Bringing stuff back home (uk)

[Laszkowicz]

Thanks guys. I get the jist, travel light n will have room for prezzies.

Wife won't go in her 'holiday of a lifetime' without GHD straighteners. Lol.

We prob will wash with kids n ice creams etc.

 

[MrRomance]

PP's have already covered the legal side of customs and excise so I won't rehash that but I think what the lady in your travel agency may have been trying to say is don't go with 4 case and come back with 5 because it raises suspicion and in my experience that is somewhat correct.

We travel P.E. so we get 2 cases each. We didn't take 6 cases with us but we bought 6 back and they were all gone through by security. Not sure the same would apply to one extra case on the return leg though.

There was a time when shopping for clothes and trainers was GREAT! I remember those days with fondness but things are different now. Prices in the US have gone up A LOT and also the exchange rate has gone down. The deals of yester year are not the same as they were.

That said, there are definitely deals to be had and as long as you don't go nuts (believe me I have seen some crazy things on my return flights with people piling up 10 cases of stuff they bought "cheap" only to get hit with customs charges) you should be fine. You have an allowance that you're legally able to bring back.

 

[Laszkowicz]

Thanks mr romance.

 

[wayneg]

Wife won't go in her 'holiday of a lifetime' without GHD straighteners. Lol.

If you look on the plug/adapter/cable there should be an input rate. If it says something like 100~240v then it is dual voltage and works on the US 110v system as ell as ours. If it just says input 240v then it will not work out there.

 

[Kath2003]

If you look on the plug/adapter/cable there should be an input rate. If it says something like 100~240v then it is dual voltage and works on the US 110v system as ell as ours. If it just says input 240v then it will not work out there.

Who knew you were such a guru of all things hair straightening, Wayne?!?

 

[wayneg]

Who knew you were such a guru of all things hair straightening, Wayne?!?

One thing I will never need.

 

[Laszkowicz]

One more question then on 'power'.
What if I took a uk 4way, and put an adapter on the plug, then used the 4 uk sockets for our phone chargers, her straightners, Nintendo DS etc.

would that work ?

this is what we usually do in Spain. LOL.

PS
GHD's say 110/230 Val - so these look ok, but Tony n Guy hairdryer says 230/240. v
OMG DW will be doomed ! she likes her powerful hairdryer.

 

[wayneg]

No problem with a 4 way socket with a standard US adapter, I take one every trip.

GHD's should be ok but Tony n Guy hairdryer @ 230/240 won't unfortunately.

 

[Laszkowicz]

one unhappy wife.
ow well, she'll have to make do with hotel blower.


Wayne - would you mind taking a look at my plans so far ?

Im a first timer, and didn;t know how people would take it if I opened up a thread with all my details on ?

As a basic over view, would you give me some pointers if I post it next ?

 

[wayneg]

Post away, I am sure you will get some input.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

one unhappy wife.
ow well, she'll have to make do with hotel blower.


Wayne - would you mind taking a look at my plans so far ?

Im a first timer, and didn;t know how people would take it if I opened up a thread with all my details on ?

As a basic over view, would you give me some pointers if I post it next ?

By all means put your plans up ..... we'll all be delighted to comment on them ..... we're not known for being backwards about coming forward with planning comments

 

[Laszkowicz]

2 Adults, DD 10, DD 7
30 Oct ( we'll see halloween & crimbo decor !!!)
14 nights
DAAR - Family suite ( more room )
Virgin flight Manchester (VRoom)- MCO
Virgin all in Ticket
Disney
Universal
Seaworld
Discovery Cove
Busch
Aquatica
Blue Man group.

No disney dining plan.
Our youngest is really fussy, and we tend to only snack during the day on warm holidays anyway. Might have sit down dinner most evenings.
We'll spend a lot on food I imagine in 14 days (?)


I'm aware we won't get round everything, and that we need some rest days.

anything we're missing ?

