The Magic, The Mouse and Everything Else! PTR

[Brisbanemum]

With only 20 days to go till our next magical adventure, I thought I would put up a small PTR

First I should probably introduce my family There is myself, Ruvae 35, Dh John 38, DS Sebastian 11 and DS Jett 8. Here is a pic of us with the one and only Mickey on our last USA trip.




This will be our 3rd family vacation to America so I'll give you a quick run down on our last visits.

On our 1st USA trip, John and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Our plan was always to celebrate by renewing our vows in Vegas with Elvis, so we decided to make it into a big holiday for our whole family. This is a short breakdown of where we went

Los Angeles - Disneyland (staying at Castle Inn and Suites), LA tour and Santa Monica, Universal Studios, Day trip to Legoland, Shopping at Outlets!

San Diego - Seaworld and Zoo

San Francisco - Alcatraz, Fishermans Wharf, Lombard St, Biking over Golden Gate Bridge

Las Vegas - Michael Jackson Immortal Cirque Du Soliel Show, Tournament of Kings show, M&Ms world, Madame Tussauds, Seinfeld, Vow Renewal, 1 night casino hopping, Outlet Shopping

Williams, Arizona - Polar Express Train on Xmas Eve, Grand Canyon on Xmas Day


Here's a few pics of the vow renewal







The Elvis was HUGE! Well over 6 foot tall!


After our first USA experience, we decided to return the following year but this time take in some of the East Coast as well. So we went to....

Los Angeles - Disneyland, Outlet Shopping, Knotts Berry Farm

Orlando - Disneyworld, International Drive, Universal Studios, Legoland, Wonderworks, Titanic: The Experience, Seaworld, Mini Golf, Outlet Shopping, Miami Day Trip with Everglades, NASA Kennedy Space Centre

New York - Empire State Building, Times Square, FAO Schwarz, Central Park, Statue Of Liberty

Here's some pics of that trip


The boys playing Pirates at Pop Century Resort with Art Of Animation in the background.


Legoland Florida


Pedi-Cab ride through Central Park and back to our hotel Novotel Times Square


The 2 Captains of the Miami Tour!


Lunch With An Astronaut at NASA. His name was Jim and he was so nice!

Next post......2014 Itinerary!

 

[Brisbanemum]

We have been officially marking off the calendar from 48 WEEKS to go, and we are now up to 20 DAYS to go!

So here is our Itinerary

28th Nov - Depart Brisbane - LAX then LAX - Orlando. Disney's Magical Express Bus to pick us up and transport us to Pop Century Resort.

29th Nov - Animal Kingdom. Breakfast at Tusker House. FP+ Rides - Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Kilimanjaro Safaris

30th Nov - Magic Kingdom. FP+ Rides - Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. 7pm - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

1st Dec - Epcot. Lunch at Biergarten Restaurant. FP+ Rides - Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Mission: Space

2nd Dec - Hollywood Studios. Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. FP+ Rides - Rock n Roller Coaster, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Tours

3rd Dec - Magic Kingdom. FP+ Rides - Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean

4th Dec - Epcot. Dinner Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. FP+ Rides - The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Soarin'

5th Dec - Hollywood Studios. FP+ Rides - For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong, Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania!
Checkout Pop Century and taxi to Enclave Hotel and Suites Orlando.

6th Dec -International Drive Activities

7th Dec - Legoland

8th Dec - Pirate Dinner Adventure with VIP Lounge Upgrade

9th Dec - Check out Enclave, Check In Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in a Despicable Me Kids Suite!

10th - 14th December - Universal Studios with Unlimited Express Passes and early entry daily.

14th - 21st Dec - Stretch Limo to Port Canaveral. 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Disney Magic staying in Concierge 1 Bedroom Suite. Ports include Cozumel, Mexico: Falmouth, Jamaica: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: Castaway Cay, The Bahamas.

We are also participating in Fish Extenders on this cruise and an ornament exchange.....sssoooo excited!!!!

21st - 27th Dec - Stretch Limo to Pop Century Resort. Disneyworld again. I won't bore you with all our Fast Pass + reservations this time lol but we will be dining at Cinderellas Royal Table, The Garden Grill and seeing La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil at Downtown Disney.

