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

[platypus67]

We did the drive in the opposite direction WDW to Canada in Dec 07. We originally planned on 4-5 days. We left WDW at around 10am. We stopped two nIghts along the way arriving in DC late on the third day. We planned on staying 2 more nights in DC but with bad weather we decided to push through to Canada. The interstates are a dream compared to our motorways and highways. They bypass all cities and you have to exit to go into a city or town. We did the I95 drive from FLA to DC. There is actually an I95 guide you can download off the net telling you what is at each exit. If you have the time there is heaps to see along the east coast. In a hurry you can do the drive in 2 days. My sister and her husband used to leave Ontario Canada at 3:30 when they picked the kids up from school and would arrive in Tampa at my parents house late the next afternoon.

Also with regard to US dollars. I'm keeping an eye and will get some cash if it looks like the dollar will start to drop, but I'm sitting tight at the moment in hope that it will keep improving. We usually just use the credit or debit card when we get there. I try to avoid withdrawing cash from my bank account as the fees can be pretty high. I like to have some cash especially dollar bills for tipping the drivers and housekeeping staff.

 

[kylieh]

We're going over December for a month. Will be at DLR early January.

We are going to buy some dollars, just working out the best way to do it.

Looking at the ANZ travelcard, or opening an account through HSBC. Of course, could use the old fashion cash or travellers cheques.

Anybody else have ideas on what worked best?

-Brian

Thanks for the heads up on the HSBC US$ account - I just went and checked it out. Seems almost too easy. Here's the link for anyone interested: http://www.hsbc.com.au/1/2/personal/savings/foreign-currency

We took a combo of funds last year. I had around (in US$) $1000 cash, mainly in small denominations, $1500 travellers cheques, ANZ Travel Card, and regular Amex.

Even though CCs are accepted everywhere cash is still often easier, depending on what purchasing, just like here!!! We had used a lot of the cash when we left Las Vegas, day 4 (tips and cab fares add up quickly,) so I cashed about half the TCs in a casino. I wasn't charged any comission. That was enough cash then for the rest of the trip, and a few days out we had a heap of TCs so we used then for souvineers in DL and surrounds, just like cash, using my driver's licence as ID, again no comission.

We used the ANZ Travel Card for heaps, and Amex only for credit card holds at hotels. We didn't have to withdraw cash on the Travel Card.

I did like having the security of the TCs (American Express.) I did get a good rate on them pre ordered via the post office. We left them in the hotel safe, unless using them.

Regardless, I noted on the travel document from the US Gov, posted the link a couple of days ago, that declaring is US$10,000 cash, traveller's cheques, etc, as a family unit, not individuals.

 

[chickyann]

Hi chickyann,

We are going in September also. What was the weather like when you were there last year? What type of clothes did you pack?

We are flying Qantas also in premium economy. How did you find the flight? What was the inflight entertainment like? How many meals were you served during the flight?

Also has anyone who has been to Vegas done a Grand canyon tour? We are thinking of doing a helicopter tour but want some reviews first.

Thanks!

Hi There

The September weather was beautiful, still summer really, hot dry weather, not that humid. My girls wore shorts & t shirts one day, summer dresses another, a we got drenched on SM & were dry quickly. It did get cool in the park in the evenings, so jackets were handy, but that said we did go back to the HoJo & swim after dinner most nights so it wasn't that cool.

The last day of our trip was cloudy & cool. My oldest wore her jacket all day & I got saturated on GRR & was freezing (brought rain ponchos for the girls & wished I had one for myself that day) DH ran back to the HoJo & got me a change of clothes while I waited for a table at the Carnation Cafe for dinner.

Qantas really looked after us, We flew to Honolulu for a week, & then United to LA & back home with Qantas, we got dinner & breakfast on our Honolulu flight (Economy) & on the flight home it felt like we were eating constantly

 

[chickyann]

Hi chickyann! Welcome back!
I remember planning last years trip around the same time you were. We're back in the US now on our 2nd trip. We just got here this morning, but because of how our flights worked out it feels like we've been here for days!

Wow, can't believe you are back there again, that's awesome
Have a great time!!!!

