November/December 2012?

[baf65]

Hi
my first post!
Have finally just booked our flights after checking EVERY single day for what I thought was a good deal....so we fly on 1 November out of melbourne (we live in Perth) to LAX, ($1299 on VA)

so far havent booked any further flights as we still are deciding on what to do....but we will more than likely spend a 1 night in LA to break up the long journey and then head to Orlando for 2 - 2.5weeks...then unsure what to do with the rest of our time

ive been looking at accommodation at either Floridays or Willow Hills community as prices are great, I like the idea of self contained

I have been to WDL once and WDW twice but never with kids...however i am more excited than they are!!

I am a former travel agent but will be doing all the bookings direct myself for this trip

Loving reading all the tips on this forum!!! Im a bit of a forum junkie and am going to be making HEAPS of notes!!

I seriously cannot wait I cant believe i haev to wait 6months!!! Im more excited than the kids!

 

[Royal Consort]

Hi
my first post!
Have finally just booked our flights after checking EVERY single day for what I thought was a good deal....so we fly on 1 November out of melbourne (we live in Perth) to LAX, ($1299 on VA)

so far havent booked any further flights as we still are deciding on what to do....but we will more than likely spend a 1 night in LA to break up the long journey and then head to Orlando for 2 - 2.5weeks...then unsure what to do with the rest of our time

ive been looking at accommodation at either Floridays or Willow Hills community as prices are great, I like the idea of self contained

I have been to WDL once and WDW twice but never with kids...however i am more excited than they are!!

I am a former travel agent but will be doing all the bookings direct myself for this trip

Loving reading all the tips on this forum!!! Im a bit of a forum junkie and am going to be making HEAPS of notes!!

I seriously cannot wait I cant believe i haev to wait 6months!!! Im more excited than the kids!

baf65:

Congratulations on your booking and wow! A wonderful price! You're leaving just a couple of weeks before us.

I've really enjoyed doing the direct bookings myself too. I like being in control of what's happening and the first to know if there are any changes. Six months will go quickly although it seems like a long time now. Maybe it just feels too long for me because I can't wait to go! Anyway, it's a wonderful feeling to book a Disney trip so enjoy your planning!

 

[AussiePossum]

Hi Baf65,

I know what you mean about being more excited than the kids. My countdown on the phone started at 648 days and we are now down to 178. I already have apps downloaded for ride wait times and various disney facts. They just give me this "Oh mum" look when I tell them about rides but I know that once we get there they will be super excited. We are staying in Orlando for three weeks and so far have planned the Kennedy Space Centre, WDW, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and shopping along International Drive. We'll be there at the same time I'm doing the Wine and Dine Half marathon on the 10th and I'd like to say keep a look out for me in the back of the pack bringing up the rear but since it finishes at about 2.30AM, I won't.

I like Mouse Savers. It's a great site for info and discounts. Have you seen it?
When my youngest was 4 1/2 we went to DL and he coped just fine with the walking. As long as we had a rest in the middle of the day he was happy.
So how old are your kids?

 

[baf65]

My boys are 5 and 7, they will be almost 6 and 8 when we go. The 5 year old doesnt like balloons, people dressed up or fireworks....ooopppssss!!!! But I have to keep assuring him he will be a few weeks of being 6 so by then he wont be scared of those things!

I have been planning this trip for the last 6 months so am a member/facebook fan of anything and everything!!

aussiepossum, your plans sound similar to mine, except for the marothon bit! Though the wine and dine sounds tempting!

My next decision is what Disney pass to go for....ive been looking on undercover tourist which seem to have the best prices, but not sure if we should get the 'pay 7 get 14' or go for 5 days with 2 free or whatever it is. I am thinking November might be a bit cool to go to waterparks.....but am sure my kids would love disneyquest

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Hi
my first post!
Have finally just booked our flights after checking EVERY single day for what I thought was a good deal....so we fly on 1 November out of melbourne (we live in Perth) to LAX, ($1299 on VA)

so far havent booked any further flights as we still are deciding on what to do....but we will more than likely spend a 1 night in LA to break up the long journey and then head to Orlando for 2 - 2.5weeks...then unsure what to do with the rest of our time

ive been looking at accommodation at either Floridays or Willow Hills community as prices are great, I like the idea of self contained

I have been to WDL once and WDW twice but never with kids...however i am more excited than they are!!

I am a former travel agent but will be doing all the bookings direct myself for this trip

Loving reading all the tips on this forum!!! Im a bit of a forum junkie and am going to be making HEAPS of notes!!

