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

[Jade+3]

I am normally spend most of my time on here going through the WDW forums to get all the tips and information.

It's so much more complex than a trip to Disneyland!! I am glad I have a year to plan it all

Thats is what I do too. I have been planning our WDW trip and cruise since April last year. I study at uni part-time, and DH always jokes that there should be a degree in Disney travel.

 

[queenie82]

Thats is what I do too. I have been planning our WDW trip and cruise since April last year. I study at uni part-time, and DH always jokes that there should be a degree in Disney travel.

Your DH is like my parents...
My brother and I know more about WDW and travel to and from and around there than our travel agent and ALL of the travel agents we have ever met. It is WAY more complicated with 10 zillion more options and combinations with EMH, ADRs, ME, Buses, ferries, monorails and HEAPS of resorts.
We have a military style timetable at the moment of when and where we will be on each day!!

It is fun though and the planning does pay off

 

[Andona]

Be careful...once you go to WDW...you'll wanna go back more and more often

I wish this were true for everyone.

It is for me, I'd cheerfully do Disney on a regular basis ( not every holiday, though) but DH just isn't the huge Disney fan I am. Oh, he enjoys himself but with him it's much more been-there-done-that-lets-try-something-else.

I really only slipped this short Disneyland stay in at the end of our other plans - it started out as one day and I managed to stretch it to 2 1/2 but I can't see him being persuaded to go back to WDW any time in the foreseeable future.

although ..... he has expressed an interest in doing the cross-the USA Caravan of Courage trip one day, and we could always start or finish that in Florida! Maybe I won't give up hope yet

Andona

 

[Jade+3]

Queenie, or anyone else that has done WDW, I was wondering if you could have a look at my plans, in case I have missed anything. I am listing them in no particular order. My brain gets foggy this time of night.

- I have picked our park days based on Touring Plan recommendations, also avoiding parks with EMH and fireworks or fantasmic, if we don't want to see them on that particular day
- ADR's made (Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, Akershus, Tusker House)
- We are not morning people, but I will make every attempt to be there at rope drop
- Use FP and baby swap where possible
- I will check Steve Soares website the week before when all entertainment schedules will be listed
- I have a list of which attractions to hit first thing, then will have a more go with the flow pace for the rest of the day
- Bring drinks and snacks for the kids
- Have looked at all the CS menus, so have a good idea where to eat in each park

We are travelling with 3 kids (4, 3 and 8 months), staying off-site (Windsor Hills) and renting a car. We are not park hopping (too hard with the kids) and we are not doing water parks.

I have brought 7 day passes, but may upgrade as we will be in Orlando for 2 weeks.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[kylieh]

Baggallini is something that often comes up and there unavailability in Australia and NZ, and retailers that don't post them here. Anyway, I was looking for something else and I found a retailer through Amazon that will ship Baggallini Bags to Australia.

So if anyone wants one....

http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Wo...1_29?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1253016103&sr=1-29

 

[queenie82]

Queenie, or anyone else that has done WDW, I was wondering if you could have a look at my plans, in case I have missed anything. I am listing them in no particular order. My brain gets foggy this time of night.

- I have picked our park days based on Touring Plan recommendations, also avoiding parks with EMH and fireworks or fantasmic, if we don't want to see them on that particular day
- ADR's made (Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, Akershus, Tusker House)
- We are not morning people, but I will make every attempt to be there at rope drop
- Use FP and baby swap where possible
- I will check Steve Soares website the week before when all entertainment schedules will be listed
- I have a list of which attractions to hit first thing, then will have a more go with the flow pace for the rest of the day
- Bring drinks and snacks for the kids
- Have looked at all the CS menus, so have a good idea where to eat in each park

We are travelling with 3 kids (4, 3 and 8 months), staying off-site (Windsor Hills) and renting a car. We are not park hopping (too hard with the kids) and we are not doing water parks.

I have brought 7 day passes, but may upgrade as we will be in Orlando for 2 weeks.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Sounds great

Step 1 - Upgrade! The price difference between 7 and 10 days isn't that much and in case you miss something or have a child desperately wanting to go back for something it just will make things less stressful. Even if you only stop in for a few hours on those extra days. Unplanned things can happen on a day meaning you miss something.

