You light ‘em, they fight ‘em! A GCV/Disneyland Resort December 2014 PTR- we're out!

[rentayenta]

Nice to hear that you are able to find a nice place to stay in Huntington Beach.

Your itinerary looks very good and all well balanced with the beach time, the different restaurants and the DLR. Very interesting that you are having second thoughts of the park hopping. I can totally understand of not doing the park hopping when you have multiple days at the parks so you can save some money on doing other stuff or buying.

Our last three trips have only been 1-2 days and we didn't hop but one day I think. It was SO nice to stay present in the park of choice for the day if that makes any sense.

I think the hotel In Huntington is a good option. I wouldn't consider $32 for parking but because we're in walking distance to the beach, it sort of cancels part of the cost out.​

Don't forget that Vons will deliver to the villas!

Booze too? I'll need to look into that. I'd love to save that two hours grocery shopping. But wait, we can buy booze before. That doesn't need to stay cold. Duh! ​

Is there a particular good buy for an air mattress? Where would you recommend we get one?

I was thinking of looking at Costco, Target and Walmart. Anywhere else?

Are you getting one for your stay at Alison's? I can pitch in. Alison's house can be the West Coast Owner's Locker!!!! ​

The plans are good and solid. I know you want two days after your break, but Saturday is sure to be much more busy than Friday. Crowds on weekends are cra-zee!

The rest sounds good. Thats a good solid week of fun and relaxing. I hope the weather cooperates that week.

That's true and what Michael pointed out as well. One final day freaks me out though. We'd have to get a hopper that last day for sure then. Michael has to ride Soarin' right before closing at DCA. Its his Disney thing. I, of course, have to end with the castle kiss. ​

Weekends will always be crazy no matter what. That's why I would try to take advantage of the weekdays when the parks are not that bad. I remember that you will want to do Fantasmic! one night and it has to be on Friday, Saturday or Sunday since they won't play on the weekdays. So on your calendar, you have DL on Sunday so I would try to fit F! on that night.

I would suggest the same thing and purchase an air mattress online. If you want I do have a air mattress you can use.

You and Alison make very compelling arguments for skipping Saturday instead of Friday. F! would be a fun way to end the trip too. I think we'd do the early show as Michael and the kids really like that last 90 minutes of park time to run like crazy people. We're going to see the fireworks on Thursday. And of course we need to fit WoC in too.

The beach shouldn't be too crowded mid December on a Saturday. Of course, I am assuming the weather will cooperate with my plans. LOL!​

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm gone for a week and missed tons of planning! Sorry!


What happened with your friend and now needing a hotel? That's a bummer.

To hop or not hop? You can make either work. It depends on less crowds or more crowds I think. More crowds and not hopping makes sense since lines will potentially eat up time. Definitely 5 park days!

 

[rentayenta]

I'm gone for a week and missed tons of planning! Sorry!

Where did you go? Did I miss something fun? ​

What happened with your friend and now needing a hotel? That's a bummer.

Its not fur sure we'll need a hotel but she is back together with a guy she dated for many years. They broke up for a couple of years but have rekindled. I am very happy for her truly but staying there is a little uncomfortable when he lives there. She's amazing and a terrific host. I love her to pieces. We also don't want to invade their newly rekindled relationship. I think he'll be moved back in but I am not asking. Its her life and I am happy for her. I can cancel the hotel up to 72* hours before but I wanted to book now as things will book up and prices will only increase. Being across the beach doesn't sound horrible but I really wanted to spend the time with her too.​

To hop or not hop? You can make either work. It depends on less crowds or more crowds I think. More crowds and not hopping makes sense since lines will potentially eat up time. Definitely 5 park days!

