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

[marvel]

thanks a lot for the photos czardas, we are super excited about the palazzo! We paid just over $200 for concierge level, super deal, includes cocktails in the evening. I think I can drink $200 worth !!

I am half thinking of getting a tattoo at Kat Von d's High Voltage myself! except that it would be my first and don't want any issues on the flight trying to look after it. Otherwise would be really tempted. Maybe a disney one, something masculine though !!

Hey, is santa monica a full day? Not sure what else to do that day, thinking maybe santa monica and farmers market? We are doing the walk of fame, la brea tar pits and the griffith obervatory one day, not sure what else to fit in on the sunday other than santa monica.

Oh, we did all our PS today and got every single one for the time we wanted. I guess it won't be that busy, which is good.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

thanks a lot for the photos czardas, we are super excited about the palazzo! We paid just over $200 for concierge level, super deal, includes cocktails in the evening. I think I can drink $200 worth !!

I am half thinking of getting a tattoo at Kat Von d's High Voltage myself! except that it would be my first and don't want any issues on the flight trying to look after it. Otherwise would be really tempted. Maybe a disney one, something masculine though !!

Hey, is santa monica a full day? Not sure what else to do that day, thinking maybe santa monica and farmers market? We are doing the walk of fame, la brea tar pits and the griffith obervatory one day, not sure what else to fit in on the sunday other than santa monica.

Oh, we did all our PS today and got every single one for the time we wanted. I guess it won't be that busy, which is good.

Don't forget Venice Beach Marvel. It pass hours just watching the "freaks", I mean entertainers and colourful personalities that hang out there I can't wait for that. And my friend was just there and just adored eating at Bubba Gumps at Santa Monica so I'm doing that.

Oh and there is no such thing as a manly Disney tattoo haha

 

[melbarkwith]

Hey, is santa monica a full day? Not sure what else to do that day, thinking maybe santa monica and farmers market? We are doing the walk of fame, la brea tar pits and the griffith obervatory one day, not sure what else to fit in on the sunday other than santa monica.

We spent about 3 hours (I think) at Santa Monica. We only got as far as the pier and the beach - I would have loved to do some shopping too! I'm sure it could take up at least 5 hours if it was a relaxing day.

 

[marvel]

forgot about venice beach. It won't be too freaky for the kids would it?? it's been 15 yrs since we have been there so hard to tell what it's like now.

what about a buzz lightyear tatt? he's pretty manly.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

forgot about venice beach. It won't be too freaky for the kids would it?? it's been 15 yrs since we have been there so hard to tell what it's like now.

what about a buzz lightyear tatt? he's pretty manly.

why not just get Mickey and be done with it


OR TINKERBELL

 

[melbarkwith]

forgot about venice beach. It won't be too freaky for the kids would it?? it's been 15 yrs since we have been there so hard to tell what it's like now.

Venice Beach was 'interesting' 2 years ago, but our kids had a ball on the excellent playground in the sand. Our kids thought it was great to watch the people go by.

 

[Czardas]

I am half thinking of getting a tattoo at Kat Von d's High Voltage myself! except that it would be my first and don't want any issues on the flight trying to look after it. Otherwise would be really tempted. Maybe a disney one, something masculine though !!

Isn't Kat Von D's booked out months in advance? I would love to go there too!

 

[keptwoman]

Our kids were 11 and 6 and 2 when we went to Venice Beach. We saw a few people who got a double look but nothing too freaky out there. They loved the street performers and muscle beach and people watching and all the leisure equipment. Then afterward we went back to the car and got their togs and they had a swim. They were the only ones swimming... in July!! and it was lovely.

 

[becpee]

I have a question about lugging carseats and strollers and things overseas,
do the airlines accept them? Are they charged as excess baggage?
We were going to buy them while we're away but if we can get away with not, well why not?
Any info appreciated

 

[Czardas]

I have a question about lugging carseats and strollers and things overseas,
do the airlines accept them? Are they charged as excess baggage?

Yep! Best to buy them over there

 

[melbarkwith]

I have a question about lugging carseats and strollers and things overseas,
do the airlines accept them? Are they charged as excess baggage?
We were going to buy them while we're away but if we can get away with not, well why not?
Any info appreciated

We didn't have a problem with a stroller last time, checked it at the gate for each flight and got it back as we got off the plane. Probably depends on the airline.

 

[keptwoman]

Becpee we have taken both carseats and large strollers. They are counted as part of your luggage allowance so as long as you have luggage space/weight available then it's fine. Having said that I've been out the back of the airport and seen when they do to luggage and you do not want your carseats and strollers getting that treatment (you also want to make sure anything breakable or leakable is in the centre of the bag well away from the sides) so you should always put them through the fragile items check in and be insistent about it even if the staff say it doesn't matter.

 

[Andona]

And my friend was just there and just adored eating at Bubba Gumps at Santa Monica so I'm doing that.