27th Dec - Taxi back to the Enclave.

28th Dec - Outlet Shopping Galore!

29th - 31st Dec - Flight back to Brisbane

 

[lffam]

Hi Brisbanemum. sounds and looks like you had great trips and the next one looks awesome also.

What time of year was the second trip?

We went to USA in 2010 and did the Elvis wedding for our 10 years also! it was alot of fun, wasn't my idea but in the end I totally loved it and glad we did it. Grand Canyon on christmas day wow what was that like? I'd love to see some pictures if you have some.

Your trip this year looks awesome also. Cruise on the Magic wow. will be looking forward to hear all about this as we are hoping to do one next year. Christmas time at WDW would be amazing albeit big crowds, but great all the same. Some great ADR's you have also. Probably our favourite dinner was at Garden Grill at Epcot. It's a family style buffet and definitely worth a try if you get a chance.

 

[Brisbanemum]

Thanks for reading Iffam
Our first trip was in Dec 2011/Jan 2012 and the second was Dec 2012/Jan 2013. Is is the best time for us to go away for a month due to Dh work commitments and I love being there for their winter

Let me find some photos

 

[lffam]

Thanks for reading Iffam
Our first trip was in Dec 2011/Jan 2012 and the second was Dec 2012/Jan 2013. Is is the best time for us to go away for a month due to Dh work commitments and I love being there for their winter

Let me find some photos

That would be awesome. I'd also really love to hear about NY in dec/jan. We are planning a trip for next dec and at the tail end we are thinking of adding NY but wasn't to sure if it would be too cold for us and for any good sight seeing. I;d be interested in knowing how you found it.

 

[Brisbanemum]

We had hired a car In Las Vegas and drove to Williams and stayed overnight so we could do the Polar Express Train. I would highly recommend this experience to everyone with kids who believe in Santa!! You take the journey in your pjs (optional, but definitely should be done!) and they read the book, give everyone hot chocolate and cookies and then Santa comes onboard and gives every child a bell.

Here's some pics











As it was winter over there, it had snowed a couple of days beforehand which made it amazing to wake up to a white christmas. There was even snow at the Grand Canyon!!!! Here's a few photos I could add

 

[Brisbanemum]

We LOVED New York!! But yes, it is freezing cold that time of year! We were only there for 3 days as it was a last minute addition and arrived on Boxing Day and made it out of there before all of the New Year craziness! lol

Everyone was wearing jackets from the North Face and we wore thermals (old and not very warm) but were still freezing. We'll be better prepared next time! It hadn't snowed when we arrrived, but as we were about to leave FAO Schwarz it began to snow which was so magical! Unfortunately we didn't get too many pics as Dh was concerned about looking too much like a tourist and getting mugged He regrets it now so we will just have to take another trip over there to make up for it

Here's a few photos that we did get.....(please let me know if everyone is sick of all the pics??)



The giant piano at FAO Schwarz (like in the movie 'Big')





Catching the snow with their tongues










Central Park




View from 1st View section of the Empire State Building



From the very top viewing of Empire State Building






Hotdogs from a vendor on the street....a must in in New York!




It's snowing in this photo, but most of it would melt before it hit the ground.




Dh did a walking tour of NY but the boys were sick so we stayed warm in the hotel. We would love to go back and visit all the museums and Art galleries and maybe a broadway show.

 

[Newsies]

Subbing.

I like this conversation about NYC unfolding! I'm from NJ (30 minutes away from NYC) and I go to the city all the time. I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a field trip on Thursday and I'm going to visit a college on Sunday.

Next time you come to the city you have to see a Broadway show! I've seen a lot of them and they're all spectacular. I loved Newsies until it closed, and right now my favorite running is Matilda. I'm set to see Aladdin in February as well.

FAO Schwarz is super fun. I went there during Christmastime one year as well! I think 5th Ave is one of my favorite parts of the city.

One thing we don't have hear in NJ is that Polar Express train! Super jealous! That's my favorite Christmas movie. What a cute idea.