I've heard of this Fantasmic but not researched yet.
Dumb question but what are these dinner shows ? indoor or outdoor dinner then watch the show from the restaurant.
Sorry to be dumb

Any advise welcome.
I think i've covered all the basics.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

My first comment would be if you plan on doing sit down table service meals for dinner at Disney then you need to book and ADR (Advance Dining Reservation) for each and everyone of them if you'd like them anytime between 6pm and 9pm. If you're unsure where you want to eat (and believe me I know that feeling) then take a look at the website Allears.net as it has wonderful descriptions of all dining places and reviews on each of them. IT will also give you a good idea of what the prices are and it lists the latest menus so you'll be able to get a good idea of what's available for your daughter.

My second comment would be I'm glad you say you need some downtime and rest days as with that list if you go at it everyday you'll end up coming home needing a holiday If you've not bought all the park tickets let I'd seriously think about maybe not doing a couple. Seaworld is easily done in 1 day as it's much smaller than any of the others but Disney is huge and many people (including us) have been many, many times and still have stuff we've not yet seen or done.

Well that's my 2 cents worth ..... I'll let someone else get in now I'm sure you'll get many more helpful hints

 

[Laszkowicz]

Thanks.

Yes all tickets were part of the deal.

We intend to do
Disney - plenty of days,
Universal - few days maybe - see how much we like it
Seaworld - one day
DC - one day
Busch - negotiable but wife really wants too
Aquatica - doesn't bother us at all.
Blueman - booked & can't wait. might make this a 'down day' and go to show in eve.

Ill check out allears and print some menu's for the wife.

 

[wayneg]

Yup, thats a lot of tickets for a first time trip, We are taking relatives again this summer for their 3rd trip, they have spent about 5 weeks out there and still not got beyond Disney, SW & Busch but we like to take them away from the parks for a few days, Port Canaveral, Clearwater etc.

Its a great time to go, we flew out 31st Oct last year, good to see both Halloween & Xmas.

Have a look at Fantasmic, worth seeing but you need to be there at least 30 mins before, maybe ever earlier if a busy night. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/entertainment/fantasmic/

3 Disney dinner shows
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/disneys-spirit-of-aloha-dinner-show/
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/mickeys-backyard-barbeque-dinner-show/
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/hoop-de-doo-musical-revue/

We did the Backyard BBQ on our first trip in 1993, it was OK but out in a marquee, got very hot.
Never done Spirit, booked it, looked around the venue then cancelled, not our sort of thing.
Love Hoop, done it 5 times in 5 years. I can dig out past threads with photos if you want. Its indoor with aircon.

Discovery cove done twice, amazing place, not too bothered about the dolphins myself but the rest of the park is great.

Blue man, again done twice, fantastic show.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

oh yes just one more thing .... sorry I can't help myself You ADR's need to be book at 180 BEFORE the 1st day of your holiday. I know it sounds daft but there are many restaurants that do book up within minutes of the dining reservations line opening i.e Cinderella Royal Table, Le Cellier and the Be Our Guest restaurant

 

[wayneg]

Busch is my favourite park of all.

Seaworld, it ca be done in a day but we always do at least 2 part days, we don't find the show times work well to do all in 1 day.

 

[~Piglet~]

I would consider dropping Aquatica as you already have access to BB and TL with your Disney passes, and maybe busch too?

For 14 days (and with two children 7 & 10) I would tend to lean more toward Disney than Universal too. Last trip we only spent a day at US/IoA so we didn't get our moneys worth with the tickets - don't get me wrong, I love both parks and WWOHP was great - but DD6 didn't enjoy the 'older' stuff and was quite bored. We did intend to go back for a day on our own but never got around to it! too much to see...

Whatever you don't see this trip you can do next time.....because there will be a next time

 

[Laszkowicz]

ADR & dinner shows....

do you have book online or do you call the US ona 'hotline' No lol ?

 

[Laszkowicz]

So why do they offer to book ADR at hotel reception ? What if I preferred to do this option when we get there and have our bearings ?

Do most people book 180 before ?

If so isn't everywhere always booked up ?

Sorry I might be a little slow on the uptake on this 1.