We'll hop for sure on the day with Alison so it makes sense to get hoppers the whole time. We don't have to use them and I may tell the kids we don't have them the first day; maybe they'll never know. Joshua doesn't love DCA so if he has the chance to be in Disneyland, he'll jump on it. My kooky little boy. ​

 

[Pinkocto]

Where did you go? Did I miss something fun? ​

I went down to WDW for a week. I mentioned it on my TR but didn't make a big deal of it. I spent time with two sets of friends. One was fabulous the other not so fabulous.

Its not fur sure we'll need a hotel but she is back together with a guy she dated for many years. They broke up for a couple of years but have rekindled. I am very happy for her truly but staying there is a little uncomfortable when he lives there. She's amazing and a terrific host. I love her to pieces. We also don't want to invade their newly rekindled relationship. I think he'll be moved back in but I am not asking. Its her life and I am happy for her. I can cancel the hotel up to 72* hours before but I wanted to book now as things will book up and prices will only increase. Being across the beach doesn't sound horrible but I really wanted to spend the time with her too.​

Ahhhh. Wonderful for her, but potentially awkward to be around rekindled love. Totally understandable to be prepared for either situation.

We'll hop for sure on the day with Alison so it makes sense to get hoppers the whole time. We don't have to use them and I may tell the kids we don't have them the first day; maybe they'll never know. Joshua doesn't love DCA so if he has the chance to be in Disneyland, he'll jump on it. My kooky little boy. ​

That Josh! Will he leave the group and do DL alone?

Yes, that does make sense since you'll hop with Alison.

 

[eandesmom]

Saturday Dec 6: leave SLC, drive through to So Cal, pass Go (Vegas), save $200 (think along the lines of Monopoly). Check into Waterfront Beach Hilton in Huntington Beach. http://www.waterfrontresort.com/ Check it out. It's pretty nifty.

Sunday Dec 7: beach Dining is still up in the air. Ideas posted further down. Bonfire at night.

Monday Dec 8: beach

Tuesday Dec 9: check into the GCV. Disneyland!
Park hours: Disneyland 9a-9p with EMH/MM 8a-9a and DCA 9a-8p

Wednesday Dec 10: DCA!
Park hours: Disneyland 9a-9p and DCA 9a-8p with EMH/MM 8a-9a

Thursday Dec 11: Disneyland! This is the day we're spending with Alison.
Park hours: Disneyland 9a-9p with EMH/MM 8a-9a and DCA 9a-8p

Friday Dec 12: break* or DCA
Park hours: Disneyland 9a-midnight and DCA 9a-10p with EMH/MM 8a-9a

Saturday Dec 13: break* or DCA, depends on what we did the day before.
Park hours: Disneyland 8a-midnight with EMH/MM 7a-8a and DCA 8a-11p

Sunday Dec 14: Disneyland!
Park hours: Disneyland 8a-midnight and DCA 8a-11p. No EMH/MM.

Monday Dec 15: drive home, straight through, Utah bound.

It looks as though, from last year's calendar, the parade, fireworks, and WoC are shown once nightly Tues, Wed, and Th of our trip. The parade, WoC, and Fantasmic! are shown twice nightly on Fri, Sat, and Sun. The fireworks are still shown once a night.

these look good!

So seriously I've still not seen F! and the fireworks (at least with any decent viewing) at DL. Ok, I've seen the fireworks but not since 2001!

The story on dining. Our family has a few So Cal musts. This time Michael has chimed in so I'm excited about that. Our collective choices include:

Super Mex http://www.supermex.com/index.php/page/menu/44/271
Taco Surf no website. So weird.
Mrs. Knott's fried chicken with my dad https://www.knotts.com/california-marketplace/mrs-knott-s-chicken-dinner-restaurant
Dwight's, lifeguard tower 3 in HB
http://www.dwightsbeachconcession.com/Menu.html
S'mores via beach bonfire

