Worthwhile Indulgences

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by Marlea98

I'll have to think about this one in relation to travel. But my general indulgence is good chocolate. I firmly believe life is way too short for the crappy stuff.

Good answer

[Caroline NZ]

Originally Posted by WanderlustNZ

That's the second recommendation for the dessert package. It sounds like it's a must-do. Do they have the same thing at WDW?

I haven't been to WDW, but I think that everyone gets a seat at WDW.
The problem with DL is that you have to stake out a place on the ground, the only actual seats are the dessert seating. Having said that we may wing it next year, and try for the 2nd show, when you don't have to stake a spot way in advance (will still be sitting on the ground though)

[Franrose]

1: When deciding how to treat yourself, what luxuries do you find the easiest to justify and why?

I don't really "justify" anymore, it's more of working out the best use of resources kwim, opportunity (to me) cost, what do I really want and what am I ok/not terribly worried about. If I (we ) want to do it, we'll do it. It doesn't have to be tomorrow - I'm happy to be patient about something that I'm looking forward to. I do want to do a Fantasy cruise at some time, but don't mind if we wait a few more years, I'll be happy knowing we're doing it, kwim?

Before we travelled to WDW last year, I would never have considered taking my children to Disney so young. Then I turned 36 and had a health scare (which turned out ok) and that was it - I decided life was too short and we were going. My dad died when he was 36 and all I have of him is memories, our time here isn't guaranteed so I'm going to make sure we make the most of it (within our budget) and my girls have as many awesome memories of us together as a family to look back on, come what may. Sounds morbid but I don't feel that way, I just really do feel that life is short and precious and I am going to have a ball with it. I would hands down rather have super awesome holidays with my family than brand new vehicles and 'label' clothing etc.

2: Do you have any little indulgences that you will now always find a way to justify?

I'm done with mediocre. That's not to say that we won't take cheaper holidays - we love camping, for eg, and as some have mentioned above, a lot of the time the accommodation doesn't matter if it's clean and comfortable - but if there's something I want to do, I'm not going to compromise and 'nearly' do it if that makes sense. My Castaway trip last month hit that home for me, we've always done Fiji hoping that some of the cheaper resorts will be a bit like Castaway, now I realise if you want Castaway (or whatever the experience is) you have to book Castaway. I don't mind waiting longer for the better experience.

In saying that, we have lived in Brisbane for just over four years now and the city is still new to us in so many ways, it's really easy for us to have a "holiday" every weekend without spending much more than petrol money! Not a real holiday, but we can recreate the feeling easily. We can explore the parks & playgrounds & beaches, Southbank, the Sunshine coast, and we've yet to get much more than 45 minutes inland. We can hop in the car and spend a day on the Gold Coast and it feels like we've flown over from NZ. The other day we had friends staying at the Sheraton Mirage so we joined them for a night, it cost $236 for all of us and was a beautiful location, and included the most incredible breakfast buffet. It felt like we were away for much longer!

3: Lastly, have you ever 'splashed out' on holiday and regretted it.

Nope. The closest we have come to this is when our girls were little and we took them to Fiji and one was really sick, it was the heat of summer and with her being young we decided it was safest to come home. So we were there a day... that was kind of a waste of airfares

...total aside but my dad who passed away was a helicopter pilot. I grew up in planes and helicopters, my dad would literally land and pick me up from outside our house (we lived in a new estate with empty sections... probably couldn't get away with it today!). To this day, I cannot bring myself to *pay* for a five minute ride that would never measure up to being flown by my dad (who'd do all sorts of fun things at our request lol!)!

[Franrose]

Originally Posted by alicia1506

We had 1200 return bne - lax flights in economy. PE were approx 2000 return and i had thought saving 800 per person was an awesome bargain and it was .. Arriving with a busted knee, fluid in both legs/ankles and sore legs after being jammed in like sardines?? Those were the longest 28 hours of my life Pe was looking pretty attractive from the contortionist position i finally managed to squirm my way into.

Also slightly aside, but I can't believe how airfares work out... like, looking at Christmas this year (since Christmas next year isn't out yet) we could do BNE-LAX AirNZ with Skycouch for a very comparable price to flying Virgin. Yes, there's the extra flight to NZ - but to be able to actually get some sleep on the long haul section, I'm very tempted! Butt-cramp seats with a daytime flight vs skycouch overnight... why aren't the airlines here stepping up their game (in terms of price or service) out of Brisbane?

