Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

blue_monkey_2

one2escape wrote: »

Thats the problem the tickets. Getting there is very affordable and cheaper than a summer holiday but its the tickets, thats the killer. I am now resigned to never bringing the kids to Florida. I have been many times before and love it but we are hammered on the tickets. The reason we where considering is that I am getting a lump sum in a number of weeks time and after paying of debts etc I will have around £7000 to play about with. Its go to Orlando and have the memories or update the decore of the house etc, have a good Christmas with the kids and a normal Spanish holiday in the summer. It has to be this Jan to go as its my Oldest child last year at primary school and so the last time we could take him out. Going in the summer is far to expensive a quick price with Virgin was £6000 just for the flights and villa :eek:.

That is why I am depressed

For us it was a new kitchen or a holiday - however, we are still making a lot of sacrifices to get there because yes, the tickets do cost a lot of money. There are other times you could choose to go, straight after Xmas is very cheap. Summer can be cheap but it is VERY hot and humid and some children do not like it and it just make them 0 and then in turn you- miserable. If you flew in January the flights will be around 3k so you are looking at this just for flights to be honest.

You might do best waiting and seeing if you can pick up something last minute if you have the money. Just chance it and see what happens and you might get a bargain instead.

broonbear

The question is how badly do you want to do all the disney parks, we've did all the parks and there are some we won't ever do again (until the grandkids come around) pick a couple and pay at the gate, universal do a 2 park deal. Depending on the kids ages there are some disney parks that wont suit...imo

xjennax

broonbear wrote: »

The question is how badly do you want to do all the disney parks, we've did all the parks and there are some we won't ever do again (until the grandkids come around) pick a couple and pay at the gate, universal do a 2 park deal. Depending on the kids ages there are some disney parks that wont suit...imo

Im 23, my OH is 22, my brothers are 25 and 21 and my parents are 46 and 51 - which disney parks are not worth it? Is it still not worth getting the Disney Ultimate for the appropriate ones ? Paying at the gate is so much more expensive right?

blue_monkey_2

xjennax wrote: »

Im 23, my OH is 22, my brothers are 25 and 21 and my parents are 46 and 51 - which disney parks are not worth it? Is it still not worth getting the Disney Ultimate for the appropriate ones ? Paying at the gate is so much more expensive right?

The thing is, everyone is different, everyone likes different things so you cannot ask anyone that - it is your personal choice. I'd tell everyone to make sure you take them all in but not everyone likes to do what I want to do.

Yes, paying at the gate costs a lot more, around £40 each, plus if you have the ultimate ticket you can park hop so do one in the morning and then something else in the afternoon then maybe get to see Fantasmic in the evening. If you go to a waterpark then it rains you can go off and do something else. You'd be gutted had you paid £30 to get into the waterpark for there to be a storm and having to leave after a few hours.

My personal opinion is that if this is a once in a lifetime visit for you, see as much as you can otherwise you'll look at the leaflet on the way home and be disappointed that you missed something. There is no point in going without money, it is a long way to go and not do all the things you actually want to do. Save for another year and then go back.

blue_monkey_2

broonbear wrote: »

The question is how badly do you want to do all the disney parks, we've did all the parks and there are some we won't ever do again (until the grandkids come around) pick a couple and pay at the gate, universal do a 2 park deal. Depending on the kids ages there are some disney parks that wont suit...imo

Thats the point, the poster has children under 10, they might never go again and I'd want my children to see all of Disney, for us this is why we go, there is not a huge amount to do at Universal for kids under 10 - especially if they are not keen on noises, there are a lot of 'action' rides and rides with a height limit. we managed to do Islands of Adventure beofre lunch and Universal after lunch with a 3 and 5 year old. Some of the things were just too noisy for them and scared them.

xjennax

I think we are just going to do all of them - will be a lot to fit into 14 days - will need a holiday to get over the holiday haha

broonbear

spot on , everyones different when my kids were young they hated epcot but loved mk, as they got older that reversed same with ak and mgm, they loved univesal but not ioa,now they love both (cause they're older ) after a few hours at the water parks they got bored.We're fortunate that we've been several times so we can now pick and choose

blue_monkey_2

xjennax wrote: »

I think we are just going to do all of them - will be a lot to fit into 14 days - will need a holiday to get over the holiday haha

We are like that and probably have a couple of days off going to the parks - at which time we are shopping instead, LOL.

