Our "Loop Hole" Trip to Disneyland: December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Our "Loop Hole" Trip to Disneyland: December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Our "Loop Hole" Trip to Disneyland: December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010
We are leaving for California in just six weeks! Can I successfully plan a trip in this short amount of time? Or will we "go with the flow," following the itinerary laid out for us by the group we're traveling with?
The Cast: Me: I’m Michele, the mom. I love Disney, and after taking 3 trips to WDW within the past 4 years, my husband has declared a moratorium on WDW trips. I never got to go to Disney as a kid, and I am a relatively recent convert. Chris: He’s my husband. We’ve been married for 20 years. He is the person that I admire most in this world - I chose wisely! He likes Disney, but doesn’t love it with the same fervor and delight that I do. Peter: He's our 10-year-old son. He’s a fun kid! Like me, he loves Disney. Unlike me, he doesn’t love thrill rides. I’m not sure how this happened. Ben: Our son Ben passed away in 2003, at the age of 16 months. He was a beautiful boy who was born premature, and dealt with many health problems during his brief time with us. He is in my heart always, and I feel his presence very strongly when we are at WDW. I wonder if DL will give me that same feeling?
How this Trip Came to Be:
We are going to California with a large group from Ohio University. My husband has been invited to accompany the group on this trip because he is a low-ranking university administrator. Peter and I are going along for a nominal fee. We are welcome to go with the group to the Tournament of Roses Parade, Knotts Berry Farm, Disney Land (!!!) and a few other LA attractions. Or, we can treat the group’s itinerary as a cafeteria plan of sorts, selecting some activities and making our own plans on other days. My secret hope is that we'll spend a little more time at DL and DCA than the day that is listed on the itinerary.
The Itinerary - So Far :
Monday, December 28, 2009 Fly from Columbus, OH to LA, check in at Knott’s Berry Farm Resort, Dinner at Downtown Disney in Anaheim
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - Spend day at Universal Studios Theme Park in Hollywood
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - Tournament of Roses BandFest at Pasadena City College, Sightseeing in LA (TBA)
Thursday, December 31, 2009 - Tour of Hollywood: Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater, Visit Santa Monica Pier and Beach
Friday, January 1, 2010 - 121st Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, Afternoon spent at Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park
Saturday, January 2, 2010 - Spend day at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - Depart LA for Ohio
The Title of this Trip Report:
My last Trip Report was called Our Last Trip to Disney…For a Long Time (see the link in my signature.) The title reflects Chris’s declaration that we would not return to WDW until we went to Yosemite, The Grand Canyon, and Alaska, as well as a few other places he would like to visit. This trip to California is particularly exciting because I’ll get my Disney fix without going against my word!! I love a good loop hole!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I love DL, its smaller and more manageable and things are closer together so you can accomplish a lot in a day. BUT for your first trip I would definitely do my best to fit in 1.5 or 2 days if there is something on the itinerary you don't mind missing.
My DH has family in San Diego so anytime we fly out to visit them we must go to DL too Usually we also go to San Diego Zoo and Sea World... longer trips we also go to the Wild Animal Park but I prefer the zoo. Not sure if you will have a rental car to make that trip though since San Diego is about 1.5 to 2 hours drive... worse with traffic which I seem to always hit when I go there. I'd stick to DL for 1.5 to 2 days and some of the other things on their itinerary this trip if I were you
Update: Our "Loop Hole" Trip to Disneyland: December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Just a small update...
I got in touch with an old friend who lives in Hermosa Beach. She really wants to see us while we're in LA. I'm excited because I haven't seen her since I was pregnant with Peter. He's 10 now!
I have to decide which part of the itinerary to ditch. Any suggestions? Anything but Disneyland!!
How great! Apart from Disneyland, don't ditch seeing the sights of LA, like the Chinese Theatre etc. We did that while we were in LA and I'm really glad we got to see all those places.
Update 2: Our "Loop Hole" Trip to Disneyland: December 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Another small update:
I got my PS request at Blue Bayou, which was suggested by mzozzietj! It sounds like a really interesting place to dine. I love PoC, so it will be cool to watch the boats go by. I wasn't sure I'd get the PS because our trip is only 5 weeks away.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Another small update:
I got my PS request at Blue Bayou, which was suggested by mzozzietj! It sounds like a really interesting place to dine. I love PoC, so it will be cool to watch the boats go by. I wasn't sure I'd get the PS because our trip is only 5 weeks away.
WOW, so glad you got it and I hope you love it since I recommended it, LOL
About This Page: 
Me: I’m Michele, the mom. I love Disney, and after taking 3 trips to WDW within the past 4 years, my husband has declared a moratorium on WDW trips. I never got to go to Disney as a kid, and I am a relatively recent convert. 
Chris: He’s my husband. We’ve been married for 20 years. He is the person that I admire most in this world - I chose wisely! He likes Disney, but doesn’t love it with the same fervor and delight that I do. 
Peter: He's our 10-year-old son. He’s a fun kid! Like me, he loves Disney. Unlike me, he doesn’t love thrill rides. I’m not sure how this happened. 
Ben: Our son Ben passed away in 2003, at the age of 16 months. He was a beautiful boy who was born premature, and dealt with many health problems during his brief time with us. He is in my heart always, and I feel his presence very strongly when we are at WDW. I wonder if DL will give me that same feeling? 
My secret hope is that we'll spend a little more time at DL and DCA than the day that is listed on the itinerary. 
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