New to the forums and to Disney

[skiingfast]

So far on the list is

LA - for a few days - Universal studios, seeing a few shows I like that run weekly.

Might Skip Universal Hollywood and use that day in Universal Orlando. It's roughly the Hollywood experience in Orlando anyways and you can combine it with Island of Advntures.

San Francisco - Unsure how much time I want here, I keep getting very mixed reviews.

2 or 3 nights to get in 2 full days. Lots to see and do in SF.

Vegas and Grand Canyon - I am doing this at the end when a friend is meeting up with me - 3 nights in Vegas.

3 night's should be perfect.

Tossing up if I want time at Yellowstone and Grand Teton or Yosemite - Yosemite is obviously closer but Yellowstone just seems amazingly beautiful.

There a problem, it's winter in all of these places. While Yosemite will be the easiest to do GTNP and Yellowstone will be a far bigger experience. You can fly to Jackson Hole and rent a car. Even find nice lodging at good rates if it isn't presidents day weekend. Yellowstone is undrivable. From the town of Jackson, Wyoming there are lots of outfitters. Usually for a day or overnight trip into yellowstone you can do a Snow Coach or Snowmobile tours up to old faithful. You can walk though the thermal areas, see geysers and see Bison very close to you. You can do tours that go to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, see the falls of the yellowstone. Yellowstone lake too.

In the town of Jackson will be many places to eat. You can rent cross country skis and snow shoes. Lots of shopping. Take horse drawn wagons into the heard of elk just north of town. Outfitters also do sled dogs rides and snowmobiles tours where you play on the snowmobiles, go fast, jump off stuff . Of course there are skiing options too. And fairly good public transit.

From Jackon you can see the Grand Tetons. From the town the Grand Teton National Park is just about 10 miles away. Yellowstone is about 50 miles away. Because it has an airport with multiple flights a day and in winter direct flights from about 5 major airports it's very easy to get too.

Boston - once again no idea how long I want here I am thinking 4 nights

Niagra/Toronto - Clueless when I come to this, whether to fly to Toronto and arrange if from there, or to look for a tour.

New York - 6 nights on my own doing whatever I want - So excited for this part, broadway, seeing the sights and people watching.

I am then joining a tour which takes me to Washington, Raleigh, Savannah, Charleston, St. Augustine, Coccoa Beach, Kennedy Space Centre, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee and New Orleans.

The only thing I would mention is spend 2 or 3 days in Washington DC, enjoy the memorial and building and Smithsonian institute. Not sure if the tour includes that or not.

Then comes the fun part Orlando I have 5/6 days for Disney and Harry Potter world - I have never been to disney here, so I am trying to piece it all together. I am thinking of staying at a disney resort, with a park hopper ticket and possibly considering the disney dinner plans - but I need to work out if it is worth it.

As summer moves on maybe WDW will offer some good packages for the offseason when you will be visiting. Since you are going to Disneyland too, I'd consider skipping the Magic Kindom in WDW and spending 4 days in the other 3 parks. Then a couple days at Universal.

 

[Anne_Aus]

Wow Skiingfast thank you so much

You have given me so much to think about and research, I plan on playing around with my calendar some more today and making some adjustments to certain places and working out where to put my extra days.

My tour gives me 3 days in Washington so I am lucky there and will make sure I spend time checking out the things you suggested.

 

[austraveler]

Thanks Austraveler
Side note I just saw your from Newcastle - same as me .

yes- small world, and to add one more similarity, I am Anna and I assume from your username you are Anne

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Just adding my tuppence halfpenny-we took my daughter to WDW in early December 2008 as a high school graduation pressie (having done 3 trips ourselves to DL over the preceding 24 years)-had a fantastic time and stopped off in San Fran on the way-only quick visit but so much to see and just had a wonderful friendly, small city atmosphere & v v easy to use public transport-we were lucky though-thick fog arrival day but next day was warm and clear. I don't know anyone else who hasn't loved San Fran either. In WDW had 8 days and didn't bother with a PH as filled our days at the respective park and it takes time park hopping there. We splurged (but did get a very good accommodation deal which dictated the week we went) and stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it was fantastic. Would recommend staying onsite if you can. Also felt we got value out of the dining package (which we paid for as no deals-if I'd delayed booking a couple more months I think they brought a package out within our available travel time but dearer accom. so roughly evened out). Dining package was a treat as we don't eat out a lot normally (saving pennies for trips) so it was great to be able to dine out and all our meals were superb-and having 8 days had time to have some leisurely meals. We loved Epcot - needed 2 days and Animal Kingdom-just squeezed most of what we want to do into 1 day-the Lion King show was brilliant as was Finding Nemo puppetry show. We liked DHS the least but it has the 3 big rides - ToT, RnR, ST - and TSM and we had 2.5 days in MK. Spent 1 day just checking out some of the other Disney hotels, shopping and dining in them and Downtown. Being there for Xmas it was full of extra special moments like the Osbourne lights and Candelight Processional. Despite being warm during the day (shorts and T's) it got freezing at night-especially one night at MVMXP-we had gloves, beanies, hiking thermal gear and froze-but you will have cold weather gear with you for trips to the north-just don't under-estimate when out at night even as far sth as Orlando.

