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

[Andona]

Once you get into booking ADRs (like PS sort of) you just keep adding until you have covered nearly every restaurant!

We booked about 5 ADR's last year at WDW but we also like to eat off-property sometimes, it's nice to see what else is around too. To be honest I was kind of glad that free dining wasn't available when we were there as we'd have felt forced to eat onsite all the time and just trying to plan all those ADR's would have given me indigestion

The one thing I think is much better about the ADR's was that they give you a confirmation number. I don't know why Disneyland don't do this for PS reservations.

Only have one PS this time - going back to the Blue Bayou ( only I just wish I could remeber if I booked the Thursday night or the Friday night! I'm going to have to call them again... )

Andona

 

[queenie82]

I've just come across a site called www.viator.com. It's similar to Expedia in that you can purchase tickets to events and attractions etc in Australian (and NZ?) dollars.

They also provide traveller reviews of the products, which is extremely helpful.

Has anyone used this company, and if so, would you recommend them?

I have used Viator and was happy with them generally. They are basically a travel agent and have lots of ideas and information on their site and the reviews are helpful. LISTEN to them is my suggestion...
Even if one is negative it might mean it is the tour for you because they criticise doing exactly what you want.
We booked 2 through them.

The Private walking tour in Venice was AMAZING. I would highly recommend it to ANYONE!!
I was flawed by how much we saw and did.
In terms of the information from Viator about the booking all the information was a great help and completely accurate. I rang the "local" number when we got to Venice to confirm and got a lovely lady who confirmed everything.

The Pompeii one we booked was pretty awful. The tour guide was useless and the local guide we picked up in Nice was a moron who did everything sOOO slowly so we took off and then met at the meeting point afterwards. The reviews weren't great....so I should have listened...but all the Pompeii tours seem to do the same thing so it is poor pickings.

Our other 2 tours booked I got the information from Viator but booked thorugh my own agent as it was very unclear which one you were getting. (in Helsinki there are GUIDED tours and SELF guided pre recorded information tours. The Guided one is far superior)

 

[rossip]

Anyone got any ideas about Car Rental ?

Book over here or wait till you get there ? I've checked the web quotes and they vary quite a bit and some like Hertz are quite expensive .

Anyone had any previous experience or got some recommendations ?

 

[queenie82]

Air NZ is my favourite/preferred airline. The stop in Auckland has never bothered me - actually I preferred it. It usually allowed for a few days stopover in either or both directions at no extra charge.

I'm glad to hear they are getting good reviews. I doubt I will use them....but it is nice to know

We have a direct BNE-LAX-NY flight, and the return LAX-BNE flight was non-stop, but now it has been changed to include a 3 or 4 hour stopover in Auckland. I was annoyed by this as we deliberately avoided the flights that went via Sydney or Melbourne in the first place. Due to time constraints it was important to get home at our original time, so now our plans for that day have gone by the wayside. Mind you, I would rather be stuck at AKL airport for a few hours than Melbourne or Sydney.

THIS is one of the reasons I like United. They are SIMPLE. They go Melbourne - Sydney - LA or SF. That is their direction. There is no OTHER option for them to chuck at you. Their planes are older but I feel more sure I won't get stuffed around. (Their pilots also have facinating conversations with our Traffic control )
It is the same reason we didn't book our Tokyo-Syd flight with them because they were threatening reducing flights, putting jetstar on instead etc. So we went JAL. Our departure date and times was NOT flexible.

We have US internal flights between NYC and Orlando with Southwest (no seating assignments) and Delta (paying for baggage). I'm so looking forward to them. Not.

Oh dear...I feel for you.
We booked Syd - Orlando return with a stopover in LA on the way back so we didn't have to deal with changed baggage allowance. It is the full international 2 bags each all the time.
We wanted to add NY but it was hundreds and hundreds more. A couple months ago they had the new offer with extra stopovers cheaper but even if we had wanted changed we couldn't have gotten our dates....so it wouldn't have worked


I do hope it goes ok for you though...I mean....you are going to my favourite American City and Favourite Disney park

 

[jacs1234]

Just not sure if the 3YO will sit still for it (she *hates* having her hair brushed).

We're taking my 3 1/2 year old to it and I've started making her sit still for her hair now. She seems to have a tough little nut though She wants to be snow white but my dh desperately wants her to be cinderella.

