Hello fellow Aussies

[thistledoo]

New to the forum (which has been a wealth of info, so thank you!!), and new to this whole planning for Disney thing, but I have resolved that I'm going to knuckle down this year and plan a trip for next year! I've always said I'll take the family for my 40th and while it may not be on the actual date, I'm going to go, hail or shine!

I'm planning for 3 weeks, in either late September or early December to fit in with School holidays, and had originally planned to go to Disneyland, due to proximity.... BUT..... WDW looks so good! and now I'm torn haha! I'd love to spend the 2 weeks in a Disney bubble at WDW, and the other week in the area, or maybe stop in Hawaii, but feeling bad for the rest of the family that is not as Disney obsessed as I (DH, DD will be 16, and DS will be 7). I can't see us making it back for a long time (if ever ), so want to make the most of this time.

Do you think the right thing will be to stick with the original plan and stick to the west coast. I know that DD would love to do the whole Hollywood thing, and HP Wizarding World will be open then as well. And is it far to Vegas? we could fit a few days there for DH as well.... However in the back of my mind I can't help shake the feeling that I'd be happier with WDW lol.

If you have made it through that ramble, thank you . Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to actually nut this out and get to the offical planning stage.

 

[ColinA]

Welcome to Disboards. I might be biased but we always go to WDW and love staying on property. We have no interest in going to other places in the USA.

 

[zanzibar138]

Welcome aboard

I am also biased, but towards the west coast There is such a charm to DLR that I don't imagine would be at WDW, and I do enjoy not having to plan my meals and ride schedule 6 months in advance (we are a pretty laid back family when it comes to Disney parks). Oh, and being able to walk everywhere from the hotel to wherever you want in the resort area. Big plus there.

There's a lot to see on the west coast. We try to go to at least one new place on each trip, so this is important to us. San Diego and Palm Springs are only a couple of hours away, Vegas is just a tad more. San Francisco is a short flight. There's beautiful desert, coastline and forests wherever you look!

If I had 3 weeks, I would fly into Vegas, spend a few days there and check out any surrounding desert areas you're interested in (Grand Canyon/Bryce Canyon are popular). Hire a car and head back to LA, check for detours that you might be interested in along the way. There are some really amazing desert NPs out that way if you're into that. Do whatever sight-seeing you want to in LA (spend a couple of days there, do Universal as well), then head down to DLR and finish off your trip there. I always prefer to finish a trip with Disney if possible - it means that magical feeling lasts longer! Get the 10 day pass for Aussies and come and go as you please.

Or you could spend a whole 2 weeks in the LA area, do your LA sightseeing, Universal Studios, DLR and anything else in the vicinity that interests you (San Diego?). Then stop off in Hawaii on the way home.

If you're not worried about Disney OD for the rest of your family, you could always do WDW *and* DLR. A lot of people do that. You wouldn't have much time left for anything else though, maybe just a couple of days in Vegas on your way across the country, or perhaps in Hawaii on your way home.

 

[aussie shaz]

We love Disneyland and I think you'll come home with some more Disney fanatics after you've been.
Saying that, I'd love to do WDW because I haven't done it with the kids (went way back in 1997). But, it's so much more expensive to get there, the flights are longer, you can't stay close by like you can in Disneyland, and, as Zanzibar says, it's just such a difficult holiday. I love planning, but I think WDW might just be too stressful for me!
We did Las Vegas with the kids when they were 8 and 10, and we all loved it. We also did the Grand Canyon, but wouldn't bother again. Nice to see, but just so far away. Would love to do Sedona and maybe Palm Springs if we go again.
Get the 10 day pass at Disneyland and really experience it all. We loooved it.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

New to the forum (which has been a wealth of info, so thank you!!), and new to this whole planning for Disney thing, but I have resolved that I'm going to knuckle down this year and plan a trip for next year! I've always said I'll take the family for my 40th and while it may not be on the actual date, I'm going to go, hail or shine!

