PTR/TR - An Aussie tribe’s American Adventure Dec 9 2010 – Jan 23 2011

[shushh]

Well close enough! It was 50 days yesterday but I fell asleep. Sigh, busy busy busy! 49 days to go and yet still so much to do. At the moment, none of my thoughts are too coherent. I’ve got ten thousand and one things flying around in my head.

I do feel better now that we have a rough plan for our time in New York. This would have been enough for a normal person, but as my dear DH keeps reminding me, I’m not normal! So I’ve pinned all our planned activities, colour coded them for different days, made sure links to websites are attached and included recommended restaurants in the area. I’ve also included alternate activities just in case we change our minds or we have time to do more!

Rather than me posting more drivel, I will just include the link. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions/recommendations. I am very open to everyone’s thoughts!

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?h...331388305374451713.0004923795e0700384ba9&z=13

I’ve also bought our tickets to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure which included round trip transfers. I was so excited that one more thing has been ticked off my list until I realized that I had no plan for how we were going to tackle US/IOA. Sigh, another item put back onto the to-do list.

Another moment of panic ensued when I remembered that I might have given the TA the wrong info for ADRs on Dec 10 and 11. Family Y would have arrived yet and so I need to make sure that the reservation is for 11 and not 14.

I then also realized that I had no dining plans after our return from Washington DC. This was my opportunity to book ourselves into Raglan Rd to try the famed bread and butter pudding. I tried to book the Flying Fish Café as we will be at staying at the Boardwalk but alas it was not to be.

This then brings me to dinner on Jan 4 at Cocoa Beach where there will be 20 of us. Where to go?!?!?! You can see why I find it hard to get any work done. There is just too many things to think about which are much more important…

I’ve managed to book a bus for our Kennedy Space Centre excursion for $200 round trip which I’m rather proud of! We’re staying at La Quinta Cocoa Beach, not one of the recommended establishments by the majority of DISboarders but we got very cheap rates which included breakfast (AU$75 per night including taxes). The rooms looked ok, and most importantly they fit 5! Reception has kindly attached discount coupons for our space centre excursions. I haven’t been able to find any myself and so was quite grateful for this.

The bus to transport us to the port has also been booked. $4 per person which I think are fairly standard rates. As for the cruise…that has been a source of great frustration of late. I have had difficulties making nursery reservations online and DCL’s online customer service I’m sad to say is appalling. I have now been unable to access my reservation since Oct 14!

Well that’s probably enough brain dump for 1 day! Hopefully the next installment won’t take as long to post as this one…

Next...Tagging The Tots

 

[PrincessInOz]

YAY for 50 days!

New York looks all organised....and I think I hate you as much as ehsmum. I was enviously looking at your pin for B&H. Have you got something in mind to get?

And what a lot you've gotten organised already. Sounds like you only have one or two more things to sort out in WDW. Wouldn't it be great to have Bread and Butter pudding at Raglan Road?

Dinner for 20 at Cocoa Beach....mmmm. Hav you could take a look on TripAdvisor to see if there is anything anyone would recommend? Otherwise, take away pizza on the beach might be a fallback?

 

[Jade+3]

50 days will go so quickly....especially with your to-do list! We didn't go in to Cocoa Beach, so can't offer any help there. Maybe have a look on Yelp as well as Trip Advisor. Glad you have booked transport to get to the port. We were driving - we could see the ship but could not find out how to get to it, and the GPS was of no help.

 

[shushh]

New York looks all organised....and I think I hate you as much as ehsmum. I was enviously looking at your pin for B&H. Have you got something in mind to get?

And what a lot you've gotten organised already. Sounds like you only have one or two more things to sort out in WDW. Wouldn't it be great to have Bread and Butter pudding at Raglan Road?

Dinner for 20 at Cocoa Beach....mmmm. Hav you could take a look on TripAdvisor to see if there is anything anyone would recommend? Otherwise, take away pizza on the beach might be a fallback?

We can't go around hating each other ! I already hate everyone who's been and who's going! I'm eyeing a fixed aperture zoom lens which is ridiculously priced here. I also want to buy a flash unit and a wireless remote. I can't decide whether to buy online and get it shipped to POR or to buy in NY. I don't want to carry too much around WDW but there are oh so many photos to take! Decisions, decisions...

THanks for the takeout on the beach idea. Didn't even think about it! Its probably a good option as the number of children will have increased.

