I cannot begin to tell y'all how much fun I am having planning our big family summer vacation which I have now nicknamed
The Soladay Family Caliventure.
Why? Because it's our California adventure, and I like the way it sounds.
We have regretfully nixed the RV due to the costs adding up quickly and have decided to fly instead. This will cut our out of pocket expenses of $4,000 down to about half of that. That, my friends, is a chunk of change.
Our daily itinerary is jammed packed with family greatness as seen below:
June 7th
Leave DFW for Orange County, California
June 8th
Disneyland
June 9th
Disney's California Adventureland
June 10th
Universal Studios
June 11th
Beach Day at Newport Beach
June 12th
Drive to San Diego/San Diego Zoo
June 13th
Beach Day in San Diego
June 14th
Sea World & Return to Orange County
June 15th
Beach Day
June 16th
Leave Orange County for DFW
Do you think the kids will be exhausted?!
I have been researching each park so that we have a game plan going each day. When you're traveling with a pack, you have to be prepared. I have put together a daily itinerary for each of the parks with meal plans, a list of rides/attractions which are must dos for our family and in what order...allowing us to make the most of every day...the height requirements for each one, whether a Disney Fast Pass is applicable, and the location of the penny machines along the way so the boys can add to their passports.
Check out 2 of the day's agendas! You like? I do!
I have also been working on a travel bag for each of the boys complete with a kid-friendly itinerary, an activity book for the plane ride, brochures from each of the parks...which you can order online, a small disposable camera, change for the penny machines...Thank you, Casey for that idea, and a few other small goodies.
Ryan and I cannot wait,
and the boys
are counting down the days!!!
Happy Thursday!!
16 comments:
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Soarin Over California.....one of the best.....complete with scents blown in as you travel over the orange groves!!!!
The 3D bug thing is cute, too. Don't tell the boys, but you'll feel "bugs" running under your seats at one point.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is super old school, but one of my favorites. And, It's a Small World is my all time favorite ride in the history of parks......near the entrance of Toon Town.
Yay for southern California. One of the best family vacation spots around!
PS - The Jugle Cruise and Indiana Jones and Pirates are all similar in nature, but all tons of fun. Fast passes will save you a ton of time.
One trick for the parade......if you go where it ends (near the back of the park, closer to It's A Small World, the kids can jump in and "follow" the parade. The littler ones will love that.
One more.......promise I'll stop!
Big Thunder Mountain is scarier than it looks. It's AWESOME.....but super fast!
And, at California Adventure, be sure to walk the board walk. Super cute.
Haunted Mansion is another favorite of ours.
Can you tell we've been a few times?
Last one.......I bought all of the kids' "light up toys"......spinners, necklaces, etc.....prior to going from the Disney Store and also the dollar store. If not, they cost $22-$25 a piece for a spinner at the park. Not kidding.
While in "New Orleans", they sell drinks with light up ice cubes that the kids loved. We splurged for those.
OMG, how fun! I have never been to Disneyland (of course DisneyWorld all the time, since I live in Orlando). You are so organized!
I'm with Casey. Soaring is the best ride out there. I almost like the Disney CA parks more than Orlando(can you believe?)
BTW - I sent this post to my hubs. He thinks I'm a nut for planning so much..and making lists, etc..etc..etc..
Can't wait for him to check out your itineraries!LOVES IT!
Sounds like a lot of fun! I think we are going on a caliventure this summer also.
Look how organized you are!!!!
How fun! I just wish y'all werent leaving when I was going to be in town. Boo.
You are too much! I wish I was that organized!!!! The Cheathams just fly by the seat of our pants. Sounds like a blast! We've never taken the kids to Cali but it's on our to do list.... after we travel to Ethiopia! ha!
Holy moly...you've got it together! You guys will have so much fun. I'm very impressed the itineraries.
You are prepared! Wow! Love Cali! San Diego Zoo is one of my favs! Fun times!
so on top of it. it sounds like a blast. not sure what i am doing wrong, cant convince my hubs to take a family vacation!?!?
You are really on top of things with your detailed list and such. You rock mama!!! What a fun trip for all of you. Enjoy the Disney excitement!!
YAY! Being the Disney freaks we are, I want to go. Can you pack me in a duffle and take me along? I've never been to Disneyland. But, I have been to Cali! You guys will have awesome fun! And you're right, you have to be prepared and organized. Can't wait to hear all about it!
Sounds like fun. If you can add any more fun to your vacation, look at going to Legoland in San Diego.
whoo, i really want to live vicariously through y'all!!!
such a FUN thing to do! i can't wait to visit one day. we would drive if we could... but i think east coast to west coast would be a little wallyworld truckster for us!! if we just lived about 700 miles closer it would be feasible... hmmmm....
:)
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