First DLR Trip was magical! TR (3/09) Heading back for more magic! TR w/pics (4/10)

[TheTXTaylors5]

mariezp (If you are still lurking around ),

I loved reading your trip report on another thread. One question ...

What is a Fantastic dessert reservation? Where is the seating? Is it kind of like the Fantasmic Dinner package at DHS?

Jennifer

 

[mariezp]

mariezp (If you are still lurking around ),

I loved reading your trip report on another thread. One question ...

What is a Fantastic dessert reservation? Where is the seating? Is it kind of like the Fantasmic Dinner package at DHS?

Jennifer

It was a lot of fun writing my report to share with everyone...and a lot of work! I hope I was able to give some new travelers a few ideas... like maybe that Fantasmic seating!

I don't really know about the Fantasmic Dinner package at DHS so I can't say if they are very similar. At DL they offer special reserved riverside seating which includes a dessert box and beverages for their showings of Fantasmic. It's kinda pricey but well worth splurging for if you don't want to stake out a spot for hours. We like it just to have a seat to sit in while we watch the show. If you go for the first showing you can remain in your seat and watch the fireworks if they are showing. Again, nice to have a seat without fighting the crowd, although some people seem to think the only place to watch the fireworks in directly in front of the castle.

 

[PinkBudgie]

After reading a Trip Report on another thread on DLR, I bit the bullet and booked our trip. I am soooooooooooo excited! Being our first trip to DLR, I decided to pay the extra money and stay on-property. We are booked four nights at the Disneyland Hotel (June 23rd - June 27th).

Jennifer

We'll be there the same time for our anniversary trip- no kids! June 24-July1st. We decided to stay at Embassy Suites South instead of onsite and stay for extra days.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Okay, here's our itinerary (I can't make our PS yet. So, these are my "wish" PS reservations. ):

Saturday (June 20th)
Depart TX
Arrive NM (Lodging ?)

Sunday (June 21st)
Depart NM
Arrive Grand Canyon, AZ
Visit Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam
Arrive at Las Vegas, NV (Lodging - Paris resort and casino)

Monday (June 22nd)
Las Vegas

Tuesday (June 23rd)
Depart LV, NM
Arrive Disneyland Resort (Lodging - Disneyland Hotel)
Dinner @ Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
(PM) Relax @ resort and get to bed early.

Wednesday (June 24th)
(AM) Disneyland Park
Breakfast - In the room
Obtain FP for Space Mountain
Ride Matterhorn Bobsleds
Ride Tea Cups or Carrousel (which ever has shortest line)
Ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Ride Buzz Lightyear
Ride Space Mountain w/FP
Ride BTMRR
Obtain FP for Splash Mountain
Ride Indiana Jones
Lunch @ Golden Horseshoe Saloon
Ride Splash Mountain w/FP
(Go back to room to change if needed )

(PM) Disney's California Adventure Park
Obtain FP for Soarin' (or have someone run over earlier in the day to obtain. Is that still possible?)
Dinner @ Pacific Wharf
I need help with a touring plan for rides at this park for Wednesday afternoon/evening and for Friday morning).
We want to ride/experience:
Soarin'
TSM
ToT
Monsters, Inc
California Screamin'
King Triton's Carousel
Grizzly River Run
Flik's Fun Fair
Aladdin Show

Thursday (June 25th/DH's Birthday!)
(AM & PM) Disneyland Park (MM)
Breakfast - In the room
Ride Indiana Jones
Ride Haunted Mansion
Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
Lunch - (PS) Blue Bayou
Ride Jungle Cruise
Take train to Fantasyland
Ride IASW
Ride Nemo (during parade)
Dinner - ?
Snack - (PS) Fantasmic Dessert Package

Friday (June 26th)
Breakfast - (PS) Goofy's Kitchen
(AM) DCA
(PM) DLP

Saturday (June 27th)
(AM) DLP - Mickey’s ToonTown Magical Morning
Depart DLR to San Diego, CA (Lodging ?)

Sunday (June 28th)
Visit Legoland - San Diego, CA
Depart CA
Arrive in NM (Lodging ?)

Monday (June 29th)
NM to TX
Arrive Home!

More updating to come ...

Jennifer

 

[wdhinn89]

Any thoughts where you will stay in San Diego?

 

[vbmom40]

Can you rent points from a DVC member and stay on site at disneyland? Just wondering.

 

[vbmom40]

Any thoughts where you will stay in San Diego?

We stayed at the Bahia resort. Our room was in the First 3 story building and had a full kitchen it was huge. We overlooked the bay and could see the seaworld tower from the room. It was close to the beach and shopping to get groceries.

 

[DangerMouse]

A few other random thoughts:

- Carlbad Caverns is great.
- So are indian reservations near Alb.
- As is Durango / Mesa Verde. (all better than Vegas imo)

Hey Hound, you mentioned my hometown!

