Robin's 1st Time West of Chicago and DL Girls Trip!! *Updated 3/26* - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Robin's 1st Time West of Chicago and DL Girls Trip!! *Updated 3/26*
Destination: Disneyland, Hollywood & San Deigo
Date: February 27 to March 5
Adventurers: Me (first time West of Chicago)
Resort/Hotel: Howard Johnson Plaza Anaheim (1 block from DL!)
Celebration: First time West of Chicago
Meetings: The whole trip is a meet!!! I am staying with Cindy (Lumieregirl)!
I have been to Walt Disney World 13 times (11 since 1999) and I LOVE it but I was looking to go somewhere different. Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated by California and “Tinseltown”. When Disney announced they were having a celebration for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary I REALLY wanted to celebrate at the park that started it all. I chatted with Amy (iamgrumpy) and mentioned to a couple of other Passporter friends that maybe a group trip to Disneyland was in order. Chatter was started and messages were posted in the Backyard. After going back and forth for a week or so the dates were set. As time went on people joined and then dropped out throughout the months leading up to the trip. Sadly my room-mate (buzzspal) would not be able to make the trip due to family issues. so I was without a roommate…no roommate no trip. I posted on the DL board that I was searching for a roommate for the DL trip and listed the dates. Cindy (lumiergirl) sent me an IM saying she would be interested in being my roomie! Yippie!
I tried to get a room on property but nothing was open So I went on htt://www.mousesavers.com and saw they had two preferred hotels. I called Howard Johnson and booked a room with a Visa card rate. I contacted Cindy and let her know the dates I booked. Fares to California were still a bit steep so I waited to see if the prices went down. Finally they did so I booked a flight from Detroit to John Wayne arriving on 2/27 and departing on 3/5. As soon as I booked I sent Cindy and IM. She booked her flight and we were good to go.
I was debating if I wanted to rent a car for part of the vacation. Since I had never been out West I really wanted to go see the ocean. About 6 weeks out I snagged a deal on a rental car. Cindy and I agreed that she would drive and I would navigate. Origionally I was going to pick the car up at John Wayne but Cindy and I decided it would be better to pick the car up in Anaheim at the National Rental Car office.
Sarah (Dopygirl) and Tina (loobyoxlip) were nice enough to book ADR for several restaurants for the group. The meals I opted to participate in are:
Tortilla Jo’s on Tuesday Dinner Napa Rose on Thursday Dinner Storybook Café on Saturday Breakfast Hook’s Point on Saturday Dinner
Also Cindy and I are doing Goofy’s Kitchen on Thursday for Brunch. I might book more meals as the time gets closer but I am not sure, it all depends on timing.
About a month out Delta called me to let me know there had been a few changed in my flights. UGH!! That is news I didn’t want to hear. After spending about 20 minutes on the phone with the Delta rep we picked out flights that would work with my schedule. I rebooked on a later flight leaving Detroit and ended up on the SAME flight to LAX (yes I changed arrival airport) as Cindy. How cool is that! My departure flight had also changed and I did some messing around with the times and ended up on a red-eye back to Detroit. I can sleep just about anywhere so that works out great for me. The best part about that is…I get a whole extra day in California!
Since the room, my flight, meals and the rental car were booked Cindy and I wanted to map out our week. Both of us wanted to do the tour of Hollywood that Cheryl (Chezp) mentioned in her trip report. With so many meals booked it was hard to decide on a day
After a two hour phone conversation Cindy and I decided to do three park day, one day in Hollywood, one day at the San Diego Zoo and one day to sleep in and explore the resorts. Here is how things panned out:
Tuesday 2/27: Arrival 2:24 Disneyland Express to HoJo Tortilla Jo’s Dinner Downtown Disney
Wednesday 2/28: Walk in Walt’s Footsteps tour at 9:00 Disney Parks
Thursday 3/1: Goofy’s Kitchen Brunch Explore resorts Downtown Disney Napa Rose Dinner
Friday 3/2: Pick up Rental Car Disney Parks
Saturday 3/3: Storytellers Breakfast Parks Hook’s Point Dinner
Sunday 3/4: San Diego Zoo
Monday 3/5: Hollywood Tour Drop off Rental Car Disneyland Express to SNA Depart 8:30 PM
Since I work at Disney Store I get three free Hopper tickets each year. I have not gotten my conformation that my tickets are reserved. Hopefully that will be coming soon! My manager submitted the WRONG form....and had to resend it. If I can't get the ticket in time I will just have to buy tickets and use the CM hopper tickets at WDW.
Next on my list was care for my pets. Since I have done every type of vacation care for animals there is (pet sitting, cage free boarding, caged boarding) I know what will work best for my dog. My friend used a guy right in Lansing who boards dogs at his home. I met him in October at a doggy event and he was very nice. Since my friend has used him I decided to give him a try. This same friend is going to come and check in on Mr. Max a few times during the week. All the change I have been collecting since September will pay for my dog and cat care for the week (yes over $150 in change!!).
Sooooo….now I just wait…..and wait….and wait. Is it February 27 yet? BTW This is not going to be a boring non-photo trip report for long.
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011 Next Trip: Cruise on Jewel of the Seas for Christmas 2012
OMG I can hardly sit still I'm soooo excited and I'm so glad to see your TR, Robin! I'd love to write one but I have that pesky schoolwork to do
I'd seen the messages about a DL Girls' Trip for a long time and didn't think much of it - no way I could possibly schedule that .... then, my position got eliminated at work and I became unemployed. Right around that same time, I saw Robin's post: unless she could find a roomie, no DL trip for her. Now, how could I possibly let that happen ?! that would just be cruel - so, I decided to help her out
I last went to Disneyland when I was 6 years old, and have almost no memory of it. So, its basically all new to me, too. This will also be my first time meeting any Passporters in person. I'll meet Robin at the gate for OUR (isn't that neat how that worked out ?!) flight from Atlanta to LAX, and we'll be off on our adventure
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Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow, for all you know, tomorrow, the dream that you wish will come true.
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so I was without a roommate…no roommate no trip. I posted on the DL board that I was searching for a roommate for the DL trip and listed the dates. Cindy (lumiergirl) sent me an IM saying she would be interested in being my roomie! 
Yippie! 
So I went on htt://www.mousesavers.com and saw they had two preferred hotels. I called Howard Johnson and booked a room with a Visa card rate. I contacted Cindy and let her know the dates I booked. Fares to California were still a bit steep so I waited to see if the prices went down. Finally they did so I booked a flight from Detroit to John Wayne arriving on 2/27 and departing on 3/5. As soon as I booked I sent Cindy and IM. She booked her flight and we were good to go. 
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Pixie Dust
This trip just keeps sounding better and better!
PassPorter Guide Author
I can't wait to hear about all of the fun and laughs! Enjoy!
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