Aussie Disneyland Planners come on in and lets plan together :)

[gogo65]

I've just been talking to our travel agent and she has booked all of our flights and accomodation. She said she still has some prize money left over so she can include our accomodation in Disneyland free also!!!! So now we are staying in the Disneyland hotel instead of Hojo's!! I am so excited Has anyone satyed there before? What did you think?

Also we will be sitting in seats 34A & 34B in premium economy on this flight

http://seatexpert.com/seatmap/404/Qantas_Airways_Boeing_747_400_(16_66_40_187)/

Can anyone tell me what you think of these seats? At the moment the comments on each seat are not available but I assume it has a mixed review because seat 34 does not have a window (I think that's what the red bit is next to the window).

Butterfly kisses.
I ilke seatguru.com as recommended by BecBennett.
This appears to be the only 747 with P economy. However it may not be your plane. This is very different layout from seat expert.

Pity you are not on the A380

Don't get to worried about the seats you will be in Prem Economy after all
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Qantas_Airways/Qantas_Airways_Boeing_747-400_4.php

 

[arje]

G'day fellow Aussie Disney fans! I haven't read the previous 15 pages, sorry, but I thought I would join in the fun and introduce myself. I've had 3 trips to DL 95, 2003, 2005 and am planning a WDW trip to WDW and Disney cruise Dec 2010/Jan 2011 (xmas day and NYE in the world ). Had a trip booked to TDL but pulled the pin when the bottom fell out of the dollar last year. We just can't get enough of the place and everything about it.

We meet with a great bunch of like minded people every couple of months as part of The DownUnder Disneyana. Check out their website at www.dudisneyana.info. If you didn't read about it, they did a world wide all park tour in 2005 as part of the 50th celebrations. Come check out a meeting if you can, or just jump onto the website and join the forums.

Anyway, see you around here from time to time. See ya!

 

[marvel]

Ok, sorry for the double post but here is the info on the visa waiver program.

"How long is my travel authorization valid?

Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date. "

So you don't have to do it again when you go in and out of the US and you can stay up to 90 days.

Thanks for the info Arje will definetly check it out.

Oh, for premium class I wouldn't bother with Seat Guru, I am pretty sure there are usually only two or so rows for premium economy just
after business class, you can't really get a bad seat.

 

[Tina]

Thank you, Marvel. I wonder why her travel agent told her otherwise? I'll pass the information along to my friend.

 

[platypus67]

There are actually two parts to the visa waiver program now. First part is the ESTA. This started in Jan 09 This gives you authorization to travel to the US. Meaning it lets you on the plane or ship. Once applied for it is good for two years, so if you return within this time frame you don't have to re-apply for the ESTA part. This is done online. I've just done mine and it took all of 2 minutes to fill out the forms and around 30 seconds for the approval. It doesn't grant you enty to the US however. (I will try to post a link later for the info. My internet is being difficult at the moment.)
Once on the plane you will be given your green visa waiver forms to fill out. This is valid for 6 months and must be surrendered when you leave the US. This is your entry permit.
Last time we went because we flew on to Canada after our stopover in LA we had to surrender our visas. I told them we were returning to US before leaving for Australia, but as it was flight attendants taking them as we boarded the plane it was pointless trying to explain. We then returned to the US via land and we had to pay for another green form $6.00 each. When we returned to Canada I told the customs agent we were returning to the US and they left it in our passport no problem.

 

[platypus67]

The following link is on V Australia for info regarding changes to the visa waiver program:

http://www.vaustralia.com.au/before-you-fly/visas-and-passports/USA-entry-requirements/index.htm

This second link takes you to the application. Also has a FAQ section.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta....058FDA8_kD574FC2F-1EFF-3564-A70B-3CD5FA35DAA8

Hope this helps.

 

[Tina]

Thanks for the info platypus67. I'm passing it along to her now.

 

[platypus67]

Just thought I would add a bit more info to my previous post now that I'm back from the school run.
When we travel to North America (and we do this often) we are always heading on to Canada for a family visit. Of all the trips I've taken over the years I have always been allowed to keep my visa waiver forms until our final departure. (I've travelled on my Aussie passport for the past 18 years) My family is 1/2 hour from the border so trips back and forth for shopping are pretty usual for us. As I said before I had to surrender mine last time, when I questioned the AA flight attendant who was taking the boarding passes as we boarded her reply was just "I don't know they told me to collect the green forms." This may be something new as the previous trip to the last one we flew into Orlando via LAX and then flew out of Syracuse so it had been at least 2 years since we had last exited and then re-entered the US via air travel. You may very well have to fill out the forms more than once if you are re-entering the US via air or sea. Once again it is always best to go straight to the source for the most accurate info.