Those are our absolute must-eats during the beach portion of the trip. Because we may be in a hotel and won't have access to a full kitchen, it looks like easy will be theme for breakfast on our beach days. We'll have our cooler from the drive so I'll have cereal, milk, yogurt, and fruit for those two breakfasts. We can prep proper breakfast if we want in the villa. One day I'm sure we'll have Dwight's for lunch. Their cheese strips are that good. The other day we'll venture up to Main St. There is a ton to choose from. Huntington Beach Brewery is a favorite. http://www.hbbeerco.com/PDFs/Menu.pdf There is also a BJ's Pizzaria and we don't have those here. http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/menu Jan's Health Bar is also a favorite from my late teen years. http://www.janshealthbar.com/menu.php Here is link for most Huntington Beach restaurants but we'll stick to the ones on Main St so we don't have to drive. http://www.surfcityusa.com/restaurants/

MMMN! Mrs. Knott's. SO bummed we didn't make it there last spring, it was a casualty. Jeff won't do fried chicken so unless I can finagle another DL race I may not make it there until GASP 2018. That's messed up. I can't let that happen.

The Brewery looks really good, I noticed on Easter. Hmmn.

Jeff and I will actually be down there in a couple of weeks (yeah I know, I know, lol).

It's a work thing. For HIM this time. He won an award . So we have one night in Laguna Nigel on his company and then he added 2 nights in San Diego (Coronado) as a treat. Because you know we need another vacation. More like it seemed WRONG to not take advantage of the situation.

We have NO plans other than where we are staying and the obvious work shin dig on Thursday night.

He actually mentioned he might be up for a day at DL while there. Out of the blue, I did not bring it up! And didn't plan to. But as I look at where we are, it's hard to make a case for it making a ton of sense. do we bail out of the Ritz (of all places lol) early to go north to DL for the day and then drive to Coronado at the end of the day? Which obviously turns that into a longer drive.

Driving back up from Coronado makes zero sense.

Sigh. I wish a half day ticket existed or that a full day hopper just wasn't quite so pricey. There are MAJOR things he's not seen and clearly he wants to but.... AACK! It is kind of funny he wants to or even brought it up given how few rides we went on in FL. Cute though.

I was thinking that brewery sounded good too but same issue. Although it is less far away, it still could be a lunch option after we leave even if it is a tiny bit of back tracking.

Groceries: not staying at my friends definitely throws a wrench in this as the hotel doesn't have more than what I am thinking is commensurate to the ice box on the Wonder.

My options are to either get up and shop before we check in however that would require getting up very very early. The other option would be to shop once the villa is ready let the kids have a break. The girls like their midday breaks and all. I'm leaning towards that idea and perhaps making the EMH/MM that morning. My crew doesn't do so well with rope drop anymore but knowing we'll spend a good two hours midday unpacking and shopping makes me really want to make that extra magical hour. We usually come from my friends which is about 10-15 minutes away. I'll have to plan on a solid 30 minute drive from the beach.

Ok ugh. I find shopping mid day like that always eats far more of the day than you plan. Couldn't you shop the night before and put it in the cooler with ice? Keep it in the room but that way it's ready to go at check in? Bell services will keep it cold.

 

[franandaj]

Booze too? I'll need to look into that. I'd love to save that two hours grocery shopping. But wait, we can buy booze before. That doesn't need to stay cold. Duh! ​

They will deliver booze, but you have to be there to sign for it.

Are you getting one for your stay at Alison's? I can pitch in. Alison's house can be the West Coast Owner's Locker!!!! ​

Fran actually laughed out loud at this. However, we won't deliver like owner's locker, but if you pay the $99 per year storage fee we might consider a free delivery once a year!

We're going to see the fireworks on Thursday. And of course we need to fit WoC in too.

This makes a difference I'm glad you told me.

I went down to WDW for a week. I mentioned it on my TR but didn't make a big deal of it. I spent time with two sets of friends. One was fabulous the other not so fabulous.

I think I can guess the fabulous ones!


So looking back over your plans, I didn't see any time that you would be coming to visit Casa Nueva. Should I be offended?

