Just booked for 2006 to California

[marlouwrig]

Only 8 days to go until our Disney Fix:jump: :jump:

Have just booked flights with VA for July next year . 3 of us going but only paying for one flight as using companion flight (earned by spending over £15k on my cc this year - sorry DH:angry: ) and one flight completely paid for with Air Miles.

Plans are: 4 nights in Disney (paid for with DVC points)
10 day coach tour (taking in as many sights as poss)
5 days with relatives who live near San Francisco

[Rio]

Lucky you, I'm sure you will have a great time. We love California and I wish I was coming too.
Have a lovely holiday in 8 days time, I'm away at that time, but just to Lloret De Mar, we were in Orlando in July.
Love Rio

[Claire_L]

Oh nice :) We are back off to California next year as well :D
Claire :wink

[marlouwrig]

We've never been before.

I am really excited

[Claire_L]

California is a lovely state. Take a look at my 2003 trip reports for a taster, link in signature.
Claire :wink

[marlouwrig]

Just read 'em Claire - wonderful.

:happy:

[donna100]

You will love California...

If you get a chance do to Universal Studios... In my opinion it is better than Orlando

Donna
x

[Claire_L]

Originally posted by donna100
You will love California...

If you get a chance do to Universal Studios... In my opinion it is better than Orlando

Donna
x

Yes USH is that little bit better than USF (not including IOA) especially the back lot tour :)

Claire :wink

[donna100]

Originally posted by Claire_L
Yes USH is that little bit better than USF (not including IOA) especially the back lot tour :)

Claire :wink

Oh my God yes , forgot about that.

We saw the scenery for Pirattes of the Caribbean 2...Disney are filming part of it there.. GO figure???

No Johnny Depp unfortunately :(

Donna
x

[Rio]

I agree about Universal, it's so much better and the views from there are magnificent.The backlot tour is great as well.
I have a trip report from last year, just look for Rio's American Adventure and its a 4 week one.
Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills are great for shopping and not too expensive, we did buy stuff on Rodeo Drive!!
You will love it, it's totally different to Orlando.
Love Rio

[marlouwrig]

Definitely must do Universal - I had heard that many people prefer it to the Orlando one.

We will be staying four nights at Disney. We are non drivers so what is the best way of getting to Universal.

Also how far is Disney from LA airport and any suggestions re the best way of getting to Disney?

DH thinks I'm daft to be worrying about this level of planning at this stage when we don't really have a proper itinerary for our trip to Florida next week.:blush:

[Claire_L]

Does your hotel near Disney not offer transfers? As for Universal an organised trip may be better through say Starline Tours or one of the other LA tour companies.
Claire :wink

[Rio]

Which hotel will you be staying at? Most of the hotels in Anaheim run a free shuttle bus every half hour to Disneyland and every half hour back. Most of the hotels are in walking distance as well.
Coach USA run trips to everywhere. We used vouchers and promotions to get into the places (Coke were doing one for Universal) and we picked up a coupon for Knotts Berry Farm. Don't book through the rep(we travelled Virgin) and don't buy the tickets before going as it costs as much for the transport out there as it would if you bought the whole thing from the coach company(entrance and coach).
We made use of the concierge last year for booking transport etc as they have quite a few companies that do the same trips.
Love Rio

[marlouwrig]

Which hotel will you be staying at?

We'll be staying at one of the Disney hotels - probably the Disneyland Hotel.

[Claire_L]

Originally posted by marlouwrig
We'll be staying at one of the Disney hotels - probably the Disneyland Hotel.

Oh that will be nice as you can get the monorail to the parks :D

Claire :wink

[dcmax]

dont of course miss fantasmic in the park ...its a completely different experience to the mgm version; and as for as i am concerned a way better one, you're watching it happen in areas of the park 30mins before you were actually walking on[and the way those massive light rigs suddenly appear out of the ground from the hidden corridors under the park is one of disneys greatest technological achievements], the use of the two boats and the way they fit into the narrative makes much more sense as well..You're also that much closer to what is happening..

Hope your trip involves driving up the Pacific Coast.. Dont miss Hearst castle and if your a wine and foodie watch sideways first and then book all the restaurants in the film around Solvang..

[Kazzie]

Hi,
Your holiday sounds lovely:D I'm hopingh each year to be able to go to California!

Can I ask you something please,I have a Virgin card too which I've had for a year the end of this month.I have been wondering how you find out if you've spent £15,000 on the card to qualify for the companion ticket?Do Virgin Atlantic let you know or do the Virgin credit card/MBNA?
Thnaks Karen:light:

[marlouwrig]

I have been wondering how you find out if you've spent £15,000 on the card to qualify for the companion ticket?Do Virgin Atlantic let you know or do the Virgin credit card/MBNA?

I knew that I'd spent enough for the companion flight. The credit card company posted the companion flight onto my Flying club statement a month after the annniversary of my first spend on the card.

You can get a rough idea how much you've spent by totting up the number of flying miles added to your statement over the year by the credit card company