Visting Disney World from Down Under

[chrisbris]

G’Day Everyone!

Wow = my first post! I was waiting to be able to make my first post once we had finally booked our trip!

Have been lurking on here for a while collecting as many great insights as I can before we booked to ensure we booked the best trip possible.

We finally confirmed everything today - thanks to Jennifer at Dreams Unlimited Travel who has been excellent. Big shout out to Jennifer on doing such a great job getting us organised.

The Travellers:
ME - 27 from Brisbane Australia - I love to travel and have been to a lot of place around the world but this if my first time to Disneyworld. It work in Music Festivals so go through really busy periods at work then not so busy so having the holiday to the states to look forward to is a must.

And the BF 26 from North Queensland who had his first visit to the USA last year when we visited Las Vegas for a week and had a blast! He is currently studying so we will be going in his September break.

We have been together for 5 years in April and had our first big Holiday to Europe in September 11. We visited Disneyland Paris and feel in love with the whole Disney experience and hence our decision to visit Disneyworld on this trip!

The booking:
We are visiting the USA for a few weeks in September/October 2012 - Spending 1/2 our time in Orlando and 1/2 in New York.

Originally we were staying at Port Orleans Riverside but some friends recommend we check out the Beach Club so after checking it out and falling in love with the location and style we changed our reservation to there with Jennifer.

So now booked in 20 September to 28 September at the Beach Club then for the 29th and 30th at Hard Rock Universal. After this we will travel to New York for 2 weeks then back home.

Luckily we managed to pick up return flights Brisbane- Los Angeles and Los Angles – Brisbane on Qantas in Premium Economy on points so now just need to book out LAX-MCO-NYC-LAX flights. So happy for getting Premium Economy Seats as its such a looonnnnggg trip!

DBF is already sick of hearing me talk about Disneyworld but there so much do and plan!

I would love to hear any suggestions for ADR’s. I must admit I am finding planning what I want to eat for 8 days very intense and the choice is overwhelming so any must do’s please let me know!

I will add a post into “the Big 2012 list!” but we would love to meet up with anyone who is going to be there at that time for a drink so let me know!

Anyhow the preparations are underway – I think I’ve combed every website and bought way to may books for my kindle but I’m loving planning our Disney Trip. The Dis Unplugged podcast has become a must listen to and I'm working my way through the back catalogue.

I can’t wait!

 

[DrGaellon]

We are visiting the USA for a few weeks in September/October 2012 - Spending 1/2 our time in Orlando and 1/2 in New York....

I would love to hear any suggestions for ADR’s. I must admit I am finding planning what I want to eat for 8 days very intense and the choice is overwhelming so any must do’s please let me know!

Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian is fabulous (though pricy). I always enjoy a getting a late reservation at the Rose and Crown, then sitting on the patio to watch Illuminations. There aren't any fabulous restaurants at Animal Kingdom. Studios also doesn't have any amazing restaurants, but 50's Prime Time Cafe is good fun for basic comfort food. (The hotel restaurants are far and away the better dining choices than the in-park restaurants.)

We're in NYC; message me privately if you'd like to meet for dinner while you're in town.

 

[chrisbris]

Awesome thanks DrGaellon

We are total foodies so looking forward to trying Disney Dinning venues out.

Rose and Crown for illuminations sounds like a definite must do!

Any recommendations for the world showcase areas?

On the shortlist to do list at present is:
Rose and crown
Via Nopli
Le Cellier Steakhouse
California Grill
Ohana
Beaches and Cream (For dessert!)
Boma
Yachtsman Steakhouse

 

[TagsMissy]

Firstly welcome to the boards and congrats on booking your first trip to WDW! I agree it can get overwhelming trying to plan the 'perfect' trip. My biggest suggestion will be to not over-plan your trip and take the time to enjoy the parks at your leisure.

We love Le Cellier! Part of the experience for us though is chatting with Canadians from other parts of the country.

What I was going to suggest though is Flying Fish. It's right on the Boardwalk so just a quick walk from Beach Club. We had a fantastic meal there last year to celebrate my hubby's 40th. We got free Champagne as it was a milestone birthday, some personalized keepsakes for hubby and free deserts. We were stuffed and the service was great without the location being stuffy.

We only do a couple sit downs when at WDW and Flying Fish is one of those we will do again!

If I can make one suggestion don't book more than 1 table seating meal per day... I find you spend so much time worrying and getting to your location you miss out on part of the fun of what WDW is all about.

When you are there the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party will be on, even travelling as 2 adults you should consider going ((keeping in mind you will need to pay for a separate entrance ticket for this.))

Have you considered 50's Prime Time cafe at Hollywood studios? It's just a fun place to go or Jiko at Animal Kingdom?

Anyway I could go on and on but I'll stop now! LOL

 

[chrisbris]

Thanks for the welcome TagsMissy! 50’s Prime time and Jiko look great – so many choices!!

We are seriously thinking about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party but I've also been pretty taken with Universal Halloween Horror Nights. DBF is addicted to horror movies so I think it may appeal to him more! And with current plans we will be at Universal for the weekend.

I am thinking about setting a goal to run in the the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Mile run so this might bring about a need to change our Universal plans to be at Disney for that weekend. Will have to wait and see...

Has anyone else done a Disney run?