 

[mvf-m11c]

You and Alison make very compelling arguments for skipping Saturday instead of Friday. F! would be a fun way to end the trip too. I think we'd do the early show as Michael and the kids really like that last 90 minutes of park time to run like crazy people. We're going to see the fireworks on Thursday. And of course we need to fit WoC in too.​

The good thing about F! over BIHM fireworks is that F! will run even on a windy day where the fireworks will be cancel if it is too windy. On the days that you want to see BIHM fireworks, I would watch the weather carefully. For example if you plan on watching the fireworks later at the end of the trip and is canceled due to high winds, than it would be a real bummer. F! can still be cancel if it is raining hard. Good thing about WoC is that it will play no matter what from windy or raining days.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Are you getting one for your stay at Alison's? I can pitch in. Alison's house can be the West Coast Owner's Locker!!!! ​

Yes.....and thanks, but I've got it. In fact I ordered the Aerobed premium twin off Amazon tonight. I'd been looking at that one for the better part of a month now. The Asian have this concept of "kiasu". It literally translates to 'afraid of losing out' or 'afraid of not getting the best'. My "kiasu" behaviour for the last month has been to keep looking at the websites and wondering if there was going to be a better air mattress anywhere.

I finally realised that if I didn't order the dang thing, it wouldn't arrive in time. Turns out I should have trusted my instincts. There's a chance that DS might have to sleep on the couch whilst the thing is still in transit!!


I like the WCOL concept.

I would suggest the same thing and purchase an air mattress online. If you want I do have a air mattress you can use.

Thanks Bret for the offer. I think I'd like to leave Alison with the (hopefully a decent one at that) air mattress to give her more KVC options.

 

[rentayenta]

I went down to WDW for a week. I mentioned it on my TR but didn't make a big deal of it. I spent time with two sets of friends. One was fabulous the other not so fabulous.

Yay for fabulous and boo for not fabulous. I am glad you had a good time though. Where did you stay? Was this the wedding? Was that before? What parks did you visit? How was Food and Wine? Halloween decor? I'll go your check your cruise report and look for details.​

Ahhhh. Wonderful for her, but potentially awkward to be around rekindled love. Totally understandable to be prepared for either situation.

Exactly! Its 2 months away so you never know but they were together for many years. I just want her to be happy and healthy. I'll miss her though as if he's living there, I doubt we'll see her much. But I have a great hotel booked for not a terrible price so I feel good about it.​

That Josh! Will he leave the group and do DL alone?

Heaven knows, he'd drag me along with him. I can hardly say no to that kid. He likes DCA but he loves Disneyland. He'll ride everything in Disneyland but won't ride ToT or Screamin' in DCA and those are two heavy hitters.​

these look good!

So seriously I've still not seen F! and the fireworks (at least with any decent viewing) at DL. Ok, I've seen the fireworks but not since 2001!

Thank you! I haven't seen F! with a full view in years either. We watched it from the balcony at Club 33 and there were trees however I am clearly NOT complaining. We saw bits of it from the bridge last time while waiting in the wrong line for beignets. LOL!​

MMMN! Mrs. Knott's. SO bummed we didn't make it there last spring, it was a casualty. Jeff won't do fried chicken so unless I can finagle another DL race I may not make it there until GASP 2018. That's messed up. I can't let that happen.

Its my dads all-time favorite brunch and since I can't take him there, I bring it to him minus the champagne. They have other things I believe don't they? A pot pie, maybe pot roast?​

The Brewery looks really good, I noticed on Easter. Hmmn.

They have or at least had last time we were there killer fish tacos. And great beer!​

Jeff and I will actually be down there in a couple of weeks (yeah I know, I know, lol).

It's a work thing. For HIM this time. He won an award . So we have one night in Laguna Nigel on his company and then he added 2 nights in San Diego (Coronado) as a treat. Because you know we need another vacation. More like it seemed WRONG to not take advantage of the situation.