I'm planning for 3 weeks, in either late September or early December to fit in with School holidays, and had originally planned to go to Disneyland, due to proximity.... BUT..... WDW looks so good! and now I'm torn haha! I'd love to spend the 2 weeks in a Disney bubble at WDW, and the other week in the area, or maybe stop in Hawaii, but feeling bad for the rest of the family that is not as Disney obsessed as I (DH, DD will be 16, and DS will be 7). I can't see us making it back for a long time (if ever ), so want to make the most of this time.

Do you think the right thing will be to stick with the original plan and stick to the west coast. I know that DD would love to do the whole Hollywood thing, and HP Wizarding World will be open then as well. And is it far to Vegas? we could fit a few days there for DH as well.... However in the back of my mind I can't help shake the feeling that I'd be happier with WDW lol.

If you have made it through that ramble, thank you . Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to actually nut this out and get to the offical planning stage.

Vegas is a 50 minute flight from LA, or alternatively I drive it in about 4 hours from LAX. An hour & a half-2 hours just to get out of LA mind you.

Plenty to do on the West Coast as others have said, but I'm one of those who find no comparison between Disneyland and WDW. It's Florida every single time for me. I mean 4 theme parks rather than 2, 2 water parks as opposed to none, a Disney shopping district that's multiple times larger, 3 on-site golf courses, 27 separate on-site accommodation resorts all with their own dining options, complimentary transport when you stay on-site..

If this is your once in a lifetime trip, then go the extra yard!!!

Enjoy your planning and decisions!

 

[thistledoo]

Thank you all for your replies! 50/50 split it seems haha.

I think that I'm really leaning towards DLR at this point... as it will be the first international trip for DH and the children, it might be less selfish of me to spend it all on what I want . I personally also want to see LOVE by Cirque du Soleil which is only in Vegas so I think at this stage West coat may be the way to go. Aussie Shaz, thank you for letting me know your children enjoyed Las Vegas, as I was a little unsure how the children would take it, but doing a quick google, I can see more than enough to keep them entertained while there.

Quick question on driving: is the traffic really bad? I'm guessing that some parts will be, but in general? Compared to our cities? I'm a nervous driver, but DH has been a truck driver for many years so I guess he'll cope!

And I've heard a lot about this 10 day pass for Disney, but can't find anything offical.. where can we get that?

And finally, would you advise late September or early December? I'm thinking early Dec will have all the Christmas things up which would be very nice to see as well

 

[zanzibar138]

As far as driving is concerned, it's pretty easy once you get used to being on the wrong side of the road. Your DH should have no trouble if he's a truck driver. Try to avoid rush hour in LA. Outside of that, traffic is busy, but I haven't found it ridiculous. It's totally fine once you're outside of large cities - the US is made for road trips. I'm generally a nervous driver in traffic and strange cities, and I've coped ok. Just make sure you have sat nav which will tell you which lanes you need to be in etc. Traffic in Vegas was insane. I'd definitely recommend you leave DH in charge of that one

If you're going to go to the Grand Canyon, I would recommend either a helicopter tour or staying overnight. It *is* a long drive, and just driving there and viewing the canyon from a lookout before driving back to Vegas does not do it justice. You really need to experience it. If you can't fit at least an overnight stay in your itinerary, and don't want to do the helicopter tour, I would recommend you stick with Bryce Canyon instead.

We included Palm Springs on one of our trips, and loved it! We really enjoyed the cable car up to the top of the mountain, Joshua Tree National Park, and our bicycle tour of the San Andreas Fault. If you're driving to/from Vegas, you'll pass through the area anyway.

You can get the 10 day DLR pass through a travel agent. I used My Personal Travel Planner (she's kind of Disney specialist), but you can get them through Flight Centre too. Since they're only available for Aussies and Kiwis, they aren't really advertised on the Disneyland website.

I would do early December, unless you are keen on experiencing Halloween. Seeing the parks decked out in Christmas decorations will make it even more magical (and in my opinion, much more so than Halloween decorations unless you're big on Halloween) and give you even more little details to notice. If it's early December, US kids will still be in school and the crowds should still be manageable. The weather in late September has been known to still be pretty hot, so you might find it more pleasant a bit later in the year (it really takes some of the fun out of being in the parks when it's too hot!).

