3rd Times a Charm! Cali here we come! My first ever Disneyland trip and PTR! About This Page:

[MyRapunzal]

Hi all! Thanks for coming by! I am getting really pysched for my trip AND have come a long way.

A Little Bit of History:
My boyfriend and I have been dating since highschool. For my college graduation we decided to go to Walt Disney World in January 2006 Being we are NYers, this was a great adventure for us! We stayed at All Star Movies and had a vacation filled with pixie dust! 10 days in Disney and 4 on the beaches of Anna Maria Island.

Of course I got bit by the Disney vacation bug and after some begging Rob agreed and paid for our return for my birthday in March of 2007. Since I am a Social Studies teacher at a local high school (actually the school we both attended and met at) we waited to go until the Summer. I chose the Carribbean Beach Resort and loved it.

And, since history ALWAYS repeats itself I was determined to go again in 2008. Oh what a process it has been! I got lots of great WDW advice before coming to the final decision and so I am going to post the links (underlined) to the old threads on here in case anyone wants to go through them (and for myself for future reference since I am no longer subscribed to them ).

At first we weren't sure where to stay since CBR's main pool is being refurbed... and thanks to great advice I have already decided on my next WDW resort-- Port Orleans French Quarter I think its cozy and romantic and would love to stay there as part of a 2009 Land and Sea cruise I am planning! (Told you I was bit by the Disney vacation bug!)

The next big debate was WHEN WHEN WHEN! I liked the idea of a long weekend for Memorial Day... but also wanted to see the Pirate and Princess Party which would be around during my Spring Break. I won't lie... hilarity ensued when I landed on on April and the school I work in started taking a lot of snow days from the extreme winter weather. And the week they were going to take days of vacation away from us if we used all our snow days was, of course, my vacation week! My April vacation was planned to the tee and I was sad to see it go but got some great ideas for my future triumphant return to WDW!

So after two (May and April) previous Pre-Trip Reports to represent the vacations that never were. I have landed here. My 3rd... and you know what they say? Third times a charm.


Next up: A Proper Introduction

[Colexis Mom]

Great start

[amandal]

Ooooh, it feels so weird being down here in the DL section. LOL. But don't worry, I'll be following every step of the way, girlfriend!!

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great start

Originally Posted by amandal

Ooooh, it feels so weird being down here in the DL section. LOL. But don't worry, I'll be following every step of the way, girlfriend!!

Thanks girlies!
I am so glad to see your farmiliar faces! Yay!

In any case, I was going to post some pics today during Study Hall but of course the school blocks photobucket! Oh well! I will be back later with the second mini update! Yay! I can't wait! Disneyland here I come!

[Kenny]

It was interesting to follow how we all got clear over here to DL (LOL)! Since I have never been there, but always dreamt of going, this is going to be a FUN excursion to the west coast!

[Chrissi]

I hope there's more to come for this TR soon! Hint, hint.

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by Kenny

It was interesting to follow how we all got clear over here to DL (LOL)! Since I have never been there, but always dreamt of going, this is going to be a FUN excursion to the west coast!

I actually thought I would miss my planned-to-tee April trip more than I have. There are such wonderful new things to discover about Disneyland! I can't wait!

Originally Posted by Chrissi

I hope there's more to come for this TR soon! Hint, hint.

Welcome! I am going to post an update right now actually! So... as you wish!

[MyRapunzal]

Well, I was hoping to introduce everyone to me and my DBF and post lots of fun and cute pics... but I am at my parents house and didn't upload all the pics I had wanted to post yet so as not to keep my fabulous readers waiting.... here are the details of our trip.

We will be in California for a total of 5 days and because I am a crazy woman I already have my days planned. Well, the fact I am crazy and the fact that we will be with a tour group! lol!

