We're going to be brave

[lil lisa]

It's probably not the smartest thing in the world, going to SoCal right now for vacation. But everything is bought and paid for and months in the planning. There can be no rebooking. It's now or never- or at least now or many years from now. So I guess it's now. What? IT'S NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, goooooolly!

We leave tomorrow (Friday) for Omaha once the kids get out of school. We'll spend the night there and catch the hotel shuttle to the airport about about 4:30am. We'll be in LA late morning and hope to be at Disneyland by mid afternoon. Sea World re-opens tomorrow, so we should have no trouble (fingers crossed) proceeding with our original plan to visit there on Monday.

My kids are hyper with excitement- that after months of talking and planning, it's time to actually gooooooooooooo! So many firsts! First airplane ride, first Disneyland, first amusement park of any kind, first Ocean visit, and so on and so on. My 8 year old thinks the plane is already waiting for him.

After months of reading and obsessing over everybody's trip reports, I'll soon be submitting my own! Yippee! I hope I can equal...

I want to thank everyone here at Mice Chat who has put up with my countdown threads and numerous questions and concerns. Thank you for your thoughts and ideas and suggestions and kind PM's and for sharing in my excitement!

Thanks also to IMAGINE and Disney Royalty for going above and beyond the call of duty to help make the dream vacation of a total stranger even more exciting and special. I hope I get the chance to say thank you in person as well.

Special thanks to Hakuna Makarla. We share similarly aged sons and daughters, autism and a desire for Disneyland in common. She has been a wonderful supporter, encourager and friend. She gets to proof my TR before I submit it to you guys. Then I get the privilege of supporting and encouraging her as she plans her next Disney adventure!

Thanks Mice Chat- for introducing me to such awesome people!

Any last minute suggestions before I go? (I'll peek in once or twice tomorrow. I'll be too excited and adrenealized not to!)

[QuietViolet]

Re: We're going to be brave

Relax and have a great time! I'm so happy you are getting a nice vacation and I know you'll enjoy it!

[aashee]

Re: We're going to be brave

Awesome Lisa! It actaully is a good time to come. Crowds will be lower than later in the year. Weather is great. Only problem is the smoke in the air but downtown Anaheim hasn't been too bad.

Make sure the hotel situation is still OK. Sadly, many have been evacuated and seek shelter.

Have a great time, will we see you Sunday?

[Fantasmico!]

Re: We're going to be brave

What a big thrill you all will have! remember to jump up and down with your kids whenever possible: At the airport before you go, after you touch down, before you board the shuttle, etc. Remeber to walk for a while in between running towards the castle and running towards Nemo. Free water! Mickey! Minnie! Mary Poppins! Foot rubs! Oh man you will have a wonderful time!

[k_peek_2000]

Re: We're going to be brave

Once you walk out of the airport, try not to choke lol. I guess living here with lots of fires sort of gets you used to the smoke smell.

Anyway have an AWESOME, AMAZING, SUPER DUPER, trip!!!! I hope you do a TR!

[Datameister]

Re: We're going to be brave

Have a great trip! Above all, throughout the entire experience, your biggest priority should be DON'T STRESS. Unnecessary stress is the biggest fun-killer in these sorts of outings. Develop an attitude that rolls with the punches and allows things to not be "perfect." If different people want to go on different rides, just do what you can and try to satisfy everyone within reason. Stuff inevitably doesn't go quite the way you expect it to in DL trips, and that needs to be okay with you. Just relax and enjoy every moment you can! And be totally open to acting like a kid. (Except the poor hygiene, temperamental behavior, and aptitude for insane sugar rushes. )

[DisneyRoyalty]

Re: We're going to be brave

Like Datameister said, Don't stress! Or at least try to reduce it. I know it can be quite stressful to plan such an anticipated trip!

Stop by City Hall on your first day to get "First Visit" Buttons for your kids and there you can also ask if any characters that you are hoping to see will be out visiting that day.

This is a great time to visit, the crowds are low so most rides will have very short waits, With the exception of Nemo. But you'll still want to be sure to sit down early for Parades, Fireworks, and Fantasmic! to get good seats!

The most important thing is just have fun. That's pretty much a given, since it IS the Happiest Place on Earth after all!

