November/December 2012?

[shushh]

I just received an advance purchase email for a live stage show of Grinch that Stole Christmas at Madison Square Garden Theatre in December in NYC. I think we have to go, I love that story and to see it performed on stage would be wonderful.

http://www.theateratmsg.com/content/msg/theateratmsg/events/promos/GRINCH.html

That looks really good! I think it'll be awesome! Looking forward to your report on it. I'm getting the promos for the radio city hall Christmas spectacular and so wishing that I could be in NYC

 

[shushh]

I just did a quote on their website for our Honolulu car hire and I agree the all-inclusive prices look good. However it seems that, when you book, you only pay a deposit and then pay the balance when you pick up the car. It said something like the price given today was based on the current Euro-NZ$ conversion. So, that's a bit of a worry because, although the NZ$ is doing well (for us) against the Euro right now, who's to say what it will be doing in January 2013 when I'd pick up the car. Normally our currency gets worse! Hmmm not sure what to do

Travel Mum is there an option of paying beforehand? If you're happy doing this and have the money ready, it might be an option?!?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

That looks really good! I think it'll be awesome! Looking forward to your report on it. I'm getting the promos for the radio city hall Christmas spectacular and so wishing that I could be in NYC

Shushh, did you guys go the the Christmas spectacular last year when you were there?

We have our tickets but I have to say I was a little shocked at how expensive they were and we aren't anywhere near the front . I'm sure it will be worth it though. Very much looking forward to it.

 

[shushh]

Shushh, did you guys go the the Christmas spectacular last year when you were there?

We have our tickets but I have to say I was a little shocked at how expensive they were and we aren't anywhere near the front . I'm sure it will be worth it though. Very much looking forward to it.

Yes we did! I LOVED it! Think of 1920s 1930s vaudeville style entertainment modernized. The dancing was incredible

 

[shushh]

Ms Shuttergirl I found a special code which let me buy VIP seats at regular prices. We were seated on the 1st row of the mezzanine. And it wasnt cheap but i didn't remember it being super expensive? But the prices have probably increased alot since we've been! I think the stage is so wide and the performance is not centered on 1 person so it's actually better to be a little further back so you can take in the whole stage

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Yes we did! I LOVED it! Think of 1920s 1930s vaudeville style entertainment modernized. The dancing was incredible

Ms Shuttergirl I found a special code which let me buy VIP seats at regular prices. We were seated on the 1st row of the mezzanine. And it wasnt cheap but i didn't remember it being super expensive? But the prices have probably increased alot since we've been! I think the stage is so wide and the performance is not centered on 1 person so it's actually better to be a little further back so you can take in the whole stage

We are definitely on the mezzanine, I like an elevated position. Perhaps the price is reasonable, it just seemed expensive but really in the scheme of things, as my husband would say:-

"it's just another photo shoot honey" .

I'm gonna need to do a whole lot of photo shoots to pay for these 2 big trips .

 

[queenie82]

The others to get a quote from is http://www.uscarhire.com/ also uk based but dollar is doing well against the gb pound!

It also includes all insurance (CDW etc) and included an extra driver for free. might also be worth checking out carrental8.

Found anywhere for a better quote when renting in France?

I've got a quote from Hertz booked through .com.au (on CC req) which was the same price on .com and .com.au but more on .co.uk go figure.
But I'm just wondering if you've found any better places for booking France with?
Only 'restriction' is the car has to be automatic which no...is NOT normal in Europe

YAY for the Euro/AUD

 

[shushh]

Yes we too were getting annoyed that 'auto' was always more expensive than manual!!! We ended up going through carhire3000. We got redirected to travel jigsaw. It was the cheapest. Car will be from europcars.

 

[queenie82]

Yes we too were getting annoyed that 'auto' was always more expensive than manual!!! We ended up going through carhire3000. We got redirected to travel jigsaw. It was the cheapest. Car will be from europcars.

Thanks. Just searched Travel jigsaw. Would save about $50 I guess. Not enough for pre paying with a 3rd party for me I don't think. Not given our previous experience when things go wrong booking through third parties...and that this is the French I'll just keep watching around.
Is there a way (other than logical deduction) to work out which company the car is ultimately coming from before you book though out of curiosity?
Some you can deduce once you're familiar with what companies 'stock' but I would be curious.
Oh and did you buy their excess refund thing? just wondering..
Thanks

 

[shushh]

Queenie from memory the provider of the car was revealed from the beginning? I've since gone back to carhire3000 and it looks different from when we booked? We were given the option of only paying the deposit. But if we paid the whole amount them we re able to change dates etc with no penalty, so we did. But we didn't choose the excess option as our travel insurance covers excess for car rental.

Any luck with getting better prices?

