Presenting - Pumpkin Planning Project.........A PTR Production!!!

[Aust]

The time is ticking away pretty quickly! I received our Photopass Plus too, I think it will be great to get all the on ride photos especially, and not have to weigh up whether to buy them or not.

Can we pre-buy ART passes? I had a look at their website a while back and thought we couldn't buy them ahead of time from Australia..we are planning on getting the ART to Knotts too. My husband can't wait to go on all the extreme rides and we plan on doing the chicken dinner too (actually I'm interested to see how he goes on the extreme rides after the chicken dinner!!)

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

The time is ticking away pretty quickly! I received our Photopass Plus too, I think it will be great to get all the on ride photos especially, and not have to weigh up whether to buy them or not.

Can we pre-buy ART passes? I had a look at their website a while back and thought we couldn't buy them ahead of time from Australia..we are planning on getting the ART to Knotts too. My husband can't wait to go on all the extreme rides and we plan on doing the chicken dinner too (actually I'm interested to see how he goes on the extreme rides after the chicken dinner!!)

Hi Aust!

Yes, the time is going quickly isn't it?! I am so excited for all of us lucky people who have Disney holidays to look forward to

As for the ART passes, as far as I am aware you can purchase online and have the tickets delivered to your hotel. There is a list of hotels you can choose from and they also have Australia as one of the countries you can select when filling out the details for the passes. I will probally wait until a little closer to the time we are going, maybe Septemebr or so.

And your DH and I would get on famously. I absolutely love the thrill rides too! have you ben to Knotts before? We have been once before and the first ride we did was the Ghost Rider which is the big wooden coaster. Now I lurve me a good coaster, but honestly, they should rename this one the Bone Rattler!!! Oh my lord, I think my teeth came loose at some point!!!!
I will make a point also of doing the rides BEFORE the chicken dinner!!!

 

[Aust]

I'll have another look at the ART site, would like to egt our passes sorted before we arrive.

We haven't been to Knott's before, husband has only seen it on the way to/from DLR, I think he's more excited about our one day there than DL!

 

[zanzibar138]

What an exciting update! Who am I kidding? All your updates are exciting

I'm counting down the days too so that I can see your TR I'm a bit slow on the uptake here but YAY for double digits!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Just ordered my Disney planning dvd's. I had no idea you could get them shipped to New Zealand, and I didn't even think about checking out the Australian Disney site until I saw a link for it yesterday! Im looking foward to being able to watch the Disney magic over...and over...and over..... Im also hoping it will help my cousin start feeling the Disney magic. He want's to spend 5 days at DL tops...I want to do 7. At the moment i've sheduled 6 days into our draft ininerary, but I really want to persuade him to do that last day! Were also planning on doing Six flags, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Sea World and San Diego Zoo. We were going to do lego land but after reading some reviews have recieved the impression that a 19 and 22 year old would get bored after about 2 hours. I'll let my cousin know and see what he thinks. We're trying to have a decent amount of time at each place that we go to, but at the moment have written down that we will stay in L.A, Anaheim and somehwere in close proximity to the zoo and Sea World. Because we're only now planning to do 2 things in San Diego (Sea World and the zoo) Do you think we would be better to stay in Anaheim for that duration of the trip also and just take the bus. Im just worried that we're loosing alot of time traveling and will be forever packing and unpacking. This is what we have 'planned' at the moment;

1. Flight lands
2. Explore Hollywood
3. Universal Studios
4. Six Flags
5. Travel from L.A - Anaheim
6. Disney
7. Disney
8. Disney
9. Knotts
10. Disney
11. Disney
12. Disney
13. Shopping + Travel from Anaheim - San Diego
14. Zoo
15. Shopping
16. Sea World
17. Lego Land
18.
19.
20. Travel San Diego - L.A, Flight Departs

Were travelling around an awful lot, and loosing precious holiday time :/ And I dont like the idea of flying into l.a, working our way down to San Diego, then having to travel back up again. Especially when we are only doing 2 days in San Diego at the moment. Any helpful tips on ways that you would order the following activites? Were planning on being away for 3 weeks (And depending on the cost, maybe we'll do a cruise)

 

[monkey30]

Thanks for stopping in! Oh, I so wish I could extend my trip..............maybe there will be a major airplane strike and we will have to stay

Cant wait for single digits!!!

hehehehe maybe!

