Just Booked for Early August!

[ajrwdwgirl]

Well, after some weeks of discussion between my husband and I, we finally nailed down some dates and I have booked our flights to Los Angeles...I was also a little reluctant because I've taken a solo trip to WDW a few weeks ago and we are going to Paris in a couple months so I didn't know whether to put out the $$ or not. Ultimately I was persuaded by the thought of celebrating DL's 60th...so Disneyland here we come!

Our dates are July 31 - August 8 (leaving at 11:50 pm so we basically get the whole day that day too). We are flying into LAX because it is about $200 cheaper a person, and we plan on renting a car. I wanted to stay at one of the Best Westerns on Harbor but I ended up booked Best Western Stovall's Inn because it was over $300 cheaper. Hubby and I stayed at the Stovall's the first time we went to DL so we know what it is like and the walk isn't too bad. Plus by cutting through the Grand Californian I can pretend we are staying there!

Since we will be out in California for so long we have a couple key decisions to make...should we get an annual pass and what else should we do out in California. We probably should do something besides Disneyland for 8 1/2-9 days! Is anyone else going to be out there at that time? Maybe we could do a WDW Magic Meet Up somewhere.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I already told you this is Chit Chat, but DL only offers 5 day passes. If you wanted to do 6 days, you could do single day tickets on the sixth day, or you could get APs. If you are planning on coming back within a year, definitely get APs. But there's plenty to do in SoCal, so 5 days should be plenty.

I'll be in WDW at the same time you'll be in DL.

Have fun!

 

[Californian Elitist]

So glad you'll be joining us for the celebration.

Be sure to check out our Southern California thread for ideas as to what to do, and I'm sure we can plan for a meet-up, as there are a few of us with annual passes.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I already told you this is Chit Chat, but DL only offers 5 day passes. If you wanted to do 6 days, you could do single day tickets on the sixth day, or you could get APs. If you are planning on coming back within a year, definitely get APs. But there's plenty to do in SoCal, so 5 days should be plenty.

I'll be in WDW at the same time you'll be in DL.

Have fun!

We will have a lot of pictures to show the chit chatters with our trips!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

So glad you'll be joining us for the celebration.

Be sure to check out our Southern California thread for ideas as to what to do, and I'm sure we can plan for a meet-up, as there are a few of us with annual passes.

I'm excited for the 60th, I wanted to go out for the 50th but didn't make it out until 2007. 2007 was my first trip and I was so sure DL wouldn't compare to WDW but I ended up falling in love with DL too. Now I can never decide which is my favorite, I go back and forth. I am planning to reread that wonderful Southern California thread to get some ideas of what to do! When my trip comes a little closer I will be back with the idea of a meet up! I do know one thing we will be doing outside of DL....In n Out burger. My husband loves that place, ok I do too.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm excited for the 60th, I wanted to go out for the 50th but didn't make it out until 2007. 2007 was my first trip and I was so sure DL wouldn't compare to WDW but I ended up falling in love with DL too. Now I can never decide which is my favorite, I go back and forth. I am planning to reread that wonderful Southern California thread to get some ideas of what to do! When my trip comes a little closer I will be back with the idea of a meet up! I do know one thing we will be doing outside of DL....In n Out burger. My husband loves that place, ok I do too.

The good thing is you don't have to pick a favorite. Just enjoy both for what they are!

In-N-Out is life.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

The good thing is you don't have to pick a favorite. Just enjoy both for what they are!

In-N-Out is life.

Agreed!

 

[Figments Friend]

Great to hear you decided to visit in August after all.
You will have a great time with all the special happenings!

I would also recommend getting a AP if you do intend to visit sometime within the next year.
It is definitely worth it when you compare just the ticket prices alone from trip to trip...and that is not even touching on all the food-merch-etc discounts you are entitled to with a DL AP.

Go for it.

Even if you already have your Park Tickets in hand, if you decide to *upgrade* to a AP it is easy to do while there.
Any DL ticket booth can do it for you...you just pay the difference.
I did this when i visited last May, and was so glad i did.
Never dreamed i would get a AP, but it made complete sense when you did the math and knew you would return.

Going back at the end of this month, and also planning on a possible venture mid-August ( might do my 1st D23 Expo ).

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Great to hear you decided to visit in August after all.
You will have a great time with all the special happenings!

I would also recommend getting a AP if you do intend to visit sometime within the next year.
It is definitely worth it when you compare just the ticket prices alone from trip to trip...and that is not even touching on all the food-merch-etc discounts you are entitled to with a DL AP.

Go for it.

Even if you already have your Park Tickets in hand, if you decide to *upgrade* to a AP it is easy to do while there.
Any DL ticket booth can do it for you...you just pay the difference.
I did this when i visited last May, and was so glad i did.
Never dreamed i would get a AP, but it made complete sense when you did the math and knew you would return.

Going back at the end of this month, and also planning on a possible venture mid-August ( might do my 1st D23 Expo ).

