May 4th
Well, it is now 54 days until we leave for Disneyland. Today is also pretty historic for Disneyland because they are actually closed to the general public today. They will be open for invitation only events, but they have not closed to the general public since they began staying open 7 days a week, aside from a few days in 2001 due to the World Trade Center bombing, and the fear of other terrorism. Today, Disneyland is closed by choice. Tomorrow, they will open and start a very long party.
We will be part of that party for a short time in late June and early July, and frankly, I can't wait. The folks at Vacation Planning were kind enough to whip off an email to let me know that they did get my email, and will be calling me after this week. I can certainly understand that, as things must be hopping in Disneyland this week. With all the people expected to be there tomorrow, Vacation Planning is probably exceedingly busy. So, I sit happily at home, knowing that I will be talking to them next week, and it will be one week closer to our trip.
Two days ago, Disney Direct sent me an email to let me know that some 50th Anniversary merchandise is now for sale. The item I really want, the Partners Statue is more than I can afford at the moment, so I can only hope I can purchase it while at the Disney Resort.
On April 29th Variety Magazine put out a special Disneyland Anniversary Issue. On that day, I spent hours going from one Bookstore to another, finally ending up at News Land. There, at least I was able to obtain some information about this magazine but while the information helped, I was unable to get this special issue. I found out that this is a special issue of Daily Variety, and would only be issued in California and New York. So, after several hours, my hopes were dashed. Then, yesterday, someone put this magazine for sale on Ebay. So, I was able to purchase the magazine, and should have it in a few days. And that only cost me $25.00!
Tomorrow will be a big day. You see, we will be 53 days from Disneyland tomorrow. That means that we are close enough I can make one call to schedule priority seating for every meal we need reservations for. Yeah, usually I like to make several calls, but this time I am trying to save a few dollars. Every dollar I spend now takes away from something I could buy while at the Disneyland Resort, and trust me, I have a long list of items to buy while there!
May 5th
So, today begins the celebration of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. I have been busy watching the updates on LP Live. They have some wonderful pictures. In addition to that I chose today as the day I would call for my Disney Dining priority seating reservations. I got to be on hold for about five minutes, and it is always fun to be on hold with Disney. I love the hold music!
I did get the shock of my life when I gave the cast member my name, and she knew who I was, how many were in my party, and our phone number. Can anyone say 'you go to Disneyland way to often'? I am guessing it is partly because of previous trips, and partly because of our hotel reservations. Who knows, I just know it felt good to be known.
Since I have not confirmed what we want to do as far as celebrating Alexander's birthday early, I did not order a birthday bucket. I was told that I could do that when we arrive if I decide to do it. I will make the decision ahead of time though, because I am compulsive, and that's how I operate.
So, I did get reservations done today for seven meals. Three at Goofy's Kitchen, two at Ariel's Grotto, the Princess Breakfast, and Carnation Café, leaving other meals unreserved so that we can do some meals spur of the moment. We love to eat at Rancho Del Zocolo and Redd Rocket's Pizza Port, so now have room to enjoy a meal at each of those restaurants.
After calling I put all the confirmed times into my handy dandy June 2005 trip schedule and it sure looks nice with the meals there. Things are definitely coming together.
In a few weeks we will be buying shoes, so that we have plenty of time to wear them before the vacation. We always do this, because our shoes take such a beating throughout the year, and footwear at the Disneyland Resort is so very important. I do know that I will mainly be wearing sandals, but do need tennis shoes for Tom Sawyer Island and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. I can't properly chase after Alex in sandals in those to places.
And now, off to review LP Live again! Until next time, have a great day.
May 11th
Wow, John at Vacation Planning called me last night. We talked for about 30 minutes. I let him know that I called for priority seating reservations, and would also call to reserve Fantasmic! He let me know that about three weeks ago, Vacation Planning was no longer allowed to be the only department that had access to Fantasmic! balcony seats earlier than the public. So now there is no difference between Vacation Planning getting the tickets, and me calling to get them. I decided that if I get them, and end up not being able to get them because they sell out, that I have nobody to blame but myself. If I had John get them for me, and he failed, I would be upset with him, and second-guess myself. So, this way, I am responsible for what we want to do. And, to be honest, I have never failed when we wanted tickets. Yes, the balcony seating is better known now, but I still have never failed.
What we did decide on thought was that we would have pictures and balloons waiting for us upon check-in at the Grand Californian. They no longer deliver these to the room, because the bellboys started requiring a charge of $3.00 to deliver them. Well this defeated the purpose of getting something wonderful for free, so Vacation Planning now has it set up that the balloons and signed pictures are picked up when we check in for our rooms.
We also decided we would definitely get the Chocolate Lover's Delight Basket, which we have had before and loved. Now I will have two Mickey baskets, and the plan is to hang them on the wall as shadow boxes. I did decline the Family Welcome basket, because the book in the basket is one our family already has, and the book can't be changed, so no Family Welcome basket. I am debating whether or not I want to add a different basket, but at this time none strike me as a must have.
Finally, we discussed two items that both mean a lot to me. One is the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Clock that I was going to get with the Happy Homecoming Package I reserved online last July. Since I cancelled that package when Disney came out with Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness and it could not be added to our package. Well, I told John how much I want that clock, and he will see what he can do. He told me not to hold my breath, but he will work on it. And then he told me that he could make Alex the happiest little boy in the world. John met Alex on his first trip to Disneyland, and even though that has been more than a year ago, John remembered this little angel of mine. Anyway, John told me today that he could get us extra vouchers for Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness. Yep, you read correctly, extra vouchers. Wow. I really never expected that! Have I told you how much I love the people in Vacation Planning? John is just awesome, and right now, there is nothing that could upset me. He has given me more than I could have ever expected.
So next, I need to decide if I want anything else from them, or if we are done. And in a few weeks, I will be making my reservations for Fantasmic!
Have a wonderful night! And a Disney Day.
Next >>