Originally Posted By iDisney72 Yup, was there last May and will be going back the week after Thanksgiving, as well as a couple times next Spring.
Originally Posted By deadmentellnotales <I've said this before, but some of you guys must either make a lot of money, or be trust fund babies. Our 8 day trip last month (for 5 people) ran around $4000 (airfares, hotel, passports, meals, etc.) I definitely could not swing two trips like that in one year, unless we gave up something like orthodontics for the kids or school tuition payments.> lol Not quite. I admit that it does get expensive on some trips. I don't even want to know what my wife spent for this last trip, but this is our ten year anniversary, and disney's 50th. And I live in California so I save money driving, and since I have a AP I stay at hotels a little farther away (free parking) most trips we eat cheap (del taco) and bring in our own snacks.
Originally Posted By 4Disnee This will be our 3rd trip comming up. We always drive down from the Bay Area. We came the week before the 50th, September and now to see the 50th with its Christmas Decor. We will go again next year as soon as I can get some extra money. LOL
Originally Posted By 50 years of magic we aree driving there to and I live in the bay area too but I heard driving from san frasncisco to disneyland is hard because there is snow and <I've said this before, but some of you guys must either make a lot of money, or be trust fund babies. Our 8 day trip last month (for 5 people) ran around $4000 (airfares, hotel, passports, meals, etc.) I definitely could not swing two trips like that in one year, unless we gave up something like orthodontics for the kids or school tuition payments I can understand you but where do you live but if you live in california the it shoundnt be a big deal and if you live in another state the I hear you
Originally Posted By mickeymeg I would love to plan a short trip down in the spring... living so far away makes this difficult, but we are trying to find a group of friends to drive down with and go straight through to keep the cost down. Does anyone know exactly how long the 50th celebration will last ? I have heard differing rumors on this one and have not yet been able to find a concrete date.
Originally Posted By cindyland We usually stick to an "every-other-year" rule for DL, but I got hubby to agree to an AP this year. Originally it was supposed to be part of the "if you get an RV (used), I get a pass" with the idea we would be driving the RV down from Northern CA. Then when we were in DL in October, hubby talked MIL into buying a pass, and she won't stay in the RV (six people in an RV is a little tooo close). So now we're looking for a cheap suite hotel (anyone stayed at the Islander?). As far as the expense question, yes, it's expensive, but we're trying to save money on lodging, food, etc. And this is taking the place of the vacations we'd usually be taking so I'm hoping it will save money over going to San Diego and paying admissions for the attractions down there. We'll be heading back in April. Hopefully we'll go on more rides than in October (I think the whole state of AZ was there in October!). I also feel this is the last "perfect" year for my kids. My oldest son is 11 and not so thrilled anymore, and my youngest daughter is 4 and absolutely loves the magic (like mommy). I'm also hoping to sneak in a trip this summer, but it will probably have to be without hubby, he's burning out fast!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>We usually stick to an "every-other-year" rule for DL<< Our approach as well. One year Disney, the other we visit family. I realize that our trips cost more than some, because we stay longer, get two rooms (kids are teens), rent a car, etc. Still, there are some of you out there who seem to visit multiple times a year, stay at the GC, eat all you meals at the Napa, Granvilles or DTD restaurants. How can you afford it? (Two big incomes, no kids?)
Originally Posted By hlbtimes2 I just got back 5 weeks ago yesterday, and last night I booked my air for a May trip. There are a few things I didnt get to do while I was there, and want to go "finish". As for the comments about being able to afford it- I can't afford to take my whole family for another trip. It was about $3000 for our 5 days. I'm going on this trip with 2 girl friends. We got airfare from Seattle for $200 each, hotel will be about $100-150 each, then park tickets for $160 and food while we are there. $500+ food/ spending money. My husband just spent that much on a xbox 360. We all have our own interests.
Originally Posted By cindyland This every year trip is an exception for us. But we're in a situation right now where I'm really pushing for a family vacation. We planned this way in advance to coincide with the anniversary, and I'm glad we did because we need to "finish" as well. We didn't do a lot of things, but we were o.k. with it because we knew we were going back. I know admission isn't the only expense, but having that covered helps. We all know we can save money on food and souvenirs, but we kind of check our brains in at the gate (I know my husband does, who in their right mind would spend $200 on pins?!). They only have a party like this every 50 years!
Originally Posted By minniefan Cindyland, when did you go in October that it was so busy? I'm trying to figure out when will be a good time next year.
Originally Posted By hlbtimes2 We were there Oct 13-17. The place was a zoo. Maybe not summer busy, but way more busy then a typical Oct. I think next Oct's crowds will depend on when they end the 50th. If they end it in Sept, then I would think Oct would be great. If they end it in or at the end of Oct, its going to be another crazy fall. I have a feeling they will push the celebration through Oct, then go straight in to the holiday season. I remember going in Oct of the year they "ended" the electrical parade. It was crazy. They were limiting entry, had backstage areas open for traffic. Main street was often so packed you could hardly walk. Its just so hard to know!
Originally Posted By bubsmom Yes..I will be there in 2006..! I've been three times since the kick off and going in December again.. (that will be 4 times this year, a personal *best* for me!) We bought season passes last December, on the suggestion of a good LP friend, SusieQ and have enjoyed them VERY much! Thanks for that tip, SQ!) We're planning on a trip in Feb. 2006.. I've enjoyed the 50th very much..!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>We were there Oct 13-17. The place was a zoo.<< We were there Oct 15-23. Midweek wasn't too bad, but Friday and Saturday were especially crowded, and Sunday and Monday were very busy as well.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy I was there a glorious week alone the end of August ~ I am going back August 2006 with my 3 grandkids and then I really need to figure out how to bet back the month of Dec for my 50th birthday celebration with MICKEY. I am all the way in Oregon. This past August I flew... Next August I plan to drive and the 50th birthday I will fly. I need to win the lottery.
Originally Posted By cindyland We were there the week of 10/10. We noticed it getting more and more crowded as the week went on. Summer-level crowded. We were very disappointed because we had taken the kids out of school for a week (independent study) to avoid the insane summer crowds, and here we were in the middle of it! I was talking to a woman in line who told me Arizona schools get two weeks off at the end of their grading period. Great for them, not so great for us! She was even shocked at the number of people there from Arizona. By the way, I do remember someone saying the celebration was running 18 months which has it ending at the beginning of the 2006 holiday season. But not too many people seem to know this...yet.
Originally Posted By Mauison We visited in June (2nd-4th) and then from Nov 17th-19th. We're APers so we're going to go again next spring before the APs run out. But next time we plan on going from Wed-Fri, then driving home Sat morning. This past trip, we got spoiled on Thursday and Friday with walking onto rides, etc. We went Saturday morning and stayed for a couple of hours before saying, the heck with this, we're outta here.