Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

cord123

Hello everyone... I just wondered when disney holidays came out? I.E How far in advance can you book?

My husband and I are looking at going in 2014 ( I know its a long way but will take a lot of saving on our part!) We can use his uncles villa... we will be taking 4 children (hopefully! if the ttc pays off!) So by then we will have a 1,5,9 and 11 year old.....
just a couple of questions a) when are the best times to go and b) for 14 days how much will car hire be and how much can we expect to need for spending money.

I am sorry if this is basic stuff but even if you could point me to a website that could help - dont have a clue where to start!

CT19720

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice please.

We are going to disney for 2 weeks in early august and have just received my disney documents from Walt Disney Travel Company, in London who we booked through.

Can anyone confirm what time checking is at the Saratoga Springs hotel. Can't see it listed anywhere, but would I be right to think it was after 3pm? Can't seem to find a direct website for the SS Resort on the web to find out either.

Also as part of the deal we got a hotel for 7 nights staying at the Saratoga Springs resort, free dining package, and x 4 14 day disney passes. From the look of the voucher I have been sent it looks like we can't access the disney passes before we move into the hotel, as they will be issued on our door key. Does anyone know is this correct?

It says, 'if disney theme park tickets were included with your booking, your entitlement will be on your room key card and you will receive hard copy tickets when you enter a theme park'.

Trouble is we arrive in Orlando 3 days before we move into the disney hotel, and thought that we would get paper tickets to exchange at one of the theme park ticket offices so that we could use the passes before checking into the disney hotel. We also check out of the disney hotel, and then are in kissimmee for a final 3 days before flying home.

Does anyone know if we can access the park ticket before going into the hotel, and after we have checked out of the hotel, or have we been given a 14 day pass, but can only use it for 7 days, because that is all we are at the hotel for. I'd be gutted if this was the case.

Thanks in advance.

cjmumto2

CORD123


If you read this thread it will have all in the info you need, with regards to prices well know one knows what the economy will be like in 2014

princesslizzie

Hello all - I was wondering if someone could help. My sister, mum and I are going to Orlando for a few days in late Aug/Early sept and neither of them 'do' theme parks (sister is 27, I am 24). We both did Disney as kids and have done Paris too but I'd like to go again. Obviously it's changed a bit, I was thinking of Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom. I think I can just afford 1 day or 2. I might have a friend from Florida who will come with me, but I may have to go on my own

We are staying in the Buena Vista Palace

1. What are the best parks out of these 3? I like the 'sickly sweet' aspect of Disney but want to do some rides?
2. Where can I buy day tickets online? Or at least find out the cost! Can't see anything on the Disney website and the Orlando ticket site

Any help greatly received!

vivatifosi

CT19720 wrote: »

Can anyone confirm what time checking is at the Saratoga Springs hotel. Can't see it listed anywhere, but would I be right to think it was after 3pm? Can't seem to find a direct website for the SS Resort on the web to find out either.

Also as part of the deal we got a hotel for 7 nights staying at the Saratoga Springs resort, free dining package, and x 4 14 day disney passes. From the look of the voucher I have been sent it looks like we can't access the disney passes before we move into the hotel, as they will be issued on our door key. Does anyone know is this correct?

3pm check in and 11am check out is the norm at DVC resorts (I think Disney resorts too, but I tend only to stay at DVC as I'm a member). You can get there earlier and try to get a room, but most of the time they are ready at around 3.

Regarding the passes, your "Key to the World" room key has the pass put on it for the length of your stay, so you are right. How about using the other days to try say Kennedy Space Centre or Universal Studios or possibly even a trip to the beach?

sunshine_shell2000

Hope some of that helps. Coincidentally, I'm going to Orlando from 1st Sep 11 to 14th Sep 11 so I'll be there the same time as you![/QUOTE]



Thank you for all your help!!! Hope you have a wonderful time in Florida!!!!


I'm actually looking to stay a few days in a Universal hotel to get the perks, express pass and early entry however how much use would the express pass be early Septmeber?
Is it worth beating the queues or are the queues quiet enough for me to save money and booking a cheaper hotel?

ALI1973

CT19720 wrote: »

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice please.

We are going to disney for 2 weeks in early august and have just received my disney documents from Walt Disney Travel Company, in London who we booked through.

Can anyone confirm what time checking is at the Saratoga Springs hotel. Can't see it listed anywhere, but would I be right to think it was after 3pm? Can't seem to find a direct website for the SS Resort on the web to find out either.