Touring Plans - great for people not staying on site. (like we have been until this trip)

I am NOT a morning person but rope drop is worth it. You can get lots of things done quickly and you can work the FP more effectively and once things are busier you can then relax.

Fantasmic is getting crazy since it stopped being everyday. It is an AMAZING show that I adore but you need to really watch when it is on and how many showings. Especially as you get closer as things are being changed up sometimes with some added.
There is a great description in this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2282876

There are quite nice Parents rooms I think in Epcot that could be good for you and bubs. (I can't remember where though)

Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey - GREAT choices.
Crystal Palace will typically be a bit crazier because it is busy and the characters are so in demand (its the only winnie tigger place) but I love it.
IF you are going in early (first ADR) you can see Main Street and the Castle with hardly anyone around...so nice photo op.
Chef Mickey is a classic Mickey breakfast.
Tusker house is on our list but we haven't been...Donald is so adorable.

Remember with Fireworks you can see them from all over. From The Grand Floridian Dock you can see the Water Pageant and the Fireworks.


I certainly think stop and smell the roses is important. Make good use of the morning and then relax a bit.
Have Fun

Oh .... and
Remember where you park

 

[Andona]

Queenie, or anyone else that has done WDW, I was wondering if you could have a look at my plans, in case I have missed anything. I am listing them in no particular order. My brain gets foggy this time of night......

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Jade you look really on top of things to me

One thing that I found very helpful was TourGuidemike's subscription service. I used his "Best Parks for Each Day' to plan which park to visit and he was spot on - we never struck bad crowds. I also bought the Unofficial Guide and had full access to the Touring Plans site so I could see that occasionally their recommendations differed - we went with Tour Guide Mikes preferences where they differed.

I used Tour Guide Mikes recommendations to plan our ride touring plan for each park. WE had minimal queues for pretty much everything and I really felt I got my money's worth out of the cost to subscribe.

However - he does rely heavily on being at the parks for Rope Drop ( but then, so does Touring Plans) If you want to experience as many rides as possible with minimum queuing time being at the park early is extremely helpful. However, you can still catch the magic even if you don't ride all the rides

Another thing I'd suggest is that you don't plan a later evening before a rope-drop morning, especially with littlies

We didn't park hop much either - it's a lot more of an effort at WDW. The only time we did was to go and see Fantasmic! That day we visited Hollywood studios for the Indiana Jones show, dinner and Fantasmic after our Animal Kingdom morning.

Don't forget to spend a little time at Downtown Disney - the kids would have a ball in the Lego store. There's an enormous sea monster made entirely of lego in the lake out front

I'd be interested to hear what you think of Windsor Hill's - it looked lovely in the reviews I saw. I seriously considered staying there but in the end decided that I'd prefer a full service apartment hotel that was within walking distance of restaurants etc.

Have you got the Orlando Magic Card? I used it to get a great rate for accommodation. You can also use it for restaurants and shopping vouchers etc.

Don't know who you're hiring your car with? We rented from Dollar and it was a mistake - the car they gave us sounded more like a 2 stroke mower and was very basic. They also were the only rental company that we've used over there that tried to whack massive extra insurance charges onto us at the counter.

Hope that helps

Andona

 

[Kalice]

Then touring before heading to WDW in January 2009. Very excited. Booked Hojo's for our stay. Travelling 3 adults and 4 kids.

 

[arjay]

Hey guys.

Just to add to this thread, Ive been to Disneyland in 97, now im 21 and will be going back to celebrate for my bday. Other places we will be visiting Is Vegas and Hollywood etc. One of my very good friends that Ive known for most of my life will be joining on this epic trip.

Will be departing on Nov 9 on V Australia, and will be back just after thanksgiving. So for the 2 weeks or so Ive jammed pack alot of things to do and see. When we get to LAX we will be going straight to Disney Country they call Anaheim, and will be staying at the Candy Cane Inn.

Since its been along time since Ive visit, any tips from Aussie travelers for our adventure? I know its just before holiday season, wont be as packed out, will there be any specific rides/attractions that i will from Nov 9.

Also for the travelers, whats the best way to take US Dollars. through cash passport or anz travel card?
feel free to comment, as we are both excited for our little journey to LA.

 

[queenie82]

Then touring before heading to WDW in January 2009. Very excited. Booked Hojo's for our stay. Travelling 3 adults and 4 kids.