I am just hoping the airfare comes down soon, as it is still pretty high for the time my friend and I want to go. Still way cheaper then your flights I am sure!

 

[frangipanisam]

Quick question about going out to the Disney exhibit, how much did your return train tickets cost? Tossing up if I should research it or not lol I know if I do, I'll want to do it but should check the rough cost first

Does that mean you guys are scrapping Knott's now? I'm still unsure if we should do it or not

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Hi all.........have updated the itinerary to reflect changes I have made over the week!

I have also purchased our train tickets this week and our tickets into the Disney exhibition. It requires a bit of public transport ( think Planes, Trains and Automobiles although I pray we don't end up like Steve Martin and John Candy) but I am sure it will be worth it! I quite like a good journey and I am very much looking forward to the train ride And the view from where the museum is is simply spectacular so I can't wait to get the camera out there! I did also pay a little extra and booked us Business class seats. Probably the only time we will ever go business class

So, I have listed the update/changes/omissions in red! This is looking pretty final I think!

Here goes..............


DAY 1 - Depart Sydney 2:40pm Wednesday 24th October
Arrive LAX 10:25am Wednesday 24th October
After we have collected bags and got through customs etc we will ride shuttle to the fabulous Ho Jo. Hoping to arrive some time between 1 -2pm give or take with traffic. I am hoping our room will be ready so will unpack what we need to freshen up and then head straight to DISNEYLAND
We will then proceed to exchange paper for Annual Passes, pick up Photopass and of course will be heading right for the Troubador Tavern for a DD special...............a big loaded baked potato
Will then just take it all in and go until we run out of puff!!!!

DAY 2 - Thursday 25th October - Sleep in!!! We will have had a big flight with not much sleep so I want to make sure we get our energy back for our big days ahead! So it will be Mimi's for breakfast and back to the park for a whatever we want to do day!!!

DAY 3 - Friday 26th October - Be at DCA for rope drop. We will be spending all day in DCA today as this is a party day at DL. Will be our first visit to Cars Land!!!!

DAY 4 - Saturday 27th October - Rope drop DL. Another all day/night in the parks!

DAY 5 - Sunday 28th October - Character breakfast this morning at the Paradise pier with Mickey and Friends. Off to Main Place shopping centre in Santa Ana for a much needed visit to Macy's Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory on return to Anaheim.

DAY 6 - Monday 29th October - Knotts berry farm today. We will be catching the ART shuttle to Knotts and staying for Mrs Knotts famous fried chicken for dinner and catching the 7pm shuttle back. Have dropped the Pirates dinner

DAY 7 - Tuesday 30th October - The first of our "mother/daughter" days today! So, it's my day at DCA. Definitely doing the World of Color show.Will be picking up a picnic meal for WOC.

DAY 8 - Wednesday 31st October - Happy Halloween! The big Halloween party at Disneyland for us tonight. Can't wait to trick or treat with Pocahontas!!!

DAY 9 - Train to Simi Valley today from Anaheim for the Walt Disney Treasures Exhibition.

DAY 10 - Friday 2nd November - DD day at DCA.

DAY 11 - Saturday 3rd November - Character breakfast at Story Tellers Cafe and then DCA/DL - Park hopping today...............just taking it as it comes! May duck out for a trip down to the Disney outlet store or have a nap???!!!

DAY 12 - Sunday 4th November - Free day. Downtown Disney, maybe a movie and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

DAY 13 - Monday 5th November - My day at DL. Character breakfast first with Minnie and Friends, Haunted Mansion, Haunted Mansion, Haunted Mansion...... Hope DD can keep up

DAY 14 - Tuesday 6th November - Universal Studios

DAY 15 - Wednesday 7th November - DL day for the DD........maybe I should start singing "Yo Ho Yo Ho" now to get in the practice!!!

DAY 16 - Thursday 8th November - Disneyland day with dinner at the Blue Bayou

DAY 17 - Friday 9th November - As much time as we can spend in Disneyland as we fly home at 8:25pm and will arrive home at 6:25am on Sunday 11th November.


