Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

amanda40

Well we have bit the bullet and have booked Florida - leave 4 weeks on Tuesday from Manchester with Virgin - staying at the Hawthorn Suites in Beuna Vista - We have got a few books from the library and are plouging our way through them but there is just so much to know. It is a first time visit for us and due to price maybe last too! We have 2 DS aged 12 and 9 so looking for tips on what to do and what to see etc - I was looking at the Steal Deal passes via Orlando Attractions for Disney and Universal - think it works out at about £1300 for the 4 of us - that covers all disney parks and 2 or 3 Univeral ones - Is this a good deal?

I am gtateful for any advice you can give me thanks!!

mintster

apcorbett wrote: »

You'd be very lucky to get direct flights for anything less than about £650 this year - Prices are very high, and the lowest is around £525 for indirect via Charlotte...

Have you considered a Villa instead, as the additional privacy, and added bonus of a pool, could make it nicer IMHO...

Thanks for replying but have booked into a suite and flying direct with Virgin for £2470 - gave up hunting cheap flights as they just don't seem to exist. Do have the enjoyment of the plethora of ticket options now though!

vivatifosi

amanda40 wrote: »

Well we have bit the bullet and have booked Florida - leave 4 weeks on Tuesday from Manchester with Virgin - staying at the Hawthorn Suites in Beuna Vista

I know where they are! They are in a nice location though I haven't stayed there. Palm Parkway is off of the very main drag (Apopka Vineland) through LBV but it isn't too far to walk to the restaurants and there's a good selection nearby. If you go to the end of Palm Parkway (in opposite direction to Apopka Vineland) and across the 4 way stop, carry on along the road for a couple of miles and there's a massive Walmart. There's also a Winn Dixie just along Apopka Vineland. The easiest way to get to the non-Disney attractions is to go as if to Walmart, and then follow signs to I-4. You can either carry on along this road (Central Florida Parkway) to SeaWorld, or take I-4 (follow signs) to Universal. You can also get to International Drive easily this way for the shopping and restaurants at the top end, though for the outlet mall at the bottom end, the easiest way would still be to use Apopka Vineland.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Not sure if anyone can help?

Our friends are hoping to go to Disney in Nov/Dec this year and have 2 children aged 8 and 2. They would like a 2/3 bed villa with pool near to most things (inc supermarket) and want direct flights. Do they still do premium economy at Virgin and if so, what is the price difference? Also, they want to go for 3 weeks. Flexible on dates and 1 child is disabled, so has a biggish buggy (not quite as big as a wheelchair)

Rough price?

Also, wheres the best place for disney/universal tickets please?

Thanks

PP
xx

Simac

Hi everybody :wave:

I'm hoping that one of you lovely Florida experts might be able to help me ......

We've been to Orlando a few times, and we are currently saving like mad to go back late this year. This time, we are looking for something new to do (on top of seeing Mr Mouse and Shamu of course!).

We've noticed on the Virgin website that they are selling tickets for Legoland Florida, due to open October 2011. Does anybody know anymore information about this place??? I'm intrigued and I know my DS (8) would love to go to Legoland while we are in Florida. I've googled it, and all I can find out is that it opens some time in October. I'd be gutted if we booked tickets and it opened after we come back! Has anybody heard anything else about this place??

Hope you can help xxx

westferret

Had a look and appears there haven't released an actual date yet. Only thing I can think so is http://florida.legoland.com/about/Contact-Us/ email them and they say they will respond within 5 business days

minxtress

Hi
We're off to Florida in June and kids have always said they want to swim with the dolphins.
I dont agree with it but its thier dream holiday so I may allow them to go, does anyone have any idea roughly how much it costs as trying to budget.
Thanks

blue_monkey_2

Discovery Cove is not so much swimming with them but more learning about them while they are in the water, then you have your picture taken with them and they pull you a long for about 50 yards.

If they are looking for more a swimming experience I'd look for a trip to the Keys, you'd probably need an overnight to do it though. Virgin have this excursion: http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/florida/info/excursions/

2-day Dolphin Adventure in the Florida Keys

Enjoy the magnificent sea views as you are transported down to the tropical Florida Keys to start your fabulous dolphin adventure. You'll overnight at a beachfront resort in Key Largo and enjoy a delicious steak barbecue-style evening meal. Next day, continental breakfast is included. The excursion's activities include an exhilarating Everglades Airboat Adventure, a hands-on alligator and snake-handling show, a half-day visit to Miami Bayside Shopping, or a Star Island cruise to see the homes of stars such as Tom Cruise, Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias. Plus, the part you've been waiting for, the dolphin experience!
First you'll take in an educational briefing about the dolphins and their environment, and then you will participate in a fantastic 30-min experience with a Bottle Nose dolphin, swimming, playing and interacting with one of these playful and inquisitive sea creatures.
Please Note: Price includes return transportation from Orlando and overnight accommodation in the Keys.
Please Note: This is not a snorkelling programme and participants should be good swimmers and comfortable in deep water over their heads. Anyone under 18 years needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No children under 7 years can participate. Pregnant women are not allowed in the water.
Swim Price per person:
2010- Adult: £250, Child (7-9 years): £215, Single Supp: £72
2011- Adult: £150, Child (7-9 years): £110, Single Supp: £70

Non Swim Price per person:
2011- Adult: £260, Child (7-9 years): £220, Child (3-6): £70


We went to Discovery Cove and it was cheap at the time $249 for the dolphin swim, which was £700 for the 4 of us but you would have to go with the children if they are under a certain age - I think it's 12. And then it is one adult per child.

HTH.

blue_monkey_2

Simac wrote: »

Hi everybody :wave:

I'm hoping that one of you lovely Florida experts might be able to help me ......

We've been to Orlando a few times, and we are currently saving like mad to go back late this year. This time, we are looking for something new to do (on top of seeing Mr Mouse and Shamu of course!).

We've noticed on the Virgin website that they are selling tickets for Legoland Florida, due to open October 2011. Does anybody know anymore information about this place??? I'm intrigued and I know my DS (8) would love to go to Legoland while we are in Florida. I've googled it, and all I can find out is that it opens some time in October. I'd be gutted if we booked tickets and it opened after we come back! Has anybody heard anything else about this place??

Hope you can help xxx

http://florida.legoland.com/Park-Map/Park-Map-a/
Park Map

LEGOLAND® Florida, opening October 2011, is a 150-acre family theme park located in Winter Haven, 45 minutes southwest of Orlando. The Park will offer interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape specifically geared for families with children ages 2 to12.


The thing is, Harry Potter World was due to open Spring 2009 and it was finally finished Spring 2010. We deliberately did not know until we was sure that it was going to be open as this is why we wanted to go.

Jemma1

lisalasvegas wrote: »

Anybody? we need to pre book pool heating so would appreciate any input.

Thanks

Hi,

If we have young children say under 5 with us we get pool heat.