10 Mths of WDW Planning leads us to~~DISNEYLAND!! Report Completed~Pic Heavy!!!

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by DizNee Luver

LOL.....I thought I had seen him at Goofy's Kitchen.....but after a week of sick people in the house.....and Michayla thinking that 4am was the time to start her days......I'm doing good just staying upright!!

That's just weird about Hook......I really did think he was one of the regulars at Minnie's and I'm not sure I've seen him at GK except that one time. I don't recall seeing him in the park on our trips either. He just likes to keep us all guessing like a good pirate should do!!!

You're doing good all of the time, even in weeks when no one is sick and Michayla is not awake at 4 a.m.!

It would be an interesting experiment if, at some point, somehow, we could determine if Captain Hook is ever at both Minnie & Friends and Goofy's Kitchen at the same time, or if he truly alternates between the two restaurants from day to day.

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

You're doing good all of the time, even in weeks when no one is sick and Michayla is not awake at 4 a.m.!

It would be an interesting experiment if, at some point, somehow, we could determine if Captain Hook is ever at both Minnie & Friends and Goofy's Kitchen at the same time, or if he truly alternates between the two restaurants from day to day.

lol......well thank you!! Some weeks are just harder than others.....this one has not been fun....but I think we're on the upswing....so yay for that!!

That would be interesting to find out..............just need 2 dis'ers to go to the 2 meals on the same day & around the same time and then report back!!

[Teki]

how weird that you've only ever sat outside I have never sat outside and we have only sat to the left once lol weird.

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by Teki

how weird that you've only ever sat outside I have never sat outside and we have only sat to the left once lol weird.

I think it was the very first time we went, we ate inside on the left side but every time after that.....it was outside. So it was nice to get a table "on the inside".......lol

[RI Disney Star]

Stopping in to say hello. I've been lurking for a few days trying to catch up on your TR. I feel like I know your family. You report is awesome, so full of details.

I'm in the initial planning stages for a trip to DL in January 2014 with my daughter and grandson. I'm enjoying reading about your trip.

I was at DL once before . . . in 1967. I think it has changed some. I don't remember much from then although I still have some tickets and a little postcard book from back then.

I keep trying online to check on pricing for the resort hotels but they are only accepting reservations through the end of 2013. Do you know when they open up reservations for 2014?

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by RI Disney Star

Stopping in to say hello. I've been lurking for a few days trying to catch up on your TR. I feel like I know your family. You report is awesome, so full of details.

I'm in the initial planning stages for a trip to DL in January 2014 with my daughter and grandson. I'm enjoying reading about your trip.

I was at DL once before . . . in 1967. I think it has changed some. I don't remember much from then although I still have some tickets and a little postcard book from back then.

I keep trying online to check on pricing for the resort hotels but they are only accepting reservations through the end of 2013. Do you know when they open up reservations for 2014?

Thank You & Welcome!!

I was there in 67 too (I think that was the year).......don't recall a lot either but you're right.....there have been a "few" changes since then......

Oh man......I wish I still had tickets and postcards from that trip!!

It probably won't be released until this summer or even early fall. Disneyland doesn't put that info out super early like WDW does. Makes it hard to plan that far out.

[RI Disney Star]

Originally Posted by DizNee Luver

Thank You & Welcome!!

I was there in 67 too (I think that was the year).......don't recall a lot either but you're right.....there have been a "few" changes since then......

Oh man......I wish I still had tickets and postcards from that trip!!

It probably won't be released until this summer or even early fall. Disneyland doesn't put that info out super early like WDW does. Makes it hard to plan that far out.

1967... that was really the year. My family (my 2 brothers aged 20 and 17 both 6 ft. tall, my sister and I aged 10 and 9, Mom, Dad and a dog) drove in a station wagon pullling a trailer from Foxboro, MA (GO PATS) to California. Spent the whole summer traveling the country. Fun times!!! It was quite the year.

Wow, I can't believe they wait so long to open up reservations. You mention the Hojo's. I've looked them up but there are several in the area and I'm not familiar with which one is the closest. I'd appreciate it if you could help on which one I should be looking at or if there is some other hotel I should be looking into also.

Thanks so much for all your help.

[nwdisgal]

Laurie, I have been getting caught up again on your TR.

