New thread time!
late again! Apologies, am in Europe atm, too much to see and do to mod , please feel free to start a new thread when one gets too long and ask for it to be closed by another mod (best to pop in Messages to mods forum)

link to last thread

Thanks GQ, Where abouts in Europe are you visiting??
Oh and this is thread #19

jumpingbeans, welcome to the thread.
We normally book most things in the USA ourselves these days as travel agents wholesalers charge high fees to make changes or cancellations etc, whereas most hotels in the US have great cancellation policies where you don't et charged anything if you cancel up until 24-48hrs before your check in date.
In saying that, we have booked our cruise through our travel agent as they offered an onboard credit which Disney wasn't offering.
You can take you Aus-USA airfare prices to Flight Centre and they will beat them by a few dollars, but they won't match prices for domestic flights within the US only ones that originate in Aus.
Your dollar estimate for 12 days is pretty spot on, if you can get good airfare prices like there have been this March.

Updated list below

THE LIST:


Becca81 - 28th March - 30th May 2012, LA, Miami, Quito, Miami, Orlando, New York, LA

kee/sicily - 3rd April 2012, Las Vegas, Miami, Cruise Bahamas, New York, Hawaii

Coffeegirl - 14th-28th April 2012, LA, NYC, Orlando, LA

Isadora - 21st April 2012 - 14th May 2012, Anaheim, New York, San Diego, Las Vegas

Whipmix - 7th May - 14th June, Hawaii, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Fran, New York, LA, Hawaii

~mony - 11th May - 2nd June 2012 â€" LA, Orlando, Disney Caribbean Cruise, San Francisco

Jupiter123 - 24th - 29th May - Honolulu, Hawaii

Jorgo - 26th - 31st May Maui, 31st-4th June Honolulu

Satay chicken - 13th June - 2nd July 2012, LA, Vegas, Pismo Beach

2girlzandhoney - 16th June - 25th June 2012, LA, Anaheim

Cushla - June/July - Anaheim (Disneyland), Santa Monica, San Simeon, San Francisco, Portland

MY 3 SONS X – 5th-27th July, Anaheim, Santa Monica, NYC, Hawaii

DamiansMama - 16th August - 1st September

CTCT, 29th August 2012, Las Vegas, San Fran, Yosimite, San Fran, Monterey, Santa Barbara, LA, Anaheim

SleepyJean August 2012, Hawaii

Potato - 6th - 25th Sep 2012. Honolulu, LA, central coast California, Anaheim

kee/sicily - 8th September - 14th September 2012, Hawaii

*Marti* - 12th September 2012, New York

mum2kichisao - 13th September - 14th October, San Francisco, San Simeon, Anaheim, Las Vegas, San Diego, Orlando, New York, Cruise from Boston to Quebec

barrington - 14th September - 8th October 2012, US/Canada

KNL909 - 15th September - 3rd October 2012, Anaheim, Disney Cruise to Mexico

cassi8 - 18th September - 3rd October 2012, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Hawaii

snugglybug - 22nd September/October 2012, Anaheim, Yosemite, Las Vegas, LA

Jo_P - 22nd September - 12th October 2012, LA, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Disney Wonder Pacific Coast Cruise, Anaheim

rob6712col 25th September 2012, LA, Orlando, DC, Gettysburg, Philly, Boston, Niagara Falls, Albany, NY, LA

FionaM - September 2012, Hawaii

potato - September 2012 - Honolulu, LA, central coast California, Disneyland

Read-y - September 2012 - Hawaii (Maui, Big Island, Oahu)

Mum2KCIandS - September/October 2012 - Hawaii - Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Orlando, New York and then a cruise to Canada/New England

chobbs3 - September/October 2012, LA Grand Canyon, NY

Rowena - September 2012 - Washington DC, New York, Toronto, Banff, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Honolulu

Peanut - September/October 2012, New York

Reader: September/October 2012 - LA, NY, LA, San Fran, Yosemite

thebarnwellb4 - 26th October, ?

