Newbie planning help

[GrazingGoat1966]

Excited Sam....you sure are!! And you'll have a blast guaranteed. I've been travelling to the states for just shy of 20 years now. Been to Disney in Anaheim 4 or 5 times, been to Vegas 7 times (mother-in-law lives just south of Vegas), and done the National Parks of the West on and off since that first trip back in '92, so I may be able to give you some pointers.
Disneyland (and California Adventure) with two kids of 9 and 4 can easily be done THOROUGHLY in 3 days. Sure you can go longer, but you have to ask yourself, exactly how long is that piece of string?
Legoland do as a day trip from Anaheim. Easy.
Shopping do in Vegas at the 2 premium outlets http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61 and http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58 Everything you could possibly need shopping/clothes wise and also have Disney outlets where you will save a motza compared to park prices (but dont worry everyone spends more than they should at Dis anyway!!)
And if it was me, forget driving to Yosemite from Vegas. As mentioned earlier, if you were staying in San Fran, then it's on the way heading East, but it's a fair hike from Vegas (or LA). IMO head east from Vegas and spend a couple of days at the Grand Canyon. 4 hours drive from Vegas, you can camp in the RV at Mather Campground (providing you book early http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm) and spend a solid couple of days viewing the Canyon. IMO there's no comparison between Yosemite and the GC....the Canyon wins hands down.

Hope this helps a little. Enjoy your planning and your trip. It will be the trip of a lifetime!!

 

[Toy Story]

Hey Sam,

Are you costing your flights ex Canberra? This always adds about another $200pp. Try costing your flight ex Sydney. Both the Murrays and Greyhound buses have a service that drops at the international airport - or hire a car to drive. We then look out for promo-airfares for the flight home.

 

[ExcitedSam]

Grazinggoat1966- Yosemite is not negotiable, my DH loves that kind of wilderness. Thanks for the other info though. Would a day for Lego land and another day for sea world be enough?

Toy story - we have done the drive to and from Syndey, but after a flight from LA I am not going to put DH through driving 3hrs home, with the two kids I'd rather pay the money and fly! first time ever as Canberra is so exy to fly to and from! The flights I've looked at were $1602 LA return Canberra via Honolulu stop over on the way home. Which I thought was pretty good.

 

[Toy Story]

Toy story - we have done the drive to and from Syndey, but after a flight from LA I am not going to put DH through driving 3hrs home, with the two kids I'd rather pay the money and fly! first time ever as Canberra is so exy to fly to and from! The flights I've looked at were $1602 LA return Canberra via Honolulu stop over on the way home. Which I thought was pretty good.

Agree - flying back to Canberra is the way to go - my suggestion is to try doing the search out of Sydney and see what fares you get.

 

[gregpso]

Hi all! We're planning a trip to the US sept/Oct 2012. I have a rough idea of what we want to do but need help with logistics of timing, what to do (apart from Disney of course!) with two DD's 9 & 4 at the time of travel.

My idea, not nessesarily in this order, LA, Disney, las Vegas, RV trip to Yosemite and back to LA, Hawaii on the way home. How many days do you think? I am looking at 3 weeks ish???

How many days in Disneyland? I was thinking 3 or should I do 4?
Is Legoland doable from LA?
How much time in las Vegas do you think?
Anyone been to Yosemite, where to stay and what to do?
Where to shop!

Can someone point me in the right direction to find the specials and flights etc.. Where is the best place to book the different accommodation.

Sorry for all the Q's, it'll only be the start, I am finding it all a bit overwhelming right now. And my brain is purging things I want to know!

We went in Sept 2010. A good time to go re crowds are OK but still a bit hot. If you can afford it do to Disney World in orlando way better and bigger than Disney land. Quite cheap if you stay on property and get free dining. You need at least 7 nights to do the World.

4 days would be plenty at Disneyland with their 2 parks. In vegas stay at the strip Planet hollywood or flamigo hilton are reasonabley priced. 4 nights would be enough in vegas

WE had a great time and hope to got back in 2012 this time to see Washington DC and of course Disney