You can gather such great advice here on the boards-learn how to use FP, drool over food porn and pick out best places to eat for your tastes-and where to avoid, best places to stay in your budget and discount code sources and not sure I am allowed to mention other websites?? but one in particular is another excellent source for hotel, transport, attraction info, especially for places less well covered on disboards though there's a diser from most places!

Planning and researching your trip is the next best thing to actually going!! Enjoy and safe travels.

PS Counting down to our next fix at DL..before flying on to NY and Washington-we squeezed in some Disney magic on a stopover-shorter than I would like because DD wants a day in LA to "see LA rather than just LAX or DL". She doesn't quite get the magic like we do-I blame it on us being starry eyed 20 somethings on our 1st visit and DL was so mind blowing with its detail, atmosphere and special effects-we had experienced nothing like it-and that magic stayed! DD of the 90's/00's takes it more for granted.

 

[Toy Story]

Sounds like a great rip- looking forward to reading about your adventure.

 

[Lulu83]

Welcome! A 3 month holiday will be awesome, like everyone else I'm super jealous!

Your trip sounds fabulous. Just a heads up re Boston - many of the "tourist" destinations are not open in the winter or are open for very limited hours. It is so cold outside that you will be pretty limited even walking around unless you have proper snow gear.

I LOVE San Francisco and it is relatively temperate, even in winter. It is very easy to get around and prett safe. I would recommend trying to fit in some time here if you can

Just seconding this Boston advice! I'd make a list of your "must-dos" and how long they are likely to take but not add on too much extra time after that.

 

[2BNDisney]

I was perusing your section of the Disboards as I hope to make a trip to Australia one day and saw this post. As far as Walt Disney World, I too would recommend you stay at a park resort as you may want to spend the majority of your time there anyway. I have stayed at Pop Century twice and loved it. But depending on your budget you may want to upgrade. And I am not sure the exact time you will be there but the Flower and Garden Festival will start at Epcot after the first of March sometime. I have heard differing opinions on the dining plan but have never used it. Some friends just came back and had the middle of the pack plan and said it was a lot of food. Hope you have fun - sounds like you are visiting a lot of cool places.

 

[shaz105]

Hi

Your trip sounds wonderful 3 months long that would be great hopefully me and the hubby can do that when the kids have moved out. I know you will get plenty of ideas from the board.

 

[Aussie-Grant]

I was perusing your section of the Disboards as I hope to make a trip to Australia one day and saw this post. As far as Walt Disney World, I too would recommend you stay at a park resort as you may want to spend the majority of your time there anyway. I have stayed at Pop Century twice and loved it. But depending on your budget you may want to upgrade. And I am not sure the exact time you will be there but the Flower and Garden Festival will start at Epcot after the first of March sometime. I have heard differing opinions on the dining plan but have never used it. Some friends just came back and had the middle of the pack plan and said it was a lot of food. Hope you have fun - sounds like you are visiting a lot of cool places.

I agree with 2BNDisney that you get the real Disney feeling and Spirit by staying at one of the Disney resorts at Orlando. In 2006 we rented DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points and stayed 5 days at the Old Key West resort for 1/3 rd the cost of booking direct with Disney.

It's true when they say you go to DisneyLand for a amusement park and you go to Disneyworld for a vacation.
Both similar, yet are very different in their own right.

 

[brettystar]

Hey there,
Your trip sounds awesome.
I am just back from visiting WDW and New York (big Broadyway fan). I had been to Anaheim twice but never to WDW. We did 6 nights there and did one full day at Universal with the rest being spent at WDW. We stayed onsite.
I was worried 6 days was not enough but found that it was more than enough time to do everything we wanted. I think if you had kids it would be different but if you don't then 6 days is more than enough time.
P.S I am also from Newcastle but live in Sydney

 

[Anne_Aus]

I was perusing your section of the Disboards as I hope to make a trip to Australia one day and saw this post.

I hope you get to make it to Australia one day soon, and thanks for the advice. I think I have decided possibly on POP, so was glad to hear you enjoyed it.

