Originally Posted By Dalia3001 In conjunction with my brother in law and his family's visit from Australia (he, his wife, my niece and nephew and my mother in law as well my husband and myself are staying at the DLH from April 14-19) my parents will be coming down to visit with us and celebrate a milestone birthday for my mom. I have been having a blast helping them plan their trip, and I can't keep the plans to myself anymore, so I thought I would post them here to see if I am making any glaring errors. My parents would much rather spend their money on anything other than a hotel room. I'm not saying they don't want a clean nice room, but they are very happy in a simple, clean room, and even happier if they get a good price for it. They like to pack their days with activities, and don't want to feel like they're paying for a room they're barely going to see. Day 1: Wed 9:00 am: They leave their home near Livermore, CA and drive south to Cambria (about 6 hours). 3:00 pm: Check in to "The Creekside Inn" in Cambria (<a href="http://www.creeksidecambria.com" target="_blank">http://www.creeksidecambria.com</a>). Eat, rest, explore Cambria and coast. 6:30 pm: Evening tour of Hearst Castle Day 2 Thursday 9:00 am: Check out and drive to HoJo Anaheim. (about 6 hours?) 3:00 pm: Check in to HoJo. They have a standard King Size pool view room which I have been assured has updated beds and is on the quieter (no freeway noise) side of the hotel. Evening ???? They will have two day park hoppers, so they will be able to enter the park that eve. They are expecting crowds, and are not ride-a-holics, so they would be very happy with some atmosphere, a nice meal with the family, and perhaps a smattering of simple rides. I would like to make dinner reservations for this evening for the lot of us, and we did the BB last time my parents and some of the rest of my family was there together, so I was thinking of trying something else out. Does Cafe Orleans offer PS? Or should we do the French Market? Is there any genius plan to get dinner ressies somewhere at a specific time where you will be able to see the fireworks from your table? I am assuming that both Fantasmic and the Fireworks will be on both nights my parents are at the resort, and would like them to possibly be able to experience both. Day 3: Friday, My Mom's Birthday!! Early AM: Surprise Segway Tour for me and mom at DCA? I think this would be a lot of fun, but am worried that it might eat into our best time to experience DL itself. If the tour takes place in the two hours prior to DCA opening, it would mean missing the first golden hour at DL, I believe. AM touring of DL and DCA, get fast passes for Soarin' Over California. I think the biggest priorities for my parents are Soarin (their favorite ride from our last trip), Midway Madness (new to them), Nemo (new to them), The Alladin Show (they've never seen it), as many Fantasyland rides as possible, and standards like the Rivers of America boats, the Train, Pirates, HM, and IASW. I would also like them to have some time to head back and rest in the afternoon, time to spend my mom's gift card, and time to see the fireworks, and Fantasmic if possible. Some of this could be done the evening before. I'm trying to figure out the best way to work out this schedule. I will be fooling around with Ridemax closer to their trip. I'm thinking that a nice lunch reservation on my mother's actual birthday would be better than another dinner, as we will have done dinner before, and if the park is open late, it might be better for them to have dinner at Mimi's while resting near their hotel and come back for evening entertainment. Any thoughts on lunch? My mom is a vegetarian, and pretty health concious. I do not think she would like the Pat. E. Cake party, necessarily. She doesn't eat a whole lot, and doesn't put a very high priority on food, but I think she would like Carnation Cafe maybe, where she could get some eggs and some potatoes and a really nice coffee, one of her few indulgences. Any ideas on a special birthday something that could be added to our lunch from the WWYC stuff? I know we can order a cake, and this might be a good time to do it, even if my mom won't eat much of it. I will be more than happy to camp out for a fireworks spot for them. Is that kosher? If my husband and I sit there with a blanket or something is it really unfair if my parents, and possibly a few other family members join us near the actual time of the show? Maybe a better gift for my parents than the Segway tour would be reserved seating for Fantasmic, but for some reason the seating at the edge of the river doesn't seem that great to me. I've done the balcony a few times, and I'm sorry I can't get that for them. Any genius plans on the best way to divide our time? Do you think I have too much on the priority list? One of the great things about my parents is that they love my crazy itineraries. They love to have a list that says, go here now, so I am free to plan to my hearts' content. Day 4: Saturday 11:00 am: Check out of HoJo, drive to Getty Center. (1 hour?) Lunch and touring of Getty Center. 