Have also taken advantage this week of the Disney store 25% off sale. I managed to get us 3 T-Shirts each, a Jim Shore Minnie figurine for the collection, a talking Woody for the DD's Toy Story collection and a Jack Skellingtion bowl and cup. I did also buy 4 ( yes 4!!! ) $100.00 Disney gift cards. I have been saving hard and was going to give DD cash to spend, but when I saw the deal on with the Disney Store I jumoed at the chance to get gift cards as you can't have them shipped to Australia. So, I emailed the Ho Jo to make sure it wasn't too early to have stuff sent, and they said it was fine! I was most happy about that because now I can give DD gift cards instead of cash. they are just so cute and I got her some of her faves.......Alice in Wonderland, Minnie, a Halloween one and her all time favourite......the Lion King. The gift cards of course don't have the discount, but with the dollar I have saved just a little bit!!!

Still have to purchase Universal and Knotts tickets, but that will be the last of the costs ( thank goodness )before we go. I will more than likely get them over the next couple of weeks.

94 sleeps to go

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Quick question about going out to the Disney exhibit, how much did your return train tickets cost? Tossing up if I should research it or not lol I know if I do, I'll want to do it but should check the rough cost first

Does that mean you guys are scrapping Knott's now? I'm still unsure if we should do it or not

Hi Sam!

Ok, I ended up paying a little extra for our train tickets as we will be guaranteed a seat! It was just $11.00 each way for DD and $22.00 for me which came to $66.00 for the round trip. But, with the upgrade, it cost me an extra $20.00 each for the round trip so the total was $106.00. If you guys just go the regular seats, it will be $44.00 each.
The train leaves from Anaheim and we are getting the ART shuttle to the station after we walk up to the bus stop outside Disneyland. We will then also get a bus from Simi Valley, but this was where there is a bit of mucking around. There is no direct bus from Simi Valley station to the museum, so we will either change buses, or, get off as close as we can and catch a cab. On the way back, I am thinking we will just get a cab. I have got an estimate and it will be around $30 - $40.00 with a tip. So, if there are 4 of you, that will work out at roughly $10.00 each!
Still, I always look at the getting there and back as half the fun, so am really looking forward to all the scenery on the train trip. I have been and had a look at the location of the museum itself and it is simply spectacular.........canyon views one side and the pacific ocean on the other side. Can't wait to get the new camera out up there.........

As for Knotts, yep, we are still going! We do love our rides and the faster the better so will be going back to ride what we missed last time! And, we simply must try Mrs Knotts famous fried chicken!!!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Well, there comes a time when there is not too much left to do but wait for that magical day to arrive...............

So, have booked the Universal Studios day trip with Gray Line buses and have purchased the tickets to Knotts. Super cheap for the Knotts tickets only $39.99 each when purchased on line! Nothing left to get now except our ART bus passes and I can get them any time!

AND after 4 very lengthy conversations to V Australia, I was finally able to secure our seats on our flights. Because we have a special fare, you cannot guarantee where you sit, unless of course you are willing to shell out 80 bucks for the privelige. So, $80.00 later and we have our secured seats. I just was not taking the risk of turning up on the day and there not being 2 seats left together. But, happy now, DD has the window seat and I will be in the middle so lets hope I get a nice quiet person next to me !!!

I hope now the poor bank account can have a rest!

Am seriously thinking about doing the Fantasmic priority seating again.......maybe, we will see!!!

And we are now into the eighties!!!!!!

89 sleeps to go

 

[monkey30]

Well, there comes a time when there is not too much left to do but wait for that magical day to arrive...............

So, have booked the Universal Studios day trip with Gray Line buses and have purchased the tickets to Knotts. Super cheap for the Knotts tickets only $39.99 each when purchased on line! Nothing left to get now except our ART bus passes and I can get them any time!

AND after 4 very lengthy conversations to V Australia, I was finally able to secure our seats on our flights. Because we have a special fare, you cannot guarantee where you sit, unless of course you are willing to shell out 80 bucks for the privelige. So, $80.00 later and we have our secured seats. I just was not taking the risk of turning up on the day and there not being 2 seats left together. But, happy now, DD has the window seat and I will be in the middle so lets hope I get a nice quiet person next to me !!!

