January 2018 PTR all the way from Sydney!

[aussiejen]

We've stayed at Camelot multiple times and have always had a pleasant experience. Clean, convenient location, and friendly staff. The rooms are on the larger side (larger than the Paradise Pier standard rooms at about half the price). It was our go-to hotel for a few years. We haven't stayed in the last year or so simply because we've been able to find a better deal down the street and like staying close to 7-11 to stock up on water/soda for our days at the park.

It's great and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a basic, clean, and close-proximity hotel. It's actually closer than the on-site hotels, except for GCH.

P.S. Sooo jealous of you Australians! Every time we go, we always end up talking to someone from Australia that says they're on a multi-week long vacation. That long of vacation is almost unheard of in the States! lol

Thankyou for easing my mind, our go to hotel is normally HOJOS but the space at Camelot sealed the deal for us.

We get 4 weeks paid annual leave each year here in Australia & you can normally bank the time up depending on the company. which is probably why most Aussies stay a few weeks at least.
And besides the flght is so long, and if your travelling that far with children especially you make the most of your time.
Its the USD thats a killer at the moment, USD 00.76 to the AUD 1.00 but it is supposed to rise this year, they are predicting USD 00.90 TO AUD 1.00.

 

[karly101]

Well your the first person i have come across on this board thats staying at Camelot.. What dates will you be there? i have read mixed reviews but i am trying to be positive about them all & hope the camelot can prove all the bad review wrong...
We will be there 25th JAN - 9TH FEB.
We purchased our 10 day passes from our travel agent, Escape Travel. I want to spend as much time as i can in the parks. Having the little one with us it will take a little longer to get around to seeing things & riding the rides.

Will be there with my sister 30th-14th but we sadly won't be in Anaheim the entire time! She has an annual pass I'm debating on buying one - the 10 day looks interesting but since our dates our split it sadly won't work! We aren't too concerned about the hotel as we will be in the parks as much as possible - I wouldn't be too worried the area is very competitive so it can't be that bad and the location to the parks is perfect specially for you with the kids. It's totally convenient to go back to the room when Disney gets a bit overwhelming!

 

[aussiejen]

So i have just ordered this cute lil' bundle for my lil' family to say to Disneyland..... at $161 australian i hope its worth it.. My kiddies will demolish the sweets no doubt...
The bag is so cute it has an insulated section at the bottom aswell...which apparently has drinks in it..has anyone ever ordered this? i would like to know what the drinks are.
Its being delivered to our hotel the day we arrive. starting to get into the Disney mood now & ready to start winding down at work...
I know still 3 weeks to go till we fly out and only 2 weeks of work left, i finish nearly a week before we fly to get things organised & to make sure we dont forget anything.
ive only done that once, left a suitcase behind

 

[DLfan4]

Finally, i get the chance to update my TR. What a massive year this year has been,,,its been crazy.
Well DD1 party is over with for another year & thank god for that, all that planning & money was well worth it but.
Heres a few pics of the desert table..... Disney themed ofcourse..

Wow Aussiejen. the Disney Princess Themed goodies look amazing. great job.

 

[aussiejen]

Wow Aussiejen. the Disney Princess Themed goodies look amazing. great job.

Thank You, Although i did not do them myself lol i wish i was that talented, i just told the caterer what i wanted & showed her pics & she designed them the colours i wanted.
Poor lady though, i did change my mind a few times

 

[aussiejen]

So its getting closer now to our trip & time is flying..i started my countdown months ago & now its only 16 days away...
Im sure glad im taking a few days off work before we leave just to wind down & double check we have everything ready to go. I actually feel like i have a little more energy at work today, not sure whether its because i know in 10 days i can forget about work for at least 3 weeks
Just waiting now for my travel agent to call me to say " come pick up your tickets"

We fly back into Australia on a friday and im supposed to return to work the following Monday ....Crazy i know....Now im regretting it and wish i had of taken more time after i return, because im going to need it..
We purchased Neck pillows for the flight for everyone & new back packs for the kids over the weekend as their carry ons...OMG i am seriously stressing now..time is going so fast & im double checking my list of things to buy & take over and over...lol

