MarbleBob
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2003
Touring Plans
Saturday - So, we'll arrive at DLH early afternoon on a Saturday. We'll probably swim at the pool and explore Downtown Disney that afternoon/evening. Possibly visit Trader Sam's for afternoon drinks. My birthday is a few weeks earlier, so we may try the $30 birthday offer for Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria that night for dinner. Buddy will have to visit the Lego store a few times during the trip. All three kids want to make My Little Pony dolls at Build a Bear. Steph will be very interested in looking at the Disney themed LeSportsac and Dooney & Burke bags! (She purchased a couple of the Disney themed LeSportsac bags this past spring, and as a dude, I'm not really into bags, but those "It's a small world" themed purses are awesome!!)
Sunday - It's early entry for California Adventure, so we'll get up early and try the wide right technique for RSR. After that, who knows? We'll still have to figure things out. We'll generally take an early afternoon break from the parks each day, maybe swim or take a nap for an hour or two. Then spend the evenings back in the parks. We'll plan on seeing WOC at least once. Not sure if we'll try it on Sunday or wait until later in the week. We've been considering the WOC dining package for Carthay Circle, but haven't decided yet.
Monday - It's early entry for California Adventure again, so we'll probably start here in early morning, and then hop over to Disneyland for the rest of the day. Don't have plans for the day yet, will probably just eat counter service and play everything by ear (taking advantage of fast passes the best we can).
Tuesday - Sleep in and relax at the resort through the morning and early afternoon. Then head over to Mickey's Halloween Party. The party starts at 6pm, but apparently they let you in the gates around 3pm. So we'll be there at 3pm sharp. We've been to the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom twice before, but it's been several years. The kids are super excited about this. We still need to figure out what costumes the kids will wear. And if, Stephanie and I will dress up too. (We didn't for the WDW parties.) Also, maybe we'll all dress up to a theme. Who knows? Research required
Oh, and we were able to use Buddy's AP to get reduced ticket prices, so that was a nice perk too!!
Wednesday - Sleep in a little bit more than usual and explore the area outside of Disneyland. We'll rent a car for the day from Alamo in Downtown Disney. We'll probably head to Little Tokyo in LA for the morning and to have lunch. I've probably said it before, but Ninja Potato is really into Japanese stuff (food/manga/anime/music/etc) so this will be a real treat for her. Pickle's favorite food is miso soup and she loves sushi too. Buddy's not really into sushi, but he'll be OK. Not sure where we'll eat. It seems like we have the high quality sushi bar options, cheaper sushi options but with more fun like the one where the sushi travels on conveyor belts, traditional Japanese food options, and options where they specialize in noodles. It's going to be a tough call!
After lunch, we'll probably head to our next destination. Not sure if we'll head north to Griffith Park and the Hollywood area, or back south west to the beaches. I'm probably leaning towards heading down to Newport Beach. Walk out on the pier. Let the kids play in the sand for a while. Pickle has never seen the Pacific Ocean before, so that would be a fun treat to have her wade in the water (I know it will be too cold to swim.) Then maybe head over to the Balboa Fun Zone. Also, several years ago Stephanie and I ate at a little Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach called Great Mex. (found it on Yelp) and it was outstanding for a cheap hole in the wall restaurant. Would love to eat their again some day http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-mex-newport-beach
Wherever we spend the afternoon, we'll probably try and get back to the hotel around 7 or 8pm. To get a good nights rest for the next day.
Thursday - Early Entry is at Disneyland, so we'll be there for sure. Probably spend the whole day, or most of it here. We won't have a hard core plan, but will probably read up on the threads about strategies (like save Nemo submarines for later, start with Peter Pan, etc.) I don't think they have fireworks during the week at this time of the year, but I think they'll have them for the Halloween party, so we'll be covered there. I don't know if they have Fanstasmic going that day either, but we'd probably skip it even if we do. Stephanie and I liked it. It was indeed much better than the Disney World version, but we didn't like how crowded it was. We'll probably keep that as a low priority. Otherwise, by the time we head home, we'll want to have covered the major attractions like Space/Splash Mtn., Matterhorn, Indy (at least for the older kids), Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc.
Friday - Early entry is for California Adventure. We'll probably head over for early entry, then go back to Disneyland for the rest of the day, at least until they kick everyone out for the Halloween party. At that point, we may head back to California Adventure to finish off the trip.
That's the gist of the trip so far.
We still need to figure out where to eat in Little Tokyo, where to spend Wednesday afternoon (if not Newport Beach), are we going to have any nice meals (Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, etc.) We'll probably stick to counter service most of the other times, but don't have finalized "must do" list. At least Flo's V8 and Corn Dogs. And a couple dole whips! When to do WOC and do we want to get a dinner package, or fast passes? How much time to spend at the resort relaxing and swimming vs. riding rides in the parks. Also want to make sure we get some good downtown Disney experiences in there. Regardless, I think our plan gives us enough wiggle room to really have a great time!
I so can't wait! In the meantime, my foot is finally starting to feel better and I'm off the super strong pain meds (It's nice to not feel stupid/confused all the time).
