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

[gogo65]

When we went to Disney World last year the exchange rate was .95c boy was that good. We were so lucky to get that rate. It started to drop not long after we got home. We are looking at Sept/Oct or beginning of December this year. Hope the exchange rate continues to climb, would be nice to get back up to what it was last year!

I dream of the days of the 95c exchange rate
When we were in WDW in Jan 08 we also got 95c. It made the difference between staying in a deluxe (Contemporary) to a value.

However we have also visited the US when the rate was .49 Now that was scary, having to double everything you buy. $50 for a McDonalds meal

 

[marvel]

hey aussietravellers and gogo, how was the animal kingdom and the contemporary? we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Poly last year, liked WL not the Poly so much, pool was too cold. The Poly was good just not worth the big bucks we payed for concierge level. I liked the location of the Contemporary. My kids love the idea of the AKL but just thought it was a bit far.

On a totally diff topic, has anyone been to the griffith observatory? Read some reviews that it is a pretty good place to visit for a few hours.

 

[aussietravellers]

hey aussietravellers and gogo, how was the animal kingdom and the contemporary? we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Poly last year, liked WL not the Poly so much, pool was too cold. The Poly was good just not worth the big bucks we payed for concierge level. I liked the location of the Contemporary. My kids love the idea of the AKL but just thought it was a bit far.

On a totally diff topic, has anyone been to the griffith observatory? Read some reviews that it is a pretty good place to visit for a few hours.

Haven't been to the griffith observatory, but AKL was amazing. We stayed for 21 nights in a savannah view room (with bunk beds). We didn't do concierge because you don't have a guaranteed savannah view with concierge and we wanted guaranteed savannah view so we went without the concierge, but that didn't bother us. We just absolutely loved AKL, loved seeing the animals from the balcony, first thing my DS would do when he woke up was run out onto the balcony and watch the animals. A couple of nights we had our dinner from Mara and took it up to the room and sat on our balcony with the giraffes munching on a tree right in front of us. The restaurants are all just fantastic, ate at Jiko twice and it was just divine (filet mignon is actually aussie beef!) Boma was fantastic for breakfast (not a fan of dinner) and so was Mara the quick service. The hotel is absolutely stunning, some feel it is too dark, which it is dark, but that is the theme and the rooms are not too dark, so its just the hallways. We didn't find the bus journeys too much of a problem or feel they were too far. We too a bus from Beach Club to Magic Kingdom one morning and it seemed to take forever, no longer than any of our bus rides from AKL, so really the bus journeys are not bad. AKL doesn't share their buses with any other resort so you are just straight there or back, from whereever you are going and it is and we never waited long for a bus. We would definately stay there again and my DS would not stay anywhere else (I'm wanting to try Beach Club next time as my mother stayed there when we were at AKL so we went over there a couple of times and I loved the pool, but DS won't hear of it, he loves the animals ). WL and AKL are designed by the same person I believe, so whilst not the same they have a similar feel, big lobby, beautiful timber, just amazing.

 

[marvel]

Wow sounds great may have to try that next time. i did like the look of the beach club as well, especially the great pool area and the whole feel of the Epcot area. Maybe split between them. There I go, planning another trip and haven't even gone on the next one.

 

[keptwoman]

Wow sounds great may have to try that next time. i did like the look of the beach club as well, especially the great pool area and the whole feel of the Epcot area. Maybe split between them. There I go, planning another trip and haven't even gone on the next one.

LOL I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does that!
I'm plotting which Club Med we will go to next, since other than Disney that is hands down our best family holiday. And I'm wondering how on earth we can squeeze it for next year.... it's my 40th and I feel that laying by a pool with unlimited cocktails and lots of stuff to keep the kids occupied is a fine way to spend a 40th birthday.

 

[darren123]

On a totally diff topic, has anyone been to the griffith observatory? Read some reviews that it is a pretty good place to visit for a few hours.

Here is the website http://www.griffithobs.org/

Yes we were there this time last year after our visit to Magic Mountain for the day I set it in the GPS and got there in about an hour, it is open until 10 pm. I really wanted to see the city lights ( Bob Seger Hollywood nights going through my mind ), we got there about 7pm parking was easy a short walk up to the observatory. We had a look around inside very worth while as it was still daylight in about an hour it was starting to get dark, We stood there for awhile it is just breath taking an amazing view. There is no smoking at all in the park and you can see the Hollywood sign as well, Yes it is very worth while to go.

 

[marvel]

ok now keptwoman, you have me intrigued about club med. never been but sounds great. which ones have you been to? would love to look into it.

thanks for the info Darren, I think it sounds good. Love you trip planning up to 2013, great idea.

 

[keptwoman]

We went to Lindeman. The rooms aren't really special or anything but the activities etc were just brilliant. Particularly with the kids.

