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

[PrincessBelle39]

Ok so I'll start by introducing myself. I am a 29yo clinical nurse specialist who works in the recovery room in the operating theatre. My travel companion is my identical twin sister who also works with me as a CNS in theatre. We live in Melbourne, Victoria (on the Mornington Peninsula). Our first trip to Disneyland was in 2004 and then we did WDW 2005, 2007 and a WDW/Disneyland combined trip last year in 2008! We are total Disney addicts and LOVE the atmosphere and feel of the parks. We weren't going to travel this year however we got a FANTASTIC deal with the new V Australia airlines which goes direct to LA and well it was too good to pass up!!! So off we go again in November to experience Christmas at the Disneyland resort, we are staying for 8 days at the HoJo and can't wait!!! The difference this year is that we are, for the first time, not using a travel agent and booking the whole thing ourselves which is a bit daunting, but hey, by now I think we know more than the travel agents do

Hi Aussiedaisy
I'm not going to DL this time, we have a trip booked to WDW for September, but I wanted to say hi. We live on the Mornington Peninsula aswell. I'm always amazed what a small world it really it is.
Suzanne

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Questions for those of you travelling with younger kids.

I have an 11 year old and a just 7 year old. The 7 year old is a shocking eater and tends to like to snack alot throughout the day. I'm concerned about not having snack foods for whilst we are away in DL.

Do you take some snacks with you in your cases? And if so, what travels best and works well for you? Are you even allowed to take food when travelling overseas??? Is there any problems with taking food into other countries?

 

[Czardas]

Ok I don't have kids but can offer advise of buying snack food when you are there rather than bringing with you. There is a grocery store that delivers to your room, after ordering online. I can't remember what it's called but Vons is coming to mind. This sounds like a great idea, as you can also order coke, juice etc and cut your costs down a lot.

Vegemite is not allowed in the US due to the ingredient thiamine but I take it anyway and declare it. As it's for personal use I didn't had a problem when customs looked at it.

 

[kylieh]

Vegemite is not allowed in the US due to the ingredient thiamine but I take it anyway and declare it. As it's for personal use I didn't had a problem when customs looked at it.

We declared the vegemite and had no probs. They asked what we had, said vegemite and lollypops (chuppa chups), the officer stamped our form and she told us to have a nice trip.

ETA - Found this link that said it was a rumor http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20641599-1702,00.html

You can buy it there from "Australian stores."

 

[Aust]

Regarding snacks, the US are a lot less strict than Australia when it comes to taking in food - we took with us little packets of nuts, muesli bars, Golbourn Valley fruit tubs, breakfast cereal, and some other stuff. We also had some spare biscuits and stuff from the flight. When we arrived the Quarantine woman only asked us if we had fruit, we told her about the tubs and she was fine with that as it was packaged. So I'd recommend taking snacks as it can save you a lot of money.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks everyone. That's good to know. It will make it alot easier with my little guy that is for sure.

As this will be my family's first OS trip, I am completely new to the customs and what to declare part of things. Is there a website that you can point me to that will tell me what I do and don't have to declare etc?

 

[platypus67]

There should be a 7-11 on the corner of Harbour & Katella (or there abouts.) We have used it in the past to buy supplies such as water, milk and snacks. Although probably more expensive than the grocery stores it is still pretty inexpensive in comparison to grocery prices here. (IMO anyway.) I believe I read something on the main board about one of the grocery delivery places not accepting non US credit cards when placing an order. I've only had experience ordering when we went to WDW so can't help there. I've also taken vegemite to the US without problem. Also have taken things like cereal, crackers, biscuits. Generally if its processed & not meat, or dairy its pretty right. I always take my own coffee as well.

 

[lovintheland]

Good idea about taking the coffee. The coffee was quite disgusting in the room last time. I have been planning this holiday for a year and have been addicted to dis board and now all of a sudden I feel totally disorganised and had forgotten about little details like coffee, which is actually a big deal for this coffee addict. Off to do the ironing so I can get packing. 6 days woo hoo!!!!

 

[platypus67]

Coffee is definately a problem in America. I have a Nespresso machine so I'm pretty particular with my coffee. I've yet to find anywhere that I can drink the coffee in North America other than Tim Hortons in Canada. Last time I forgot my Robert Timms coffee bags so didn't drink coffee at all in Disney. First stop once we got across the border Tim Hortons.