I really wanted to do the D23 Expo, but my husband wasn't really thrilled with the idea. And since I did a solo WDW trip in March I knew he really wouldn't like the idea of me doing another solo. He says he would worry I just think he doesn't want to miss out on Disney time! I am glad you are going back soon. I always enjoy your trip reports! Any cool hand painted shirts this time? I still don't know how you have the patience to do that!?!

 

[Californian Elitist]

The D23 Expo was fun the first year. Now you have to train for it. Hectic and crowded doesn't even begin to describe the D23 Expo.

 

[TP2000]

If you are In-N-Out fans, you may also like Umami Burger. It's more gourmet and has waitress service and a full bar, but it's absolutely the best burger I've ever had. There's an Umami Burger about a mile north of Disneyland in downtown Anaheim, with the Packing House next door that offers another dozen high quality dining options when you are tired of theme park food or the greasy coffee shops on Harbor or Katella.

http://www.umamiburger.com/

http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/merchants

But what you must do is visit the Official Explore Southern California thread here. You'll have plenty of time to get out and see the natural and man-made wonders of SoCal. Start here... http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-official-explore-southern-california-thread.872243/

 

[TP2000]

The D23 Expo was fun the first year. Now you have to train for it. Hectic and crowded doesn't even begin to describe the D23 Expo.

The thing with the D23 Expo is that you can get all the news and visuals within minutes of their release on the Internet, without the hassle and expense of fighting the crowds and scene at the Anaheim Convention Center.

That said, I go every time they have it, but just for a couple hours. Usually on Saturday afternoon I buzz over to the Convention Center, buy a ticket at the window and wander in and stroll the exhibit floor and go through the big WDI Pavilion. That's all you really need to do. Then I marvel at the superfans packed into switchbacks waiting to get in to some weird session or presentation, and I walk back to my car shaking my head.

@ajrwdwgirl you won't miss much by missing the D23 Expo.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

The thing with the D23 Expo is that you can get all the news and visuals within minutes of their release on the Internet, without the hassle and expense of fighting the crowds and scene at the Anaheim Convention Center.

That said, I go every time they have it, but just for a couple hours. Usually on Saturday afternoon I buzz over to the Convention Center, buy a ticket at the window and wander in and stroll the exhibit floor and go through the big WDI Pavilion. That's all you really need to do. Then I marvel at the superfans packed into switchbacks waiting to get in to some weird session or presentation, and I walk back to my car shaking my head.

@ajrwdwgirl you won't miss much by missing the D23 Expo.

Thanks!

 

[Californian Elitist]

The thing with the D23 Expo is that you can get all the news and visuals within minutes of their release on the Internet, without the hassle and expense of fighting the crowds and scene at the Anaheim Convention Center.

That said, I go every time they have it, but just for a couple hours. Usually on Saturday afternoon I buzz over to the Convention Center, buy a ticket at the window and wander in and stroll the exhibit floor and go through the big WDI Pavilion. That's all you really need to do. Then I marvel at the superfans packed into switchbacks waiting to get in to some weird session or presentation, and I walk back to my car shaking my head.

@ajrwdwgirl you won't miss much by missing the D23 Expo.

I stopped going after the 2011 one. I don't even bother now. If I were to go this year, I'd have to go without expectations, like you do.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The thing with the D23 Expo is that you can get all the news and visuals within minutes of their release on the Internet, without the hassle and expense of fighting the crowds and scene at the Anaheim Convention Center.

That said, I go every time they have it, but just for a couple hours. Usually on Saturday afternoon I buzz over to the Convention Center, buy a ticket at the window and wander in and stroll the exhibit floor and go through the big WDI Pavilion. That's all you really need to do. Then I marvel at the superfans packed into switchbacks waiting to get in to some weird session or presentation, and I walk back to my car shaking my head.

@ajrwdwgirl you won't miss much by missing the D23 Expo.

The Archive exhibit (props, costumes and such) would be nice to see in person IMO.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I have a friend that went a while back. She said it was nice to see and do once, but that she wouldn't do it again.

 

[Figments Friend]

I really wanted to do the D23 Expo, but my husband wasn't really thrilled with the idea. And since I did a solo WDW trip in March I knew he really wouldn't like the idea of me doing another solo. He says he would worry I just think he doesn't want to miss out on Disney time! I am glad you are going back soon. I always enjoy your trip reports! Any cool hand painted shirts this time? I still don't know how you have the patience to do that!?!

Thanks!
I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve that shall be revealed when i resurrect my themed thread related to my ventures in Disneyland when the time is right.


August will be interesting to experience if i do end up going.
If so, it will be the first time going in August for me.
I expect crowds, hot days, and long hours.
I can take that at Disneyland, where the 'hotness' factor is far more tolerable then a sweltering, humid day in Florida.
Lived there...done that.

Yeah....done with that indeed.
California weather rocks.

If i don't end up going to D23, i might postpone until September which is when i usually like to visit.
Love that 'Off Season'...and all the 60th trappings and new entertainment will still be going on full blast.

 

[JillC LI]

In-N-Out is life.

Sacrilege I know, but I prefer Shake Shack!