Your favourite things in the US

[Impunity!]

Same thing in the UK. In OZ, I was so used to getting 2 pineapples for $100.... in London, I take out 100 quid and end up getting 4 20quids and 2 10quids... I only ever saw a 50quid once after doing currency exchange, and its big and ugly looking compared to the flashy purple 20 quid note... still, hated the fact that they were bigger than the Aussie notes, so they always stuck out of my wallet.

Why would you want a £50 note? No bastard will change them, it's like the 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro notes.

 

[J_Moore]

I love the lack of £50 notes in Britain. Made a pleasant change from Europe, where you'd withdraw some money for the day or week or whatever, then end up having to pay for a 4 euro breakfast with a giant note.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

If you are in the West coast, try and have a burger at the In-n-Out Burger.

The two things I really don't like about the US - tipping and tax. Tipping is self explanatory but with the taxes You have no idea what the taxes are for whatever you buy - it makes it bloody impossible to give exact change and get rid of your coins. You have to give them notes pretty much all the time or waste time trying to organise the right coins.

 

[Mooster7]

TIPPING A US WAITER/WAITRESS: It used to be 10% was the norm and you added it to your final bill. Easy to figure even if you're no math wiz. Just put a finger over the last number and pay every thing to the left of your finger.. Somehow (and recently too) they've upped this to 15%. Not hard to figure either, but 15? I start hearing Steve Buscemi's voice from Resevoir Dogs. "She can learn to ****ing type and become a secretary."

TIPPING US BARTENDERS: This is pretty easy too. You might notice that the drink prices are designed to encourage a tip. As example, a drink costs $3.75. You're expected to just surrender a whole fiver. He can give you a buck and a quarter, but you don't want to give him the quarter so he gets the buck right? Then you feel cheap for taking the quarter so you throw that in his jar as well. Saves time just to choke up the five and tell him to keep it all.

You'll notice this works perfectly well in most instances. You aren't going to be charged $4.11. As long as you know going in that drinking in a bar or pub is going to cost you out the ass anyway, the tips are never the problem.

I prefer to buy my own, stay home and have some people over. Let THEM drink-drive and it's all a far less expensive evening. The downside is that there are plenty more drunken horny casual women in a bar than what might typically be found suddenly in my closet on any given Friday night.

COPPER SHRAPNEL: We hate pennies too. At least the men here do. It's a man-law to hate them. If I see coinage lying on the ground, I don't bend over for less than a quarter. Everything else can just stay down there.

Peace,

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

90% likely to be going to the US in about 9 weeks time. Basically just a whim, burned out at work, so is my wife. I can get time off, harder for her but we are hoping. Taking my daughter and my father who is just retiring this month.

Doing it in October as it is basically the best shoulder/low season apart from April and the weather is still warm enough.

Flying into LA, 2 days at Anaheim. Everyone says you need a couple of days at each park, because you have to queue so long for the rides. If I have to queue for 2 hours on a ride, then I ain't going on the ride. It is all about soaking up the atmosphere and creating memories. Not staying at the resorts though. Best Western is a decent compromise considering we only need to sleep. Arriving at 7am and heading straight out though, so am probaby underestimating jet lag and attempting to do a park right off the bat.

Then to LA for 3 days, although I just heard from a travel agent friend that she could get us a night in San Fran without it costing us any more for flights.

Then off to Las Vegas for 2 nights. Not really gambling, just soaking up the glitz and glamour. Possibility of taking an extra day and doing the grand canyon but I am not overly fussed.

Then to Memphis for one night, doing the Graceland VIP tour.

Then to New York for 3-4 days, without any concrete plans. Just walking the city, checking out ground zero, central park, broadway etc.

I wasn't fussed on Niagara Falls either but my Dad wanted to go. Thought we could do a quick trip but not stay more than a night, but checking out the views at the Marriott and the reasonable prices, will stay 2 days there.

Then on to Hawaii for 2-3 days before flying home in time to use concert tickets I have on Oct 20.