 

[queenie82]

Queenie from memory the provider of the car was revealed from the beginning? I've since gone back to carhire3000 and it looks different from when we booked? We were given the option of only paying the deposit. But if we paid the whole amount them we re able to change dates etc with no penalty, so we did. But we didn't choose the excess option as our travel insurance covers excess for car rental.

Any luck with getting better prices?

hmmm...
I went directly to travel jigsaw and it didn't give the name of the company in anything. Maybe if I route through carhire3000.
When I went to "email quote" it then came up with "thank you for booking with carhire3000". I did that to try and get the company revealed but still...nope...none of the details tell you that.
All it tells you is that the deposit is $80 and then you pay the rest by a particular date.
The Travel Jigsaw QUOTE (that is $50 less) interestingly is INCLUDING the excess refund. So I'll have investigate what the excess is if you book with Hertz direct, because this would mean you're paying $50 less and if something does happen and CDW comes into play travel jigsaw supposedly pay back the excess.

Of course I'm still assuming this is Hertz the Travel jigsaw quote...but...I'm pretty sure the quote is a Hertz quote because it is the same car type.

I might try carhire3000 later

 

[shushh]

Queenie I'll see if I can retrace my steps. I distinctly remember getting frustrated because they kept redirecting us and I couldn't stop it. I could be remembering quotes from other sites with regards to the company being stated upfront!!!

 

[dabecs]

I have had a look at all the car rental links - very little difference between any of them. We only want a car for 2 days so maybe that is why, or it could be that I am looking at a 7 seater minivan

Can anyone confirm the location for WDW Downtown Disney car rentals is 1000 Car Care Drive Orlando , FL 32830 US? I'm looking at Alamo/National.

94 days to go

 

[diannesa]

If you put money on a travel card when the exchange rate is good you don't have to worry about it changing. We always always use an ANZ travel card when travelling to the USA.

 

[DVCAustralia]

Originally posted by dabecs
I have had a look at all the car rental links - very little difference between any of them. We only want a car for 2 days so maybe that is why, or it could be that I am looking at a 7 seater minivan

Can anyone confirm the location for WDW Downtown Disney car rentals is 1000 Car Care Drive Orlando , FL 32830 US? I'm looking at Alamo/National.

The main Alamo/National location is near the car park entrace for Magic Kingdom (TTC) and Speedway, with a free shuttle provided from/to Disney Hotels. The closest to Downtown Disney is Beuna Vista Palace Hotel, with another at the Disney Dolphin Hotel.

 

[dabecs]

Thanks! That is exactly the info I needed

 

[shushh]

OK after being sick all week with shingles, I'm back! I can't remember if I've updated everyone on our trip details which has changed over the past couple of months but I'll do it anyway!

Paris - 6 days
Disneyland - 4 days - we plan on using one of those days to hire a car and visit Fountainebleu and surrounds, as well as going to the outlets at La Vallee Marne
Carcassonne - 1 night - we'll catch the train to Montpellier, pick up a car and drive to Carcassonne, just because we love the boardgame that was named after the walled city...
Montpellier - 1 night - heading east towards Provence
Arles - 5 nights - our base for exploring Provence, details to be finalised. Will very much be weather dependent.
Valmorel - 7 nights - skiing at the new club med ski resort. very much looking forward to the all inclusive break.
Venice - 3 nights - driving from the Alps to Geneva then catching a flight to Venice where DH's parents will join us
Bologna - 2 nights
Florence - 6 nights - my parents, brother, aunt and cousin will be joining us in Florence. We're planning on a day trip to Lucca and Pisa and we didn't visit them on our cruise last time.
Rome - 2 nights - we've booked a private transfer for the whole tribe which includes a tour of Siena and San Gimignano on the way from Florence to Rome. Also planning to book gladiator school. Should be fun!
NCL Jade Holy Land cruise- 11 nights. Very special for the children to be on a cruise with both sets of grandparents. We'll be visiting Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. Shore excursions organised for Turkey and Cyprus so far. Very much looking forward to Israel and visiting the towns and places associated with the early years of Jesus.
Post cruise - We've booked a private transfer from the port to the airport with a tour of Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio in between. Then sadly its time to fly home...Our parents, however, will both be kicking on. One set will head to the middle east whilst the other set will go to Asia. Darn those people!

As for Disneyland Paris, I'm both excited and apprehensive. I know its a beautiful park but I am aware of the reports of smoking and poor crowd control (queue jumping and character mobs). We're booked in at the Disneyland Hotel. Its a dream for me so I am eternally grateful to DH for agreeing to fund it! Even at 50% off, it is ridiculously expensive.

We've decided to do Buffalo Bill's wild west show, and a character dinner at Inventions. Also on the list are to dine at Walt's and Annette's. I also want to do the tour of the park. I've a got a list of the "must-do"s at DLP, but will play it by ear as we're visiting in low season and will have 3 days too do it in. So it appears that once again, I will be visiting a Disney park with no touring plan! I am getting slack in my old age...

