Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

blue_monkey wrote: »

Yes, do, Usually I get yelled for mentioning the T word and it kind of feels like a dirty secret because 'Martin says they are a bad thing to have' but I think we have got an amazing deal and it has been well worth the money we have paid out to date.

Does not need to be DVC that you buy into but any company that exchanges into RCI so you can bank your week and get an exchange week into DVC for the fee. I think with things as they are DVC are finding it quite hard so lots of people are banking weeks. If you like holidays such as the ones you are taking it is certainly worth looking into for the future.

When you are there you can go for a presentation, they give you free stuff but it might be worth it and come home and have a think about it.

I wouldn't think it was a good idea to buy another timeshare with the plan of exchanging into DVC - no guarantees they will stay with RCI long term.

I know historically it's been tricky for non DVC owners to exchange into DVC, think it's easier at the moment (maybe because of the recession?) but it's not a good bet IMHO unless you don't want to stay at DVC.

Agree it's good to attend the presentation - very low key and no pressure

atro1

It was how we started going to Florida. We brought two weeks for £4000 in Lanzarote and never used it because RCI brought out two for one so our two weeks in Lanzarote were worth a month in Florida.
When the two for one finished. We decided to sell and we got £5300 for the apartment. There were of course extras but if I remember correctly we had 3 years free membership to the RCI. We think we came out of it pretty well.
And of course it started us on Florida with one month holidays which we have nearly always stuck with!!
Oh and contrary OH stayed on 'our' complex in Lanzarote in 2005 bit tatty we thought smugly. But if you are used to accommodation in Florida just about anywhere seems a bit tacky.:rotfl:

blue_monkey_2

LOL, smug!! Yes, I have felt very smug when telling people where we are going!!

Yes Karen, that is a good thought about being with DVC, I never thought of that tbh.

As soon as I find out where we are going to be staying I'll let you know.

There is something I am really nervous about though, my son has Autism and if he has a meltdown and has to go back to the room I am scared we have an 11 minute walk to get there - only he runs at the drop of a hat - and we cannot run as fast as him so he could he hanging around outside the room having an absolute screaming fit until we are able to get back to him. Also if he is refusing to walk, 11 minutes carrying him back to the room is going to be horrendous. As I say, I am a tad nervous about it but we was going to hire strollers on the parks rather than lug his disability buggy over there (you cannot buy these like 'normal' strollers in Wal-mart either).

I've not had a chance to request anything (such as no feathers as I am very allergic so I always ask 'no feathers'), do they listen?? At DLP we had all feathers when we arrived so they clearly take no notice there. Neither do Holiday Inn when we go there. Only I am asthmatic and end up quite ill of they are in the room let alone sleeping on there - you'd think they take some notice of requests.

I do not need an accesible room I guess, but one that is quite near to the main area's. What are my chances do you know?

KarenG

Hi Blue Monkey

I would say, do not worry. WDW are fantastic at helping / accommodating people that have any special requirements. What I would suggest is that you get your reservation noted with your son's needs and what YOU need to help with that, ie room close to main area.

When you check in restate your requirements. My experience is that if they can help, they will. If they give you a room that is not acceptable (they'll show you on the hotel map where it is so you will have a good idea of the distance) then tell them it's not ideal and you would prefer to wait and get a more suitable room.

No guarantees but I'd be ever so surprised if you didn't get something you were happy with

Cheers

Karen

KarenG

I found this for you - is it any help in general??

http://allears.net/pl/dis_aut2.htm

blue_monkey_2

Thanks Karen, I have emailed them asking for some help in making sure we get what we need. I was fine until I read it was a long walk and I started getting a bit nervous about it. Thanks for the suggestion about mentioning on check in, I would not have thought about that. Maybe they will be nothing available and they'll have upgrade us to a Grande Villa then. Ha ha!!

Going to have a good read of all ears as well, most helpful, thank you. x

lea007

Just wanted to remind people that theres a great deal on universal tickets if you happen to be going to florida. They are only valid this year but perfect if you want to see the new harry potter land. Think also you can pay a bit more and add the water parks on to.

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/Attractions/ProductDetail.aspx?PI=256

Wish all of you going a happy holiday, hope you have a lovely time - were not going this year unless i can persuade other half.

blue_monkey_2

lea007 wrote: »

Just wanted to remind people that theres a great deal on universal tickets if you happen to be going to florida. They are only valid this year but perfect if you want to see the new harry potter land. Think also you can pay a bit more and add the water parks on to.

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/Attractions/ProductDetail.aspx?PI=256

Wish all of you going a happy holiday, hope you have a lovely time - were not going this year unless i can persuade other half.

Also worth checking Expedia too as they have this ticket for £3 more per ticket but they have 12% Quidco cashback and it also valid for 14 days so it makes it the cheapest option.

They also have Discovery Cove on there with 12% CB so that is a whopping saving too.

And Swim with the Manatees with transport included. Which I have wanted to do but have never had the time.

Also found out we can book Fly Drive online with Virgin Holidays and get the flights and all of our tickets/benefits - it also means, as we are booking with Virgin Holidays we get the free breakfast at HPW (that we desperately wanted) and Free Disney Express, it costs £2199, £180 more, than we would have paid for booking just the flights with VA but if we book the Fly Drive we will get around £140 cashback via Quidco and a £308 discount for booking on the VH website. They are giving 10% discount when you book online at the moment and that includes tickets so you get the 2/3 park tickets at 10% discount too.

VH also have 3 for 2 Bucsh/Seaworld/Aquatica tickets which includes transportation, so paying £69 for the 3 parks and travel, less 10% discount.

princessmoneysaver

Going back to the magic in Orlando in March but due to other circumstances haven't got any park tickets booked yet, got a great deal on the holiday (using tesco vouchers only paid just over £500 for 4 of us for 3 weeks!). DH has said cheapest tickets online at the moment are travel republic, does anyone have any codes for them or any cashback sites to get the price down a little bit? Thanks x

blue_monkey_2

TR has the ultimate ticket '14 for 7' at £215 but you can get the 14 day Ultimate Ticket for £210 http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/Select-Tickets.asp on the WDW website and get 2% cashback if you go via quidco.

Both also have the 21 day ticket for £249. With WDW website you get cashback.