We ate at Bubba Gumps at Pier 39 in San Francisco in 2005 and it was great fun. The waitress had some great jokes and riddles to keep the kids entertained. She was friendly and helpful without being irritating and she quizzed us about trivia from the movie - we enjoyed that as we all loved Forrest Gump.

We enjoyed it so much that last year we decided to eat at Bubba Gumps in Times Square in NY. The atmosphere and menu were nice and the memorabilia on the walls was interesting but the wait staff were busy and just stuck to serving the meal. The food was fairly pricey by American chain standards but maybe that was just NYC pricing?

I believe there's a Bubba Gumps in the new Gardenwalk complex on Katella Ave. I'm not sure if we'll go for the hat-trick - might try something different this time

Andona

 

[dave73]

Here is a link to the double decker hop on hop off bus which has 3 different loops to all major LA attractions including Santa Monica Pier.

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-1H1.asp

This is an easy and cheap way to get around. We are also taking a shuttle from Anaheim to Hollywood, it's transport only and gives you approx 7 hrs to do your own thing. So getting inthere is easy then you get on the bus and get off and on when and where you like.

Here is a link to the shuttle, its' the second one down.

http://www.anaheimvisitorcenter.net/store/commerce.cgi?product=tours

As for Venice Beach, it's worth seeing, I would advise to go during the day. I thinks it's reasonably safe during the day but I know alot of tours or nearly all of them won't run tours there from Anaheim.

I haven't been to Santa Monica so if anyone can give tips of what to expect there that would be great.

We also going to try and catch a Lakers game.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I had a look at that hop on hop off bus Dave. We are a family of 4 and I think it would be cheaper to catch a cab from our hotel in Hollywood down to Santa Monica. And then from there walk to Venice Beach, or catch another cab. I looked on Taxifarefinder.com and it would cost only approx. $55 for a cab from Hollywood to Santa Monica, then back of course. The bus had adults at $30 each and I think children were $20 each. I think I might do a cab, quicker and more private.

I think the bus would be awesome if people were planning on going to lots of places on the loop though.

 

[dave73]

I think your right Ms Shuttergirl, for a family with kids it does add up, there are two of us so it makes it a little easier as well and cheaper.
A cab sounds the best option in your case.

As you say unless you plan to get off at a few places a cab could be cheaper.

Also someone mentioned Kat Von D's tattoo shop, it's called High Voltage tattoo and is about a 15 minute walk from Hollywood Blvd.
Their website states that anyone is welcome to come and have a look, they sell merchandise there and they do except walk in's for tattoos.
If you want a particular artist thats where you will need to book well in advance. I believe there is a 2 to 3 month wait for booking a particular artist that's featured on the show. I assume they have many other artists there that aren't featured on the show that do the walk in's.
If you want to be on the show you have to contact their casting company who organises it, the shop has no part in that process. You need a good story and if they think it's worth filming then they set it up.
We plan to just have a look and maybe pop inside since we watch the show.

The shop is on La Brea Ave, between Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=W...+Avenue&zipcode=90038&cat=High+Voltage+Tattoo

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

The park hours are up for my first two days at DL. Monday 12th Oct 8am-11pm and Tues 9am-9pm.

I am so glad. We were originally planning on going to DL at the start of our trip, 28 Sept but the park hours were shorter, there were 2 weekends with estimated big crowds (Gay Days and Columbus weekend) so we decided on DL at the end, hoping for longer hours, more fireworks and slightly less people.

So far so good for the times. Not sure about fireworks yet as the full calendar isn't up but I'm feeling positive.

 

[keptwoman]

We went at the start of our holiday last time and everything else was an anticlimax for the kids, so I'm glad we have been able to schedule it last this time.

Why are the hours so long for that time Ms Shuttergirl? I would have thought lower crowds would mean less hours?

I've been waiting and waiting for them to put the full calender up for our dates, but it's still got nothing but opening hours and ride closures past the 30th of September.

 

[melbarkwith]

I'm pretty sure that I read the fireworks will be shown every night throughout the Halloween season. At least I hope so, that way we have a really good chance of seeing them.

 

[melbarkwith]

Here is a link to the double decker hop on hop off bus which has 3 different loops to all major LA attractions including Santa Monica Pier.

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-1H1.asp

This is an easy and cheap way to get around. We are also taking a shuttle from Anaheim to Hollywood, it's transport only and gives you approx 7 hrs to do your own thing. So getting inthere is easy then you get on the bus and get off and on when and where you like.

Here is a link to the shuttle, its' the second one down.

http://www.anaheimvisitorcenter.net/store/commerce.cgi?product=tours

As for Venice Beach, it's worth seeing, I would advise to go during the day. I thinks it's reasonably safe during the day but I know alot of tours or nearly all of them won't run tours there from Anaheim.

I haven't been to Santa Monica so if anyone can give tips of what to expect there that would be great.

We also going to try and catch a Lakers game.

Thanks for sharing those links. We were planning on doing the OC Beach tour if the weather is nice.