 

[marvel]

It is great news about the dollar, when we booked our trip a few months ago it was 62c ! Now its 77c that is a huge difference. I have grabbed a bit along the way and put it onto the ANZ travel card, I found that best as it works as a credit card in US dollars and withdraw cash in US dollars without any conversion fees, the only fee is 1.1% when you deposit cash.

On our drive from NY to Florida, we did one long drive of around 6ish hrs from memory and stopped near Harrisonburg overnight, then another decent drive to the border of Tennessee where we stayed on a lake for 3 nights. THen another drive (5hrs) to Savannah Georgia for 2 nights and a final drive to WDW. So 5 nights is fine. We prefer to do a longer drive and stay longer where we end up. We don't like doing single nights anywhere if we can avoid it, just too annoying with the kids and all the luggage. That's how we roll anyhow. Really loved the driving, would love to be able to spend a few months driving all over next time.

The drives can be quicker than we did, but we stop wherever we have planned to see something interesting and for food, so takes us a little longer than usual guides say. But found the roads easy to navigate and didn't have any traffic issues anywhere really. I find the traffic in Melb worse than I encountered anywhere including NY and LA previously.

I will love to hear about the cruises, we plan to go one day so really interested in hearing about that when you guys get back.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if you would be aware of this or if it has been posted already - just a quick post before I get ready for work. I rang my bank yesterday to ensure everything was okay for me to use my credit cards overseas and to check daily limits etc. It was lucky I did because if I hadn't let them know I was going overseas and then started using my card in the US they said they would block it! Imagine the time wasted on holiday and cost of calls to get everything sorted out!

Anyway, like I said many of you are probably already aware of this, but I thought I should put this info up just in case.

Thanks for all the helpful info and have a great trip everyone.

 

[arje]

Arje - I noticed you're heading over for a Christmas?NY at the end of next year - same with us ! We've just booked our 7 night cruise on the Wonder - must be different dates than you, though - we leave Port Canaveral on the 30th Dec. We're bound to be there at the same time at some point, tho' (we're also going "the whole hog" - DL, the cruise, and WDW).

Our cruise leaves on Dec 18th. Western Carribbean cruise on the Magic. We're looking forward to this so much, we've wanted to do a cruise for a long time. We plan to get to WDW either 23rd or 24th December and stay a total of 3 weeks.

We'll spend a few nights at DL before we head home, because we never go to the US without spending time at DL. And before we even go to Florida in December, our first stop is San Francisco to visit the Disney Family Library which opens later this year in the Presidio.

 

[marvel]

sounds good arje. Have you already booked your cruise etc for 2010?
can't wait to hear how it goes, always wanted to go to disney for Xmas but scared of the crowds.

 

[gogo65]

can't wait to hear how it goes, always wanted to go to disney for Xmas but scared of the crowds.

Scary...........I hope not....
I will let you know once we arrive on Dec 25th

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Just wondering if you book accom in the resort and buy the park hoppers as part of the package online, do they actually send you resort tickets? Or is it an E ticket thing that you print out?

And would you suggest booking directly through Disney.com or is it cheaper and easier to use a travel agent? Or expedia?

 

[Czardas]

Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if you would be aware of this or if it has been posted already - just a quick post before I get ready for work. I rang my bank yesterday to ensure everything was okay for me to use my credit cards overseas and to check daily limits etc. It was lucky I did because if I hadn't let them know I was going overseas and then started using my card in the US they said they would block it! Imagine the time wasted on holiday and cost of calls to get everything sorted out!

Yes I always let my banks know that I will be using my cards overseas. When travelling to Asia I always have to cancel my cards when I get back, so the bank can issue new ones, they don't want to take the risk and it is a real pain as I have so many automated payments attached to my cards.
I have been told by my bank that I MUST only use a pin number on my credit card in the states, instead of signing. So I have to go into the bank and put a pin number on my credit cards.