I seriously cannot wait I cant believe i haev to wait 6months!!! Im more excited than the kids!

Welcome and congratulations on your holiday. Amazing flight prices well done.

Sounds like you are super organised.

Hi Baf65,

I know what you mean about being more excited than the kids. My countdown on the phone started at 648 days and we are now down to 178. I already have apps downloaded for ride wait times and various disney facts. They just give me this "Oh mum" look when I tell them about rides but I know that once we get there they will be super excited. We are staying in Orlando for three weeks and so far have planned the Kennedy Space Centre, WDW, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and shopping along International Drive. We'll be there at the same time I'm doing the Wine and Dine Half marathon on the 10th and I'd like to say keep a look out for me in the back of the pack bringing up the rear but since it finishes at about 2.30AM, I won't.

I like Mouse Savers. It's a great site for info and discounts. Have you seen it?
When my youngest was 4 1/2 we went to DL and he coped just fine with the walking. As long as we had a rest in the middle of the day he was happy.
So how old are your kids?

aussiepossum - have you booked a tour for Kennedy Space Centre or are you driving? If going by tour, I would love to know who you decided on and why.

 

[dabecs]

Hi
my first post!
Have finally just booked our flights after checking EVERY single day for what I thought was a good deal....so we fly on 1 November out of melbourne (we live in Perth) to LAX, ($1299 on VA)

so far havent booked any further flights as we still are deciding on what to do....but we will more than likely spend a 1 night in LA to break up the long journey and then head to Orlando for 2 - 2.5weeks...then unsure what to do with the rest of our time

ive been looking at accommodation at either Floridays or Willow Hills community as prices are great, I like the idea of self contained

I have been to WDL once and WDW twice but never with kids...however i am more excited than they are!!

I am a former travel agent but will be doing all the bookings direct myself for this trip

Loving reading all the tips on this forum!!! Im a bit of a forum junkie and am going to be making HEAPS of notes!!

I seriously cannot wait I cant believe i haev to wait 6months!!! Im more excited than the kids!

Once you know your WDW dates I will pop you in the opening thread

We leave Melbourne on the 2nd but only have a few hours stop over in LA so our WDW check in date might be the same! We are going to be at WDW from the 2nd Nov to the 18th

 

[dabecs]

aussiepossum - have you booked a tour for Kennedy Space Centre or are you driving? If going by tour, I would love to know who you decided on and why.

Ms Shuttergirl did you hire a car to go outlet shopping? If not how did you get to the malls? We were thinking about hiring a car and going to Kennedy one day and the outlet malls the other but depending on cost I would much rather be driven

 

[nikdisney]

Count us in!! Myself, DH, dd 10 and dd 7 are going on our first disney trip!
We are booked Dec 3-12 at Wilderness Lodge, followed by Dec 12-30 in Toronto Canada.

 

[dabecs]

Count us in!! Myself, DH, dd 10 and dd 7 are going on our first disney trip!
We are booked Dec 3-12 at Wilderness Lodge, followed by Dec 12-30 in Toronto Canada.

added

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ms Shuttergirl did you hire a car to go outlet shopping? If not how did you get to the malls? We were thinking about hiring a car and going to Kennedy one day and the outlet malls the other but depending on cost I would much rather be driven

Dabecs - my DH went to the malls twice. I was all shopped out after NYC and I don't really like shopping. If only my DH felt the same. He loves to shop and was absolutely obsessed with the cheap prices of the Orlando Malls. We just caught a cab there, I believe it cost around $30-$40.

With that said, if you and your family are comfortable with driving in the US, I would imagine it is way cheaper to hire a car to drive yourselves to KSC and the outlet malls over 2 days - rather than a guide tour and taxis.

Count us in!! Myself, DH, dd 10 and dd 7 are going on our first disney trip!
We are booked Dec 3-12 at Wilderness Lodge, followed by Dec 12-30 in Toronto Canada.

Nikdisney - that's a long time to spend in Toronto. Are you hiring a car and driving further afield? What are your Canada plans?

BTW, you will love Wilderness Lodge and at Christmas , it will be amazing. We stayed there for 5 nights of our 11 nights in 2010 and I fell totally in love with the place. I wanted to go there again this time but my family convinced me to try other resorts. We will definitely be visiting WL though, the Christmas tree alone is worth the trip.

