The Prize for the most Indecisive Traveller

[WanderlustNZ]

Friend I was with was only there for 1 day so we hit the parks HARD but pretty much managed to do everything Mon 9Sept last year. It made my followup visits very relaxed, all the BIG must do's were already done on the first Monday. I was around the area until Oct, so got good use of the 10day Aussie ticket and managed to include a Mickey Halloween party and a Universal Halloween Horror Nights too.

Sounds like a great trip.

I spoke to DH this evening about the potential for big crowds on Sunday, and as suspected he seemed keen for us to go somewhere else instead.

At this stage we are leaning towards Brick or Treat at Legoland. DS is Lego mad and this stage of his life would be a great time to take him to Legoland. I doubt we'll be able to say the same years from now when we next go back to the States. Might as well make hay while the sun shines.

It is hard to believe that a holiday that started with Disneyland as it's main focus, has turned into a trip where Disneyland is just a one day extra. I do feel a tad sad that the relaxing 6-7 days there that I initially had planned, will now be a one day mad rush to fit in as much as possible. But with all the exciting new locations I have to look forward to, it would be wrong to dwell on what could have been.

I am seriously considering an accommodation change to the Marriott Suites Anaheim. I can get a really cheap deal there for 2 suites (one for DH and I and the other for DS and MIL). The downside is that it is more of a quick shuttle to Disneyland than a walk. But given that we'll only be at Disneyland for one day now, I'm not sure if that matters anymore. Either way, I don't have the $ to pay for anything right now, so I've got time to decide.

Beyond Anaheim, the good news is that all of my other 8 hotels are certain, booked, and paid.

 

[gogo65]

We are also doing a mad rush one day trip to DL next month(albeit on the way to WDW) we arrive 6.30am, straight to PPH to drop bags, then to the park, thinking we may just get a one day no hopper pass and just do DL spend the whole day there, hotel to sleep, then back to the airport for a 10:15am flight. One day in Disneyland is better than one day at work your son is 7??if so legoland seems like a great option for the sunday

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We are also doing a mad rush one day trip to DL next month(albeit on the way to WDW) we arrive 6.30am, straight to PPH to drop bags, then to the park, thinking we may just get a one day no hopper pass and just do DL spend the whole day there, hotel to sleep, then back to the airport for a 10:15am flight. One day in Disneyland is better than one day at work your son is 7??if so legoland seems like a great option for the sunday

Yes, he'll be turning 7 a few days later while we're at Aulani.

He's a very lucky boy having his 6th birthday last year at WDW and his 7th birthday this year in Hawaii.

He is absolutely lego mad, and in some ways, so is his father. I think my DH gets as excited about our lego purchases as DS. Even if we spend most our time at Legoland just browsing the sculptures and shops, I think the 2 of them will be in their element.

I'm going to have to write a must do list for our day in the Disney parks and then consider anything else we get to do a bonus. Off the top of my head, I know I really want to ride and see:

- Pretty much everything in Cars Land
- World of Colour
- Mickey and the Magic Map
- Aladdin Show
- Space Mountain
- BTMRR
- Haunted Mansion (with it's Halloween overlay)
- Indiana Jones
- Toy Story Midway Mania

What do you think? Achievable?

 

[cola]

If you stay on property and make use of the extra DCA hour, yes.
Get WoC and RSR Fastpass before opening, as soon as you have RSR fastpass for straight to Toy Story Mania, then go straight to Disneyland and get all those must do's out of the way and you'll probably be able to fit everything in.

If you are trying to get WoC Fastpass, and queuing up for RSR Fastpass and getting to TSM all as soon as the park opens to the general public, it will all start sliding from possible pretty quickly. I'd rely on WoC Fastpass more than a dining package for WoC because you don't want to be taking that much time out of your one day for an expensive meal. The RSR Fastpass moves pretty quickly, but they are all gone pretty quickly too, even on slow days. The WoC Fastpass near the Grand Californian entrance had minimal queues.


Legoland for Sunday sounds very sensible with that much Lego interest in the family

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Lol, you almost have me convinced to rethink my decision not to stay onsite.

I must admit, DLH does look lovely.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

The great news is that NZ dollar hit a huge high today and I was in the position to pounce and pay for something.

So I have bought my Disneyland tickets.

After changing my mind a million times, I have decided to brave the Gay Day crowds on the Sunday and go to Disney for 2 days instead of one.

Many reasons including the scary price of the one day ticket vs the 2 day, the fact that 1 day just didn't seem enough, and mainly because I have been reading some horror stories about weekend crowds at Legoland. It sounded like I was trying to avoid one crowd, just to encounter another.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Our plan is to take it easy on the Sunday and go with realistic expectations. We will try to tick off all the shows and less popular rides, and make use the best we can of the Fastpass. We'll also probably enjoy a late character breakfast and perhaps get the Fantasmic package (undecided).

Then on the Monday we'll try to tick off the must do rides that we weren't able to do Sunday.

DH has said that in the short time we're there, he'd rather have early entry than a room separate from my MIL. So I'm going to keep an eye out for a good deal on PPH. Orbitz has a pretty good special at present, but having just bought the tickets, I will have to let those prices pass me by. I feel quietly confident another deal will be offered closer to the time.

 

[Tashinwdw]

The great news is that NZ dollar hit a huge high today and I was in the position to pounce and pay for something.

So I have bought my Disneyland tickets.

