Newbie planning help

[ExcitedSam]

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!

 

[aussietravellers]

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? I would do 4 but I'm a disney addict
Is Legoland doable from LA? Yes very doable. We did it last trip, but we were based in Anaheim.
How much time in las Vegas do you think? Not sure, will let somebody else help you with that
Anyone been to Yosemite, where to stay and what to do? Not sure on that either
Where to shop!
Oh gosh, there is endless shopping. Depends on what you are after. South Coast Plaza is great when you are in Anaheim. There are great outlets in Vegas. There will be great shopping in LA too, again, just depends on what you are after.

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.
Join all of the airlines mailing lists, so you get emails on airline specials. To book Disney, it is best to book direct or through a Disney specialist Travel Agent based in the USA (don't use an Aussie TA to book Disney, it's way too expensive). For hotels, booking direct can get some deals, EG: HOJO's in Anaheim you can sometimes get an entertainment rate (you just have to have an entertainment card, an Aussie one is fine). If you have RACV/Q/NRMA etc then you can get AAA discounts in the US. If checking the accommodation rates online, direct with the hotel, enter the three diget code on the back of your card to get the AAA discount rates. I have had really good rates from Expedia.com.au before for hotels. Join their mailing list so that you get their emails about hotel specials.

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!

to the boards

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome to the Boards! Responses below.

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? I would do 4...but I'm also a disney tragic.
Is Legoland doable from LA? From Anaheim, it will take about 90 minutes to drive in non-peak hour time, allowing for the congestion around the 78 intersection.
How much time in las Vegas do you think? Do you want to gamble or sightsee?
Anyone been to Yosemite, where to stay and what to do? LOVE Yosemite. I've camped as well stayed at Yosemite Lodge, although Ahwahnee seems to be the place to stay. Take your pick. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations.aspxWhere to shop! Where ever there is a shop you want to stop at. Seriously - it depends on what you're looking for. Vegas, LA, Anaheim, Hawaii all have shopping malls and outlets. If at Anaheim, SoCo Plaza and Main Place Plaza (closer to DLR) are usually targets for Aussies travelling. Near LegoLand, you'll find Carlsbad Outlets. Small, but a favourite haunt of mine.

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.
Just keep looking....all the airlines will offer deals from time to time. I tend to book direct; rather than using an aussie TA (unless it's an american based TA). I've used Expedia and HotelKingdom.com for hotels; but I find that the hotels direct is best.

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!

Ask away....you might get multiple different answers...but then, that's the Disboards for you.

 

[darren123]

Welcome are you from Brisbane ? just asking because your trip sounds similar to a work mates plan

 

[ExcitedSam]

Thanks for the info so far, will be signing up for every email available then!

I'm so scared I'm going to miss something at disney I want to make sure we have enough time without being rushed off our feet! it has been my dream forever to go adn I've been planning since I was 35 to go for my 40th...it'll be a little early though as we had an unexpected bonus come our way so it's burning a hole in my pocket I seriously think I will have a meltdown from excitement once we actually get there!

PrincessInOz - What should I be aiming to see at Yosemite? any must sees, tours etc?

Vegas, more sightseeing stuff with the two girls I suppose. I've had a bit of a look around on the net and seen some cool stuff, a lot for free too! will have a small flutter (hey we're in Vegas!) but not too worried about gambling. I was originally thinking 2 maybe 3 days??

Oh where is the best area to stay in Vegas. I notice a lot of the accomodation places are broken up into areas and I don't know anything about them.

Darren123- I'm in Canberra.

Once I've confirmed our travel route I will have many questions about more sepcific parts. So glad I found this board and people who share my excitement, my DH does not get it at all! I could send him off into the wilderness and thats his disneyland.

Sam.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Hi Sam,

I would suggest staying somewhere on The Strip in Vegas if your budget allows. It's the best position to enjoy Vegas really.

I would definitely allow at least 4 days for DL. If it is a dream of yours you really should allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. When we visited, we spent 5 nights/6days and it was the perfect amount. We still didn't see everything but we saw all of what we were desperate to see.