 

[queenie82]

Anyone got any ideas about Car Rental ?

Book over here or wait till you get there ? I've checked the web quotes and they vary quite a bit and some like Hertz are quite expensive .

Anyone had any previous experience or got some recommendations ?

I have requested we always go with National now...or at least Alamo. I'm in LOVE with the Row system at National. Once you are all set at the counter you go to a ROW of minivans. There are usually a few brands etc. and you can pick out the cleanest one with the least mileage and check for damage etc.
We hare tried Avis and Hertz as well and it was more hassle.

Booking online has always given us better rates. You can get a complete quote and be sure exactly what you are paying. Our navigator makes a booking and then checks every few weeks to see if there are any specials and if he sees cheaper he will cancel and rebook.

My colleague went about 5 months ago and just went to the desks at the airport and paid more than he should have because they did the....oh we can upgrade you for only this much more....oh you really should get this insurance....etc.

 

[dollarmite]

We booked Syd - Orlando return with a stopover in LA on the way back so we didn't have to deal with changed baggage allowance. It is the full international 2 bags each all the time.

Yes, this is the major problem. Between the 4 of us we can have 8 suitcases on the Qantas flights. We'll probably start off with 2 or 3, but will probably have 5 or 6 (at least) on the way home.

The problem is that WDW is in the middle of the trip and we'll no doubt end up buying heaps of souvenirs. I'm not looking forward to worrying about the number and weight of our bags on the Delta Orlando-NYC flight. Kind of takes the joy out of buying stuff...

As for Southwest (DC-Orlando), I'm already stressing over the (lack of) seating arrangements. Their pre-boarding allocation system via the on-line check in system doesn't fill me with confidence. I will not, under any circumstances, let my 8 year old sit on his own.

Thanks to everyone who responded re. the viator website. It's been great having the traveller reviews on the site. They've probably saved us from making some costly mistakes!

 

[queenie82]

Yes, this is the major problem. Between the 4 of us we can have 8 suitcases on the Qantas flights. We'll probably start off with 2 or 3, but will probably have 5 or 6 (at least) on the way home.

Been there, done that

 

[Andona]

Anyone got any ideas about Car Rental ?

Book over here or wait till you get there ? I've checked the web quotes and they vary quite a bit and some like Hertz are quite expensive .

Anyone had any previous experience or got some recommendations ?

We always book online prior to the trip. I usually compare the rates on Expedia, then the rates available direct from the rental car companies and then check with holidayautos.com.au

It depends where you're traveling to but Holidayautos can be quite competitive sometimes - the thing is that with them you will pay in advance and so are locked into the rate. However, you can sometimes get a much cheaper rate by paying in advance.

If I've booked direct with a rental car company I'll usually do a check back every now and then to compare rates again.

You can also sometimes find coupon or promotion codes online - just Google something like "Avis coupons" or "Avis Coupons California" etc.

Always tick the box that indicates you're an Australian resident, it often makes a difference with the rate.

We do a lot of one way car rentals e.g. pick up in Denver - drop off in Salt Lake City etc and the rates for those vary hugely.

Andona

 

[Andona]

I usually drag the bags out a couple of days before we go and have a long day, finding the clothes, ironing, folding, packing, collecting all the other bits and pieces. By the end of it I'm exhausted !

I have some great packing products etc but it still takes a long time to get everything in the bags.

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

Andona

 

[rossip]

I have requested we always go with National now...or at least Alamo. .

Thanks Queenie !

Just looked at National and they were very competitive - so I have made a reservation !

Cheers

 

[Jade+3]

Thanks Queenie !

Just looked at National and they were very competitive - so I have made a reservation !

Cheers

Just check the insurances, as National have recently changed their rental policies and are charging for SLI insurance @ $12.95 a day. Until recently this was included in your quote.

 

[rossip]

errr, whats SLI insurance ? is that like CDW ??

 

[Jade+3]

errr, whats SLI insurance ? is that like CDW ??

I think it is like 3rd party - covers damage the vehicle may cause to other people or property.

http://www.nationalcar.com/itemDetails.do?HelpItemID=SLI

I did my National reservations months ago, and it was included in the rate. Now it is an extra charge.

