Anyone else here live outside of the USA?

[dgr1973]

How long is the travel time from Australia? I am so nervous about a 2 1/2 hour flight from Chicago (I haven't flown in almost 12 years and I don't like heights).

 

[astrodrummergirl]

yes......i live in.....london!

hello fellow londoner!!!

 

[dsquarednz]

Hi, we're from NZ too .

We are cruising last week of Sept & first week of Oct then a week at WDW. This will be the first time we've flown to WDW from NZ. Flying Air NZ to LAX & then United to Orlando (to get the air dollars). Unfortunately not premium economy as we're paying for 5 adults & 2 kids - it was just too much .


Tania

That's awesome!! Where are you in NZ?

We haven't sorted our flights from LAX to MCO yet...thinking United or USAir, but damn they are expensive!! Hoping Southwest may have a better deal...

5 adults and 2 kids would indeed be very very expensive in Prem Econ!

 

[NZMUM]

Hi I'm from Sydney Australia!

We are on the same cruise (My sister and my 2 boys 12 & 15 ), with a week at WDW before, 3 days at Cocoa Beach after, another week at WDW then 3 days at Disneyland. Where are you staying at WDW?

We flew Air NZ in 2005 to LAX but are flying QANTAS this time. Certainly not cheap but the original price dropped when we booked land components! Go figure!

{make sure you drop in and make yourself known on the Cruise meet forum}
Beth

Are you sailing on the Wonder? We are doing back to back on the Magic 27 Sept - 4 Oct then 4 - 11 Oct . We are staying at the Sheraton Reosrt (timeshare) a few days before the cruise and Caribbean Beach for the week after (we stayed there in 2006).

Tania

 

[NZMUM]

That's awesome!! Where are you in NZ?

We haven't sorted our flights from LAX to MCO yet...thinking United or USAir, but damn they are expensive!! Hoping Southwest may have a better deal...

5 adults and 2 kids would indeed be very very expensive in Prem Econ!

We're in Huntly, Waikato - suffering from the drought. Everything has turned brown.

When we booked our flights, it was cheaper to book the it together as an international flight. If we booked to LAX, then MCO it was about $200 each extra.

I did look at Prem Econ, it was very very tempting. It didn't look too bad individually, but once I added it all up I decided I'd rather have money to spend at WDW .

Tania

 

[NZMUM]

How long is the travel time from Australia? I am so nervous about a 2 1/2 hour flight from Chicago (I haven't flown in almost 12 years and I don't like heights).

To LAX it's about 13 1/2 hours from Sydney. For us it's 12 hours from Auckland. Then there is the flight from LAX to MCO as well. Approx 17-18 hours travel, not including wait time in LA.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm from Australia also. We travelled in November/December last year. We flew with Qantas and transitted through Auckland. With the transit in Auckland and also one in LAX and Dallas Fort Worth, it took us 24hours from start to finish. I have to say it was hard work. But its not going to stop me going again. We are currently planning a trip for September 2010. Only 2 1/2 years to go.

 

[dsquarednz]

We're in Huntly, Waikato - suffering from the drought. Everything has turned brown.

When we booked our flights, it was cheaper to book the it together as an international flight. If we booked to LAX, then MCO it was about $200 each extra.

I did look at Prem Econ, it was very very tempting. It didn't look too bad individually, but once I added it all up I decided I'd rather have money to spend at WDW .

Tania

Sorry to hear that! I just heard about the drought on the radio this morning. Guess there's a downside to the beautiful summer we're having this year. =(

Hmm...I thought about booking to MCO, but did it all through the website, and it wasn't listed. Also, we can pay for the US portion with our leftover US funds..with the exchange rate, we decided we'd get better use of the money if we left it over there!

Last time we flew back from the US, we had a huge-long layover in LA. If you will have a layover either way on your trip, I highly recommend buying a day pass to the ANZ Koru Club Lounge. It has showers, internet, constant food and drink (including alcohol) and they keep you informed of your flight boarding etc. We paid $55/person and it was SO worth it (we were there for over 9 hours). Not sure what they would charge for children.

