[Sandra]

Hi All

Because everyone around me is sick of hearing about my upcoming travels; I thought I would gush to you all; cause you will understand and be happy for me! (I hope!)

First I shall introduce the cast:

Me (Sandra) - 34 years old embarking on my 3rd trip to WDW & 9th trip to DLR. Disney Freak & Shopoholic. (Below - me on my last trip to DRL in 2005)


Mum (Di) - turning 60 next month - Loves Disney (although not as much as me) and is happy to tag along and also a shopoholic. (Picture below was taken Di's Birthday in 2005 in DCA)


The story thus far;

For me this trip has been over 12 months in the making. I am overdue a trip to the USA (I like to go every 2 years - but lack of funds stopped me last year). So last year around June, I decided that I was going in 2008 no matter what!

I knew I wanted to go back to WDW, but I wanted to do a few other things..so the planning began. I hadn't been to New York for about 7 years, so thought that would be a good place to start - that way I was on the right coast for WDW, and the shopping frenzy could begin. Next, WDW no question...from there I decided that I didn't get to see all that I wanted to in Vegas last time, so a brief stop there - and then since I was almost there I couldn't be in the States without visiting DLR. So 4 stops it was!

Then the dates; well with my job I have been working a little on the Beijing Olympics, so it needed to be after that, but not too late, as I still wanted some warm weather... I checked my Frequent Flyer points and discovered I had enough to get me to New York and home from LA business class - things were looking good!

By this time it's August '07, and I have decided when i want to leave and when I have to come back - it's just a matter of working out how long in each place...

Continued next post...

Does anyone know how to make the pictures smaller?

[Sandra]

So I booked the following:

Wednesday 27th August 2008 - Depart Melbourne, Australia for New York flying Qantas, Business Class. (There is no direct flight so a quick 90 minute stop in LAX is on the cards – just enough time to clear customs). I arrive in New York at about 6:00pm – the same day as I left.

Sunday 31st August 2008 – Depart New York for Orlando!!! Flying out of La Guardia, directly into Orlando with American Airlines. I am then using Disney’s Magical Express to get me to POP Century.

Tuesday 9th September 2008 – Depart Orlando for Las Vegas. I have had all sorts of trouble with this flight, but have finally booked direct with SouthWest.

Saturday 13th September 2008 – Depart Las Vegas for Los Angeles – where the Blue Van will whisk me away to the original HOUSE of MOUSE, where I am staying at the Fairfield by Marriott. (Also had flight issues with this leg – Delta wanted to send me via Salt Lake City – NO THANK YOU – so again SouthWest have come to my rescue.

So that was what I booked…in the mean time, I sold my flat; however, the buyers were 6 weeks late with the final payment – so in the end they paid me an extra $2000. Then I had a thought… It would be Mum’s 60th Birthday 2 weeks before I left; I could buy her a ticket to come and meet me. Accommodation costs don’t change between 1 and 2 people, so it was only the airfare…and so that is how my 4 week solo trip turned into what it is today….

I am still doing New York solo – Mum and I fly into Orlando on the same day – just at different times. We go to Vegas together and then fly to LAX together, where she will then return home to Australia, while I have another week of almost being solo (more details to come on that to come!).

[Dopey]

Woaw, I am surprised you can actually post such big pictures

You come all the way from Australia, fantastic. How long will you be in the US?

[Dopey]

4 weeks, that's fantastic.

[Sandra]

First up New York City…

I am actually due to touch down at 5:20pm on Wednesday 27th August. (1 month to go today!!!)

My plan is to get out of the airport ASAP – I have booked the blue van people to pick me up and whisk me to my accommodation.

Once here, dump my case, freshen up a bit and head right out to Times Square. I just recently found out about the Hershey shop in Times Square, so there is a good chance you will find me here. Other than that I think I will just wonder around and soak it all in. I love that first night in a new city.

My next three days will be a combination of sightseeing and shopping. My list of places to shop is getting longer by the day…Century 21, World of Disney, Tiffany just the thought of it all brings a huge smile to my face…but I must remember, I have to pace myself – I can’t fill the case in my first few days – although I have been thinking about shipping a box home from here….it will just depend on how much I buy.

I have purchased a 48 hour hop on / hop off bus tour, so I will use this to get around the city on Thursday and Friday…then Saturday…come what may (probably Macy’s!)

I also have quite a long list of places I would like to eat at (even if it’s just a snack). Serendipity and Magnolia Bakery head the list!

My “places to visit” list is also growing – it includes: Statue of Liberty (I have been to New York 3 times before, but never been out to see this), Empire State Building (a must do on every trip), NBC studios tour, Ground Zero (last time I was in NYC was just before 9/11). I am also hoping to maybe get a ticket to a taping of a TV show. Of course I also want to see at least one Broadway show. My time in New York also corresponds with the US Tennis Open, but I’m in two minds about going to this – I get to go the tennis at home – so is it just a waste? I was also thinking I might like to go to Yankee Stadium and see a game….the possibilities are just endless….