San Diego is so gorgeous! Lucky girl! I am glad you'll get some down time and its his work trip. ​

We have NO plans other than where we are staying and the obvious work shin dig on Thursday night.

He actually mentioned he might be up for a day at DL while there. Out of the blue, I did not bring it up! And didn't plan to. But as I look at where we are, it's hard to make a case for it making a ton of sense. do we bail out of the Ritz (of all places lol) early to go north to DL for the day and then drive to Coronado at the end of the day? Which obviously turns that into a longer drive.

Driving back up from Coronado makes zero sense.

Sigh. I wish a half day ticket existed or that a full day hopper just wasn't quite so pricey. There are MAJOR things he's not seen and clearly he wants to but.... AACK! It is kind of funny he wants to or even brought it up given how few rides we went on in FL. Cute though.

Fun! How can you not visit?! Will you have a full day? Does he want both parks? What hasn't he seen? Can you choose just one park?​

Ok ugh. I find shopping mid day like that always eats far more of the day than you plan. Couldn't you shop the night before and put it in the cooler with ice? Keep it in the room but that way it's ready to go at check in? Bell services will keep it cold.

Have you seen how much I buy? I'd need a few coolers. But that's a good idea. Bell will keep it cold. I need to figure this out. I like the idea of delivery but because we'll be right there, the extra cost seems extravagant but on the other hand, time is money.​

They will deliver booze, but you have to be there to sign for it.



Fran actually laughed out loud at this. However, we won't deliver like owner's locker, but if you pay the $99 per year storage fee we might consider a free delivery once a year!



This makes a difference I'm glad you told me.



I think I can guess the fabulous ones!


So looking back over your plans, I didn't see any time that you would be coming to visit Casa Nueva. Should I be offended?

The bold is mine. We are seeing the fireworks with you. Does that work? Like Bret points out below, best to plan seeing them early on in case of wind etc....

Of course we want to see the house but I am not going to invite myself. I am really excited to see it; we all are. You'll have to let me know what your days look like.

We can buy our own booze and keep it in the car overnight and drop it at Bell in the morning if we go the delivery route. Thanks for reminding me Vons delivers. I am so weird about people choosing my perishables but it really would save me a bunch of time.

Can I keep a surfboard at West Coast Owner's Locker (WCOL)? $99 isn't a bad deal. g ​

The good thing about F! over BIHM fireworks is that F! will run even on a windy day where the fireworks will be cancel if it is too windy. On the days that you want to see BIHM fireworks, I would watch the weather carefully. For example if you plan on watching the fireworks later at the end of the trip and is canceled due to high winds, than it would be a real bummer. F! can still be cancel if it is raining hard. Good thing about WoC is that it will play no matter what from windy or raining days.

Good insight Bret, thank you. The winds have ruined my fireworks plans before. Best to plan early in case they cancelled.​

Yes.....and thanks, but I've got it. In fact I ordered the Aerobed premium twin off Amazon tonight. I'd been looking at that one for the better part of a month now. The Asian have this concept of "kiasu". It literally translates to 'afraid of losing out' or 'afraid of not getting the best'. My "kiasu" behaviour for the last month has been to keep looking at the websites and wondering if there was going to be a better air mattress anywhere.

I am glad you didm't miss out and found a good deal. ​

[/quote]I finally realised that if I didn't order the dang thing, it wouldn't arrive in time. Turns out I should have trusted my instincts. There's a chance that DS might have to sleep on the couch whilst the thing is still in transit!! [/quote]

Oh shoot! Can you expedite? Does DS not like the couch? Joshua would rather sleep on a couch then bed anyway. ​

I like the WCOL concept.

Me too!​

 

[Pinkocto]

The weddings was in June, that's when I was able to meet up with A & F in WDW.

