Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

blue_monkey_2

jodie7784 wrote: »

hi guys, we are not going to next year but as much as i am excited i am also very nervous. people are scaring me saying 'you cant do this and you must do that' etc
i was wondering if there is an idiots guide or a list of do's or don'ts anywhere when going to america??

Hard to say because is down to personal choice, what suits us would not suit someone else. What do you want to do (big rides, slow rides, shows, waterparks - the list is endless), then people can advise.

jodie7784

blue_monkey wrote: »

Hard to say because is down to personal choice, what suits us would not suit someone else. What do you want to do (big rides, slow rides, shows, waterparks - the list is endless), then people can advise.

hi lol thats not quite what i meant, i didnt explain myself properly...
i mean like tipping, when to tip and how much, driving over there scares the hell out of me the roads look massive any tips? ordering food and portion sizes etc surely there has to be a list somewhere

elantan

KarenG wrote: »

Hi

I'm a bit confused, sorry

You don't want to do Disney World but you do want to do Animal Kingdom, MGM & Blizzard Beach - they are all Disney World. I'm guessing you mean you don't want to do Magic Kingdom? I would look into the Magic Your Way passes. I don't think I'd want to shell out all that money for a 14 day pass and only use it at a few Disney parks, personally, but you have to do the matchs and see which comes out best.

They are phasing out the old green forms which you had to fill out on the plane - Orlando airport is stopping needing those literally any day now. ESTA you have to do online (very quick and easy, basically what you used to fill out on the green form), before you go. It is FREE so do not pay - there are some sites out there which try and scam you.

I don't want to start a debate, but I'm struggling to understand why you'd not go to Seaworld if you love it but you would go to Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens.

HTH

hey karen thanks yes that is what i meant i dont want to go to magic kingdom but do still want to do m.g.m etc .. was looking at 14 day hoppers i wouldnt use the 14 days but it did look to be cheaper than the single day ones

i know also what you mean about a debate ( they can get out of hand sometimes) ... i saw a documentary that put me off places like seaworld (not seaworld might i add....long story) i have informed my husband no more animal documentaries till after i come back from florida... this time i am going for the ignorance is bliss approach otherwise i dont think i would go to animal kingdom or busch gardens...

thanks for the advice on the esta form

blue_monkey_2

jodie7784 wrote: »

hi lol thats not quite what i meant, i didnt explain myself properly...
i mean like tipping, when to tip and how much, driving over there scares the hell out of me the roads look massive any tips? ordering food and portion sizes etc surely there has to be a list somewhere

Oh I see, LOL. Well, we do not drive, we get taxis anywhere. Far outweighs the cost of fuel/car Ins/tolls and parking IMO. Depends on where you want to get to and from though I guess.

Tipping is $1 per person if you go to a buffet or 10% of the bill (I think). We usually give around $5-$10 to taxi drivers depending on where we have gone.

As for food - in Disney I always get the kids sizes as the adults is huge and always too much for me. You do not want to be really full when walking around you'll get sluggish and tired, or else we go to buffets where you just pay one price. In lots of places kids eat free too. We do not really go restaurants as such where you have to wait so I do not know.

lex

With regards to tipping - I think 15-20% is more normal for food in America. Plus 10-15% for taxis, couple of dollars a day for maid service.

There's a useful guide on the dibb - I don't know whether I'm ok to link to another forum...but if you google "DIBB tipping guidelines" it's the first link.

We always like to hire a car - but it's personal choice. We find it easier to have the freedom - nip to the supermarket etc. Plus children are young, so often handy for the odd nap between a and b

lex

urbanlegend11

My daughters will be celebrating their 11th birthdays whilst we are away. I know every day will be magical but has anyone got any ideas to makes it a little bit extra special on that day. Any ideas no matter how small like something unusual to do, a specific theme park, special place to eat out, show etc.

youngatheart_2

Looking at going to Disney May 2011. Flights with Virgin are about £510 each at the moment. Is that about average or are they likely to go down? Thinking its a bit early to book but on the other hand if they go up even more........... what a dilemma!

atro1

urbanlegend11 wrote: »

My daughters will be celebrating their 11th birthdays whilst we are away. I know every day will be magical but has anyone got any ideas to makes it a little bit extra special on that day. Any ideas no matter how small like something unusual to do, a specific theme park, special place to eat out, show etc.

Nothing quite like a Character meal. If you are not to late to book it!

poet123

urbanlegend11 wrote: »

My daughters will be celebrating their 11th birthdays whilst we are away. I know every day will be magical but has anyone got any ideas to makes it a little bit extra special on that day. Any ideas no matter how small like something unusual to do, a specific theme park, special place to eat out, show etc.

Dont miss Fantasia, and if you eat out at any of of a series of restaurants on that night you can get the best seats (for no extra charge)so it is worth doing that. If you need more info you will find it on the DIBB (link is further up the thread)

Not sure when you are going, but if next year (probably too late for this year) but you can team up with another family and see the Wishes firework display form a pontoon boat, great view, really memorable.

Search for wishes firework boats on the dibb, (or ask and you will be pointed in the right direction fo rthe thread), and those with spare seats offer them to others. It is very hard to get oneyourself as in the US they ring the the second they go on sale for a specific date, so brits tend to miss out, but as they hold between 6 and 12 people depending on the boat, often families have spare seats, which they want to sell to reduce their costs. We shared with a lovely family.

johnnyroper

youngatheart wrote: »

Looking at going to Disney May 2011. Flights with Virgin are about £510 each at the moment. Is that about average or are they likely to go down? Thinking its a bit early to book but on the other hand if they go up even more........... what a dilemma!

very difficult question to answer,my experience of this was looking to book for sept next year thomson were £550ish per person then 10 days later that had gone up to over £600.My opinion is they are more likely to go up rather than down because the route is very popular plus the airlines have taken a big hit this year with volcano so are going to want to get some revenue in.

as for virgin is that booking direct with Virgin Atlantic??
have you tried looking at other airlines like BA or the charters?
have a look on www.charterflights.co.uk.
if you are looking for cheapest you could look at LGW-Tampa flights and drive from there if you plan on having a car.