 

[aussiedaisy]

Hey everyone!!! Just thought I'd check in and say hi tonight Hope everyones planning is going well! I am really pleased because I had an email from the lovely Lorealle at the HoJo today saying we would get a discount on our rooms with the annual passes we are buying so, instead of paying $114 per night it is something like $82 per night WOO HOO. Definately worth buying the annual pass I think!

We are also looking at doing some day trips this time as Aussie Dad (the newbie Disney traveller) would like to see a bit of California. Thinking of doing one of the Grayline beach tours and also the Universal delux combo tour....would be interested if anyone has done these and if they are worth doing??

Anyway, off to have dinner. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

 

[kylieh]

We are also looking at doing some day trips this time as Aussie Dad (the newbie Disney traveller) would like to see a bit of California. Thinking of doing one of the Grayline beach tours and also the Universal delux combo tour....would be interested if anyone has done these and if they are worth doing??

We did the Grayline LA Day Tour. We drove up to LA, up to the Star Walk (can't rememer it's proper name,) and the Chinese Theatre. Walked around there for about an hour. Next stop was The Grove/Farmer's Market. I really liked that, about an hour and half, then more driving and a choice of Santa Monica or Venice Beach. We choose Santa Monica because we had DD, but I think I would of liked Venice Beach. We only drove down Rodeo Drive, didn't get to get off, saw lots of famous in movie buildings, and drove past the Hollywood sign. Didn't really get a photo opp for that.

I think someone else, earlier on in the thread went mentioned this tour, and if my memory serves me correct, I think it was BecBennett that put this in her trip report from last year.

There is a lot of driving, in total maybe 6 hours for the day, so if you have younger kids be prepared to take something to keep them entertained, Miss 6 got bored, even with her DS.

PS - On the day we went there were only Aussie and Kiwi's on the bus!!!!

 

[BecBennett]

Yeah we went on that tour last time, and I wasn't really that impressed

I was really hoping that we'd be able to have a look around Rodeo Dr, but our driver told us that that was no longer allowed, however I know of other tours since that have definitaly stopped there...

We seemed to stay really long a places that didn't hold much interest for me, like the farmers market, and barely any time at the places I really wanted to spend lots of time at - like the Chinese Theatre and Disney Soda Fountain.

This time I'm trying to organise for us to spend the day just around that area, hopefully I can convince DF to drive but if worse comes to worse - thanks to the 5 for 3 offer, if he wont do that we'll just spend more time at DL!

 

[gogo65]

My daughter wants to do a day trip to LA and shop on Rodeo Drive etc.
We have friends that will be spending 2 days with us in LA.
One day to do Knottsberry farm and the other to do a day tour of LA.

As there was going to be 8 of us I looked at the grayline tour, but it was much cheaper to book a limo for 6 hours and do a private tour

I am just looking through the limo quotes before I decide which one to use.

 

[kylieh]

As there was going to be 8 of us I looked at the grayline tour, but it was much cheaper to book a limo for 6 hours and do a private tour

I am just looking through the limo quotes before I decide which one to use.

Let us know how you go - had I known what I know now (that's a mouthful to type...) I would of taken a limo or private tour and skipped the greyline, even with the cost being more for the three of us.

 

[platypus67]

We did the LA day tour in 2004. We didn't visit DLR that trip but stayed in Downtown LA. The tour itself was ok. Very long with alot of driving. Back then it included a tour of the stars homes, which I found really boring. Nothing interesting about driving up to a 4 mt wall and being told who lived behind it. It was a good introduction tour if you've never been into LA as you got a bit of an idea what you wanted to have a better look at. Our tour giuide was fantastic. Really entertaining.
We also did a Universal trip in 2003, but it was just transport and admission. Universal was good. I had been there previously in 1985 so it was interesting to go back. DD was 8 at the time enjoyed some parts, but wasn't that thrilled with the day.

 

[lovintheland]

We also used a limo (Tony the Limo King) for our 2007 trip. It worked out the same price as the bus tours for the 6 of us to do the LA,Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, Stars Homes etc etc. Basically we had 6 hrs and we just told the driver what we wanted to see and he took us there. It was fantastic and soooo exciting for the kids. we also used him to take us to Universal Studios the next day, again which was cheaper than the bus tours. I just bought our Universal tickets online at home. It was a much comfier way to travel too. I have photo's of my three exhausted kids lying down asleep on the way home. Hubby also enjoyed the complimentary cold beers as well.

 

[keptwoman]

Hello fellow Kiwis/Aussies! I don't come to the boards for a week or so and I miss all this!!

