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....

Disneyland here we come, well, soon anyway

I need a new hobby. Well one that doesn't cause obsessive thoughts and weird outbursts of useless trivia. I know many of my friends do share this same obsession, but I know a lot of you think its unhealthy. Travel planning makes me happy. Ok, so I might get a little carried away now and then, but I have it under control, really.

We are now 40 days out and I can't wait. I'm hoping keeping this PTR up will keep me moving through the next 6 weeks of classes :) For 40 days out, I have most of our proverbial ducks in a row so to speak. Hotel, booked. Trip, routed and in the GPS. Dining reservations, made (well, 2 of them, I'm waiting for the 3rd restaurant at DCA to re-open). Tickets, purchased. Spreadsheet calendar, made but still needing adjustments. I have most of our true Disney planning done, but the rest of the trip still needs some work.

We will have 9 days to spend in sunny California. With our 5 day park hopper ticket, a day trip to Catalina, a Sony Studios tour with Cousin John, I'm not sure how much else we can cram in, but I'm gonna try!