Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Dollymixture

Does anyone know of a hotel on the Gulf Coast that can accomodate 6?
2 adults and 4 kids aged 10,7,6 and 2.
Preferably Clearwater or St Petes and we really want to be right on the beach! It's only for the last 5 days of our holiday.
I have been trying to find something, but it's proving difficult as most only seem to accomodate 4.

Thanks!

Mrs_Egg

Birdie85 wrote: »

That's great to know, thank you!

I keep forgetting to actually order the darn tickets, must do it this weekend so I know they're sorted and I can relax knowing that we're all good to go! I've printed out an itinerary and filled it in with all the parks we're going to and I'm starting to write in the restaurants I want to eat in too, OH thinks I've gone mad but I don't want to miss anything!

If your going to Disney you can order an information pack from their website which has a book of park maps in and time tables of park closing/opening times as well as when events are happening. Hubby thought i had gone mad when it arrived but i just can't help it, im such a big kid :T Have you been before? I would recommend going to the rainforest cafe at down town disney if you have kids or are a big kid as its like sitting in a rainforest and the animals move every so often! Also if you like films etc.. planet hollywood at downtown disney and hard rock cafe at universal are musts! Not the cheapet places to eat at but i would suggest picking up coupon books as they have loads of discounts!

Birdie85

Oooh I'll order the info pack! I'm getting a little folder full of bus routes, menus etc in so I can add it to the ever increasing pile!

I've been 5 times before but the last visit was 6 years ago. OH has never been and I'm really looking forward to showing him why I love it so much! I'm also excited about eating in a lot of the Disney restaurants and having a nosey at the themed resorts since my parents weren't interested in taking us to those places when we were kids, think after a day in the parks they needed some time away from The Ears! We haven't got kids with us, just the 2 of us which is why we've got bus routes, we want to be able to have a drink and not worry about whose turn it is to drive, this will (hopefully) be our last no-kids holiday together for a long time so we plan on enjoying it!

I love the Rainforest Cafe and I want to have a look at T-Rex as that's new (to me!). OH will love Planet Hollywood and HRC so I'll definitely be on the lookout for coupons.

We're just a little disappointed that Lego Land is opening the week after we go home! Ah well, we'll just have to go back!

Mrs_Egg

I had no idea they were building a legoland! We leave on tuesday so no legoland for us either Although alots changed since the 2 years we were last there, there will still building harry potter land at universal so im mega excited about that :T

Its best to get buses as parking at disney and universal costs are a big supprise if youve not been before! If your on international drive the i-trolly runs up most of international drive for a few dollas and I think the lynx goes to the florida mall! Have a fantastic time!

chocolateteddy

YeovilFC wrote: »

We've just bought ours from FloridaTix- they're currently a bit more expensive on there (£223 for Disney, £87 for Universal), so I phoned up and they price matched for me. Ordered Friday, received via special delivery on Tuesday. Also they're the actual tickets, not a voucher. Plus at the mo they include a $10 Planet Hollywood voucher with any order aswell, and they're recommended on the Florida section of the main site which says they're an official UK distributor for Disney.

I just rang Florida tix and they said they wouldn't pricematch disney website tickets and also you have to exchange e-ticket at the ticket booth, the same with the universal ones- i'm confused - it doesn't take a lot
Although £3 difference isn't much and no credit card fee.Certainly better then the price quoted by Travel city direct, and when we went last time with virgin we had to exchange piece of paper for tickets and it didn't take long even though we had a trainee who double checked everything with lady sat next to her

auburnmama

hi all, I have never been to Disney before, an am looking to go with my OH and DD in August 2012.
I'd prefer to stay in a villa, and have looked at thomson and virgin - cost for both is about £4k for 2 weeks, including flights and park tickets. oh, and car hire.
Just wondered if anyone here knew of another way, a good travel company, etc. I'd be good to spend a little less than that. Did think about reducing the time to 7 or 10 days, but there's only about £100 difference?! plus, think if you go disney for the first time you';d need 2 weeks? we want to go to other parks etc too.
any advice would be super!
ta muchly,
A

