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

[kylieh]

I though of something else for your packing list - I keep these in my suitcases all the time so they don't end up on a list.

Plastic coathangers - cheap, light, easy to replace. Why - so many hotels have the type that attach to the rod and can't be removed. I hate that. So if you want to steam something in the bathroom, or hang it up to air it, it's almost impossible. Or you discover there is only 4 hangers and there are 6 people going out to a more formal dinner, and housekeeping is slow to bring additionals.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I don't know that it would work for a 3 week holiday - unless you had any special outfits that needed keeping together. Over that time you will want to mix and match etc. Maybe if you did it for the first say 5 days of clothes for example so you didn't have to worry whilst taking in the first big culture type shock. I would though split each members clothes over different suitcases so if one goes missing your not missing only one person's clothes.

Yeah Kylie, I think you may be right, bummer, I loved the idea of all of the ziplocs but agree 3 weeks is probably too long to make it work.

A friend of mine who has travelled a bit had already given me the tip about spreading the clothes throughout all of the suitcases. I think it is such a brilliant idea, makes soooo much sense.

The other one someone mentioned to me was making sure to have photocopies of all of your tickets and passport, licence, credit cards, park hoppers etc. Love this idea too.

 

[kel77]

Thanks for the advice on the Baseball we are going to watch a game as well in Sept !!

I ahve a question about the ETSA process can anyone you ahs doen it help. So I went to the website and completed the form for the four of us and got the application approved immediately at the end . Is that all there is ? I thought it would take some time ? Also we are staying in several addresses whilst there but there is room for only one so I put down our first address , is that correct - also I thought it weird it didnt ask for any travel dates ?

Did I miss something ?

I filled out the ETSA Visa Waiver forms online and I only put our first address even though we are staying at 2 during our time there. We also got instant approval but it does have a disclaimer that says this does not gaurantee you entry it is still up to the Customs Officers (or something like that). I have no idea if they run your name through any kind of database for criminal history or anything but as long as you behave when going through customs you should be right

 

[kel77]

Great lists

I hadn't even thought of Imodium or Mylanta

I have made lists to I have everything that I need to pack, things I need to buy before the trip (toiletries etc.....)

I have packed 1 suitcase already. The kids clothes and presents for family in Philly. I have packed toiletries:

New Hairbrush ( I don't want to use it that morning and forget to pack it)
New toothbrushes and paste
Panadol and Kid's Neurofen
Razors
Bandaids
Deoderants
Sunscreen/After Sun Lotion
Aerogaurd
Hand Sanitizer and Anti-bacterial wipes

I have long lists (even down to how many pairs of underwear we'll need etc.... ) and just tick stuff off as I pack it.

We are down to 1 calander month until we leave Aus!!!!! I'm so excited

I have bought a little address book to write down family and friends addresses so I have them all in one place when I am sending postcards etc... I also have a list of who I am buying souviners for (apart from family there are teachers and kid's friends) as I buy I can just write the present beside their name and I (hopefully) won't leave anyone out.

So, I am off to add Imodium and Mylanta to my list

 

[marvel]

We did ziplocks for 7 week holiday, no problem. It makes it a lot easier to find what you are looking for. Stuff for the kids seperate, bathers and such seperate etc. My DW looked after it all but the ziplocks were really a life saver, I cannot say enough about them. We took extra and they are really good for footwear too, so no dirt issues.

I found that the US does not have any flies. No kidding, we went from NY to Florida and Hawaii and I cannot remember being bothered by flies ever, it was really amazing.

I was looking at the really great food thread the other day, and it got me really excited again about the trip.

What are you guys looking forward to eating most??

 

[aussiegirls]

If I were to be completely honest the thing I am looking forward to eating the most is "the kitchen sink" A lot of the food on that food thread scares me

 

[keptwoman]

If I were to be completely honest the thing I am looking forward to eating the most is "the kitchen sink" A lot of the food on that food thread scares me

Same here LOL. Most of it made me a little green... and not with envy. I have to admit the Kitchen Sink does look rather fab but with me gluten free and DD dairy free... it's not going to happen. Which is probably good for our waistlines

I've got a zillion lists too!
Clothes
Food
Carry On
Sketching materials
Electronics incl chargers
Things to take
things to see

And about a gajillion spreadsheets too.

 

[kel77]

MMmmmmmmm foooooood

I am looking forward to lots!!!!

There isn't one item in particular

I have been checking out the websites for local area places like Denny's, Mimi's, Millies, Bubba Gumps etc....... That's the one thing Hubby enjoys looking at.

He doesn't look at much Disney related, he wants that experience to be a surprise

 

[Czardas]

I have to admit the Kitchen Sink does look rather fab but with me gluten free and DD dairy free... it's not going to happen. Which is probably good for our waistlines

QUOTE]
hubby is on a GF diet too so this trip we will need to watch the diet carefully too. (only diagnosed as celioac 4 months ago)
I still think the most disgusting thing at disneyland is the Monte Cristo "deep fried battered sandwich" had to try it but once was enough for us.

 

[keptwoman]

Have you found the gluten free thread? I have it saved to my favourites if you need the link.

