What's not to miss before the end of the 50th?

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by BTD

And I already have plans to be there Sunday afternoon. If you wanted to meet up for lunch I can come up a bit earlier.

Sounds good, I'll IM you.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaniel

Make sure you take a group family photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle while it's still decked out for the 50th.

Also, since there's news and rumors about the entrance of Disney's California Adventure being majorly redesigned later this year, why not take another group family photo in front of the CALIFORNIA letters and/or Golden Gate bridge.

Thanks for the tips. I didn't know that about DCA. (And thank God! )

Originally Posted by CP

Between the April Swanking and my brother's birthday, we won't be able to meet up with you. Why the short notice trip? Sounds wonderfully impulsive! I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Aww, we'll miss seeing you guys, but we will return someday. We had several trips planned for this year, but my travel mood was seriously being dampened by Michael's yearning for a motorcycle. He's wanted one for forever, and the main reason he hasn't gotten one (aside from me being convinced he will splatter his brains on the concrete) is because we've taken so many vacations. So I sucked it up and told him he could get a motorcycle before we went anywhere else. Fortunately, Michael's mom had two park hoppers that she wasn't able to use that expire April 27th. Michael noticed that I was writhing in agony every day from the prospect of no travel for a year, so he took pity on me and took the free tickets.

Originally Posted by iSm

Although it didn't work out too well for Moonliner, I don't see why we can't arrange a Perfect Spot fireworks campout for you as well. As far as I'm concerned, it's a gift we provide to all out-of-town LoT swankers ... and it gives us locals a chance to view the 'werks from the perfect spot (which we don't much do without a good incentive).

What days will you be at the Park? I'm hoping we can arrange a fireworks campout for you ... we wait, and you just show up about an hour before. It's glorious, and it's our pleasure .... providing there's a date that some of us can be at the Park by, say, 6pm.

Awww, that is so sweet! We're coming into town on Saturday the 22nd, but it looks like that is going to be our SoCal day (since we're driving up during the night so the little ones will be sleeping), so we'll be in the parks Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Tuesday we'll most likely leave as soon as the baby goes to sleep so we have a good chance of driving while they sleep.

I don't want to put anybody out, but we would love to see people for a fireworks meet. Indi is especially excited about the fireworks, seeing as how this is the first year that he actually enjoys them, as opposed to thinking we were being bombed by Russia or something. I'm hoping the baby will sleep (ha!).

Originally Posted by Euro

I agree with ISM

I certainly hope you have Murakami stalking stories to tell!

Originally Posted by Prudence

I second most of the things mentioned, but if you only do one parade I recommend the Blck Party Bash at DCA. That really was a lot of fun. The interactive portions were great. Even BT, the chronically cranky, was up doing the twist with the performers!

We saw BPB in September. That thing is loud! We were up pretty close and it scared baby Jade, so I didn't watch it. Indi loved it until a well meaning costumed performer tried to pull him in to dance. He was convinced they were trying to take him and freaked big time. We'll probably try again, but I really want to see the DL parade. From the train station, of course.

[Tito's Kitten]

Oh my son loves the parade so much. My sister bought some guy's parade videos off of Ebay that are old parades from WDW and seriously my son could watch those dvds all day. (Should I be worried that he wants to watch Disney parades all day??? Nah....)

I wish I could come out to finally meet you!! I don't think I could make it but someday I hope we will meet. (Since you do seem like such a swell girl ......)

Oh and on a side note, your husband is not the only one who complains about wanting a motorcycle. The only thing is I am all for it again because I miss his old bike and we had so much fun on it. But alas I am still in school and one income is NOT going to pay for a new toy for him. Plus if he gets a bike I get a Vespa, which means we REALLY can't afford it. (oh, Vespa my dear. Someday you will be mine.....)

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Tito's Kitten

Oh and on a side note, your husband is not the only one who complains about wanting a motorcycle. The only thing is I am all for it again because I miss his old bike and we had so much fun on it. But alas I am still in school and one income is NOT going to pay for a new toy for him. Plus if he gets a bike I get a Vespa, which means we REALLY can't afford it. (oh, Vespa my dear. Someday you will be mine.....)

Lol, I want a Vespa too. I really wanted a motorcycle as a kid, as a grown up I think they are death machines. It isn't his driving I worry about, it's all the other idiots on the road that don't see motorcycles. Asking him never to get one though, would be like asking me never to go to DL again. So, le sigh...

