7 yrs and a family later---we're going to disneyland! [my ptr/tr thread]

[uneekstylez]

Sooooo...hi. My name is Sophia. And I'm new around here. BUT! I've been pretty much stalking these boards for quite some time now. I've been getting soooo freaking excited about my trip with every thread I read. Then I discovered the Disneyland Trip Reports board. WHAT!? I get to live vicariously through others?!?! I thought I couldn't get any more excited. Reading TRs has proven me wrong.

So, I decided to start a PTR thread that will eventually turn into my TR.

I've been to DL about 3 times in my lifetime. First time ever was when I was about 14 and I went w/my aunt, uncle and cousins. 2nd time, I went w/a different aunt, uncle and cousins when I was about 16. (So, I just kinda tagged along, really.) Both time, we just winged it and we didn't even eat inside the park at all. We brought our own foods or went out to eat. Then my 3rd visit was about 7 yrs ago in Aug. 2003 (when I was 21). My friend and I drove to San Jose to visit his bf. Then me, my friend and his bf drove to DL and met up w/another friend. So there were 4 of us total. We only spent 1 day in DL. We didn't even go when the park opened and didn't even bother to go into DCA (which I regret to this day) We didn't plan anything and made no reservations. We just winged it. It was still sooo much fun, but now I see the error in my ways. Thus, I have gone crazy with planning.

This will be DH's FIRST ever trip to DL! And my DS2 as well. DH and I actually went to WDW for part of our Honeymoon. We only went to MK and MGM because we also spent a day at US. No planning, no reservations, came in 1 or 2 hrs after the park opened...kinda just winged it there too.

So noooow, I am sooo determined to have the greatest DL AND DCA experience of our LIVES!

We will be at DLR: OCT 11-16

We are: DH - 26
ME - 29
DS - 2

We will stay at: TROPICANA INN & SUITES

 

[FlameGirl]

Welcome to the DIS! Hope you have a wonderful trip and that you report back after you're home.

 

[uneekstylez]

Welcome to the DIS! Hope you have a wonderful trip and that you report back after you're home.

Thanks!

 

[uneekstylez]

I got tickets to MHP for Tuesday, 10/12. We already got DS a Buzz costume:

So, we were just gonna not dress up, but our friend and fellow DISer IndayMichelle told us we should. I liked the idea of going as Jessie and DH as Woody. But the costumes are too expensive. And DH just wants to wear his Seattle Sounders gear (like last year.)

So, I didn't wanna buy one either. I saw a pirate costume online:

I have those pants. And I have a shirt almost exactly like it. So, I'll just be wearing that.

Yay! Were finally all set with costumes.

 

[uneekstylez]

I'm soooo super excited to finally get to eat INSIDE Disneyland. And I have been spending SO MUCH time perusing all the food porn pix. They've helped me determine which places to call for reservations.

10/11 - 2:30PM Cafe Orleans (<3 pommes frittes, monte cristo, and beignets!!!) We're scheduled to arrive in Anaheim at approx. 12PM. Since Tropicana is just across the street, I figure we'll rest for about an hr. Then, head on over to the park. No reason to waste anymore time.

Then that night we're planning on eating a light dinner of baked potatoes at Troubador Tavern. YUM!

10/12 - This is when we'll do MM, so we'll eat a quick breakfast at the hotel and just have snacks until our 1PM reservation for Blue Bayou. And more snacks at Pooh's Corner. Then some dinner at Pizza Port.

10/13 - Scored a reservation for 8:40AM (before the park opens!!) for Minnie & Friends Breakfast at the Plaza Inn Restaurant. Then we'll be going to In & Out (DH's request) for lunch. Lounge at the hotel's pool. Then come back an hour or two before our 5:30PM reservation for Ariel's Grotto for the preferred seating for WOC at 8:15PM.

10/14 is reserved for touring Hollywood. So we'll take a small break from DLR.

10/15 - We have no reservations so we'll just be eating at places we think is good. Big Thunder Ranch BBQ for sure!

10/16 - We're gonna have a quick breakfast at the hotel, and then hit up the parks and get any fave foods and ride any fave rides before leaving around 3PM

 

[uneekstylez]

We're going to be stopping by San Francisco on our way to Anaheim to visit some relatives for the weekend. So, I just added a day on the itinerary to spend at the Walt Disney Family Museum! I'm so excited! I've always wanted to go see it. And now, not only are we going to go to Disneyland (and eat INSIDE the park) we also get to learn about the history of my hero: Walt Disney!

 

[magichusky]

Super excited for your TR! And for your Hollywood adventure, I highly recommend Mel's Drive-In. There's one on Sunset Blvd and one adjacent to Hollywood Blvd (you can walk there from the Kodak Theatre). Their milkshakes are just ridiculous.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I'm so happy that you're on the boards! Disers can be sooo sweet and helpful and the best planning tool you can have!

 

[uneekstylez]

DH doesn't really want to spend a whole day in Hollywood and I just really wanna see the Walk of Fame. So, we're probably gonna hit up Walk of Fame the day we drive back to Seattle. So Thursday is another full Disney day! Woohoo!