Your trip sounds wonderful 3 months long that would be great hopefully me and the hubby can do that when the kids have moved out. I know you will get plenty of ideas from the board.

Hi, Thanks I am hoping the 3 months will be a great break away and hoping I can use it as a clear my head kind of holiday. The boards have been great so far, and rather addictive.

-had a fantastic time and stopped off in San Fran on the way-only quick visit but so much to see and just had a wonderful friendly, small city atmosphere & v v easy to use public transport-we were lucky though-thick fog arrival day but next day was warm and clear. I don't know anyone else who hasn't loved San Fran either.

Thanks for this advice, I have decided to keep my amount of San Fran days and lessen my Boston days and hopefully its a right decision.

Hey there,
Your trip sounds awesome.
I am just back from visiting WDW and New York (big Broadyway fan). I had been to Anaheim twice but never to WDW. We did 6 nights there and did one full day at Universal with the rest being spent at WDW. We stayed onsite.
I was worried 6 days was not enough but found that it was more than enough time to do everything we wanted. I think if you had kids it would be different but if you don't then 6 days is more than enough time.
P.S I am also from Newcastle but live in Sydney

Hey, any recommendations on Broadway Shows? or must do in NYC activities? Also so glad to hear what you said about the 6 days, I was really worrying and trying to shuffle my itinerary without it getting to much more expensive but nothing was working.
Did you use a park hopper or just a normal ticket?
Thanks again


As for an update for me, I haven't booked anything else yet, I am thinking of booking POP for my dates, and trying to find accommodation for DL as well. I have shuffled a few things around and am trying to finalise things and then I refuse to make any changes .... hmm I have said that way to many times before I think

 

[hellosue]

Welcome to the Aussie Boards "Anne_Aus"
O.M.G. 3 months. You are making me jealous, we only have 27 days and I'm worried it won't be enough!

Re: 3 days in Vegas - does that include Grand Canyon (which is a 12 hour return trip by bus) then you only have two days to see the strip - depending on what you want to see - I spent 5 days there and vow to go back for another 2 weeks just to experience everything - remembering that every Casino has its own theme - but I did have DD 11 and DD 13 with me - slowing me down (they wanted the pool and games room) and I wanted to see and experience all the Casinos (I don't gamble) and I wanted to see some shows.... next time ....

I would stay onsite at DW as well

Have you thought about a disney Agent to help you with all your bookings Disney/Universal - They can book it all with a small deposit and keep searching for the best deal for you until you arrive.... I did and just got free dining

Good luck and enjoy your planning..... everyone here on this board has soo much experience and advice to share....

 

[dabecs]

I hope you start a blog about your travels! While we will all love to read it it would also be great for you to keep track of everything you have done, otherwise things will start to get mixed up when you try to remember places/dates.

This really sounds like the trip of a lifetime!

My only tip would be to make sure you get enough time in each city and don't spend all of your time on the road/in the air. Also make some concrete plans but leave others loose - you may find some places you love and want to stay a few extra days and other places a day might be sufficient when you had planned a week!

 

[Anne_Aus]

Re: 3 days in Vegas - does that include Grand Canyon (which is a 12 hour return trip by bus) then you only have two days to see the strip - depending on what you want to see -

Have you thought about a disney Agent to help you with all your bookings Disney/Universal - They can book it all with a small deposit and keep searching for the best deal for you until you arrive.... I did and just got free dining

Thanks for the welcome I am doing Vegas twice once at the beginning of my trip on my own, and meeting a friend at the end, so hopefully that will give me enough time to do what I want to do. I have also been in contact with a few disney agents, I am yet to book, but it is high on my to do list, everytime I think I will do that now, something else creeps up and I think ok next is disney

I hope you start a blog about your travels! While we will all love to read it it would also be great for you to keep track of everything you have done, otherwise things will start to get mixed up when you try to remember places/dates.


My only tip would be to make sure you get enough time in each city and don't spend all of your time on the road/in the air. Also make some concrete plans but leave others loose - you may find some places you love and want to stay a few extra days and other places a day might be sufficient when you had planned a week!

I do intend on starting a blog... I just need to get the motivation to. I have been booking a few more things this week, so I am hoping that motivation comes soon. I will be sure to share the link as well.

Thanks for the tip about the time in each city, this has been the hardest thing trying to work out how long to have in each place, I have left my plans fairly open booking places I can cancel with little notification, and trying to stay in hostels at some points so I can meet some people as well.

 

[Anne_Aus]

It has been a while since I have updated but I have been doing a bit of planning, shuffling, rearranging and even a little extending my time.