We skip a whole day flying home of course, and that day will be by birthday. I figure I don't actually age a year this year as a result.

Never been anywhere before really aside from NZ where I originally come from. It's a huge exercise for someone who hasn't stepped foot on a plane for 12 years and only a handful of times in my life.

Have set aside about $1000 for tipping. I am told luggage is $1-$5 a bag depending on size and level of service. A bit annoyed if we have to give out $20 to get our luggage out of the cab and another $20 to get it to our room.

Question: What do we need to be able to use our mobile phones over there? A different sim or a prepaid card from a US phone carrier?

What about bank accounts? Just transfer it into a credit card and carry some in cash?

 

[Mooster7]

Then to Memphis for one night, doing the Graceland VIP tour.


Never been anywhere before really aside from NZ where I originally come from. It's a huge exercise for someone who hasn't stepped foot on a plane for 12 years and only a handful of times in my life.

Have set aside about $1000 for tipping. I am told luggage is $1-$5 a bag depending on size and level of service. A bit annoyed if we have to give out $20 to get our luggage out of the cab and another $20 to get it to our room.

Question: What do we need to be able to use our mobile phones over there? A different sim or a prepaid card from a US phone carrier?

What about bank accounts? Just transfer it into a credit card and carry some in cash?

Hey, Navy's. I never knew you were a Kiwi.

Definitely do Graceland. A lot of people say, "It's smaller than I thought it would be." How big does it have to be? It's plenty big with a nice homey feel to it. Love it. If you are remotely an Elvis fan, you should enjoy it. Go Here:

http://www.rareelvispresley.com/

Look at those pictures and read all the stuff. It will make your trip more interesting.

Unless your hotel has valet service, 99.9% of the time, you'll be carrying in your own bags and tipping no one. The high deluxo price hotels which have valets to carry your bags also have customers who don't sweat five bucks a bag.

As for your phone, call your own carrier before you leave and have your service set for international roam. Then your phone will work in the US same as home. It's bounced over on satelite and you might find better reception here than in some places in Australia believe it or not.

Check with your bank, but you should be able to access money from any cash machine anywhere although there is usually a withdrawall fee of two bucks or so. If you have a special bank acccount set aside for your vacation and you run low, you can transfer funds from one account to another with your phone if you have the application. Again, satelite and computers. I've seen that done as quickly as 30 seconds.

Have fun. Be safe.

 

[peternorth]

If you are in the West coast, try and have a burger at the In-n-Out Burger.

The two things I really don't like about the US - tipping and tax. Tipping is self explanatory but with the taxes You have no idea what the taxes are for whatever you buy - it makes it bloody impossible to give exact change and get rid of your coins. You have to give them notes pretty much all the time or waste time trying to organise the right coins.

In n out ftw!!!!!!!

taxes, my relos in LA told me to add 8% to the advertised price to get a figure that closely resembles what you pay at the till.

90% likely to be going to the US in about 9 weeks time. Basically just a whim, burned out at work, so is my wife. I can get time off, harder for her but we are hoping. Taking my daughter and my father who is just retiring this month.

Doing it in October as it is basically the best shoulder/low season apart from April and the weather is still warm enough.

Flying into LA, 2 days at Anaheim. Everyone says you need a couple of days at each park, because you have to queue so long for the rides. If I have to queue for 2 hours on a ride, then I ain't going on the ride. It is all about soaking up the atmosphere and creating memories.

Then off to Las Vegas for 2 nights. Not really gambling, just soaking up the glitz and glamour. Possibility of taking an extra day and doing the grand canyon but I am not overly fussed.

disneyland - 2 days definitely. why? aside form the queues (i was there @ easter at longest wait was 50 mins - space mountain), you're taking your daughter. its always slower if you've got a kid with you.

vegas - plenty to do there that's not gambling related.

grand canyon - if you get a chance do it. i highly recommend the sky walk.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

90% likely to be going to the US in about 9 weeks time. Basically just a whim, burned out at work, so is my wife. I can get time off, harder for her but we are hoping. Taking my daughter and my father who is just retiring this month.