I hope now the poor bank account can have a rest!

Am seriously thinking about doing the Fantasmic priority seating again.......maybe, we will see!!!

And we are now into the eighties!!!!!!

89 sleeps to go

YAHOO! Sometime it is just worth it to pay and get the seats assigned, we have done it before as well, one time they split us all up all over the plane I said to the person at the desk, great whos going to watch my kids for the 5hr flight since no parent is anywhere near them!

I have everything done for my Nov trip, just have to set up my Sept trip, but that will come in August, I have to learn the TA system and well I can do that while ordering all my tickets! Who best to learn then on myself!LOL

I have to give the account a rest to. Been a busy couple of days thanks to a sweet seat sale I managed to get air and hotel for less the $500!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Needed to come somewhere safe to vent.

I am sad

Things just going all kind of wrong at the moment...................work, health and now my trusty treadmill just packed it in. I am sure it will pass, soon I hope. I am normally the most upbeat, happy go lucky person on the planet, but it's hard to remain that way when life throws a curve ball at you.

Thanks for listening!!! AND ..............

Thank goodness I have a Disneyland holiday to look forward too.

 

[Velvetia]

Aw no, sorry to hear things are going all kinds of wrong...life does sometimes through a curveball or two, but things will get better, and these bad times fade into distant memories...

And as you say you have got a fabulous holiday to look forward to, it's really not too long for you now til you get a touch of Disney (Halloween) Magic!

Hope things start looking up for you soon - sending good vibes your way ...

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi MinnieSue! Sorry I haven't made it over here - just can't keep up these days. Your plans are coming together nicely, and your trip will be here before you know it! I'm sorry everything is "going to crap" lately. You know, we always say bad things come in three's so maybe things will turn around, and yes, a holiday at Disney is a cheerful thought!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Just ordered my Disney planning dvd's. I had no idea you could get them shipped to New Zealand, and I didn't even think about checking out the Australian Disney site until I saw a link for it yesterday! Im looking foward to being able to watch the Disney magic over...and over...and over..... Im also hoping it will help my cousin start feeling the Disney magic. He want's to spend 5 days at DL tops...I want to do 7. At the moment i've sheduled 6 days into our draft ininerary, but I really want to persuade him to do that last day! Were also planning on doing Six flags, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Sea World and San Diego Zoo. We were going to do lego land but after reading some reviews have recieved the impression that a 19 and 22 year old would get bored after about 2 hours. I'll let my cousin know and see what he thinks. We're trying to have a decent amount of time at each place that we go to, but at the moment have written down that we will stay in L.A, Anaheim and somehwere in close proximity to the zoo and Sea World. Because we're only now planning to do 2 things in San Diego (Sea World and the zoo) Do you think we would be better to stay in Anaheim for that duration of the trip also and just take the bus. Im just worried that we're loosing alot of time traveling and will be forever packing and unpacking. This is what we have 'planned' at the moment;

1. Flight lands
2. Explore Hollywood
3. Universal Studios
4. Six Flags
5. Travel from L.A - Anaheim
6. Disney
7. Disney
8. Disney
9. Knotts
10. Disney
11. Disney
12. Disney
13. Shopping + Travel from Anaheim - San Diego
14. Zoo
15. Shopping
16. Sea World
17. Lego Land
18.
19.
20. Travel San Diego - L.A, Flight Departs

Were travelling around an awful lot, and loosing precious holiday time :/ And I dont like the idea of flying into l.a, working our way down to San Diego, then having to travel back up again. Especially when we are only doing 2 days in San Diego at the moment. Any helpful tips on ways that you would order the following activites? Were planning on being away for 3 weeks (And depending on the cost, maybe we'll do a cruise)

I love getting the planning DVD's!!! That's what I do - it helps me get my Disney "fix" while I wait for time to pass. I also buy the Passporter book and pour over that a million times. I must confess I do that for WDW because when we go to DLR, we usually stay with family most of not all of the time there. We have been to DL many times, and we kind of have a system.

