Anyone Game? It’s my Sep 2013 Blog! I'm home; with a TR link in #1189, 10/14

[franandaj]

I actually looked at AA for MCO-LAX. I think we have enough frequent flyer points to swing 3 tickets.

I'll be looking for tix from LA to possible Phoenix and from that area to MCO. Been quite excited by the latest dings of about $70 from LA to Phoenix. Just not in my timeframe......yet.

Maybe we'll end up on the same flight home! Just be sure to book the later non-stop because when they change the 1PM flight to 9AM it will be brutal!

I know you have to return your rental car to LAX, but don't rule out Long Beach Airport, they have some good flights to Pheonix too. We might be able to help with a ride from dropping off the rental car to a new airport....


As always, stunning pictures of the fireworks. I just don't understand why the gods won't cooperate with you!

 

[zanzibar138]

Yay for the chicken (maybe banana?) dance Great news you got the Qantas flights you wanted! And leaving on Friday the 13th in 2013? I love it!

You got some awesome fireworks shots (as always) - I love the 'hidden Mickey' in the first one I'm glad you and the fireworks Gods have come to a suitable arrangement.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great shots PIO. You do our city proud.

Our city does us proud.

Maybe we'll end up on the same flight home! Just be sure to book the later non-stop because when they change the 1PM flight to 9AM it will be brutal!

I know you have to return your rental car to LAX, but don't rule out Long Beach Airport, they have some good flights to Pheonix too. We might be able to help with a ride from dropping off the rental car to a new airport....


As always, stunning pictures of the fireworks. I just don't understand why the gods won't cooperate with you!

Which flight are you on?

Yay for the chicken (maybe banana?) dance Great news you got the Qantas flights you wanted! And leaving on Friday the 13th in 2013? I love it!

You got some awesome fireworks shots (as always) - I love the 'hidden Mickey' in the first one I'm glad you and the fireworks Gods have come to a suitable arrangement.

I didn't even notice the HM!!!!

Well spotted.

 

[franandaj]

Which flight are you on?

We have not booked yet, but suspect that we will choose one of the American Non Stop flights to LAX. If I pick the 1PM, I'm afraid they will change it to 9AM like they have for the last two times, so I may lean toward the later flight and hope that they move it to 5PM.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We have not booked yet, but suspect that we will choose one of the American Non Stop flights to LAX. If I pick the 1PM, I'm afraid they will change it to 9AM like they have for the last two times, so I may lean toward the later flight and hope that they move it to 5PM.

My fear is that I pick the late flight and they DON'T change it. DS and I get pretty grumpy later in the night.

I might pick the 1 pm flight only because if they change it to 9 am, we don't mind getting up early to get to MCO.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Finally - My First Firm itinerary



The fact that I've now got locked-in start and end dates to this vacay has kicked off a flurry of google-y eyes on my laptop over the last week or so.

I've been doing a bit of research!


And ever so carefully, I've been doing that dance with DH. You know what I mean....

• THAT dance that involves the careful circling around your travel partner who is not really that interested in the blow-by-blow description of every webpage you've trawled through.
• THAT dance where you ever so slowly nudge your travel partner into thinking that what you propose is really what they want to do.
• THAT dance of meticulously treading the fine line between the money you are going to spend and convincing your travel partner that it is value-for-money.

So. Between the research and the dance, we've come to an understanding for a first firm itinerary:

13 Sep: LA (4 nights)
17 Sep: Sedona (3 nights)
20 Sep: Grand Canyon (2 nights)
22 Sep: Monument Valley (1 night)
23 Sep: Durango (3 nights)
26 Sep: Albuquerque (1 night)
27 Sep: Universal (2 nights)
29 Sep: WDW (8 nights)
7 Oct: LA (3 nights)
10 Oct: Depart for Melbourne.




Maybe we are spending too much time in LA; but the plans are still drafty at this stage.




DH and I did talk through other options and how to cut down on time in LA; but this one is the one that allows us to chill-ax at each spot without rushing. Besides, DS has never truly seen LA nor gone to Hollywood. So, we will probably do a bit of sightseeing and shopping at the end.

 

[zanzibar138]

Oooh that looks like a great itinerary! I'd love to spend more time in that area As far as LA goes, I have no idea if that's too much time - TBH I'm really not interested in LA, I'll always just skip it and head straight to Anaheim

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Trip is looking good-your DS might like the La Brea Tar Pits Museum in LA when it comes to sightseeing. I have friends who have done a similar circuit and they have some stunning pics of Monument Valley and surounds. I thought Sedona looked somewhere good to spend longer and we found 2 nights at Grand Canyon a perfect legnth of time-not too short or too long.

..and on fireworks I think these are the first pics I've ever seen of fireworks anywhere in Melbourne (great pics-you would take some fantastic ones of Brissie's Riverfire-though last years I was a bit disapointed they didn't do the waterfall of fireworks off the bridges). Where did they fire from (trying to work out where they were in relation to you and the Yarra).

