General thread - general tips, ideas, comments, whatever

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I think we all agree that we love the original "aussies' thread in the Disneyland section. It is how many of us first met and started planning. I love that the Disboards kindly gave us our own area, it is such a wonderful place to be and discuss things that are relevant to Australians.

With that said, sometimes I just want to say something, share a little, make a tiny observation and just don't want to start a whole thread about it. I feel like the original "aussies" thread is massive and a little removed from this section which is where I spend most of my time.

So I thought I would just start a general thread that could keep going and going in the Australia section and we can say whatever we want in here, relevant not just to Disney stuff, but US trips in general.

What do you think?

I am also wondering if we could start a WDW specific thread and a DL specific thread. Let me know and I will start the ball rolling

 

[heidispidi]

Sounds good to me. One easy place to find out all the tips, ideas, etc.

 

[aussiegirls]

Oh this is such a good idea. I had a thought the other day that was totally irrelevant to anything really but it did make me think of the DIS (I wonder if that makes me either obsessed or insane).

We went to Taronga Zoo last Sunday (to see Mr Shuffles - so unbearably cute). Anyways, the girls wanted to look in one of the souvenier shops before we left, so we did. I was looking at the prices of the stuff in there and the first thought that came to me was how expensive it all was compared to Disneyland merchandise. I mean a small stuffed giraffe was almost $30 and I remember buying a stuffed Mickey and Minnie from DL (about 3 times the size of the giraffe) for about $15.

I know they have to feed animals and all so I guess there is a reason for the high prices but it did make me think.

xxx

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh yay, I am glad other's feel the same way.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yeah we should do this. I've had absolutely no response from the Webmasters to the original request for subforum sections. We had originally agreed on:

West Coast (and DL)
East Coast (and WDW)
Canada
Other

But if we're doing threads under Australia, we can probably expand out a separate DL and a separate WDW one. What do you think?

 

[hjd0411]

Oh this is such a good idea. I had a thought the other day that was totally irrelevant to anything really but it did make me think of the DIS (I wonder if that makes me either obsessed or insane).

We went to Taronga Zoo last Sunday (to see Mr Shuffles - so unbearably cute). Anyways, the girls wanted to look in one of the souvenier shops before we left, so we did. I was looking at the prices of the stuff in there and the first thought that came to me was how expensive it all was compared to Disneyland merchandise. I mean a small stuffed giraffe was almost $30 and I remember buying a stuffed Mickey and Minnie from DL (about 3 times the size of the giraffe) for about $15.

I know they have to feed animals and all so I guess there is a reason for the high prices but it did make me think.

xxx

Funny you should say that - I think exactly the same thing!! The very first time I went to WDW (in the 80's ...) I commented on the fact that to buy anything there (food, souvenirs etc) was much cheaper than here. I always feel like a "captive" when I go anywhere here - theme parks, airports etc - with the prices they charge!!

 

[queenie82]

Zoo toy prices are expensive!!! Went to Melbourne zoo the other week and saw the baby girl elephant they have (also tooo cute) but agree the toys were SOOOO expensive!
Disney isn't cheap at all...but for what you get! So much better.
Plus we got various discount coupons during our stay at WDW and got up to 35% off things!

 

[ehsmum]

Great idea

I spent literally days reading the original thread and I took tons of notes along the way. Unfortunately DH has stripped my computer and I've lost all of my documents, including my USA notes So I'd love some new tip threads .

47 sleeps till we leave!!!

 

[aussietravellers]

Zoo toy prices are expensive!!! Went to Melbourne zoo the other week and saw the baby girl elephant they have (also tooo cute) but agree the toys were SOOOO expensive!
Disney isn't cheap at all...but for what you get! So much better.
Plus we got various discount coupons during our stay at WDW and got up to 35% off things!