Hi!
We are doing the flipped order, starting in WDW and then DL.
I'm sure you are excited! The decorations are beautiful and you will get to ride the It's a Small World holiday overlay and the Nightmare before Christmas Haunted Mansion Overlay.

Hey guys.

Just to add to this thread, Ive been to Disneyland in 97, now im 21 and will be going back to celebrate for my bday. Other places we will be visiting Is Vegas and Hollywood etc. One of my very good friends that Ive known for most of my life will be joining on this epic trip.

Will be departing on Nov 9 on V Australia, and will be back just after thanksgiving. So for the 2 weeks or so Ive jammed pack alot of things to do and see. When we get to LAX we will be going straight to Disney Country they call Anaheim, and will be staying at the Candy Cane Inn.

Since its been along time since Ive visit, any tips from Aussie travelers for our adventure? I know its just before holiday season, wont be as packed out, will there be any specific rides/attractions that i will from Nov 9.

Also for the travelers, whats the best way to take US Dollars. through cash passport or anz travel card?
feel free to comment, as we are both excited for our little journey to LA.

We usually take cash and travellers cheques. TC's are accepted at Disney no worries and most big stores and it is a bit more secure than carrying all cash. It means you do have cash though without having to draw it out of an ATM with those fees. You can buy something for $20 with a $50TC and get change as you require.
Of course we usually put everything over about $50 on CC's because we get points and even with the conversion fee it isn't too bad.

DCA is AMAZING. Make sure you spend a decent time there. I know it isn't DL but it IS beautiful. Might I suggest the ROCKING carriages on the wheel are nauseating because there is nothing to hold onto. So you may enjoy it but you need to be aware. I love the fixed ones.

If you have MM on your ticket then the morning you do it do FANTASYLAND as much as possible. This is the quickest and best way to get it all done

Most of all have fun!

 

[Czardas]

Hi everyone, I just thought I pop by to say that we had a fantastic time at Disneyland. We are currently in Playa Del Carmen Mexico and will head back to LA for a few days on Saturday.
A few quick points about our Disneylan trip

It was hotter than I expected. We had temps around 35 degrees
The crowds were busy for the Wednesday but I think that was due to Haunted Mansion celebrations. Thursday and Friday were fine.
Learn how to make good use of the fast pass system
Share meals as portion sizes are way too much for one
Pray you get your room early when checking in as a full day after flying is hard and you tend to really drag your feet. We gave in at 2pm had a quick nap and headed back to the park - the heat didn't help.
Fantasmic Dessert was worth every cent for the seats. People were marking spots 4 hours before hand - give me a break!
We didn't do any PS bookings for restaurants and managed to get a table without any problems - there were only 2 of us though
Finding characters was easy and we managed to get a few photos with Mickey on different days
Dont miss the Billy Hill Hillbillies show, it was good to rest the feet for a while but get your food elsewhere as the queues were ridiculous. They didn't seem to cope
Animation acamdemy was worth the time
It's a bugs life was wonderful but I hate spiders and much to DH embaressment I screamed my head off.

I will try to do a full report when our adventure is over. For now I am sitting on our balcony watching the beautiful carribean sea contemplating where to eat tonight - What a life

I hope you all have safe journeys soon

P.S. Ms Shuttergirl I sent your children a postcard from Mickey as soon as we got here, so I hope you get it before you leave

 

[melbarkwith]

Might I suggest the ROCKING carriages on the wheel are nauseating because there is nothing to hold onto. So you may enjoy it but you need to be aware. I love the fixed ones.

Those moving carriages on the Sun/Fun Wheel are pure evil My kids loved it, but I refuse to ever set foot in one again. They took some photos of me looking particularly green. I'm yet to decide if I will try the fixed ones. (And BTW, I'm not a ride chicken - I love California Screamin' and Space Mountain)

And I totally agree about DCA. We loved the relaxed atmosphere there.

 

[queenie82]

Those moving carriages on the Sun/Fun Wheel are pure evil My kids loved it, but I refuse to ever set foot in one again. They took some photos of me looking particularly green. I'm yet to decide if I will try the fixed ones. (And BTW, I'm not a ride chicken - I love California Screamin' and Space Mountain)

And I totally agree about DCA. We loved the relaxed atmosphere there.