My DH was pretty anti-Disney before our first trip (only went because it was such a huge thing for me). He is now a convert and a few of our Disney trips have actually been his idea!

 

[thistledoo]

Zanzibar, thank you so much for the detailed info! I'm going to look into everything you have mentioned .. also crossing fingers that my DH will be a total convert as well haha!

 

[zanzibar138]

Feel free to check out my previous TRs if you want to see my write-up and photos from those places. The Grand Canyon and Vegas are in my March 2011 TR, and my Aug/Sep 2014 TR has information on Palm Springs and a couple of more off the beaten track places in SoCal.

FWIW, I have also made converts of my parents - Disney makes it easy

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I second all of Zanzibar's comments (except that I also love WDW probably more than DLR) but for this trip for you I think it sounds sensible to perhaps stick to the DLR and west coast only. For Grand Canyon I strongly recommend an overnight and agree December before the Xmas crowds hit but after decorations are up is good timing. Driving is fine in the US and your DH espy will have no troubles if he's a trucky. Mostly its just the usual big city areas where you need to be in the right lane for freeway exits or changing to another freeway system that can be tricky (thinking Ls Vegas here) but if you check out where you want to go beforehand (I love Google maps so I can actually see the road intersection before hand) its not so bad. Out of the cities its like driving in Aus except on the other side of the road. The drive to the Grand Canyon btw is an interesting one with different landscapes.

 

[thistledoo]

Thanks Aussie Wendy! BTW Zanzibar slowing making my way through your TR's. Loving them, so thank you for taking the time to write them

 

[zanzibar138]

I love doing TRs - best way to relive the trip!

 

[Montanabel]

Hi Thistledoo

I'm a big Halloween fan so I'm going to suggest your family goes in late September. Halloween in the USA is amazing, the decorations are just fantastic, and Disneyland has all these special foods they bring out just for Halloween. Plus there is the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (but there is also a Christmas party if you decide to go in December).

We took our kids to Las Vegas last year (they were 10 and 7 at the time) and they loved it. They begged us to include Las Vegas again when we travel to the USA this year.

 

[Meemoo]

Thank you all for your replies! 50/50 split it seems haha.

I think that I'm really leaning towards DLR at this point... as it will be the first international trip for DH and the children, it might be less selfish of me to spend it all on what I want . I personally also want to see LOVE by Cirque du Soleil which is only in Vegas so I think at this stage West coat may be the way to go. Aussie Shaz, thank you for letting me know your children enjoyed Las Vegas, as I was a little unsure how the children would take it, but doing a quick google, I can see more than enough to keep them entertained while there.

Quick question on driving: is the traffic really bad? I'm guessing that some parts will be, but in general? Compared to our cities? I'm a nervous driver, but DH has been a truck driver for many years so I guess he'll cope!

And I've heard a lot about this 10 day pass for Disney, but can't find anything offical.. where can we get that?

And finally, would you advise late September or early December? I'm thinking early Dec will have all the Christmas things up which would be very nice to see as well

Hello & Welcome!! I can't comment on WDW, haven't been yet! I was just wondering though, you have a 7 year old son, does he like the movie Cars? My son is 7 and loves Cars this is what made our decision final to go to DL last trip not WDW. Cars Land was so great for him, like being inside his favourite movie. I'm glad we got to take him whilst he was still young enough to see the magic in it all. (Not that I don't but you know how in their teens they become too cool for say a pic with LIghtning McQueen!!) I honestly believe if you are the only Disney fan in your family you wont be alone anymore after a Disney trip, this is how it started for me and I was in my early twenties first visit!!

 

[annz53]

Hi Thistledoo,
Been too long since our trip in 2014 and being on these boards. A mate at work is asking all these question from me and I knew that I had to hit the DisBoards again to check up on my answers to her and now you

We have done both WDW and Disneyland and personally I don't think we should compare them as they are both so, so different. I loved my experiences at both parks.