[garbear]

Re: We're going to be brave

Have FUN!!! =)

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: We're going to be brave

Don't forget to wear a mask lol. Just kidding. Have fun.

[GoldenBoySC99]

Re: We're going to be brave

As a former midwesterner... you are bringing back memories when I would drive to fayetteville, ark from southern missouri to catch the early morning flight to LAX for my yearly trip to the DLR.

Have an AWESOME and safe trip. I am sure you are going to have a magical, enchanting week!!!

[Hakuna Makarla]

Re: We're going to be brave

I miss you already!!!
HAve a wonderful time, I am so happy for you. I feel bad about the smoke, its probably pretty thick down there, so please do be careful hon. I am so thrilled for you, I have thought about you for several days and how excited you are feeling. I miss that feeling and I can feel it thru your trip and report !!! Hugs sweetie, just know I am waitin patiently for your safe retuen and the fun I will have reading all about your adventures!! hug them kids for me, !!!

[penguinsoda]

Re: We're going to be brave

Above all have a safe trip! Looking forward to seeing the report when you get back!

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: We're going to be brave

You're finally making it out here!

Don't worry about the fires. Not to ignore those that have been effected (my brother and his family are in fact staying with us because they have been evacuated) but I think the national news are making this look like all of Southern California is on fire. But aside from the smoke it isn't that bad, and even then the radio this morning said that air quality is expected to improve greatly today.

Come to the meet on Sunday -- noon at the hub (that's where the Walt and Mickey statue is) and come say hi to us all!

Hope you have a nice trip!

[HiddenMickeyAddict]

Re: We're going to be brave

We attended Mickey's Halloween Treat on Thursday, and are spending the next few days at DL. The smoke has almost been a non issue. I have asthma, and have not had any breathing issues at all this trip. In fact the only problems we ran into was during the drive from Las Vegas, the smoke was awful around Victorville. Everything else has been great!!!

[Hakuna Makarla]

Re: We're going to be brave

Anyone of you see Lisa hug her for me! I will not get the chance. but i am going to love the trip report!!! Sleep on the plane lisa, believe me you will need it. rest all you can before you go, so you will be able to enjoy your self so much better.

[scrappydawg]

Re: We're going to be brave

Lisa, have a great trip and don't worry about the fires. They're not having any impact on Anaheim or the resort. I'll look forward to your trip report!

[dsnylndmom]

Re: We're going to be brave

Have a fantastic magical trip!

[lil lisa]

Re: We're going to be brave

Thanks everybody! I'm so excited! And thanks too for the weather/air info. That really does relieve me. My husband is looking forward to the warmth. It's only in the 50's in NE.

I can't believe I'm only 24ish hours from THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Don't worry about me, Karla. I'll sleep well tonight. I'm running around like the Mad Hatter today, but I'm always like that before a trip. I'm actually a very zen person by nature and I'll chill once we're on our way. But packing and making sure I've got all the tickets and info and everything else always makes me a bit nuts. Once I'm on the road though, it's all about the fun and relaxation.

I bought some Disney gear for the park! I have a new Mickey T-shirt and sweatshirt and Grumpy and Eyeore t-shirts as well. I think I'm set! ;-)

I'm looking forward to bumping into a few of you at the park over the next several days, woo-HOO! Be sure to look out for me. I'll be the short, fluffy, blonde in the Disney shirts, ha ha!

[drb]

Re: We're going to be brave

It's a whole lot better than it was Sun/Mon, so you shouldn't have any problems. The sky is hazier than normal and there's a slight smoky smell, but that's a lot better than it used to be. I'd still stay away from San Diego if you want to do more on vacation than just Disneyland, but Orange County (except maybe on the very south end) and Los Angeles County are safe, so Universal Studios, L.A. Zoo, etc. are also good bets. Try not to be outside quite as much as you normally would, but you don't have to be overly worried if you're in good health.

[chrisaustx]

Re: We're going to be brave

The latest EPA air quality sample from the Anaheim area is very bad, it was taken at 10am and showed that particles were at 152, which is way above the healthy limit, 100 being considered moderate.
http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.displaymaps&Pollutant=PM2. 5&domain=losa&StateID=6&mapcode=current_hour

I live 2 miles from Disneyland and the white smoke can be seen close to the ground, so just F.Y.I. the air quality is terrible today in Anaheim.