We usually plan for 3 days of park hopping and by that time have seen about everything. I guess with the new Cars Land, we probably would need 4 days, so your 5 is probably about right. It is really compact with both parks together so that saves travel time for the hopping.

Okay, about visiting the "other" areas. .... what is your mode of transportation? I think I would look into renting a car, if you are used to freeway driving at all, and then plan for the less traffic times. The bus looks like $70 each round trip.
How are you getting to Six Flags from your LA hotel? It is a 45 minute drive, which is very expensive in a taxi -
about $100 one way. I did find this info from someone onTripAdvisor - maybe you have seen it

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...nk_to_Magic_Mountain-Valencia_California.html

The drive from Anaheim to LA will be about 2 hrs. You probably don't want to be commuting that and trying to visit parks at the same time. I know it looks close, but it really does take 2 hrs without traffic - because there always is traffic. Keep in mind of you are driving on a weekday - M-F, you will want to leave after 9 am - better if you can wait until 10 and return either by 3 pm or after 7pm or you will be in stand still bumper to bumper traffic at times.

Hope this is helpful. Happy Planning! When is your trip?

 

[Aust]

Sorry, a couple of days late, but i hope things are going a bit better today. I am having an absolutely shocking time at work lately too, so I sympathise in part! Luckily we have our trips to look forward to!

 

[zanzibar138]

Aww that sux! But it does help having an awesome Disney holiday to look forward to! Hope things start looking up for you soon.

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

I love getting the planning DVD's!!! That's what I do - it helps me get my Disney "fix" while I wait for time to pass. I also buy the Passporter book and pour over that a million times. I must confess I do that for WDW because when we go to DLR, we usually stay with family most of not all of the time there. We have been to DL many times, and we kind of have a system.

We usually plan for 3 days of park hopping and by that time have seen about everything. I guess with the new Cars Land, we probably would need 4 days, so your 5 is probably about right. It is really compact with both parks together so that saves travel time for the hopping.

Okay, about visiting the "other" areas. .... what is your mode of transportation? I think I would look into renting a car, if you are used to freeway driving at all, and then plan for the less traffic times. The bus looks like $70 each round trip.
How are you getting to Six Flags from your LA hotel? It is a 45 minute drive, which is very expensive in a taxi -
about $100 one way. I did find this info from someone onTripAdvisor - maybe you have seen it

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g33210-i3184-k1125182-Shuttle_from_LAX_or_Burbank_to_Magic_Mountain-Valencia_California.html

The drive from Anaheim to LA will be about 2 hrs. You probably don't want to be commuting that and trying to visit parks at the same time. I know it looks close, but it really does take 2 hrs without traffic - because there always is traffic. Keep in mind of you are driving on a weekday - M-F, you will want to leave after 9 am - better if you can wait until 10 and return either by 3 pm or after 7pm or you will be in stand still bumper to bumper traffic at times.

Hope this is helpful. Happy Planning! When is your trip?

I had a 3 day park hopper pad when I went this year in April, and while I did get a lot done, there's also a lot that I missed. Half of the things I wanted to do I completely forgot about until we arrived home. It felt very rush rush the whole time. I want to be able to experience the true magic of Disney, do some dining experiences, get some golden photos! And generally just be able to soak up the Disney vibes instead of rushing about everywhere because I feel like I've got no time. Our transportation will be bus 'tours' neither me nor Jordan wants to drive while we're over there. So we will probably be booking tours with southern California greyline that include transportation and admission

 

[zanzibar138]

I had a 3 day park hopper pad when I went this year in April, and while I did get a lot done, there's also a lot that I missed. Half of the things I wanted to do I completely forgot about until we arrived home. It felt very rush rush the whole time. I want to be able to experience the true magic of Disney, do some dining experiences, get some golden photos! And generally just be able to soak up the Disney vibes instead of rushing about everywhere because I feel like I've got no time. Our transportation will be bus 'tours' neither me nor Jordan wants to drive while we're over there. So we will probably be booking tours with southern California greyline that include transportation and admission

This is what we did. We had 5 day park hoppers and STILL didn't get to do everything! And that was in quiet season with no parades, Critter Country, Star Tours, Goofy's Sky School, Little Mermaid or Carsland! But we were really able to take our time, take in all the details, and really enjoy ourselves. I'm sure MinnieSue is also an advocate of having more days at Disneyland

We did the tour to Universal Studios with the bus and tickets all in one. It was a great way to do it, not having to worry about getting used to driving on the other side, traffic, and directions. On the way up the bus driver did a little commentry about the history of the area and pointed out some interesting sites. On the way back most of the passengers had a little nap It only took about an hour to get there. The only trouble was because it was so quiet we had done just about everything by lunchtime and struggled to fill in the afternoon until the bus left!

