Disneyland x 8 The Story of our Spring Break About This Page:

[Tink and co.]

Spring Break 2007~Disneyland x 8

Cast of Characters:
Me—Chief planner & Disney Nerd
Zoie (13)---Another Disney Nerd
Hallie (11)---Vacation Princess, really prefers to stay in luxury hotels
Jack (8)---Mr. Enthusiasm and lover of sugar and popcorn
Kathy---My friend and the only other adult on this trip! Second trip to Disneyland.
Anna (11)—daughter of Kathy, best friend of Hallie, First trip!
Mitch (6)---son of Kathy, First trip!
Emily (6)---daughter of Kathy and another first timer!


Rather than do a play by play of this trip, I’m just going to share my general impressions of each day(you lucky people:biggrin.

Our trip was born last summer one day when Kathy and I had taken the kids to the local public pool for a swim. While they were cooling off, we just started talking, and well that’s all it takes for me…I had a full-blown trip planned shortly thereafter.

First Up—Accommodations. We discussed all the various options and decided on two rooms (adjoining) at the Disneyland Hotel, it being their first trip and all…We’d use Zoie’s AP to snag a good rate.
Next---Transportation. Flying was pretty much out of the question due to the cost of the accommodations and size of our group. $200 x 8= Kathy and I both drive cars that seat 7 people, so we’d either need to drive separately or rent a larger car. We eventually decided to rent, as it’d make the trip more enjoyable for both of us. Gigantic SUV reserved.
On to Tickets---DL had the everyone plays for the kids’ price promotion going on, so we each ordered 5 day park-hoppers online before the trip.
Food---We decided to do a quick breakfast in the room most days, so I shopped for cereal cups, Pop Tarts, and muffins. We made a pit stop at 7-11 before check in for milk. I made one PS each day.

Now on with the trip…
Our drive down was smooth. With six kids in the car, I could hardly believe we only stopped twice during our eight hour drive! Once at Schatt’s Bakkery in Bishop, California (for bread ) and a second potty stop at a Burger King in the desert. We arrived to a huge fire burning homes and 90 degree temperatures. Check in went smoothly, we were assigned adjoining rooms in the Sierra Tower and we could even see Grizzly River Run and the Sun Wheel from our balcony.
For the most part, we enjoyed our stay here. Our rooms were humongous and very quiet. It seemed we were the only people staying here (although I’d heard it was sold out). We never once encountered anyone else walking to or from rooms…Very odd. I probably won’t fork over the dough to stay here again. It was a farther walk (too far with tired kids) than some of our cheapo favorites on Harbor Boulevard and while it was nice, it just wasn’t worth the cost imho. The pool area was gorgeous, but it was often closed (even though it was so hot). They were having some sort of trouble with the chlorine levels. I liked the décor of the rooms and hotel in general. It felt very Disney. I really don’t have any specific complaints, I just much prefer the Grand Californian for both location and theming.
Our first PS was at Goofy’s Kitchen for our arrival night. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the boys had some fantastic interaction with Pluto in the lobby while we waited. I was a little disappointed compared to past trips. The food was good, but the only characters that came to the table were Chip and Dale, and Goofy came out and created a ruckus by dropping dishes on the floor and creating an impromptu band with the kids, but wasn’t available for pictures or autographs. I think the attention has gone to his head. Did I mention the service? Oh, I forgot, because it was, well, interesting. Our server was clearly having some issues, but was pleasant enough.
After dinner we hit the pool (super crowded) and then the fireworks—which were spectacular as always. Sigh. We did enjoy the monorail to get us a little closer to the hotel. It was fairly convenient, and we got a great view of the new submarine ride as well. The six year olds “loved everything at Disneyland except the walking.” That’s a direct quote. :giggle:
Up next…Our first full day…will the little ones like the rides?

[loobyoxlip]

Sounds like a good first day!

[lauren-roxy]

Great start!! Can't wait for more!!

[snoozin]

Awesome... how fun, with first timers and all!

Can't wait for part deux!

[ilovedisney0_0]

What a great choice of accomodations for the first-timers! Sorry that you had a weird CM at dinner. Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!

[chezp]

Sounds like you had a good first day - boy, do I know that feeling about someone talking to you and then you're planning a trip!

[Chrissi]

Great start! I can't wait to read more!

[JaimeandChad]

Greta start can't wait for more!

[DyanKJ130]

Great start! Hurry back with more!!

[saremca]

The six year olds “loved everything at Disneyland except the walking.”

That was the best quote ever!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start to your trip! More please

[bsblady01]

more please.