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

Oh Em Gee!!!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-beast’s-castle-seven-dwarf-mine-train-more/

What does "Holiday Season" mean?

I wonder if soft openings will be going on in November!!!



As you can tell by the smilies I'm not sure what to think!!

 

[nikdisney]

Dabecs - my DH went to the malls twice. I was all shopped out after NYC and I don't really like shopping. If only my DH felt the same. He loves to shop and was absolutely obsessed with the cheap prices of the Orlando Malls. We just caught a cab there, I believe it cost around $30-$40.

With that said, if you and your family are comfortable with driving in the US, I would imagine it is way cheaper to hire a car to drive yourselves to KSC and the outlet malls over 2 days - rather than a guide tour and taxis.



Nikdisney - that's a long time to spend in Toronto. Are you hiring a car and driving further afield? What are your Canada plans?

BTW, you will love Wilderness Lodge and at Christmas , it will be amazing. We stayed there for 5 nights of our 11 nights in 2010 and I fell totally in love with the place. I wanted to go there again this time but my family convinced me to try other resorts. We will definitely be visiting WL though, the Christmas tree alone is worth the trip.

Hi shuttergirl - my parents live outside of toronto so that's why the long visit. We'll hire a car and take in some of the Christmas sights while we're there. DH tells me that if there is no snow in Toronto we will be getting in the car and driving north until we find some!

Wilderness Lodge looks amazing, we are sooooo excited. We were planning on staying at the polynesian but then saw some photos of WL at Christmas. That changed our minds right away. Being from Canada I'm a Christmas nut, so I can't wait to see all the decorations at Disney!

You've got a lot of stops on your list - how long will you be away for?

 

[dabecs]

Oh Em Gee!!!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-beast’s-castle-seven-dwarf-mine-train-more/

What does "Holiday Season" mean?

I wonder if soft openings will be going on in November!!!



As you can tell by the smilies I'm not sure what to think!!

I really hope it's all going early November! My girls will be 5 and 6 when we go - so to say they the princesses is an understatement!

 

[Libby]

With less than 7 months to go it's time to get a move along with our plans. Previously I've been far more along than I am this time (at this stage all I have booked is our cruise). We'll be at WDW from the 24th Nov for 15 nights before taking a cruise (not Disney) to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversay. We are kind enough to bring along DD13 and DD10 . It's been 8 years since we've been to WDW and are looking forward to returning. Because the girls like space and we're there for so long we are staying at the Wyndam Bonnet Creek - which will save us over $4000!!!!!
So happy to have found this thread full of other Aussie Disney addicts .

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

I really hope it's all going early November! My girls will be 5 and 6 when we go - so to say they the princesses is an understatement!

I am hoping we at least have soft openings

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh Em Gee!!!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-beast’s-castle-seven-dwarf-mine-train-more/

What does "Holiday Season" mean?

I wonder if soft openings will be going on in November!!!



As you can tell by the smilies I'm not sure what to think!!

How exciting. I can't wait to see the changes

Hi shuttergirl - my parents live outside of toronto so that's why the long visit. We'll hire a car and take in some of the Christmas sights while we're there. DH tells me that if there is no snow in Toronto we will be getting in the car and driving north until we find some!

Wilderness Lodge looks amazing, we are sooooo excited. We were planning on staying at the polynesian but then saw some photos of WL at Christmas. That changed our minds right away. Being from Canada I'm a Christmas nut, so I can't wait to see all the decorations at Disney!

You've got a lot of stops on your list - how long will you be away for?

Ahhh well that explains it. We'd love to hire a car and drive it ourselves but having never driven in winter/snowy conditions like the ones we would experience in Canada, we feel nervous to try it. It certainly would be alot easier though .

I'm glad you went with WL, it is such a beautiful resort. The teepee light fixtures in the foyer are unbelievable.

We sure do have alot of stops on this trip . We are away for 5 weeks broken down as follows:-

11 nights WDW
9 nights NYC
5 nights Quebec city
2 nights Niagara Falls
4 nights Boston
4 nights Washington

Whew.

 

[aussietravellers]

aussiepossum - have you booked a tour for Kennedy Space Centre or are you driving? If going by tour, I would love to know who you decided on and why.

We have done a KSC tour, it was with http://www.grayline.com/United_States_Orlando/Kennedy_Space_Center_and_Airboat_Safari
They picked up at ASMusic (I think, it was one of the AS resorts). Stopped at the airboat place on the way, which was awesome, then went on to KSC. Some on our bus didn't do the airboat tour, so the bus left, dropped them at KSC, then returned for us.

