I'm back... and planning our 2nd trip!

[heidispidi]

Hi all. It's been a while since I came back to the boards and posted that we were making our 2nd trip to DL... which then got canned for financial reasons... but now I'm back to say it's back on - woo hoo! Unfortunately it's not going to be anytime soon, I'm talking Sept/Oct or Dec/Jan 2014.

A little background on me - I am the sister of another poster here, Aust. Aust, my daughter and myself went to DL in Jan 2011, and had THE best time! She is heading back this Sept with her family, which makes me incredibly envious. I would have loved to have gone with them, however I moved with my family from Sydney to Perth 3 months ago, and, well, next time we head to DL, I have to include my husband and step daughter, as well as me and my girl, so the amount I have to save has increased dramatically!

The upside is I have got my husband to agree to come with us - he isn't a fan of rides, and I don't think he's all that excited to be going to DL. He doesn't want the focus of our trip to be on DL. The downside is that with us saving for this trip, I won't be able to go back to Sydney and see my family and friends as often as I want to (I am very homesick, and can't see that changing unless everybody moved over here!).

So - first question - should we go in the Sept/Oct holidays, or Dec/Jan? Dec Jan is when my husband and I both have time off work due to factory shutdowns - so that means there will be no saving up of annual leave, as we would be off work anyway. I know flights are more expensive at that time of year, but the crowds at DL are light on just after New Years. Are flights really that much less expensive in Sept/Oct? (Sucks that we have to 'waste' money on flying from Perth to Sydney too).

I plan on us staying at a Disney hotel - we stayed at GCH last time, which I loved, but with 2 adults and a 12 and 16 year old, I'm thinking we will need more room, so I'm thinking of PPH or DLH. Will wait for Aust to advise on the room size at PPH after her stay there in Sept.

Deciding on where else we'd like to go while on the west coast - we spent a day in San Francisco last tme but it was fogged out the whole day - I would like to SEE the city! I'd love to go to Yellowstone but that in itself may require putting the trip off for another year, as further savings will be required! I thought we could go to Vegas, as I'm sure my husband and I could have a great night or 2 there, but not sure how it would be for the 2 girls. Would like to see the Grand Canyon too. But hubby refuses to drive and is refusing to entertain the idea of me as the driver - see, this is what worries me, he won't want to have 'fun' like the rest of us - I could easily go on my own, but don't think it's right to exclude his daughter again, so they HAVE to come this time.

Ramble, ramble. Better go and review the budget. At least I don't have to start from scratch again, as aust has provided me with her template. It's good to be back, just wish my hubby was more excited, and that the trip wasn't so far away!

 

[heidispidi]

OR - just putting this idea out there - should we consider WDW instead??? For something different?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome back Heidi!


Congrats on planning a 2014 trip. Hard choice between DLR and WDW. If your DH isn't keen on rollercoasters, then you might be better off choosing the West Coast and seeing other things as well. Going to WDW can mean that you stay within the bubble of Disney for longer.

If you decide to go to California and the Grand Canyon, then Sep/Oct may be better from a weather perspective. It can be cold in Dec/Jan.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

What are your husbands interests? Maybe Epcot would have more interesting attractions for him. Maybe actually rethink about leaing him home again. Taking the step daughter might work out even if her dad does not want to go.

Think about saving a few dollars and stay at HOJO. The rooms are large. They have view rooms where you can see the taller fireworks from the balcony. These are the premier rooms that are located facing Disney with location being in the tallest of the 5 buildings. The rooms are larger and have queen beds. The walk to the parks is very easy or you can use the ART transportation that picks up right out side the check-in area. They run every 20 mins appx with 30-40 mins between trips at their lunch time. I just ask drive first thing in day and make note for later. Mimis is located just across the side street from HOJO--- great prices and good food. I used to pick up food to go at end of day watch the fireworks and then watch tv and rest while having a decent meal. ( Check bag with food to make sure they have all food ordered , condiments and utensils. napkins too)

Not staying in DL hotels should save you a decent amount. The prices for GC and DLH have gone up with the new section of CA opening.

Hope this helps some-- nice thing about going in 2014 is new cars land will be old stuff by then -- not such a long wait time for ride

 

[Travel Mum]

I am so happy for you and that's no worry that it's in 2014 because I really believe that the planning is half the fun!!