Jaxxie - 30th October 2012 - 15th November

carls888 - October 2012, La, Vegas, San Francisco, Berkeley, Pebble Beach, San Diego, Seattle

maxmum - October 2012, Hawaii

baf65 - 1st November 2012, LA, Orlando

Fabulous - late November 2012 to early January 2013 - Atlanta - Charleston - Savannah - Orlando - New Orleans

Brownie22 - December 2012, Hawaii

Blonde: December 2012/January 2013 - LA, Disney

jumpingbeans – March 2013, LA

Kee - 8th April 2013-5th May 2013, South Pacific cruise, Hawaii

Nanaimo Girl: July/August 2013 - LA - Vegas - San Francisco - Portland - Seattle - Vancouver Island - Alberta

minime3: September 2013 - Anaheim, San Fran, Vegas, NY

Madlock - Sept/Oct 2013 - Disney, Disney Cruise, Texas, Hawaii - Final plans TBA

IVL - 2013, Canada, LA, Hawaii

CarnivalKid, June/July 2014 USA

Lena, Nov/Dec 2016 - San Diego, Anaheim, San Fran, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, New York, Niagara, Hawaii

Kabailz - Dec 2017…it’s never too early to start planning!


If there's anyone who needs to be added or anything that needs to be updated, let me know




Anaheim dates:

KNL909
Park Vue
15th-23rd Sept
HoJo
30th Sept - 3rd Oct

mum2kichisao
16th-20th Sep
Portifino Inn

Cassi8
Disneyland Hotel
18th-22nd Sep

Potato
Howard Johnson (HOJO)
20th-23rd Sep


Snugglybug
Park Vue 22-27 Sep
HoJo 9-14 Oct

Jo_P
Del Sol Inn
7th – 13th Oct

Germany with family, and some skiing in Austria as well as a sidetrip to London for work which got extended with a girls weekend with some friends, Jo

GQ, enjoy your holiday!

Reader, I've done a fair bit of accommodation research along the New England coastline and prices aren't too bad for the Fall season. For instance, I'm considering an overnight in Sandwich at a well rated motel (on Trip Advisor) and the price is pretty decent for that time of year. I think that you could possibly pay more where the Fall colours are more evident inland, but along the coastline it doesn't seem too high.

Add me please

Jupiter123 - 24th May to 29th May - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a very unexpected trip for me and my first overseas. DH is going to be working over in Hawaii for 2 months so I am meeting up with him for a few days.

Ahh GQ that sounds fabulous!!!

jupiter123, you're added to the list You're only going for a few days?? I'd be going for the whole 2 months lol!!!

Thank you for adding me.

I would love to go for the whole 2 months, unfortunately my boss would not be pleased. It was hard enough getting a week off as big stuff is happening at work right now and I kinda dropped it on him at the last minute.

36 hours to go


Jo_P. can you please change my undecided after NY to Orlando. .

We got a deal on a hotel at Universal and we're going to surprise the kids . Haven't told them what we're doing after NY.

Can't hang around. Need to go pack

I'm in Anaheim 18th to the 22nd shall try to add ducky of some sort We are staying Disneyland Hotel

Have a great trip Coffeegirl! looking forward to hearing all about it when you get beck

I am in Anaheim 14th to 21st Sept... have not decided where we are staying yet...

I have disappeared off the list.

Pnut, I am in Montreal for 8-12 months. It is beautiful. Did you want some ideas on what to do here?

Just wanted to add for Reader and Peanut and anyone else who might be thinking about new england area in September/october you do have to be careful with accomodation. during the fall season they do jack the prices up (i know of one hotel that costs $95 off season and $155 during peak). Also weekends always cost more than during the week and just to add some fun at lot of places add a 2 or 3 night minimum stay over weekends.

That being said it is still possible to travel without booked accomodation, we've done it about three times now up into Vermont New Hampshire and Maine in the September/October period.

If you are planning on doing it on the fly you may want to look at http://www.hotelcoupons.com. These coupons can not be used to book in advance but if you are willing to just go with the flow you can get some really good deals. Not great for accomodation in the big cities but if you're just looking for a nights accomodation passing through it's really worth it's weight in gold.

If anyone has any questions about this part of the world I'm happy to try and help (I'm currently living just outside Boston).

Peanut - hope you enjoy Sandwich it's a beautiful place. I think that beause it's technically on Cape Cod a lot of people think of it as more of a summer vacation place but it does still get the beautiful colours in Autumn.

Jo_P - I'd love your hotel list!!

I found some awesome and well priced villas in Orlando so I've started bookmarking options. Will be starting to save for this as soon as we have finished paying for Bali!!

For anyone who has done longish holidays to the US and stayed in mostly self-contained accommodation, what sort of price should I be looking at for accommodation and food per week? (wondering if I'll need to be working 3 jobs to pay for it all hehe)

I'm so excited and it's 5.5yrs away! When we go, our kids will be aged 16, 11 (will turn 12 while there), 9 and 6yr old twins (who will turn 7 while there). They are going to have such fun!!

ooooh i have hawaii buddies lol
i'm maui- 26th - 31st may then honolulu 31st-4th june

hunter4, thanks for that link, and the info.