So this is what my final plans are looking like... and don't worry I have some more questions lol

Arrive - head to San Fran - 3 days in san fran
Fly to Orlando 5 days at Disney
Fly to Boston - 3/4 days in Boston

*HELP* I have the choice of flying to Canada for a quick trip to Toronto/ Niagara falls or I could add a few extra days to NYC and leave Canada for the next visit - yep always planning ahead 2013 in the works - so advice, 2 cents, opinions please

Then NYC for 6 nights

I have a tour which takes me down the east coast landing me in New Orleans I get to visit Orlando again - saving this time for Harry world!

*HELP* I now have a spare 5/6 days where I have no idea what to do, so open for ideas. It was initially my Disney time I will be leaving from New Orleans and have to return there as well.

New Orleans for a couple of days

The rock boat - can't wait 5 days sailing with some amazing people and awesome bands - the whole reason this trip started

Vegas, San Diego, Anaheim - yeah more Disney, LA

Another tour with San Fran, Yosemite, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Lake Havasu

Then I have a week before I fly out that is open for suggestions as well.

I have also started setting up a blog so once I sort it out I will share the address with everyone

This is really happening

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like a great trip Anne. My philosophy when travelling is to try and see as much as possible in depth. So, my recommendations below are based on trying to make the most of the area you're in rather than trying to fly criss-crossing the continent.

1. You said you could do a quick trip to Toronto/Niagara or add days to NYC. If you are definitely planning to do Canada in 2013, then I would add the days to NYC and/or Boston or somewhere in between. Depending on whether you are driving or not, you could always try Cape Cod or Cape Anne (and see Salem).

2. You have a spare 5 or 6 days whilst in New Orleans? Have you considered going to the Yucatan Peninsula - Merida and/or Cancun? The alternative is to see more of Florida and head towards Miami and the Florida Keys. I don't know if your tour takes you to this part of the world; but if it doesn't, it is worth a visit.
If neither appeal to you, then maybe you could think about Dallas, Houston or San Antonio.

3. I assume that your last tour ends up in San Francisco? If so, do you want to stay in the area or head elsewhere? The Napa/Sonoma Valley area is nice and you could add Lake Tahoe to the list, pending how much snow there is. Otherwise, there is always the National Parks in God's Country - Utah - of Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Arches etc. Then of course, you could always go to Hawaii.

Have fun with the planning!

 

[Anne_Aus]

Wow thank you so much Princess, I think you are right about the Canada, as much as I had my heart set on seeing Niagara going back and doing Montreal and Quebec at the same time seems a little more appealing, I also like to have the time to do more places in depth and to fit Disney in I have had to sacrifice the days in Canada - which I am sure will be worth it

My tour ends in New Orleans and my boat goes from New Orleans but I am happy to leave. I think I might have a look at Yucatan and see what I can come up with. I do have time in Miami on my tour but not in the keys so they are also an option.

My tour finishes in LA, I want to go visit a friend in Fresno but other than that I am open to move around and do whatever, so will check out the places you have suggested

Once again thank you so much all great ideas and you are so full of information

 

[PrincessInOz]

If you're heading towards Fresno from LA, then consider heading towards Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park and possibly down towards Anza Borrego, depending on how you feel like driving.

The alternative is to check out some of the smaller towns outside of LA. You haven't mentioned if your going down Pacific Highway at all. You can cut across from Fresno on the 41 to Morro Bay; or drive up towards Monterey Bay before driving down towards LA.

If your tours include the Pacific Highway, and you have time to cover Fresno and somewhere else (and the Sequoia NP does not appeal), then there are two very pretty small towns - Ojai and Solvang towards the Ocean that you could consider going to see on the way back.

 

[jessiegirl84]

Hello, I am new here too just found my way over to the aussie section.

I have travelled a little bit through the USA, and I have to agree with Princessinoz - i would definitely spend more time in New York. Its a huge city, an amazing city and I was only there for 7 days last year and this year I am spending another 9 because its that big and there is so much to see. As much I would like to see niagara if you already have a plan for a few years time to do Canada properly, maybe its best to leave it until then.

I have a friend who just came back from Lake Tahoe and she absoutely loved it, and I have heard Napa Valley is great too. You could also head down to San Diego, its not far from LA, sorry I cant remember if you originally said that in your plan though.

 

[Anne_Aus]

Hey Jess,

thanks for the advice at this stage I have decided to take 3 extra days in NYC but it is as always subject to change, only because I find it so hard to stick to one lot of plans

I was meant to go to Lake Tahoe to ski, but I am not that coordinated so I might add that to a summer to see list. I am spending a week in San Diego before I head back towards LA