We all learnt to trapeze. There was golf and yoga and walking groups. DH and DS sailed every day... that's an important part of any holiday for us and often resorts shut the sailing at the first sign of bad weather but not Club Med. When it was really windy and people were capsizing all over the place the sailing guys were totally cheerful going out to rescue people and quite happy to jump on board and help people learn to sail better. The staff were really enthusiastic and keen to teach you about their sport. There was archery and heaps of other stuff. I was planning to learn to windsurf but in the end I actually didn't get to do much because I hurt my ankle really badly on the second day and ended up on crutches. But I was well supplied with cocktails and reading matter by the pool and the circus staff were happy for me to trapeze with a bung ankle once it started to heal a bit. It was really social because in the main buffet restaurant you sit at tables with other people so you meet lots of people and make new friends which is really nice. There is always at least one restaurant where you can do ala carte and book a table just for your party. The kids just had the best time too and were always off with their friends. Next time I'm thinking one of the Villages in Asia would be nice. They are a bit more upmarket.

Years ago when I was in travel I went to a Club Med in Tahiti which was an adults only resort. It's closed now but it was gorgeous and also a lot of fun.

 

[~ButterflyKisses~]

Hi, sorry i haven't replied to this sooner. We actually travelled to san diego from anaheim. a day for each was plenty for us, and while we didn't see absolutely everything, we got to see what interested us the most. If we were to do it again, i would stay in san diego 2/3 days instead. The bus driver took us on a mini tour after leaving the zoo and san diego is lovely - we actually wished we'd given the zoo a miss and toured the surrounding areas instead.
we travelled to universal studios and san diego with grayline. if u purchase the southern cali city pass you can get transfers to the parks outside of disney for only $75 (not inc taxes). the company picked us up from the hotel, then took us to its depot to catch the buses to the various locations.

We also did the night time hollywood tour after universal and i wouldn't recommend it, esp if u have young kids. we adults were exhausted and half asleep for the tour and plus we didn't see as much as we would have liked to.
Hope this helps.

p.s - i noticed you're also going to new york. We went to new york for 4 days and absolutely loved it, 4 days was definitely not enough

Thanks for your reply!

Do you have any photos of the zoo or seaworld from your trip? Did you do a dine with Shamu while you were there? Which hotel did you stay in?

We aren't going with kids so we can pack a bit more into our day. Would you recommend doing universal on one day and then a LA tour on another day? Which day did you go to Universal studios? Was it busy when you were there? Did you need a front of the line pass?

Yep, we are going to New York also. We're staying at the Westin hotel in times square. Where did you stay? We have 7 full days there. Is there anything you recommend us seeing?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

My daughter got a note home from her school yesterday saying that anyone travelling to the US, Mexico (and a few other places were listed) in the next while are requested to keep their children home from school and out of after school activities for 7 days upon their return. This is to guard against the spread of swine flu.

Wow, what a big step for the health department to take. The note from my daughter's school said it was compulsory, whether your child was exhibiting flu symptoms or not. Did anyone else get a note like this? It will be hard on parents who work full-time and need to get back to work but I guess they need to try to contain this.

 

[staceyinaustralia]

Im on the count down now...only 12 sleeps to go!!

Yes my son got the swine flu note from school to say stay home for 7 days, this wont affect us as we get home at the start of the school hols.

 

[keptwoman]

They said on the news last night that that is the new policy for everyone. Doesn't affect us because we homeschool.
Personally I think swine flu is a storm in a teacup hyped up by the media.

 

[aussietravellers]

My daughter got a note home from her school yesterday saying that anyone travelling to the US, Mexico (and a few other places were listed) in the next while are requested to keep their children home from school and out of after school activities for 7 days upon their return. This is to guard against the spread of swine flu.

Wow, what a big step for the health department to take. The note from my daughter's school said it was compulsory, whether your child was exhibiting flu symptoms or not. Did anyone else get a note like this? It will be hard on parents who work full-time and need to get back to work but I guess they need to try to contain this.

My son's teacher returned this week from a week in LA and he has not been asked to do this, he is back at school. We have not received a note like you received about students though, we have not had anything like that.

 

[lovintheland]

we have only 3 days left of our trip I am already depressed and envious of all of you planners. My ticker is counting my next trip that I don't know about. I wish!!!!! enjoy the anticipation because the real thing goes waaaaaaay tooooo fast. we love it here! HoJo rocks! my 11 year old son asks to come home from Disneyland so he can play at the pool area. what's that about???? spend $10,000 on air fairs to play in a pool when we have one in the backyard???? ok we don't have a pool slide and overflowing bucket and 20 other kids to play with.

Had to call the afterhours dr in the middle of the night last night at a cost of $650 us, for 1 very sick hubby. Has been cleared of swine though, luckily, was worried about being stuck here. Well being stuck here wouldn't be bad, but in this room ?????