50 days will go so quickly....especially with your to-do list! We didn't go in to Cocoa Beach, so can't offer any help there. Maybe have a look on Yelp as well as Trip Advisor. Glad you have booked transport to get to the port. We were driving - we could see the ship but could not find out how to get to it, and the GPS was of no help.

Yelp is another good idea. How could I use it for NY and forget to use it elsewhere? Duh! So much for crazy planning!

 

[Jade+3]

Sorry to jump ahead, but how are you getting from Washington DC to Orlando?

 

[shushh]

Flying. Delta doesn't appear to do a direct flight so we bought our own jetblue fare

 

[Jade+3]

Thanks....My proposed itinerary is very similar to yours (minus the cruise). That's if I can get A to agree.

 

[shushh]

I'm trying to reply to your email. I keep getting distracted! Does that mean you're canning Disneyland and going to WDW?

 

[Jade+3]

Not yet...I have to price it...then put forward my proposal! It is distracting me from my exam preparation. I think it is too risky taking Max bush at this stage.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Jade - Good luck with exams and Disney planning.

Shushh - I didn't stop at Cocoa Beach but I don't think it's too far from Melbourne, Florida. Melbourne is a much smaller town compared to Melbourne Victoria....I mean, the size of Double Bay. But if you can't find anything in Cocoa Beach, it may be novel to go to Melbourne, Florida; get your snappy tourist shots, find somewhere to eat.....instead of Cocoa Beach.

 

[shushh]

Ok, I will check out Melbourne. Need to see how far it is and work out transport as well.

 

[Jade+3]

Another question - is the Novotel Times Square allowing 5 in a room?

 

[Travel Mum]

Another question - is the Novotel Times Square allowing 5 in a room?

They wouldn't when I emailed them but, of course, none of my children are under 3

 

[shushh]

When I emailed the hotel direct way over a year ago (not the generic novotel email), the person who responded immediately offered me a room with 2 doubles and a free rollaway bed so I made the reservation quick smart. There are 2 families of 5 this trip but our youngest are 2 and 3 respectively.

novotel.newyork@accor.com

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Sounds like you are going to have a great time. I can't believe how many people you are going to be traveling with. I am just planning for me and DBF, and that is already difficult enough. I am in awe at your planning abilities

Can't wait to read more! Aussie Disers need to stick together if you haven't noticed we are outnumbered on the boards

 

[Jade+3]

When I emailed the hotel direct way over a year ago (not the generic novotel email), the person who responded immediately offered me a room with 2 doubles and a free rollaway bed so I made the reservation quick smart. There are 2 families of 5 this trip but our youngest are 2 and 3 respectively.

novotel.newyork@accor.com

Cool, will send them an email once I get my dates sorted.

 

[shushh]

Sounds like you are going to have a great time. I can't believe how many people you are going to be traveling with. I am just planning for me and DBF, and that is already difficult enough. I am in awe at your planning abilities

Can't wait to read more! Aussie Disers need to stick together if you haven't noticed we are outnumbered on the boards

Thanks for the compliment! I'll have to let DH know that the DISers think my planning style is an asset rather than a disorder. The number of people going though is rather crazy. Will not be repeating a trip like this in a big hurry

Cool, will send them an email once I get my dates sorted.

Radio city apartments was the other one that I was really keen on but they didn't have availibity for all of us and ended up being more expensive. However, I think I'd be willing to pay more for the extra space and laundry facilities.

 

[shushh]

A concern that has come up for discussion amongst the parents was how to effectively keep track of which child each adult was responsible for at any given time. We have nearly left Jonah behind at a museum recently as we both thought the other had him! WDW around Christmas would no doubt be busy and with 7 young children we’ll have our work cut out for us.

We have found a solution. Silicone wristbands! Available in many colours, re-usable, relatively comfortable and comes in 3 different sizes to suit all involved. Luckily for us, they had exactly 7 different colours for each of the little kiddies which come in various sizes. I now have in my hot little hands a band for each child which we’ll label with name and US phone number as well as a corresponding coloured band for an adult so they remember which child/children they’ve been allocated to look after. We shall see if this works!

Next...30 Days To Go...

 

[JenKatt]

Somehow I completely missed your PTR!

