Sept / Oct 2011

[AussieMumma]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

 

[Jade+3]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

Have a look in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions thread, and you may find your answer.

I have not used Disney transport, but I *think* that all the buses from DTD go to the resorts, not direct to the theme parks - to stop people taking advantage of the free parking.

There is a calculator somewhere (of course I can't find it), that gives traveling times using Disney Transport.

ETA Found it http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx

 

[queenie82]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

I've never looked at this so I don't know which resorts claim it etc
One or two have a ferry connection??

But remember to look at WHERE you are aiming for in DTD. It's a big place. There's the shops at one end. DisneyQuest at the other end.
Even if it is walking distance...what is it walking distance TO...which end...

 

[AussieFan]

Hi there

add My DH & I to the list of aussies doing WDW in sept 2011.

My DH & I are booked:
SYD -LAX 15 SEPT V australia [saved $2000 on getting early premium econ air in january]Free night in LA using FF points]LAX-Tampa 16 SEPT picking up car [$126 for 8 days on priceline -hertz, normal cost around $450], driving to WDW
[saved $1000 on return air flying into tampa than into orlando- first class]its only an hours drive from wdw from tampa, on freeway.Easy
16-24 SEPT BLT , 1 bedroom appartment[DVC members since last year]we just couldnt take staying at value resorts any more..i guess we are getting to old
SEPT 24 flying back to LA, Free night in LA using FF points
25-02 OCT Disney Wonder- mexican riveria from LA, balcony cabin
2 OCT Free day @ LAX hotel waiting for night flight in LAx using FF points
2 OCT LAX-Syd arriving home on 4 OCT.

SO FAR I HAVE SAVED NEARLY $4000 FINDING GREAT DEALSand isnt the dollar AWESOME

If you need any help re planning etc, dont hesitate to ask.....

We love our Mouse

We are headed to Disneyland in September and Karen we are doing the same cruise as you!

Travelling will be me, DH, DD14 and DD11.

We fly to LA 17 September and will spend 8 nights at the Grand Californian before the cruise. We then have a few days in Hollywood before we fly home on 6 October.

It will be our 2nd Disney Cruise and our 2nd stay at the Grand Californian. We can't wait!

Cathy

 

[austraveler]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

The busses from downtown Disney to the parks are not a great option as they spend about thirty minutes at downtown Disney before leaving. Accordingly it takes about 50 minutes to get to the parks. Also do your homework in respect of the shuttle bus tomes from the nonvDisney hotels. In the end it was this issuevalone that convinced me to spend the $$ to stay on site. The shuttle services were very infrequent for all the hotels I checked.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

Are you asking about the Good Neighbour hotels that sit along the Hotel road going into DTD? In my opinion, some of the hotels are walkable; but not all. From memory, I think the two closest might be the Wyndham and the Hilton???

And as Jade pointed out, the buses from DTD to to the resorts. They do not go directly to the parks. I believe that some of the good neighbour hotels offer shuttles - again I recommend you check the frequency and do some reviews on line.

 

[AussieMumma]

Thanks everyone, you've all been really helpful

 

[chocolate_monsta]

Hello all....

Just sorting my third and oh's fourth disney/wdw trip! This time take two first timer overseas friends - and added in an escape wedding and a cruise - woohoo!

I'll get to reading through all this eventually - but just wanted to give a reccomendation...

I used to be a travel agent at a very well known aus place.... ANYWAY - I used a certian disney specialist for ALL of my USA stuff. I will book some things myself - but the way booking works in the states is sooooo different to here - and they have access to SOOOOO many deals, and discount codes etc that you could never find online by yourself...

In Australia, there are so many mark ups from product to wholesale to retail...

Fristly - the product (eg. hotel selling the room) - have to make a profit before they sell the room to the wholesaler for say $100 per night. Then the wholesalers need to make a profit when they sell it to the retailer - say $110 per night. Then the retailer needs to make a profit when allowing the travel consultant to sell it - say $120 and LASTLY the travel consultant ALSO needs to make a profit - so now you are paying $130 for the $100 room....... Airlines do not pay comission at all in Aus anymore - and most hotels/attractions do not either - so it's all based on mark up instead.... The mark up is your profit.

Now - I wont even go into the measly percentage of that final mark up the travel agent would get... Hence - I no longer do that!