Doing it in October as it is basically the best shoulder/low season apart from April and the weather is still warm enough.

Flying into LA, 2 days at Anaheim. Everyone says you need a couple of days at each park, because you have to queue so long for the rides. If I have to queue for 2 hours on a ride, then I ain't going on the ride. It is all about soaking up the atmosphere and creating memories. Not staying at the resorts though. Best Western is a decent compromise considering we only need to sleep. Arriving at 7am and heading straight out though, so am probaby underestimating jet lag and attempting to do a park right off the bat.

Then to LA for 3 days, although I just heard from a travel agent friend that she could get us a night in San Fran without it costing us any more for flights.

Then off to Las Vegas for 2 nights. Not really gambling, just soaking up the glitz and glamour. Possibility of taking an extra day and doing the grand canyon but I am not overly fussed.

Then to Memphis for one night, doing the Graceland VIP tour.

Then to New York for 3-4 days, without any concrete plans. Just walking the city, checking out ground zero, central park, broadway etc.

I wasn't fussed on Niagara Falls either but my Dad wanted to go. Thought we could do a quick trip but not stay more than a night, but checking out the views at the Marriott and the reasonable prices, will stay 2 days there.

Then on to Hawaii for 2-3 days before flying home in time to use concert tickets I have on Oct 20.

We skip a whole day flying home of course, and that day will be by birthday. I figure I don't actually age a year this year as a result.

Never been anywhere before really aside from NZ where I originally come from. It's a huge exercise for someone who hasn't stepped foot on a plane for 12 years and only a handful of times in my life.

Have set aside about $1000 for tipping. I am told luggage is $1-$5 a bag depending on size and level of service. A bit annoyed if we have to give out $20 to get our luggage out of the cab and another $20 to get it to our room.

Question: What do we need to be able to use our mobile phones over there? A different sim or a prepaid card from a US phone carrier?

What about bank accounts? Just transfer it into a credit card and carry some in cash?

Do it, just do it.

While in NY you MUST go to the statue as well.

 

[Shell]

Flying into LA, 2 days at Anaheim. Everyone says you need a couple of days at each park, because you have to queue so long for the rides. If I have to queue for 2 hours on a ride, then I ain't going on the ride.

Question: What do we need to be able to use our mobile phones over there? A different sim or a prepaid card from a US phone carrier?

What about bank accounts? Just transfer it into a credit card and carry some in cash?

Two words: fast passes. I went to Disney World and Islands of Adventure in Florida and never queued up longer than about half an hour for the rides (sometimes even walked straight on). Basically you put your ticket in a machine, it gives you this other little ticket, telling you what time to come back- and in that time leading up to that time you're free to do something else.

Hope that makes sense.

As for your phone, ours dont work over there I'd say you'd need to get international roaming or something like that. (I didnt bother when I was OS- just bought a phone card and topped it up when needed).

And I just withdrew cash from the ATMs over there and put bigger purchases on credit card.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

disneyland - 2 days definitely. why? aside form the queues (i was there @ easter at longest wait was 50 mins - space mountain), you're taking your daughter. its always slower if you've got a kid with you.

So would you recommend just doing Disneyland and forgetting California Adventure Park if we only have 2 days? Not worried about my daughter. She is 14 and thinks everything and everybody is lame anyway!

vegas - plenty to do there that's not gambling related.

Yeah. We have made the decision not to do any driving over there, so everything we do will be on the strip and cabs I guess.

grand canyon - if you get a chance do it. i highly recommend the sky walk.

I hate heights ... to the point of being paralysed. I wouldn't do the sky walk for anything. My wife is interested in going though so we will see.

While in NY you MUST go to the statue as well.

We are planning it, although I am told it is a fair queue if you want to go up there. I would do it to say that I had done it but not sure I want to take up most of our 3-4 days there. Will go there and decide I guess.

