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

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We are flying out at 6am on a Monday morning, ouch, I'm sure that won't be fun.

The week prior to going I will be away with my daughter at a dancing thing, arriving home the Tuesday prior to leaving for the US. When we get back my DH's parents and auntie and uncle will be here visiting until Friday. And somewhere in there I will need to pack and do last minute stuff.....should be a piece of cake and relaxing right

I'll have to make sure I am super organised before going away with my daughter so that I can just throw a few things together at the last minute and be ready. Of course I am a complete stresshead and will be totally freaking out until the last second.

I am really nervous about the passports now, I feel like I want to pack them right NOW so I know they are in, hehe.

 

[melbarkwith]

*******THANKS FOR THE PASSPORT REMINDERS******* I'm going today to get our passport photos taken. I feel sorry for the person who is doing the girls as they are fidgeters. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to get the right photo.

If you have a decent camera, take your own passport photos. I just parked everyone in front of a white door and took about 20 pics or so, until one was okay. I printed the photos out at home, and didn't have a problem with the passport applications.

 

[Flea]

If you have a decent camera, take your own passport photos. I just parked everyone in front of a white door and took about 20 pics or so, until one was okay. I printed the photos out at home, and didn't have a problem with the passport applications.

I couldn't be bothered fighting with the 2yo so I paid to get them done - don't have a printer at home anyway. The guy was good and was able to edit the photos so they were what we needed even with the 2yo throwing the worlds biggest wobbly because she doesn't like her picture taken.

Hopefully they get accepted as I've heard NZ passport office is Fussy.

 

[LesleyP]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm from the Gold Coast, am a 29 yr old, solo traveller.

I've just started planning my very first trip to Disneyland and I'm so excited!!!!

I haven't booked anything yet but I'm planning on leaving around December 24 and probably come back on the 6th of Jan. The flight prices at Christmas time are a killer!

At the moment I think I'll be spending 6 nights at Disney and 4 or 5 in San Francisco. Currently scoping out hotels, but am thinking possibly either the Hilton or Anaheim Plaza.

I spent yesterday doing lots of research and ended up with a killer headache! There's just so much info on Disney!!

 

[becpee]

Well, I just booked our first lot of accomodation for when we first arrive, we are leaving Disney until right at the end, but we are going to go to Anaheim for some shopping at the beginning as well.
I booked the night before we arrive as well because we are getting in on an early morning flight 7am-ish, we got 3 nights there, including tax for $221USD plus whatever the bank charges for the conversion, i've paid up front as that is a requirement but I am able to cancel up to the 31st (not going to cancel unless I win lotto and can pay for a massive upgrade ).
I think we got a pretty good deal as on a different website they were charging $146AUD per night.
We've started!!

 

[Andona]

Hi DIS Aussies,
I haven't posted on DIS since last year ( prior to our trip to WDW) It's lovely to come back and discover a whole thread just for us Aussies and Kiwis

It's a very long thread and I haven't read it all so I apologise if something like this has already come up but I'd be interested to get your opinions.

I notice that many of you have made multiple trips to the USA, not just Disney. My DH and I love going there ( although I'm a bigger Disney fan - he just loves driving over there..roadtrips are his passion)

However, many of our friends say things like "The USA doesn't really appeal to me, I'd rather go to Europe/Fiji/Bali/Thailand" This is often from people who have never been to the USA and make these comments based on what they know of the country from TV shows - most of them don't think there's anything more than the cities.

They can't understand why we want to go back again ( and again..) BUT these people will go to Bali 3 or 4 times or Noosa/Cairns/Whitsundays several times.

Don't get me wrong, I love Queensland, have been there many times. We also had an amazing trip to the UK and Paris ( but the exchange rate was a killer!) ...but I just love the USA and I'm crazy about everything Disney. We have seen some amazing scenery on our trips and have visited some wonderful places and, of course, I'm always happy to go back for another dose of Disney!

I don't know if we'd have been going back so soon after our last trip but we just couldn't resist the super-cheap airfares that have been available lately. However, I *know* we'd have been going back eventually, no matter what.

There are many places in the world that I hope to visit some day, I can't imagine why anyone would rule out an entire country without giving it a try. I sometimes think that the USA, as a travel destination, suffers from a sort of snobbery by many Aussies - it's not "cool" to want to go there? Am I imagining things? Would be interested in your opionions.

I just wondered if any of you multiple timers get similar comments from friends and family, Do they look at you like you're nuts when you tell them you are off to the USA ...again?

