HELP! Im gonna need a lot of it. An Aussies family's first trip to WDW

[Mum from oz]

Hi Everyone and to my first ever PTR for my first ever trip to WDW. Im new to all this planning and WDW stuff so excuse all the questions the PTR will bring. We are planning on a trip next May 2011 staying in Florida for 2 weeks off site. Then do a 3 night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Dream then travel back to LA for another week for some shopping, sight seeing etc.


First I will introduce our cast of characters.

Me: Simone - mum and in charge of all planning, booking deciding etc. First trip to WDW and mainland USA.

DP: Steve - The other half also known as daddy. The primary $$ maker and happy to kick back and let me organise everything "because you do it so well" He has been to Disneyland California back in 99 pre "us"

DS: Brandon age 3.5 will be 4 by the time we go. "Someone" who will remain unamed told little B that we were going to WDW. We now have a child who asks everyday when we are going to ""Mickeys Clubhouse" This will go on for the next 12 months He is a lover of all things Thomas the Tank Engine, Mickey, Lilo & Stitch & Toy Story

DD: Peyton - aged 2.5 will be 3 when we hit WDW. She is our adventurous spirited child a "princess" that wants a pink horsie, loves Dora, the Disney Princesses and Pooh and friends. She is also know for her constant head injuries

Nanny: My mum - who will be tagging along on the trip. Another non planner who wants no details whatsoever. All she wants to know is a $$ figure and dates, the only criteria is nothing far out as in sky diving, bungee jumping etc. Other than that she will "do as she's told" her words!!

Well thats us. Hope you enjoy planning with me. I am so excited for our trip Be back soon for the first draft plan

 

[Mum from oz]

Flights - The dilemma of choosing flights. Firstly they aren't released yet so it makes it hard to plan dates etc.

The biggest worry I have is if I fly straight to Orlando or do a nights stopover at LAX. With two littlies I am thinking the best bet is to stop over one night. Without stopping it would be just over 24 hours travel time from Sydney airport to Orlando then there is getting through customs and to our accommodation. I think it would be too much stress for all involved if we did it this way. (None of us do well when we're tired )

So thinking abut it I am leaning towards flying to LAX, getting a hotel for the night then flying to MCO the next day. Any recommendations on cheapish but decent hotels around the airport? Say $100 - $150 night to sleep 5 people.
Also what is the best airline for flights from LAX to MCO? A half decent airline with good prices. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Simone...

Glad to see another Aussie starting a PTR .
If you're after an opinion, I'd break up the trip in LA before heading to Orlando; especially with two littlies.
I don't have any recommendations for places that sleep 5 near LAX.

I know the flights haven't been released yet but you might want to consider whether you catch a morning flight out of Sydney or an afternoon flight out. If you catch a morning flight out of Sydney, then you'll land in the morning in LA, which is pretty much night time for us. Most hotels won't let you check in before 2 pm. So, you would need to find an activity to do in the morning beforehand.

If you catch an afternoon flight out of Sydney, then you'll land in the afternoon in LA. You might find that the you and kids may have slept some on the plane; and then you could then check in to your hotel and recover.

Depending on which you prefer, this may limit the range of your airline carriers....

And the flight from LAX to MCO will come down to how much you want to spend and whether you're prepared to trade off stopovers c.f. direct.

The other thing to consider is getting a flight from SYD to MCO, with a stopover in LA. Not sure which is cheapest.

 

[Mum from oz]

Hi Simone...

Glad to see another Aussie starting a PTR .
If you're after an opinion, I'd break up the trip in LA before heading to Orlando; especially with two littlies.
I don't have any recommendations for places that sleep 5 near LAX.

I know the flights haven't been released yet but you might want to consider whether you catch a morning flight out of Sydney or an afternoon flight out. If you catch a morning flight out of Sydney, then you'll land in the morning in LA, which is pretty much night time for us. Most hotels won't let you check in before 2 pm. So, you would need to find an activity to do in the morning beforehand.

If you catch an afternoon flight out of Sydney, then you'll land in the afternoon in LA. You might find that the you and kids may have slept some on the plane; and then you could then check in to your hotel and recover.

Depending on which you prefer, this may limit the range of your airline carriers....

And the flight from LAX to MCO will come down to how much you want to spend and whether you're prepared to trade off stopovers c.f. direct.

The other thing to consider is getting a flight from SYD to MCO, with a stopover in LA. Not sure which is cheapest.

Thanks for stopping by PrincessInOz


I've been looking at V Australia for their flights to LA and they generally have ones that fly out of Sydney at around 8:00pm and get to LA around 4:00pm so I was thinking that would work well for us. Plus flying at night means the kids will get some sort of sleep. Flights still need a lot more research and thought.

I have been looking at hotel suggestions close to LAX and am thinking of just staying at the Super 8 near the airport. We will only be there to sleep, eat and shower so this will suffice. We are the sort of people where the holiday is more about what we do out and about rather than the room we stay in. We hardly spend anytime in the room when travelling so we don't see the point in "wasting" money on an expensive room just to sleep in IYKWIM

 

[trinaweena]

hey there, just found your trippie and am very interested to keep reading and hopefully answer any questions you have along the way!

 

[Mum from oz]

Well the flights are booked!

Got them for $1600 pp through V Australia.

Itinerary so far:

Leave Sydney 1st May at 9:15pm with V Australia
Arrive LAX 1st May at 6:00pm

Stay in Airport hotel

Fly out of LAX 2nd May with Delta
Arrive MCO that evening Hire Car then go to accommodation

Disney Cruise on the Dream 19th May for 3 nights

1 night somewhere in Florida

Fly back to LA on the 23rd May
Spend a week shopping, sightseeing etc

Leave LAX 30th May
Arrive Sydney 1st June

 

[Mum from oz]

hey there, just found your trippie and am very interested to keep reading and hopefully answer any questions you have along the way!

