Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

johnnyroper

Musicman wrote: »

Sorry for sounding a bit nieve, but I thought when we last visited 13 years ago, you could not take food into Disney parks? As I said it was 13 years ago, so my memory may be playing up?

Any advice would be appreciated, as are there lockers in the parks so that you can store anything taken in, so that you do not have to carry it around?

we took food and drink in to the disney parks when there in march all bags checked by security when entering nothing was said,did not notice any signs.
universal has clearly visible signs saying no food/drink although we never went to universal due to age of my daughter save that for next sept.since getting back people on here have said no problems taking in food to universal so worth a try i would say.

KarenG

jmr wrote: »

We are doing the Orlando thing and I spent hours the other night reading all of the posts on Thread 3!!! Took a while but amazing info, tips and a little overwhelming but the best few hours I have spent since deciding we will do Florida next year. Blue Monkey you are clearly obsessed, in a good way! You have mentioned several times the Key West offer and I checked it out, and it looks good (but what do I know, nothing really!) We are considering that offer, but I am insecure as its our first trip and, like others, I want to get it right. We have two kids 16 & 10 next year and both like the idea of doing the whole Disney thing (despite their age), also they want to do the Harry Potter thing at Universal. I want to get a good balance for them and us. We will go for three weeks and I priced up the key west deal, does this sound about right to you, 2 adults, 2 kids A three week break: Flights Virgin approx 3500 (can't actually check precise price as we will go late August). Accomm Key West booking 1 bed room 3kws £3180, 21 Day tkt 1096 (debate whether to do 21 days or the 14 for 7 day tks 960?), and free dining Plan for 3 wks. We still need to price up the Universal tkts? These are my questions, so any help on these from yourself and other would be appreciated. 1) Is it good idea to stay in the resort for 3wks 2)How big is the accomm (other posters indicated they know this resort well 3)How far is Disney to Universal, was it you that said to use taxis, which seemed a good idea 4) August sounds hot and humid, have you been around then 5) What type of tkt would be best for Universal so that we get to see HP and the other bits too, and how long do we need. I have considered doing two weeks in the resort and 1 week in a Villa, but I also like the airport transfer thing that Disney do, and also the other perks. I have only looked briefly at Villa's but with this current deal there wasnt much in it pricewise, at least that's how it seemed to me, but over to the MSOE's (Money Saving Orlando Experts) for your help would be great. I loved all your MSE tips when in Orlando, drinks etc. It's all fantastic.

If I was doing it all over again for the first time I would probably not stay onsite at Disney for the whole time, ie three weeks.

The first question is, can you drive and are you prepared to? (It is really easy).

You may find 3 weeks of Disney free dining is too much ( I am a huge Disney fan, love staying onsite but we did 12 nights free dining once and it was more of a curse than a blessing, in the end). Different strokes for different folks though. I also think it could be a shame to miss out on the many great restaurants not sited at Disney (but very near).

The gamble is, some people find that staying onsite is "too much Disney", and if you decide on three weeks at Old Key West and then you end up being one of those types of people, you've left all your eggs in one basket. If you had another accommodation option to move onto then the risk is less. Please don't think I'm saying you won't love it - you probably will - but Disney fans can get very puritancial about staying onsite being the best option - it simply isn't for everyone.

I have stayed onsite, offsite, villa, hotel, condo and every combination therein over the years and my favourite is onsite, but there are pros and cons to each, so you have to guess what your family's preferences are likely to be.

The one bed at Old Key West is a really nice size. You have a pretty big living area with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious balcony with table and chairs, and a lovely big bedroom with massive bed and bathroom with jacuzzi tub. They are pretty lovely! Also nice to have the washer dryer too

It's a lovely resort

poet123

I agree with KarenG we loved staying onsite at Universal (rpr) for the perks and the atmosphere, but preferred the off site amenities of a villa to spread out in, and the facility to eat wherevever we wanted to. Have you considered a week on the Gulf coast as downtime after the hectic pace of Orlando? We have doen a week on both Marco Island, and Captiva Island, million dollar villas for very reasonable rents. You can do the beaches, fish, boating, all kinds of outdoor actvities which are so relaxing.

