Down Under Disneyana Australian Disney Forum

Just over 12 weeks until we leave on our trip! -/ -/ -/ I ordered my passport (renewal) yesterday and Craig's taking Josh to get his photos done today. Glad it's not me! It'll be a miracle if they can get a suitable photo. We're all booked in and mostly paid for - thank goodness with the way the dollar is dropping like a stone.

So here's our itinerary:

6 September: Fly ANZ (using SkyCouch) to LAX via AKL. We chose ANZ for a couple of reasons; price, the option of SkyCouch and the timing of their flights.
6 September: Arrive LAX, stay at Courtyard LAX/Century Blvd
7 September: Fly AA (First class!) to Las Vegas. The time of this flight has already changed once, so we'll have to keep an eye on it.
7 September: Check into Platinum Hotel Las Vegas and hopefully track down the bride, groom and bridal party. Craig will be going to the Buck's night this night. I'll have one drink with the bride before she heads out to the Hens'. (Craig's in the bridal party and I've given him free reign in Vegas because I get to do my WIWF tour at Disneyland)
8 September: Bridal party dinner
9 September: Wedding Day
10 September: The day we tell the kids we're going to DISNEYLAND!!!!
11 September: Drive to Anaheim - check into Grand California Villas. -/ This is a surprise for Craig (and the kids I guess, not that they really care!). He thinks we're staying at HoJo's for the entire Disneyland part.
12 September: 1st day at the parks. We'll have EE or EMH or whatever they are called since we're staying at the Grand Cali
13 September: Move to HoJos
21 September: Fly ANZ (using SkyCouch) to SYD via AKL
23 September: Arrive home

We are thinking of doing at least two and maybe up to four character meals. We love the Plaza Inn breakfast so will probably do that on our first Saturday at the park. I'd like to try the one at Paradise Pier too and Storytellers is always good. We're not huge fans of Goofy's but we'll see how things go - the kids might enjoy it. I'm also doing the WIWF tour, but don't know when I'll fit that in. Can't wait to see Walt's apartment!

That's about it! It's been EIGHT YEARS since we've been to the Anaheim park. I envision we'll spend a lot of time in Fantasyland and Carsland with our lot. Unfortunately Josh is too small to go on RSR as well as a few other rides so we'll be doing the child swap thing for the first time (I was pregnant when we took the older boys to Japan so we didn't need to use it). There are so many new things; Carsland, WOC, Nemo, LM... it's going to be AWESOME! We have 9 full days plus the last Saturday which is almost a full day. With the early entry I think we'll manage to knock just about everything off our list.

86 days to go!!!! -/ -/ -/ -/

Ohhh so exciting 86 days! I hope you do a TR about staying onsite at DLR.

09 Sept is my wedding anniversary too!

I hope all my Vegas with kids info was helpful and you enjoy your time there. I'm very jealous of you doing the WIWF tour too. I hope to do it next July when we visit LA.

I'll be helping you count down the days...just 20 to go for me!

This is so exciting Mel. And I love Disneyland in September - still warm weather but the crowds have died down and you'll probably see it dressed for Halloween too.

There has been a lot of changes in Anaheim since your last visit - you are absolutely going to love it there (just thinking about it makes me wish I was heading back!)

I'm looking forward to hearing all about this trip - it'll be awesome.

Bucks night in Vegas? I keep thinking of the Hangover...

Sounds great Mel!

Bucks night in Vegas? I keep thinking of the Hangover...

That's what we keep thinking too. Craig's not much of a party animal though. He lasted all of two hours on his own bucks night. I've warned him to stay away from Mike Tyson

Ohhh so exciting 86 days! I hope you do a TR about staying onsite at DLR.

09 Sept is my wedding anniversary too!

I hope all my Vegas with kids info was helpful and you enjoy your time there. I'm very jealous of you doing the WIWF tour too. I hope to do it next July when we visit LA.

I'll be helping you count down the days...just 20 to go for me!

I didn't realise that was you!!! Clearly I'm a bit slow...

Yes, it's been very, very helpful! -/ -/ -/

Sounds Fantastic Mel. -/

I'd love to be heading back to Vegas again... Loved it.

Lisa

Sounds Fantastic Mel. -/

I'd love to be heading back to Vegas again... Loved it.

Lisa

I've been before and didn't love it, but this time will be completely different! The kids only know about Vegas and they are excited about that, so I can only imagine what they are going to be like when they find out about Disneyland!!! -/

I remember telling my kids about their trip to Disneyland Tokyo when they were little and the looks on their faces was something I will never forget... enjoy the moment, its one of life's truly great ones */

We're inside a month now! -/

I booked a cabana at the DLH today. SOOOO excited! We are aiming to get into Anaheim at around lunchtime and since we're staying at the GCV for the first two nights, our room won't be ready until at least 4pm. What to do? Hire a cabana and hang out at the monorail slide! I was so keen to try out the DL pool so now I get to -/

I was so keen to try out the DL pool so now I get to -/

And it looks like a great pool too! I didn't realise they had cabanas to hire there - that sounds fun.

I was so keen to try out the DL pool so now I get to -/

And it looks like a great pool too! I didn't realise they had cabanas to hire there - that sounds fun.

Yep! We get the cabana with two lounges, tv, fridge and coffee table and two chaise lounges outside. The fridge is full of bottled water and we get a fruit plate too. We also have a cabana boy at our beck and call. Well, at least I HOPE it's a cabana BOY. Craig will probably hope for a cabana GIRL. It's for the day we arrive at DL and our villa at the GC won't be available until after 4pm so it will give us somewhere to base ourselves for a few hours. About $120 with tax, so a bit of a splurge, but worth it for what we (ie I!) want to do

Oh Wow.... that sounds amazing.... can't wait to hear updates... -/

I just read on Miceage that Radiator Springs Racers was going down for a maintenance update on the third week of September and I was worried you'd miss it - but I think you'll be fine looking at your dates.

I see that Big Thunder Mountain is also staying down now until February next year! The big refurbishment is just about over, but now they have been told that the walkways around the attraction are not OH&S compliant and they have to rebuild all those too.

I see that Big Thunder Mountain is also staying down now until February next year!