There are no other showers in the LAX airport, and after flying coach for 12 hours, it just might make you feel human again! Definitely cheaper than upgrading to Prem Econ.

 

[NZMUM]

Sorry to hear that! I just heard about the drought on the radio this morning. Guess there's a downside to the beautiful summer we're having this year. =(

Hmm...I thought about booking to MCO, but did it all through the website, and it wasn't listed. Also, we can pay for the US portion with our leftover US funds..with the exchange rate, we decided we'd get better use of the money if we left it over there!

Last time we flew back from the US, we had a huge-long layover in LA. If you will have a layover either way on your trip, I highly recommend buying a day pass to the ANZ Koru Club Lounge. It has showers, internet, constant food and drink (including alcohol) and they keep you informed of your flight boarding etc. We paid $55/person and it was SO worth it (we were there for over 9 hours). Not sure what they would charge for children.

There are no other showers in the LAX airport, and after flying coach for 12 hours, it just might make you feel human again! Definitely cheaper than upgrading to Prem Econ.

Yeah, the farmers aren't pleased. I like the sun so not too upset yet. We don't have major water restrictions. Only sprinklers.

That's good you can use the US$ you have. The exchange rate is good for travel. I thought it would drop once we had to pay for anything . It did that in 2006.

That's good to know for next time. We used to be Koru Club members when my DH was going to Sydney several times a year & we only had DD. Once DS arrived they wanted us to pay for one of the kids or else I couldn't use the club on my own (DS was only 6 months & DD 3).

We thought really hard about the layover (10 hours, I think) & decided to stay the night in LA near the airport. Somewhere cheap with a pool. 10 hours at the airport, even in Koru club, is too long with the kids. Rather swim and relax before flying to MCO the next day. Also we can't check in to the timeshare until 3pm (tried to do that last time at 2 & they weren't ready for us ). So arriving at 6am didn't really seem like a good idea. We're doing the same on the way back, but we have a full day in LA (we have an aversion to early morning flights ).

The last we flew to LAX there was an earlier flight that would've arrived in time for an MCO connection. Guess they decided to cram everyone on 2 flights instead.

Tania

 

[dsquarednz]

Yeah, the farmers aren't pleased. I like the sun so not too upset yet. We don't have major water restrictions. Only sprinklers.

That's good you can use the US$ you have. The exchange rate is good for travel. I thought it would drop once we had to pay for anything . It did that in 2006.

That's good to know for next time. We used to be Koru Club members when my DH was going to Sydney several times a year & we only had DD. Once DS arrived they wanted us to pay for one of the kids or else I couldn't use the club on my own (DS was only 6 months & DD 3).

We thought really hard about the layover (10 hours, I think) & decided to stay the night in LA near the airport. Somewhere cheap with a pool. 10 hours at the airport, even in Koru club, is too long with the kids. Rather swim and relax before flying to MCO the next day. Also we can't check in to the timeshare until 3pm (tried to do that last time at 2 & they weren't ready for us ). So arriving at 6am didn't really seem like a good idea. We're doing the same on the way back, but we have a full day in LA (we have an aversion to early morning flights ).

The last we flew to LAX there was an earlier flight that would've arrived in time for an MCO connection. Guess they decided to cram everyone on 2 flights instead.

Tania

That sounds much more relaxing! When we moved here, we stayed a night in LA on the way (used to live in Maryland), and it helped a lot with the time difference.

We only wanted to take two weeks off this trip, though, as hubby works as a contractor (for Weta) and if he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid! That = many hours of flying back to back which = justification for Prem Economy!

Are you going to be in LA long enough to see DL again?

 

[NZMUM]

That sounds much more relaxing! When we moved here, we stayed a night in LA on the way (used to live in Maryland), and it helped a lot with the time difference.

We only wanted to take two weeks off this trip, though, as hubby works as a contractor (for Weta) and if he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid! That = many hours of flying back to back which = justification for Prem Economy!

Are you going to be in LA long enough to see DL again?

I think it will be relaxing. My only worry is trying to get out of bed the next day to get our flight .