The one thing that I am truly dreading is the flight to America and the jetlag that follows. 11 of us will be leaving Sydney at 1130 in the morning on a 13 hour and 45 minute flight to LA where we’ll have 3 hours and 45 minutes to go through immigration, pick up our luggage, go through customs, drop them off again for our next flight, go through security and then find our way to our next boarding gate for our connecting flight to Orlando…with 6 children in tow. Hopefully all flights will go ahead as planned and we will be in Orlando 5 hours later unscathed. We arrive at 543pm and who knows what our stomach will think that we’re up to by then. Hopefully the Magical Express won’t take too long to take us to Port Orleans Riverside. We’re hoping to catch a quick bite to eat and then crash. I keep telling myself that if I could survive flying to Europe, then I can survive this…I know I can. I know I can. I know I can.

The flight home should be marginally better as we’ll be flying out from LA and will only have the one plane to catch to reach Sydney. The flight leaves at 1045pm and so here’s to hoping that the children will sleep most of 14 hour flight away!

Next...Glorious Walt Disney World

Our flight from FL to LA to Auckland wasn't that bad (and neither of us slept on it). Amazingly we took a nap the moment we hit the hotel in Auckland, woke up 2 hours later and went all day. There's so much of a time difference your body doesn't take much to reset itself.

Well, she managed to get most of our first choices! Here's what we've got booked.

Dec 10: Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) @ 8:15am
Dec 10: Wolfgang Puck Café (Downtown Disney) @ 6:00pm
Dec 11: Coral Reef (Epcot * Living Seas) @ 11:55am
Dec 11: Bibbity Bobbity Boutique (Magic Kingdom) @ 3:30pm in preparation for baby K's 3rd Birthday party at CRT
Dec 11: Cinderella Royal Table Dinner (Magic Kingdom) @ 5:35pm
Dec 12: Akershus Princess Storybook Breakfast (Epcot *Norway) @ 8:05am
Dec 13: Hollywood Brown Derby Fantasmic Lunch Package (Hollywood Studios) @ 2:00pm
Dec 14: Donald’s Safari Breakfast (Animal Kingdom *Tusker House) @ 8:05am
Dec 14: Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge Resort) @ 7:00pm for a Mums' night out
Dec 15: California Grill (Contemporary Resort) @ 7:20pm Dad’s nights
Dec 16: MVMCP - Not really dining but counting it here for the cookies...
Dec 18: Chef Mickey’s Breakfast @ 8:15am
Dec 18: Le Cellier's (Epcot) @ 6:45pm

The only reservation we're not completely sold on is the Fantasmic Lunch package at Hollywood Brown Derby. We're torn between a more sensible lunch hour and not having to wait in line for Fantasmic. Also we're not sure if it is worth 2 TS credits just to keep the lining up to a minimum. The risk is that it will be extremely busy as it is close to Christmas and there is only one show scheduled for that day.

And hopefully fairly soon, we'll hear from our TA if she has managed to snag us a dinner package at Le Celliers for the Candlelight Processional on Dec 12. If not then hopefully she managed to get us into Teppan Edo.

Will update shortly!

Excellent choices. The Brown Derby is worth it. It really envokes old Hollywood and the food is pretty darn good for being in a theme park. Artist Point is also incredible. One of my favorites. You wine loving friends will love it. They do a nice selection of wines and wine flights. I think only Jiko and Boma have a better selection. (For flights)

Today, we finally decided on which Broadway show to watch. The winner is …Wicked! And we’ve also decided to buy our tickets now to avoid disappointment. So the deed is done! On Tuesday, December 22, DH and I are booked in for a date at 8pm at the Gershwin theatre, which is conveniently only half a block away from our hotel. Sweet! It wasn’t an easy decision. It was tough making the call to not to take the children to a Broadway show. Fortunately, we have Family M to help in the babysitting department. To make it up to the children, we are all going to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular! Woohoo!

It is somewhat of a relief to have made small decisions here and there. It has been so overwhelming trying to decide what to see, where to go and what to do in New York. We have been blessed to have been given helpful and useful advice by friendly fellow DISboarders. However, the choice is endless and the time short. Reading so many fabulous Australian trip reports have also made it worse…the number of to-dos has increased! Ok so here are the definites…

We will arrive in the morning Dec 21. We have a private van booked for pick up from LGA to take the 11 of us to the Novotel Times Square where we will meet up the rest of Family M. Nothing has been planned for the day so far. I was thinking that perhaps some shopping may be in order.

We’ve purchased our Statue of Liberty Crown tickets for Dec 22. I have been madly taking the stairs at work to prepare myself for the 354 steps needed to reach the top. Again, other than Wicked, nothing has been planned after our Ellis and Liberty Island expedition.