This was in replacement of a transatlantic cruise I had booked but just couldn't swing. I still had time and points so overlapped with some friends for a few days, the fabulous part, and then invited another friend down for the rest of the week, the not so fabulous part. Some people you just can't travel with and I've learned my lesson on this one.

The Halloween decorations were beyond cute!

Got to all the parks including BB & TL, except AK

Stayed 1 night at AKV, 2 at BCV, and 3 more at AKV. Fabulous trip overall but the friend really stressed me at some points.


Uh oh, Josh promised me a ride on ToT if we ever got to the parks together I won't push it if he's really scared of course.

 

[eandesmom]

Thank you! I haven't seen F! with a full view in years either. We watched it from the balcony at Club 33 and there were trees however I am clearly NOT complaining. We saw bits of it from the bridge last time while waiting in the wrong line for beignets. LOL!​

Nice! I can't bring myself to sit on the ground....or stand that long either. I could see timing eating outside though at the right time, to make it work.

Its my dads all-time favorite brunch and since I can't take him there, I bring it to him minus the champagne. They have other things I believe don't they? A pot pie, maybe pot roast?​

That they do, the timing just doesn't work for us to make it there which makes me very sad.

They have or at least had last time we were there killer fish tacos. And great beer!

San Diego is so gorgeous! Lucky girl! I am glad you'll get some down time and its his work trip.

Fun! How can you not visit?! Will you have a full day? Does he want both parks? What hasn't he seen? Can you choose just one park?​

Timing wise it just really doesn't work very well. We land around 2 on Thursday, the event is Thursday night starting at 6. I am sure we will probably want a Friday lazy morning at the resort, maybe watch some surfing. Jeff may want to drive to Long Beach though for Schooner or Later breakfast so we will see. It is back tracking though. The only way DL/DCA makes sense is on Friday and I just don't see that as an early day for us. Plus a hopper is $150! He hasn't seen Carsland at all, would love to see the new Big Thunder and there is a few other things but those are the biggies. Plus, Friday is a party night so we'd be out of DL after 7 anyway which makes it make even less sense. I'm just afraid of having a nice morning at Dana Point, driving to up Anaheim and finding all the RSR fast passes gone or are for far too late at night given that we need to get to Coronado, check in, and plan to eat at Coronado Brewing. It's a big ticket for a half day park visit, even if it's only one ticket (my AP is still good and I'd have free parking). Not to mention we don't want to be headed to SD/Coronado during rush hour. I suppose we "could" consider skipping gaslamp on Sat, eat at Huntington Brewery Friday night after the park and eat at Coronado on Sat night instead. It would save $ on food though not enough to offset the park ticket.

It would mean a late night arrival into SD though. Hmmn.

He'd do a 30 minute wait, but not a 60 for rides. Same issue with BTMRR of course.

Once in Coronado we do plan to run and go for a bike ride. Not sure if both will be on Saturday or not, and beach of course. Dinner in SD at Gaslamp (though not sure where yet, I was just there and did like both places but also kind of want something new) We fly back out at 3:30 from San Diego so Sunday will be pretty minimal, breakfast, a bit of beach and maybe a run.

Have you seen how much I buy? I'd need a few coolers. But that's a good idea. Bell will keep it cold. I need to figure this out. I like the idea of delivery but because we'll be right there, the extra cost seems extravagant but on the other hand, time is money.​

Well yes, I have seen how much. How much truly cold though do you need? I'd mock up an order with Von's and compare. That may well be a much better way to go.

The weddings was in June, that's when I was able to meet up with A & F in WDW.

This was in replacement of a transatlantic cruise I had booked but just couldn't swing. I still had time and points so overlapped with some friends for a few days, the fabulous part, and then invited another friend down for the rest of the week, the not so fabulous part. Some people you just can't travel with and I've learned my lesson on this one.

The Halloween decorations were beyond cute!

Got to all the parks including BB & TL, except AK

Stayed 1 night at AKV, 2 at BCV, and 3 more at AKV. Fabulous trip overall but the friend really stressed me at some points.