OMG, zoo toy prices are ridiculous!!!!! It's bizarre, but the funny thing is, it's all Zoos It's a worldwide Zoo thing. Every Zoo I've been to around the world (and with my son's love of animals, if there is a zoo in a city we go to, then we go to the zoo! so we have been to lots of zoos), they are all the same. But none the less we always leave with something! Usually a stuffed animal of some description to collect dust along with the rest of them once it gets home.

 

[queenie82]

OMG, zoo toy prices are ridiculous!!!!! It's bizarre, but the funny thing is, it's all Zoos It's a worldwide Zoo thing. Every Zoo I've been to around the world (and with my son's love of animals, if there is a zoo in a city we go to, then we go to the zoo! so we have been to lots of zoos), they are all the same. But none the less we always leave with something! Usually a stuffed animal of some description to collect dust along with the rest of them once it gets home.

Too true....it was the same at Atlanta Zoo!
I tend to collect plush animals I'm not sure HOW that penguin got into my bag!!!
When we went a few years back to Melbourne I brought home a Tree Kangaroo (which you gotta admit is something you don't see everywhere!)

But I now just keep reminding myself....save for Disney.....save for Disney....save for Disney...

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I totally agree about the price of souvies, it's crazy what we pay here.

 

[Luisa]

I totally agree about the price of souvies, it's crazy what we pay here.

We've got to remember though, that virtually all souvenirs we buy here and in the US are made in China, and although the Aussie dollar is strong the US still has massive buying power in China. Also, I don't begrudge a few extra dollars to the zoo.

Anywho, back on topic, my tip is when you see something you want buy it. Don't think you'll go back and get it later because if you're anything like me you'll forget and then obsess about it when you get home and spend a fortune on Disney mail order!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

When we were in San Francisco my husband and son went to watch a San Fran Giants baseball game. They absolutely LOVED it. For the rest of the trip he watched the baseball whenever we were in the room.

Since returning home same thing. The US baseball season has recently started again and he is obsessed. Funny how just going once has created an obsession with him.

If only it couldn've been about Disneyland and not baseball, I'd be set. Then I would get all the trips i want

 

[aussiegirls]

But Ms Shuttergirl, that obsession is just the first step

All you need to do is tell him that as a gift to him you would love to take him back so he can see some more pro baseball games. Going to Disney would just be a small side trip for the kids - seeing as you are there anyways

xxx

 

[ehsmum]

We're going to a baseball game in NYC (Yankees vs Mets). I know that DH and my 8yr sports obsessed son are going to love it, but I'm worried that the other 2 kids (and myself ) will get bored after awhile.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We're going to a baseball game in NYC (Yankees vs Mets). I know that DH and my 8yr sports obsessed son are going to love it, but I'm worried that the other 2 kids (and myself ) will get bored after awhile.

Ehsmum, I asked my hubby about this and he said "no way". He said it is quite the show. There is lots of singing and little rituals they did, and if you start chatting to the people around you they have lots of great stories about baseball and other stuff as well. It is my only regret about our trip that my DD and I didn't go to the game.

 

[ehsmum]

Thanks MsShuttergirl . That was my original thought and why I bought tickets for all of us. I thought it would be fun and a great experience. But when my son is watching baseball on tv, I have to occupy myself or leave the room cause I don't have any interest in it at all!

 

[queenie82]

Any Ice Hockey fans!!
We went to a Mighty Ducks vs Colorado Avalanche game at the Honda Centre (just near Disneyland) and it was FANTASTIC!!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

My husband is keen on an ice hockey game on our next trip.

 

[ehsmum]

My son wants to go to a Lakers basketball game in Los Angeles, but seeming as the crowd at their games seems to be made up mainly of celebrities, I'm not sure how easy it is to get tickets :lol:.

Who has done the day flight, arriving at LAX at 6.30am? Tell me honestly how much we can expect to do that day? I've requested early check in and am hoping to sleep till around midday and then start our siteseeing. Is that realistic? Or are we just going to crash and be wiped out for the whole day?