If you can go in Dec with all the Christmas lights, music, etc it will be extra special.

Our day in WDW for us was hustle and bustle every day; as in climbing in the car and driving to Magic Kingdom/Epcot/Animal Kingdom/MGM finding a park; taking trolley train to entrance (good fun); spending the whole day there 'cos we did not feel like driving back to the hotel; taking trolley train to car; driving home to hotel. Great memories made and lots of fun was had each day in a different park each day, but always having to use the car and drive those highways (got lost a few times as well)

Our day in Disneyland was slow and laid back. Park Vue Hotel (which is directly opposite the Main Gate) serves a breakfast at the top of their hotel with an open patio (so great to sit there and take in the vista of Disneyland opposite. You can stand there at night to watch the fireworks too) so that was our first call; filling up on waffles, fruit, yogurt, eggs and sausages/bacon, toast, cereal, coffee (only need a snack for lunch later on when you have a good brekkie). Stroll back to the room to get our gear as in stroller for the grandtreasure/s, hats, ears, etc. Then off we go, on foot, to join the crowds at the traffic light downstairs heading towards Disneyland or Cars Land. If after awhile someone/all of us want to leave for whatever reason we just trotted back across the road had a nap or swam in the pool or had lunch then we got ready to go back across the road for some more Disney magic. We were a party of 9 which included 3 different families so being able to come and go at the drop of a hat is really a BIG plus; especially at night when the night life is on but the little ones 2, 5, 7yrs cannot have late nights every night. You could even just pop back over to play Buzz Lightyear and up your score

We did have the Aussie 10day pass which we too, like Zanzibar, purchased from my personal travel planner, with no problems converting the voucher we received to tickets when we arrived at Disneyland Main entrance. I think they are going for about $466 at the moment. We bought 5day park hoppers tickets from Mouse Savers for 2 of our party as they were not Aussies. With these tickets we could just come and go as much as our hearts desired

Enjoy the planning and before you know it you will be there

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

Welcome to the boards, you are in the right place for a stack of useful information and great photos (these ladies are the bomb!)

If this is your first trip (it won't be your only, I promise you'll find a way to do more!), I'd stick to the west coast for the following reasons:

• Shorter flights/less travel costs to arrive
• Great weather usually
• Big name attractions on the doorstep

I've done both WDW and DL and while I loved WDW it was more logistically a challenge. DL we stayed offsite, but in a hotel so close we could walk to the parks and it is a more relaxed pace to get your family in the groove for more Disney trips. I think you mentioned Harry Potter will be open, so that adds another level of appeal to US Hollywood (our 2017 trip is only west coast to see a bit more of it all). I've been making a list of things I want to see in LA this time around via a google map, please let me know if you'd like me to post it.

Driving is fine, you usually have someone to follow because there is so much traffic, so it's hard to wind up on the wrong side of the road LOL. Just take your time, Sat nav is essential and a tour of your routes via google maps or google earth will help you sort out exits etc (plus plot where restaurants/walmarts/walgreens etc are near your accom).

Vegas is a short flight or as someone mentioned a 4-5 hour drive. Parking is free at most of the casino car parks. I'd use the monorail or walk the strip though as traffic as was mentioned above can be very heavy on the strip. At times it can take an hour or so to just drive the strip. I fully recommend at least three days there plus a flight out to the Canyon (expensive, but worth it for the time you save on travel)

I'd recommend getting the memory maker or photopass + photo packages regardless of which park you wind up at, these packages get you your ride photos and random shots taken by Disney (or US) photographers in the parks - no one misses out, you all get to be in the photos for once!

Any other questions, just ask away! Looking forward to following your planning.

 

[aussie shaz]

I also love Photopass Plus, but I've read that they don't offer it anymore. Not sure they're offering an alternative either

 

[zanzibar138]

I also love Photopass Plus, but I've read that they don't offer it anymore. Not sure they're offering an alternative either

Really??? I hadn't heard that!

