Ellester
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
Hey everyone! I am SO excited to be venturing down the DIS page to the Disneyland Boards!!! My husband and I are planning a couple's only trip to DL to celebrate our 25th anniversary this coming September. When we were throwing out ideas of places to go, my husband said that Disneyland could be a choice. I about fell over! He does like our family trips to WDW but he has never been the biggest Disney fan in the family. We also thought about a trip to Europe but financially that would not be the best move right now. We tossed a few other ideas around but settled on DL, much to my delight! I have been going to WDW regularly since my first trip in 1973 but have never made it to the original. Years ago, after we were first married, I spent 6 weeks up at Nestle Foods US headquarters in Glendale and he came out to visit for two weeks. We had plans to go to DL for a day but somehow the plans fell through, I think DH was ill. I really don't remember the specifics other than we didn't get to go and he has always felt bad that he caused me to miss my chance! So, now all these years (and kids!) later I finally get my chance!
OK, so the introductions! My name is Ellen and as mentioned above, I am a WDW veteran. My first trip to WDW was in 1973 and there have been many trips since. Our last trip was in January 2015 where we spent 8 nights at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. It was overall a good trip, marred by a nasty stomach bug, some cold weather, and a knee dislocation, but still more pluses than minuses.
My DH is John and we have been together longer than anyone (other than us!) predicted! We were married in September of 1990 and after stints in Atlanta, Iowa, and North Carolina have been settled in Columbus, Georgia for the past 8+ years. We have four kids, Anabelle is 17, Rebecca is 13, Andrew is 11, and Natalie is 6. We homeschool although Anabelle is taking almost all her classes at a local junior college and Rebecca wanted to try public school so she will be starting at a local high school in August.
So, on to the planning! I have a planning addiction and am always the one in charge of our trips. It seems to work best for everyone that way since John is definitely a more spur of the moment guy. The family does appreciate my work though, so that's good! The last trip to WDW I was stuck in the villa with Andrew who came down with a very nasty (and thankfully short lived) stomach virus. I had our daily plans in a Google drive document so John and the girls were able to follow them at Epcot. They said they were confused as to why I had scheduled dinner so late but figured maybe I had messed up until they were seated at the Rose & Crown on the patio and had the perfect spot for Illuminations! See, Mama does know what she's doing! Anyway, I've heard that the planning is much less intense for DL so I will try not to get carried away!
So far we have plane tickets, flying out of Atlanta on Southwest on Saturday, September 19 and home on Saturday, September 26. We are DVC members but since this trip came to be well past the 7 month window, VGC wasn't an option. I currently have reservations at both the Carousel Inn and Suites and the Castle Inn. I am leaning more towards the Castle right now. It is slightly cheaper and has free wi-fi. Any opinions are welcome on either place!
As mentioned, John is not a big planner. He did say that maybe he would like to do something else for a day or two while we are out west but thus far he has not elaborated on what that thing might be. We will most likely rent a car. We don't have a problem driving in LA. I managed just fine when I was out there with Nestle plus we have driven plenty in Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami so I feel we have the necessary highway skills. I am thinking about getting 5 day hoppers. Since we usually have a party of six when we travel, tickets for two seem downright reasonable!
It seems that since the two DLR parks are so close together and hopping is so easy that there really isn't too much planning ahead as to what park to do what day. That is an entire science at WDW! I am looking forward to that part of the vacation as much as anything, no juggling ADR's with park hours and figuring out optimal transportation options! This vacation may actually be relaxing!!!!
OK, so the introductions! My name is Ellen and as mentioned above, I am a WDW veteran. My first trip to WDW was in 1973 and there have been many trips since. Our last trip was in January 2015 where we spent 8 nights at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. It was overall a good trip, marred by a nasty stomach bug, some cold weather, and a knee dislocation, but still more pluses than minuses.
My DH is John and we have been together longer than anyone (other than us!) predicted! We were married in September of 1990 and after stints in Atlanta, Iowa, and North Carolina have been settled in Columbus, Georgia for the past 8+ years. We have four kids, Anabelle is 17, Rebecca is 13, Andrew is 11, and Natalie is 6. We homeschool although Anabelle is taking almost all her classes at a local junior college and Rebecca wanted to try public school so she will be starting at a local high school in August.
So, on to the planning! I have a planning addiction and am always the one in charge of our trips. It seems to work best for everyone that way since John is definitely a more spur of the moment guy. The family does appreciate my work though, so that's good! The last trip to WDW I was stuck in the villa with Andrew who came down with a very nasty (and thankfully short lived) stomach virus. I had our daily plans in a Google drive document so John and the girls were able to follow them at Epcot. They said they were confused as to why I had scheduled dinner so late but figured maybe I had messed up until they were seated at the Rose & Crown on the patio and had the perfect spot for Illuminations! See, Mama does know what she's doing! Anyway, I've heard that the planning is much less intense for DL so I will try not to get carried away!
So far we have plane tickets, flying out of Atlanta on Southwest on Saturday, September 19 and home on Saturday, September 26. We are DVC members but since this trip came to be well past the 7 month window, VGC wasn't an option. I currently have reservations at both the Carousel Inn and Suites and the Castle Inn. I am leaning more towards the Castle right now. It is slightly cheaper and has free wi-fi. Any opinions are welcome on either place!
As mentioned, John is not a big planner. He did say that maybe he would like to do something else for a day or two while we are out west but thus far he has not elaborated on what that thing might be. We will most likely rent a car. We don't have a problem driving in LA. I managed just fine when I was out there with Nestle plus we have driven plenty in Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami so I feel we have the necessary highway skills. I am thinking about getting 5 day hoppers. Since we usually have a party of six when we travel, tickets for two seem downright reasonable!
It seems that since the two DLR parks are so close together and hopping is so easy that there really isn't too much planning ahead as to what park to do what day. That is an entire science at WDW! I am looking forward to that part of the vacation as much as anything, no juggling ADR's with park hours and figuring out optimal transportation options! This vacation may actually be relaxing!!!!
