The Prize for the most Indecisive Traveller

[WanderlustNZ]

Post updated April 28

If there was such a prize, I think I would win. If anyone has been following my plans they will know that they have changed many times and sometimes quite drastically.

However, I believe that they are now pretty set in stone and an updated itinerary is listed below. The links are included as they show pics of my accommodation. However, some of the information included in the links is now incorrect.

I have booked most of the big things (Flights, accommodation and Disney Tickets) but there is still a lot left to sort out and pay for.

25 Sep: Fly to LA via Hawaii. Arrive late in the evening. Check into Marriott LAX

26 Sep: Fly to Salt Lake City with Delta. Drive to Logan, Utah. Night at Best Western Weston Inn
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50487795&postcount=58

27 Sep: Drive to Jackson, Wyoming. 2 nights booked at Grand View Lodge. Go to Bar T 5 Wagon Cookout.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50454872&postcount=37

28 Sep: Wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park with the Teton Science School

29 Sep: Drive through Grand Teton NP into Yellowstone NP. One night at Lake Yellowstone Hotel in a Frontier Cabin. Dinner booked in the hotel dining room.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50560359&postcount=95

30 Sep: Drive to Old Faithful Inn (1 night). Scored one of the hard-to-get ensuite rooms in the original part of the Inn. Dinner in the Inn Dining Room.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50439608&postcount=16

1 Oct: 2 nights booked at the Yellowstone Gateway Inn in Gardiner.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50509301&postcount=70

2 Oct: Wildlife tour with the Yellowstone Association.

3 Oct: Night booked at Three Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone (Goldilocks Themed Family Room)
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50439608&postcount=16 (Last 2 pics)

4 Oct: Drive most of the day back to Salt Lake City. Jet Blue flight to Long Beach. Transfers to Anaheim. 3 nights booked at Park Vue Inn.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50676469&postcount=104

5-6 Oct: DLR

7 Oct: Flight to Hawaii. Aulani booked for 3 nights by renting DVC Points. Made 3 ADRs.

10 Oct: Flight back to Auckland.

There is a chance of snow in Yellowstone late Sep/early Oct, but I've also read that it's a great time to visit. The crowds are much lower, the elks are in rut, and the bears are on the move to prepare for hibernation. We had initially planned to go to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons last year before deciding to go instead to WDW. I'm pleased we changed those plans as the government shutdown would have completely ruined our trip. I'm hoping it was an omen telling us to wait till this year.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ch...ch.....ch.....changes!

And it's MY fault????






Great looking itinerary. I really, really, really wanted to head back to Yellowstone on September and do the Grand Tetons. DH wasn't so keen. So, I get to live vicariously through your TR.


BTW - There is a very little town called Cody. Have a look at it online and see if there is anything there that might interest you.


Happy dance indeed!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

This guys photos inspired me the first time I researched Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. If I can get photos half as good and see half as much wildlife, I'll be happy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timscreations/sets/72157630272390954/with/7436059708/

 

[heidispidi]

It's great to hear that you are excited about these new plans! I would love to go to Yellowstone, so I am already waiting impatiently to read your TR! I hope your budget can stretch to several nights at DLH, not just 1. For our Easter trip, I have us staying at BWPPI for the first 6 nights, then DLH for the remaining 5 nights - b/c I can't go without staying onsite for SOME of the trip, and 1 night just wouldn't cut it! Keep sending through more details, I for one am more than happy to read.

 

[PrincessInOz]

This guys photos inspired me the first time I researched Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. If I can't get photos half as good and see half as much wildlife, I'll be happy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timscreations/7436061752/in/set-72157630393391450/lightbox/

Your shots will be just as good, if not better. I've seen your pictures.


The bear shots here are awesome.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Ch...ch.....ch.....changes!

And it's MY fault????






Great looking itinerary. I really, really, really wanted to head back to Yellowstone on September and do the Grand Tetons. DH wasn't so keen. So, I get to live vicariously through your TR.


BTW - There is a very little town called Cody. Have a look at it online and see if there is anything there that might interest you.


Happy dance indeed!

I blame you in the most flattering way possible

I have seen Cody and it looks awesome. It was part of our initial 2013 itinerary before we changed everything. There is a little log cabin place between Yellowstone and Cody with rocking chairs on the porch and I had pretty much romanticised a whole stay there.
Unfortunately that itinerary was twice as long and we had plenty of time to see and do everything we wanted.
I will definitely see if it's possible to fit Cody in, but I'm not sure time and weather will allow for it. The good thing about West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole is that you can get from one to the other by going through Yellowstone or around it. It gives us a bit of flexibility if an early snow storm breezes in and for some reason the roads close temporarily.