 

[aussiejen]

Hi Everyone ,

We finally picked up our tickets woohooo....Its starting to feel real now.
Well only 3 days of work left....you dont know how excited i am to say that.., starting to wind down & clean up all the mess before i finish on friday so who ever takes over can start fresh sort of.. I just want this week to fly & go fast so i can start to relax & get in the mood.
I have been reading all the posts on here about refurbs & closures etc... I must admit i was alittle nervous & disappointed at first but now come to terms with the changes and will not let it destroy the magic....My kids will love it either way so as long as their happy im happy.
So were are ready to go, just need to pack now and i wont be doing that until next week...i secretly want to pack now but theres no real room for the suitcases in my house. They sitting in the garage with a few little things ive packed.
I was reading our Disneyland voucher we received from the travel agent & it states we get a Magic Morning for one morning. I have never done this before & am looking forward to it, have never done it before & wondering how you determine what morning to do it & if it gets busy & what time to get there. i will have to read up on that.

Well im about to finish work so im signing off until next time......I will pop in again once or twice before we leave than the big reveal of the actual trip....

 

[BrerMama]

Sounds great.

For your Magic Morning, you can ride in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Lots of people go right to Peter Pan and then knock out the rest of Fantasyland.

 

[aussiejen]

Sounds great.

For your Magic Morning, you can ride in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Lots of people go right to Peter Pan and then knock out the rest of Fantasyland.

Peter Pan is my favourite ride... not sure why...i think its the flying felling maybe.. Ima hoping DD1 co operates so we can make the magic morning, she tends to wake up cranky sometimes lol

 

[AusAnnie]

Sounds like a cool trip. We did the 10 day park hoppers in 2016 and it was a great way to be able to do everything that we wanted without having to rush. Also, we got to do our favourites many times. Have a fabulous trip - looking forward to hearing all about it!!

 

[aussiejen]

Well the day has finally arrived..........no not the day we fly out but my last day of work before we fly out next Thursday or Wednesday in the US due to the time difference.
I will be away for my Birthday so the girls at work gave me my early birthday gift because on our birthdays everyone throws in a small amount to get eachother a small gift....its great moral in the office.
So my gift was a Disney Pandora charm and i was so happy because not only was it one i havent got already but it was Disney. they know me too welll.lol
I am planning on visitng the Pandora shop there in DTD because theres charms there we cant get here.
So its been a great last day so far...there is also cake to be had, Red Velvet at that..my favourite..yum!

So hubby is going away this weekend with a few mates camping so i will be washing & packing getting last minute things, which i like to do those things with no interuptions anyway.
Hubby normally questions me on why i will need this & when would i use that....etc. he dosent understand that a girl needs different shoes for different outfits. Men normally wear the same pair of shoes with every outfit and theyre done.

Anyway...im signing off to complete my work for the day so im not leaving any loose ends....

 

[aussiejen]

Well I'm so glad I took these last few days off before I go....its given me time to catch up on some much needed rest & housework before we fly out in 2 days time. The house is sparkling & will be nice & clean we we arrive home.
now to start the actual packing side of things....
just been keeping myself updated on the refurbs & closures....im little disappointed to say the least , but determined not to let it ruin our long awaited trip.
The kids are excited & I'm excited to be spending quality time with them in my most favourite place on earth.
Im keeping positive even though I am picturing DL & DCA to look pretty bad due to all these walls up I'm seeing & hearing about.
The most thing I'm looking forward to seeing are the faces on my kids when they are in DL....its absolutely priceless....
and I don't know if its just me but I tear up everytime I walk in the gates of DL....I feel blessed to have actually been able to walk where Walt once did...... Its a special feeling...

Well this will be my last post until we get back home.... See you all real Soon..

 

[limace]

Have an amazing trip!!!!

 

[BrerMama]

Have a magical trip!

 

[aussiejen]

So we are back and we had an absolute amazing time.....will post pics & final trip report soon.......

 

[RedHotMama]

Hooray! I hope it was wonderful! Waiting to hear all about it!

 

[BrerMama]

Can't wait to read about it!

 

[Jaina]

Looking forward to hearing how it went!!