 

[LivingforDisney]

Love the photos.
We were in NY last Sept for 4 days, the weather was beautiful, don't know if I could handle that cold weather!!
Our first trip to L.A, we drove to Williams, Arizona from Anaheim, that was such a cute little place, we stayed 2 nights & did the GCR , though I would have loved to have done the Polar Express ride (luv that movie) we were there in Sept.
The train ride was great, the train gets hold up by the "baddies", they ride up beside the train, shooting their guns and then get on board.
I assume that didn't happen on the Polar Exress rides?
How did you find WDW in dec?
We are heading back there next Dec

 

[LivingforDisney]

Just a question?
did u buy annual passes??

 

[WanderlustNZ]

All your trips, including the past two, sound delightful.

That train/Grand Canyon trip sounds like it was a great way of spending Xmas.

I'm envious of the Despicable Me suite at Universal. My son would love that.

 

[lffam]

Brisbanemum: the photos are great definitely NOT getting sick of them any time soon, so keep them coming!

Your kids look like that had a great time, what a wonderful experience for you and your hub to be able to give them not to mention the great family togetherness of exploring the USA.

I'd be interested to know how WDW was the last Christmas, (crowds wise) you were there and then will keep an eye out for your trip report this time.

Our next trip is slowly unfolding and evolving, taking turns backwards and forwards, left and right. Our biggest undecided is where to be at Christmas. We've considered WDW, DL, a cruise, NY even Vermont, just can't seem to nail it yet. All have pluses and minuses, mainly crowds and cold. so more reading and research at the moment.

 

[Brisbanemum]

Thanks for reading everyone

Just a question?
did u buy annual passes??

We have never bought the annual passes. At Disneyworld we get the Water Parks and More Hopper option mainly for the 'and More'. Our boys love mini golf and Disney Quest (giant indoor old school arcade at Downtown Disney), and we get free visits to these with the tickets. Dh also has a free game of Golf at one of the courses at DW. I did the maths and it would always cost us extra if we bought the annual passes, instead of the package........ this may not be the case for everyone's holiday though, so I'd definitely encourage you to check out all $$$ variations

 

[Brisbanemum]

I'd be interested to know how WDW was the last Christmas, (crowds wise) you were there and then will keep an eye out for your trip report this time.

Our next trip is slowly unfolding and evolving, taking turns backwards and forwards, left and right. Our biggest undecided is where to be at Christmas. We've considered WDW, DL, a cruise, NY even Vermont, just can't seem to nail it yet. All have pluses and minuses, mainly crowds and cold. so more reading and research at the moment.

The crowds were pretty huge last time we were at WDW right at the end. Our last day was Christmas Eve and we then went to International Drive for that crazy Xmas/New Years week, with New York thrown in there. We spent Christmas Day at Legoland which was a great choice as it wasn't too busy at all!

As you can see from this coming itinerary, we will be having our 2nd WDW stay from the 21st - 27th December. We decided to do this 'double WDW dip' as they offered the free dining and we just couldn't resist more Disney lol I think if you can book all your FP+ and ADR early, then it is possible. We will also be getting the DAS for the boys which will help us be able to avoid the lines and take breaks from the crowds. We didn't know about these type of cards last time but they would have helped so much! Now we are prepared and can't wait. We also intend to visit more of the WDW hotels in that week.

I would stay away from Universal Studios that week (and even the 1st couple of days in January) unless you have the unlimited express passes....but even then, the crowds are overwhelming. We went to IOA on the 2nd Jan and it was ridiculous!!! We had to line up for 3 hours just to get into the Harry Potter section and then could barely move once inside. They did say it was the busiest 2nd of Jan they had ever had, but we won't be making that mistake again. This time we have a 4 day park hopper and are staying here;



The kids don't know that we are staying in this room yet...it is the only surprise we have managed to keep lol

If you can, a cruise for Christmas Week would be amazing. The cruise on the Magic was the first thing we booked, even before airfares! Then we organised the rest of the vacation around it. As the prices vary a lot, we wanted to get the best value for money but couldn't justify paying at least double just to sail at Christmas. (We are sailing concierge) However, I'm sure if you book as soon as it is released, the price differences may not be that extreme and may not be too bad for other room categories?

