pdog
Draftee
contemplating taking holiday to america mid next year. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do, where to go etc? Thinking LA will be a big part of it.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Originally posted by pdog
contemplating taking holiday to america mid next year. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do, where to go etc? Thinking LA will be a big part of it.
Originally posted by Disgustipated
If your after theme parks go here!
Originally posted by year of the roo
Spend most of your time in the East mate, cos that is where it all is. Disneyland is nothing but imatation Disneyworld, which is just amazing. Must go to Disneyworld.
Originally posted by Mobbenfuhrer
I'm sure the east is probably a better experience than the west, definitely, but you might have missed the entire thread we had on Disneyland.
As proven on the other thread. Disneyland is NOT an imitation of Disneyworld. Disneyland is the original, and predates Disneyworld by some number of years.
So Disneyworld is the imitation, albeit its having many additional parks added on which make it a much bigger place with much more to do.
Disneyland is the original, and the one that truly has a patent on the magic inherent.
So
Originally posted by Smokin
First couple of times I went to LA I didnt think much of it, very hard city for a tourist, public transport sucks and its very spreadout - downtown LA offers very little. However, a few years ago I met some (now) very good friends of mine who live in a very nice area of town, and having stayed there for extended periods since I must say being a 'local' in LA is one awesome experience. Some awesome nightspots when you get in the know, especially when you realise their early curfew (bars) doesnt mean the end of the night!
Originally posted by Rusty Brookes
Carl Jnr's Hamburgers - I'm thinking of opening a franchise here.
Originally posted by amazonstud
Really it will depend upon what time of the year and how long you are going to spend in the States but here's a start.
Food can be very expensive in the States especially if you are a steak eater however there are lots of take away food places and a great variety of food. Try to work to a daily budget. Souvenirs are expensive and if you can find a Discount Mall you can save a fortune on the cost of souvenirs.
Well the easiest part is flying into LA as most trips out of Australia to the US terminate there. Once in LA visit Disneyland. The Hotels normally have a pick up service from the airport or if there is a large group ie 5 or more it may be better and cheaper to arrange a van to collect you from the airport. Takes up to 90 minutes depending upon traffic to get out to Disneyland.
The Disneyland Hotel is expensive and is starting to show its age. It's an experience to stay on a Disney property but the resorts at Disneyworld offer a wider choice of accomodation pricing and IMO better facilities. If you are on a limited budget there are still some hotels on the fringes of the park that Disney has not bought up who also have laundries on site. Laundry can be expensive. The other hotels are outside the Disney property and normally run a shuttle service to the front gate of the park on a regular basis. They are a decent walk across the car park ( the car park is 8 acres) but much cheaper accomodation clean rooms and reasonable rates. There are a few restaurants on the main drag outside the park and they are substantially cheaper. Worth going to a character breakfast at Goofy's restaurant for the photo opportunities - food not great and not cheap but photos with all the characters makes up for it. Take 5 days at Disney and get a park hopper. In and out as often as you like and early opening gives you a head start on the queues.
Some travel packages include Disney and Knotts Berry Farm. Knotts is very good for its roller coasters and IMO the Mystery Lodge. The Wild West Show is another attraction which my family finds a hoot although not a necessity. Lots of different attractions depending upon your taste.
Then move onto LA and stay in the City whilst you visit Universal Studios and City Walk plus some of the movie and TV studios.
If you are into roller coasters then you really should travel on to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's around $50 by van to Six Flags Magic Mountain. There is a Hilton hotel nearby. Only 2 storeys and reasonbably cheap. Not much else there except the theme park.
Then go on to Las Vegas. You don't have to be into gambling to be surprised by the free attractions in Vegas and the shows are just great.
From Vegas go to the Grand Canyon. Depending upon time of year you can catch a flight from Vegas and fly through the canyon at dawn or dusk in a single engine cessna or simply catch a tour and go out to it by bus.
Day trip down to Mexico and Tijuana. Take the tourist bus down and back as they keep it under armed guard whilst there. Hire cars have been know to disappear.
If you are going across the States from West Coast to East by plane then you will probably either go through Dallas or Chicago. The more short stops you take on the local airlines the cheaper it gets and a 9 hop ticket can work out to be about $50 per flight per person. You have the option of hiring a car and driving from coast to coast. The Cities are a bit hectic and can be confusing and dangerous but the country areas are a pleasure to drive and it is possible to buy a car and drive from coast to coast and then sell it.
It all really depends upon how much time you have and what your interest are and whether you are travelling by yourself or with a family.
Go via Dallas and onto Louisiana and New Orleans, see the old Southern Mansions then Mississippi and a steam paddler then onto Memphis to see Graceland. Not a lot else to see in Memphis unles you are into the Blues. If you are then go to Beale Street and visit BB Kings. Short trip on to Nashville (the Grand Ole Opry Hotel has to be seen to be believed) before heading to Orlando. From Orlando head north and go to New York and Wshington.
PM me if you want more information or have any other questions.
Originally posted by FootyontheBrain
Interesting to read people's different slants on their travels to the US, but I'm detecting a serious east coast bias. No doubt there are some beautiful places and exciting things to do on the East Coast, but for my money nothing beats Seattle in the summer months.
Originally posted by DonFan
I just found out I'm going next year too.
I've already been to 35 states so hope to visit the other 15 so I can say I've been to all the states.
Originally posted by 15_hours_behind
Have you been to Chicago?