Watch out Mickey, here come the Maoris

[ArdyG]

Kia ora all

So I booked our flights and accommodation last week for Disneyland and even though it's taken a week to sink in ... Hey, better late than never.

Cast of characters:
Me (Areta) - 43 years old and up to my eyeballs in iwi (tribal) stuff so needing to go to the Happiest Place on Earth to escape and recharge
Huey, Dewey and Louie (aka Parakaia, Punaika and Tawhai) - 17, 15 and 13 year old nephews
Erina - 8 year old daughter

We'll be leaving Auckland on 29 December, staying in Anaheim til 11 January then heading up to Burbank til 14 January. On the way back to Auckland we'll have a couple of days in Fiji so to say I'm looking forward to this would be an understatement

I'm a bit worried about going at the busiest time of the year but also excited. Given the crowds and the fact it's winter, I've decided to splash out and spend the first 6 days at Paradise Pier before moving over to Park Vue Inn for the next week. Since we're in Anaheim for 2 weeks, we'll be able to take breaks and hopefully see and do everything at a relaxed pace rather than go commando. I'll also be renting a car for our last week there so we can see and do other things including SeaWorld, the Getty, Griffith Observatory, Wicked and so on.

These boards have been absolutely invaluable so a big thank you to all those who love Disney so much they need to share it with everyone else - you rock !!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

to the Dis and the ANZAC section of the board.

Happy planning to you!

 

[Franrose]

Wahoo Areta, ka pai!

I reckon it will be an awesome time of year to visit, what a way to start the new year, recharged after some Disney magic!

 

[Busy Busy]

Your trip sounds fabulous and RELAXING too!

We stayed at the Paradise Pier for 4 nights in 2009 and we loved it. The walk to the parks through the Grand Californian Hotel and Downtown Disney is easy (10 minutes max). Make sure to leave time to stop in the lobby of the Grand Californian.....it's stunning .......in a good way!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans.

 

[kylieh]

What a great trip!!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Yay!!!!

 

[hellosue]

: Welcome to the board
Sounds like a plan and having 2 weeks in Anaheim will be less frantic and you will be able to explore at your pace....

We went to Disneyland 2009 spent 6 days there opening to closing - walked the skin off our feet.....lol

Lucky you getting to experience Disney Christmas!

Have you purchased your Disney Tickets yet is the 14 day ticket available for NZ?

 

[Snickals]

Sounds like you have a fun holiday planned!

 

[ArdyG]

Thank you all for your kind words.

PrincessInOz - wow, 21,506 posts, that must make you a DIS Master
Franrose and Busy Busy - just over a month to go before your trips, how cool. Even though I'm going at the end of the year, I'm still jealous
KylieH and Ms Shuttergirl - clearly veterans. Paradise Pier has been getting rave reviews lately and I'm really looking forward to staying there
hellosue - yes, I think Christmas time will be amazing although I can't quite bring myself to spend Christmas Day away from home. And yes, we can get the 14 day pass here in NZ too so that will mean we don't have to go all commando on Mickey

My partner is all Disneyed out unfortunately. I made him go to Tokyo Disneyland in 2007 and then Disneyland in 2009 so I've let him off this trip. I thought Erina might stay with her daddy given that she loves him to pieces and the last time we went she wanted to stay at the Hojos waterpark instead of go to Disneyland, but that must have been a phase. What was hilarious was that I spread the Disney magic around and so my two sisters and their families (who we usually visit on the Gold Coast) joined us in Disneyland too back in 2009. So when Erina got back and people asked where she'd been on holiday, she told them she'd been to Australia 'cause that's where we usually see them.

I'm really enjoying the planning even though my trip keeps getting more and more expensive. I'm splurging on concierge level at PPH, then today I read about the Holiday Time Tour and how at the end you have seats reserved for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, and of course I'd already read about the Fantasmic Dessert option - aaarrrggghhhh so many wonderful things to enjoy. I can barely wait.

WOO HOO !!!

 

[Travel Mum]

Welcome to our Aussie/Kiwi neck of the woods - it's such a fun place to be!! Your trip sounds very exciting and you'll get lots of tips on here if you want them

 

[PrincessInOz]

PrincessInOz - wow, 21,506 posts, that must make you a DIS Master

Hmmm....actually, it probably means that I am SICK!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Sounds like an awesome trip! And it sounds like you need a break from back home for a bit. Make sure you get some 'me' time on holiday too - book a spa for an hour or two while you are there and get some downtime in. Kia Kaha!

 

[Mum from oz]

Welcome!! Looks like you have a great trip planned! I can't imagine my other half agreeing to staying at home while I went to Disney!!

 

[Travel Mum]

Welcome!! Looks like you have a great trip planned! I can't imagine my other half agreeing to staying at home while I went to Disney!!

Mum from Oz, every time I see a post from you, I automatically go and check your blog to see if there is a new update!!

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

Kia ora!!
Sounds like you have an amazing holiday planned!! We're heading to Disneyland from Auckland just after you leave! Having been in January twice its a great time to go, no worries about huge crowds and we've always had good weather, no rain but it gets a little cold in the evening, though nothing like the cold speel we're experiencing here in NZ at the moment!
Can't wait to hear more about your plans

 

[ArdyG]

Hi again

Gosh, there's so many Disney veterans in Oz and NZ - awesome.

Thanks for all your encouraging comments. The last couple of weeks have been rather busy but the thought of going to Disneyland in December has helped to ease the stress.

I haven't helped myself though. I completely forgot that travel insurance for one of my nephews will be problematic as he was hospitalised last year after suffering a fit and diagnosed with a rare disorder. How I could forget beggars belief given that his disorder provided the impetus for this trip. Oh well. After having two insurers decline insurance a friend suggested ringing the Variety Club to see who they use when they take kids on trips, so fingers crossed this one will work.

In the meantime, it's best to think positively and so the planning continues. It's been great reading trip reports and so helpful reading everyone's tips on a variety of matters. With flights and accommodation sorted, all I need to think about is what we're going to do in the two weeks we're there so here's a few preliminary thoughts:

Must do:
Get to the Parks early and take a break during the day
Fantasmic
World of Colour, oops, Color
Star Tours
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Haunted Mansion
It's a Small World (I can't help myself, this is the ride I associate with Disneyland above all other rides and so I must ride it at least once)
Peter Pan
Soarin'
Tower of Terror
Aladdin
Animation Academy
Little Mermaid
Relax and smell the roses

Must Eat:
Dole Whip
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich (in homage to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe)
Pommes Frittes
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Nachos at Whitewater Snacks
At Surf's Up Breakfast

Other activities
Seaworld San Diego
Universal Hollywood
The Getty
Griffith Observatory
Hollywood Walk of Stars
Magic Mountain
Wicked
LA Lakers v Memphis Grizzlies

I know there's a lot more to do and see but for now, that'll do, ae, that'll do.