DisneyLand or DisneyWorld

[Febs]

Maca - thanks for the link. When I was a little one we managed to do Universal in a day, so I'm hoping we'll be able to manage it again this time. The VIP thing looks interesting, but we've already got entry as part of our CityPass.

Phht, More like two big kids.

Hah, yeah, true.

Trip is going well thanks. We did Disneyland today and you were right - one day was about enough for Disneyland, but not California Adventure (we didn't even enter). Tomorrow we're going to spend about 1/2 a day finishing Disneyland (one more ride we want to do, plus repeating a few) and looking around California Adventure. We've got early entrance tomorrow which is good.

FastPass seems like a great system, but, we haven't had to use it once (and we've been on all but 2 FP rides). A few weren't even operating FastPass (because the queues were so short), and for the others there was no point as the wait was only 5-10min. The longest we waited in the standby queue was 20min, when we couldn't be bothered coming back later (Splash Mountain). No doubt FastPass would be a Godsend on a weekend or busier day.

Tell you what though...the Nemo Submarine ride needs FastPass. I'm guessing ever since they tacked the "Nemo" name on, it became hugely popular. HUGE queues. We're doing that one first thing tomorrow morning.

Oh, and the Indiana Jones ride is still as awesome as I remember it 12 years ago.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

Tomorrow we're going to spend about 1/2 a day finishing Disneyland (one more ride we want to do, plus repeating a few) and looking around California Adventure. We've got early entrance tomorrow which is good.

You must try the Soaring Over California ride at California Adventure. Its truly amazing.

FastPass seems like a great system, but, we haven't had to use it once (and we've been on all but 2 FP rides). A few weren't even operating FastPass (because the queues were so short), and for the others there was no point as the wait was only 5-10min. The longest we waited in the standby queue was 20min, when we couldn't be bothered coming back later (Splash Mountain). No doubt FastPass would be a Godsend on a weekend or busier day.

Looks like you have chosen a great time of the year/week to be there. When its busy, managing your fast passes is part of the adventure and thrill!

 

[flyingzzzds]

How many full days did you spend in SFO? I am thinking about 2 full days, with a fly in/fly out day on either side. Will fly in from Syd, then fly out to Orlando. Then some days at Orlando, before flying out to Toronto.

Thanks for the info

This is exactly what we did. We booked a transfer from the airport ahead of time so we weren't watching the taxi meter all the way in (think it took us about 45 minutes from memory - great views for much of the way). I wouldn't even dream of driving in SFO - but then I don't like driving in the States full stop. We stayed in the Fisherman's Wharf area and walked to everything. Took an organised tour (as I mentioned) from there to the top of town and across the Golden Gate. And used the Cable car to get in and out of town - was all part of the experience. Shopping was sensational too!

I suggest a 1/2 day tour with the bridge and then cable car trip. Alcatraz the next day and relax around Pier 39/ Fisherman's wharf (be careful of the Ghirardelli Choclate shop - it's addictive!). Doing the Bridge and Alcatraz in one day would be too exhausting for the kids IMHO.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Another vote for Soaring Over California.

San Francisco you do not need a car. And if you are staying in the city; not near Fishermans Wharf then you could just catch BART. I didn't think the airport was that far out of town.

Indiana Jones Ride is very well done, so many great special effects.

DisneyWorld Mission Space at Epcot is a great ride but lots of people get sick from it and it has the most warnings.

 

[Maca44]

Fishermans Wharf or downtown does not take that long to get from the SFO, and 2 years ago I negotiated a limo for the family from Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf for US$60, and from memory, it only took about 20 mins. The Holiday Inn is quite central to everything, but the lines to get the cable car were long. You could take the BART from SFO and then a taxi to your hotel, which would work out cheaper.

 

[Optics]

Fishermans Wharf or downtown does not take that long to get from the SFO, and 2 years ago I negotiated a limo for the family from Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf for US$60, and from memory, it only took about 20 mins. The Holiday Inn is quite central to everything, but the lines to get the cable car were long. You could take the BART from SFO and then a taxi to your hotel, which would work out cheaper.