Two words: fast passes. I went to Disney World and Islands of Adventure in Florida and never queued up longer than about half an hour for the rides (sometimes even walked straight on). Basically you put your ticket in a machine, it gives you this other little ticket, telling you what time to come back- and in that time leading up to that time you're free to do something else.

Hope that makes sense.

Yeah makes sense. It's not like Gold Coast theme parks though. Getting these front of line passes actually costs double the regular price of the ticket. I may take a chance on October being a little quieter as the peak seems to be June-Sept.

And I just withdrew cash from the ATMs over there and put bigger purchases on credit card.

Cash from your credit card I assume. You wouldn't be able to use a Commonwealth Bank key card would you?

 

[camsmith]

I would get a two-park pass. We did both in one day but I think to make the most of it I'd spend a day at each of them.

The fastpass system works really well (its free btw), so if there is a ride you want to go on you will get to go on it (think you can use one every 2 hrs... so 3-4 a day). But you will also have to line up for some.. no more than 30mins for most rides on a weekday.

California Adventure Park isn't that big so you probably don't need a whole day but there were a couple of rides (the virtual plane ride over LA being one of them as they stopped issuing fastpasses after about 4pm that day for some reason) that I missed out on, as well as not going on rides more than a couple of times. So in that way a whole day would give you time to really experience everything.

Grand Canyon - do you know which part you will be going to? The Skywalk is the West rim and basically run by the local Indian community. I have heard some bad things about them sucking money from you for everything etc.. but also positive things about it being a more cultural type experience.

We went to the more popular and touristy South Rim and loved it. It's the deepest part of the canyon but it takes an hour or two longer to get to. We did a bus tour from Vegas and it was a VERY long day. Got picked up at around 6am and back at around 10pm. Then went off the a club for the night.. don't know how I was still awake but I guess it is Vegas. Love how everyone walks around the streets drinking etc.. only annoying thing about walking up and down the strip are the "GIRLS DIRECT TO YOU" people (mainly Mexicans) that slap these pieces of cardboard on their hands and get on your nerves after a while. They are giving out some private services material.. they just shove it in your face... but just keep walking past. Or you can start playing with them and take everything I guess. Kinda feel sorry for them, but man they're annoying.

Just on the Statue tour, there was a MASSIVE 2 hour wait line (on a Monday) for just the general cruise. We got the statue climb (crown) tickets though and only had a wait of 15 or so minutes because we were in a separate line.

So would definitely get a Crown tour ticket at statuecruises.com to avoid the big line at Battery Park. Need to book a couple of months in advance though!

I used a pre-paid travel card from the Commonwealth for the trip. It was really good with low fees and the exchange rate is locked in when you load up cash on the card. So if like what happened when I was over there the dollar weakens.. you're still safe. My mate using his credit card suffered a bit though. Of course it can go the other way.

Will let peternorth fill you in though, probably will explain things a bit better. Have a great time!

 

[Cousin Jed]

Yeah makes sense. It's not like Gold Coast theme parks though. Getting these front of line passes actually costs double the regular price of the ticket. I may take a chance on October being a little quieter as the peak seems to be June-Sept.

Fastpass at Disney is free - you just use the ticket you have already bought. If you go on a weekday in October I imagine it should be pretty ok. I was there in May and didn't have to wait any more than 30 minutes. Though I was able to use the Single Rider line on Indiana Jones.

Cash from your credit card I assume. You wouldn't be able to use a Commonwealth Bank key card would you?

I also did what Cam did, loaded up on the Cash Passport card - exchange rate dropped like a rock whilst I was over there so I was glad I did.

Would also recommend seeing the Canyon.

 

[HBK619]

I used a pre-paid travel card from the Commonwealth for the trip. It was really good with low fees and the exchange rate is locked in when you load up cash on the card. So if like what happened when I was over there the dollar weakens.. you're still safe. My mate using his credit card suffered a bit though. Of course it can go the other way.

We did this. Was awesome as the exchange rate was almost as high as it went at that point and we got a good $3000 changed over to around $2700 or something IIRC.