Good to see another Canberran on the Disboards. There are a few of us here actually.

 

[australiankaren]

hey
welcome to the boards...and especially the sept/oct 2012 planning crew...there seems to be a few of us...
dont feel that any question is silly, as we all love to share our experiences and tips....
we are just one big happy if slightly off centre family

 

[Aust]

Your trip sounds similar to ours planned for next Sept/Oct, we're doing a couple of days in Las Vegas, same in Grand Canyon, then driving to DL.

I'd say minimum of 4 days in DL, and more if you can manage it - especially since Cars Land is opening in their summer. We are planning on 8 days in DL this time (but I am another DL tragic). My first trip we had 6 1/2 days in DL and still didn't do or see everything.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Sam. There are lots to see at Yosemite if you like the outdoors. Yosemite is in a valley surrounded by massive granite mountains. The landscape was created by glacier movements years ago.
What it means is that the whole national park can be seen from the valley floor...looking up. The waterfalls are fantastic and the most commonly seen one is Yosemite Falls.

Depending on how active you are, my favourite walks include the rather strenuous ones up along the Mist Trail to see Vernal and Nevada Falls. I just realised that you have a 4 yo and this will probably put this walk outside your range.

BridalVeil, Lower Yosemite and Mirror Lake walks are probably short/easy walks that the whole family can enjoy. You probably also want to make your way towards Sentinel Bridge to watch the sunset hit and reflect off Half Dome.

There should be a shuttle bus that runs through the valley that takes you to the starting points for these walks.

If you have a car, I'd recommend the drive to Mariposa Grove. You'll find sequoia trees there.

Depending on whether you don't mind a longer drive and if Tioga Pass is open, Tuolumne Meadows is also a very pretty place to go see. It's another valley in the Sierra Nevadas and I've only ever seen it in late Spring/early Summer.....LOTS of wildflowers and wild life!

 

[Andona]

Hi Sam. There are lots to see at Yosemite if you like the outdoors. The waterfalls are fantastic and the most commonly seen one is Yosemite Falls......
BridalVeil, Lower Yosemite and Mirror Lake walks are probably short/easy walks that the whole family can enjoy.

Unfortunately, if you're going in September/October you are very unlikely to see the waterfalls at their best, it really depends when they get their first big rainfall.

The waterfalls dry up after the long summer. In September , Yosemite Falls is often no better than a "runny nose" and Bridal Veil will be a trickle. Friends of ours were there last year in early October and even Mirror Lakes were dry.

However, you can be lucky. We were there in mid-October 2009 and they had just had their first ( early) rainfalls of the season. Yosemte Falls were fabulous but everyone in the park was saying how lucky we were to see it like that in the Fall.

Having said that, Yosemite is really glorious in any weather. We've been twice and it's one of our favourite places in the USA. There are several interesting museums/galleries in the Village area ( The indian village is cute and your girls would probably enjoy the teepees ) and if you enjoy photography it is a very stimulating place to visit.

The first time we visited on a (long) day-tour from San Francisco. Last time we stayed at Yosemite Lodge - very comfortable but not flash. If you want to stay in the park you will probably need to book well in advance.

It's definitely worth a visit

 

[marvel]

We did a similar trip in 07. However, I note that you don't have san fran on your list. this is where we started our trip. Otherwise it is quite a drive from Vegas to Yosemite.

OUr route was San Fran - Yosemite - death Valley - Vegas - LA (Anaheim)
That way we finished Disney, and you can easily drive to San Diego for day trips etc.

You have a great trip planned. 3 weeks would be minimum as you lose a few days driving here and there so would want to have as many as possible at your destination. I would say 3nights in Yosemite would be ideal.

As far as hotels, in all the years of booking my own travel I have only ever booked one night with Expedia as it was cheapest option, all other bookings have always been cheaper direct with the hotel, and it makes cancelling and rebooking at a cheaper price very simple.

