Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

blue_monkey_2

vivatifosi wrote: »

Sorry.....

But if you feel bad imagine how I feel. I have a valid annual pass, had a room booked in Disney and couldn't go because I didn't have sufficient holiday and changes at work meant I couldn't take unpaid leave. So he's on the holiday that we booked for us (it would have cost too much to cancel it all) and I'm here. Not only am I here, but I had an accident today in which I cut my foot open, so I am here and feeling sorry for myself. I won't be going back until Autumn, when my annual pass will have run out:(.

OMG, so you cannot get back?? I know you said you was going again but I did not realise that DH would go on his own. I think I'd be sitting at home crying.

I hope that your foot is better, are you managing to get around OK?

blue_monkey_2

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Christmas at Disney is THE busiest time of the year, with Easter a close second. As above, the parks reach capacity, queues are very long and the parks sometimes refuse entry from late morning.

That said, it depends on your attitude to crowds/waiting and there are strategies you can use to make your experience better. Take a look at http://touringplans.com/ or http://www.tourguidemike.com/.

These sites provide touring plans using tactics to minimise lines, but they do charge a membership fee. Some people hate to plan to that degree, including me, but it can make a real difference to your experience at the busiest times. I tried it once.

Another upside is the atmosphere. The Parks put on lovely ' Holiday Parades', fireworks etc, the shops and restaurants are beautifully decorated and in Celebration they have a perspex 'ice-rink' and even make it 'snow' on the evenings of Christmas week!

The parks are open very long hours with extra parades and shows to choose from and the fact that you won't have exhausted young children with you will help with planning to stay out for the later, quieter parades etc.

Should just add, it will be NOTHING like a September trip. September is one of the quietest times to visit, after the schools are back.

It's a tricky one, good luck!

We went on 30th December for our first visit, we got all the benefits of Xmas and NY at Disney as the parades and decorations were still up and we had NYE at Epcot and saw the NY in there. The atmosphere was great and they had several bands on. I've still got my Happy new Year top hat in the loft somewhere, LOL. Yes, I am one of those saddos that keeps every single souviner from holidays.

Prices were cheaper as it was after the Xmas rush - AND all the other tourists went home on 2nd Jan leaving the parks empty. We went from 30th Dec to 12th Jan and I'd recommend it to anyone. Bit chilly though - was not prepared for that. :rotfl:

So I'd not recommend going FOR Xmas but certainly going in the few days afterwards as you'll get a quiet week-10 days to have the parks, pretty much, to yourselves. Stay away from the parks at the weekends and find something else to do, and you'll be fine.

disney_cjd

Can anybody recommend a place to stay - i'm ideally looking for a suite not too expensive. there will be 3 adults and 3 children. I will have a car with me as well so am happy to drive a small distance to the beach if it results in a reduced room rate.

For location (location, location) the Hilton wins hands down in opinion and I have been to Clearwater many times. They do offer suites but you may be better getting adjourning rooms. Have a look at hotels.com for prices.

Also still not sure on what to do with the intial 2 week stay in Orlando. my kids are quite young (7 & 3) and I don't think we'll have the capacity to go to all the parks. I think Disney will be a must but I also hear that the water parks are good.

rememebr that Disney is four parks plus the water parks so thats 6 of your 14 days gone, plus travelling to and from takes 2 so our of the 12 you have used half of them! Just make sure you take a buggy for the 3 year old and take breaks. A lot of what you can do depends on what ticket you get. UK and US tickets are different. The UK ticket is like a buffett ticket, all you can visit for 7, 14 or 21 days. The US you buy for what you need with the more you need the day rate goes down. Take a look at my friend Len's site over at https://www.touringplans.com which has a least expensive ticket calculator. This works out the best ticket deal for you if buying a US ticket.

The other ticket you can get is a flex. These are again good as cover a number of options BUT not Disney. Do a search on this thread for more info on those tickets.

also if I am going to have a car I would be prepared to stay in a suite away from the parks themselves as I understand these are likely to be cheaper. Any suggestions of good but econmical suites in decent areas would be greatly appreciated.

We covered the best off sites hotel and suites on last weeks radio show. There are lots our there and some you do not need a car for. Take a look at the Marriott Village, Holiday Inn, Hotel plaza blvd for some or also trip advisor.

Cheers

41123a

thats very useful info. i'll work my way through it and let you know if I have any questions.

41123a

went to a travel agent today and was basically told that a package holiday if I want to split my stay with 2 weeks in Orlando and 1 week in Clearwater was unlikely so an option would be to either split everything out seperately or stay somewhere equidistant from the 2 and basically drive.

is this generally other people's experiences??

disney_cjd

41123a wrote: »

went to a travel agent today and was basically told that a package holiday if I want to split my stay with 2 weeks in Orlando and 1 week in Clearwater was unlikely so an option would be to either split everything out seperately or stay somewhere equidistant from the 2 and basically drive.

is this generally other people's experiences??

I would find a better travel agent! Twin centre holidays are totally normal. But to be fair I would really not use an agent at all. Book it all yourselve, start with flights then hotels it is generally much much cheaper.

delwynshd

Yeah I would think the travel agent you visited didnt know very much about Florida

Twin centres are really common in Florida

Del

johnnyroper

delwynshd wrote: »

Yeah I would think the travel agent you visited didnt know very much about Florida

Twin centres are really common in Florida

Del

agreed just take a look at vhols tinterweb site or brochures,they do twin centres in florida or florida and another US/caribean destination if you wish.

jeanniebeanie_2

disney_cjd wrote: »

Book it all yourselve, start with flights then hotels it is generally much much cheaper.

I would have agreed with that not so long back, but flight only prices have increased so much lately that i would check the packages out as well just to be sure.

41123a

That is my experience also in the brief time that I have been looking.

flight only appears to be around the £800 pp and then accomodation, car & tickets seperately.

I must be doing something wrong looking for twin centres as on the Virgin site it came back with "We offer a total of 0 Twin Centres/Multi Centres in Florida.".

Any other suggestions for places to look for twin centre holidays?