Robin's 1st Time West of Chicago and DL Girls Trip!! *Updated 3/26* About This Page:

[RobinKay6573]

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.

[Lumieregirl]

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

[TroianRae]

Can't wait to read ALL about it, Robin. A lot of us will be living VICARIOUSLY through ALL of you Disneyland Girl Trippers.

Wish I could have gone , but glad I begged out when I did - our current family situation (nephew living with us) would not have allowed for this trip.

[Colexis Mom]

Great start! Have a great time

[kmurburg]

Oh, I'm so green with envy! This trip just keeps sounding better and better!
Have fun Robin! And you too, Cindy!

[PrincessSharon]

Another TR to the list! Great start Robin! I can't wait to see you again

[tndisneyfam]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

[lauren-roxy]

I was so excited to see another trip report started Robin!!! Your plans look awesome!! I too will be living vicariously through all of you!!

[DyanKJ130]

Oh boy!! TR#3!!! This is so exciting!!!

[mrsmac2001]

I may type in purple but I am pea green with envy!

[DrDolphin]

Another one of us has started!!!

[DawnDenise]

YAY!! Robin has started her TR!! Can't wait to see you!

[chezp]

What great plans Robin - and how cool that you and Cindy will be on the same flight as well. I hope you guys enjoy the Grand Tour of LA.

[simbarel]

How fun!

[WDWfan]

Originally Posted by DyanKJ130

Oh boy!! TR#3!!! This is so exciting!!!

I can't wait to hear about all of the fun and laughs! Enjoy!