Loved the pictures from the BBQ. Were you able to order GF on the spot or did you do that ahead of time? Kim and I are going there during the Diva trip and she needs to be GF.

Camp Attitude looks like a wonderful camp for the twins! Nathan attended a camp similar to that when he was a little guy. We lived in HI and now I can't remember the name but same sort of camp with all the activities for special needs kids and the kids really enjoyed it.

I hope you and Mike get to go to WDW for your 30th. That is really exciting. I have been to the Poly twice. It is one of my favorite Deluxes and think you will really like it there. I have not been to the Contemporary but both the Poly and the GF are very romantic. The problem with the GF is that it is getting long in the tooth and needs a refurb. To put down that kind of money, well the Poly is a better deal. I like the retro feeling to it and the grounds are quite lovely. The Epcot Deluxes are nice too but Bay Lake is so picturesque - especially at night... Now you have me missing WDW - lol. I have to be good and save my money for a while and not think about that place.

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by RI Disney Star

1967... that was really the year. My family (my 2 brothers aged 20 and 17 both 6 ft. tall, my sister and I aged 10 and 9, Mom, Dad and a dog) drove in a station wagon pullling a trailer from Foxboro, MA (GO PATS) to California. Spent the whole summer traveling the country. Fun times!!! It was quite the year.

Wow, I can't believe they wait so long to open up reservations. You mention the Hojo's. I've looked them up but there are several in the area and I'm not familiar with which one is the closest. I'd appreciate it if you could help on which one I should be looking at or if there is some other hotel I should be looking into also.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Woo Hoo~~Family Road Trips!!! lol

It could be easier, but it seems to me it's about 6mths out......crazy!

As for the places across the street the closest ones are:
Closest to pedestrian crossing would be BW Park Place Inn, Desert Inn & Suites, Park Vue Inn, Tropicana Inn & Carousel Inn.

Others within the one block either direction (still across the street from the park) would be BW Anaheim Inn, Ramada Maingate, Camelot Inn, Fairfield Inn and then HoJo's.

I've stayed at Desert Inn & Suites (nothing fancy, cheap, uncomfortable beds, nasty indoor pool), Tropicana Inn (average place, pool in middle of parking lot, would stay again), Carousel Inn (same owner of Tropicana, a little nicer, rooms can get tight due to large furniture, free breakfast, would stay again), Ramada Maingate (stayed in a prem. room which was far from prem., newer pool in middle of parking lot, not high on my list to return) and HoJo's (furthest of the ones across the street, about a 8 min. walk but we didn't find it to be an issue, stayed in bldg 1 with Disney view, loved it, huge rooms, comfy beds, will definitely stay here again)

So before my readers blast me for my quickie reviews......remember this was my experience from 2005 on. Things could have changed and improved or got worse.....but I can only tell you my thoughts from when we stayed.

Originally Posted by nwdisgal

Laurie, I have been getting caught up again on your TR.

Loved the pictures from the BBQ. Were you able to order GF on the spot or did you do that ahead of time? Kim and I are going there during the Diva trip and she needs to be GF.

Camp Attitude looks like a wonderful camp for the twins! Nathan attended a camp similar to that when he was a little guy. We lived in HI and now I can't remember the name but same sort of camp with all the activities for special needs kids and the kids really enjoyed it.

I hope you and Mike get to go to WDW for your 30th. That is really exciting. I have been to the Poly twice. It is one of my favorite Deluxes and think you will really like it there. I have not been to the Contemporary but both the Poly and the GF are very romantic. The problem with the GF is that it is getting long in the tooth and needs a refurb. To put down that kind of money, well the Poly is a better deal. I like the retro feeling to it and the grounds are quite lovely. The Epcot Deluxes are nice too but Bay Lake is so picturesque - especially at night... Now you have me missing WDW - lol. I have to be good and save my money for a while and not think about that place.

Send an email to dine@disneyland.com and let them know you are joining a large group reservation but have some food allergies and need to speak with a chef regarding your upcoming trip. Someone will either email you or call you. At that time you can list ALL the table service meals you're doing and they can help you with that by noting those reservations and they'll send a heads up to each of those head chefs. When you arrive at the restaurants, let them know of the food allergies again and they will have the chef come out and speak to you.