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by Franrose

1: I just really do feel that life is short and precious and I am going to have a ball with it. I would hands down rather have super awesome holidays with my family than brand new vehicles and 'label' clothing etc.[/COLOR]

Well said
I have a friend who always seems to be tired and miserable despite having a lot of really nice things. She hasn't been on a proper holiday in years. We were talking the other day about how she has just invested a whole heap of money lately into a car and home renos. I replied that the only investments I seem to be making these days are into my soul and my happiness. I don't think she got it...

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by Franrose

Also slightly aside, but I can't believe how airfares work out... like, looking at Christmas this year (since Christmas next year isn't out yet) we could do BNE-LAX AirNZ with Skycouch for a very comparable price to flying Virgin. Yes, there's the extra flight to NZ - but to be able to actually get some sleep on the long haul section, I'm very tempted! Butt-cramp seats with a daytime flight vs skycouch overnight... why aren't the airlines here stepping up their game (in terms of price or service) out of Brisbane?

Yeah, I was just doing some research into skycouches an hour ago, and it seems for $700 extra we can get a couch and a seat across the aisle (i.e 4 seats between the 3 of us). That means my husband and I could take turns sharing the skycouch with our son and we'll hopefully all get a bit of sleep. Very tempting. Very tempting indeed.

[Franrose]

Originally Posted by WanderlustNZ

Yeah, I was just doing some research into skycouches an hour ago, and it seems for $700 extra we can get a couch and a seat across the aisle (i.e 4 seats between the 3 of us). That means my husband and I could take turns sharing the skycouch with our son and we'll hopefully all get a bit of sleep. Very tempting. Very tempting indeed.

When are you looking for? I'm really starting to doubt the whole process of booking early to get good prices... Admittedly, I'm looking at travel BNE-AKL-LAX, browsing December this year (ie leaving in six weeks time!), but the price difference between skycouch or no was $200 one way.

ETA: Ahh, I see - three of you vs four that is awesome!

Those flights were also $3,000 cheaper than anything I could find for next year flying Virgin BNE-LAX direct. (Virgin at Christmas this year = similar prices to AirNZ with skycouch, more expensive than AirNZ without skycouch.)

[Travel Mum]

Hey, the price of a skycouch upgrade is not set in stone. It starts at one price and then, depending on demand, the price changes. The more that are booked, the higher the price goes for further Skycouch bookings. So a Skycouch upgrade, if you know you want one, is definitely something you should book early to get the lowest upgrade cost

[battymum]

Originally Posted by WanderlustNZ

Wow, that's interesting. I have been wondering what club level is like at Universal hotels.

I too often splash out on club level at hotels if the price isn't too much more expensive. We usually eat enough evening canapes that we don't need dinner. This paired with the club breakfast means we only need to pay for lunch on that day.

Did you go to evening canapes and drinks at the Hard Rock. Were they any good?

The club room at HRH had only 9 tables to serve the entire top floor of the hotel, so it was always crowded and noisy at breakfast. We did have evening canapés but then went out for our meal, so wouldn't have missed it. I am not much of a wine drinker, DH would grab a beer and bring back to the room - it just wasn't a relaxing place to be - I would have preferred to pay for a drink and sit somewhere more pleasant.
So instead of it being an indulgence I felt like we were being cheap - which I guess we were, but would have got better value buying some beers and snacks at a supermarket.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by WanderlustNZ

That's the second recommendation for the dessert package. It sounds like it's a must-do. Do they have the same thing at WDW?

If you LOVE sweet things, then the Fireworks or Wishes Dessert at WDW is a must-do.

You do have to book and it is one of those events that they take payment in advance and at the time of booking. Not refundable within a 24 or 48 hour cancellation, can't remember which.

Everyone gets a seat at a table and the desserts are pretty good (but not necessarily great). It is all you can eat and includes coffee/tea and juice.

When the fireworks starts, the guests all wander up to the Tomorrowland Terrance balcony. There is plenty of elbow room and you don't have to jostle anyone or stake out a spot. The Tomorrowland Terrace is towards the right of the castle; so your view isn't dead straight on. There are better spots for viewing the fireworks; but if you like Dessert, it can be worth it.