Who has been before and did a fair bit of driving? We are hiring are car for 16 days and I'm wondering how much to budget for fuel? Is there some website I can work this out? surely there is!

Coffeegirl!!!!! even less by now, how exciting! have a blast!

snugglybug - try http://gasbuddy.com/ just choose the state your going to and then any of the other places it'll give you a good idea. You're looking at about $3.80 - $4.10 per gallon at the moment depending on where you'll be driving. theres 3.78 liters to a gallon so about $1 to $1.10 / liter.

Traceybrown, most definitely, I would appreciate any tips you can give! I really enjoyed reading your blog and all I had to do was show my DH the photo of the view you had out your window at the Falls for him to agree to stay there!

Places of interest to 5 and 7 year olds are top priority and can I ask, is Montreal city centre best avoided driving in or is it relatively okay? I've been warned off driving in some places like Boston city due to the traffic.

Hunter4, thanks for your advice. I'm probably going to prebook at most places we intend to stop at, I'm not very good at "on the fly" travelling! The coupon link is excellent however, so thanks for posting it too. As above, I've been warned that driving in Boston is a bit of a nightmare, is that true? I was thinking of making our way up the coast through Plymouth and Boston to Salem. I just can't decide if Boston itself is worth trying to find parking to stop in.

Snugglybug, GOOD QUESTION! Hunter4, thanks again!

Peanut - I'm originally from Sydney so used to driving in traffic but personally I've never had any problems driving in Boston, certainly no more than any other city. Parking is limited but theres usually a couple of good parking garages that aren't toooooo expensive that I use and have never had a problem getting a park there. Generally I make sure I know which parking garage I want to go to and can just go striahgt there, in fact since the big dig went in I think it makes it easier in that you can get right into the city on the freeway and just jump off at the correct exit and you're right where you need to be. The only real issue would be if you didn't know which exit you wanted. If you can plan in advance where you want to go I don't see any problems. I certainly wouldn't write off Boston due to traffic, though do try and avoid driving in in peak hour, but that generally goes for any city!

Peanut, we have a 3,5 and 6 year old! They love going on the metro, it's so well set up. The bio dome is our favourite. We ended up getting season passes, there is a room downstairs where you can explore the exhibits etc. every school holidays they run free program's. They have three day museum and public transport passes. Old Montreal is beautiful, the science centre is there, great for kids, then you walk back and have lunch....the parks are amazing we are near Westmount. Squirrels everywhere. Foods great. Every weekend we try and pick a new place to explore. Kids love it, just a shame the eldest HATES school here. Driving is okay, they are a bit horn happy. I have a really good kids book, how many days are you here for? Have you booked a place to stay? We stayed at the Residence Inn Westmount, right near Atwater metro, shopping, movies, etc. Markets are fantastic, Atwater and Jean Talon. You'll put kilos on just walking through them. Oh and a few basic words of French will be fine, everyone is bilingual and if you make an effort, most are happy to speak English.

Hunter4
What would you recommend for a weekend in Boston?

TraceyBrown - My Boston list of things to would include:

"duck tour" the kids love them and it gives you a really good overview of the whole city. Can also do the prudential tower for a good view but not sure if it's necessary.

Read make way for ducklings by Robert Mclowsky with the kids then you can check out all the places in the book. There are statues of the ducklings in the public gardens and depending on the time of year you can take a swan boat ride there too.

Check out Boston Common. The duck pond - you can swim there in summer and ice skate in winter (also a cute little playground for the kids).

Walk the freedom trail. Probably too much to do all at once, split it up into sections.

Section 1 Boston common - faneuil hall. Includes Granery burial ground, old soulth meeting house, old state house and Boston Massacre site. Behind faneuil hall is quincy market a great place for lunch - like a food hall, though places to sit down can be hard to find. clam chowder is a local delicacy.

Section 2 The north end - another good place to eat if you like italian. check out paul revere house and the old north end church, Cops Hill burying ground. Can walk back around the waterfront some nice parks etc along the waterfront.

Section 3- Charlestown. You can walk here from the north end or my preference is to go from fanuil hall, head east to the waterfront and jump on a ferry across the harbour to the USS constitution. You can either do a tour or just wander around it but either way you will have to go througha full security checkpoint. You can then walk up to the bunker hill monument if you want.

