Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

elantan

thanks jeannie ....

we dont plan on eating at the parks (far too expensive ... although fruit stands sound a possibility) and only plan on eating out a couple of nights a week (were staying in a villa) .... but i would like them to be good nights... i seem to remember the olive garden last time i was there ( or was it when i was in Canada ... cant remember) but it looked good will deff give them a try ....

it's a bit annoying about the parking but if it cant be avoided then it cant be avoided sadly ...

will have a look at the planning idea thanks very much ...

now to sort out the money panic lol

elantan

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

http://touringplans.com/ or

http://www.tourguidemike.com/

For a small fee they come up with personalised plans to help beat the crowds which do work, I tried them one year at a busy time, although it isn't my favourite way to holiday.

.

was there anything specific in the way they operated that you didnt like? i looked at the tour guide mike site .... i might part with the $22 to find out if there is a good way to do the parks ... i noticed it just seems to be disney though ... is there any sites that do universal, sea world etc ?

jeanniebeanie_2

There used to be a way around the parking at some parks that involved parking at one of the resort hotels or Boardwalk and getting on the Disney transport, but I'm not sure if they closed that loophole by putting time restrictions on.

KarenG who posts here seems to have the info on that or you could try searching The Dibb http://www.thedibb.co.uk/ or Mousesavers http://www.mousesavers.com/

Those sites are full of info anyway and are worth a look.

Just saw your post. Tour Guide Mike and Touring Plans are just Disney, but that is where your main problems will be. Mike was the one we used, but it involves meticulous planning, early entry, A strict order of collecting Fastpasses a precise order of doing rides and shows and leaving the parks to return late at night, but it does work.

Universal operate differently. They sell Express Plus passes which you can buy in addition to your park ticket. They allow you to bypass some of the queue by using a separate line. Unfortunately the passes increase in price depending on demand and will be very expensive at Easter.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/special_offers/UniversalExpress/expresspluspasses.aspx

You are looking at $56 each plus tax over Easter for a one day two park pass! On top of your ticket :eek: AND Harry Potter is not included! :eek: :eek:

Sorry it isn't more positive news.

betsie

The refillable cups can be bought seperately but I think you get them free if you are on a dining plan. The dining plan can be used at the parks. I think you get points on your card and use these (there is a huge list of places in all the parks) to buy food. Depends which plan you buy as to how many points you get.
Re which all star I like Music and movies, sports is the oldest so looks a little more tired. I have never been to pop-century but looks good as well.
The contempory does not look as appealing as the others from the outside but inside it is fine (went to nreakfast with Mickey) and the monorail would be handy for MK and Epcot. Ak is meant to be fab though and can see the animals from your room. I don't think you would be disappointed with either though - have a look at holiday review website for peoples feedback who have stayed at these hotels it might sway you.
The advantage of not having to bother with a car and the hassle of parking at the parks (and the parking fees) is a big plus for us. We just get a cab to the premium outlet stores near downtown disney and a cab to universal if we go there (cheaper than hiring a car which sits in the hotel carpark for 10 days). My OH isnt a big drinker but he likes to have a couple at Epcot (the champagne in France is a must and a cocktail in mexico) which you can do without worrying. Also nice when you arrive at Orlando airport (very tired) you just get on the coach transport to the hotel no hassle waiting in line for the hire car, working out how to drive it and trying to find the hotel when you are all hot, tired, hungry and grumpy.

r.mac_2

betsie - thanks.

I'm now really torn! Part of me worries about the themeing being a bit too much for me, food options being a bit limited and the expense of the disney option. However the convenience, esp with a LO is very appealing. AK seems to have good reviews, but recent Contemporary resort reviews on Trip advisor aren't very good! Overpriced seems to be the opinion. Perhaos I need to look at all the resorts again.

Could we still book charcter dining if we stay offsite?

jeanniebeanie_2

Could we still book charcter dining if we stay offsite?

Absolutely!

elantan

thanks jeannie .... the dates for our holiday were decided for us really my inlaws are paying for the villa (which is a HUGE saving i know) so we have to go at the time that they booked it for sadly

thankfully though on the plus side there is just hubby and myself going (ok mil etc as well but they are going two weeks before us so we only share one week) so we dont have kids etc to keep happy and if we miss certain rides we aint too bothered as we have done most of them before ... i just dont have much patience for crowds ( which is why i do Alton towers when the kids are back at school)

jeanniebeanie_2

That does change things a lot. As a couple the late parades/ fireworks will be lovely without having to worry about overtired kids.

Personally for adults I wouldn't use the plans, they are too prescriptive and adults can be much more flexible. Have you considered driving down to somewhere like Anna- Maria Island for the Easter weekend itself to escape the crowds and chill at the beach. Of course people like the beach at Easter too, but it will be quieter than the parks!

PM if you want to ask anything.

elantan

thanks jeannie for all your help deff food for thought ....

i have never heard of Anna Maria island .... but i will certainly give it a looksy .... hope you dont mind but i might just take you up on the pm

vivatifosi

elantan wrote: »

oh and while i am on a roll .... how is the U.S for vegetarian food /healthy food now? last time i was there it wasnt so good

elantan, I'm a vegetarian and things have changed massively since I first went and lived on salad.

In Disney, all of the sit down restaurants have vegetarian options. In terms of fast food restaurants you can get veggie burgers, pasta, greek salads, cheese pizza and wraps. There's normally one veggie option at each counter service restaurant. Same for the resort restaurants.

I find the choice at Universal actually a bit better as I prefer their restaurant options.

Outside of the parks, Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory have my favourite veggie menu choices - the Avocado Egg Roll starter at the Cheesecake Factory is a must have for me. Yummmmmmm....
Even Burger King does a good veggie burger now.