Andona

 

[lovintheland]

We are a family of 5 Disney addicts. Hubby and I first visited 18 years ago, before marriage and kids. When we walked throught the front gates of Disney we announced "when" we have kids we are bringing them here one day no matter what.

2 Years ago we introduced our 3 beautiful kids to the magic. When we walked out of the gates on our last night we said, "well next time you're here you'll be paying for yourself and probably bringing you're own kids". Well 10 weeks ago we got back there, but I was almost embarrased telling people and tried to keep it pretty low key because everyone reacted the same. They couldn't believe we were going back, and assumed we were visiting different parts of the US.

We have already all agreed, we will be back, sooner rather than later. We love the place! but will be telling as few people as possible. They just don't get it, but we do, we're addicted!!!!!

 

[keptwoman]

This will only be our 2nd time to the US. Last time we went to the West Coast this time it's mostly the East Coast. Both times for weddings. If we go again we will aim for a different part to explore in a road trip. In between we have been to Fiji and NZ and the Whitsundays. Our next holiday will be to somewhere else again; perhaps Asia. I love Disney and I really enjoy the US but there is so much else of our world to see that I don't want to just go there. Actually I think our family just think we travel too much full stop LOL never mind where we go.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Hi there, I'm just returning to the board after our trip to Disneyland last September.......I had a bit of 'post Disneyland depression' when we returned......but now I'm ready to read & post again

We live in Sydney & had 5 wonderful days in Disneyland & DCA last September, staying 6 nights at the HoJo which we loved. We are dreaming about going back, current thinking is US Summer/Fall 2010.

Happy to answer any questions about our trip, flying Qantas, Disneyland Express, HoJo, Mimi's, DTD, DL, DCA etc

We returned from our first DL trip (mine and DD12) (DH's 6th though) and I felt like "I'll be right for the next 2 years. 2 days after our return "I was like I'm ready to go again so starting to plan a trip for next year hopefully!!!!

DL is just amazing!!!!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Can I please log in as an American who has never eaten a deep fried sandwich!
There really are a lot of healthy choices....they just don't make it to the "food porn" thread. Try browsing the menu data base.
I think you would be happy with some of the choices at River belle terrace (hand carved turkey sandwich and nice salads) and in DCA the soups and salads at Pacific wharf cafe.

Sorry that this post is a bit late, but it has taken me a while to get through to this page. The food in the US is definitely huge but I must say that the fruit we bought from the grocery store was unbelievable - much more taste than we have here in Australia. The flavour is almost overpowering - I would definitely recommend visiting Von's for fruit or even Food For Less on West Katella (you will need transport to get to either of these places; there may be a bus, but I'm not sure as we hired a car).

 

[keptwoman]

We returned from our first DL trip (mine and DD12) (DH's 6th though) and I felt like "I'll be right for the next 2 years. 2 days after our return "I was like I'm ready to go again so starting to plan a trip for next year hopefully!!!!

DL is just amazing!!!!

Oh totally. I trip plan ALL the time! I'm already thinking about where our next holiday will be to and we haven't even left on this one yet. I had a trip the the US all planned for last year to see a new baby but DH ended up unemployed for 5 months darn it... so no trip last year.... well except NZ for a wedding (are you sensing a theme here LOL)

 

[Andona]

This will only be our 2nd time to the US. Last time we went to the West Coast this time it's mostly the East Coast. Both times for weddings. If we go again we will aim for a different part to explore in a road trip. In between we have been to Fiji and NZ and the Whitsundays. Our next holiday will be to somewhere else again; perhaps Asia. I love Disney and I really enjoy the US but there is so much else of our world to see that I don't want to just go there. Actually I think our family just think we travel too much full stop LOL never mind where we go.

Keptwoman, I really agree about there being so much of the world to see - we've be lucky to get to (parts of) Europe, NZ, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and many parts of Aus as well as our USA trips but I still have a lot of new places on my "One day" list I just wish that Australia wasn't so far away from so many places.

The strange thing is that people think it odd that we want to go back to the USA more than once - when they see nothing odd in taking repeat trips to other countries. They don't seem to realise how much there is to see in America.

Hope you enjoy your East Coast trip - last year we had a wonderful trip around the Washington DC, NYC, New England, Niagara Falls area. Totally different to the west coast and well worth visiting.