gemnjordsnjades

Hi has anyone ever stayed at the econolodge on int drive? Seems to be good reviews on trip advisor. I found it on thomas cook website for under 350 for a room with 2 double beds plus there is a code on top of page for 40pound off wen booking! This seems like a good deal to me??!!
Also has anyone flown to orlando with american airways? Found flights for 2 adults 1 child and 1 infant for under 1,300! Its via chicago. Or for under 1400 direct with continental airlines. Any feedback please?? This is on The Globe Hunters site.
This is for going 23rd aug til 6th sept this summer. Also as this is our 1st time am I mad to not book a package? Any advice and info gratefully accepted.
Gemma

cosmica76

I think it´s a very interesting and inspirational thread.

Paddywack41

gemnjordsnjades wrote: »

Hi has anyone ever stayed at the econolodge on int drive? Seems to be good reviews on trip advisor. I found it on thomas cook website for under 350 for a room with 2 double beds plus there is a code on top of page for 40pound off wen booking! This seems like a good deal to me??!!
Also has anyone flown to orlando with american airways? Found flights for 2 adults 1 child and 1 infant for under 1,300! Its via chicago. Or for under 1400 direct with continental airlines. Any feedback please?? This is on The Globe Hunters site.
This is for going 23rd aug til 6th sept this summer. Also as this is our 1st time am I mad to not book a package? Any advice and info gratefully accepted.
Gemma

I think you are wise not to book a package..there are generally tremendous savings and benefits to be had booking things independently.

Have never stayed in the Econolodge on ID but have stayed at Quality Inn (Universal)...never again and La Quinta (Very Good). By booking seperately if you find the eccono is poor you can probably cancel the majority of you stay there and simply book in elsewhere...there is plenty to choose from.

AA and Continental are both good to fly with. Whether or not the additional savings of flying direct is worth it is entirely up to you...if it was just myself and my partner going we would generally book the cheapest route but if the kids are going then for at least direct is best.

Orlando International is the best to fly into especially if you are hiring a car. The road from International to your hotel is short and straightforward. Fromn sandford you will need to add probably another half hour and it can be a bit more confusing if it is your first time driving in the state. (Personally i always bring the SatNav even though we have been many times).

gemnjordsnjades

Paddywack41 wrote: »

I think you are wise not to book a package..there are generally tremendous savings and benefits to be had booking things independently.

Have never stayed in the Econolodge on ID but have stayed at Quality Inn (Universal)...never again and La Quinta (Very Good). By booking seperately if you find the eccono is poor you can probably cancel the majority of you stay there and simply book in elsewhere...there is plenty to choose from.

AA and Continental are both good to fly with. Whether or not the additional savings of flying direct is worth it is entirely up to you...if it was just myself and my partner going we would generally book the cheapest route but if the kids are going then for at least direct is best.

Orlando International is the best to fly into especially if you are hiring a car. The road from International to your hotel is short and straightforward. Fromn sandford you will need to add probably another half hour and it can be a bit more confusing if it is your first time driving in the state. (Personally i always bring the SatNav even though we have been many times).

Thanks for your reply. I am thinking the direct flight will be better also, especially as we will have an infant travelling with us. For 100pound extra its worth it. The savings are big compared to a package but what are the downsides? Ive booked a holiday in this way before to greece but im slightly nervous about planning such a big holiday in this way.
We wont be hiring a car as we are only planning on doing disney this time and hope to go again next year to do the other parks. Apparantly there is a bus you can get outside the hotel into the disney parks, does anyone know how much it costs? Can you buy a weekly or longer ticket for it?
Also Ive heard about tickets you can get so that kids eat free per adult meal purchased. Where do you get these and how much do they cost?