I'm a big Dis-aholic. The family somewhat less so but very happy to indulge my obsession. We first went to DL in July 2005 when we were going to a wedding in Seattle. Which was great timing with the 50th celebrations and we were there the day they re-opened Space Mountain. You could still smell the wet paint! We stayed at the Anabella.

We are again coming to the US for a wedding. Going to the US without going to Disneyland is just NOT an option!! Fortunately the announcement of the date co-incided with the cheapo airfares. We got return to NY with a stopover in LA for $5000 for 5 of us. Brilliant price! Unfortunately we weren't quick enough to get Qantas so we are stuck with the flights from hell on United via almost everywhere but that's OK. I'll endure the flights from hell to get to the happiest place on earth! Oh and because we have 3 internal flights and a $15 per checked bag rule we are going to travel Carry-on only. That will be a new experience for me. I usually take a massive suitcase on my travels.

Given this trip is very spur of the moment we are on a serious budget for the trip. We are staying at the Y in NY and YHAs and cheapo hotels everywhere we go. Being a family of 5 it's really tough trying to get good prices as many places (outside of Anaheim) will only allow 4 to a room.

We are at Disneyland from 29/9-3/10. We will probably stay at HoJo's. So add us to the list I see we are there for Halloween which will be interesting as I'm not generally a fan of Halloween. Gay Day is also on on our last day so we may avoid the crowds at DL by spending that day (only a half day anyway as we fly out that day) at DCA.

 

[Czardas]

hey butterfly, we are in Vegas 14th - 19th
We are almost travelling together

Have you decided where to stay in Vegas yet?

ColB - we don't want a DL in Australia, then we wouldn't have as much reason to travel to the US!

Hey, if any of you guys have any questions about Customs regulations when returning to Australia, I can help with advice.

Hi Marvel, I would love to ask a customs question if I may? I am also visiting Mexico and want to bring back some of their Vanilla Beans & Vanilla extract but doubt that I will be able to bring them back to Oz. Any advice?
Also I wanted to bring back some Cuban Rum and know this isn't allowed in the US and as we are staying a few days in LA on the way home, was wondering as I am an Aussie if this will be allowed?

 

[Czardas]

We are also looking at doing some day trips this time as Aussie Dad (the newbie Disney traveller) would like to see a bit of California. Thinking of doing one of the Grayline beach tours and also the Universal delux combo tour....would be interested if anyone has done these and if they are worth doing??

I am planning to book a cadillac convertible trip that I have heard rave reviews about http://los-angeles.tourcorp.com/tours/los_angeles_oldies_cars_and_tours_star_treatment.html

We did the greyline trip to Universal and the bus driver drove us nuts. I am not kidding, every 5 minutes he got on the michrophone and said Good Morning Lady or Good morning Grandma, whatever name he had come up with for certain people on the bus. It became tiresome and not funny and didn't stop for the entire journey.
We also drove around the block about 5 times after being picked up from our hotel because someone hadn't shown up and he had to go back and couldn't find them, which meant lost time from our day.
To our dismay we got the same bus driver for the trip home. It had been a long day and we were tired, so we had to slug our way through the traffic to get back to Anaheim and this time he had the aircon on freezing us all to death, so we asked if he could turn off the aircon and he then put the heater on full bore so we then all cooked. I have since decided private tours are the way to go.

 

[keptwoman]

Hi Marvel, I would love to ask a customs question if I may? I am also visiting Mexico and want to bring back some of their Vanilla Beans & Vanilla extract but doubt that I will be able to bring them back to Oz. Any advice?
Also I wanted to bring back some Cuban Rum and know this isn't allowed in the US and as we are staying a few days in LA on the way home, was wondering as I am an Aussie if this will be allowed?

Sorry not Marvel but.
Re the Cuban Rum. If it's not allowed in the US you will not get it in because you are an Aussie.

As far as the Vanilla is concerned. Try this link and perhaps give them a call.
dub dub dub dot daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take

Because I haven't got 10 posts I can't post a link so you need to replace the dub dub dub dot with the real thing.

 

[marvel]

hi everyone, loving this thread.

On the vanilla beans, if it is a bean that can grow into a bean, then it wont be allowed, it is a quarantine issue not Customs. The vanilla extract will not be a problem. Probably the best advice is that if that you anything that is a plant product just declare it and you wont have any problems at all, they will check it out when you get back into Oz.

As for the rum, the only issue is if you are over your limit, you get 2 x 1.125ml each person, regardless of what type of alcohol it is. Australia does not have any issue in terms of Cuban products, only in the US are Cuban products banned. HOpe this helps, if you need any more info let me know.