If you can stand the cold though, New York or Vermont would be great too. Imagine having a White Christmas!! Snow then is not guaranteed, but it is a possibility at least When we return to NY, I would love to go in late Jan or Feb and have Central Park covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow.=

 

[lffam]

The crowds were pretty huge last time we were at WDW right at the end. Our last day was Christmas Eve and we then went to International Drive for that crazy Xmas/New Years week, with New York thrown in there. We spent Christmas Day at Legoland which was a great choice as it wasn't too busy at all!

As you can see from this coming itinerary, we will be having our 2nd WDW stay from the 21st - 27th December. We decided to do this 'double WDW dip' as they offered the free dining and we just couldn't resist more Disney lol I think if you can book all your FP+ and ADR early, then it is possible. We will also be getting the DAS for the boys which will help us be able to avoid the lines and take breaks from the crowds. We didn't know about these type of cards last time but they would have helped so much! Now we are prepared and can't wait. We also intend to visit more of the WDW hotels in that week.

I would stay away from Universal Studios that week (and even the 1st couple of days in January) unless you have the unlimited express passes....but even then, the crowds are overwhelming. We went to IOA on the 2nd Jan and it was ridiculous!!! We had to line up for 3 hours just to get into the Harry Potter section and then could barely move once inside. They did say it was the busiest 2nd of Jan they had ever had, but we won't be making that mistake again. This time we have a 4 day park hopper and are staying here;

The kids don't know that we are staying in this room yet...it is the only surprise we have managed to keep lol

If you can, a cruise for Christmas Week would be amazing. The cruise on the Magic was the first thing we booked, even before airfares! Then we organised the rest of the vacation around it. As the prices vary a lot, we wanted to get the best value for money but couldn't justify paying at least double just to sail at Christmas. (We are sailing concierge) However, I'm sure if you book as soon as it is released, the price differences may not be that extreme and may not be too bad for other room categories?

If you can stand the cold though, New York or Vermont would be great too. Imagine having a White Christmas!! Snow then is not guaranteed, but it is a possibility at least When we return to NY, I would love to go in late Jan or Feb and have Central Park covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow.=

Our trip next year was borne out of a yearning to have a white Christmas, so it sounds a little odd that we are baulking because it might be cold! It's all a bit fluid at the moment. The Cruise over Christmas seems to have the edge at the moment. We initially thought Christmas at WDW or DL would be where we would be, but then the idea of the busiest crowds started taking some of the magic off that.

I love the Minion room - it's great when you can keep some of those secrets from the kids and keep adding to the surprise when you are on an already magical trip.

I'm not sure what a DAS pass is, is that with the Annual passes?

Yikes about Universal at New Year 3 hrs wow. we will definitely be steering clear of that.

I think NY will be a teaser for us. We couldn't fit it in to our trip last year and as understanding as my DW is and that she is happy (and trusting!) for me to go on my merry way and organise our trip, I don't think I would survive unscathed if we had to miss it again. I think our plan would be go see and experience it at Christmas time, and then go back when the weather is warmer for us Brisbane folk!

 

[Brisbanemum]

I'm not sure what a DAS pass is, is that with the Annual passes?


I think NY will be a teaser for us. We couldn't fit it in to our trip last year and as understanding as my DW is and that she is happy (and trusting!) for me to go on my merry way and organise our trip, I don't think I would survive unscathed if we had to miss it again. I think our plan would be go see and experience it at Christmas time, and then go back when the weather is warmer for us Brisbane folk!

DAS stands for Disability Access Card. Both our boys have Aspergers which comes with quite a few challenges when attending such a busy, over-sensory environment.




You are going to have an amazing trip no matter where you finally decide to go! It's a good situation to be in lol

 

[lffam]

DAS stands for Disability Access Card. Both our boys have Aspergers which comes with quite a few challenges when attending such a busy, over-sensory environment.




You are going to have an amazing trip no matter where you finally decide to go! It's a good situation to be in lol

I could only imagine what it might be like for them. Glad there is something which might help them enjoy it that little bit more.

I know we are lucky to be able to go again so if the problem I'm having is where to spend Christmas in the USA I should count my lucky starts really!

 

[Zosha]

Looks amazing Brisbanemum!!

 

[LivingforDisney]

Can you tell me when you booked your Dec flights & the cost ty

 

[LivingforDisney]

Oops just saw you leave in Nov.
So have you scored the free dining for both your Disney stays this trip.
That sure does make a saving .