We are getting back a couple of days later than what I really wanted but I also wanted to have a full week at WDW. We decided leaving on the Sat instead of Fri was worth the couple of extra days of school missed.

I would like to go to DL but the kids would want to go to both parks & I don't remeber seeing 1 day park hoppers. We would have time as our flight is not until 9pm. Although if we did go I'm sure we'd end up with more souvenirs.

On our way back we are staying at a hotel that has 24 hour rooms - meaning that we have the room for a whole 24 hours. So we check-in at 9pm Sat night & don't have to check out until 9pm the following night . No draging our bags around with us.

Tania

 

[dsquarednz]

On our way back we are staying at a hotel that has 24 hour rooms - meaning that we have the room for a whole 24 hours. So we check-in at 9pm Sat night & don't have to check out until 9pm the following night . No draging our bags around with us.

Tania

That is fabulous!! I've never heard of that - do tell!


I've never been to DL, actually...one of these days we'll go to ALL of the Disney parks around the world!

 

[earthelves]

Bonnie Scotland Here

 

[Dumbo Mad]

Hi I'm from the UK - near Gatwick Airport!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

.

On our way back we are staying at a hotel that has 24 hour rooms - meaning that we have the room for a whole 24 hours. So we check-in at 9pm Sat night & don't have to check out until 9pm the following night . No draging our bags around with us.

Tania

Which hotel is this? I'd love to know. After our last trip I don't think I would try to do it all in one trip. Its just too hard with kids. However, most flights from Melbourne arrive early in the day to LAX. Sounds great.

 

[NZMUM]

That is fabulous!! I've never heard of that - do tell!


I've never been to DL, actually...one of these days we'll go to ALL of the Disney parks around the world!

Which hotel is this? I'd love to know. After our last trip I don't think I would try to do it all in one trip. Its just too hard with kids. However, most flights from Melbourne arrive early in the day to LAX. Sounds great.

I'd love to do all the Disney parks as well . I really like DL as it is the place I had dreamed of going to since I was a kid. And the first Disney park I visited. It is of course where most people from NZ go as it's the closest.

Our flight arrives too late to connect to one to MCO & the next one isn't till 10.30pm. So we are staying at the Holiday Inn LA on the way over as we just need somewhere to sleep & swim & get to airport for a 10.30am flight. 10 hours at the airport is too long with kids .

However on the way back we arrive in LA at 9pm & don't leave until 9pm the next day. So the hotel we are staying at is the 4 Points Sheraton at/near LAX. I figured the extra cost was worth it. We can do something without our dragging our bags around or we can stay at the hotel.

 

[dsquarednz]

However on the way back we arrive in LA at 9pm & don't leave until 9pm the next day. So the hotel we are staying at is the 4 Points Sheraton at/near LAX. I figured the extra cost was worth it. We can do something without our dragging our bags around or we can stay at the hotel.

Thanks for the info! I didn't even know the 4 Points offered that option. Good to know!

 

[portia9]

We are flying Air New Zealand leaving April 1st. We are flying to Auckland, changing then flying to San Francisco and then flying domestic to Portland Oregon. I haven't added up how long because I really don't want to know lol. We fly from Portland to Orlando overnight on April 6th. I am hoping the jet lag is past by the time we get to Disneyworld.

 

[dsquarednz]

We are flying Air New Zealand leaving April 1st. We are flying to Auckland, changing then flying to San Francisco and then flying domestic to Portland Oregon. I haven't added up how long because I really don't want to know lol. We fly from Portland to Orlando overnight on April 6th. I am hoping the jet lag is past by the time we get to Disneyworld.

Well, there's still 3 hours difference between Portland and Orlando, but you'll have adjusted at least half-way! We've never had trouble sleeping in WDW, as we are so exhausted at the end of each day from all the fun.

 

[dsquarednz]

Question for you all about tickets:

I know that WDW offers special 14 day tickets for UK and Ireland residents. Has anyone outside of the UK & Ireland bought and used them? How do you normally get your tickets so far away? Or even the planning DVD?