4:00 pm: Drive to Pasadena, check in to Pasadena Ramada. <a href="http://www.kingstonpasadena.com" target="_blank">http://www.kingstonpasadena.com</a> 6:00 pm: Dinner in Old Town Pasadena? Any suggestions? Day 5: Sunday 9:30 am: Check out of Ramada 10:00 am: Huntington Library and Gardens 2:00 pm: Concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA (any thoughts on how much time they should allow to get there and park, etc.? My crazy neurotic self says two hours, and then if they're early hope there is a nice place for lunch. Anyone know if there is a nice cafe in the Concert Hall or any of the nearby theaters that is open on Sunday? 4:00 pm drive home 11:00 pm arrive home I know the last day seems very long, and my parents are still thinking about spending one more night in Pasadena. But part of them thinks that will be enough, and they will just want to drink a lot of coffee and get home at that point. The concert tickets are a very important part of the trip. They were hoping to get ones for Saturday night, but only seats for the Sunday mat were available. So, any thoughts? : )
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I am in Livermore - Are they coming home up 5 - if so the ride home should be more about 5.5 hours from the Concert hall
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Yes, they'll come up 5. I'm giving them a bit of extra time I think, but I truly appreciate the time estimates. I also don't know exactly how long the concert will run. They're actually in N. California Brentwood, but I didn't want to confuse people since there's another Brentwood in S. Cali. Have you ever driven from Livermore area to Hearst Castle? If so, do you think my drive time is sort of accurate? It's from Mapquest. : )
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Hee hee, another post just reminded me that I really would like to see the Billy Hill show with my parents. I have come to the conclusion that the time in the morning at DL where they will be able to ride all the classic Fantasyland rides quickly will be worth more to them during their short stay than a Segway tour. Instead of spending money on that as a gift to my mom, I think I will try to get my mother and father reserved seating for Fantasmic on Thursday. So Thursday eve we're looking at most likely: 4:00 -ish: check into HoJo 6:00 - Dinner at NOS, either French Market or Cafe Orleans, whichever will accept a PS reservation. 7:00 - ride Pirates, HM, Train (maybe I'll see if I can get them a ride in the front, my dad would love that being a huge train buff.) You have to request that at the Main street station, correct? 8:30 (or a half hour before Fantasmic) - check-in for Fantasmic (hopefully) 9:00 Fantasmic Then the next day: 7:00 am: Do you think that's the time the park will open on a Friday at the height of spring break? I believe Friday is a day with no early entry, isn't that on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays? In any case, go to DL at opening, hit all the Fantasyland rides, IASW, Nemo, maybe Pirates and HM again, BLAB. At some point get mom a nice Latte from the bakery on Main Street. : ) 11:15 First Billy Hill Show - Lunch (pack something for mom who will enjoy show but not find anything she wants to eat there) 12:00 pick up mom's Birthday Gift Card. Is this line going to be nuts? Could we do this before the park opens? 12:30 pick up Soarin' FP's, ride if line is short early afternoon: get in line and see the early afternoon show of Alladin 2:00 Ride Soarin', Mom goes shopping with gift card. afternoon: back to HoJo for a restful afternoon, pool, nap, reading. 7:00 Dinner at ???? Mimi's might be an easy, relaxing choice. 8:00 Back into DL. More shopping, go to a low key attraction that they have either missed or want to see again 9:00 Meet up with me and husband who have been saving a nice spot for fireworks, unless this is considered totally uncool. 9:20 Fireworks late evening - last chance to do whatever, then back to HoJo's
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 I wish I could edit my post, I keep thinking of new little things that would be right up my parents alley. Things to add to the must do list include: DL Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk through Winnie The Pooh Jungle Cruise DCA Midway Mania
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I haven't driven to Hearst Castle - I do know I came home hwy 1 once - it took forever.
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Ya, that is a long drive. It looks like there is a way to cut over from 5 to the coast and Cambria using 41S and 46W, and mapquest puts the trip at 4 hours and 11 min to Cambria from their home. I'm giving them some extra time in case they get a later start, or the drive is on a slow, windy road or something. The next day, mapquest suggests taking 46 back to 5 as the best way to get to Anaheim, and puts the time for that trip at 4 hours and 26 min. On the way back, they will certainly take 5.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains If you have AAA I would have them map it for you... I have always used 152 as my cut through. We lived in SJ for a few years and that was the easiest - I have never taken 41 or 46 and don't know how they are for traveling.
