how much is too much?

I have been pondering this question as I'm debating at least 2 additional trips to Disneyland this year. I have many friends who are as die hard as I am, but they are dwarfed by the amount of friends who worry for my sanity. So it begs to reason, how many trips are too many trips in a single calendar year?

I am an out of state Disneyland annual pass holder. This in and of itself raises red flags in my non-Disney loving friends. To me after 2 week-long trips a year, it seemed silly not to get an AP, however, that logic has a few drawbacks. Those drawbacks happen to include, "but I have an AP now, I HAVE to make the most of it!" and "I can totally take a long weekend this weekend!" among a few others. If I take at least 4 trips in a one year period I've paid for my pass. But what's wrong with a few more? Right?

I'm a big fan of discount travel sites and utilizing any cost cutting measures I can. I am lucky enough to have a flight attendant friend who helps fuel my addiction with discount airfare as well. So with that all added together, I can rationally do a 4 day weekend for around $300 with hotel, car, and airfare. That leaves a lot of room for thought.

Addiction or not, is there really such a thing as too much Disney? The beauty, luxury, relaxation, fun and magic surrounding a few days at Disney is something you do not get to experience every day. Maybe one day I will tire of the magic, but until then, I think that at least 6 Disney filled (both Land and World) trips isn't too much nor is it really enough. Maybe I can squeeze in a Christmas trip too...

Dedication

I really need to force myself to sit down a few times a week and actually write something. I know, no one really reads this, but I like to believe someone wants to hear what I have to say. And hey it gives me something to do!

2 days left

So we're down to the wire. Suitcases are packed, tickets are in hand, APs are in my wallet, electronics are charging. Now, hurry up and wait! The last couple days before a trip are always the hardest. I'm running out of stuff to keep me busy! The pre-vacation crazies are starting to set in.

There still are a handful of things I haven't settled on I suppose. I'm still on the fence about doing another guided tour. I do need to return a few things to the library as well. That is something I have forgotten about before, and its hard to ask your house-sitter to return your overdue books. But I think the one thing that has been decided for us is this, we are spending an entire week almost exclusively at Disneyland! I know, many of you are thinking, how in the heck could you spend and ENTIRE week there, its so small. Well, you would be surprised. One, its off season so crowds are lower and so are wait times. Two, I'm on a mission to take some more interesting pictures this trip, so I can spend an entire day hunting for neat shots.

To anyone who says that once you've seen Disney you don't need to go back, it never changes, well, I'm setting out to disprove that. The parks are an ever changing entity, and with all the recent construction (on both coasts) I cannot wait to compare pictures from my last several trips with the new ones I will have from this trip. And, if anyone has any suggestions for neat, funny, witty, interesting shots, please let me know!

Guided Tours at Disneyland

Since we did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour with our friend Kim this summer, I have been toying around with the idea of taking it again with my friend Kelly next week. I absolutely loved the tour. Not much of the information was new to me, I read too much, but both my mom and Kim were delighted by it. I will admit, had our tour guide not been so engaging, I'm not sure I would feel the same.

We had a small group, albeit an odd group. Actually I don't think odd even begins to describe the dynamic, but I digress. I absolutely loved the interaction and level of interest the tour guide maintained through the entire tour. For those of us thoroughly engrossed in the history and essential "Walt-ness" of Disneyland, I think that the tour shouldn't be a disappointment.

I think for me, the highlights of the tour were the audio tid-bits we were afforded by the use of headsets. It was neat to walk down Mainstreet and see what Walt saw and hear his voice. It just added a little extra magic to an already magical place for me. Then to move on and meet "Ophelia" was another high point. Getting up close and personal with an animatronic flower is a fun experience for anyone interested in the "how does it work" side of some of the classic attractions.

All-in-all, I think there will be another Walk in Walt's Footsteps in my near future. If not by a paid guided tour, at least I can pretend. I still believe you walk in his footsteps everytime you pass through the turnstiles. "To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land."

Listening is a practised skill

Ignorance and unsolicited advice! I hate when you ask a question and instead of someone actually answering the actual question I ask, all I get is someone's opinion of what they think I really wanted to hear! If I wanted to hear about the horrible experience you had because you're a big whiner who uses your shortcomings as an excuse as to why no one likes you or were treated unfairly, I totally would have asked! Ugg! So just a piece of advice for the new year friends, when someone asks you an honest question, think long and hard about the actual words used in said question and answer appropriately.

January 2010 PTR

A friend yesterday told me I should write a travel book. I laughed. Of course I laughed, I mean really, me, write a book? Then I thought, ok maybe I could. I am so very blessed to have family and friends who are willing to support my craziness and encourage me to use my craziness for potential moderate financial gain. My mom told me to use my blog more, and my dear friend told me she'd technologically stalk me to keep me productive and motivated. So here it goes. So far nothing exciting just some trip details and observations....we see where this all goes-

Upcoming Trip Disneyland and Southern CA January 23-29. The travelers this time are my mom and myself, and my friend Kelly (same one who thinks I should write a book) will be joining us midweek. When we bought our DL annual passes this fall I knew I got some pretty hefty discounts, at least by Disney standards, on property, but I didn't realize I could get some off property as well. Thank you social media! Hojo Anaheim is currently running some amazing AP room specials and I snagged one up. I'm hoping we are not disappointed! From HoJo's website and trip advisor, this looks like the nicest Howard Johnson hotel in existence.

Granted it will be late January while we are there, I am hoping to be able to try their pirate themed water playground/pool complex. Who doesn't like pirates? Even if its to cold for water park fun, there is a nice hot tub and promises of a new deluxe hot tub/spa (I know it is talked about in their YouTube video about the pool complex. Yes, the HoJo Anaheim has a YouTube channel! Its great use of social media and gets you really excited to visit their property.) A hot tub is great any time of the year.

Because of the great AP rate I found, we were able to reserve a premium, Disneyland view room. I hope this does not disappoint. This particular hotel also offers a few amenities I appreciate, refrigerator, microwave, balcony, FREE Wi-fi, and the best of all...Keurig coffee makers in the rooms. I can finally have good coffee in our hotel room, and not just in the park! Oh, how I long for a cup of coffee in our "coffee spot" on Mainstreet USA....