Disney Trip 2007 : California, Las Vegas and Orlando

[myosotisd]

Hello, i'm a french girl of 26 years old, i've already been three times in Florida and the attractions parks are my passion.

I've made two blogs for planing my trip
The original is in French and today i made an another one in english


The planning

First direction Los Angeles with 3 days at Disneyland, one day at Universal Studios and one day to visit LA.
After 4 days in Las Vegas and 14 days in Orlando with 10 days in Disneyworld.

Departure Tuesday 28th August : Lyon 8h25 arrived at 14h55 at Los Angeles via Londres on British Airways
29/08 : Visit of Disneyland Californie
30/08 : Universal Hollywood
31/08 : Second day at Disneyland
01/09 : Tour of Los Angeles
02/09 : Third day at Disneyland
03/09 : Flight for Las Vegas, arrived at 12h
04-06/09 : Las Vegas, flight for Orlando thursday night
07-17/09 : Pop century et 10 jours à Disneyworld
18-20/09 : Universal Studios and Florida Mall
21-22/09 : Return trip, Orlando-Marseille via Londres



How much is it ?

It's the frequent question and i will try to be accurate.
As i book i will edit my message.

Approximately, it will be less than 2000€ per person.

In March 2007, I've already booked and paid for (all the price are for two people) :

-Flight Lyon-Los Angeles, Orlando-Marseille : 1178€
-Flight Los Angeles-Las Vegas : 110€
-Hotel Anaheim Parkside inn 6 nights : 248€
-Pass Universal Orlando 7 days : 140€
-Flight Las Vegas-Orlando : 273€

There is more :

-Hotel Las Vegas 3 nights
-Hotel Pop Century Disneyworld 10 nights + 10 days pass park hoppers
-Hotel Econolodge Orlando 4 nights
-Pass Universal Hollywood 1 day
-Pass Disneyland californie 3 days
-Food budget (depends if the free dining gonna be offer this year)

All the reservations have been made online and i did a screen capture in most case.

 

[myosotisd]

The plane

In France, there is not a lot of direct flights to the USA, so the easiest way is to pass via London and you don't have to get back your luggage during the transit.

For my trip, i need to do a multi city reservation (don't reserve only one way the price may be double!!).

I've compared the price on British Airways website, Expedia and Delta. It was around 700€.

And one day, i saw that the price has decreased by 100€ so 589€ so i booked.

My schedules are :

Departure Tuesday 28th August of Lyon at 8h25
Arrived at Londres Heathrow at 9h15
Second flight at 11h55 for arrived at Los Angeles at 14h55 (local hour)

Return Friday 21st September of Orlando at 17h25
Arrived at Londres Gatwich at 06h30
Second flight at 13h55 for arrived at 16h50 at Marseille

For the flights in the US i will take US Airways which has direct flights.

 

[myosotisd]

The hotels

In total 23 nights in 4 differents hotels, some have already been choiced, others will depend of the rate.

For me the hotel is only for sleeping, so i always try to get the cheapest and i compare rates on internet.

At Anaheim

The Disney Parks are surrounded by a lot of motels, i have chosen the cheapest the Parkside Inn on S. West Street, in front of the Anaheim Convention Center and near Downtown Disney.
I have read bad reviews on this place but i don't care because the day i will be in the park and it's the cheapest and walking distance of Disneyland.

The rate is 40€ including breakfast.

http://www.parksidehotels.com/hoteldisplay.asp?hotelid=10

I will stay here 6 nigths and will made the reservation via Expedia.

At Las Vegas

I think it will be the Excalibur

+ : in the heart of the strip
new pool
nice themated

- : very big so loud
now the price is expensive (50€)

In this map you can see this position on the Strip

A Orlando

Normally 10 nights in Pop Century at Disneyworld (i'm waiting the free dining annoucement to book)

This value hotel ($79 per night) is themed on 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. There is three pools, one in form of flower and one other in bowling's pin.

My prefered section is 80's because it's my birth year and there is Roger Rabbit which i like.


To finish 4 nights at EconoLodge on International, 20 minutes walk of Universal and near attractions, restaurants and shops.

I've ever stayed here 10 nights in 2006 so no surprise, for the price (around 25€) it's fine.

The free breakfast is very simple : orange juice, prepacked cakes but for $4.99 i go in a breakfast buffet all you can eat.

 

[myosotisd]

Restaurants/1st Part California

USA are the paradise of fast foot, all u can eat buffet and themated restaurants.

I've ever located restaurant near my hotel in Anaheim including one all you can eat.

It's a Hometown Buffet located 1630 West Katella Avenue where for less than ten bucks you have a salad barn, entrees like steak, salmon, shrimp, pasta...and dessert bar.

Drink is included in free refill (like every often in USA, all u can drink).

http://www.buffet.com

In'n'Out has the reputation to offer the best fast food's burgers, they are made with fresh products and at the order.

The menu is a bit limited : hamburger, cheseburger and double double but i'm impatient to try it.

http://www.in-n-out.com/

We find a lot of mexican chain and the most famous are Taco Bell and Del Taco.

I will like to try Quizno's, it's a sort of Subway where the sandwichs are made in front of the customer with differents stuffs (salad, tomatoes, chicken, oignon, bacon, cheese...).

There is many around Disneyland including one at 631 W Katella Ave and one other 1534 S Harbor Bvd.

At Downtown Disney, there is many restaurants including one Rainforest Café, House of Blues, Tortilla Jo's, ESPN Zone...

Jamba Juice is that i'm waiting for, the speciality is Smoothies.

It's a drink with fresh mix fruits, it's very good and fresh and there is many sort

 

[Marjol]

Wow, you're really planning a big trip! And to have chosen all your restaurants already, I'm impressed Your airfares sound good for august!

I've been to LA and Las Vegas last year and it was great!
I'm trying Orlando in may this year I'm really looking forward to this trip!

 

[erinstar]

Sounds like a great trip, I'm going in Sept and doing someting similar, 2 nights LA, 4 nights NY, 10 nights Orlando and 3 nights Las Vegas.

Can't wait to read more about your trip!

 

[myosotisd]

Restaurants/2nd Part Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the world's capital of buffets, all the big hotels have one, at every price (around $15 for lunch and more than $20 for dinner).

The lunch buffet is always cheaper and finish generally at 16h.
The Sunday, there is champagne's brunch.

I will like to try the lunch buffet of Treasure Island because i read good reviews.


There is also many themated restaurants like Rainforest Cafe (inside MGM Grand), Harley Davidson Café, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, Nascar Café, House of Blues.


Every place have also a food court generally open no stop with Mc Do, Pizza Hut, Quizno's...

There is bargains dinner, no written on the menu, they are specials so you need to ask for.
Some are very interesting, for example :

-$4.95: 10-ounce steak at Elli's island Includes potato, bread and green beans.
-$4.99: Half-chicken dinner at Terrible's Bougainvillea Cafe. It's not on the menu, so ask your server about this special.

You can find the list on Vegas.com