Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Phoolgrrrl

Teajug - the villas we have stayed in have had an iron and washing machine. Not sure if it's standard tho. We were able to get on wireless from the villa, however if you can't there is free wireless at lots of cafes, mcdonalds etc. Also there are internet cafes, or you can go on free in the apple shop, bit cheeky but loads of people doing it!

jackieblack

KarenG wrote: »

Certainly the feedback I've seen on the internet after the ash cloud didn't suggest those who'd booked with a TA were better served, in fact it made things more difficult for many as they were going through a third party to get things sorted. Travel insurance is ESSENTIAL.

To be fair I think it varied quite alot - we were on the West Coast and got brilliant service and assistance from Virgin, and were put up in a fantastic hotel that was far nicer (and more expensive) than anywhere else we'd stayed on our trip, but there were only a few hundred of us there as opposed to the thousands on the East Coast. Trying to organise anything on that scale at short notice was always destined to be a nightmare.

Jon_Stubberfield

vivatifosi wrote: »

Excuse me for asking Jon, but are you a travel agent? Only that's truly a travel agent's answer.

If something goes wrong, well that's what insurance is for and its something that shouldn't be skimped on. Anyone who goes to America without it - with the potential for hospital bills and litigation - is mad to do so. Also, there's no need to book something wrongly if you do plenty of research and know what you're getting. Not saying travel agents don't have their place, I still use them occasionally, but people certainly shouldn't be put off doing their own thing if they want.

Yes I am a travel agent... my answer was a little gung ho wasn't it. More of a 'hey look everyone, I'm a travel agent' rather than helpful advice.

There are indeed pros and cons to DIY and travel agents.

Also... I may be wrong here, I'm not an insurance salesperson but I was under the impression that MOST insurance policies don't protect you from things going awry with airlines/car rental/accommodation etc... more there for medical bills and stolen purses? I might be wrong?

Jon_Stubberfield

jackieblack wrote: »

To be fair I think it varied quite alot - we were on the West Coast and got brilliant service and assistance from Virgin, and were put up in a fantastic hotel that was far nicer (and more expensive) than anywhere else we'd stayed on our trip, but there were only a few hundred of us there as opposed to the thousands on the East Coast. Trying to organise anything on that scale at short notice was always destined to be a nightmare.

Certain airlines (not naming names) turned there phones off during the ash cloud incident. Many travel agents turned there phones on 24 hours and worked extra hours to try to repatriate those who were stranded.

I believe that European airlines are obliged to offer accommodation to passengers if they are stranded and cannot get passengers home whereas American companies do not have such obligations.

hostie1985

At the moment attraction ticket direct are doing a orlando freedom ticket (includes all of disney, universal, busch gardens etc - the only thing that it hasnt got is wet n wild) up for £394, if you book by the end of the month you get a free 30 min boggy creek ride as well.

I've just ordered 2 tickets this afternoon, going to florida at the end of the month, really excited.

KarenG

jackieblack wrote: »

To be fair I think it varied quite alot - we were on the West Coast and got brilliant service and assistance from Virgin, and were put up in a fantastic hotel that was far nicer (and more expensive) than anywhere else we'd stayed on our trip, but there were only a few hundred of us there as opposed to the thousands on the East Coast. Trying to organise anything on that scale at short notice was always destined to be a nightmare.

Jackie, totally agree and I am sure it was a nightmare. What I was saying was that there was no guarantee that those who'd booked with a TA were BETTER served than those who hadn't, which is what Jon Stubberfield was saying.

Jon_Stubberfield wrote:

Certain airlines (not naming names) turned there phones off during the ash cloud incident. Many travel agents turned there phones on 24 hours and worked extra hours to try to repatriate those who were stranded.

I believe that European airlines are obliged to offer accommodation to passengers if they are stranded and cannot get passengers home whereas American companies do not have such obligations.

Jon, I am sure many TAs did just that and fantastic of them for doing so. However, not all did.

Your last comment is correct I think, and absolutely why travel insurance is essential. You'd have to be mad to go to the US without it anyway, in case of medical reasons if nothing else.

Mab2009

Thanks for your replies. Think i've decided on going through a travel agents as one company has come back with £5100 for 6 adults, 2 children and an infant in a 5 bed villa and fully inclusive car hire. The flights were coming in at £4192.

Does anyone else think this is a good deal?:undecided

I'm so excited and never get fed up of looking through all the deals and anything to do with Florida.:j:j:j

Thanks again

amanda40

I felt that way too....had figures , flights, hotels parks tickets all swimming round my head for months!!! Ended up booking a package through Virgin that was more or less the first thing we had looked at!!!

Jon_Stubberfield

Mab2009 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. Think i've decided on going through a travel agents as one company has come back with £5100 for 6 adults, 2 children and an infant in a 5 bed villa and fully inclusive car hire. The flights were coming in at £4192.

Does anyone else think this is a good deal?:undecided

I'm so excited and never get fed up of looking through all the deals and anything to do with Florida.:j:j:j

Thanks again

Depends on the dates really, If it's July/August then it's a wicked price. If it's June or November... it's not that great a price...

Also... are they showing you pictures of a bespoke villa? or are they just giving you allocation on arrival?

Birdie85

Hello all!

I've read through pretty much the entire thread and getting more and more excited about my trip to Orlando in September!

I've got a couple of questions though if anyone can help?

I know that they're really strict about ID over there for buying alcohol, will we be OK using our driving license as ID or should we take our passports out with us? I don't really want to be carrying our passports round all day, but I know the last time I was there (6 years ago before I was even legal to drink there!) my brother had trouble in some of the places we went because they didn't recognise a British driving license, are they better with this now?

Also, it's just my husband and I going for our honeymoon (mid-20s) and we want to do a dinner show but nothing too kiddy, are there any recommendations? I really fancy going to the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Fort Wilderness and Ohana at Disney's Polynesian too and I know they're supposed to be a bit raucous but are they mainly for children? We're not the types to want deathly quiet candlelit meals but nor do we want to be annoyed the whole time we're eating!