 

[aussiegirls]

I have to agree Czardas, that Monte Cristo looks revolting. But I have no intention of trying it, I can feel my arteries clogging up as I look at the picture of it The kitchen sink on the other hand.................

xxx

 

[Flea]

Definitely a vote for Kitchen sink here too...

also on my list of greasy goodness haha

Loaded potato soup
Tigger Tail
Churro
Dole Whip

I'm sure there is more but those are the ones in my head atm

 

[melbarkwith]

Don't forget Corn Dogs!!! Yummo.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I have to agree Czardas, that Monte Cristo looks revolting. But I have no intention of trying it, I can feel my arteries clogging up as I look at the picture of it The kitchen sink on the other hand.................

xxx

OMGoodness aussiegirls, I will SO be trying the Monte Cristo, I'm sure it will be quite hideous but I just feel you can't go to DL and not give it a try.

I agree with everything Flea listed plus:-

Caramel apple
Beignets
What are those chip things they have at Cafe Orleans, ummm Pomme Frites or something
I've seen pictures of the French Onion soup which make my mouth water, might try those

Well my list could go on and on, and I don't want to embarrass myself

 

[keptwoman]

Last time we went we had some kind of chowder in a bread bowl that was quite yum.

 

[marvel]

the loaded potato soup looks fantastic, and I am going to have the monte cristo just to say I have. looks interesting.

We are even going to give the kitchen sink a shot, just for novelty sake !

Still not sure which character meals, I might actually just risk it and not book anything. Don't think I can bother with the hassle of ringing up at the right time. I don't think it will be that busy in Sept.

I think we may only do Goofy's kitchen.

Any of you been to BLue Bayou, looks like a good experience, but has mixed reviews on the actual food

 

[keptwoman]

Fellow Aussies travelling to New York I just wanted to share with you a site I found. We are on a VERY tight budget on our holiday. Ideally we would not be travelling this year but we wouldn't miss the wedding for the world!! At the moment we are booked into the West Side YMCA. Fabulous location, right on central park but only a bunk room, and it's costing us $210/night.

I've used www.vrbo.com for a vacation rental on the lake where the wedding is being held but I've just discovered they do NY too and the prices are really fabulous. For the price some of you folks are paying for a hotel you could have a very nice, excellently located apartment. For the price we are paying we can have a decent size, decently located apartment. There are a few extras that you pay, because they are privately owned you pay a security deposit, and a cleaning fee but still... great prices.
So anyway, thought I'd share in case you guys feel like staying in some of the lovely and individual apartments on there.
It also has Anaheim and lots of other areas too.

www.vrbo.com

 

[kylieh]

We loved and can't wait for more of

Churro - yum. Loved these, couldn't get enough.
Tigger Tails - I made my own version last week using regular Pascal Marshmallows, Tinned Caramel Top and Fill, Good White Cooking Chocolate. They took me back. Try it if your desperate before or after you go.

DD can have limited dairy, eg, bread with milk cooked in so the protein has changed is ok, but normal milk she will be crook for a week, big balancing act. So the Kitchen Sink is out. But MIL may be coming so she can babysit that night.

We did find a lot of the food was greasier than we're used to, and didn't seem as fresh.

If you're down near Target there was a Red Robin across the road which is a sit down resturant chain, I had a Terriyaki Chicken Burger which was really yummy, and fresh. There is also an Outback Steakhouse and the menu is identical to the one here if you're a fan.

At the Farmer's Market/The Grove there is "Phil's Deli" that sells THE BEST corndogs in the whole world. The batter was just perfect, not too thick, not too thin. Just perfect. Not overcooked. This is the shop we got it from:

The other best food we had was at SeaWorld when we did the Sharmu Picnic (it's not Dine with Sharmu.) It tasted good and was fresh. It was a lunch they delivered in the dry zone of the Sharmu show. Well worth it.

 

[darren123]

Fellow Aussies travelling to New York I just wanted to share with you a site I found. We are on a VERY tight budget on our holiday. Ideally we would not be travelling this year but we wouldn't miss the wedding for the world!! At the moment we are booked into the West Side YMCA. Fabulous location, right on central park but only a bunk room, and it's costing us $210/night.

I've used www.vrbo.com for a vacation rental on the lake where the wedding is being held but I've just discovered they do NY too and the prices are really fabulous. For the price some of you folks are paying for a hotel you could have a very nice, excellently located apartment. For the price we are paying we can have a decent size, decently located apartment. There are a few extras that you pay, because they are privately owned you pay a security deposit, and a cleaning fee but still... great prices.
So anyway, thought I'd share in case you guys feel like staying in some of the lovely and individual apartments on there.
It also has Anaheim and lots of other areas too.

www.vrbo.com

keptwoman you are a Genius had a look at the Anaheim area and the house rentals are a good option to Hotels Thank you. Having trouble with our Grand daughter father to get her a passport looks like it will be about 2012 before we can get her one, Next years family trip is postponed until later, So my wife and I thought might as well go to the other parks before then and at least she will be older to enjoy Disneyland.

 

[Czardas]

Any of you been to BLue Bayou, looks like a good experience, but has mixed reviews on the actual food

We enjoyed the experience but I wouldn't rush back. We didn't make a ps until the morning we dined there and didn't have a problem getting a waterside table at about 11.30am (February)

We loved the complimentary gumbo and can't wait to try this again when we get back to Disneyland. This is where we ate the Monte Cristo, had to laugh it came with vegetables, token gesture

It took about 5 minutes for our eyes to adjust but once they did, all was good. I can still hear the banjo playing whenever I think of BB.
I am glad we dine there, it's part of the experience of Disneyland.