 

[thistledoo]

Hi Thistledoo

I'm a big Halloween fan so I'm going to suggest your family goes in late September. Halloween in the USA is amazing, the decorations are just fantastic, and Disneyland has all these special foods they bring out just for Halloween. Plus there is the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (but there is also a Christmas party if you decide to go in December).

We took our kids to Las Vegas last year (they were 10 and 7 at the time) and they loved it. They begged us to include Las Vegas again when we travel to the USA this year.

I know my daughter would love to go and see Halloween! She's wanted to do the full trick or treat thing for the past few years, but it just hasn't caught on in my neighbour hood .

Thank you for adding the Vegas recommendation as well.

Hello & Welcome!! I can't comment on WDW, haven't been yet! I was just wondering though, you have a 7 year old son, does he like the movie Cars? My son is 7 and loves Cars this is what made our decision final to go to DL last trip not WDW. Cars Land was so great for him, like being inside his favourite movie. I'm glad we got to take him whilst he was still young enough to see the magic in it all. (Not that I don't but you know how in their teens they become too cool for say a pic with LIghtning McQueen!!) I honestly believe if you are the only Disney fan in your family you wont be alone anymore after a Disney trip, this is how it started for me and I was in my early twenties first visit!!

Yes, he loves Cars! And great point about it probably being the best time to take him there... While he is still 'little' . They do grow way too fast!

Hi Thistledoo,
Been too long since our trip in 2014 and being on these boards. A mate at work is asking all these question from me and I knew that I had to hit the DisBoards again to check up on my answers to her and now you

We have done both WDW and Disneyland and personally I don't think we should compare them as they are both so, so different. I loved my experiences at both parks.

If you can go in Dec with all the Christmas lights, music, etc it will be extra special.

Our day in WDW for us was hustle and bustle every day; as in climbing in the car and driving to Magic Kingdom/Epcot/Animal Kingdom/MGM finding a park; taking trolley train to entrance (good fun); spending the whole day there 'cos we did not feel like driving back to the hotel; taking trolley train to car; driving home to hotel. Great memories made and lots of fun was had each day in a different park each day, but always having to use the car and drive those highways (got lost a few times as well)

Our day in Disneyland was slow and laid back. Park Vue Hotel (which is directly opposite the Main Gate) serves a breakfast at the top of their hotel with an open patio (so great to sit there and take in the vista of Disneyland opposite. You can stand there at night to watch the fireworks too) so that was our first call; filling up on waffles, fruit, yogurt, eggs and sausages/bacon, toast, cereal, coffee (only need a snack for lunch later on when you have a good brekkie). Stroll back to the room to get our gear as in stroller for the grandtreasure/s, hats, ears, etc. Then off we go, on foot, to join the crowds at the traffic light downstairs heading towards Disneyland or Cars Land. If after awhile someone/all of us want to leave for whatever reason we just trotted back across the road had a nap or swam in the pool or had lunch then we got ready to go back across the road for some more Disney magic. We were a party of 9 which included 3 different families so being able to come and go at the drop of a hat is really a BIG plus; especially at night when the night life is on but the little ones 2, 5, 7yrs cannot have late nights every night. You could even just pop back over to play Buzz Lightyear and up your score

We did have the Aussie 10day pass which we too, like Zanzibar, purchased from my personal travel planner, with no problems converting the voucher we received to tickets when we arrived at Disneyland Main entrance. I think they are going for about $466 at the moment. We bought 5day park hoppers tickets from Mouse Savers for 2 of our party as they were not Aussies. With these tickets we could just come and go as much as our hearts desired

Enjoy the planning and before you know it you will be there

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. If going to WDW, ideally I'd like to stay on site, but it's still a lot of travelling between parks by the looks of it.. Even with the Disney transport! We do like the convenience of walking , but AK, Epcot and the water parks are calling to me haha!

Welcome to the boards, you are in the right place for a stack of useful information and great photos (these ladies are the bomb!)

