Disneyland December 2014 - Planning and Trip Report - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Disneyland December 2014 - Planning and Trip Report
I realize that my vacation isn't for over 8 months still, but I am so excited about it that I just can't wait to post! So I'm going to post all my plans too and would love your advice and tips and comments!
So I'm DeDe. I've been to Disneyland a total of 4 times (when I was 10, when I was 17, when I was 20, and in 2009-when I was 29). I will be 35 by the time we take our trip in December. I love Disney. I love all the movies and I love Disneyland. I wish I could afford to go to Disneyland every year - but alas that hasn't happened for me. I just love the magic of Disney so much. Can't wait for this magical 5th Trip!
Then there's my DH (Joey) who is my best friend. He has been to Disneyland once - with me in 2009. He hates crowds but tolerates them for me. He enjoys Disney movies and the rides are just okay with him - but this trip was mostly his idea!
My oldest is JJ (12) - he is autistic and loves Disney - especially Star Wars and Cars. This will be his second trip to Disneyland and he has a hard time with crowds and such, but really wants to see CarsLand and do the Jedi Academy.
My daughter Beth (will be 9 in April) is the ultimate Disney princess. She still loves dressing up as the princesses and loves all the movies. I dread the day when she will be "too old" for this princess stage of her life. She loves Anna and Belle the best.
So this is my family in Disneyland in 2009 (Goofy's Kitchen):
It will be over 5 1/2 years since then when we go in December so a lot has changed with us! Here is us now:
More later!!!
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Disneyland Trips:
1989, 1997, 2000, 2009 and the best of all to come - December 2014 in the DLH
So we've booked a room in the Disneyland Hotel from December 6-13th - 7 nights of magic! I have never stayed on-site before and I couldn't be more excited! Out of all the planning and such that is the only real thing that my DH wanted to do - stay in the Disneyland Hotel. I of course agreed wholeheartedly.
Even though we are only in Utah - my husband would rather not drive in California so our plans are to fly JetBlue from Salt Lake City to Long Beach Airport and then take a shuttle to the Disneyland Hotel. I'm actually happy about this because I love flying and I haven't been on a plane since 2001. Plus my kids have never been on a plane so it will be a fun experience for them. Here's hoping to find a good deal before then!
Oh and this is a SURPRISE TRIP! It will be our Christmas and I can't wait to surprise the kids. They are going to be thrilled. I hope I can keep it in for that long! My DH and I are celebrating our 15th Wedding anniversary this year in June and we have decided to forego any celebrating plans so that we can afford to go all out for this trip.
So we are saving like crazy and going to make this happen!
__________________
Disneyland Trips:
1989, 1997, 2000, 2009 and the best of all to come - December 2014 in the DLH
So it's been about a month since I started planning this vacation and I have been reading through these boards and tips and just kind of going crazy over this Disneyland planning! I've got several things already decided and I've already started ordering and gathering stuff for our trip. I'm basically obsessed. I'm not sure how in the world I'm going to wait 8 more months for this trip! Is anyone else as obsessed about planning as I am? I just want this to be the most amazing trip with my family!
So here are some of my plans and questions - please feel free to give me input!
First of all - I have booked (through a TA) the Disneyland Hotel from 12/6 - 12/13 in a standard room. I would like to do more, but I think the budget isn't going to let me. Hopefully maybe I'll get an upgrade or something, but I shouldn't plan on that. Do you think that its worth it to buy travel insurance? I haven't bought that yet, but I'm wondering if it is worth it. I just can't decide.
I haven't booked flights yet - waiting for it to be a little closer and hope I get a deal.
I made a list of all the food places I wanted to try and fit most of it in. We are planning on most of our breakfasts to be in room (going to order some groceries from Von's) and some lunches, plus bring in some snacks. Of course, I have to wait for a long while before I can make reservations.
I am using touringplans.com to plan out my days in the parks and still working on getting that right.
Here's my schedule so far:
Saturday (Dec 6th)- Travel
Breakfast at Home
7:00am - Early Christmas Scavenger Hunt to find custom book (my husband and I are collaborating and writing and designing a custom book that shares chapter-by-chapter of our vacation - surprising our children once we get to the Disneyland hotel. We haven't figured this one out exactly yet, but we think it should be fun).