In the US of A - hotels, airlines etc still pay comissions directly to travel agents. I have NEVER seen an agent sell anything (flight, hotel, tickets or otherwise) for more than what the direct price is....

LOVE my agent - she is a disney specialist - but not bound to only sell Disney - so can work out anything and everything in the USA - or anywhere else in the world. The ammount of work she puts into everything (including working out a daily intineray based on which days will be the best for each park taking into consideration extra magic hours, general busy periods etc etc) - she does all of your advance dining reservations for you and is a wealth of knowledge... LOVE HER!

If you need her details - pm me!

 

[australiankaren]

We are headed to Disneyland in September and Karen we are doing the same cruise as you!

Travelling will be me, DH, DD14 and DD11.

We fly to LA 17 September and will spend 8 nights at the Grand Californian before the cruise. We then have a few days in Hollywood before we fly home on 6 October.

It will be our 2nd Disney Cruise and our 2nd stay at the Grand Californian. We can't wait!

Cathy

hey,
how awesome is this.....last disney cruise i think there were more aussie crew members than passengers...and its always great to hear the accent [brings a tear to the eye]:

so how is your planning going, i havent started looking at cruise excursions as yet.....

we have left our 2 DS, 1DDIL ,3GK & 1 mini schnauzer at home , so focusing on adult stuff, although i'd love to have a look in kids areas but not allowed I guess i'll have to wait til the 3 GK's are old enough to travel [4,3 & 2 at the moment].

147 sleeps for me.....

where are you in syd??? I'm hills district.

have a good one
KG

 

[AussieMumma]

chocolate_monsta I'm pm'ing you, I just had to get my post count to 10 first

 

[AussieMumma]

Ok we have made a decision and we are sticking to it.....we are staying onsite in WDW!!!!!!!!
Now just onto which one where and how much!!
Has anyone ever rented through a DVC owner? It seems to work out alot cheaper.

 

[tapdancer]

Well I have bitten the bullet and paid for airfares. I was starting to panic that the fares were increasing quicker than my savings.

Ended up getting flights SYD ORL return for $8890 with Delta and that is for 4 adult fares and 1 child. I still need to purchase Hobart to Sydney return but am happy I have at least paid for the most expensive part.

The flight times for Delta were perfect for us departing in the evening from Orlando so giving us an extra day before we head home. Virgin were wanting us to leave in the morning then waiting 12 hours in LAX before catching our connecting flight I don't think 3 children would be pretty having to wait that long.

Am relieved now it's paid so now need to concentrate on spending money and paying the rest of our accommodation.

Exciting

 

[Jade+3]

Well I have bitten the bullet and paid for airfares. I was starting to panic that the fares were increasing quicker than my savings.

Ended up getting flights SYD ORL return for $8890 with Delta and that is for 4 adult fares and 1 child. I still need to purchase Hobart to Sydney return but am happy I have at least paid for the most expensive part.

The flight times for Delta were perfect for us departing in the evening from Orlando so giving us an extra day before we head home. Virgin were wanting us to leave in the morning then waiting 12 hours in LAX before catching our connecting flight I don't think 3 children would be pretty having to wait that long.

Am relieved now it's paid so now need to concentrate on spending money and paying the rest of our accommodation.

Exciting

I have just done the same, and now am stressing that we should have waited for a sale! We ended up going with Air NZ, for $1410 each. I ended up getting a holiday package that included the first nights accom, as it was $300 cheaper than just buying the flights??? We got LAX-NYC for $150 each with AA, and MCO-LAX for $165 each with United.

Busy trying to book car hire and the rest of our hotels.

 

[AussieMumma]

Jade+3 I think $1410 is good at the moment. Airfares just seem to be going up and up!!
We were lucky got ours a few weeks ago after a travel expo for $1260 with V Aust. Thats BNE-LAX. We are then flying onto Chicago then New York then Orlando but haven't go those fares yet.
We would have preferred Qantas for the FF points but they haven't dropped yet for our dates and our dates aren't flexible so we just had to take what we could!!

 

[tapdancer]

Everytime I rang our travel agent the price for airfares went up. Originally we were flying out from Hobart to Orlando return and were quoted $9400, rang back a week later to pay and it was up to $10400 and as I was talking to her on the phone they went up to $11300.

Ended up just getting Sydney Orlando return and will do the Hobart to Sydney leg seperately, Jetstar have a good price at the moment for 5 people $1190 so am booking that today.