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

It's update time........yay!!!!!

Thanks so very much to those who popped in and left me a message in my moment of melancholy..........all will be well soon I am sure

Sooooooo, I loved the eighties...............but, I must say I am loving being back in the seventies!!! Seventies, you say...........


79 sleeps to go..................oh yeah!!!

Excited is not a big enough emotion right now!!!

KiwiMouseGirl - yep, I'm all for taking your time so you don't miss the little things. I know it's not possible for everyone to spend so much time in the park, or that some folk may not want to stay too long, but I would rather have the time to take it all in and be fully immersed in the magic that is Disneyland........................And just like zanzibar138 said, I am definitely an advocate of having lots of park time! In regrads to Universal, we also did the bus tour last trip and are doing it again in October with Gray Line tours. It picks you up and drops you off right out the front of your hotel. I wouldn't do it any other way as I certainly will not be doing any driving on the wrong side of the road!!! It cost $100.00 each and that includes the bus and the ticket in.
The other thing I noted in your itinerary is you wanting to go to Six Flags. We had tickets in 2010 but didn't end up going. Unless you are willing to hire a car, the public transport you have to take will take you ages to get there and there is a lot of changing from trains to buses etc so we didn't bother. I looked into getting a bus tour like we did for Universal and Seaworld etc, but couldnt find one. Maybe you might have better luck.



The planning for me is half ( well almost ) the fun when going to Disneyland. For those of you that have been following along or/and have read my trip report from 2010, you will know that I love Disneyland........................ ( understatement.....it is my life )and all it's magic. For me it is an experience to be savoured and remembered and I think that some good planning before hand is great to make things go the way you want them too. Sure, things will not always run to plan, but, if you know what to expect before you go, it will make less of an impact if things go a bit astray!

If you take a look at our itinereray, it is planned, but it also allows for the freedom to just go with the flow on some days and to be more structured on others. This way we should get to do all we want to do, see alll we want to see and then have the opportunity to go back and do it all again ( and maybe even again!!! )!!!!!

And speaking of planning, I thought we haven't had a picture for a while so here is just some of my "bedtime" reading.......

The next thing I have on the agenda to do is organise all our character meals and book our dinner at the Blue Bayou. Still have a little bit of time to wait, but it will be here in no time!

I have seen some pictures of the Disney archives exhibition we are going to and boy does it look amazing. I must admit I am also looking forward to going to this particular museum as it has a real Air Force one plane that you can walk through. Looking forward to that!

Have had a discussion with the DD and it seems we will be giving the Fantasmic priority deal a miss. We have done it previously, but there are a few reasons we are going to skip it this time. Firstly, if you are willing to wait for a bit, you really can get just as good a spot if you stake it out yourself. We had the second row of the seats when we did the priority deal and had a lady sit in front of us and her son was wearing Mickey Mouse ears Needless to say, it was not a good view at all. Another thing is what you get for the price. The dessert box is ok, but we really didn't eat much of it and the DD hardly touched hers. So, the money will be better spent elsewhere...............maybe towards our Blue Bayou dinner!!!

My Disney store order has arrived safe and sound at the Howard Johnson. I must say I am very impressed that UPS sends through an invoice saying the parcel had been delivered and who actually signed for it! Can't wait to get all our goodies!
I do have to send them an email though as the invoice and packing slip does not list the 4 gift cards I ordered and I have most definitely been charged for them. Maybe they send them seperately, but I certainly need to check as it is $400.00 worth!

Well, that's about it for now. Have a magical day

Please don't forget to pop in and say hi.