Thank you!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oooh Simone! Well done on the flights! That's really waaay in advance.

Have you decided where you are staying at the LAX airport?

 

[Mum from oz]

Oooh Simone! Well done on the flights! That's really waaay in advance.

Have you decided where you are staying at the LAX airport?

I know, I know! I just like to have things organised and out of the way! No idea on where we're staying around LAX yet. I was going to ask you where you would suggest we base ourselves for on the way back. We have 7 nights in LA before we return to Oz but are unsure of what we want to do or where to base ourselves. The plan is mostly shopping, sightseeing and was thinking of taking the kids to Legoland.

 

[Mum from oz]

Well good news, I booked and put down the deposit for our cruise through Dreams Unlimited today. So we're all set for a 3 night on the Dream.

The kids are so excited to be going on the "Mickey boat"

Im so happy, out holiday is really starting to take shape

 

[PrincessInOz]

I know, I know! I just like to have things organised and out of the way! No idea on where we're staying around LAX yet. I was going to ask you where you would suggest we base ourselves for on the way back. We have 7 nights in LA before we return to Oz but are unsure of what we want to do or where to base ourselves. The plan is mostly shopping, sightseeing and was thinking of taking the kids to Legoland.

It depends on whether you want to have one place to base yourself or whether you are happy to move hotels.

Were you planning on doing Disneyland as well? Anaheim is always a good base; and there are lots of hotels to choose from. It will take about 45 minutes to get to Universal Studios; and allow 90 minutes to get to Legoland.

The alternative is to base yourself nearer Legoland...but there isn't that much out there. And then move into LA/Hollywood area if you aren't planning on going to DLR.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Well good news, I booked and put down the deposit for our cruise through Dreams Unlimited today. So we're all set for a 3 night on the Dream.

The kids are so excited to be going on the "Mickey boat"

Im so happy, out holiday is really starting to take shape

 

[Mum from oz]

Well our trip is slowly coming together

* Flights - Check!

* Accomodation in LA for one night - Check!
We have decided on the Holiday Inn Express for our one night stopover in LA. It is close to the airport, has a free shuttle, pool, and free breakfast. It has places we can grab dinner in walking distance and the price is right! about $180 US for two double rooms.

* Accomodation for Orlando - WIP
I am thinking about renting this: http://www.storytimeorlandorental.com/199605.html

* 1 night at Port Canaveral - WIP
No idea yet

* 3 Night Cruise on the Disney Dream - Check!

* 7 night accomodation in Anaheim - Check!
We just faxed through our rental agreement for this: http://www.vrbo.com/234550
It is a two bedroom townhouse in Anaheim right near Disneyland


But we had a crappy flight schedule change which is on our trip over. We are taking a flight not at 11:15am from Sydney and arrive at 8:00am in LA. Our poor body clocks will be at roughly 1:00am

I just rung the HIE and they said we could check in around 1:00pm. Also we could leave our bags at the front desk until we can check in. So that is ok I guess.

So Itinerary is now:

Leave Sydney 1st May at 11:15am with V Australia
Arrive LAX 1st May at 8:00am

Stay in Airport hotel - Pretty sure on Holiday Inn Express LAX

Fly out of LAX 2nd May with Delta
Arrive MCO that evening Hire Car then go to accommodation

Disney Cruise on the Dream 19th May for 3 nights

1 night somewhere in Florida

Fly back to LA on the 23rd May
Staying in Anaheim in a 2 bedroom townhouse right near DL

Spend a week shopping, sightseeing etc

Leave LAX 30th May
Arrive Sydney 1st June

 

[shushh]

Wow, I am impressed! You are super organized!!!! Waiting to read more.

 

[trinaweena]

Oh my goodness I could never keep all of that straight! i'm rubbish with time changes! But kudos to you for being so organized!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Excellent! Glad to see that you solved the conundrum of whether to stay the day in LAX or to fly straight through to Orlando. I'm glad to see that HIE will let you check in around 1 pm. Just remember that the area around the airport can be quite colourful and if need be, get a pizza delivered.

 

[Jade+3]

You are so organised! Have you decided on where to stay at WH? We stayed here http://www.mickeyscondo.com/

The location was great, right near the pool. The only negative comment I would have about our condo was that the carpet was a bit grubby. It was clean, but had seen its fair share of carpet shampoo.

BTW, I am *jade* on EB.

 

[kiwigirl]

Just popping in to say hi and looking forward to following your plans - sounds so exciting!

 

[Mum from oz]

Hi Jade! I think I have decided on this townhouse: http://www.mickeysworld.net/ it looks nice and I have read some good reviews here on the dis. I emailed them this morning to ask about booking it.

Hi kiwigirl and to my TR. Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Mum from oz]

Well I've since got my WDW dvds and the Ultimate guide to WDW 2011. After watching the DCL dvd DP asked if we are having a room with a balcony, to which I replied umm nope! I said do you want one? It would cost $xx to upgrade. Well the answer was yes so I contacted my TA from Dreams Unlimited and here we are. Category 4C Deck 7.

In other news we have also changed all our spending money over to USD with the exchange rate being so good at the moment. We have a combination of cash, TC and an ANZ travel money card.

I am pretty sure I have decided on what town house at WH I want and it is available for my dates I have read some pretty positive reviews here on the dis so it is all looking good. Just waiting to hear back from the owners. FWIW this is the one I think we will go with: http://www.mickeysworld.net/

I am trying to pay as much as I can while the dollar is good.

Can I buy WDW/Sea World/ US/IOA tickets now so far in advance?
Also who do you go with for car rental?