I do like exciting mail like this

What's with the cheapy cardboard tickets (a la Universal) though? Haha!
xx

I know right, spending all that money you would at least expect a bit of plastic eh?!

We have always bought tickets from ATD, but this year we wanted four day hoppers for Disneyland CA ands they don't do them, had to order from Attractiontix, but only have vouchers

I must say I haven't seen 4 day hopper tickets at all whilst looking around... they must be harder to come by! Glad you managed to get hold of them, even if not through trusty old ATD!

So with 5 weeks to go we were sitting back enjoying the countdown safe in the knowledge that everything was booked and we were pretty much ready for our trip of a lifetime… always risky to get this comfortable right?!

As you may remember we booked the brand spanking new Dream hotel in Hollywood for our LA leg of the trip which was due to open on 1st April. So come Monday I thought I would start digging around to see if I could find any reviews from the first weekend that they had been open. My heart started to beat a little faster when I saw on their website that their opening date had moved from April 1st to ‘Summer 2017’! On getting in touch it seemed the hotel has indeed pushed back their opening and will now be taking guests from 1st June, not ideal when we were due to arrive on 22nd May!

The next morning I was straight on the phone eBookers who were less than helpful, and completely unconcerned about the whole situation to be fair! They offered a couple of alternative hotels but neither were anywhere close to the standard of Dream. Feeling somewhat panicked I then handed it over to Paul, he is much better at dealing with these sort of situations than I am and after another call to eBookers he successfully got us a full refund on our booking plus Ł100 credit in our account for our new booking, what a star that boy is!

So it was back to the drawing board and the hunt for a new hotel began! Luckily there were still quite a few available for the dates we needed and after going back and forth on a couple we have finally settled on the Andaz in West Hollywood. This was actually a hotel that was recommended by my manager back when we booked our flights but due to the prices back then being so high we disregarded it (he is an American who lived in LA for countless years so I am very trusting of his recommendation here!). It’s also right across the road from the hotel that I stayed at when I was in LA last summer for a work trip so I also feel somewhat more comfortable as I am slightly more familiar with the area than we was with Dream. Plus it looks absolutely gorgeous with a rooftop pool that is to die for… can I be there now please?!









We have booked a king room for 3 nights for a price of Ł686 (after the Ł100 voucher was used) so only slightly more than what we had paid for Dream. There are no resort fees but parking is an eye-watering $42 a day ($3 less than Dream though so a small win there!).



So with that small drama over its back to the countdown and feeling so crazy excited about how quickly this trip is coming around! With Easter and the early May bank holiday to come before we go it really does feel like it is just around the corner… I best get sorting out my summer wardrobe (don’t want to be letting RedRach down now with my standard last-minute packing!)

I am so glad you got the hotel situation sorted! Still can't believe nobody contacted you! Imagine you hadn't been looking?

The Andaz looks fab and I know its a good chain cos I've booked it for work stuff too! That rooftop pool looks lush!

Haha, no last minute packing young lady! Don't be a gype

xxx

Oh don't, we would have just turned up to find an unopened hotel! So excited for the Andaz now, these things happen for a reason I am sure ;-)

Yikes I most certainly don't want to be a gype so shall get packing asap! xxx

Nightmare about your LA hotel, seems you found a good back up though!

We had the same thoughts about the Queen Mary and opted to stay in a Hilton instead. We though Long Beach was great, if you have a chance to eat at Yard House then give it a go, the views at sunset were incredible!

I'm so excited for Long Beach, and after seeing your photos on IG Yard House has now made my list of restaurants to visit! Those views were absolutely stunning!

Hope you have recovered from your amazing trip and the post-holiday blues haven't hit too hard, so excited to read all about it!

Nobody wants to be a gype (or a clype) hehehe xxx