Check out the state house.
A walk through the Beacon Hill area is beautiful.
Also the back bay area. the shopping area is in the back bay area along newbury st.

If you feel you have time head out to Harvard (can use the subway - very easy to navigate). there is a free tour of the university that is great I'll try and find the link again.

If you want other "things" to do the Aquarium is meant to be great as is the childrens museum (although still haven't been so can't say from experience). we have been to the science museum and it's good but I find that all these things are very similar to ones in other cities.

So what hotels are every staying in whilst in Hawaii?

I am yet to book the hotel (doing it this weekend) and I am looking at the Aqua Waikiki Pearl. I don't need to be right on the beach and I don't need anything fancy. I don't want to spend a huge amount either as I only intend on being there to sleep. Just something that is clean, tidy and with no bed bugs/cockroaches etc.

I am going to hire a car or moped whilst I am there if I need one, however I am not overly comfortable with the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road.

Hi all well I've finally finalised my dates and destinations for our US trip in July. Jo_P could you please add us to the list. We arrive LA 5th July 4 nights at Disneyland Hotel and 4 nights in Santa Monica. Depart LA 13th July for NYC staying 7 nights Then heading off on 20th July to Hawaii for 7 nights staying at Ko Olina (Kapolei) then home 27th July.

Hope everyone elses planning is going well and for those of you jetting off soon happy and safe travels

OOH Thanks for that website Hunter4 thats great! it has a trip calculator. I just punched in all my stops, what kind of car we're getting and it's telling me around the $300 mark!? that seems chea, will add more of course into the budget for incidental driving. It even shows you where to fill up!! defintely going in my favourites.Will be interesting to see how accurate it is.

Woohoo coffeegirl, not long now!! Which Universal hotel are you staying at? We stayed at Lowes Royal Pacific and really loved it there

Snugglybug, we find the fuel costs really good over there compared to here even in the big Suburban’s that we rent, it uses less fuel then my dh’s Patrol!!

Jupiter123, When we finally go to Hawaii we’re looking at staying at Ohana Waikiki West. It’s highly recommended by Kee on here and it is really well priced and in a good position.

Off to update the list, sorry to those that I lost or messed up, not sure what happened there!
Oh and we booked grand Canyon this morning. We have a room in the Bright Angel Lodge, it has 3 double beds for $154, pretty good price for in the park we thought

TraceyBrown, thanks so much for your suggestions! The Biodome is now firmly on our list, have you also been up the Tower? Just wondering if we should purchase the Biodome and Olympic Tower tickets or just do the Biodome. At the moment I'm not too sure how long we'll spend in Montreal, but thanks for the mention of the Residence Inn, I'll take a look. My SIL is a confirmed Francophile, so I'll have to hit her up for some French words to get me by!

Hunter4, thanks also for your suggestions and your comments regarding driving in Boston! I was just reading up on Beacon Hill just now and it looks lovely. Have you been to Salem, worth a stopoff?

I have no idea what car to hire while we are in the USA. We don't need anything massive, its just the 4 of us, but I don't want to go too small. Any suggestions from people who have hired there? Snugglybug, what car will you be driving?

Jupiter123, I was thinking of having a go driving while we are over there, but I'll probably chicken out unles DH is really tired! I don't know if I could get my head around driving on the opposite side of the road!

Peanut, for hire cars they have ones like the Ford Escape, my sister and I rented one that size when we went together, because I had to do all of the driving and I was used to driving a Pajero so didn't want to go to a little hatch back or anything, as if there's not enough to get used to when driving over there!! I think something like that is good for families with 2 kids and luggage.

kabailz, I'll type up a little list for you

Kabailz, here is a list of places we've stayed at, staying at this year or looked into staying at
Anaheim: Residence Inn Maingate, Camelot Inn & Suites, del Sol Inn.
San Diego: Grand Pacific Palisades Carlsbad (next to Legoland, 20 min drive into SD)
San Francisco: Holiday Inn Fishermans Warf, Argonaut hotel
Las Vegas: Desert Rose Las Vegas Resort
Grand Canyon: Bright Angel Lodge
New York: Affina Eastgate Tower Hotel
Orlando: (Universal Studios)-Loews Royal Pacific, (DisneyWorld)-All Star Music family suite, and Nickelodeon Hotel.

Quick question for those of you with experience, do you take any food supplies with you? I don't mean the kitchen sink , but maybe a small tube of Vegemite etc? Any problems taking things like that into the States?