We hate the thought of sitting by a pool doing nothing, 10 minutes by the pool and I am itching to get away and be doing something. Thankfully we are all the same.

I cannot understand people who go away on holiday and spend 2 weeks sitting by the pool doing nothing. Honestly, I really do not get it.

We'll spend a few days by the pool this year but only because we are moving hotels and will be waiting to check in, but in the evenings we'll be off to the parks again. Whats more I do not sleep in a strange bed, I only get about 4-5 hours a night and I am up at a stupid time wanting to go out for the day, waiting for everyone else to wake up. Thankfully I've got a DS this year so I can play with that while waiting for everyone else to wake up.

The great thing is we can eat loads of lovely cakes to our hearts content because we are always up and about and walking we do not put any weight on while we are there. Other people come back from holiday having put on at least half a stone, I never put anything on at all yet eat lots and lots of bad stuff. There are loads of shops selling lush cheesecake - is it in Seaworld on the way out they have a cake shop? Gorgeous!!

I am EXHAUSTED when I get back to the UK and it takes me a good few weeks to feel human again (while being depressed about wanting to be on holiday still).

But it is SO worth it!! And that is for 2 weeks, we are doing 3 weeks this time, I am going to need a month to get back into it - and then it'll be Xmas. :rotfl:

PS. Xmas shopping almost done, I am NOT coming back off holiday to go Xmas shopping, that is for certain!!

blue_monkey_2

broonbear wrote: »

spot on , everyones different when my kids were young they hated epcot but loved mk, as they got older that reversed same with ak and mgm, they loved univesal but not ioa,now they love both (cause they're older ) after a few hours at the water parks they got bored.We're fortunate that we've been several times so we can now pick and choose

This is our 4th trip and we still do everything we can. We've been to DLP loads of times too, I mean, A Small World, it is pretty crap we still go on it every time.

jackieblack

one2escape wrote: »

Thats the problem the tickets. Getting there is very affordable and cheaper than a summer holiday but its the tickets, thats the killer. I am now resigned to never bringing the kids to Florida. I have been many times before and love it but we are hammered on the tickets. The reason we where considering is that I am getting a lump sum in a number of weeks time and after paying of debts etc I will have around £7000 to play about with. Its go to Orlando and have the memories or update the decore of the house etc, have a good Christmas with the kids and a normal Spanish holiday in the summer. It has to be this Jan to go as its my Oldest child last year at primary school and so the last time we could take him out. Going in the summer is far to expensive a quick price with Virgin was £6000 just for the flights and villa :eek:.

That is why I am depressed

I understand completely
We've had the same dilemma, but we always think that your children, when they grow up, are never gong to say "do you remember that new kitchen/bathroom we had when I was 8/9/10?" whereas they will remember that trip to Florida for the rest of their lives.....
You never know what life will throw at you, sometimes you only get one shot - do things when you have the chance, it might never come again....:)

I'm sure if you shop around, maybe book some things independently you could save a few £/$ here and there.

I did a quick quote on VH and it came out just over £4000 (with a 3 bed villa) I don't think that included the car though.

Your holiday to: Florida

Leaving on 29 Jan 2011

• Staying for 14 nights
• 2 adults
• 4 children (ages 10, 8, 6 & 4) (I just guessed)

Your hotel: Standard Orlando Villas - 3 Bedroom Villas

Your flight: A return flight from Gatwick is included.

Total price for 2 adults and 4 children
Holiday price:£4183.00
Online discount:- £144.05
TOTAL:£4038.95

Travelling on a Monday would be cheaper than a Saturday (£20 extra per person each way to travel at weekends)


Your holiday to: FloridaLeaving on 31 Jan 2011

• Staying for 14 nights
• 2 adults
• 4 children (ages 10, 8, 6 & 4)

Your hotel: Standard Orlando Villas - 3 Bedroom Villas

Your flight: A return flight from Gatwick is included.

Total price for 2 adults and 4 children
Holiday price:£3943.00
Online discount:- £132.05
TOTAL:£3810.95