]

There ya go, CM, that's exactly what I was wondering. The difference is only $15.00-- I'd say that's worth it, yes?

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[trodrigue]

Planning my own do over in Feb., so I am totally with you! Can't wait to read your trip report. I know you will have a fabulous time!