Have heard from back home that we wont be able to go to school for 7 days. I work at my kids school so I assume I can't go as well???? Hadn't quite planned for an extra week off. Year 10 daughter isnt happy, but what can you do.

Nite all! it's 11.00pm here and I need to make up for the lost sleep last night. Even without coughing husbands you definately sleep less here. Don't want to miss a single moment. Don't know what I'll do with my time at home as I definately wont be planning another trip. (Have to pay off the shopping)

By the way, Primm outlets outside of Vegas & vegas outlets are fantastic, wish we could go back for another spot of shopping. Didn't care for Vegas apart from the shopping. Definately not a place for kids!

Really going to bed now

 

[dollarmite]

Personally I think swine flu is a storm in a teacup hyped up by the media.

Me too.

 

[aussiegirls]

I did hear that they should have a vaccine for swine flu if not next month then def by July.

I don't necessarily think that everyone going OS should get it but if there is still that hoo-ha about staying home for a week afterwards I might think about getting it, especially if that might allow us all to carry on as normal when we come home.

BTW 0.7886

xxx

 

[kylieh]

Have heard from back home that we wont be able to go to school for 7 days. I work at my kids school so I assume I can't go as well???? Hadn't quite planned for an extra week off. Year 10 daughter isnt happy, but what can you do.

Didn't care for Vegas apart from the shopping. Definately not a place for kids!

My DH works for a large corporate, and they have been informed that they must have 5 days off sick leave when returning from any country that has Swine, unless they get Dr's clearance. DH has a heap of FF points and is thinking of taking DD to Auckland for a few days. He said he get's a bonus 5 days off for the hassel (they're on unlimited sick )

I'm at a large company too, home today and the rest of the week with a regular cold/virus, seen my Dr, but an email went out to everyone today that if you have any symptoms of a cold, you need to talk to your manager, go home and see a Dr.

DH's uncle has Swine, and is in hospital (we've had no contact, or contact with others he has seen.) He is one of the cases that it is bad for - he has the lung disease associated with Asbestos, can't spell its name. But unless you already have respitory issues, for NSW health are now saying for a lot of people it won't be too bad.


Shame that LV maybe isn't what you expected with your kids - Miss 6 loved it last year, and can't wait for our next trip. But she is a lot younger is is oblivious to a lot of what goes on.

 

[marvel]

Hi Lovintheland, sounds like your trip went really well. Look forward to hearing more when you get back.

Thanks for the club med info kw, I will definetly be looking into that for a future trip.

In regards to the swine flu, they said that only some of the insurance companies will cover you for swine flu, but they didn't say which ones. They did say that some actually won't cover you if you want to cancel your trip before you go, but will also not cover you over there if you catch it! My only concern is possibly catching some symptoms over there ie- blocked ears, that makes it impossible to fly but the insurance wont cover the delay and flight changes. I haven't booked insurance yet. Anyone know if their insurance will cover them over there?

Our kids loved vegas as well, they insisted we go again this time. And Who am I to disagree!!

 

[Flea]

In regards to the swine flu, they said that only some of the insurance companies will cover you for swine flu, but they didn't say which ones. They did say that some actually won't cover you if you want to cancel your trip before you go, but will also not cover you over there if you catch it! My only concern is possibly catching some symptoms over there ie- blocked ears, that makes it impossible to fly but the insurance wont cover the delay and flight changes. I haven't booked insurance yet. Anyone know if their insurance will cover them over there?

i think it depends on when you booked your travel insurance. I know we paid for ours the day after they changed the rules on swine flu. We aren't covered for cancellations but are covered for medical stuff associated with swine flu as long as we don't go to mexico. Things may have changed since then but because we paid that date we are covered for those things.

It would pay to ring a few places and see what their policy is on swine flu. I think its IAG (or something similar) that is the underwriter for our insurance)

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

My DH works for a large corporate, and they have been informed that they must have 5 days off sick leave when returning from any country that has Swine, unless they get Dr's clearance. DH has a heap of FF points and is thinking of taking DD to Auckland for a few days. He said he get's a bonus 5 days off for the hassel (they're on unlimited sick )

I'm at a large company too, home today and the rest of the week with a regular cold/virus, seen my Dr, but an email went out to everyone today that if you have any symptoms of a cold, you need to talk to your manager, go home and see a Dr.

DH's uncle has Swine, and is in hospital (we've had no contact, or contact with others he has seen.) He is one of the cases that it is bad for - he has the lung disease associated with Asbestos, can't spell its name. But unless you already have respitory issues, for NSW health are now saying for a lot of people it won't be too bad.


Shame that LV maybe isn't what you expected with your kids - Miss 6 loved it last year, and can't wait for our next trip. But she is a lot younger is is oblivious to a lot of what goes on.

Kylie that's such a shame about your DH's uncle. I hope he is okay.