[Franrose]

It's a great spot for seeing Tinkerbelle!

I loved it, then seeing them all over again a few nights later from the California Grill. Two different perspectives of the same awesome 'Ohana has a great view too.

[Franrose]

Originally Posted by Travel Mum

Hey, the price of a skycouch upgrade is not set in stone. It starts at one price and then, depending on demand, the price changes. The more that are booked, the higher the price goes for further Skycouch bookings. So a Skycouch upgrade, if you know you want one, is definitely something you should book early to get the lowest upgrade cost

Do seat prices waiver much though? I'm wondering if I could get airfares around the $6000/$7000 mark (ish - much prefer $6000 ) a year ahead, or if it's better to wait. For eg, if I can see airfares for this December (using our proposed dates of travel) at about that price, have they dropped because it's getting closer to December and they want to fill the planes, or will they have consistently been at that price?

For our trip last year, I booked/paid for virgin flights back from NY to LAX and the next WEEK they dropped by $600 (for our whole family). Gah.

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by battymum

The club room at HRH had only 9 tables to serve the entire top floor of the hotel, so it was always crowded and noisy at breakfast. We did have evening canapés but then went out for our meal, so wouldn't have missed it. I am not much of a wine drinker, DH would grab a beer and bring back to the room - it just wasn't a relaxing place to be - I would have preferred to pay for a drink and sit somewhere more pleasant.
So instead of it being an indulgence I felt like we were being cheap - which I guess we were, but would have got better value buying some beers and snacks at a supermarket.

That doesn't sound good. Only 9 tables! I imagine with the early Harry Potter hour that most of the club customers would be eating breakfast at the same time and looking for something quick and relaxing, not packed and chaotic.
Also, do I take from your wine and beer comment that there were no cocktails (i.e spirits)?
It sounds like it might be an indulgence I won't be splashing out on.
Cheers for the info.

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by Travel Mum

Hey, the price of a skycouch upgrade is not set in stone. It starts at one price and then, depending on demand, the price changes. The more that are booked, the higher the price goes for further Skycouch bookings. So a Skycouch upgrade, if you know you want one, is definitely something you should book early to get the lowest upgrade cost

Thanks TravelMum. I've also noticed how much School holidays vs. no school holidays makes a difference.
I'm able to price up the day we want to leave, but at the moment I have been stabbing in a dummy return date that is a few days early.
The funny thing is that the return date I chose was only released yesterday, yet it is already quite a bit more expensive ($1100) for the skycouch and extra seat upgrade than the trip there ($700). The difference being that the flight home is in school holidays while the flight there is a few weeks before the holidays start.

[WanderlustNZ]

Originally Posted by Franrose

Do seat prices waiver much though? I'm wondering if I could get airfares around the $6000/$7000 mark (ish - much prefer $6000 ) a year ahead, or if it's better to wait. For eg, if I can see airfares for this December (using our proposed dates of travel) at about that price, have they dropped because it's getting closer to December and they want to fill the planes, or will they have consistently been at that price?

For our trip last year, I booked/paid for virgin flights back from NY to LAX and the next WEEK they dropped by $600 (for our whole family). Gah.

Isn't it frustrating how difficult they are to predict? I booked my last flights to Fiji about 9 months early. Just a few weeks later they had a special and silly me checked. I was kicking myself when I realised I could have saved a few hundred just by waiting a few weeks. However, I also continued to check periodically after that (I know. I know. What's the point?), but I was happy to see that they continued to sky rocket in price. A last minute booking would have seen me paying close to double what I paid 9 months in advance

I pretty much weigh up the gamble of school holiday bookings. What would upset me more? Paying $5000 now and then a few months later finding out they went down to $4000. Or forgoing the $5000, finding out that no deals are offered, and then end up paying $6000? I would be quite a bit more upset with the latter, so I usually don't take any chances and book early.

I'm curious. Do all Australians flying ANZ come via Auckland, or does ANZ have some direct flights between AUS and LAX?
Can I ask why a lot of you are happy to fly ANZ despite the flight being not direct? I like ANZ, but imagine I would definitely consider another airline if it got me to my destination faster.