 

[kylieh]

Good idea about taking the coffee. The coffee was quite disgusting in the room last time. I have been planning this holiday for a year and have been addicted to dis board and now all of a sudden I feel totally disorganised and had forgotten about little details like coffee, which is actually a big deal for this coffee addict. Off to do the ironing so I can get packing. 6 days woo hoo!!!!

We had the same problem with tea. We went to the Target opposite and purchased an electronic jug, it was around $30. There was one type of jug and a hundred different coffee makers. Homewood Suites did a grocery shopping service so we got some English Breakfast tea, milk, and some normal sugar so we could have a decent cup of tea - not the type they sell in the US coffee shops which isn't hot enough (ie, on the boil.) After a long day I need my tea to relax!!

There was a thread last year about purchasing with non-us credit cards. I think the end result was you could use a pre-paid credit card (like ANZ travel card) and it should be ok.

The ART went to a few hotels opposite target, or a 5 minute maybe $10 cab ride from DL. They had groceries. Much like a small Franklins - no fruit, but biscuits, snacks, frozen meals, milk.

 

[kylieh]

Thanks everyone. That's good to know. It will make it alot easier with my little guy that is for sure.

As this will be my family's first OS trip, I am completely new to the customs and what to declare part of things. Is there a website that you can point me to that will tell me what I do and don't have to declare etc?

Found this on traveling to the USA - official document from their customs and border patrol. About half way through there is info on food, medications, and a heap of other helpful info.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/welcome2us.ctt/welcome2us.pdf

 

[chickyann]

Just thought I'd try and start a thread to get all us Aussie Disneyland trip planners together. As we know it is a little difficult to plan and organise a trip from this end of the world. We could all get together with tips and useful info to help each other out.

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

 

[~ButterflyKisses~]

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!

 

[keptwoman]

Questions for those of you travelling with younger kids.

I have an 11 year old and a just 7 year old. The 7 year old is a shocking eater and tends to like to snack alot throughout the day. I'm concerned about not having snack foods for whilst we are away in DL.

Do you take some snacks with you in your cases? And if so, what travels best and works well for you? Are you even allowed to take food when travelling overseas??? Is there any problems with taking food into other countries?

We are getting a rental car at the airport rather than taking a shuttle/bus. We will stop at the supermarket on the way to the hotel to stock up on lunch food and snacks and lots of fruit because our children eat enormous quantities of fruit.

Has anyone herebeen to San Diego, Vegas or New York? We're going to all three places as part of our trip and I was wondering if you could suggest must do things to do while we are there?

We are going to NY too. Before Disney. I've never been but DH has. The things on our list for you to check out online:
American Museum of Natural History
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Cycling Central Park
Pizza at Grimaldi's then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhatten at sunset
Cruise to the Statue of Liberty (still deciding whether we take the boat TO the island or just do the Staten Island Ferry)
Ground Zero
Battery Park
Going to an American Football game
Evensong at Church of St John the Devine
Going up the Empire State Building
Times Square at night
A Broadway show
Zabars Delicatessen (80th and Broadway)

We've got a lot to jam into 3 small days that's for certain!! Then we are off on a 12 day Road Trip of NE USA incl Niagara Falls. We are also hiring a vacation house by a lake for a few days while we attend a wedding.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Found this on traveling to the USA - official document from their customs and border patrol. About half way through there is info on food, medications, and a heap of other helpful info.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/welcome2us.ctt/welcome2us.pdf

Thanks Kylie. I just went and checked it out, lots of great info on there.

 

[BecBennett]

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

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!

 

[gogo65]

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!

Have a fantastic trip BecBennett.

Say hi to Mickey for all of us back home

 

[kylieh]

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!

BecBennett - Have a wonderful trip. I remember looking at your trip report before we went last year thinking "That will be us soon." So I'm looking forward to your trip report for this time round.


Chickyann - I remember you planning too! We're planning on heading back in Sept/Oct 2010.

 

[Czardas]

Hi BecBennet, have a great trip and make sure to tell us all about it when you get back.

 

[Czardas]

As this will be my family's first OS trip, I am completely new to the customs and what to declare part of things. Is there a website that you can point me to that will tell me what I do and don't have to declare etc?

I travel a lot and one thing I always do is have something to declare to customs, even if it's just lollies. I do this because the declare queue is always shorter and the customs guys quickly look at what I have and wave me through.