Oh that is such a bummer Pam, I am so sad we weren't able to hook up, our time was so compressed (and I know yours was too, I didn't realize you had 2 resort moves in there too!) that it was hard to meet up with folks overall.

 

[franandaj]

Have you seen how much I buy? I'd need a few coolers. But that's a good idea. Bell will keep it cold. I need to figure this out. I like the idea of delivery but because we'll be right there, the extra cost seems extravagant but on the other hand, time is money.​

I think Von's charges $12 for delivery. That's one cocktail at the Hearthstone!

The bold is mine. We are seeing the fireworks with you. Does that work? Like Bret points out below, best to plan seeing them early on in case of wind etc....​

I'm not sure I can make it that long until the fireworks, I'll text you on this one.

Of course we want to see the house but I am not going to invite myself. I am really excited to see it; we all are. You'll have to let me know what your days look like.

Invite yourself all you want! My schedule is this:

Monday morning 9:30 Chiropractor
Tuesday evening 4:30-on Band
Wednesday morning 10-12 standing appointment (can easily be changed)
Thursday nada
Friday morning 9:30 Chiropractor

That's my schedule, the only wild card in that schedule is Fran.

We can buy our own booze and keep it in the car overnight and drop it at Bell in the morning if we go the delivery route. Thanks for reminding me Vons delivers. I am so weird about people choosing my perishables but it really would save me a bunch of time.

Can I keep a surfboard at West Coast Owner's Locker (WCOL)? $99 isn't a bad deal. g

Get over it! Let someone pick your oranges! You're on Vacation!

Fran says, Yes you can leave a surfboard at the WCOL. We have a sauna in our pool house that no one is ever going to use. The Contractor disabled the power because he said it seemed sketchy. I don't like Saunas anyways.

Stayed 1 night at AKV, 2 at BCV, and 3 more at AKV. Fabulous trip overall but the friend really stressed me at some points.

Darn, too bad you're not doing a TR, that would be a great Title, "the 1-2-3 Vacation!"

 

[eandesmom]

He hasn't seen Carsland at all, would love to see the new Big Thunder and there is a few other things but those are the biggies.

Oh, I remember! Indiana Jones, he's never ridden it!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh, I remember! Indiana Jones, he's never ridden it!

oh man, and Aladdin.

LOL!

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh that is such a bummer Pam, I am so sad we weren't able to hook up, our time was so compressed (and I know yours was too, I didn't realize you had 2 resort moves in there too!) that it was hard to meet up with folks overall.

Sunday was go go go for me, and then Monday sounded go go go for you guys. I thought of Jeff hoping for pool time on Monday when it was down pouring at Epcot. I hope you managed a fabulous last day I'm sure there will be a next time

I've just learned my lesson, that friend won't be invited again. Overall it was still a great vacation.

 

[rentayenta]

The weddings was in June, that's when I was able to meet up with A & F in WDW.

I thought the wedding was earlier but wasn't sure.​

This was in replacement of a transatlantic cruise I had booked but just couldn't swing. I still had time and points so overlapped with some friends for a few days, the fabulous part, and then invited another friend down for the rest of the week, the not so fabulous part. Some people you just can't travel with and I've learned my lesson on this one.

Tough lesson for sure. I'm sorry about that. I have been there too. Glad part of the trip was fabulous!​

Stayed 1 night at AKV, 2 at BCV, and 3 more at AKV. Fabulous trip overall but the friend really stressed me at some points.

I love a good split stay! Did your friend stay with you?​

Uh oh, Josh promised me a ride on ToT if we ever got to the parks together I won't push it if he's really scared of course.

Chloe is trying to bribe him like crazy. We've got a year before the cruise so I am thinking he'll be ready by then. He even told Chloe: the next time I am riding it is with Pam-ella. ​

Nice! I can't bring myself to sit on the ground....or stand that long either. I could see timing eating outside though at the right time, to make it work.