If any of you have any advice I would love to hear it!!!

Then on Sunday morning I leave this fair city for the place that Walt built….

Coming up: 9 days in The World – will it be enough? – all the plans.

[Sandra]

So now the serious stuff begins…

Sunday 31 August
I leave New York at 11:15am – with expected touch down at 2:00pm.

Mum leaves Australia at 10:00am – and with crossing the dateline lands in Los Angeles before she leaves!! She then transfers to Delta Airlines and come across to Orlando with and expected arrival time of 5:45pm.

By what I have read, I would anticipate that I should get to Pop Century a little after 3pm, and Mum should arrive around 7pm. (Both of us are using Magical Express).

With that in mind…

Hopefully I will be able to check-in and get our room. I am then not entirely sure on what I will do next…I want to be at Pop when Mum arrives, so I will need to be back at Pop by 7pm. Maybe I will head to Magic Kingdom, just so I can walk in the gates – I mean is there a better feeling? Or possibly I could head to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon for an hour – I don’t think Mum would be really upset if she missed either of these…still a big decision to be made, but I will be on holidays, so I will just go with the flow for this afternoon.

Fast Forward….I’ve spent the afternoon entertaining myself – now Mum arrives! YAY!!! So, will take her to our room, let her chill for a bit, then I think we will head either to DTD for dinner, or just straight to MK for the evening. I will let her decide, as I have basically organised every minute of the next two weeks…it’s only fair she gets some say in this holiday!!! MK is open until midnight, plus it’s an EMH evening here as well. I plan on staying for as long as my eyes will stay open – not sure how Mum will go, it will have been a REALLY long day for her.

Next up…the plan of attack for the next few days…

[johnkimv]

Your pre trip report sounds wonderful!! I wish I could join you!! I would forget the tennis in NYC. Just like you said, you can see it at home. There are many many many more things you want to see and do.

[disneylovers5]

oh my goodness that is what I call a vacation. WOW

[WishIWasThere]

Originally Posted by Sandra

So now the serious stuff begins…

Mum leaves Australia at 10:00am – and with crossing the dateline lands in Los Angeles before she leaves!! She then transfers to Delta Airlines and come across to Orlando with and expected arrival time of 5:45pm.

When I flew from Okinawa to LAX I actually arrived, collected my bags, called my husband and went to catch the van.. When I checked into the van I found out that it was actually 15 minutes before I checked into my flight in Okinawa. Talk about weird. It took me FOREVER to figure out what time it was. I had everything confused. By the time I figured it out it was time to leave, oh well..

Your trip sounds like a whole lot of fun.. I hope you enjoy yourself!

[Sandra]

Thanks for reading everyone!!!

I just thought I would show you how much of a shopoholic I am...

This is what I had to try and fit in my case after my last trip (and it was 10 days shorter than what this one is going to be!!)

http://

and that doesn't really show everything properly!!!

Time for me to go to bed now...but I go with the thought that when I wake up it will be less than a month until I am on my way!

[PhilliesFan]

What a trip you have planned, sounds wonderful! Looks like you will need another bag for all of your purchases.

[WishUponAStar]

My head is spinning just reading it!! What an AMAZING trip you are going to have, I can't wait to read your TR & see all of your pictures!

[llama]

Originally Posted by Sandra

First up New York City…

My time in New York also corresponds with the US Tennis Open, but I’m in two minds about going to this – I get to go the tennis at home – so is it just a waste? I was also thinking I might like to go to Yankee Stadium and see a game…..

Don't ask Smee's and my opinion on this! When I read you were from Melbourne all I thought of was you getting to go to the Open. The US Open wouldn't be a waste of time at all. In fact, I'd crawl there if I could go....

Sounds like a very exciting trip you have planned! And it's so nice of you to include your mother. I think you're going to need a holiday to recover from the holiday!

[WDW Rules]

Originally Posted by llama

Don't ask Smee's and my opinion on this! When I read you were from Melbourne all I thought of was you getting to go to the Open. The US Open wouldn't be a waste of time at all. In fact, I'd crawl there if I could go....

Sounds like a very exciting trip you have planned! And it's so nice of you to include your mother. I think you're going to need a holiday to recover from the holiday!

I thought of same exact thing. I thought, Oh I know a couple gals who are going to drool when they read this. Sandra, what a great vacation you have planned. Be sure to write us a tr when you get home.

[Berlioz's Mom]

What an amazing trip! If you have time in NYC stop by Ellen's Stardust Dinner. It's so cool. It's themed as a 50's dinner with the waitresses dressed in poodle skirts. Evey 20-30 minutes the waitstaff jumps up on the tables and sing. It's so fun!