 

[VicO]

ODN, when will you be around the Grand Canyon and Vegas? Our paths might just cross...

 

[FootyJunkie]

You wouldn't be able to use a Commonwealth Bank key card would you?

If you mean getting cash from an ATM with it, I can't see why not. It has that Maestro thing on the card.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

ODN, when will you be around the Grand Canyon and Vegas? Our paths might just cross...

In Vegas from the 4th to the 6th.

All up:

29/9 - 1/10 - Anaheim
1/10 - 4/10 - LA

Potential to slot in 1 San Fran day somewhere here at the expense of a later NY or Hawaii day or even leave a day earlier. Waiting on Flight Centre friend to show me her best deal.

4/10-6/10 - Vegas

Potential to slot in Grand Canyon here.

6/10 - 7/10 - Memphis

7/10 - 12/10 - New York

12/10 - 14/10 - Niagara Falls

14/10 - 17/10 - Hawaii

Then fly home.

Have to be back by 20th as I have a concert to go to.

 

[FootyJunkie]

In Vegas from the 4th to the 6th.

All up:

29/9 - 1/10 - Anaheim
1/10 - 4/10 - LA

What if the Grand Final is a draw? You'll miss the replay.

 

[HBK619]

Potential to slot in 1 San Fran day somewhere here at the expense of a later NY or Hawaii day or even leave a day earlier. Waiting on Flight Centre friend to show me her best deal.

Take the day out of Hawaii, as good as Hawaii can be NY is absolutely amazing and you will be able to get WAY more in an extra day.

 

[Shell]

Cash from your credit card I assume. You wouldn't be able to use a Commonwealth Bank key card would you?

No my regular bank account... okay now I'm doubting myself here (its been awhile since I've been OS)... no you cant DEPOSIT money into your regular savings account (i was working at a Summer camp, so was getting a pay cheque), but you can withdraw money. I think the "cirrus" ATM card can be used anywhere in the world. What I had to do with my cheques was get real money, cash in hand kinda thing...

The only place I had trouble with it was London- for a few hours it wouldnt let me have money, was very weird. Later on tho (before real panic was about to set in) it worked.

 

[peternorth]

So would you recommend just doing Disneyland and forgetting California Adventure Park if we only have 2 days? Not worried about my daughter. She is 14 and thinks everything and everybody is lame anyway!

Yeah. We have made the decision not to do any driving over there, so everything we do will be on the strip and cabs I guess.

I hate heights ... to the point of being paralysed. I wouldn't do the sky walk for anything. My wife is interested in going though so we will see.

Yeah makes sense. It's not like Gold Coast theme parks though. Getting these front of line passes actually costs double the regular price of the ticket. I may take a chance on October being a little quieter as the peak seems to be June-Sept.

1a. oh yeah i forgot about california adventure park. first thing, its right opposite DL. a very VERY short walk across the square and youre there! you can do DL and adventureland in 2 days. *buy a two two pass (park hopper) which will allow you to leave one park and go to the other when you want. they stamp your hand (pass out) if you wanna return. there are special exits for acquiring this*

you'll need to analyse the situation/crowds at DL, i recommend you hit DL first. from experience go to indiana jones first as they have fast passes (more on that later). if you can get straight in, go for it. otherwise grab the fast pass and head straight to space mountain. unfortunately this is on the other side of the park, but worth it. i waited 50 mins to go on this (for second time of the trip). arguably the most popular ride. waiting can be boring there cause theres nothing to look at for most park (you are essentially waiting on a rooftop and if it rains you'll get wet at some stage).

Re: C.A.P can highly recommend california soaring. 3D ride in a theatre. watch out for the golf ball lol.

1b. universal studios. i know you didnt mention this in your post (or may have....) but you can do this easily in a day. i did it in 2 hours once! they also have fast passes but you need to pay for it ($139).

