September/October 2013 check in

[PrincessInOz]

We normally have a rental car as well.

[Kristin5]

Originally Posted by aussie shaz

Can't help there as we've always had a car.

Do read up on the Las Vegas forum (but DO NOT mention if you are taking kids!) about taxis to/from the airport. Something about some drivers taking you the long way, therefore costing a lot more.

Yeah, last time we took a cab and it took us the long way. We know this time to tell them not to get on the freeway and to take us the direct route not the 'scenic' route. Should only cost $12 or so.

Not sure why "no kids"? DS was 4 (almost 5) last time and it is he who is begging to go again! He loved the replica buildings (Eiffel tower, statue of liberty, etc), M&M world, shopping & swimming and didn't notice any of the seedier things (we didn't really have him out at nighttime though). Anyway, if they are that judgemental on the Las Vegas forum, I simply won't go on there!

I am asking more about San Fran as previously when I have been there I have had a car (but that was ages ago anyway - my first 3 trips to the US, and this will be the first time I have been back there this century!!! ). Really, I am almost a San Fran virgin!

[PrincessInOz]

Where are you staying in SF, Kristin?

Depending on the number of bags and how close you are, the BART is a very reliable way of getting in.

[Kristin5]

In the city, or downtown as the Americans call it! I think the BART station is a few blocks away from the hotel. But there will be 6 of us, with 6 suitcases (and DS won't be lugging his around!) so I think it'd be more convenient to get a cab or shuttle that drops us off at the hotel. This is our first stop too, so we will have been travelling for a while and will probably be fairly tired (but won't sleep until their nighttime, best way to beat jet lag is to get straight into their times, I find).

[PrincessInOz]

We normally go pick up a rental car in SF or take the BART; so I can't help with transfers. Maybe someone else can help out.

If it is your first port after the long haul, then you already know the best thing to do....taxi or shuttle is best.

[aussie shaz]

Originally Posted by Kristin5

Not sure why "no kids"? DS was 4 (almost 5) last time and it is he who is begging to go again! He loved the replica buildings (Eiffel tower, statue of liberty, etc), M&M world, shopping & swimming and didn't notice any of the seedier things (we didn't really have him out at nighttime though). Anyway, if they are that judgemental on the Las Vegas forum, I simply won't go on there!
:

They are so much worse on the Vegas forum than the 'other' side of the Dis.

My kids looooved Vegas. There are so many great things to do. We don't drink or gamble though, so maybe that changes the view of taking kids.

The people on the Vegas forum will flame anyone just mentioning taking kids there. I didn't spend much time on that forum!!

[Kristin5]

Originally Posted by aussie shaz

They are so much worse on the Vegas forum than the 'other' side of the Dis.

My kids looooved Vegas. There are so many great things to do. We don't drink or gamble though, so maybe that changes the view of taking kids.

The people on the Vegas forum will flame anyone just mentioning taking kids there. I didn't spend much time on that forum!!

We don't drink or gamble either! So DS hardly saw the inside of a casino. We were more interested in the scenery from the street or in other non-gambling activities such as a gondola cruise, a trip up the Eiffel Tower, etc.

Hate to think what all those people on the Vegas forum are getting up to then, if it's not safe for kids! (Maybe in my young and wild days I could relate, but not anymore!)

[WanderlustNZ]

Is there a Vegas forum here on the Dis? I have been on other travel websites and discussed Vegas, and yes, people aren't very supportive of taking kids.

I'm not entirely keen on taking my own son to Vegas, but would never judge others for taking their kids there. It's not like us ANZACs can pop to Vegas for the weekend and leave our kids with their grandparents. For most of us, it's either take the kids or don't go at all.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by WanderlustNZ

Is there a Vegas forum here on the Dis? I have been on other travel websites and discussed Vegas, and yes, people aren't very supportive of taking kids.

I'm not entirely keen on taking my own son to Vegas, but would never judge others for taking their kids there. It's not like us ANZACs can pop to Vegas for the weekend and leave our kids with their grandparents. For most of us, it's either take the kids or don't go at all.

It's a sub-sub-forum under the Disneyland sub-forum....
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=175

[aussie shaz]

Sorry, I meant on Tripadvisor. Never thought there woud be anything on the Dis.
I agree, you either take the kids, or don't go at all. We did go out at night, and the worst thing was the weirdos in their Spiderman/Bart Simpson costumes. All of the card slappers stepped back as we walked past. We had talked to our kids about what we might see (not specifics!), but it was really quite fine.

[areweindisneyyet]

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

[Kristin5]

Originally Posted by areweindisneyyet

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

Sounds amazing! Good luck keeping it a secret (if you do, you're a lot better than me!)

[becpee]

I'll be waving you all off

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by areweindisneyyet

Qantas sale to good to refuse.

So my Easter 2014 trip is now September 2013.

We leave on the 7th. and return on the 29th

We are taking the girls who will be 13 and 11. DD1 will turn 14 on the flight home. They have no idea and we wont be telling them until atleast the week before we go. They are missing 9 school days and I just dont care.

So
IOA
WDW at POFQ
Cape Canaveral
3 night Disney Dream cruise
Washington DC
New York

Very very excited.

Happy Happy Dance!

[areweindisneyyet]

Originally Posted by Kristin5

Sounds amazing! Good luck keeping it a secret (if you do, you're a lot better than me!)

Thanks Kristin. The girls know we are planning this trip at some stage in the next 18 months just not exactly when as we have been trying to nail down the perfect time. So if we get caught talking about where it wont give us away. Figure we will tell them a week before so we can organise schoolwork. They will have a week and half to get it done when we get home and caught up. They keep telling us that one day they would like it if we just went, lets go to Disneyworld today. I think a week before is good enought.

Originally Posted by becpee

I'll be waving you all off

Thanks for waving BecPee, appreciated. Your trip will be here before you know it.

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

Happy Happy Dance!

OH indeed PIO, indeed. Feeling way happy with a tiny amount of guilt.