Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

wannabe_moneysaver wrote: »

Karen, thanks so much for the info and the links. I really appreciate you taking the time. I note what you say about sitting out on the balcony once the kids are in bed, sounds great. I think I'll be having a long discussion with dh tonight, lol! Thanks ever so much again :beer:

LOL - my DH says to say to yours, balcony and cold beer - nice.

KarenG

vivatifosi wrote: »

When we stay at OKW but don't have a car, quite often we'll get a bus back from the parks to one of the other big moderates (Caribbean Beach, PO or Coronado Springs), have something to eat and then switch back to the resort via Downtown. This is very easy.

I'm sad, too

Question on this, though - we do this too. But, like you, we've been lucky enough to go a number of times and we now don't do the parks commando style, or even spend whole days there any more. We dip in and out and as such "wasting" hours on the bus / looking around other resorts is an enjoyable and fun past time. Not so sure I would have wanted to do this on my first or rare trips though, as I think I would have felt I was "wasting" good park time by sitting on multiple buses when I could have been getting Fast passes for Splash Mountain etc.... Do you know what I mean?

vivatifosi

Yep, fair point. PO wins hands down for food choice. Options from OKW:

Goods to go (limited)
Olivias (sit down only) or
order in, eg: http://fooddeliveryorlando.com/?gclid=CI78q4GyppoCFQOcFQodiAGV0Q or
http://www.deliveryandtogo.com/ordering-menu.html (caveat: haven't used these)

vivatifosi

KarenG wrote: »

Question on this, though - we do this too. But, like you, we've been lucky enough to go a number of times and we now don't do the parks commando style, or even spend whole days there any more.

Another quick thought on that. There was an article in the NY Times recently that said that the average Magic Kingdom visitor managed 9 attractions in a day. We can do more than that in a morning with clever planning in the off season. The critical element as all regulars know, is to be there when the park opens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/business/media/28disney.html

Also, if people visit the most busy times of year, it'll be interesting to see if Disney extend this scheme which they've been running over Christmas. I don't mind eating early and saving money, I'm often hungry before noon because my stomach stays 5 hours ahead...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-tourism-disney-coupon-121310-20101212,0,2207404.story (thanks Daily Disney).

wannabe_moneysaver

Thanks very much Karen and Vivatifosi, just off to mull it over some more.

Karen, lol @ your dh comment, sure my dh will think the same as him!

Thanks again guys, really appreciate the info and your thoughts :beer:

FluffyFiFi

Thanks for your help KarenG, I wasn't sure what time we could collect our car from MK as we wouldn't get back until well after the park closes. Will worry about it when we get there, I can't believe I'm worrying about where we are going to park the car when we don't even go for another 8 months.

FloFlo

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

Thanks for your help KarenG, I wasn't sure what time we could collect our car from MK as we wouldn't get back until well after the park closes. Will worry about it when we get there, I can't believe I'm worrying about where we are going to park the car when we don't even go for another 8 months.

Lol we go next August and I have already planned where we are eating each day (free disney dining). Can't even make the reservations until next March.:o I love the planning DH and DD just say whatever and occasionally chip in with something they'd like to do and I slot into the schedule somewhere.

We never hire a car, but we always stay onsite at either Disney or Universal, perhaps when DD is older we will do more off site and further afield but at the moment she loves disney.

nuttyp

Hi, does anyone know what the weather is usually like around the beginning of march?? And depending on this, when will 2012 holidays be available, for either march or september?? Got to start planning. Wanted to go this year but youngest will be doing her gcse exams so its a no holiday this year!! But we are dam well going to have a great 1 next year!!! lol

socrates

blue_monkey wrote: »

If you stay in a Disney resort you get free transfers to and from the airport so you would save some money there. This has to be pre-booked at least 24 hours before you fly though.

As for choice - well there is a lot to choose from. If you go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ you can look though the resorts they have available.

Resorts: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/

I personally, would not stay in a hotel room again as in Nov we stayed in one of the Disney 'deluxe villa resorts' and had a kitchen and washer/dryer in the apartment and it made everything so much easier (and cheaper!!). With a hotel you are replying on buying food which can work out expensive. If you can wash clothes then you do not need to take so many (a huge mistake we made) so can save on luggage space.

Have a look at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs as they always have offers on these accomodations and we stayed there, in a 1 bedroom apartment, for a week, with full dining plan, for £1000 so well within your budget. And if you get dining plan and are saving on food then you might be able to afford more? I am not sure on the dates for dining plan this year but if it is available for when you want to book it will say so in red when you put your dates in and the results come in.

One thing I would say is that Kidani Village/Animal Kingdom Lodge is gorgeous but you are really limited on food and it is quite tucked out of the way so getting anywhere is a real of a pain. We paid $100 for a return taxi to and from Universal and if you are there for 2 weeks you might need to think about driving. We stayed at 2 different Disney resorts so maybe this is an option too if you want different experiences.

Here is a list of the accomodations in the Deluxe Villa catagory: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78265=on These are the resorts that Disney Vacation Club (Disney Timeshare) use but anyone can pay to stay there. You will not get any bother at all from DVC to buy but there are certain benefits that DVC members get that you would otherwise pay for (such as Internet Access and DVD rental). However, you will be able to choose from a Studio (no washer/dryer and partial kitchen) to a 1 or 2 bed apartment (full kitchen, whirlpool bath and washer/drier).

Depending on when you go you may also get free dining which saves A LOT of money and makes no difference to the price you pay for the accomodation. You get a good dining plan with table meals (can be used for Character meals), for a hotel costing the same you only get the Quick Service plan.

However, if you are not bothered about all of that you can stay somewhere like Pop century hotel which is a budget hotel and will cost you around £60 a day and you still get to use Disney Transport. The thing I did not like about the hotels was having to traipse across the resort to go and get something to eat or to get a coffee in the morning. They are on the site too and will come in when you put yours dates in.

The villa resorts are not avalable from a travel agent and can only be booked with Disney but they only take £50 deposit with balance due 8 weeks before travel.

Hope this helps.

Having discussed with various people yesterday it seems a villa is the way forward.

So its time to narrow them down again!

Probably looking at 10-14 days.

We will need 2 double beds within the villa

Plus the transport as not driving but I believe this is included.

Close to amenities such as food and probably a nice place to chill on a day off from the hustle and bustle.

BRIGHTHOPE

If I wanted to dine at one of the Epcot restaurants one evening is this possible without paying an entrance fee to the Park?