Andona

 

[Andona]

2 Years ago we introduced our 3 beautiful kids to the magic. When we walked out of the gates on our last night we said, "well next time you're here you'll be paying for yourself and probably bringing you're own kids". Well 10 weeks ago we got back there, but I was almost embarrased telling people and tried to keep it pretty low key because everyone reacted the same.

LOL, LovintheLand.

When we left WDW last year I said to my son (12) that the next time I got to visit Disney would probably be when he took me along with his family as the babysitting Grandma!

But then the airfare war came along and we just couldn't resist the ticket prices - so back to Disney we go...Hey Ho..Hey Ho...

Andona

 

[keptwoman]

The strange thing is that people think it odd that we want to go back to the USA more than once - when they see nothing odd in taking repeat trips to other countries. They don't seem to realise how much there is to see in America.

Hope you enjoy your East Coast trip - last year we had a wonderful trip around the Washington DC, NYC, New England, Niagara Falls area. Totally different to the west coast and well worth visiting.

Andona

It's funny isn't it because it's so huge and so incredibly diverse. The trip I was planning for last year was driving from Minnesota to LA via Colorado and Utah and the Grand Canyon. Never mind we will get there another time.

Last visit we did a road trip around Washington state which was just unbelievably gorgeous.

Our trip this time sounds very much like yours. We are going to NY/New England/Niagara and then to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland where the wedding is being held. We are renting a house on the lake with a dock and kayak so it should be a great stay! No DC though; I did look at it but we just don't have time sadly.

 

[melbarkwith]

I just wondered if any of you multiple timers get similar comments from friends and family, Do they look at you like you're nuts when you tell them you are off to the USA ...again?

Andona

Yep, ALL the time, particularly from MIL! (who has never been to DL). Last week she told us that we should be going to Perth instead We're still not entirely sure why...

No offence to anyone in WA, but no thanks! We are going back to see Mickey.

 

[aussiegirls]

melbarkwith that is so funny Perth is such a random place to suggest to go.

xxx

 

[Andona]

Yep, ALL the time, particularly from MIL! (who has never been to DL). Last week she told us that we should be going to Perth instead We're still not entirely sure why...

I must admit, we've never been to Perth either. Never been further west in Australia than Adelaide. Now, that does start to make me feel guilty - I've seen both the East and West coasts of the USA but haven't been to Perth! I'll get there one day but how can you pass up the opportunity to visit the USA when the airfares have been the cheapest ever? ( and may never be this cheap again)

It makes me feel better to know that some of you have had doubtful comments about your repeat visits

Andona

 

[Plumbob]

Hi everyone ,

We went to Disneyland last November for the first time and we thought it would be the last time for years
We LOVED it and are going back this November as well !
The trouble is , my wifes family were so offended ( or jealous ) that we didn't travel in Oz , they all refused to ask about it or even discuss it !
They even changed the subject whenever one of my sons wanted to talk about breakfast at Goofy's kitchen or Fantsamic !

We have kept this trip pretty much to ourselves and only told a few select people . Why can't people be supportive and just be happy for us ?

 

[becpee]

Hi everyone ,
We have kept this trip pretty much to ourselves and only told a few select people . Why can't people be supportive and just be happy for us ?

I think there is so much jealousy and snobbery when it comes to travel.
This will be my third time to the USA and alot of people say "I would rather go to Europe", my reply is "well, when YOU have the money YOU can go anywhere you like"

When my DH told his parents we were off on a 2 and a half week trip he didn't go into details with them but their reply was "you won't see anything in that time"

We'll probably see the same amount as we'd see in Australia in two and half weeks

I'm with you Plumbob, why can't they just say "have a great time, and don't forget to send us a postcard".

 

[Andona]

I think there is so much jealousy and snobbery when it comes to travel.
This will be my third time to the USA and alot of people say "I would rather go to Europe",

When my DH told his parents we were off on a 2 and a half week trip he didn't go into details with them but their reply was "you won't see anything in that time"

Becpee,
This is exactly the sort of responses we get too!

I have some friends who think we're crazy to go overseas for a shorter trip, they think it's a waste of airfare money to go overseas and not stay away for at least a month. I would LOVE to go for a month or more but, my DH and I both run our own businesses and we simply can't leave the work for more than 3 weeks. If we waited to travel overseas until we could go for months we'd be waiting until we retire and there's just too many places to see before then.

My friends, like your DH's parents don't seem to realise you can do an awful lot in 2 /2 weeks with careful planning.

It's nice to visit DIS and meet up with lots of people who'd cheerfully fly to Disneyland for any length of time, given half a chance

Andona