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oooh that looks like a great itinerary! I'd love to spend more time in that area As far as LA goes, I have no idea if that's too much time - TBH I'm really not interested in LA, I'll always just skip it and head straight to Anaheim

I put down LA but in actual fact I will head straight to Anaheim on the way over. We will probably look for somewhere near Hollywood on the way back.

Trip is looking good-your DS might like the La Brea Tar Pits Museum in LA when it comes to sightseeing. I have friends who have done a similar circuit and they have some stunning pics of Monument Valley and surounds. I thought Sedona looked somewhere good to spend longer and we found 2 nights at Grand Canyon a perfect legnth of time-not too short or too long.

..and on fireworks I think these are the first pics I've ever seen of fireworks anywhere in Melbourne (great pics-you would take some fantastic ones of Brissie's Riverfire-though last years I was a bit disapointed they didn't do the waterfall of fireworks off the bridges). Where did they fire from (trying to work out where they were in relation to you and the Yarra).

I've got the La Brea Tar Pits on my list. I'm planning on getting to the Farmer's Market; so we should be close.

DH and I did a similar circuit over 12 years ago. I was pregnant with DS when we last hit this area and always thought it would be great to bring him back. He's finally at an age where the bushwalking will be of interest to him.

Thanks! The fireworks were probably set up near King's Domain. That's near where the Shrine is. We were there last year and there was a lot of fireworks fall-out over us; so we thought we'd try this side this year.

 

[Jade+3]

I dont know how I have missed this, forgive me for not reading the previous 27 pages.

We check in at WDW on the same day.

I love your firework shots. I may have to stalk you at MK for some pointers.

 

[zanzibar138]

I put down LA but in actual fact I will head straight to Anaheim on the way over. We will probably look for somewhere near Hollywood on the way back.

Well in that case, definitely not - you can never spend too much time in Anaheim

 

[dgbg100106]

your plans are looking good, a week in LA total might be too much, but if you are talking in and around LA, that might be fine.

I have been out to that area many many times, but the one I have yet to see and do is go to San Fran and go out to the rock. That is on my bucket list.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Those plans look great PIO.

I'm not that clued up about a few of those locations, so am off to so some googling.
We'll be at WDW the same time. Have you decided what resort you're going to stay at?

 

[franandaj]

Plans look good. There is plenty to do in LA to keep you busy for three days, just check with me on the hotel and area, I can even drive by and check it out in case you're curious. We go up there every week for rehearsal. You'll have a car, so you don't need to stay in the icky areas to be able to use public transport.

Do you know what you are going to do for so long in Sedona other than commune with nature?

 

[PrincessInOz]

your plans are looking good, a week in LA total might be too much, but if you are talking in and around LA, that might be fine.

I have been out to that area many many times, but the one I have yet to see and do is go to San Fran and go out to the rock. That is on my bucket list.

It really ends up being about 3 days.

• When we arrive, I plan to stay in Anaheim.
• Arrival day is a wipe-out.
• I'm hoping to go see my aunt in SD for a day.
• 2 days for DL and CA
• Travel day to Arizona

The three days will be at the end.

• When we get back, we'll stay in LA; no idea where.
• A day shopping. If we go to the Grove/Farmer's Market, I can factor in La Brea here.
• A day sightseeing for DS....Grauman's, Hollywood sign, Santa Monica
• Another full'ish day before a late flight out. Not sure what we'll do yet.

You'll have to do the rock at SF at some stage. It's back on mine for a re-do.

Those plans look great PIO.

I'm not that clued up about a few of those locations, so am off to so some googling.
We'll be at WDW the same time. Have you decided what resort you're going to stay at?

I'm booked into the BCV for the 8 nights.

Plans look good. There is plenty to do in LA to keep you busy for three days, just check with me on the hotel and area, I can even drive by and check it out in case you're curious. We go up there every week for rehearsal. You'll have a car, so you don't need to stay in the icky areas to be able to use public transport.

Do you know what you are going to do for so long in Sedona other than commune with nature?

I definitely will do so, Alison. Thanks so much. Do you have any recommendations?

I'm still figuring out Sedona. I'd like to do the train ride and a jeep tour, go see the vortexes, shop for silver, walk amongst the red rocks. We'll have to see what DH wants to do.

 

[ACDSNY]

Your plans are coming along nicely.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your plans are coming along nicely.

Thanks. But there's still a lot of moving parts to fit before this trip is planned out.

 

[dgbg100106]

Sedona was on DH's bucket List?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

.

I'm booked into the BCV for the 8 nights.

Awesome. The Beach Club looks fabulous.
We'll be across the lake at the BWV for the first half of our stay. Perhaps if we're in Epcot one day at the same time we should meet up over a F&W Festival drink to say hello.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Awesome. The Beach Club looks fabulous.
We'll be across the lake at the BWV for the first half of our stay. Perhaps if we're in Epcot one day at the same time we should meet up over a F&W Festival drink to say hello.

We should arrange to meet up regardless. What are your dates and where are you staying for the second half?