Its good that you were able to check another thing off the 'to do list'

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Its good that you were able to check another thing off the 'to do list'

It is good. I even splashed out on Hoppers.

I really should get on to the boring stuff - aka passports.

 

[zanzibar138]

Congrats on getting your tickets! It's great when you can take advantage of good exchange rates

I think it's a good move going for both days. If you focus on shows and stuff that day the crowds won't be too much of an issue.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The great news is that NZ dollar hit a huge high today and I was in the position to pounce and pay for something.

So I have bought my Disneyland tickets.

After changing my mind a million times, I have decided to brave the Gay Day crowds on the Sunday and go to Disney for 2 days instead of one.

Many reasons including the scary price of the one day ticket vs the 2 day, the fact that 1 day just didn't seem enough, and mainly because I have been reading some horror stories about weekend crowds at Legoland. It sounded like I was trying to avoid one crowd, just to encounter another.

Good decision. Glad you got your tix.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks ladies. It's a good feeling to know that they are booked. I think the indecision was beginning to give me a headache.

I went through Vacationeer Travels in the end. Tom Bricker recommends them, and while I trust him and his blog, it did make me feel a bit nervous that I couldn't find a lot of other information on this company (particularly since it seems they are the cheapest).

Anyway, I'll hold off recommending the company until I'm back from my trip, but so far, so good. I have received my paper tickets and they have been issued by Expedia (which I was expecting).

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I had some exciting news today. I was talking to DH today about how our Visa Reward dollars have been adding up quite nicely, and he (Yes, he) suggested we should use them to book a holiday at the end of the year. He is keen to go away for about 5 days just the two of us for a romantic getaway. Perhaps Fiji, Australia, Tonga, Vanuatu etc etc. Basically somewhere within about 4 hours of home. The reward dollars will cover the airfares and we'll pay the rest out of pocket.

You have to understand, my husband is NEVER the one to suggest a holiday. This is big, exciting news more me. I have a fun evening of research planned...

 

[zanzibar138]

I had some exciting news today. I was talking to DH today about how our Visa Reward dollars have been adding up quite nicely, and he (Yes, he) suggested we should use them to book a holiday at the end of the year. He is keen to go away for about 5 days just the two of us for a romantic getaway. Perhaps Fiji, Australia, Tonga, Vanuatu etc etc. Basically somewhere within about 4 hours of home. The reward dollars will cover the airfares and we'll pay the rest out of pocket.

You have to understand, my husband is NEVER the one to suggest a holiday. This is big, exciting news more me. I have a fun evening of research planned...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that how your US trip started out (ie just a short trip close to home)?

Seriously though, congrats! That's exciting news The Pacific islands I'm most interested in are New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, and Samoa. I saw someone's facebook pics of Vanuatu and that looked pretty good too There are certainly some nice places in Australia, but they're all so expensive

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that how your US trip started out (ie just a short trip close to home)? Seriously though, congrats! That's exciting news The Pacific islands I'm most interested in are New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, and Samoa. I saw someone's facebook pics of Vanuatu and that looked pretty good too There are certainly some nice places in Australia, but they're all so expensive

LOL, that's exactly how my US trip started.

However, I know for a fact that I will have more restraint on this one. Partly due to the cost, but mainly because I just couldn't leave my son for more than about a week. DH and I deserve a couples getaway, but I also know that I will miss my son like crazy.

 

[zanzibar138]

LOL, that's exactly how my US trip started.

However, I know for a fact that I will have more restraint on this one. Partly due to the cost, but mainly because I just couldn't leave my son for more than about a week. DH and I deserve a couples getaway, but I also know that I will miss my son like crazy.

Plus you'll be more restrained by what airfares you can get with your points. Unless you have enough for the US

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Plus you'll be more restrained by what airfares you can get with your points. Unless you have enough for the US

The reward points work just like money that I can spend at about 50 NZ retailers. 2 of these retailers are travel agents. I can also change the reward dollars for flight centre vouchers.

We have enough for 2 return flights to Fiji, but any further than that and I will need to make up the difference out of pocket.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I had some exciting news today. I was talking to DH today about how our Visa Reward dollars have been adding up quite nicely, and he (Yes, he) suggested we should use them to book a holiday at the end of the year. He is keen to go away for about 5 days just the two of us for a romantic getaway. Perhaps Fiji, Australia, Tonga, Vanuatu etc etc. Basically somewhere within about 4 hours of home. The reward dollars will cover the airfares and we'll pay the rest out of pocket.

You have to understand, my husband is NEVER the one to suggest a holiday. This is big, exciting news more me. I have a fun evening of research planned...

It's a great time of year to come to the big West Island.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

It's a great time of year to come to the big West Island.

True. I could even consider Perth since it's apparently now closer than ever.

In all seriousness, after a few hours researching, the top contender is a Celebrity cruise that begins and ends in Sydney with visits to Melbourne and Tasmania.
It's really cheap, and if I book before the end of the month, I can get the free classic alcohol package.
I have to do some quick thinking.

 

[zanzibar138]

True. I could even consider Perth since it's apparently now closer than ever.

In all seriousness, after a few hours researching, the top contender is a Celebrity cruise that begins and ends in Sydney with visits to Melbourne and Tasmania.
It's really cheap, and if I book before the end of the month, I can get the free classic alcohol package.
I have to do some quick thinking.

Sounds great! I love Tassie