Still heaps of planning to do. I think it's time to dig out the BBC Yellowstone doco.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

It's great to hear that you are excited about these new plans! I would love to go to Yellowstone, so I am already waiting impatiently to read your TR! I hope your budget can stretch to several nights at DLH, not just 1. For our Easter trip, I have us staying at BWPPI for the first 6 nights, then DLH for the remaining 5 nights - b/c I can't go without staying onsite for SOME of the trip, and 1 night just wouldn't cut it! Keep sending through more details, I for one am more than happy to read.

Thanks Heidispidi
I definitely would love to spend at least one night onsite. I have pretty much fell in love with DLH and I've never even stayed there.

The problem is that I also seen some beautiful places in Jackson home with wooden beams and fireplaces in the rooms that suit my tastes completely.

It'll be a case of making sacrifices somewhere. I just haven't decided where yet.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Your shots will be just as good, if not better. I've seen your pictures.


The bear shots here are awesome.

Awww, thanks. My photography equipment and lightroom skills are no where near this guys level, but if I can get any 5% of the great shots he did, I'll consider the trip a success.
I did chat online to him about how he took the pics and he said that most of the animals he came across on the side of the road and by pure luck. He didn't do any specialist tours or hikes, just a bit of research into good times of the day for wildlife spotting. So that had me feeling optimistic for my own chances.
His bear shots are great. I also really love his pics of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We were there in June. Whilst summer, it still felt like late Spring. The animals were everywhere. We saw lots of bison, deer, mountain sheep/goat and bear without even trying. And the wildflowers were amazing! The rangers do try and keep people away from the bear when they come out of hibernation because they are aggressively hungry then. It will be luck of the draw.

Judging from the snow cover of the pictures, I'd guess they were there in late Spring/early summer as well.

 

[heidispidi]

Hmmm - double post, sorry!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We were there in June. Whilst summer, it still felt like late Spring. The animals were everywhere. We saw lots of bison, deer, mountain sheep/goat and bear without even trying. And the wildflowers were amazing! The rangers do try and keep people away from the bear when they come out of hibernation because they are aggressively hungry then. It will be luck of the draw.

Judging from the snow cover of the pictures, I'd guess they were there in late Spring/early summer as well.

Good spotting, they were taken June also.
I'd love to visit the area in June, I imagine the wildflowers would be amazing. Unfortunately that will pretty much never happen due to when I'm allowed to take holidays. I love scenery where everything is fresh and new.
Instead we will hopefully be in time for the peak of the fall colours which is also lovely. Unfortunately Bear sightings aren't as common as they are in June, but I've read it is the best time for Elk.
Do you have a TR or any online pics from your trip? I'd love to see them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good spotting, they were taken June also.
I'd love to visit the area in June, I imagine the wildflowers would be amazing. Unfortunately that will pretty much never happen due to when I'm allowed to take holidays. I love scenery where everything is fresh and new.
Instead we will hopefully be in time for the peak of the fall colours which is also lovely. Unfortunately Bear sightings aren't as common as they are in June, but I've read it is the best time for Elk.
Do you have a TR or any online pics from your trip? I'd love to see them.

I have a photo album. It was in the days pre-digital SLR and they are DH's pictures, not mine. Remember those days??

 

[Meemoo]

Well, you know what they say, half the fun of a trip is the planning...and changing our minds endless times!

If you are thinking Aulani how long would you want to be there for? I am a DVC owner there and have 30 points I'll probably be looking at renting out if family doesn't claim them soon!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Well, you know what they say, half the fun of a trip is the planning...and changing our minds endless times!

If you are thinking Aulani how long would you want to be there for? I am a DVC owner there and have 30 points I'll probably be looking at renting out if family doesn't claim them soon!

Thanks Meemoo. I so wish that was enough, but unfortunately I think I need about double that. We are looking at a studio for 3 nights (7 - 10 Oct).

 

[Meemoo]

Thanks Meemoo. I so wish that was enough, but unfortunately I think I need about double that. We are looking at a studio for 3 nights (7 - 10 Oct).

Yeh, you would need minimum 54 points for a standard view studio. Aulani is definitely worth the trip!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

The great thing about having done a lot of research into Yellowstone a few years back, is that this trip is coming together very quickly. I also have the wonderful people over on Trip Advisor for their expert advice.

I think I finally have a finalised itinerary, and I have even booked 3 of the hotels. Here's what it looks like:

Thursday

Fly into LAX. Overnight in a hotel (undecided)

Friday

Morning flight to Salt Lake City (approx 90min flight). I'm waiting for Southwest Airlines to release their fares as they look like they'll be the cheapest (around US$250 p/p return).
Hire car and drive roughly half way to Jackson Hole (approx 3hrs). Will take the more scenic route and will overnight somewhere like Bear Lake.