BUT...I had pre-ordered the picnics for WOC for Tuesday, but then after seeing posts for Ariel's Grotto food, I wanted to try it. So, I had wanted to cancel but they wouldn't let me. I'm now stuck w/our WOC picnic. I got the Asian one and DH got the All American. It looks pretty good...so hopefully we'll like it. I've read mixed reviews on them.

I did reserve a Princess breakfast for Ariel's Grotto for Thursday because the princesses weren't gonna be at Ariel's Grotto for WOC anyway. And I wanted to be sure to get pix w/them.

So, my revised dining plans:

10/11 - 2:30PM Cafe Orleans lunch then dinner at Troubadour Tavern.

10/12 - Quick breakfast at the hotel. 1PM Blue Bayou lunch. Then dinner at Pizza Port.

10/13 - 8:40AM Minnie & Friends breakfast. Then In & Out for lunch. Then picnic dinner w/preferred seating for WOC at 8:15PM.

10/14 - 9:50AM Ariel's Grotto breakfast. 1:30PM Wine Country Trattoria lunch. Then dinner at Taste Pilot's Grill.

10/15 - No reservations. But we'll be having breakfast at the hotel. Then we're gonna head to Cerritos to try this Filipino restaurant called Pinoy-Pinay. Then back to DL in time for dinner at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.

10/16 - Check out early...around 9AM. Then head to Hollywood Walk of Fame. And then head home.

 

[uneekstylez]

Super excited for your TR! And for your Hollywood adventure, I highly recommend Mel's Drive-In. There's one on Sunset Blvd and one adjacent to Hollywood Blvd (you can walk there from the Kodak Theatre). Their milkshakes are just ridiculous.

Ooh thanks for the tip. I <3 milkshakes! Definitely gonna stop by for lunch.

 

[uneekstylez]

I'm so happy that you're on the boards! Disers can be sooo sweet and helpful and the best planning tool you can have!

But now I'm gonna be on here everyday! I'll be reading everyone's TRs and viewing Food Porn and other photos. I wonder if Bubba will take 2 naps a day instead of 1...

 

[uneekstylez]

So, my DS is familiar with the newer Disney movies like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Up, Princess & the Frog, etc. I realize he doesn't know the older classics. The ones that were before Pixar. How is he going to visit Disneyland and not even know who Dumbo is?! Or any of the Disney Princesses (he's a boy, but still...he'd look pimpin' if he gets a pic surrounded with ladies...oh yeah!) And Peter Pan!? And Pinocchio!? ACK! How can I let this happen!?

So, what's my game plan? Weeeelllll...since we're leaving in exactly 2 weeks (we're hitting up the Bay Area before heading to Disney), I still have looots of time! Therefore, I have planned a "Disney-Movie-a-Day!" for 2 weeks! WHEEEE! I started today. Here's a list of dates and movies (these are based on movies he still hasn't seen):

Thursday 9/23: DUMBO
Friday 9/24: PETER PAN
Saturday 9/25: PINOCCHIO
Sunday 9/26: SNOW WHITE & THE 7 DWARFS
Monday 9/27: SLEEPING BEAUTY
Tuesday 9/28: CINDERELLA
Wednesday 9/29: BEAUTY & THE BEAST
Thursday 9/30: SWORD IN THE STONE
Friday 10/1: LITTLE MERMAID
Saturday 10/2: ALADDIN
Sunday 10/3: MARY POPPINS (not animated, but still nice)
Monday 10/4: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Tuesday 10/5: LADY & THE TRAMP
Wednesday 10/6: 101 DALMATIANS
Thursday 10/7: THE FOX & THE HOUND

So, we've watched Dumbo today, and I think he liked it. Wheee!

 

[uneekstylez]

Well, for the next 2 weeks, everyday is a Disney Day! But today was extra special, because, today I finally went to the Disney Store (THE ONLY ONE LEFT IN THE STATE OF WA!!!) and bought our Park Hopper cards. If today was any indication of how excited DS will be when we get to the parks...well let me tell ya...HE WAS SOOOOO EXCITED when he saw the Disney Store. (It's his first time going there EVER...cauze it's about 45 mins away from us.) that I think he might faint when we get to DL. He couldn't keep still and he kept yelling out everything he was seeing over and over! "Buzz! Woody cowboy! Woody cowboy hat! Mickey! Mickey Clubhouse! Handy Manny!" I was so excited for him!

Also, DH read somewhere on here that people have gotten lanyards from Party City for 99c, so I stopped by there to get us each a lanyard. DH and DS both got Toy Story. And I got a Mickey Mouse one.

TWO MORE WEEKS!!!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Good luck with the movie watching plan. I have most of the same movies you have, so far my DS (2 1/2) LOVES Lightening McQueen. He likes Alice also. I have a hard time getting him to watch something new, he likes his faves. I'm lucky if he watches anything different, I can take only so much of Dora, Spongebob, and Cars.