On Dec 23, we are going on a 6 hour guided “Royal of New York” in our own minibus of 14. Hopefully, this “highlights” tour will stop me from obsessing about what I don’t get to see. Hmmm… unlikely! Unfortunately, my planning for New York will have to stop temporarily. Tomorrow, we’re heading off to Berry over the long weekend for our board gaming convention. I have skills that I need to brush up on in order to bring home the most coveted meeple cushion that is our champion’s trophy (You’ll have to google meeple – its too hard to explain). I have yet to pack. Yikes! I then have to finalize the details for our trip away the following weekend, this time with the in-laws. It appears that I have a lot to do! Better go get some sleep…

Next...An Aside...Gaming

Well close enough! It was 50 days yesterday but I fell asleep. Sigh, busy busy busy! 49 days to go and yet still so much to do. At the moment, none of my thoughts are too coherent. I’ve got ten thousand and one things flying around in my head.

I do feel better now that we have a rough plan for our time in New York. This would have been enough for a normal person, but as my dear DH keeps reminding me, I’m not normal! So I’ve pinned all our planned activities, colour coded them for different days, made sure links to websites are attached and included recommended restaurants in the area. I’ve also included alternate activities just in case we change our minds or we have time to do more!

Rather than me posting more drivel, I will just include the link. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions/recommendations. I am very open to everyone’s thoughts!

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?h...331388305374451713.0004923795e0700384ba9&z=13

I’ve also bought our tickets to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure which included round trip transfers. I was so excited that one more thing has been ticked off my list until I realized that I had no plan for how we were going to tackle US/IOA. Sigh, another item put back onto the to-do list.

Another moment of panic ensued when I remembered that I might have given the TA the wrong info for ADRs on Dec 10 and 11. Family Y would have arrived yet and so I need to make sure that the reservation is for 11 and not 14.

I then also realized that I had no dining plans after our return from Washington DC. This was my opportunity to book ourselves into Raglan Rd to try the famed bread and butter pudding. I tried to book the Flying Fish Café as we will be at staying at the Boardwalk but alas it was not to be.

This then brings me to dinner on Jan 4 at Cocoa Beach where there will be 20 of us. Where to go?!?!?! You can see why I find it hard to get any work done. There is just too many things to think about which are much more important…

I’ve managed to book a bus for our Kennedy Space Centre excursion for $200 round trip which I’m rather proud of! We’re staying at La Quinta Cocoa Beach, not one of the recommended establishments by the majority of DISboarders but we got very cheap rates which included breakfast (AU$75 per night including taxes). The rooms looked ok, and most importantly they fit 5! Reception has kindly attached discount coupons for our space centre excursions. I haven’t been able to find any myself and so was quite grateful for this.

The bus to transport us to the port has also been booked. $4 per person which I think are fairly standard rates. As for the cruise…that has been a source of great frustration of late. I have had difficulties making nursery reservations online and DCL’s online customer service I’m sad to say is appalling. I have now been unable to access my reservation since Oct 14!

Well that’s probably enough brain dump for 1 day! Hopefully the next installment won’t take as long to post as this one…

Next...Tagging The Tots

Go with the flow in NY. I looked at your map (it was like reliving my college days). I was going to reccomend seeing all the shop windows for the holidays but you're already got that on there. If you're homesick for decent Australian food, go to Eight Mile Creek. We were just there again last year and the food is still amazing. There's another Aussie place called (I believe) the Sunburnt Cow, which is more casual Aussie food. They do alot in charties for families from Australia and NZ who are living in NYC while getting cancer treatments. I would also really reccomend getting to the top of the Empire State Building, especially at sunset (which will be VERY early that time of year). The views are incredible. On a clear day you can see straight out to the mountains of NY and NJ.
Enjoy Kennedy Space Center. There's alot to see there. The drive to and from there is also wonderful. If you can, do one of the longer bus tours while you're there.

See you in 69 days!

 

[shushh]

Hi Jen! Thanks for reading, I can't believe you went through all my waffle in one go! My PTR would be easy to miss as it usually floats around page 5 on account of the lack of updates.

I want to go with the flow in New York but I do worry about finding places for dinner that would accommodate 14 on demand. But I don't want to make reservations as I don't want to tie us down to be at any particular time or place.

We've decide to brave the subways in NY. Just wondering if it might turn out to be not so wise a move considering we'll have a stroller.