 

[ExcitedSam]

Just wondering, with Disneyland do you book through the Disney site or is there a better way? What about dining packages? Are they worth it? They seem like a lot of money...is that how expensive food is? Are there places you can just walk in or do you need to book for everything? We will be doing some character dining.

We will be staying off site, just not sure where yet.

Oh and I think I've changed my mind on what we're doing.....again!

It's so hard not knowing what places are actually like, I think I need to do a recon trip before the big trip.

 

[darren123]

Darren123- I'm in Canberra.
Sam.

Thanks my workmate is flying into SF then to hire a RV Yosemite, Vegas, San Diego and then to Anaheim for 3 to 4 weeks then fly out from LAX

As expedia does not have the 14 day passes I normally book our 6 day tickets through the DL site.

Never done the Dinning Packages at DL Will be doing the Minnie and Friends Breakfast that is our favourite.

 

[disneyozdad]

Sam, we bought the Southern Californian Citypass (google it) and upgraded our three day Disney park hopper to 4 days for an extra $15 per person. We did not take out dining options as we ususally had a character buffet breakfast and then dinner with a light snack in between.

The 2011 SoCal Citypass was great value as it got us into Universal Hollywood, Seaworld, Sand Diego Zoo and Disneyland (3 + 1) for just on $300 per person adult. This equates to 7 days of activities for an average of $42 per day. Also, by going to Unviersal Studios first they will give you a complimentary second day for free.

I notice they've changed the 2012 version and dropped the zoo...not as good however if you want to include the other locations still a good price.

 

[ExcitedSam]

With the character dining breakfasts, I am assuming you need to go to one of the disney hotels or restaurants in the park for that? what time do they open?

When do you book for the character dining? I know you can pay for them in advance but do you ring up or something before hand? sorry for all the Q's I just dont want to be caught out when we get there. I NEED to know everything before we go!

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Just wondering, with Disneyland do you book through the Disney site or is there a better way? What about dining packages? Are they worth it? They seem like a lot of money...is that how expensive food is? Are there places you can just walk in or do you need to book for everything? We will be doing some character dining.

We will be staying off site, just not sure where yet.

Oh and I think I've changed my mind on what we're doing.....again!

It's so hard not knowing what places are actually like, I think I need to do a recon trip before the big trip.

If you book a good neighbor hotel through Disneyland you can book your character meals tickets at the same time just go to the Disney site and play around with your dates and the different options and then compare the hotels that you were looking at on other sites they seem quite comparable in prices except for us we have decided on Park Vue inn and it is not a good neighbour hotel. Just remember it is in $US.

 

[jacs1234]

How many days in Disneyland? I was thinking 3 or should I do 4? at least 5 lol

Is Legoland doable from LA? Yes, maybe spend 2 days at disney and you can get a tour bus to legoland, spend the day there and then another 2 more days at Disney. Legoland is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays whenever I go so remember that.

Where to shop! The Citadel outlets are supposed to be pretty good and I'll let you know for sure when I get back.

There is a character breakfast at each of the disneyland hotels and also one inside the park called Minnies breakfast. They are all very good but my favourite is the one inside the park as you're already in Disneyland. You can make reservations 60 days in advance and don't have to pay upfront.

Another brilliant place to eat is the Blue Bayou. It is so great. It's actually inside the Pirates of the Carribean ride and you sit there and watch the boats go by. So fun. You need to make a reservation for that one as well. The girls will love it too.

 

[jacs1234]

I recommend making reservations for any restaurant in the park, just ring their dining number and they'll book it all for you. There's heaps more to eat there than just nuggets and fries.

Check the Australian expedia site for your disneyland tickets. We got them from there once and it was a great deal. They weren't available this time so we got them from our travel agent and the prices were also good. We got 14 day passes.

 

[ExcitedSam]

I need to get a note book and start writing this stuff down! So much great info! thanks guys, keep it coming, tell me everything! I cannot get enough info.

 

[australiankaren]

hey
me too re note book..as I know NOTHING re DL...so keep the tips etc coming