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/ticket_front_of_line.html

well worth it, trust me. you can buy online OR at U.S. (go through entrance and walk straight for about 5 mins. booth is on the left. used this with distinction @ easter. straight to the front of the line - although you are directed to a different entrance to everyone else (from memory rides have a big "A" sign where people with the pass go. feel like a movie star lulz. oh yeah its also valid for attractions like water world.

simpsons ride is the best ride there IMHO. 3D in a massive theatre

2. cabs on the strip - we took a few cabs from the resorts in the middle of the strip (aria) to the stratosphere end where we were staying. drivers had no problems with that (even though it appears a short distance). it was frickin freezing at the time, and windy, so cab was the only way to go!

oh yeah use the monorail. it goes from one end to the other. unfortunately some stops are a bit of a walk from the strip. had to walk through some dodgy car parks down near the hilton. but yeah, utilise these (small cost).

3. skywalk. of course i cant speak for you but im not great with heights either. however, skywalk doesnt feel that high up. IMO its cause everything is brown and moulds into one another.

4. GC - take in hoover dam on the way from vegas to GC. its where they stored megatron lol.

dunnies there are just portables. and i cant remember there being wash basins. bask in the ambience.

Grand Canyon - do you know which part you will be going to? The Skywalk is the West rim and basically run by the local Indian community. I have heard some bad things about them sucking money from you for everything etc.. but also positive things about it being a more cultural type experience.

you make really good points camsmith.

from memory the skywalk was developed by an asian bloke, and he has an agreement with the local tribe that if after X years if it doesnt make $$$ then it will be "given" to the tribe. kinda like a lease on the land. at least thats what our guide told us

in hindsight they do make $$$ of you, via photos. you are not allowed to take cameras onto the walk, and you wear these shoe socks that protect the glass from scratching (i guess). there are photographers on the walk but you have no obligation to buy their shots. i cant remember how much we paid, but i recall thinking it was a bit steep- you pay per photo. if you buy 4 photos in a sleeve then they give you a usb stick containing all shots.

 

[Shell]

Fastpass at Disney is free - you just use the ticket you have already bought. If you go on a weekday in October I imagine it should be pretty ok. I was there in May and didn't have to wait any more than 30 minutes. Though I was able to use the Single Rider line on Indiana Jones.
.

Yeah this- 100% free the fast pass system over there.

Got a rude shock when I went to the Gold Coast theme parks for the first time this year and saw you have to pay for it. What a load of crap, it should be free.

They should also have "singles" lines- another option at Islands of Adventure. You go thru that line if you didnt mind sitting on your own. I practically walked straight onto the ride with this.

 

[peternorth]

Yeah this- 100% free the fast pass system over there.

Got a rude shock when I went to the Gold Coast theme parks for the first time this year and saw you have to pay for it. What a load of crap, it should be free.

They should also have "singles" lines- another option at Islands of Adventure. You go thru that line if you didnt mind sitting on your own. I practically walked straight onto the ride with this.

its kinda a given at DL etc. ushers or whatever theyre called will call out for singles to fill up gaps.


oh yeah, cali adventure park - toy story ride FTW! its more than sitting on your arse going through the motions, you actually contribute. you've got guns mounted on the car. go around shooting objects and scoring points. fun for the whole family.

 

[Shell]

its kinda a given at DL etc. ushers or whatever theyre called will call out for singles to fill up gaps.
.

I never got called thru for that tho!!!! Was a single rider on Tower of Terror, yet still lined up for almost 2 hours for it.

It's just crazy when you think about it- they idiots also opened the park an hour early, we thought we were getting there early being there at 9.45am! Turns out....

Oh geeze i wont go on.

Bottom line is USA handle the lining up crap a whole lot better than here.

 

[peternorth]

I never got called thru for that tho!!!! Was a single rider on Tower of Terror, yet still lined up for almost 2 hours for it.

there there (consoling pat on the back).

wait, ur a female yeah?

 

[peternorth]

other favs in USA

- target - buy food and grog there
- costco pizza
- lucielles bbq ribs (LA)
- ontario outlet mall
- lakers
- dave n busters