DizOz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2007
- Messages
- 674
By coincidence it has worked out we manage a trip to DL and WDW every 3 years. Starting in 2007 we went to DL and WDW, in 2010 WL, WDW and DCL, now 2013 we are back to do DL and WDW.
Why so long you ask? Well to do just DL and WDW it requires a combined approximately 40 hours flying time. You see we live in Melbourne Australia which for those who don't know is at the bottom tip of the east coast of mainland Australia.
Coming along this year is my DW a 44 year old (She doesn't mind me mentioning her age) primary school teacher. Our eldest 14 year old DD in year 9 of what we call high school in Australia. Also our 11 year old DD in year 5 of primary school. And then me 47 year old CFO.
After a bit a discussion it was decided we would limit our trip this year beacuase our eldest DD exams and Christmas. So this time round we are just doing DL, WDW and NY.
Flights are all done. A little more complicated as I had a credit with Qantas I had to use. It was enough to pay for all might flights. So I had to book DW and 2 DD's separately. My plan was to pay of their flights and use my points to upgrade us all. But when I got the quote I was told Qantas had tightened up on their international upgrades and I couldn't upgrade on the tickets I was going to purchase. It would cost over $1500 more to get those tickets.
So instead I used points to book the Melb-LA tickets. Saved approx $4000 doing that. Next complication came when I found out one of my flights I was on I couldn't get the girls one. NY - LA Qantas is restricted. Had to be booked on the same ticket LA-Australia but as I used points I couldn't do it. Options where to pay an extra $1500 each or $1000 to change my flights.
Anyway DW agreed she and the 2 DD's would fly NY-LA on an earlier flight and we would meet up in LA. As I booked them on AA I can check their baggage right thru to Melb from NY. Any TA got one of the dates wronf so it cost me money to change that flight. Anyway its all done now. Phew!!!
Accommodation was much easier using DU.
We are staying 4 nights at Grand Cal in LA. Then 6 nights at the Yacht Club and 6 nights at WL in WDW. Then off to NY for 3 nights staying at The Muse which is just off Times Square.
Tickets are all books we have booked Premier Pass which will get us into DL and WDW as well as discounts on food, accommodation and merchandise. Jen our TA at DU was fantastic finding out the ins and outs of the Premier Pass and changing our bookings for us.
All we have to do now is my favorite part booking our dining plan. I just love combing through the menus of all the restaurants. Unfortunately my short list means we would have to have 3 main meals a day if we were to go to all of them.
Why so long you ask? Well to do just DL and WDW it requires a combined approximately 40 hours flying time. You see we live in Melbourne Australia which for those who don't know is at the bottom tip of the east coast of mainland Australia.
Coming along this year is my DW a 44 year old (She doesn't mind me mentioning her age) primary school teacher. Our eldest 14 year old DD in year 9 of what we call high school in Australia. Also our 11 year old DD in year 5 of primary school. And then me 47 year old CFO.
After a bit a discussion it was decided we would limit our trip this year beacuase our eldest DD exams and Christmas. So this time round we are just doing DL, WDW and NY.
Flights are all done. A little more complicated as I had a credit with Qantas I had to use. It was enough to pay for all might flights. So I had to book DW and 2 DD's separately. My plan was to pay of their flights and use my points to upgrade us all. But when I got the quote I was told Qantas had tightened up on their international upgrades and I couldn't upgrade on the tickets I was going to purchase. It would cost over $1500 more to get those tickets.
So instead I used points to book the Melb-LA tickets. Saved approx $4000 doing that. Next complication came when I found out one of my flights I was on I couldn't get the girls one. NY - LA Qantas is restricted. Had to be booked on the same ticket LA-Australia but as I used points I couldn't do it. Options where to pay an extra $1500 each or $1000 to change my flights.
Anyway DW agreed she and the 2 DD's would fly NY-LA on an earlier flight and we would meet up in LA. As I booked them on AA I can check their baggage right thru to Melb from NY. Any TA got one of the dates wronf so it cost me money to change that flight. Anyway its all done now. Phew!!!
Accommodation was much easier using DU.
We are staying 4 nights at Grand Cal in LA. Then 6 nights at the Yacht Club and 6 nights at WL in WDW. Then off to NY for 3 nights staying at The Muse which is just off Times Square.
Tickets are all books we have booked Premier Pass which will get us into DL and WDW as well as discounts on food, accommodation and merchandise. Jen our TA at DU was fantastic finding out the ins and outs of the Premier Pass and changing our bookings for us.
All we have to do now is my favorite part booking our dining plan. I just love combing through the menus of all the restaurants. Unfortunately my short list means we would have to have 3 main meals a day if we were to go to all of them.