We're very excited about returning to camp. We just need to get a trailer to use. I wasn't comfortable sharing living quarters with other families. My anxiety gets outta whack and I need that "away" time. Last year we drove home every night and drove back early morning, so not to miss anything.

Right now we're looking at doing a split stay: 1 week POR & 1 week at POLY.......I'm super excited and hope we can work this out!!!

[nwdisgal]

Laurie, thanks for the info on notifying Disney Dining ahead of time on the food allergies.

I haven't stayed at POR but I have visited it and it is very pretty. That is nice that you are going to have a split between DD and then the MK area. There is a lot to do at DD. Plus, the boat ride down the river to DD is just beautiful. Well I am thinking good thoughts for you that this all comes together.

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by nwdisgal

Laurie, thanks for the info on notifying Disney Dining ahead of time on the food allergies.

I haven't stayed at POR but I have visited it and it is very pretty. That is nice that you are going to have a split between DD and then the MK area. There is a lot to do at DD. Plus, the boat ride down the river to DD is just beautiful. Well I am thinking good thoughts for you that this all comes together.

No problem and if for some reason you don't talk with them ahead of time.....just notify each restaurant and ask to speak with a chef. They are really good about working with each person and keeping your meal "safe".

We originally were going to stay at POFQ if we had gone this past Dec. with the family but after further research.....I found I liked the peaceful look of Riverside better. I'd stay at POLY the whole time if I won the lottery between now and then......lol It's CRAZY how much they charge for those rooms!!

[DizNee Luver]

After a fun breakfast at Minnie & Friends, we headed back up Main Street to go back to the hotel. On our way, we window shopped.







Derek & I were on a mission to find the Santa Mickey Nutcracker, Sherry had told me about. So we'd duck into stores as the rest waited or took pics.



This is the Precious Moments Cinderella Doll that I want!! I saw it on the last Diva trip but was out of money & suitcase space.



Main Street Tree.



Love the dew on the poinsettias!



I tell you, when you're in Disneyland.....you notice hidden Mickeys everywhere!! (this is actually a shadow of the balloons tied onto the twins strollers)......COOL!!



Success!!! Derek & I found the nutcracker!!!







After our shopping, we noticed the Red Queen come out & so Addy followed her!











As we were heading out, Goofy was between kids and we were able to get these of him.







We went back to the hotel so we could load up in the van and head to the Disney Cast Member store~~Company D. CM's were getting a 40% Holiday Discount at the parks, but had no clue he'd get it at Company D too!!! (might explain the parking lot being packed). If I had known before we shopped....I may have come out with more bags.......lol

[DizNee Luver]

We got back to PPH & dropped off our Company D treasures and headed to the GCH entrance to DCA.





We headed towards Buena Vista Street.







Pluto!



Red Trolley.



We got in the short line for Chip & Dale.









We went into the Hollywood Studios Backlot.







The Mad T Party stuff is noticeable but not as "IN YOUR FACE" as the Tron stuff was. I'll have more pics of that coming up.



We saw Jake from "Jake & the Neverland Pirates" on the sidewalk, so we got in line for pics (since this was a new character for us).

[DizNee Luver]

We went inside the Animation Building.









The kids took turns at finding out which "character" they're most like. You sit in the chair, it takes a horrible picture of you and then you answer some questions before it reveals the character you are.

Shyann was like Lilo!





Michayla was like Sally from Cars!



Anthony was like Aladdin!



Addy was like Lilo too!



Derek was like Capt Hook!



Ally was like Cinderella!! (my favorite)



And Tyler was like Peter Pan!!



Now he decided to do it again, answering every thing the same except putting female instead of male and it came up Ariel..........both characters are "gingers" just like Ty!!! lol



Prince Adam's (the Beast) Portrait.





The rose.



More of the Mad T Party stuff.













I never was a fan of the Tron metal work all over the place. The Mad T Party is at least colorful and whimsy!

[DizNee Luver]

Our next stop was Monster's Inc.



































Next to Monster's Inc is the Dancin' with the Characters. It was being used for a private event today, so I have no clue exactly what this is.



Prep & Landing was being shown in the Muppet's theater for the holidays.





A few more Mad T Party as we left the back area.





Figuring out our next move......