We will be arriving at LAX on July 26th... and we will actually gain time on the way. Timezones are so awesome! We are flying from NY and I have never been out of the EST timezone so I am pysched to get off the East coast and see the PACIFIC OCEAN! I can't wait! I keep thinking of how Tim Robbins character describes the Pacific in The Shawshank Redemption!

We will be on the LA Scene tour with Contiki tours. It is a tour group for people ages 18-35 and the hotel accomodations included just happen to be at the Best Western Stovall's Inn in Anahiem (a Good Neighbor Hotel located right across the street from Downtown Disney).

Our Contiki tour itinerary looks like this:

Day
Arrive Los Angeles (Anaheim) *We will be flying in the night before and adding an extra day onto our hotel stay... its affordable AND we will have time to go to DTD our first night.* Today will actually be our second day.
"This morning meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers. Today we'll experience a full day of LA sightseeing. Your tour will include downtown LA, an insider's look at Hollywood with an included walking tour, trendy Melrose Ave, Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Tonight we have organized a dinner so you can get to know your fellow travelers.
Hotel (Dinner included)"

Day
Los Angeles (Anaheim) "You'll have 2 free days to enjoy this wonderful area - visit Disneyland or Universal Studios. Alternatively why not spend time shopping or relaxing by the pool or visit the OC and see what the fuss is all about!"
This will be when we use our 2-day park hopper passes. Since Breakfast and dinner is included at the hotel we will more than likely take advantage and make reservations for lunches to experience some character dining and the ambiance only found at Disney Parks!
Hotel (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day
Los Angeles (Anaheim) "Bid a fond farewell to your newfound friends as your tour ends this morning upon check-out. Maybe join Contiki's Wild Western, LA to the Bay or Western Highlights tour or continue on the Best of USA tour heading to San Francisco both departing today. For those clients joining a Wild Western, LA to the Bay or Western Highlights tour you will need to meet in the lobby at 7:00am"
(Breakfast)

And I haven't full planned out my two Disneyland days so that is where I will be needing YOUR help on this TR! So many new things to become an expert at! Basically we will fly in... see Downtown Disney. Wake up go on our tour of LA and Hollywood that inlcudes:
"Los Angeles City sightseeing tour; Visit Hollywood & see the famous sign; Walking Tour of Hollywood Boulevard; See the Stars on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame"; See Mann's Chinese Theatre; Drive along famous Sunset Strip; See the Viper Room bar; See Rodeo Drive and Melrose Avenue; Visit Venice Beach; Visit Santa Monica and it's famous Pier"
Then we will spend two glorious days experiences Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Then our fifth day will be our departure day. (Maybe we will wake up for another short trip to DTD? or a Character breakfast?)

In any case, any input or tips would be appreciated and I will be back either later today or tomorrow to post my formal introduction of me (Melissa) and my DBF (Rob)... and maybe even our baby... well puppy! lol! Happy Sunday!

[mcc0313]

Great start Mel....I am so excited for you and can't wait to see how your plans turn out (as this is on our list for 2009 - can't wait to get some great tips from you )

[tinkz]

Your plans sound great! Can't wait to hear more.

[amandal]

You will have no problem seeing everything because it's all right there. Literally DCA, DL, and DTD are all on the same property. There is no transportation necessary!! It's pretty awesome in that respect. The only thing I'm afraid of for you is that everything in CA is on a smaller scale than FL . . . Especially the MK castle, you might be a little shocked when you see it. . . . But it's still awesome, don't get me wrong. Unfortunately this is another "pre-digital camera" vacation, otherwise I'd post some pics.

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Great start Mel....I am so excited for you and can't wait to see how your plans turn out (as this is on our list for 2009 - can't wait to get some great tips from you )

I am fully prepared to become a DLR expert before I go. The chances of us returning to Anahiem will be slim to none... if we went back to the west coast there would be so much else to see-- San Diego, San Franciso, Napa Valley... I don't think we would end up back in the LA area for a while. I am determined to make my 2.5 Disney Days as magical as possible!