I just think the longer you wait the more you will have to pay.

 

[Jade+3]

Jade+3 I think $1410 is good at the moment. Airfares just seem to be going up and up!!
We were lucky got ours a few weeks ago after a travel expo for $1260 with V Aust. Thats BNE-LAX. We are then flying onto Chicago then New York then Orlando but haven't go those fares yet.
We would have preferred Qantas for the FF points but they haven't dropped yet for our dates and our dates aren't flexible so we just had to take what we could!!

Thanks for the encouragement! We miss out on FF too. I have just figured out who you are...welcome!!

Everytime I rang our travel agent the price for airfares went up. Originally we were flying out from Hobart to Orlando return and were quoted $9400, rang back a week later to pay and it was up to $10400 and as I was talking to her on the phone they went up to $11300.

Ended up just getting Sydney Orlando return and will do the Hobart to Sydney leg seperately, Jetstar have a good price at the moment for 5 people $1190 so am booking that today.

I just think the longer you wait the more you will have to pay.

Please be careful with Jetstar and your connection time in SYD. Are you flying the same day? We flew out of Launceston a few months ago. Jetstar sent me a txt 2 hours before the flight to say it had been cancelled, and we could not get out until the following day. As you can probably tell, I am not a Jetstar fan.

 

[tapdancer]

Flying in to Sydney the night before

 

[Jade+3]

Flying in to Sydney the night before

Good move!! One thing I used to hate about living in Tas was international travel. It took us something like 36 hours and 4 flights to get home from Orlando, many years ago. Thankfully before kids!!

 

[AussieFan]

hey,
how awesome is this.....last disney cruise i think there were more aussie crew members than passengers...and its always great to hear the accent [brings a tear to the eye]:

so how is your planning going, i havent started looking at cruise excursions as yet.....

we have left our 2 DS, 1DDIL ,3GK & 1 mini schnauzer at home , so focusing on adult stuff, although i'd love to have a look in kids areas but not allowed I guess i'll have to wait til the 3 GK's are old enough to travel [4,3 & 2 at the moment].

147 sleeps for me.....

where are you in syd??? I'm hills district.

have a good one
KG

Where in the hills distict? We're in Stanhope Gardens!

Our planning is going well. I have just now booked the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood so that takes care of all the major stuff.
Have had a quick look at the port excursions but really its all about the ship for us. We don't really care where it goes!

Our kids are old enough now to enjoy the ship on their own so hopefully we will get to do more of the adult stuff this time.

I haven't started counting sleeps yet. Must look into that.

 

[chocolate_monsta]

Another question.....does anyone know if any of the hotels that claim to be walking distance to downtown disney are a realistic walking distance? We don't mind 15-20 mins but anything past that isn't realistic with 4 children, down right insane really!

And then if they are walking distance can you get buses from downtown disney to the parks?

Silly me has added option 3 into my brain

We stayed at the Anabella - and any hotel along the same strip (Katella Av) is a great location. There is a disney bus system that is super cheap (I think $8 for a pass) and stops all along there and heads to the parks.

The Anabella itself is a "good neighbhour" hotel - is just a cute little hotel/motel with outside entry to the rooms. It has a spa/pool from which you can see the fireworks from if you are not at the pool. It is right next door to a diner where we had breakfast each morning (cheaper than parks and hotel) and is I think the last stop on the bus route that stops directly outside the hotel/diner and takes you straight to the park. The park would be approx 1-2km MAX, possibly less from this hotel, I think it would have to be the closest. It is inexpensive (we never book expensive hotels) but my DF has been there twice, and myself, an extensive traveller and ex travel agent - and I wouldn't stay anywhere else - unless I was upgrading to one of the actual disney hotels!!

Rooms were big, bed was comfy. They are very "american" whereby many hotels in the USA seem quite outdated - but they are not as modern in decor choices as we are here. I assume Aus gets a lot of influence from Asia, where as the USA seems to be a bit behing in catching up. It's something that is good to know for all of your hotels - I have done 3 trips all over the USA and lived/worked there for six months, and found it a very universal thing, at all levels and quality of hotels. For the actual rooms at the Anabella, some of them have two rooms, one with another bed or fold out couch. There are family suites also!

Check online rates - we booked directly through disneyland as they had a good package special on at the time - but also check with US travel agents too -they have some amazing specials.