I am far too old for that. ​

Timing wise it just really doesn't work very well. We land around 2 on Thursday, the event is Thursday night starting at 6. I am sure we will probably want a Friday lazy morning at the resort, maybe watch some surfing. Jeff may want to drive to Long Beach though for Schooner or Later breakfast so we will see. It is back tracking though. The only way DL/DCA makes sense is on Friday and I just don't see that as an early day for us. Plus a hopper is $150! He hasn't seen Carsland at all, would love to see the new Big Thunder and there is a few other things but those are the biggies. Plus, Friday is a party night so we'd be out of DL after 7 anyway which makes it make even less sense. I'm just afraid of having a nice morning at Dana Point, driving to up Anaheim and finding all the RSR fast passes gone or are for far too late at night given that we need to get to Coronado, check in, and plan to eat at Coronado Brewing. It's a big ticket for a half day park visit, even if it's only one ticket (my AP is still good and I'd have free parking). Not to mention we don't want to be headed to SD/Coronado during rush hour. I suppose we "could" consider skipping gaslamp on Sat, eat at Huntington Brewery Friday night after the park and eat at Coronado on Sat night instead. It would save $ on food though not enough to offset the park ticket.

I hate to say it but I agree, it doesn't make a ton of sense to visit the parks. If you skip them, you'll have a much more relaxing time. And Disneyland hungover is not that great. Carsland will always there.

Are you at the Hotel Coronado? It's pretty amazing!​

Once in Coronado we do plan to run and go for a bike ride. Not sure if both will be on Saturday or not, and beach of course. Dinner in SD at Gaslamp (though not sure where yet, I was just there and did like both places but also kind of want something new) We fly back out at 3:30 from San Diego so Sunday will be pretty minimal, breakfast, a bit of beach and maybe a run.

Love Gaslamp. Its sounds like it'll be a funfilled trip for sure. Sleep in Saturday. That's my vote.​

Well yes, I have seen how much. How much truly cold though do you need? I'd mock up an order with Von's and compare. That may well be a much better way to go.

Good idea! I have an hour to burn right now.​

I think Von's charges $12 for delivery. That's one cocktail at the Hearthstone!

Very true! But gosh, it's worth the $12. Every. Single. Time. Plus we always bring our first down and then buy our secomd ones. ​

I'm not sure I can make it that long until the fireworks, I'll text you on this one.

Say what?! J/K. You do whatever fits. ​

Invite yourself all you want! My schedule is this:

Monday morning 9:30 Chiropractor
Tuesday evening 4:30-on Band
Wednesday morning 10-12 standing appointment (can easily be changed)
Thursday nada
Friday morning 9:30 Chiropractor

That's my schedule, the only wild card in that schedule is Fran.

What about the Sunday before and the Sat/Sun after? Fran is a wild card for sure!​

Get over it! Let someone pick your oranges! You're on Vacation!

You're right again mama bear! Where were you in my late teens and 20's when I was making all kinds of stupid decisions? ​

Fran says, Yes you can leave a surfboard at the WCOL. We have a sauna in our pool house that no one is ever going to use. The Contractor disabled the power because he said it seemed sketchy. I don't like Saunas anyways.

So it's a storage/sauna? Maybe you could rent it as a Studio villa? ​

 

[Pinkocto]

I
Darn, too bad you're not doing a TR, that would be a great Title, "the 1-2-3 Vacation!"

Moving that many times was exhausting! I won't be doing that again either!

 

[rentayenta]

Moving that many times was exhausting! I won't be doing that again either!

Its tiring for sure. ​

 

[rentayenta]

Oh, I remember! Indiana Jones, he's never ridden it!

oh man, and Aladdin.

LOL!

You need a three day park trip! ​

 

[rentayenta]

Alison, found a free code for Von's to try the delivery service. ​