 

[queenie82]

OK after being sick all week with shingles, I'm back! I can't remember if I've updated everyone on our trip details which has changed over the past couple of months but I'll do it anyway!

Paris - 6 days
Disneyland - 4 days - we plan on using one of those days to hire a car and visit Fountainebleu and surrounds, as well as going to the outlets at La Vallee Marne
Carcassonne - 1 night - we'll catch the train to Montpellier, pick up a car and drive to Carcassonne, just because we love the boardgame that was named after the walled city...
Montpellier - 1 night - heading east towards Provence
Arles - 5 nights - our base for exploring Provence, details to be finalised. Will very much be weather dependent.
Valmorel - 7 nights - skiing at the new club med ski resort. very much looking forward to the all inclusive break.
Venice - 3 nights - driving from the Alps to Geneva then catching a flight to Venice where DH's parents will join us
Bologna - 2 nights
Florence - 6 nights - my parents, brother, aunt and cousin will be joining us in Florence. We're planning on a day trip to Lucca and Pisa and we didn't visit them on our cruise last time.
Rome - 2 nights - we've booked a private transfer for the whole tribe which includes a tour of Siena and San Gimignano on the way from Florence to Rome. Also planning to book gladiator school. Should be fun!
NCL Jade Holy Land cruise- 11 nights. Very special for the children to be on a cruise with both sets of grandparents. We'll be visiting Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. Shore excursions organised for Turkey and Cyprus so far. Very much looking forward to Israel and visiting the towns and places associated with the early years of Jesus.
Post cruise - We've booked a private transfer from the port to the airport with a tour of Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio in between. Then sadly its time to fly home...Our parents, however, will both be kicking on. One set will head to the middle east whilst the other set will go to Asia. Darn those people!

Jealous...but awesome to see the actual plan

As for Disneyland Paris, I'm both excited and apprehensive. I know its a beautiful park but I am aware of the reports of smoking and poor crowd control (queue jumping and character mobs). We're booked in at the Disneyland Hotel. Its a dream for me so I am eternally grateful to DH for agreeing to fund it! Even at 50% off, it is ridiculously expensive.

We've decided to do Buffalo Bill's wild west show, and a character dinner at Inventions. Also on the list are to dine at Walt's and Annette's. I also want to do the tour of the park. I've a got a list of the "must-do"s at DLP, but will play it by ear as we're visiting in low season and will have 3 days too do it in. So it appears that once again, I will be visiting a Disney park with no touring plan! I am getting slack in my old age...

You'll LOVE it and you KNOW you will.
I hate every day dealing with smokers just the gauntlet from the station to my office...so dealing with it at Disney drives me bonkers
But I'm still wanting to go back and so you'll still love it an have a great time.
The Character thing I would try and play by ear. Unless it is a unique character I wouldn't fight for it.
As for staying at DLH...green with envy....very green...

Inventions is ridiculously expensive but again...you'll love it and YOU'LL MAKE UP FOR THE CHARACTERS!!!
I look forward to the Buffalo Bill report. Jonah should LOVE that!! I don't know why but I keep feeling like I want to do that. Please slap me if I think that again


Now here's what I REALLY want to know? What tour? You want to do a private VIP tour? Curious about that

 

[shushh]

Jealous...but awesome to see the actual plan

You'll LOVE it and you KNOW you will.
Sigh...yes you're right!

I hate every day dealing with smokers just the gauntlet from the station to my office...so dealing with it at Disney drives me bonkers
But I'm still wanting to go back and so you'll still love it an have a great time.
The Character thing I would try and play by ear. Unless it is a unique character I wouldn't fight for it.
As for staying at DLH...green with envy....very green...

Inventions is ridiculously expensive but again...you'll love it and YOU'LL MAKE UP FOR THE CHARACTERS!!!
I look forward to the Buffalo Bill report. Jonah should LOVE that!! I don't know why but I keep feeling like I want to do that. Please slap me if I think that again
Because its fun! Er...do I need to slap myself?

Now here's what I REALLY want to know? What tour? You want to do a private VIP tour? Curious about that

Its the "discovery" tour NOT the "privilege" tour!
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/services/guided-tours/

 

[queenie82]

Its the "discovery" tour NOT the "privilege" tour!
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/services/guided-tours/

Wow!!! I didn't know about this cheap tour!!!! I only knew about the VIP one.

Thank you

And no you don't need to slap yourself.
I've just been on too many trips with Mr Serious (and you know who I mean. He would NOT approve of Buffalo Bill )
But see the thing is I'll only have 3 proper dinner nights and DBF wants to do at least 2 "nice dinners" which means 1 is inventions and I don't think Buffalo counts...
I'll do some more research and sums