TurnaroundSue

blue_monkey wrote: »

We intend to allow £1500-2k which we are taking on a preloaded card (Tesco, bought it CC Creditcard so getting points and no fee)

Hi BM, which preloaded card have you got and do you mean you got a cash advance for your dollars on a credit card with no fee, as I had a leaflet from Tesco last week stating that is the case?

I also saw on the credit card forum that NOT to use a Tesco credit card as it hammers you for exchange/commission rates, but not sure how this compares to other cc companies.

I am not sure what to do - a think a preloaded card is the best way, but don't know which one to use.

Chaosweddings mentioned the fairfax card and was wondering if they could say whether this is the best one?

Also had an email from Virgin yesterday and the last shuttle launch is happening on 1 November (whilst we are there) so have booked VIP tickets to see that - can't wait.

TurnaroundSue

johnnyroper wrote: »

we took food and drink in to the disney parks when there in march all bags checked by security when entering nothing was said,did not notice any signs.
universal has clearly visible signs saying no food/drink although we never went to universal due to age of my daughter save that for next sept.since getting back people on here have said no problems taking in food to universal so worth a try i would say.

I remember reading about this earlier on in this thread and somebody suggested saying (if you are questioned about any food) that you have a food allergy and therefore you need to take in your own food, and they are fine with that reason. Always worth a try!

chocolateteddy

TurnaroundSue wrote: »

Hi BM, which preloaded card have you got and do you mean you got a cash advance for your dollars on a credit card with no fee, as I had a leaflet from Tesco last week stating that is the case?

I also saw on the credit card forum that NOT to use a Tesco credit card as it hammers you for exchange/commission rates, but not sure how this compares to other cc companies.

I am not sure what to do - a think a preloaded card is the best way, but don't know which one to use.

Chaosweddings mentioned the fairfax card and was wondering if they could say whether this is the best one?

Also had an email from Virgin yesterday and the last shuttle launch is happening on 1 November (whilst we are there) so have booked VIP tickets to see that - can't wait.

Halifax do a credit card called clarity no usage fee so cheapest for overseas spending also if you have a current account with them they give you £5 a month reward as long as you spend £300 on it (not Hard!!) If you withdraw cash 12.9% apr check out martins take on it in the cheap travel money guide scroll down and you'll find it - think link will work http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money#topcards

natters_2

TurnaroundSue wrote: »

Chaosweddings mentioned the fairfax card and was wondering if they could say whether this is the best one?

I have the fairfx dollar card - the exchange rate is definatley better than high street exchanges - and i think there is a link to it on the homepage of MSE - this will allow you to get the card for free - It was suggested to get 2 this way - then if you lose/have one stolen, you just ring them up and they transfer from 1 card to another. - their cash exchange rate is also very competitive

TurnaroundSue

natters wrote: »

I have the fairfx dollar card - the exchange rate is definatley better than high street exchanges - and i think there is a link to it on the homepage of MSE - this will allow you to get the card for free - It was suggested to get 2 this way - then if you lose/have one stolen, you just ring them up and they transfer from 1 card to another. - their cash exchange rate is also very competitive

Thanks natters, but does that mean that they charge you every time you use the card in a shop/restaurant or take money out the cash machine even tho it is in dollars?

natters_2

They don't charge to use it to pay for things, but they do charge for ATM use - it has a tips on how to use the card on the site

ANNEGEDDES

Hi all been lurking on the thread for a wee while. Went to disney last year stayed in akl in june it was amazing! That was with family (all adults) now wanting to go next year last week aug first week sept (2011) with friends any ideas of good deals?

Quite keen to stay in disney for the travel although not adverse to staying outside if ther is a good deal (not too keen on all star resorts)

any suggestions or tips?? \Im a bit out of it since our last hol

cheers x