I have just returned from a family holiday to LA/SF/LV/Grabd Canyon, it was great. Regarding the cable car queues, we got some very good advice from a local, that worked a treat. The queue at the terminus was really long, so we just walked about 200m to the next stop, and we were the only ones there. The car was full, but they stop anyway and we got straight on, with the kids and I hanging on the side, which is the best way to ride it. This saved at least an hours queuing .

 

[Febs]

You must try the Soaring Over California ride at California Adventure. Its truly amazing.

You guys weren't joking. That ride was fantastic! The scented air was a nice touch too (I noticed it on the Monsters, Inc ride too - the Japanese restaurant smelt of ginger).

Glad to hear the positive comments re: Fisherman's Wharf too - we just booked three nights there next week, staying at the Sheraton (work has a good corporate rate there, worked out much better than other hotels in the area).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

You guys weren't joking. That ride was fantastic!

Glad you enjoyed it

 

[Pirate]

Hi

Depends on your time available. My family and I (2A 1C (almost 5 then) did Disneyworld in 2006. SYD-JFK on QF107 (22 hrs) (1 week in NYC). Then JETBLUE to Orlando (2.5 hrs - great airline - wide leather seats, free movies on flights > 2 hrs, free food - $79 one way then).

You really need 2 weeks to see Orlando properly - at least 1 week at Disney - 4 parks, 2 water parks, Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island and Sports Area, then there are 2 parks at Universal, then Sea World, and some r&r in there as well! Not to mention great discount shopping. We stayed at Sheraton Vistana Resort - huge 2 bedroom, 2 bath appartment, full kitchen, spa, laundry, screened in balcony (mozzies are huge), aircon, resort has 7 pools, pizza hut - everything you could need! 10 mins drive to disney gate - $224 a night in April 2006 (easter/spring break too). Usually a time share resort, but can book like a hotel from Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com when they have availability.
Register to receive emails from MOUSESAVERS.COM - great links to specials on tickets, accomodation (so many to choose from). Exellent resource this site!

Going again in May 2008, and our flights going SYD-LAX on QF93 (via Mel on FF points), then on Delta from LAX- MCO delta 1828 dep LAX at 10:30am (4hrs 43min).

Disneyland done also, can do the two parks in three days, cheaper hotels (off disney property - Hilton is great, Hyatt even better - 2 bed kids suite for 5 nights less than $1000, lots more much cheaper). Get supershuttle from LAX, as you don't need a car, unless you plan on visiting other areas.

Hope this helps!

 

[willymaykett]

Thanks for the great info everyone.

Looks like SFO will definetly be on the list then. Family are keen to do the bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars etc, so I think I will go from Syd to SFO then onto Orlando for a week or so, then off to Toronto for a visit to Niagara Falls.

Might take the opportunity now to go straight for DisneyWorld, I will see what accommodation options are around, since (obviously) want to stretch the dollars a bit so we can squeeze more places in.

Will keep checking the QFF site, since AA don't post flight FF awards as far out as QF do.

 

[NM]

... then off to Toronto for a visit to Niagara Falls.

Great move to go to the Canadian side of the falls. Best views are from there. Its worth finding accommodation with falls views. I stayed at the Hilton on a very good rate a few years back. Try to avoid weekends as the accommodation prices go up significantly. Lots if things to do and see there, including Maid of the Mist boat ride, Jetboat whirlpool ride, Behind The Falls tour etc.

Might take the opportunity now to go straight for DisneyWorld, I will see what accommodation options are around, since (obviously) want to stretch the dollars a bit so we can squeeze more places in.

We took the option of staying at the Disney All Star hotel, which has the advantage of being on the property and having the Disney transport to get you to and from each of the parks. The downside is the cost of meals etc can be high. But with the kids it was good to be in the theme of things all the time. I am sure you can find better deals if you are willing to forgo some of the convenience of being on-site.

 

[willymaykett]

Great move to go to the Canadian side of the falls. Best views are from there. Its worth finding accommodation with falls views. I stayed at the Hilton on a very good rate a few years back. Try to avoid weekends as the accommodation prices go up significantly.

Starting to check my options here, will have to investigate further once I can sort out some FF award flights.