If this is your first trip (it won't be your only, I promise you'll find a way to do more!), I'd stick to the west coast for the following reasons:

• Shorter flights/less travel costs to arrive
• Great weather usually
• Big name attractions on the doorstep

I've done both WDW and DL and while I loved WDW it was more logistically a challenge. DL we stayed offsite, but in a hotel so close we could walk to the parks and it is a more relaxed pace to get your family in the groove for more Disney trips. I think you mentioned Harry Potter will be open, so that adds another level of appeal to US Hollywood (our 2017 trip is only west coast to see a bit more of it all). I've been making a list of things I want to see in LA this time around via a google map, please let me know if you'd like me to post it.

Driving is fine, you usually have someone to follow because there is so much traffic, so it's hard to wind up on the wrong side of the road LOL. Just take your time, Sat nav is essential and a tour of your routes via google maps or google earth will help you sort out exits etc (plus plot where restaurants/walmarts/walgreens etc are near your accom).

Vegas is a short flight or as someone mentioned a 4-5 hour drive. Parking is free at most of the casino car parks. I'd use the monorail or walk the strip though as traffic as was mentioned above can be very heavy on the strip. At times it can take an hour or so to just drive the strip. I fully recommend at least three days there plus a flight out to the Canyon (expensive, but worth it for the time you save on travel)

I'd recommend getting the memory maker or photopass + photo packages regardless of which park you wind up at, these packages get you your ride photos and random shots taken by Disney (or US) photographers in the parks - no one misses out, you all get to be in the photos for once!

Any other questions, just ask away! Looking forward to following your planning.

Thank you! I'm really hoping there will be more Disney trips . I agree and think we should just focus on the west coast this trip. I love Harry Potter so if that had not come to Hollywood, Orlando would definitely have placed higher on my list... Though I'm thinking it still will have more with the extra Harry park?! Ahh, I'm loving the decision process

Will also look into the photo packages, hoping there will be something similar available when we go. I love photos! generally the one behind the camera, so would be great to be in a few

Thank you all for your replies!

 

[Tashinwdw]

welcome to the boards

If you think this may be the trip of the life time then why not do it all, we did that for our first trip (we thought it would be our trip of a lifetime and have been back since and planning another trip in May) we did 5 nights las vegas, 9 days in WDW and then LA, we did not like LA at all (I had done it previously and didnt like it then either) We found that having the three stops broke up the travel and my 4 kids who were then 9, 11, 12,13 loved all of it, I would stay at anahiem rather than LA though as we did this on our second trip and it was great.

WDW is our favourite place, and we always go in September as it is at its quietest - we hardly ever had to wait in lines for rides, the most was 30 mins on the 7 dwarfs ride, others we walked straight onto. They also have the MNSSHP at that time which I really recommend, so much fun trick or treating around the park. The park is so different on those nights and the fireworks are great. If you stay on property you get so immersed in Disney Magic nothing beats it, it is so worth the money. I also recommend if you do want to stay on property to rent the points as its cheaper, but keep in mind that september they usually have free dinning, so you may have to way out the cost of including the cost of food to paying for accommodation rather than renting points. we have done both and DH says next time we will definitely pay for the dinning, its so much easier to not have to worry about expense etc and he is willing to pay the extra to have that luxury.

My kids were never really huge disney fans, they grew up with the movies but that was about it, well they love disneyworld and disneyland and cant wait to go their with their friends when they finish high school.

If you do stay the 3 weeks at wdw there is so much to do, discovery cove is a must - it was the hightlight of our last holiday there. Universal studios is so much better there, (much prefer it over california Universal - not even my kids really liked the day we spent there) we spent a week at cabana bay resort which the kids loved, it had a lazy river and movies by the pool each night, highly recommend that. Our last trip we did a week at universal, and 3 weeks at WDW this did include a 4 day disney cruise and there is still stuff we didnt get to do and see.

I cant imagine spending 10 days at disneyland but if I hadnt done disney world that may be different. what ever you decide you will have a magical holiday which your kids will really love.