New from New Zealand

[BigDisneyOE]

Hello everyone. I've recently discovered the Disboards and had a good read before finally taking the plunge and booking our first ever cruise - on the Wonder in Sept 2012 along the Pacific Northwest.

It's a big jump for us as we are taking our boys who will be nearly five on a big adventure before they go to primary school. The boys are cruise ship mad and Disney mad, so we decided the DCL was a perfect fit. It's going to be our kids Big OE (New Zealand colloquialism for Big Overseas Adventure) as it's a long time on a plane - 11 hours minimum but we have to take connecting flights too, so it's at least 20 hours before we land in LA after we take off from our home airport.

We are also going to go to Disneyland and spend a week or so in LA area doing all the things kids love. I'm really looking forward to meeting with everyone here on the DisBoards and learning loads. The last time I was in the USA I went to Disneyland but it was the late '80's.

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

Welcome to the DIS! I'm also new here and also in NZ! You'll find great info here for your trip and everyone is really helpful and friendly. Great to hear about your disney plans for 2012, sounds like you'll have an amazing trip, and it's well worth the long flights

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Oh thank you! We are so excited, we've done Aussie a few times with the kids and now it's time to take them a bit further. You are lucky being near the main airport, makes things so much easier. We'll probably dog leg through Sydney to take advantage of our airpoints, which will make a really long day for the kids (and me as I always sit between them). I can't wait to get to the Wonder and take the kids to Disneyland, Legoland etc. Oh and the outlet malls!!

My kids have been watching back to back video streams of the Wonder since we told them. They've built their own cruise ships from their blocks and are probably going to drive everyone mad for the next 15 months.

 

[Metro West]

 

[Boo Bear]

You'll have a fantastic time touring the pacific northwest (I live here!)

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

Oh thank you! We are so excited, we've done Aussie a few times with the kids and now it's time to take them a bit further. You are lucky being near the main airport, makes things so much easier. We'll probably dog leg through Sydney to take advantage of our airpoints, which will make a really long day for the kids (and me as I always sit between them). I can't wait to get to the Wonder and take the kids to Disneyland, Legoland etc. Oh and the outlet malls!!

My kids have been watching back to back video streams of the Wonder since we told them. They've built their own cruise ships from their blocks and are probably going to drive everyone mad for the next 15 months.

Aww! Thats lovely! They're going to have such a good trip! I've never thought of flying over to take a Disney cruise, would make for a very special holiday though! Yes I take being only 30mins from the airport for granted! It helps on such long flights though, I've found the price of flights have come down the closer we get to the rugby world cup now more airlines are flying here and now chch is international! All helpful for us Disney fans! Hope you do a PTR!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Aww! Thats lovely! They're going to have such a good trip! I've never thought of flying over to take a Disney cruise, would make for a very special holiday though! Yes I take being only 30mins from the airport for granted! It helps on such long flights though, I've found the price of flights have come down the closer we get to the rugby world cup now more airlines are flying here and now chch is international! All helpful for us Disney fans! Hope you do a PTR!

You know Continental was supposed to open DFW to AKL in November? Probably way too late for your trip but it's another option for future planning to get across to the DCL ships leaving from other ports.

I hope this ash issue clears up completely by the time you go. My DH got grounded today trying to get WGN - AKL for a business meeting.

I'll have to get a PTR organised in time. Everything bar the cruise is up in the air. I'm trying to work out how many nights to stay near Disneyland and how many to stay down near San Diego for the Zoo, Sea World and Legoland. Lots of decisions.

Boo Bear - I may end up asking you a zillion questions as you are 'local'!

Thank you for the fun welcome Metro West.

We told Grandma about the cruise today. Well the kids told her and then demanded I show her the DCL site. She loves the idea but thankfully doesn't want to come as it'd be like having Goofy in the cabin nextdoor. She'd want to crash the kids clubs all day as she said they looked like they were having the best time. I've said I might take her on a Mum & Me trip in 2013 somewhere in Asia as we both love Asia and it's cheaper from here.

I'm considering buying a couple of Passporters now. I need to know everything so I can plan out what, where and when. My husband says as long as I don't schedule his 'potty time' into my plans it's all okay.

 

[CHCH99]

Hi everyone, thought I would check in too! We, my DS(11) and myself are also new and heading over from New Zealand on 17th September. Checking out New Orleans first, Nashville and Memphis before a Western Carribean cruise and then a further 10 nights in Florida doing Disney World and Universal - 5 weeks total. I never realised there was such a steep learning curve with Disney World but this board has been so helpful.

 

[babydiver]

We too have just discovered DISboards and we too have booked the Pacific cruise Sept 2012. Are you on the 30th departure by any chance?