Peanut that is an excellent question.. my 8yr old wont eat anything but Nutella on his bread and compared to my other kids is a real pain to feed.

Yep we always take a tube of Vegemite with us and have never had an issue. Pack it in your checked luggage though as it is counted as a liquid. I also take instant coffee, tea bags (enough for the whole trip as their tea and coffee is blergh) sugar sachets, snacks like Shapes and Tiny Teddies just for the first day or so then we head to a grocery store to pick up a few more supplies.
I end up bringing home more food then we take though as they have the best grocery stores with absolutely everything!!!
The only thing we have had confiscated at Aus customs is Beef Jerkey as it is a non cooked meat product.
Oh and we take a travel kettle and travel coffee cups as there are no kettles in any hotels, they only have coffee machines and they usually only supply 2 paper cups!

Hi everyone. No changes to our plans, so nothing to update! Still need to renew passports and book car hire, but no rush yet.

When the list is next updated, please can my dates be added?
Sept 6th - 25th. Honolulu, LA, central coast California, then Anaheim. We are at HoJos 20th - 23rd Sept.

Thanks!

Jo_P. we're staying at the Lowes in Universal too. Any tips? How far is it from Disney World if we were to go there for a day? Are there shuttles?

14 hours til we head to the airport. Kids and I are packed. DH has just gotren home and he's finishing his now.

I drop Mum off at 7am for her flight, heas home and we're grabbing a cab.

Coffeegirl hope you have a great trip.

I have finally applied for our passports just about did my head in getting all the relevent certificates etc for myself.

Jo_P where did you get your travel kettle from. I am a complete tea freak and would die if I couldn't have one as soon as I arrived at the hotel..

Jupiter123 - in Hawaii, we have stayed at the Marriot Beach Resort. This trip we are staying at the Ohana West and then then on the way home we are staying at the Aston Waikiki Beach Resort.

Just been booking all our character dining at Disneyworld for Sep/Oct. I can't believe I have to book 180 days out and I am still not getting into some places. So far I have booked
Breakfast at Chef Mickey
Lunch at Cinderellas Table
3 DD's booked into Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Magic Kingdom
The Garden Grill dinner with Chip and Dale
Tusker House breakfast with Donald and Daisy.

Tonight I am hoping to book Mickeys Backyard BBQ and the Wonderland Tea Party for my 3 DD's.

Can anyone recommend any others that are must do??

Even though it is still so far away this is exciting booking all this!!

Love reading everyones info, thank you!!

Peanut, We are looking at getting a car exactly like Jo-P said, a ford escape. I don't think we'll need any bigger. Also I might drive some parts so I want some thing I can handle too.

On travel jigsaw I think it's equivalent to the Saturn Vue? Is that about right Jo?

Tube of vegemite!? I'll be taking a big jar, a tube won't go very far! I'll definitely be taking a travel jug and tea bags too though.

Jo_P odd about the beef jerky, when you can buy American beef jerky here at Costco!?

I don't know, sadly very behind the times here on the Sunshine Coast, no Costco in QLD at all I don't think!! They sell beef jerky in woolies and coles but only one brand and it's not the same, apparently, I don't eat it but dh and 3 of the kids do!
The Saturn Vue is like a Holden Captiva I think.
LOL at the big jar of vegemite

rob6712col, We did the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage, it was really good, and had it not been pouring rain and windy it would have been the best thing ever!! Also the Fireworks Dessert Party (can't recall the name, wishes dessrt party maybe), is supposed to be really good and you get an amazing view of the fireworks, tinkerbell flies straight towards you so they say!

CTCT, I got the kettle from Myer, it's a Korjo one, you can probably order them online or get them from other stores also. So worth the money, I tried to use the coffee maker once for hot water for my tea (as they say to do in the hotel compendiums) and I swear I nearlly spat it across the room it was that bad!!!

Coffeegirl, I'm not sure about the shuttles to WDW from Loews as we moved to a Disney hotel after Universal but I do know it was only a 15 minute drive between the two places. I would say being a Universal property that they wouldn't probably offer free shuttles to WDW as they want you to spend all of your time at US and IOA. A taxi would be pretty cheap or you could organise a private van etc.

Potato Will update the list for you

CTCT Look here

Just ordered our first lot of USD from travelex.. had to order in my friends name and get her to pick it up in Perth for me though.

Jo_P thanks for the tip on the kettle.. might get my friend to have a look around Perth for me..can't find much in town here and really hate the 6hr drive to the city.

