3rd So. Calif. GTG
 

Discussion has begun about a summer gathering in Southern California. As Art is unable to host at his home this time around (he generously hosted the first two), we are investigating where to meet this time. We're leaning towards meeting at a restaurant at Downtown Disney or at someone's home.<BR><BR>Is anyone willing to host a gathering at his/her home? Please let me know if you prefer a restaurant gathering or a home gathering. Once we figure out the where we can work on the when.<BR><BR>You can respond on this thread or directly to me at [email protected].<BR><BR>Please respond in some fashion at this point so we can see if a gathering is even feasible.

This has dropped to threat #162 with no responses. Anyone interested?

Huntington Beach, and Disney is fine, will be in Europe from July 1st to 22nd<BR><BR>

Thanks for responding Michael. Anyone else interested? Granted, the smaller the group, the easier to plan at a restaurant, but it defeats the purpose. Surely there are more people in Southern California who want to participate!

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I've been frequenting this board for a few years, but have never been to a GTG...so, if you decide to have one, I think it'd be nice to finally talk travel in person with some of you.

I think lack of response is because of the weekend. So here I am, I would love to, Downtown Disney sounds good to me, I have not been there yet.

What about one in the midwest, perhaps St. Louis????

Hi Diane--<BR><BR>I met you at Art's first event! I would like to come to another one. I think a restaurant would be fine-- many of the other groups have done it that way. <BR><BR>My email above is legit, or I'll check info here...

I think a restaurant is better, easier to find usually, and we can order from a menu. If we find a place that would let us talk and linger, Downtown Disney must cater to alot of tourists in groups so we wouldn't stand out and maybe we could get loud!

Count in one more So. Cal. Fodorite here. A restaurant sounds fine to me. I hope Art can make it, as I was out of town for for work during his 2 gatherings last year.

ttt

Was a date mentioned?<BR>How about some restaurant with free parking that's quiet enough so we can hear each other. DTD charges for parking, doesn't it?

I don't believe this area charges for parking. I've been there a couple of times for business entertaining.

Glad to see some responses. Looks like this is a viable idea.<BR><BR>I went to Downtown Disney on Saturday. Actually, I went to the eBay Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center and met a friend for lunch, so it gave me an opportunity to check things out. I stopped at Catal and the New Orleans restaurant (can't remember the name). Each of them told me that for a group we need to make arrangements with the sales department and they gave me business cards. I'll contact them and see what's what. Only concern I had for the New Orleans restaurant was that if the seating is outside, we will hear music coming from three different areas. Not very conducive for conversation.<BR><BR>My friend works for Disney and we had lunch at the Storeytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel. She offered her assistance in making the arrangements for us. Regardless of what restaurant we choose, I believe we will have a limited menu. Seeing that we'll be a large group in a restaurant, that may not be a bad idea.<BR><BR>I believe Downtown Disney offers two hours of free parking with restaurant validation. We can get additional parking time if we go to Storeytellers.<BR><BR>I liked Storeytellers because it was quieter than the other two. By lunch time the majority of kiddies were in the parks.<BR><BR>All three restaurants are in the same price range, meaning lunch can be had for under $20 including tax and tip.<BR><BR>My suggestion is that we plan on a Sunday lunch, either July 21 or July 28.<BR><BR>Would like to hear your opinions. I leave this open for several days. Please respond with your choice of restaurant and date.

I think 2 or 3 hours are free with an extra hour w/valid. That is what the DD website says, look under Restaurants.<BR>Another place would be fine though, how about Newport Beach?

I guess I was wrong...only limited free parking. Which makes sense, as I arrived with some friends, but took a cab back to the hotel (so I never noticed the parking thing). Too much partying, I suppose. :)<BR><BR>I've heard the New Orleansish one is decent, but I've never eaten there. I won't cast my vote yet, as I have no idea what my summer travel schedule is yet, and don't want to influence the decision if I'm not going to be there.

Self-Parking<BR>Your first three hours of parking at Downtown Disney District are free. An additional two hours can be validated at AMC Theatres and at table-service dining restaurants. <BR><BR>I'd love to attend, but will be out of town most weekends this summer. Maybe fall would be better, since the tourists crowds will be down.

Topping.

Fall is fine with me or late summer. I will be out of town the end of Sept to mid Oct. But don't let that influence the votes. <BR>I think D. Disney sounds pretty central to both counties.

Nancy, "both counties"? San Diego's in So. Cal too, or did you just bump us to Mexico?

Now, now, I was thinking about Orange and Los Angeles yes. San Diego is a little far, but if you want to make the drive...<BR>So sorry, Barbara. <BR><BR>

Our first cat fight! Will you two face off at the get together? Too bad I won't be there. <BR>

Nevermind, if Barbara is an example of who will show up, I don't want to bother. An attitude already and it is supposed to be a fun event. So count me out, I hadn't decided before, but now I have.

Don't worry, I won't be there this time. The last one at Art's was great fun, though.

Barbara you just had to make a snotty remark and you aren't even attending?<BR>Strange.

Sounds like fun, but summer's pretty tough with weddings, vacations, etc. Any others who would enjoy looking forward to a fall get together?

Based on the responses I see here, and the fact that no one selected either of the dates I proposed, I will delay scheduling until September. If I'm off the mark and some of you still want to get together in July, please indicate. Thanks.

Diane,<BR><BR>I don't know about the others, but I would not be able to make it in July. September would likely be better. Thanks.

I will be in Italy from Sept. 14th to mid-Oct. but don't let that stop you, I will be with you in spirit.<BR>How about the end of August beg. of Sept?

Diane,<BR><BR>Hello from Palm Desert... another county heard from. I'm interested in a get together, but couldn't make July 21, but the 28th is good. <BR><BR>My e-mail address is real.... & I check the board (usually) every day. I always thought it would be great to meet some of the people on this board!<BR><BR>Sue

Hi Diane, You remember the first two GTG's I hosted had 16 and 20 people attend. I did have a 3rd in the summer with very light attendance (4 locally and 4 from out of state). It seems that a lot of people are on their trips in the summer or have family obligations. If you get enough responses for a small GTG that would be fine and I would try to attend. If you don't, the fall might work out better.<BR>

My summer filled up ridiculously fast due to work obligations. My fall is usually much easier, travel-wise. I am going on vacation in October, so my vote would be for early to mid September. <BR><BR>Thank you Diane for trying to organize.

Art, I had forgotten that you hosted three GTGs. I noted earlier that you hosted two. I'm sure I was at all three.<BR><BR>Due to my travel schedule and the comments I'm seeing here, I'm going to postpone this to early September. Hope you all have a good summer. I'll post a new thread in about a month to announce the date.

I have only know about this board for about 4 months, and posted only a couple of times, but I love reading the messages, and find some of them really, really helpful. So, as a newbie, I'd love to attend a GTG at Downtown Disney or someplace near there, since I live in Seal Beach. Email me at [email protected]. Thank you Diane, for doing the work to get this organized.