Also as part of the deal we got a hotel for 7 nights staying at the Saratoga Springs resort, free dining package, and x 4 14 day disney passes. From the look of the voucher I have been sent it looks like we can't access the disney passes before we move into the hotel, as they will be issued on our door key. Does anyone know is this correct?

It says, 'if disney theme park tickets were included with your booking, your entitlement will be on your room key card and you will receive hard copy tickets when you enter a theme park'.

Trouble is we arrive in Orlando 3 days before we move into the disney hotel, and thought that we would get paper tickets to exchange at one of the theme park ticket offices so that we could use the passes before checking into the disney hotel. We also check out of the disney hotel, and then are in kissimmee for a final 3 days before flying home.

Does anyone know if we can access the park ticket before going into the hotel, and after we have checked out of the hotel, or have we been given a 14 day pass, but can only use it for 7 days, because that is all we are at the hotel for. I'd be gutted if this was the case.

Thanks in advance.

3pm was the time we were given for Old Key West last year. We had a week in OKW and a week in a private villa last year and were unsure which way round we were going to do it, when we enquired with the Disneyworld helpline they advised us that if we needed to activate our park tickets before check in at OKW we had to go to the Communication Centre in Downtown Disney with your booking info and they can issue your tickets early. Please remember though that they are only valid for 14 days from first use

Have a magical time

kompendium

nuttyp wrote: »

does anyone know what rides are being refurb in sept next year? tried looking on the dibb. any help greatly recieved.

When I first read your post I thought you said September this year and I was going to give you a list of all the attractions that will be closed. Then I realised you said next year - Disney does not announce ride closures that far in advance, though I would imagine it is likely you will see some disruption is Fantasyland of Magic Kingdom, since that area is being greatly improved over the next couple of years.

kompendium

Thank you for all your help!!! Hope you have a wonderful time in Florida!!!!


I'm actually looking to stay a few days in a Universal hotel to get the perks, express pass and early entry however how much use would the express pass be early Septmeber?
Is it worth beating the queues or are the queues quiet enough for me to save money and booking a cheaper hotel?

Personally I wouldn't choose to stay in the Universal hotel on the basis of getting express pass and early entry. The queues should not be too long in September so express pass probably wouldn't be a huge benefit. Similarly, you shouldn't need early entry because there's plenty of time in the day to see everything if you spend one day at each of the two parks - especially considering the queues shouldn't be too long. If you did use early entry you'd probably just find you'd burn out earlier in the evening and would spend the same amount of time in the parks anyway.

If I was you I'd consider the cost of staying in the Universal hotel and compare it to hotels outside of Universal. If it does turn out to be the best hotel to stay in then stay there anyway and just see the express pass and early entry as a nice perk rather than something that affects your decision to stay there.

Don't forget that you can get an express pass without staying in the hotel, but you do have to pay for them (unlike Disney's Fastpass system, which is free).

Hope that helps,
Tom.

kompendium

princesslizzie wrote: »

Hello all - I was wondering if someone could help. My sister, mum and I are going to Orlando for a few days in late Aug/Early sept and neither of them 'do' theme parks (sister is 27, I am 24). We both did Disney as kids and have done Paris too but I'd like to go again. Obviously it's changed a bit, I was thinking of Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom. I think I can just afford 1 day or 2. I might have a friend from Florida who will come with me, but I may have to go on my own

We are staying in the Buena Vista Palace

1. What are the best parks out of these 3? I like the 'sickly sweet' aspect of Disney but want to do some rides?
2. Where can I buy day tickets online? Or at least find out the cost! Can't see anything on the Disney website and the Orlando ticket site

Any help greatly received!

I'm not a big theme park fan, but I love Disney World, so even if they don't 'do' theme parks they will probably enjoy Disney, just because it's such an amazing experience and not all about big rides. It's the theming that makes Disney's rides unique.

To answer your questions:

1. If I had to choose two Disney World parks I would choose Magic Kingdom and Epcot. But out of the two you said I would choose Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom is good but there's not as much to do there and it's all about the animals really.

2. I buy tickets from attractionticketsdirect.com, although you might find it difficult to get 1 day tickets, don't know if they even exist in the UK. 5 day is usually the minimum. You would be able to pay on the gate but that would be more expensive than buying in advance. Generally, the more days you buy, the cheaper the tickets are per day.

Hope that helps,
Tom.