March 3-12, 2011 - Rental condo

[alaskatink]

Travel dates: March 3-12, 2011
Travel method: Alaska Air & rental car
Resort: VRBO Condo
Accommodations: Standard
Ages Represented in Group: 47, 41, 24, 23 & 16
Disney Resort Experience Represented in Group: Myself, DH and DD’s to many times to count DD Boyfriend has visited with us once before and a couple times as a child

Cast of characters:

Arianna-trip planner/writer and Disney addict

DH-my husband who has learned to love Disney almost as much as I

DD23-My oldest daughter who’s last trip to Disneyland was in November, 2008

DDB-Her boyfriend who has visited once with us and a few times as a child

DD16-My youngest daughter who loves the Disney magic



The planning of this trip started quite a while ago. Our last trip included myself, DH and DD16 and was December 28, 2009 to January 2, 2010. It’s rare for me to have waited over a year to get back! We had purchased our plane tickets over six months ago since we are traveling during my daughters Spring Break and ticket prices out of Alaska during this time can more than double. The lucky thing about our timing is that we will be at the parks before the spring break crowds actually hit. We decided to try something a little different and rent a condo for the trip instead of doing the hotel thing. I notice that I am much more comfortable and it tends to be more relaxing than staying in a hotel. It also gives everyone more privacy and allows us to eat breakfast and dinner at the condo if we choose.

My oldest and her boyfriend joined us for our trip at Christmas when she decided to use her miles to get each of them flights as a Christmas gift. Again the condo came in handy because it has enough room for them to stay with us making the trip affordable since they just will need to purchase tickets to the park. She is also a vegetarian and it will give her lots more food options having a kitchen. They arrive in the morning on Sunday, March 6th and leave on Friday, March 11th.

We plan to rent a car since I will be visiting family in the San Diego area and we also plan one day to visit another attraction while everyone is there. After looking at the costs involved to pay for a shuttle to and from the airport for everyone and rent a car for just two days it was actually cheaper to rent for the entire visit.

Since the park closes early on the weeknights I plan to have us eat a late dinner most weeknights at the condo and we will do breakfast each morning. I plan to try out having our groceries delivered the first night and I am planning a menu for the trip which includes some of our Disneyland favorite meals. I have found some great recipes online and am trying them out at home as we speak.

We are looking forward to seeing the World of Color for the first time and enjoying a relaxing trip to the lands with a 6 day park hopper. We are also wanting to watch more of the in park entertainment and catch the flag retreat ceremony during our leisurely trip.

[alaskatink]

Less than a week to go! I have purchased my 6 day park hopper tickets online with the great discount and saved $60. Is it me or have the prices actually gone down? I also wondered if a six day pass is the longest pass you can get without actually purchasing an annual pass? I was also able to get tickets to Knott’s for $27.99 for each adult using a discount code I found online. I was a little bummed I missed out on the two tickets for $28.50 but much better than regular summer price!

Started shopping and organizing items for the trip. Looks like we should expect some rain so I picked up a rain poncho for each of us at Wal Mart. We don’t have any dollar stores so my plan is to find one close to DL once we arrive and pick some up for throw away. Does anyone have info on the closest one to the park? I have also located my Minnie ears and my DD16 has the little clip on Pooh, Marie Kitty & Minnie ears that are on a barrette. I thought about bringing some of my own beads to celebrate Mardi Gras but we decided it’s way more fun if you get them at the park! We are also looking forward to the yummy banana foster and my have to have one to share each day we are there if it tastes as good as it looks.

I have received the MouseAdventure packet that I ordered. I am always looking for something different to do when we are in the parks and I know that we will all enjoy completing the adventure. The hard part has been not looking at it in any way until we get to the parks!

[candles71]

Yes, a 6 day is the longest you can purchase before getting an AP. (Unless you live in Australia....)
That is a good price for Knott's and about what we pay as well.
I know there are several dollar stores around the park. I *think* there is one near target. I know there are several different ones on Katella as you drive to Beach (the street Knott's is on). We always drive this way when going to Knott's from DLR.

[alaskatink]

As I count down the days until we leave (4!) I am obsessively checking the discussion boards for new posts, looking at the projected weather at Disneyland and planning our trip. Please tell me that I am not the only person who does this.

Found a cool app for my IPhone called Walkee. I love how I can check wait times for rides. Ride times looked pretty good for a Saturday so I am hoping it will translate into small crowds while we visit. I love all the information they give about each ride and that you can take a photo and add it to the ride screen. I am still playing with it to figure everything out but I think it will get quite a bit of use while I am in the parks.

So far so good with the weather. It looks like it might warm up a little bit but compared to home (it is 11 right now) it should be enjoyable no matter what.

I have done some more research on activities that we might enjoy while in LA. I think the Petersen Automotive Museum is a must do for my husband and I. His favorite TV show is Top Gear (the British version) and I think we will really enjoy a couple of hours looking at cars he would never otherwise get to see. The posts I have read give the museum a great rating and says we should be able to see everything in a couple of hours. This way I can go back and hang out at Disneyland! I am really trying to think outside the box on this trip and enjoy other things in the LA area.

I have also found a place called the San Antonio Winery that is on my list. My husband and I love wine and are visiting California in July just to go do some wine tasting in Paso Robles. Let me know if anyone has been there before and has any recommendations.

[tink's mom]

As I count down the days until we leave (4!) I am obsessively checking the discussion boards for new posts, looking at the projected weather at Disneyland and planning our trip. Please tell me that I am not the only person who does this.

No, you're not. I'm doing all that and more, and I'm not even as close to my trip as you are. :p

[alaskatink]

Two days and counting! Very happy as I have checked on rental car rates to see if they got any cheaper and I was able to get a car for $155 which includes tax for 9 days! Since we are renting the condo there is no fee to park, even better. I will let everyone know how far it really is to walk to the park. It looks like this complex is right across the street from a Disney parking lot and we are able to cross over and catch the tram to the park.
Went shopping and got some little things to take into the park. I picked up a 12 pack of plastic ID holders for my lanyards and Disney stickers so that everyone could decorate their own, band aid’s for blisters, magazines and gum for the plane. All I really need to do now is do a little bit of laundry and clean the house a little so it’s not a disaster for the house sitter. How will I ever make it through the next 48 hours!

[alaskatink]

Just made reservations for WCT for Monday at 6:20 for World of Color. I plan on this being one of the few dinners we eat out and since we have never seen WOC I think it's worth the price.

[alaskanmagic]

hi alaskatink! Whereabouts in AK do you live? We're in the Matsu Valley! Happy to meet someone as enthused about Disney as I am! In fact, we're heading down there this summer again, can't wait! We also have teens, a girl and boy who love Disney too!! When we went to WDW years ago, we almost stayed in a condo through vrbo, but changed our minds and decided to stay on Disney property. I'd love to go back there too, our daughter wants to do the Disney college program there next spring! Just wanted to pop in and say hi, and by the way, do you plan on finishing your report sometime? I'd love to hear how it went! ;)

[crystalanne79]

how was your trip? I'd love to hear about the condo especially.