Originally Posted by tinkz

Your plans sound great! Can't wait to hear more.

Thanks! I am really excited!

Originally Posted by amandal

You will have no problem seeing everything because it's all right there. Literally DCA, DL, and DTD are all on the same property. There is no transportation necessary!! It's pretty awesome in that respect. The only thing I'm afraid of for you is that everything in CA is on a smaller scale than FL . . . Especially the MK castle, you might be a little shocked when you see it. . . . But it's still awesome, don't get me wrong. Unfortunately this is another "pre-digital camera" vacation, otherwise I'd post some pics.

I have so many questions to ask you about it!!!!!!!! But I don't want to get ahead of myself. So far, I have TivOed a Travel HD program about Disneyland AND ordered the free Vacation Planning Video from DisneyParks.com... so hopefully by the time I book (end of Feb/start of Mar-- at about the 5 month mark) I can finalze all my plans and bask in the countdown fun!

I will be back sometime tonight or tomorrow with my little bio/intro installment! Promise!

[DyanKJ130]

Great update, Mel! You're making me feel like I need to get a move on with my TR! We leave on the 19th of February and I have so much to do! Can't wait to hear more of your plans as they unfold!

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by DyanKJ130

Great update, Mel! You're making me feel like I need to get a move on with my TR! We leave on the 19th of February and I have so much to do! Can't wait to hear more of your plans as they unfold!

The 19th of February! Lucky you!!!!!!!
Thats only like 36 days away! You must be sooooooo excited! Are you going to WDW or DL? Post me a link in here so I can get to your TR! I love reading everyone elses adventures!

[MyRapunzal]

Okay so without any further adieu...

Who are the characters in this little adventure to be???

Well, of course, there is me (Melissa)! I am a 24 year old Social Studies teacher. I love my job and love my life. This is my first year working as a full time teacher, which is really exciting, especially because I get full time pay! lol! Really, the shock of going from college to subbing to part time to full time was a slow slope that I was happy to climb! I love to take pictures and create scrapbooks! I also have this wonderfully fabulous family and the best boyfriend ever!

Favorite Disney Characters: Belle, Stitch, Lumpy, Alice & Tink (and probably more)



Which brings us to Rob! He is 22 years old and we will be dating 7 years by the time we go on vacation! We are soulmates. Rob is so much fun, especially on vacation, although he tends to resist until the last minute. He is currently going through the "what should I do with my life" struggle, and I wish I could be more help (I have wanted to be a history teacher since I was about 12). He would kill me for saying so but he is so much fun at home because he is always singing something or making a funny voice.

Favorite Characters: Robin Hood and Mickey Mouse


We are a match made in heaven. A strange little anecdote I have never shared... or maybe I have... on why I think we were a couple meant to be is this: I met Rob when I was 18 and he was 16. Almost three years before that my great-grandma has passed away. I was devasted... she was the first person I had a strong connection to and truely loved that died. She was 87 and had a weak heart. She has some sort of stroke or heart attack in the senior citizen community in New Jersey where her and my great grandpa lived. A man named Rocco who worked for the management for the complex came to help my Great Grandpa when he first called for an EMT. Rocco was one of the last people to see my Nana Rose alive... and he just happens to be Rob's only uncle. Is it just a small world? I think not. It's fate, intertwining our families because its destiny!



Oh and we also have a dog! He is an adopted Lab/Pointer mix. We love him and he is the cutest pup ever! His name is Liam and he turned 2 in July! We have had him since October of 2006!

Favorite Character: Pluto


Tonight when we sat down to watch some Family Guys we had TivOed (FG is our guilty pleasure) Rob said to me "You sure you don't want to just go back to Disney World?" I laughed and said that I had my heart set on California... however little does he know that I have a Land and Sea cruise on the brain for 2009! Haha! Even though the other vacation I had planned would've been great I think a trip to where it all began will spark an even bigger love of Disneyness!