I wish you could come out too! Hopefully next time!

[Tito's Kitten]

Yeah that is my only real concern is the OTHER drivers. My boyfriend has been riding since he was a 5 year old Mowgli look-alike on dirt bikes so I trust him to an extent. And to an extent I mean he is one of the only people I knew that actually could fall asleep while riding.

Maybe one day you will get a Vespa. Don't lose hope!!! And sure, there is always a next time!! But I know you will have a swingin good time!!! Have fun!!!

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Tito's Kitten

Yeah that is my only real concern is the OTHER drivers. My boyfriend has been riding since he was a 5 year old Mowgli look-alike on dirt bikes so I trust him to an extent. And to an extent I mean he is one of the only people I knew that actually could fall asleep while riding.

Maybe one day you will get a Vespa. Don't lose hope!!! And sure, there is always a next time!! But I know you will have a swingin good time!!! Have fun!!!

Last year Michael's dad's best friend died because he fell asleep on a bike.

Thanks for the good wishes! I know we'll have a blast!

[Tito's Kitten]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. I mean it seems so crazy to actually fall asleep while riding. (I feel like a jerk for making light about it. )

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Tito's Kitten

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. I mean it seems so crazy to actually fall asleep while riding. (I feel like a jerk for making light about it. )

Oh sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I never actually met the guy. Motorcycle accidents just really freak me out because there is nothing to protect you other than what you are wearing on your body. Michael is taking a two day riding class though, so that makes me feel a bit better.

[BarTopDancer]

The weather has been really spotty, though next weekend is supposed to be nice..

The beach. Huntington, Newport or Laguna aren't super far. Huntington has some bays in Huntington Harbor but there are no waves. I'm not sure if Newport or Laguna has any bays. I also don't know if the lifeguards are out in force yet, and the water is still going to be cold. Regardless you can still have fun in the sand and looking at pretty shells.

There are tide pools in Dana Point that are really nice, but may be hard with the baby.

I'd suggest Legoland I think Indi is a bit to young. You could venture into LA... see the La Brea tar pits. Be warned, they smell! Or the childrens museum (it used to be really cool, not sure how it is now).

[Hades]

[quote=BarTopDancer]The weather has been really spotty, though next weekend is supposed to be nice..

The beach. Huntington, Newport or Laguna aren't super far. Huntington has some bays in Huntington Harbor but there are no waves. I'm not sure if Newport or Laguna has any bays. I also don't know if the lifeguards are out in force yet.[quote]

Newport has a bay. Upper Newport has a road that takes you to a bird sanctuary and loops back to Jamboree Road, just below Fashion Island (upper crust shopping mecca!). Lower Newport has the yachts of the rich and famous (think "The O. C."). The Balboa pier has a very wide sand beach area to enjoy and is close to ample parking. The lifeguards are out for the Easter Week break, but I don't believe they come out in force until after Memorial Day. The towers are manned on the weekends, though.

Laguna Beach is a little further south, but is a fine beach. The area around Main Beach is surrounded by art galleries and restaurants. Parking is a bit more difficult, but can be found on some of the back streets just off of PCH.

As far as the waves are concerned, it's mostly in the 2 to 3 foot range unless there is a south swell. Then the waves can get up to 6 to 8 feet. During the spring, however, the swells usually come from the west, which will not affect Laguna or most of Newport beaches. West swells do affect Hunington Beach and can be a concern for rip tides. One thing to take into concideration if you plan on frollicing in the waters: IT'S COOOOOLD!

[tracilicious]

Thanks for the tips BTD and Hades. I think we've decided on going to the beach to build sand castles and fly our kite, followed by dinner somewhere that we don't have in AZ. I would not dare to venture into the water in April, so waves and such are not a concern. We may stick our feet in, but that is it.

Now we just need to decide on a beach. I honeymooned in Newport, how the heck did I miss all that stuff? The only thing I remember about the area is a really cool movie theater that we saw Dancer in the Dark in, and a crab restaurant that we had yummy brown clam chowder at.

We love love love Dana point (I bought my first skateboard there), but the beach we love so much requires much walking across rocks and climbing to get to, so that's out. Plus it's by a high wall of rocks so the kite flying wouldn't work. Here's what I'm looking for in a beach: as few crowds as possible, yummy non-chain, not too expensive food nearby, as close to DL as possible. Anything fit that criteria?