2014 anybody?

[crazy Cat Lady]

I'm from the US and I'm reading over everyone plans here and I have to say when you all plan trips you guys go all out! Hitting multiple cities, going for weeks (and months) at a time, making stops on both coasts, etc. I've lived here 28 years and many of you will be visiting more places during your time here then I have in my lifetime. I love to plan but I'm not sure I could plan that much! I gotta say I'm very impressed!

We have a saying here "go hard or go home"... we all tend to go hard!

Seriously though, it does cost a bit to get over, so we all try to do as much as we can with the time we have. Plus, you have so much to see!

 

[Mushu mama]

DD and I will be making a very quick ( and rather impromptu) trip to LA in early Feb and will be spending a few days in DL/DCA.

I've only ever been in early and late Summer so heading to the parks when we could be cold is going to be novel, given that we're used to the heat of QLD. A bit disappointed by the rides that will be down, but the dates were out of our hands.

It'll be DD's first visit to the Anaheim park so it'll be exciting from that aspect.

Just can't wait to be back in my happy place again soon.

 

[zanzibar138]

DD and I will be making a very quick ( and rather impromptu) trip to LA in early Feb and will be spending a few days in DL/DCA.

I've only ever been in early and late Summer so heading to the parks when we could be cold is going to be novel, given that we're used to the heat of QLD. A bit disappointed by the rides that will be down, but the dates were out of our hands.

It'll be DD's first visit to the Anaheim park so it'll be exciting from that aspect.

Just can't wait to be back in my happy place again soon.

Congrats on the impromptu trip!

We went in late Feb and LOVED it! There were lots and lots of attractions down or not open yet (Carsland was not around, no Ariel ride, Mulholland Madness was down for creation of Goofy's Sky School, no Star Tours, Critter Country was completely closed, and no parades), but we didn't miss any of it! Crowds were non-existent, and the only ride we needed to fastpass was Indy.

We were very lucky with the weather. Every day for the week we were there we thought it might rain, but it never did. At times we were in t-shirts, and it was very comfortable weather for jeans and sneakers, with just a light jacket. We happily did Grizzly River Run with the knowledge that we would get wet. At night it cooled down though and on a couple of occasions we got out the scarves and beanies! Going early Feb, it will probably be a bit colder, but I wouldn't imagine anything too serious.

You'll have a great time!

 

[LisaAJ]

1 year today we will (if I get the flights I want!) be leaving on our trip. Yay! Now to wait for reasonably priced flights. Well reasonable for Christmas/New Year anyway!

 

[Mushu mama]

Thanks Zanzibar, reading my post it does sound a little 'down', but rest assured we're getting really excited.

The possibilities of walk-ons for the rides in the lower crowd numbers is something we're also keen to try out. I've only been in busy times so it'll be great to fit more rides into a day.

LisaAJ, I'd love to be seeing the parks through the Christmas/NY times. The photos I see are really something. I've been over Halloween time and done MNSSHP and just LOVED it.

 

[LisaAJ]

Unfortunately we will miss Christmas as we are planning our WDW visit around the crowds but we are excited all the same!

 

[Snickals]

We are hoping to make another trip at end of 2014 if finances stretch that far (see how the year goes). We love WDW but also would love to explore more parts of America...would also love to visit some of the other Disney's around the world so trying to decide what to do.

 

[Zosha]

Hi everyone! I am planning our first trip to WDW. We are leaving Aus on March 17, leaving Orlando on March 31 and spending a week in Hawaii on the way home. I'm very excited but also a little overwhelmed by all the planning that seems to need to be done. I've made a couple of ADR's and apart from that I was hoping to wing it!

 

[Tashinwdw]

Hi everyone! I am planning our first trip to WDW. We are leaving Aus on March 17, leaving Orlando on March 31 and spending a week in Hawaii on the way home. I'm very excited but also a little overwhelmed by all the planning that seems to need to be done. I've made a couple of ADR's and apart from that I was hoping to wing it!

Zosh congrats on your upcoming trip and welcome to the boards. Our first trip I only booked a few ADRs and only used the fast pass system once for Toy story mania and we had a magical time. Of course going in March may be very different from September as the crowd levels may be higher. there are always plenty of places to eat at. Definitely book for any character meals you want as they will be hard to get as a walk in.

I find the research in planning very exciting and really enjoy that part of the lead up to Disney.
You will have a magical time.

 

[Zosha]

Thanks Tash! I've booked one breakfast at Chef Mickey's only because my kids are a bit older. My next worry is now Magic Bands/fast passes etc!

 

[gogo65]

Discounts are out for March 14th-April 12th and April 20th-June 15th

Just booked our rooms for April, instead of going through the Cheerleading federation, ended up saving a little bit, as I could only get the discount applied to the first two nights. Still $200 better in pocket!!

 

[gogo65]

Hi everyone! I am planning our first trip to WDW. We are leaving Aus on March 17, leaving Orlando on March 31 and spending a week in Hawaii on the way home. I'm very excited but also a little overwhelmed by all the planning that seems to need to be done. I've made a couple of ADR's and apart from that I was hoping to wing it!

