Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Rose2White_2

Hi

I returned from Orlando on Saturday 27th March, and here are a few answers to some of the latest questions

ESTA: Filled ours in and they were approved instantly, there is a confirmation page you can print off which I did but this wasn't even looked at so you don't really need it, was told at check in we didn't need the green / white visa waiver forms but told on plane that we did. When you get there you will be sent to be back of the queue if you don't have the green/white visa waiver forms so do get them and fill them in carefully as any errors mean a new form and back to the end of the line!!!

As for tickets yes you can still buy used ones from many places, kiosks, booths, eatery entrances, etc. you can also buy on the gate and places like Sea World and Bush Gardens give a second day free on a one day admission that can be used at any time up to 7 days after your first visit, so that may be worth looking at. As for Kennedy children will find it boring unless they are really into space travel and rockets so save it forwhen you have no kids, it will happen one day, it did for us this year (first trip without them :j)

We upgraded our disney tickets so that they never exipre, this was expensive but not as expensive as new tickets and losing what we didn't use. We were also offered 3 extra days at a cost of $100 per person, this seemed a lot to me so we declined at this time, but would like to know how to get Disney days at $5 a day?

As for booking flights, this was our fourth trip and the cheapest way I have booked Virgin flights was thru one of the cheap travel websites (expedian/experian you know what I mean!) with car hire as well, this cost us £1600ish for 4 adult in Dec 2008, now I know prices do increase but £3400 seemed a lot to me, I managed an entrire 2 weeks for 4 adults for less than that. Do look thru the Virgin brochure at their villas/appartments as some come with free breakfast and may be available for that whole price as your looking to book so early, mind you it may be good to wait until the summer to book if your not going till next year as last summer they did good deals on upgrades and free V-room entry at Gatwick (well recomended especially if you have kids and even if you don't!).

As for Harry potter land, the Dragon Challenge ride is what used to be called Duelling Dragons, this coaster was closed for refit while we where there, also the flight of the Hippogriff is a refit of flight of the unicorn, so if you have old universal maps you will know exactly where these rides now are. As for the main HP ride this is all new and there was much interest in this on the local news channel (cfnews.com) which is also great for weather reports as they are on every 10 mins, it is channel 13 on most TV's.

Oh and some Twilight stuff can be found in Walmart but do look around I'm sure you may find other places to.

Enjoy your trips and hope this was all helpful

scrappee

Hi we are orlando now, really hot during the day but bring a jumper for the evening. If you fancy a break from the all you can eat buffet places head to disneys town called celebration, great service at the restaurants and gd food for the same price. Parking at universal now 14 dollars, seaworld 12. So factor that in your budget. We bought a universal flex ticket here for £20 more than agencies at hm so get them before if you csn but dont worry if you dont. We booked our car via orlando villas website and chose a quote from budget, the car is lovely and we paid £284 for two weeks which was one of the best quotes we had.

Hope that helps.

PMSYORKS

bryanr wrote: »

I need some advice please. We have decided to go to Florida next year for 3 weeks with our twin girls who will be 5. We are limited to school holidays as we work in schools.

From what we have seen mid to late August seems a good time to go as the US schools have gone back. The question is when should we book? Virgin are offering a fly drive for around £3400 and booking through Quidco would reduce this. We are looking to book a villa as this will give us the chance to have relaxing days and also space rather than be cramped in one room for three weeks.

From what I have seen flights do not become available until around September for next August but in view of this being the peak period I cannot see how it will be much cheaper to do nothing until then and then book everything. Should we just bit the bullet and book it now which will also mean we can sort out our villa.

Thanks for your help.

Your price seems a little high - but not too bad for Virgin as they are usually quite dear, as I guide, I went last August with my wife and 2 daughters, I booked directly with Expedia, 16 nights return, full size car ( inc all insurances/taxes)and first 3 nights in a hotel in Tampa - total cost was £2800 plus I got about £150 cashback via quidco. We stayed in Tampa, Ft Myers, Ft Lauderdale and a week in a 4 bed villa in Kissimmee ( booked via ebay ) for £330. emil me if you want any details / recommendations. From investigations - I've been 3 times in the last 4 years - a major travel companies inclusive car hire is usually a con, every time I have looked into it I have found that their compulsory insurances cost more than booking a car separatley would.

Paul.,

janey07

Hi guys
We are planning an overnight stop in Orlando before driving to St Pete the next day for a wedding. Could anyone recommend a hotel with a free shuttle as we plan to pick up the car from the airport the next morning.It's only one night so a budget hotel would be fine as long as it's clean!.Many thanks
Janey

FH_Brit

Bryanr - my brother just booked for this Aug to come over and visit me - through Expedia = £662.00 each 3 weeks & hotel

FH_Brit

JANEY - Most of them on SR436 (State Road 436 - Semoran Blvd) - the road that starts at OIA are good.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Orlando - Airport North

1. 7160 N Frontage Rd
2. Orlando, FL
3. (407) 240-5000 View Website

Here is a link from the on-line directory enquiries/yellow pages

http://www.411.com/business?key=airport+hotel&where=Orlando%2C+FL

FH_Brit

General - my opinion - food recommendations (off topic I know)
Orlando Area Food.