If you husband does not like amusement parks then WDW would not be so good as it's amusement park overload. However, if it's just rollercoasters that he doesn't like then he'd be fine because Disney has heaps of rides that are not coasters. I always used to be a real rollercoaster fan but, on this last trip, got quite a shock to find that they make me feel quite uncomfortable now. Apparently that can happen as you get older However, I know that, when/if I go again and, if I'm smart to stay off the rollercoasters, I'm confident that there will be heaps else to amuse me

 

[queenie82]

Congrats for having plans in the works.
It all depends on what your DH does and doesn't 'like' but Orlando may be a better destination? Just depends?
Onsite at WDW gives the full Disney experience but also gives you the ability to come and go as you please from the parks more 'easily' (within the confines of the bus system) so if DH is out parked he can leave.

My DBF can't ride certain rides that spin but we both just like hanging out at Disney at times too.

If what DH is seeking is to go to completely different things though then maybe staying on the West Coast would be best. You can then do San Fran. And maybe visit Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Bit of culture

Yellowstone is a COMPLETELY different ballgame. For a start is closes about mid October. Hope you get there sometime though as I loved it and Chicago is a most amazing city.

Happy planning.

 

[Aust]

I was wondering how long it would take you to get back on here!! Yay!!

 

[heidispidi]

I have found great rates for flying into LAX in May next year, so am trying to convince DH that we will be able to afford to go by then - with Dl as the chosen destination! $5029 for the 4 of us. (Doesn't include Perth to Sydney flights for 3 of us, but he does't need to know that).

I will let you know how I go!

I'd prefer to stay in a DLR hotel, due to the extra EE days. They really worked for us last time.

Thinking this would be a cut-down trip, if we did go in May - no san Fran, just a coupe of days in Vegas, which would include a Grand Canyon day trip.

My heart says go now, go now. My head says take your time, wait another year, as more cheap flights will come around then, save more cash and do everything you want while you're there. We'll see which wins out!

 

[battymum]

Is taking the step daughter out of school a problem? Have you discussed this with her mother? If that is ok then may would be a great time to go. There was a poster who went to wdw in January with a stop in Hawaii on the way back fares were 4.5k each - that alone rules out a January trip for me.

 

[heidispidi]

Battymum, I paid around $5200 total for my daughter and my flights last Jan, Syd - LAX - HNL - Syd. so yep, I see your point, that time of year isn't great!

As for taking my step-daughter out of school, shouldn't be a problem - she'll be in year 9 next year, she couldn't care less about the education side, school is just a place to go for fun and to see your friends (oh it's marvellous to see a 3rd private school education wasted on one of DH's kids...). We would have to check with the school. It wouldn't be a problem with her mother (as long as she's not paying for it).

No response from DH to my spreadsheet proposal (he's in Syd for work this week), so perhaps he is using time to allow my head to over-rule my heart. I just have a problem with waiting (as does my 10 year old!) for 'fun' things! My head is telling me to wait till the year after.

 

[Aust]

Even though I know how much you want to go, if I were you I'd wait until the next year - if there are good airfares available for May next year then I don't see why there wouldn't be the year after too. Gives you more time to save (money and annual leave) and you can do the longer trip with San Francisco etc.

 

[battymum]

Yes I'm all for getting value out of those expensive air fares - maybe wait a bit longer - even September/October will give you an extra few months of saving.

We all have to stick within our budgets, but I would rather wait a bit longer than have to strip it back to bare bones.

 

[tapdancer]

We are planning our next trip to Disneyland and Hawaii in December 2013/January 2014. I have just had a friend change her dates from January 2014 to this November due to flight prices, she saved $5000 on accommodation and flights by travelling in November.

January is the most convenient time for us to go. I work during the school terms and I have 3 children in high school and am loathe to take them out of school during term time.

I'm just hoping flights are reasonable and within the budget or we may have to drop Hawaii off our itinerary

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I have found great rates for flying into LAX in May next year, so am trying to convince DH that we will be able to afford to go by then - with Dl as the chosen destination! $5029 for the 4 of us. (Doesn't include Perth to Sydney flights for 3 of us, but he does't need to know that).

I will let you know how I go!

I'd prefer to stay in a DLR hotel, due to the extra EE days. They really worked for us last time.

Thinking this would be a cut-down trip, if we did go in May - no san Fran, just a coupe of days in Vegas, which would include a Grand Canyon day trip.

My heart says go now, go now. My head says take your time, wait another year, as more cheap flights will come around then, save more cash and do everything you want while you're there. We'll see which wins out!

I read an add in the West Australian before I left saying that flight centre is having USA/Canada expo on Aug 5th (i think)it is probably a good time to have a look they had some good prices at there Feb one also my advice is Book your flights direct from Perth it makes a huge difference having International luggage for the whole trip