Hi and welcome Zosha, have you looked at the new discount, your dates fit right in
where are you staying?

 

[Zosha]

Well, you have just thrown a small (yet good) spanner in the works! We are booked at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton. I wanted to have a bit of space if we are all going to be camped out together for a couple of weeks. But the new discounts make it very comparable to the Doubletree and it would include Magical Express, which Doubletree don't do. But Doubletree includes our breakfast, the Disney hotel doesn't. Eeep! How big of a disadvantage is it staying at a non-Disney hotel?

 

[gogo65]

Hi zosha, it depends on how old your kids are, how many there is, whether you can get two interconnecting rooms or a suite etc.
The first time we went to WDW we stayed at the contemporary all in one room, the kids had a bed each and the room was large, our kids were older though. There are so many options but personally I would stay on site regardless of age etc, however plenty here have done both so should be able to give you a better answer.
What would be your options if you stayed Onsite?

 

[zanzibar138]

I know there was a 'flight specials' thread around somewhere. Do you think I can find it now

Just wanted to share that Air New Zealand have pretty good specials going until the end of January.

We're still hanging out for a Qantas sale (hopefully around Australia Day), but if nothing happens there we'll probably go ahead and book with ANZ.

 

[hellosue]

I know there was a 'flight specials' thread around somewhere. Do you think I can find it now

Just wanted to share that Air New Zealand have pretty good specials going until the end of January.

We're still hanging out for a Qantas sale (hopefully around Australia Day), but if nothing happens there we'll probably go ahead and book with ANZ.

I secured 3 x Return Air New Zealand Mel-Lax for October.... I am one happy lady.... even beats my fares from 5 years ago...

 

[dabecs]

I just looked at AirNZ - the dates are not right for our trip (sale fares start on the 20th October and our cruise sales on the 18th) but I noticed you only get 1 checked bag included and it costs $95 for the second. Qantas have 2 included so you really need to factor that in cost wise..

Still hoping Qantas have a good sale - love being able to go straight through from Melbourne to LA. Just wish they would hurry up - I always feel better once I have booked flights

 

[Millsie7]

I also booked the Air New Zealand fare. I am taking my mother and it's our first trip to America. We are so excited

 

[heidispidi]

Hi All. I have been very quiet lately with regards to our Easter trip because I was concerned about money. We completed our move home to Sydney from Perth over Christmas, and this weekend just gone, we moved into our new home. I love it, it's perfect, and we even have friends within walking distance, some of whom have kids my DD can walk to school with - life is good

The main reason I've been quiet is not knowing how long it would take me to find a new job over here. I returned to Perth after New Years and worked an extra 2 weeks there, just to bring in extra cash. As of today, I've been out of work for 5 days - I know, it's not long. But when you've just bought a house and have a trip to DL booked in 2 1/2 months time, well, it's scary! The good news is I am already having reference checks done for a job I interviewed for yesterday. I'll take a small pay cut, but there is a bonus element that could mean I earn more this year than last... so cross your fingers that I get this job - they want someone to start ASAP, I could be there Monday!

The DL plans have changed a bit... staying in Anaheim the whole trip apart from LA tour/Universal days, and maybe a Seaworld day trip - no Vegas this time. Staying at BWPPI for 1st half of trip before moving into DLH for the remainder. I have a long time internet friend from Seattle meeting us with her family for the Easter weekend, so if the parks are too busy for us on those days, at least we'll be able to have some good catch-up time over nice dinners and drinks

73 days to go

 

[zanzibar138]

Hi All. I have been very quiet lately with regards to our Easter trip because I was concerned about money. We completed our move home to Sydney from Perth over Christmas, and this weekend just gone, we moved into our new home. I love it, it's perfect, and we even have friends within walking distance, some of whom have kids my DD can walk to school with - life is good

The main reason I've been quiet is not knowing how long it would take me to find a new job over here. I returned to Perth after New Years and worked an extra 2 weeks there, just to bring in extra cash. As of today, I've been out of work for 5 days - I know, it's not long. But when you've just bought a house and have a trip to DL booked in 2 1/2 months time, well, it's scary! The good news is I am already having reference checks done for a job I interviewed for yesterday. I'll take a small pay cut, but there is a bonus element that could mean I earn more this year than last... so cross your fingers that I get this job - they want someone to start ASAP, I could be there Monday!

The DL plans have changed a bit... staying in Anaheim the whole trip apart from LA tour/Universal days, and maybe a Seaworld day trip - no Vegas this time. Staying at BWPPI for 1st half of trip before moving into DLH for the remainder. I have a long time internet friend from Seattle meeting us with her family for the Easter weekend, so if the parks are too busy for us on those days, at least we'll be able to have some good catch-up time over nice dinners and drinks

73 days to go

Congratulations on the new house - sounds perfect!

I'll have my fingers crossed for you for the job. I also took a pay cut when I moved east - Perth wages can be hard to beat! It will be great if you can get some bonuses to make up for it.