Saturday - So, we'll arrive at DLH early afternoon on a Saturday. We'll probably swim at the pool and explore Downtown Disney that afternoon/evening. Possibly visit Trader Sam's for afternoon drinks. My birthday is a few weeks earlier, so we may try the $30 birthday offer for Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria that night for dinner. Buddy will have to visit the Lego store a few times during the trip. All three kids want to make My Little Pony dolls at Build a Bear. Steph will be very interested in looking at the Disney themed LeSportsac and Dooney & Burke bags! (She purchased a couple of the Disney themed LeSportsac bags this past spring, and as a dude, I'm not really into bags, but those "It's a small world" themed purses are awesome!!)
Sunday - It's early entry for California Adventure, so we'll get up early and try the wide right technique for RSR. After that, who knows? We'll still have to figure things out. We'll generally take an early afternoon break from the parks each day, maybe swim or take a nap for an hour or two. Then spend the evenings back in the parks. We'll plan on seeing WOC at least once. Not sure if we'll try it on Sunday or wait until later in the week. We've been considering the WOC dining package for Carthay Circle, but haven't decided yet.
Monday - It's early entry for California Adventure again, so we'll probably start here in early morning, and then hop over to Disneyland for the rest of the day. Don't have plans for the day yet, will probably just eat counter service and play everything by ear (taking advantage of fast passes the best we can).
Tuesday - Sleep in and relax at the resort through the morning and early afternoon. Then head over to Mickey's Halloween Party. The party starts at 6pm, but apparently they let you in the gates around 3pm. So we'll be there at 3pm sharp. We've been to the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom twice before, but it's been several years. The kids are super excited about this. We still need to figure out what costumes the kids will wear. And if, Stephanie and I will dress up too. (We didn't for the WDW parties.) Also, maybe we'll all dress up to a theme. Who knows? Research required
Oh, and we were able to use Buddy's AP to get reduced ticket prices, so that was a nice perk too!!Wednesday - Sleep in a little bit more than usual and explore the area outside of Disneyland. We'll rent a car for the day from Alamo in Downtown Disney. We'll probably head to Little Tokyo in LA for the morning and to have lunch. I've probably said it before, but Ninja Potato is really into Japanese stuff (food/manga/anime/music/etc) so this will be a real treat for her. Pickle's favorite food is miso soup and she loves sushi too. Buddy's not really into sushi, but he'll be OK. Not sure where we'll eat. It seems like we have the high quality sushi bar options, cheaper sushi options but with more fun like the one where the sushi travels on conveyor belts, traditional Japanese food options, and options where they specialize in noodles. It's going to be a tough call!
After lunch, we'll probably head to our next destination. Not sure if we'll head north to Griffith Park and the Hollywood area, or back south west to the beaches. I'm probably leaning towards heading down to Newport Beach. Walk out on the pier. Let the kids play in the sand for a while. Pickle has never seen the Pacific Ocean before, so that would be a fun treat to have her wade in the water (I know it will be too cold to swim.) Then maybe head over to the Balboa Fun Zone. Also, several years ago Stephanie and I ate at a little Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach called Great Mex. (found it on Yelp) and it was outstanding for a cheap hole in the wall restaurant. Would love to eat their again some day http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-mex-newport-beach
Wherever we spend the afternoon, we'll probably try and get back to the hotel around 7 or 8pm. To get a good nights rest for the next day.
Thursday - Early Entry is at Disneyland, so we'll be there for sure. Probably spend the whole day, or most of it here. We won't have a hard core plan, but will probably read up on the threads about strategies (like save Nemo submarines for later, start with Peter Pan, etc.) I don't think they have fireworks during the week at this time of the year, but I think they'll have them for the Halloween party, so we'll be covered there. I don't know if they have Fanstasmic going that day either, but we'd probably skip it even if we do. Stephanie and I liked it. It was indeed much better than the Disney World version, but we didn't like how crowded it was. We'll probably keep that as a low priority. Otherwise, by the time we head home, we'll want to have covered the major attractions like Space/Splash Mtn., Matterhorn, Indy (at least for the older kids), Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc.
Friday - Early entry is for California Adventure. We'll probably head over for early entry, then go back to Disneyland for the rest of the day, at least until they kick everyone out for the Halloween party. At that point, we may head back to California Adventure to finish off the trip.
That's the gist of the trip so far.
We still need to figure out where to eat in Little Tokyo, where to spend Wednesday afternoon (if not Newport Beach), are we going to have any nice meals (Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, etc.) We'll probably stick to counter service most of the other times, but don't have finalized "must do" list. At least Flo's V8 and Corn Dogs. And a couple dole whips! When to do WOC and do we want to get a dinner package, or fast passes? How much time to spend at the resort relaxing and swimming vs. riding rides in the parks. Also want to make sure we get some good downtown Disney experiences in there. Regardless, I think our plan gives us enough wiggle room to really have a great time!
I so can't wait! In the meantime, my foot is finally starting to feel better and I'm off the super strong pain meds (It's nice to not feel stupid/confused all the time).
Tomorrow I see a podiatrist for further evaluation and a possible cortisone shot. I'm kinda dreading what he's going to say. 
I know you can relate when I say that I've been looking forward to this trip with DH for a LONG time-- new resort, free dining, etc., so I could sure use a boat load of pixie dust in order to still make it happen!