 

[platypus67]

When I booked our WDW holiday I booked everything online on the Disney site. I did heaps of research and found it to be the cheapest. Once I had booked I made a couple of changes and did this via the phone without problems. For DLR I book direct with the hotel and buy my park hopper online from the Disney site, once again I've found this to be the cheapest. With the entry tickets as well as other special event tickets you print them out at home and when you arrive just take them to the entry turnstile and they will scan the barcode and hand you your tickets. The tickets are also slightly cheaper if bought online. I've made my hotel reservations for October and am now just waiting for the Trick or Treat party tickets to go on sale and I will buy those and my park hopper tickets in one transaction. I haven't used a travel agent for years as I can generally find what I want quicker and cheaper myself.

 

[Czardas]

I haven't used a travel agent for years as I can generally find what I want quicker and cheaper myself.

I agree I love the freedom of the internet and being in total control of my holiday myself. I got sick and tired of waiting for travel agents to get back to me.
Whatever you need to know you can find it in an instant online. The world is a definately a smaller place now and with hotel reviews etc at your finger tips, it's easy to have a fantastic holiday and not be a hit and miss affair.

 

[keptwoman]

Same here! I used to be a Travel Agent. I'm glad I'm not now. The internet makes so much better information available to the traveller. I don't use them at all. I can book better for cheaper. Most of the time.. Occasionally it's worthwhile using one for bits and pieces. Although at times when I am trying to book flights online I'd love one of their computer systems as they are so much easier to use than all the individual sites.

 

[marvel]

we book everything on line except for our WDW stuff last year as all the PS for the restaurants was too much hassle and the price with the disney agent was the same. just be sure to check place like getawaytoday.com as their tickets are often cheaper than disneys, that being said I haven't booked mine yet for Sept. Have you all booked the tickets already ??

Interesting about the pin number for the credit cards I will have to see what my bank says. I tend to use the Wizard mastercard for all buying in the US, it is the only card that does not charge conversion fees at all, the others charge around 2 - 3% per conversion, that can add up. Of course I will be using my anz travel card mostly on this trip though.

 

[Czardas]

Interesting about the pin number for the credit cards I will have to see what my bank says. .

It is Commonwealth bank that is requesting us to get a pin number on our Mastercard before we head to US.

I found getawaytoday.com's hotel rates dearer than what I could get going direct with the hotels.

I will book my tickets for disneyland entry online at disney's site.

 

[aussiegirls]

Just one thought for you guys.

I agree with the booking myself as opposed to using a travel agent. I have tracked down my own good deals on the internet but also use another trick I have learned. Flight centre will beat any quote given on an Australian website (in other words not sites based in the US). Expedia.com.au has Park Hopper tickets the same price as Disneyland.com, and the price changes daily with the AUD. I have found that Flight Centre will better the price on the Park Hoppers sold on Expedia.com.au. So I have found that I can save a bit(depending on how much they want to beat it by) by taking the quote in and asking them to beat it.

They will also beat the lowest price you can find on your hotel if it is on an Aussie site (again Expedia.com.au is great for this). That didn't help me because I booked direct through the hotel, but if it can help any of you guys I say give it a go.

xxxx

 

[SnowWhite09]

I tend to use the Wizard mastercard for all buying in the US, it is the only card that does not charge conversion fees at all, the others charge around 2 - 3% per conversion, that can add up. Of course I will be using my anz travel card mostly on this trip though.

Wow, no conversion fees - that is fantastic! I am looking into this right now. Thanks for the info!

Oops - I just checked and it looks like Wizard has been sold to Aussie so I think new customers would not have the same benefits.

 

[platypus67]

I have only had one experience with the match any australian price and although they would match the price they then tried to put their 50.00 booking fee on top for each ticket. Because of the different segments I was booking it worked out at 300.00 more.

 

[AlyssaCameronsDad]

Wow, no conversion fees - that is fantastic! I am looking into this right now. Thanks for the info!

Oops - I just checked and it looks like Wizard has been sold to Aussie so I think new customers would not have the same benefits.

I found the same thing yesterday, going through the main wizard site. However, I also found this http://www.wizardclearadvantage.com.au/ which appears to still be active. I didn't actually go through the process of applying for a card, because I'm not sure if that's the way we want to go, but it still may work.

-Brian