September/October 2013 check in

[PrincessInOz]

We normally have a rental car as well.

 

[Kristin5]

Can't help there as we've always had a car.

Do read up on the Las Vegas forum (but DO NOT mention if you are taking kids!) about taxis to/from the airport. Something about some drivers taking you the long way, therefore costing a lot more.

Yeah, last time we took a cab and it took us the long way. We know this time to tell them not to get on the freeway and to take us the direct route not the 'scenic' route. Should only cost $12 or so.

Not sure why "no kids"? DS was 4 (almost 5) last time and it is he who is begging to go again! He loved the replica buildings (Eiffel tower, statue of liberty, etc), M&M world, shopping & swimming and didn't notice any of the seedier things (we didn't really have him out at nighttime though). Anyway, if they are that judgemental on the Las Vegas forum, I simply won't go on there!

I am asking more about San Fran as previously when I have been there I have had a car (but that was ages ago anyway - my first 3 trips to the US, and this will be the first time I have been back there this century!!! ). Really, I am almost a San Fran virgin!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Where are you staying in SF, Kristin?

Depending on the number of bags and how close you are, the BART is a very reliable way of getting in.

 

[Kristin5]

In the city, or downtown as the Americans call it! I think the BART station is a few blocks away from the hotel. But there will be 6 of us, with 6 suitcases (and DS won't be lugging his around!) so I think it'd be more convenient to get a cab or shuttle that drops us off at the hotel. This is our first stop too, so we will have been travelling for a while and will probably be fairly tired (but won't sleep until their nighttime, best way to beat jet lag is to get straight into their times, I find).

 

[PrincessInOz]

We normally go pick up a rental car in SF or take the BART; so I can't help with transfers. Maybe someone else can help out.

If it is your first port after the long haul, then you already know the best thing to do....taxi or shuttle is best.

 

[aussie shaz]

Not sure why "no kids"? DS was 4 (almost 5) last time and it is he who is begging to go again! He loved the replica buildings (Eiffel tower, statue of liberty, etc), M&M world, shopping & swimming and didn't notice any of the seedier things (we didn't really have him out at nighttime though). Anyway, if they are that judgemental on the Las Vegas forum, I simply won't go on there!
:

They are so much worse on the Vegas forum than the 'other' side of the Dis.

My kids looooved Vegas. There are so many great things to do. We don't drink or gamble though, so maybe that changes the view of taking kids.

The people on the Vegas forum will flame anyone just mentioning taking kids there. I didn't spend much time on that forum!!

 

[Kristin5]

They are so much worse on the Vegas forum than the 'other' side of the Dis.

My kids looooved Vegas. There are so many great things to do. We don't drink or gamble though, so maybe that changes the view of taking kids.

The people on the Vegas forum will flame anyone just mentioning taking kids there. I didn't spend much time on that forum!!

We don't drink or gamble either! So DS hardly saw the inside of a casino. We were more interested in the scenery from the street or in other non-gambling activities such as a gondola cruise, a trip up the Eiffel Tower, etc.

Hate to think what all those people on the Vegas forum are getting up to then, if it's not safe for kids! (Maybe in my young and wild days I could relate, but not anymore!)

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Is there a Vegas forum here on the Dis? I have been on other travel websites and discussed Vegas, and yes, people aren't very supportive of taking kids.

I'm not entirely keen on taking my own son to Vegas, but would never judge others for taking their kids there. It's not like us ANZACs can pop to Vegas for the weekend and leave our kids with their grandparents. For most of us, it's either take the kids or don't go at all.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Is there a Vegas forum here on the Dis? I have been on other travel websites and discussed Vegas, and yes, people aren't very supportive of taking kids.

I'm not entirely keen on taking my own son to Vegas, but would never judge others for taking their kids there. It's not like us ANZACs can pop to Vegas for the weekend and leave our kids with their grandparents. For most of us, it's either take the kids or don't go at all.

It's a sub-sub-forum under the Disneyland sub-forum....
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=175

 

[aussie shaz]

Sorry, I meant on Tripadvisor. Never thought there woud be anything on the Dis.
I agree, you either take the kids, or don't go at all. We did go out at night, and the worst thing was the weirdos in their Spiderman/Bart Simpson costumes. All of the card slappers stepped back as we walked past. We had talked to our kids about what we might see (not specifics!), but it was really quite fine.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

 

[Kristin5]

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

Sounds amazing! Good luck keeping it a secret (if you do, you're a lot better than me!)

 

[becpee]

I'll be waving you all off

 

[PrincessInOz]

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

Happy Happy Dance!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Sounds amazing! Good luck keeping it a secret (if you do, you're a lot better than me!)

Thanks Kristin. The girls know we are planning this trip at some stage in the next 18 months just not exactly when as we have been trying to nail down the perfect time. So if we get caught talking about where it wont give us away. Figure we will tell them a week before so we can organise schoolwork. They will have a week and half to get it done when we get home and caught up. They keep telling us that one day they would like it if we just went, lets go to Disneyworld today. I think a week before is good enought.

I'll be waving you all off

Thanks for waving BecPee, appreciated. Your trip will be here before you know it.

Happy Happy Dance!

OH indeed PIO, indeed. Feeling way happy with a tiny amount of guilt.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Why the guilt?

Holidays should be guilt-free zones!

 

[becpee]

OH indeed PIO, indeed. Feeling way happy with a tiny amount of guilt.

Guilt? What for?

You're creating memories

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Why the guilt?

Holidays should be guilt-free zones!

Fourth trip in four years, leaving my baby business for three weeks, taking kids out of school. I get a little responsible every now and then. I could do this with that money.... but my girls are getting older and there are things that need to be done SO GUILT is subsiding.

We are going to have an amazing family holiday that even DH is excited about. Me maybe not so much about the cruise but gotta give it a go ONCE.

By the time September rolls around there will be no guilt

 

[Kristin5]

Fourth trip in four years, leaving my baby business for three weeks, taking kids out of school. I get a little responsible every now and then. I could do this with that money.... but my girls are getting older and there are things that need to be done SO GUILT is subsiding.

We are going to have an amazing family holiday that even DH is excited about. Me maybe not so much about the cruise but gotta give it a go ONCE.

By the time September rolls around there will be no guilt

Ah, but think of the wonderful memories you will be creating! Family holidays like these are worth their weight in gold!

 

[PrincessInOz]

But....you're living life. And what's money anyway if you don't enjoy life?