We took the option of staying at the Disney All Star hotel, which has the advantage of being on the property and having the Disney transport to get you to and from each of the parks. The downside is the cost of meals etc can be high. But with the kids it was good to be in the theme of things all the time. I am sure you can find better deals if you are willing to forgo some of the convenience of being on-site.

I have heard that this is a good option, especially for the convenience. Have also heard that you can get some good acc at Kissimee, although getting around might be an issue.... also trusting some pics of places on the net is always a bit dodgy...
I found it interesting that the prices quoted in the QF Holidays brochure was cheaper than the net prices I found for Disney All Star hotels..

 

[roadliver]

Hi - First time user - long term fan.

We did a trip with 3 younger kids April 2006 (7,4,2) and took in both Disneyworld and Disneyland. Main time was in Orlando where we had a 5 day pass. Agree with what I saw with most of the earlier postings. We generally had a day at each land - took the two elder ones to Kennedy Space Centre - they were probably a bit young to really appreciate it, whilst the young fellow had a poo/spew virus. Had a hire car and getting around is easy, when staying with a Disney Resort. Check the mousesavers site, also for tips.

Disneyworld can handle a large crowd much better and FASTPASS is the best themepark invention when it really does bypass huge crowds. We got spoiled from being at DW where you bypass hundreds (and with Soarin' - about a thousand) - to get a fastpass at Disneyland for Indiana Jones and essentially joining exactly the same queue as the rest.

We did a fair bit of reading of the Unofficial Guides to Disney land and DisneyWorld and the guide with Kids. The website for the Unofficial Guides is TouringPlans.com - The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

We went LAX-ORD-LGA-MCO-LAX all on AA. The MCO to LAX was around a 5.5 hour flight and we were happy to have made it with the young one being unwell.

Best of luck for the trip and hope you have fun.

 

[mosanator]

Hi - First time user - long term fan.

We did a trip with 3 younger kids April 2006 (7,4,2) and took in both Disneyworld and Disneyland. Main time was in Orlando where we had a 5 day pass. Agree with what I saw with most of the earlier postings. We generally had a day at each land - took the two elder ones to Kennedy Space Centre - they were probably a bit young to really appreciate it, whilst the young fellow had a poo/spew virus. Had a hire car and getting around is easy, when staying with a Disney Resort. Check the mousesavers site, also for tips.

Disneyworld can handle a large crowd much better and FASTPASS is the best themepark invention when it really does bypass huge crowds. We got spoiled from being at DW where you bypass hundreds (and with Soarin' - about a thousand) - to get a fastpass at Disneyland for Indiana Jones and essentially joining exactly the same queue as the rest.

We did a fair bit of reading of the Unofficial Guides to Disney land and DisneyWorld and the guide with Kids. The website for the Unofficial Guides is TouringPlans.com - The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

We went LAX-ORD-LGA-MCO-LAX all on AA. The MCO to LAX was around a 5.5 hour flight and we were happy to have made it with the young one being unwell.

Best of luck for the trip and hope you have fun.

Welcome to AFF, I am only a newbie here too, but I find the wealth of information and assistance from the people here amazing.

We (me, she who must be obeyed and off spring {13 old boy}) are going to stop in on Orlando in Feb for a few days, got any gems of insider observations?? I have been trolling through all the hotel sites and reading reveiws of places to stay, but there are some mixed messages.

We will also be using that direct flight to LAX from MCO, how was it?

Thanks

 

[straitman]

roadliver,

Welcome to AFF.

Welcome to AFF, I am only a newbie here too, but I find the wealth of information and assistance from the people here amazing.

We (me, she who must be obeyed and off spring {13 old boy}) are going to stop in on Orlando in Feb for a few days, got any gems of insider observations?? I have been trolling through all the hotel sites and reading reveiws of places to stay, but there are some mixed messages.

We will also be using that direct flight to LAX from MCO, how was it?

Thanks

mosanator,

As mentioned several times during this topic, register with mousesavers.com for exceptional information and rates. Their DisneyWorld pass rates are by far the best that I'm aware of and I've/we've been to Orlando quite a few times.

Don't be afraid to look at accom in Kissimmee if you have a car as a lot of Kissimmee accom is more convenient than Orlando. It really is all just part of the same concrete jungle.