All things Disney

[Altair]

A Q for the brains trust. If you had to pick one? Hong Kong-mid Dec or Paris-mid Jan.

We'll be enjoying both cities over the xmas break, kids are aged 14 and 12 and have only visited Anaheim. Who knows, we might squeeze in both .... which one would you definitely put in the itinerary?

Definitely Paris (Euro Disney), with the weather and time the crowds should be less but IMO Euro Disney has been tailored with European touches while the other Disney's around the globe tend to be quite similar (generic), eg. Space Mountain picture a Jules Verne, Steampunk themed décor. I found HK Disney well quite small and limited to what I have experienced.

 

[Warks]

We were in Orlando in July (lovely and hot!) and had five days in Disney, a day at Universal and a day at Cape Canaveral. Now the kids are mid-teens I know what I'd do again and it's not Disney any more. Universal is way better for rides, Disney is all about the experience and a lot of nostalgia. You see parents taking their kids around telling them about the rides when they were kids etc. The rides are rather tame with a few exceptions. Universal's rides are way better although I have to say the general attitude of the staff leaves a bit to be desired whereas you cannot fault Disney's staff.

 

[Warks]

Sorry... I meant "cast members"...

 

[Ausbt]

I had the fortunate timing of being in the UK recently and of being lucky enough to visit Banksy's Dismaland. At ticket prices of GBP3.00, a fair bit cheaper than Walt's World !

Dismaland: Banksy's grim new art theme park - CNN.com

 

[LucieB]

I went to Disneyland Paris in mid-Jan 2012 and it was great. The lines were virtually non-existent and so the longest we waited to get on one ride was about ten minutes!

 

[Pushka]

I have visited Anaheim, Paris, Hong Kong and all of the parks in Orlando. Happy to contribute to the thread.

Snap. Somehow Disney Paris seems a little, um, crass.
Hong Kong is very doable in a day. Cute trains take you there. Maybe the kids are a bit old for that though.


Paris - so much else to see there I just wouldn't spend the time.

 

[Katie]

We spent a day at Disneyland Paris - Saturday, on the bank holiday weekend of Prince William and Catherine's wedding. :shock: It was packed.
I haven't been to Hong Kong, but have also heard it's more aimed at little kids, rides-wise. I'd pick Paris.

 

[Katie]

THIS time next week we'll be at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party at WDW.

Unsure if we're dressing up. Little Miss 8 dropped a bombshell this morning - "Do I have to be a princess?"

Nothing against her *not* being a princess, other than we're leaving early on Weds morning, and I have no time for re-considering dress up options. :shock:

 

[doczim]

We did Mickey's Halloween party in 2013. Loved it. There are many who dress up and some costumes are amazing but don't fret if you choose not to there are plenty who are not (like me ) and not out of place at all

 

[Dr Ralph]

A Q for the brains trust. If you had to pick one? Hong Kong-mid Dec or Paris-mid Jan.

We'll be enjoying both cities over the xmas break, kids are aged 14 and 12 and have only visited Anaheim. Who knows, we might squeeze in both .... which one would you definitely put in the itinerary?

Hong Kong is my pick. Very easy to get to. Your dollar goes a lot further here than in Europe.

 

[Warks]

Mrs Warks says "if it's not in America it's not Disney". I can agree with that on one level (I have to don't I?) that Disney is a quintessential American experience and having glum French "cast members" greeting you isn't really what Walt had in mind you'd think.

But what the hey? It's just a fun park.

 

[sausagefingers]

Managed to buy our Disneyland passes last week, after spending the last few months weighing up prices for 5 day Hopper passes, I was lucky enough to find $1600 for 3 Adults (10yrs is an adult) and 1 Child for the 10day passes.
We're not going to be there for 10 days, but I couldn't find it any cheaper for the 5 day passes by the time you convert to AUD.
I had quotes from various travel agencies for the 10 day tickets (which are only available from travel agents in AUS and NZ I am told?) most times the cost was $1900-2k so it feels like I got a bargain.
Bring on March 9th 2016

 

[sjd]

I'd compare any 10 day pass with the cost of buying an annual pass at the gate or directly form Disney online first. When we went in 2010 to Anaheim, the annual pass was much cheaper once you got past a 5 day pass.

 

[Warks]

We got a "special price" for four adult (two teens) Disney World five day passes through our Disney resort. We stayed at Art of Animation (the cheap(ish) family resort) and it was combined into the accommodation price. Luckily we pre-paid this at about 85c earlier last year before the $A dropped to 75c while we were there. I'll check and see what the deal was.

 

[sausagefingers]

We got a "special price" for four adult (two teens) Disney World five day passes through our Disney resort. We stayed at Art of Animation (the cheap(ish) family resort) and it was combined into the accommodation price. Luckily we pre-paid this at about 85c earlier last year before the $A dropped to 75c while we were there. I'll check and see what the deal was.

Disneyworld seems to be cheaper than Disneyland from what I remember.
Last year we paid $2,400AUD for 7 day Disneyworld tickets and 3 days Universal Studios Orlando.

 

[Atleastonce]

Just finished 5 days in Disneyland. It is the transition time between Halloween and Christmas (holiday) season. The haunted mansion is both Halloween and nightmare before Christmas. Christmas tree up in California adventure and Christmas decorations going up nightly in Disneyland. It's a small world is now open with all holiday decorations. It's a great time to visit to get both seasons. As they say in the haunted mansion, "when seasons collide"

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just finished 5 days in Disneyland. It is the transition time between Halloween and Christmas (holiday) season. The haunted mansion is both Halloween and nightmare before Christmas. Christmas tree up in California adventure and Christmas decorations going up nightly in Disneyland. It's a small world is now open with all holiday decorations. It's a great time to visit to get both seasons. As they say in the haunted mansion, "when seasons collide"

Weather this time of the year?

 

[sausagefingers]

Weather this time of the year?

Perfect,

Usually around 20-25 during the day and a little cooler at night.
Oct- Nov is my favourite time to go to California

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The following website has over 400 podcasts on Walt Disney World in Orlando where presenter Lou Mongello lives.

http://www.wdwradio.com

 

[amaroo]

Thanks to all that provided advice.

Looks like the daughter and SWMBO have made a decison - it's going to be Hong Kong over Paris. I'm happy with the decision