AYCE – All You Can Eat
BUFF – Buffet – serve yourself.
CHAIN – Chain Restaurant
CHEAP – Value Restaurant

TIPS –
Look at their websites before you go, join “club” on line as this can generate coupons and discounts.

Buffets – All you can Eat/Self Serve

Cracker Barrel - http://www.crackerbarrel.com/
CHAIN all over the place – home style cooking = never far from main routes and in most places. -

Ponderosa Steak House - http://www.ponderosaorlando.com/
Various locations (3 on I-Drive) Cheap! – Great for Breakfast – only place you’ll (easily) find Baked Beans, mushrooms & canned tomatoes on the breakfast menu - ($3.95 for buffet – also new “cooked to order”) – CHAIN - AYCE

Fred’s Southern Kitchen - http://www.fredsmarket.com/
A MUST – real home cooking AYCE/BUFF OH BOY - Comfort food - Under $9 each!!! The best fried chicken and their Ribs are great! The Sweetcorn Suffle is out of this world. All REAL "Southern Cooking" and just minutes off I4 junction 21

Barbeque

Sonny’s – http://www.sonnysbbq.com/
CHAIN – all over the place – GREAT – I go at least once a week!

Breakfast

Robinson’s
On 441 in Apopka (you'll find me there most Saturdays for brunch. Try Smoked Ham and Eggs with Home fries (Dropped with onions - extra crispy) - my belly's rumbling already!

Steak Houses

Cattle Ranch- http://www.cattleranchsteakhouse.com/
2700 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32773 . 001 407 321-5761 = 72 OZ STEAK CHALLENGE!!!!

Texas de Brazil – http://www.texasdebrazil.com/
International Drive (Opposite Festival Bay) $45.00 AYCE/CHAIN GREAT! = NOT BUFFET

Logan’s Roadhouse http://assets.fbmta.com/clt/lgnsrh/lp/join/join_loc.htm
Sand Lake Road – off I Drive & also at West Colonial Dr [SR 50]) CHAIN

Texas Roadhouse - http://www.texasroadhouse.com/
State Road 50 West Colonial Drive similar to Logan’s but better! CHAIN


Seafood

Dixie Crossroads – http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/
1475 Garden St, Titusville, FL 32796 - (321) 268-5000 – Best Seafood in Central Florida. AYCE (Certain items)

Quaterdeck
Hwy 19, Umatilla, FL = AYCE (different item) every day.

Pizza

CiCi’s - http://www.cicispizza.com/_template.php#Scene_1
CHAIN/CHEAP/AYCE/BUFF – About £3.00!!! (offers sometimes (at time of writing £2.56)


Kids

Mc Donald’s – Need say no more – BUT Sanford is the biggest “Play House” in the World! (It used to be I Drive/Sand Lake Rd) has video games and a huge play area.

Chuck E Cheese - http://www.chuckecheese.com/
CHAIN – Games & food. 3 in Orlando, all over Florida.

Other

Mykanos (Greek)
2401 W. State Road 434, Longwood, FL 32779-3694
001 407-788-9095

“Southern American”

Fred’s Southern Kitchen - http://www.fredsmarket.com/
A MUST – real home cooking AYCE/BUFF OH BOY! - Comfort food - Under $9 each!!! The best fried chicken and their Ribs are great! The Sweetcorn Suffle is out of this world. All REAL "Southern Cooking" and just minutes off I4 junction 21

The Mason Jar– http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/hometown_highlights/mason_jar.aspx#gallery
Hwy 19, Umatilla, FL = Great US Southern Cooking.

Specialist – “Up Market”

Villa De Flora – http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/kissimmee-orlando-dining-activities/kissimmee-orlando-restaurants/villa-de-flora/
Gaylord Palms Hotel, 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746(407) 586-0000 – Buffet style (a bit more up-market) with theme days (Greek, Italian etc) - $30.00 all you can eat – Excellent! Great Sangria!

jeanniebeanie_2

Thanks! Quite a few new to me -will check some of them out. Happy Easter!

:EasterBun

chocolateteddy

Thanks FH Brit
I was going to ask on here if anyone had some recommendations of places to eat!! Off to drool over the websites!!

Mr_Lahey

FH_Brit wrote: »

Logan’s Roadhouse http://assets.fbmta.com/clt/lgnsrh/lp/join/join_loc.htm
Sand Lake Road – off I Drive & also at West Colonial Dr [SR 50]) CHAIN

Best Steak House in Florida - Go to the one at Maingate East, just opposite Old Town.

Gorgeous




(You can report me now FHBrit)