To the OP, I just stumbled across this thread and haven't read through all of it yet. We're a homeschool family as well, and you've received a lot of great advice so far. Honestly, I'd skip Vegas. It's just not for kids or family-minded vacations, IMO. Although Hoover Dam close-by is an awesome learning opportunity. We went there with our kids once, and won't ever go back.

Looking forward to reading more about your planning.

 

[mariezp]

Oh Boy! Your itinerary looks great! I think you got all my favorites in there! Can I stowaway?

 

[KCmike]

Your gonna have a blast! We are thinking of driving this summer back to our new favorite Disney park. It's like 23 hours from KC. We are thinking of stopping over at the Grand Canyon. We have flew over it twice on the last two trips and am wondering if its worth it?

My kids are 14, 11, and 11. Would they like legoland at that age?

We have been two years in a row so if you have any other questions keep em coming.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Oh Boy! Your itinerary looks great! I think you got all my favorites in there! Can I stowaway?

We have a minivan. The more, the merrier! However, I think your family would miss you.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Honestly, I'd skip Vegas. It's just not for kids or family-minded vacations, IMO.

I know, taking the kids to Las Vegas sounds crazy. What are we thinking? Actually, the only other time I was in Vegas I didn't drink or gamble. Just enjoyed the hotels and shopping. Then again, I was eight months pregnant! When I first started planning our trip, I asked for the kids input on "Daddy's Surprise". Before I could finish my sentence, DS8 screamed out "Las Vegas!". Yes, an eight year old. When he was an only child (many moons ago), we went to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. He was only two. But, still remembers that trip. He wants his siblings to experience it too. The hotels are amazing and I want to take them to a show. Maybe, a magic show or "O". Also, maybe we can tour the chocolate factory. I only plan one full day in Vegas. Enough time to get our bathing suits wet. Then, I plan to get everyone up and early on Wednesday and on our way to DLR.

We'll have four-day Park Hopper tickets. So, I'm actually debating on whether to visit a park that first day or keep it as is and go on Saturday or even add another day. Can you add another day upon check-in if needed????

Any suggestions on what time we should plan to try and attempt going through LA???????

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Any thoughts where you will stay in San Diego?

Need help!!!!! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We'll be there the same time for our anniversary trip- no kids! June 24-July1st. We decided to stay at Embassy Suites South instead of onsite and stay for extra days.

We should have our DISgreen shirts on in the parks. If you see a very bright family of five, don't hesitate to say "Hi!". I love meeting DISers in person.

See you there!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009. I've read it from cover to cover this past week. It has some great info. However, I bought it to tie me over until the Passporter comes out this week. I have a Passporter for WDW and DCL and love their format. I highly recommend it for any newbies to WDW.

Jennifer

 

[iluvwesties]

I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009. I've read it from cover to cover this past week. It has some great info. However, I bought it to tie me over until the Passporter comes out this week. I have a Passporter for WDW and DCL and love their format. I highly recommend it for any newbies to WDW.

Jennifer

Hate to disappoint you, but I called the Passporter office on Friday Jan 23rd and was told that the Disneyland Passporter is on hold due to changes happening at DCA

I know, I know..... I wanted to buy one too

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hate to disappoint you, but I called the Passporter office on Friday Jan 23rd and was told that the Disneyland Passporter is on hold due to changes happening at DCA

I know, I know..... I wanted to buy one too

Oh noooooooooo! Any idea when it will be out??????? What are the "major" changes for DCA besides Mickey's face on the sunwheel? I guess I'll have to keep bothering my local B&N until it comes out.

Thanks for the info!

Jennifer

 

[DangerMouse]

Oh noooooooooo! Any idea when it will be out??????? What are the "major" changes for DCA besides Mickey's face on the sunwheel? I guess I'll have to keep bothering my local B&N until it comes out.

Thanks for the info!

Jennifer

For some light reading:

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...-california-adventure-project-tracker-ii.html

 

[iluvwesties]

Don't know when the new Passporter will be out. They couldn't tell me.

I've bought a 2006 version off of ebay to tide me over

As I've never been to DL/DCA before I wouldn't know what had changed and what hadn't.

I'm doing a trip something like yours. My daughter and I are flying into San Francisco and renting a car to drive down to San Diego with stops at DL and LA and a couple of other places along the way.

 

[mariezp]

We have a minivan. The more, the merrier! However, I think your family would miss you.

Jennifer

I am afraid you are right...well my DD would anyway. You would think she's practically attached to part of my body! The guys would only miss me because they wouldn't have someone to feed them!

We took our kids to Vegas too. It wasn't all that amazing and we will never miss it if we don't go again but we wanted to see it just once. We did not gamble at all but we did have fun seeing some of the shows.