Approaching the 12 month countdown

We are quickly approaching our 12 months count down to our trip to Disney. After much research and conversation, we are sticking with our original plan of doing Disneyland vs a Disney cruise. We just feel that it will allow us a lot more flexibility and room in our schedule to do exactly what we want to do while chasing around two toddlers.

Nothings been booked yet.
We have to wait until September/October to try and reserve a two bedroom suite at Grand California Villas. For those who are unaware, this is the place to stay at Disneyland Resort. In fact, for a one week stay it will cost almost two years worth of time share points, which is more then we've ever used for anything before. There is only about a 50/50 chance we will get in too, as we get 'second' dibs after Disney Grand Vacation club owners. But we have timed our trip after talking with our company and being told we have the best chance at the beginning of May. Still, we will have to reserve on the very first day of availability if we want a shot. We are keeping our fingers crossed!

The pool at Disneys Grand Californian

We will plan to book flights in the fall once our accommodations have been figured out. If we cannot get into the Grand we will book into Staybridge Suites as usual and book our flight together with it. This usually saves us a few hundred dollars. Otherwise our flight will be booked separate. This time we'd really like to fly into John Wayne airport if possible. It's only 30 minutes or so closer to the Disney area, but with two kids and LA traffic it certainly would make our trip a little easier. The plan is to fly out of Vancouver or at the furthest, Bellingham.

We had high hopes of getting a 6 day park hopper pass, but sadly Disney has recently ousted it. Before you could simply add on an extra day for very little cost, but now if you want anything more then a 5 day you have to buy a full single priced ticket or an annual pass. Sorry, not happening Disney. We will stick with our 5 days and enjoy a few others by the pool or out shopping.

Blue Bayou inside Pirates of the Caribbean

As far as dining, we have decided on a Minnie & Friends character breakfast in celebration of our soon to be born babies first birthday. I am hoping we get the opportunity to try out Big Thunder Ranch BBQ for lunch one day and then perhaps a dinner reservation one evening for the husband and I at Blue Bayou (for our fifth anniversary.) Those decisions and reservations will be made much closer to our travel date though.

So what can I do in the mean time while I wait? Save for it, think about it, talk about it with the family and fellow Disney lovers and watch videos of what's to come! After all, anticipation is half the fun!