It was an awesome day (we saw a rocket launch at KSC)

Ms Shuttergirl did you hire a car to go outlet shopping? If not how did you get to the malls? We were thinking about hiring a car and going to Kennedy one day and the outlet malls the other but depending on cost I would much rather be driven

We went to both outlet malls (several times) and also many of the malls around. We took a taxi most times. The outlet mall that is farther away from WDW is a better outlet mall than the one closest to WDW. I do go once to the one closest to WDW with friends and they had a car, but when I went by myself, I took a cab. As we were at AKL, we found that taking the WDW bus to DTD, then catching a taxi to the different malls saved us about $15. Then on the way back, we would get the taxi to drop us at DTD near the buses, so we could just hop on the bus back to our resort. If you are at a resort close by, then it won't add much to the trip, but if you are at say one of the MK resorts or AKL, it can shave a good $15 to $20 off your taxi ride by taking the bus to DTD

Oh Em Gee!!!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-beast’s-castle-seven-dwarf-mine-train-more/

What does "Holiday Season" mean?

I wonder if soft openings will be going on in November!!!



As you can tell by the smilies I'm not sure what to think!!

That looks awesome!

Holiday Season is Christmas Season, which starts in mid November until early January

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ms Shuttergirl did you hire a car to go outlet shopping? If not how did you get to the malls? We were thinking about hiring a car and going to Kennedy one day and the outlet malls the other but depending on cost I would much rather be driven

Sorry dabecs, I missed this question. My DH caught cabs to and from. I think it was something like $25-30 which after he had shopped for 5 hours was money well spent. We think that the saving of time and fuss for us is worthwhile, esp since we don't drive in the US as of yet. But I would definitely consider hiring a car if you'll get a few days use out of it.

We have done a KSC tour, it was with http://www.grayline.com/United_States_Orlando/Kennedy_Space_Center_and_Airboat_Safari
They picked up at ASMusic (I think, it was one of the AS resorts). Stopped at the airboat place on the way, which was awesome, then went on to KSC. Some on our bus didn't do the airboat tour, so the bus left, dropped them at KSC, then returned for us.

It was an awesome day (we saw a rocket launch at KSC)



We went to both outlet malls (several times) and also many of the malls around. We took a taxi most times. The outlet mall that is farther away from WDW is a better outlet mall than the one closest to WDW. I do go once to the one closest to WDW with friends and they had a car, but when I went by myself, I took a cab. As we were at AKL, we found that taking the WDW bus to DTD, then catching a taxi to the different malls saved us about $15. Then on the way back, we would get the taxi to drop us at DTD near the buses, so we could just hop on the bus back to our resort. If you are at a resort close by, then it won't add much to the trip, but if you are at say one of the MK resorts or AKL, it can shave a good $15 to $20 off your taxi ride by taking the bus to DTD



That looks awesome!

Holiday Season is Christmas Season, which starts in mid November until early January

Thanks for the info on the tour Aussietravellers. That is exactly the sort of thing we want to do.

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

We have done a KSC tour, it was with http://www.grayline.com/United_States_Orlando/Kennedy_Space_Center_and_Airboat_Safari
They picked up at ASMusic (I think, it was one of the AS resorts). Stopped at the airboat place on the way, which was awesome, then went on to KSC. Some on our bus didn't do the airboat tour, so the bus left, dropped them at KSC, then returned for us.

It was an awesome day (we saw a rocket launch at KSC)



We went to both outlet malls (several times) and also many of the malls around. We took a taxi most times. The outlet mall that is farther away from WDW is a better outlet mall than the one closest to WDW. I do go once to the one closest to WDW with friends and they had a car, but when I went by myself, I took a cab. As we were at AKL, we found that taking the WDW bus to DTD, then catching a taxi to the different malls saved us about $15. Then on the way back, we would get the taxi to drop us at DTD near the buses, so we could just hop on the bus back to our resort. If you are at a resort close by, then it won't add much to the trip, but if you are at say one of the MK resorts or AKL, it can shave a good $15 to $20 off your taxi ride by taking the bus to DTD



That looks awesome!

Holiday Season is Christmas Season, which starts in mid November until early January

So at the least we should have soft openings

 

[dabecs]

So at the least we should have soft openings

Soft openings would be perfect I am concerned that if an announcement comes out saying everything will be open by early November then heaps of extra people might go to the park to see the new attractions and it will be much busier...