The other very exciting thing to happen today with our trip planning is my eldest two were successful in the Half Dome lottery and have been granted a permit to climb on 5th September. Need to organise equipment for them now.. The hiking shoes will be a priority so they can be worn in before we go.

Reading about everyone's planning is inspiring and I am always checking out the things you all mention. Thanks

Thanks ~*Marti*~ for the link..

Peanut - I think Salems definitely worth a stop over if you're driving through. The official tourism people are trying to play down the whole witch thing but it's really not working very well (i don't know why as it's really interesting). There are a tonne of tours that lead you through the whole witch trial scene, we've tried a couple of different ones and they all seem to be the same, though I think some of the haunted dungeon ones may be a bit more gruesome and not as suiteable for kids. They also have a pirate museum which was fun with the kids. Some old houses that are set up from the times of the witch trials are also interesting. (and plenty of witchy stores to browse if your interested).

Hi everyone!

I'm killing some time in Miami Airport while we wait to board our flight to New York. I'm already exhausted but very excited to be going to the Big Apple today!

This is just a quick note to pop in and say hi. Have a great trip Coffeegirl!

Las Vegas was amazing, I really enjoyed myself there and the Flamingo is a great hotel. We were already upgraded to their newly renovated rooms for the first stop there and have just recieved an email for an upgrade to the really sw**ky rooms for the second stop there on the way back to Hawaii (after NYC). So yeah, they get my vote for best hotel so far this trip just for all the extras they have been throwing at us!

The cruise was a flop. The ship is dated and has a terrible floor plan. The bar staff run a mile if you look like you might want them to actually get you a drink and lots of little incidents happened that made it a less than perfect cruise. On top of that, the Bahamas are terrible and we never felt safe wandering around. On tours it wasn't as bad but they didn't have any information about the history of the islands or any cultural aspects to any of the tours so we left feeling like we'd learnt more about the place on Google than from any of the locals or the tour "guides". There are abandoned, derelect buildings and cars everywhere and it was just depressing. The so-called "stunning" beach wasn't anything we couldn't have seen in Qld (and even some parts of South Australia) for a lot less money. Absolutely everything was considered an extra and cost us more and more. What is provided on the Pride of America Hawaiian cruise and this cruise of the Bahamas are so different that it was quite a shock. When you break the cost of the cruise down, it's the same daily rate so you'd think that there would be more consistency in inclusions and levels of service since it's the same company. Anyway, I don't want to be too negative so I'll save the full details for my blog when I get back. You should see my note book, it's COVERED in scribbled notes and angry faces! lol

Ok, we're being called to board so I'm off to New York to hopefully have a better time than in the Bahamas!

Hope you are all well and keeping safe

Have a great trip Coffeegirl

Kee - sorry to hear the cruise wasn't so good but yay for the upgrade in Vegas.
Can't wait to hear about New York, hope you can post before we get there

CTCT - what is the Half Dome lottery?

I can't believe this time next week we will be in Disneyland!

Picked up my travellers cheques no problems there, NAB wanted $27 fee to order but Australia Post were no commission. Think I'm covered for every contingency lol cash, travel cards, travellers cheques and credit card think I've gone a bit OTT

I signed up for Mimi's cafe in Anaheim and they have sent me a welcome voucher and a birthday voucher already

Jo_P, DH just put the kybosh on a travel kettle. Oh well, I have a few months to "find one on special" and sneak it into the suitcase!

Hunter4, I'm not so interested in the witches as the history of the place (of any place), so if there are old buildings then I'll stop! My DS would be interested in the Pirate Museum though.

Sicily/Kee, another one looking forward to hearing about your NY trip! This will be our first stop and the one I'm most anxious about at the moment.

Kee i'm so sorry your cruise was crappy. I really hope you have a wonderful time in New York!

Coffeegirl travel safe and have an amazing time!

A quick question. A friend just went to NYC at Christmas for 6 weeks. She stayed in a brownstone apartment, Central Park West Brownstone. I'm considering changing and staying there, kind of for more of a NYC experience! It's cheaper than where we are booked, and I feel like I would feel like a real New Yorker! Lol. Some girls said staying in apartments is illegal in NYC?

Bbyyyyeeeeee Coffegirl!!

Kee, oh no! Bummer about the cruise I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time in NY. Lol at the note book!

Is it worth getting a travel kettle or just get a small cheap one over there? I'm sure it would be cheaper than getting it here? Either way I'm getting a kettle, need my cup of tea!