Saturday

Continue on to Jackson Hole and explore this pretty town. Dinner at the Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout
http://bart5.com/bar-t-5,_inc_-_covrd_wgn_ckout_home_page_009_2.htm
Accommodation at Jackson Hole undecided, but there are so mnay wonderful choices. Including some beautiful lodges with fireplaces in the rooms.

Sunday

A tour of Grand Teton National Park. Either self-drive or an organised tour by a wildlife guide.

Monday

Drive into Yellowstone Park to Old Faithful Inn. Old Faithful Inn is the largest log structure in the world and is stunningly beautiful. It was Disney's inspiration for the Wilderness Lodge.
Below photos are from the hotel website http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodging/summer-lodges/old-faithful-inn/

Outside


The lobby




The Room


The Restaurant. I must remember to make bookings at 2 month mark


We have left booking Yellowstone lodges very late as they typically book out over a year in advance. I was so excited that there was still rooms available in the Old House (original parts of the lodge). They were also very cheap. The payoff is a shared bathroom which is as close to 'roughing it' as I get. But I'm happy to make this sacrifice to spend a few nights in such history.
I'd like to check-in in time for the guided tour of the Lodge
http://www.yellowstonenationalparkl...-do/adventures-on-land/old-faithful-inn-tour/

Tuesday

The Yellowstone Day Tour which leaves from outside Old Faithful
http://www.yellowstonenationalparkl...o-do/adventures-on-land/yellowstone-in-a-day/

Wednesday

Drive to the northern area of Yellowstone NP. This is where wildlife spottings are more frequent. Overnight in a Frontier cabin at Mammoth Hot Springs. We are so lucky that they too still had availability. The cabins are basic, but they do have a private bathroom. There is also a good chance of viewing wildlife from out on the balcony.
Below photos are from the hotel website http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodging/summer-lodges/mammoth-hot-springs-hotel-cabins/

The cabins


The rooms are simple, but comfortable, and not too expensive.



Thursday

Final chance to explore Yellowstone before leaving the park and overnighting in West Yellowstone. There is a Yellowstone IMAX theatre here as well as a Bear and Wolf Discovery Centre if we aren't lucky enough to see these animals in the park
http://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.com/
Overnight in Three Bear Lodge.
Below photos are from the hotel website http://**********bearlodge.com/

The outside. We have a room with one of those balconies


We've splashed out on a 2 bedroom themed suite with a cute little cubby house for my son.


Friday

Head for Salt Lake City. It's a 5-6 hour drive, so we may go the whole way or just stay north of SLC. (accommodation undecided) Stop enroute to do a bit of shopping.

Saturday

Midday or early avo flight to LAX or John Wayne Airport. Shuttle to a hotel near Disneyland. Accommodation undecided. Today I cancelled the Disneyland Hotel as Travelocity have been mucking me around with my booking. For some reason my son was left off the booking and it was becoming a real hassle to change the booking. A few emails and calls later, I gave up and cancelled. I will decide at a later date if we can afford 3 nights here, but given how much time we will be in the room, I don't think I will be able to justify it.

Sunday

Disneyland

Monday

Disney's California Adventure Park

Tuesday

Early morning wake up to get to LAX by 7am for our flight to Hawaii. 3 nights in Hawaii (hopefully Aulani)

Friday

Fly home. Arrive on the Saturday

 

[PrincessInOz]

Fantastic, Wanderlust. The accommodation looks great and your itinerary is wonderful.

Are you set on doing the Yellowstone tour? It's not that hard to drive yourself through the park to each location. If you already have hired the car, it might be worth checking out your options and saving some money? Your call, naturally.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Fantastic, Wanderlust. The accommodation looks great and your itinerary is wonderful.

Are you set on doing the Yellowstone tour? It's not that hard to drive yourself through the park to each location. If you already have hired the car, it might be worth checking out your options and saving some money? Your call, naturally.

Thanks PIO. I haven't 100% decided to do the tour, but it's likely we will. A few reasons:

1. To give DH a break from driving. He'll be our only driver for this trip and I want him to have the chance to watch the scenery rather than the road.
2. The commentary. I hope we get a good guide with a sound knowledge of the area so I can learn from him/her.
3. To get a taste of the whole park in a hurry just incase the weather packs in and our driving becomes limited afterwards. My fingers are firmly crossed that we aren't affected by snow, but I'm also aware that so late in the season we need to be a bit flexible. If the weather starts to pack in, we may even have to skip out Mammoth and head out of the park before we encounter road closures.

It's all so exciting.

 

[PrincessInOz]

It is! It is!

And I'm just armchair cheering on the sidelines.

 

[Caroline NZ]

Sounds fantastic Wanderlust. Yellowstone is down on our "to do one day' list