My mum would completely agree with you that they are pure evil. Our ride was slightly more dramatic.
As we approached the ground after the first time around we were all SCREAMING to them to stop. My mum was about to keel over. She skipped green and went white as a sheet.
They did an emergency stop to get her off and we kept going.
I'm no chicken either. I ADORE California Screamin'. But the biggest problem on the Wheel is there is NOTHING to hold onto. If I could brace myself I might go again.

And it is nice to hear someone else loves the relaxed atmosphere of DCA. I can't explain why but I just LOVE it in there.
[And my mum loves the beach boys music....hehe...she happily sat for an hour waiting for the parade (while we raced around) because the old woody car with musicians on the back were playing right in front ]

 

[Jade+3]

Queenie and Andona, thankyou for your tips. I do plan on upgrading our tickets as I don't think 7 days will be enough, plus we can't do full days with the kids. We are actually giving Fantasmic a miss. Last time we were at Disneyland it scared the kids. DD4 currently has a fear of fire. I have tried explaining that it is Mickey Magic, and shown her some youtube clips but she is still saying it is too scary.

Andona, I will post a review of Windsor Hills. Must say I am a little apprehensive about all the property foreclosures in the US, as we are dealing directly with the owner.

Czardas, sounds like you are having a wonderful time.

Kalice, we are doing the reverse of your itinerary - staying at HoJo's too.

Arjay, I am taking travellers cheques this trip. I found the rate better than the cash passports and we do not have to pay any commission through our bank as we have a gold visa card.

So excited - just found out that the holiday season at Disneyland is starting on Nov 13th. I love the christmas parade and the Its a Small World decorations. It will be our 2nd last day. The park will probably be packed, but at least we will get to see it.

 

[melbarkwith]

My mum would completely agree with you that they are pure evil. Our ride was slightly more dramatic.
As we approached the ground after the first time around we were all SCREAMING to them to stop. My mum was about to keel over. She skipped green and went white as a sheet.
They did an emergency stop to get her off and we kept going.
I'm no chicken either. I ADORE California Screamin'. But the biggest problem on the Wheel is there is NOTHING to hold onto. If I could brace myself I might go again.

And it is nice to hear someone else loves the relaxed atmosphere of DCA. I can't explain why but I just LOVE it in there.
[And my mum loves the beach boys music....hehe...she happily sat for an hour waiting for the parade (while we raced around) because the old woody car with musicians on the back were playing right in front ]

OMG, your poor mum. I must admit that I REALLY wanted to get off after the first go around. At least the second time seemed a bit quicker.

I agree, if there were something to hang onto, or even a seatbelt it would be much better. I was actually quite surprised that with how safety concious Disney are, that there aren't even seatbelts in the moving carriages.

I loved sitting by the water at Paradise Pier listening to the music and eating icecreams. This time I have to get a photo of the sign as you leave Paradise Pier that says 'we miss you already'. Fingers crossed that there is actually water in the lagoon.

 

[melbarkwith]

So excited - just found out that the holiday season at Disneyland is starting on Nov 13th. I love the christmas parade and the Its a Small World decorations. It will be our 2nd last day. The park will probably be packed, but at least we will get to see it.

That's so exciting. I went back and looked at some old Disneygeek photos from last Halloween and New Orleans Square had some Christmas decorations up then. It was so pretty We leave DL on Nov 5th, so I'm really hoping to see some Christmas stuff in Main Street etc (I think the Christmas parade is being filmed on the 7th).

 

[LesleyP]

For anyone going to LA, I just found an article from the LA Times about 25 delectable dining deals in LA, which looks very interesting!

Has some yummy, affordable meals mentioned, including a $15 lobster dinner in Malibu.

LA Times Article

 

[Feej]

Fingers crossed that there is actually water in the lagoon.

Is it still empty?? It was empty when we were there in January this year!

 

[Jade+3]

Fingers crossed that there is actually water in the lagoon.

The article I was reading said construction delays have forced the date back to mid-october. I hope that is right. I love the lake.

 

[queenie82]

The article I was reading said construction delays have forced the date back to mid-october. I hope that is right. I love the lake.

I hope that is in time for you guys
I had a friend miss the reopening of the TTA at WDW by ONE day (because it was pushed back 4 times)

They are only simple things but they just add a bit of pixie dust the the place