It is hard understanding all the insurances.

 

[queenie82]

I think it is like 3rd party - covers damage the vehicle may cause to other people or property.

http://www.nationalcar.com/itemDetails.do?HelpItemID=SLI

I did my National reservations months ago, and it was included in the rate. Now it is an extra charge.

It is hard understanding all the insurances.

I'm sorry I can't help with the insurances...our national bookings were sorted months ago as well...and not by me. The navigator always gets every insurance under the sun and he was very pleased with himself for getting a good rate this time.

I just know I like the end product with National...and given I'm designated driver this time I told the navigator to get the best National rate he could.

I usually drag the bags out a couple of days before we go and have a long day, finding the clothes, ironing, folding, packing, collecting all the other bits and pieces. By the end of it I'm exhausted !

I have some great packing products etc but it still takes a long time to get everything in the bags.

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

Andona

ERm.....your first sentence is what I do....is there another way

 

[platypus67]

With all this talk about departures etc I was wondering what airlines people use?
I have seen AirNZ mentioned a few times and I understand people in NZ using Air NZ but I'm curious about people who go with them given the stop in NZ?

We have flown Qantas almost exclusively since the mid 80's. We flew with JAL once as the fares we quite abit cheaper and would never fly with them again. My hubby spent the whole flight with his Knees under his chin. Not a good airline if you are a tall person. We have had a couple delays with Qantas over the years and twice had to go to a hotel but the service even in these situations was always A+. We are Qantas frequent flyers and very rarely pay for our US domestic flights as we always have enough points for these legs. The only real improvement would be more choices of partner carriers in the US so we didn't have to fly AA all the time.
I've never flown with V or Air New Zealand so can't comment on their service but I would probably have to get a huge savings to venture away from Qantas.

 

[Flea]

I usually drag the bags out a couple of days before we go and have a long day, finding the clothes, ironing, folding, packing, collecting all the other bits and pieces. By the end of it I'm exhausted !

I have some great packing products etc but it still takes a long time to get everything in the bags.

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

Andona

my bags are already out, I just throw things in there that will be used on the trip that we aren't using currently, before we leave I'll repack everything properly but it's just easy when I get something to throw it in there so I don't forget where it is or the kids get into it or something like that.

 

[melbarkwith]

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

I'm already starting to collect things that we will need and we still have 6 weeks to go. This week I'll be starting to organise clothing for the kids, though it might be best to wait until after school holidays... But always lots of lists on the go so I can double check things.

We won't be getting suitcases out until probably the day before we go, or our dog will have a complete meltdown Which reminds me, I need to take her to the vet to get some pills for her while we are gone! We got the cases out a few weeks back to make sure they fit into the car, and you've never seen a more miserable dog. We have someone staying with her while we are gone, but she is *extremely* attached.

 

[platypus67]

I usually drag the bags out a couple of days before we go and have a long day, finding the clothes, ironing, folding, packing, collecting all the other bits and pieces. By the end of it I'm exhausted !

I have some great packing products etc but it still takes a long time to get everything in the bags.

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

Andona

I pulled the suitcases out about a month ago and put them in the spare room.
I started organising a few gifts and putting them in there as well. My DD put her clothes in the room on the weekend as she will be at school until the day before we leave. I will probably pack on Wednesday. I don't really pack alot as we are staying with my mum for the first 3 1/2 weeks and will be able to wash clothes. A couple pair of jeans and tops each is about all we take. Leaves more room for shopping.
My big challenge is fitting everything in when it comes time to head to DLR and organising what we will need for while we are there so we only have to open one suitcase. We tend to have shopping amnesia and are always surprised at how much we bought when it comes time to leave.

 

[Jade+3]

I usually drag the bags out a couple of days before we go and have a long day, finding the clothes, ironing, folding, packing, collecting all the other bits and pieces. By the end of it I'm exhausted !

I have some great packing products etc but it still takes a long time to get everything in the bags.

This time I was thinking I might get the bags out a bit earlier and do the packing over several days instead of all in one go.

How do you all organise it?

Andona

Usually I end up staying up late the night before packing, then getting no sleep, so this time I am determined to be more organised. I already have a case out that I throw all the things we don't use into. I also don't iron - that saves so much time.