Last packing and off to the train station by 8:00am
Take frontrunner/trax to airport - Need to be there by 10am
Flight to California - 11:30am - 12:18p (this is the current times that the flights are available - this could change)
Lunch at Airport
Take Shuttle Or taxi to Hotel
Check into Hotel - Get Settled
Change into Smith family Jolly Holiday Shirts (Will be getting these special shirts from Etsy and we will wear them after the kids find out what this surprise vacation is all about)
Check out the hotel trivia challenges and other adventures and get info/register
Shopping in Downtown Disney
Dinner in Downtown Disney - ESPN Zone
Maybe go see a movie in Downtown Disney
Sunday (Dec 7th)- Relax Day
Wear Mickey ears Wreath shirts (I am making these shirts)
Breakfast at PCH Grill (Surf up with Mickey Breakfast)
Lunch - Earl of Sandwich (Downtown Disney)
Shopping and Browsing in Downtown Disney
Tour the other hotels
Swimming
Dinner - Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
Monday (Dec 8th)- DCA
Breakfast in Room
Wear mickey ears - broncos/queen/Perry/belle shirts (more shirts that I am making)
Redeem photopass+ card at Kingswell Camera Shop
Get World of Color fastpasses
Start at Cars Land and try to get to as many of the rides at CA as we possibly can today
Get family photos at entrance of DCA
Lunch - Corn Dog Castle
Snack - Pretzel Bites & ice cream from Cozy Cone Motel
Dinner - Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
World of Color Show
Tuesday (Dec 9th)- Disneyland
Breakfast in Room
Wear Blue-Brown tie dye shirts (ordered these from etsy and love them)
Get family photos by Castle
We are going to do as many rides as we can in TommorrowLand, AdventureLand, New Orleans Square, and Critter Country
Lunch - Cafe Orleans
Snack - Dole Whip
Dinner - Plaza Inn
Watch Fireworks
Wednesday (Dec 10th)- Disneyland
Breakfast in Room
Wear mickey ears Vader/Anna Parents- mary Poppins/Elsa anna (more shirts from etsy
Lunch in Room
Get family photos at entrance
Going to do as many rides as we can in FronterLand, FantasyLand and Toon Town and
Snack - Mickey Ice Cream
Dinner - Big Thunder Ranch BBQ
Thursday (Dec 11th)- DisneyLand
Breakfast in Room
Wear JJ-*Jedi academy Beth-*Disney Princesses. Parents-*Jack/*Rapunzel (More etsy shirts)
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for Daughter
Shopping at the Star Trader for son
Royal Theater shows
Jedi Academy for son
Winter Parade
Do our favorite rides again and any that we missed
if needed break & snack in room
Lunch - Hungry Bear Restaurant
Last Shopping at Disneyland
Dinner - Carnation Cafe
Friday (Dec 12th)- Mostly DCA, but some DisneyLand
Breakfast in Room
Wear rainbow tie-dye shirts (etsy shirts)
Lunch in Room
Aladdin Show
Dinner - Flow's V8 Cafe
Last Shopping at DCA
Fantasmic Show and Fireworks - contemplating getting the Dessert package for this - what do you think?
Saturday (Dec 13th)- Check out
Breakfast at Steakhouse 55
Wear 2014 Disneyland shirts
Last shopping at Downtown Disney
Lunch in Room with last of Groceries
Pack up and check out
Shuttle or taxi to airport - need to be at airport by 2pm
Flight to SLC - 3:21pm (if the flights times change, we'll have to adjust)
Take trax/frontrunner to Provo
Dinner at home or on road
Okay I'm an overplanner aren't I? It's fun to have this all down though and I'll make changes as needed! What do you all think?
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Disneyland Trips:
1989, 1997, 2000, 2009 and the best of all to come - December 2014 in the DLH
We will be there around the same time! We will be there from Dec 4-7. A short trip. I have been there before with my son, but it will be the first time for my husband and my youngest son. I am so excited! 8 months does seem far away!
I'm a rush, so i didn't read your daily plan yet except to note that you will be in parks for 5 days. I just did a 4 day parks trip Dec 2-7, and it was so great! This is a great time to visit the parks!
My biggest joy was the jingle jangle jamboree area, so great for losing the crowds and just getting sucked into Disney Mellowness. If you are on a dining plan or can afford it, I recommend the BBQ place near the Jamboree. We didn't do it last time but looked so awesome, I'm going for it next Christmas trip we do (2015 or 2016).
We will be there around the same time! We will be there from Dec 4-7. A short trip. I have been there before with my son, but it will be the first time for my husband and my youngest son. I am so excited! 8 months does seem far away!
I'm so excited too! So fun!
__________________
Disneyland Trips:
1989, 1997, 2000, 2009 and the best of all to come - December 2014 in the DLH
I'm a rush, so i didn't read your daily plan yet except to note that you will be in parks for 5 days. I just did a 4 day parks trip Dec 2-7, and it was so great! This is a great time to visit the parks!
My biggest joy was the jingle jangle jamboree area, so great for losing the crowds and just getting sucked into Disney Mellowness. If you are on a dining plan or can afford it, I recommend the BBQ place near the Jamboree. We didn't do it last time but looked so awesome, I'm going for it next Christmas trip we do (2015 or 2016).
Thank you! I'm so excited to see all the fun Christmas overlays and stuff!
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Disneyland Trips:
1989, 1997, 2000, 2009 and the best of all to come - December 2014 in the DLH
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