Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

KiaMolyneux wrote: »

Guys, when staying in Kissimmee Orlando - is it best to rent a car? We are hoping to go to around the parks (Disney, Orlando, SeaWorld) and wondering if it would be cheaper than taxis? I don't really want to take my chances on the shuttle buses as I haven't heard great things about them.

From Kissimmee, yes I would definitely rent a car. There are a few places you can stay in the Orlando area that are well geared up to people not driving, but I would not call Kissimmee one of them. The shuttles generally run on a schedule that won't suit yours

izzitme

KiaMolyneux wrote: »

Guys, when staying in Kissimmee Orlando - is it best to rent a car? We are hoping to go to around the parks (Disney, Orlando, SeaWorld) and wondering if it would be cheaper than taxis? I don't really want to take my chances on the shuttle buses as I haven't heard great things about them.

Whereabouts in Kissimmee are you staying? If you are in a villa then you WILL need a car as there is no buses that serve the villa communities.

If you are staying at a hotel then there may be shuttle buses available but you will be tied in to the times that they run. With a car you will have the freedom to come & go as it suits you & also get to & from the malls with your shopping.

HTH

Oops beaten to it by KarenG

meer53

millyfrancrisp wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion Phoolgrrrl, but she's already done a dolphin swim.

Meer53 - Florida Dolphin Tours has some great days out thanks & I like the look of the character breakfast with the limo pick up.

We really enjoyed the Limo/meal with Mickey. The Limo picked us up from our villa at West Haven about 3pm, took us to Downtown Disney and dropped us off for 2 hours shopping. We were then picked up again and taken to Contemporary Resort to Chef Mickeys for tea. All you can eat buffet. All the characters came round and interacted with every child there, our kids were amazed ! After tea we were picked up again and taken home. There was bubbly in the limo (alcohol free for the kids !) and the bonus for you would probably be that you would all fit in the Limo ! When we went, the dollar rate was quite good, we paid about £80 each, it was worth every penny ! You also get a group souvenir photograph to keep.

maemaesmummy

JF77 wrote: »

My daughter will be 8 when we go and I have no intention of taking a buggy. I can just imagine her reaction if I tried to put her in one lol, she would think I had gone crazy, having not been in one since age 2. Does he have a medical condition as he may need one then?

My kiddies are 4 and 6 haven't used a buggy in WDW since DS was 2 lol..managed fine last month even in 100 degrees.

HappyChappy_2

ARGHH!

going to florida next week to get married and just found out my brother did not confirm the dates with his work so now have a £500 flight leaving next thursday and can't do anything with it. everyone else has booked their flights and too late for a refund, only £50 to change names but too short notice for anyone else to get time off work! sob sob sob

but the good news is we are still going to florida next week! so excited.

cuffie

I have looked through a lot of threads, and spoken to a few friends too and I am just getting so confused!!!! We are planningn our first trip to Florida for 2 weeks at Easter. Have booked flights and car hire. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, then 3 kids-14,13 (birthday whilst we are there), 9).

I apologise in advance - I am sure a lot of what I am going to ask has already been answered, but I am getting myself in a bit of a tizz!!

Firstly, I want to book Discovery Cove - I notice the tickets come with Seaworld. Which is fine. We want to do both. Then there is another package where you can tag on Busch Gardens and Aquatica. A couple of friends said Aquatica is rubbish, and don't bother wasting time there....esp as we have 2 teenage boys who love water parks - they say Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach miles better. But I notice some on here say it is fantastic and worth doing. Some say BG worth doing because of the roller coasters. Others say don't bother because it's further away and there are plenty of roller coaster rides elsewhere. So, just wondered, in your expert opinions, is it worth paying the extra on the upgraded tickets for BG and Aquatica too?

Secondly - how on earth do you work out what ticket packages are best???! Blimey - I have a headache!!! I have written down all the parks we would like to go to. Def want to do Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. WDW - all those parks. Universal and IofA. Would think about Kennedy Space Centre if we had time. And umming and ahhing about Busch Gardens. I def want to hop between parks.

One friend has said do separate DC/Seaworld (add on the BG and Aquatica upgrade if we decide we want to do that). She said 4 days at WDW enough (you can get 5 days for price of 4??). Then Universal and IofA she said get 2 day pass. But I see there are base tickets, hopper tickets, premium tickets, ultimate tickets, flex tickets.....what am I looking for?! Another friend bought DC tickets over here, and then all other park tickets he got when he was out there. I'm not sure I want to do that - I think I'd rather have it all booked before we go?? Will it be cheaper that way? I see some packages are only available if you buy in the UK?

Finally - will be looking at villa hire shortly and will check out the advice on these threads. Friends of ours have used homeaway.com and they seem ok. Some seem to say don't hire villas on International Drive?? Is Kissimee the best location? Another friend says Southern Dunes good. They all seem much the same - is there a location better than the others do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help. I want to make it special, esp as it is middle son's 13th birthday out there. But I have a headache thinking about it all. I'm sure it will all fall into place when we are there......(I hope!!)

xx

disney_cjd

Hiya

Firstly you are going for two weeks so in essence thats 12 days. Think about that and work out what to do for 12 days and remember you might need a few rest days as its a holiday after all.

Every one has an opinion and trust me they do! But you know your kids and what they will like. Yes I agree (here is an opinion) the Disney water parks are better but if they like them, why not do Aquatica also.

Teenage boys means coasters which means BG so yes go. Its only an 1hr 40 mins and you can even get a very cheap shuttle there.

As for tickets, LOADS of options BUT before your start shopping look again at your 12 days and do not buy too much days at parks.

They will love Universal so thats 2 days gone plus some of disney.... all adds up.

Villa locations, some time agao I post a map. Remember I Drive has two ends. Nice one and one not so so just be careful. Again depends on what you want to do with your time as there are other areas you could consider. Or even a suite hotel like the Vistana Villages (nice end of i drove) that could be perfect for you!

have fun planning!
C

cuffie wrote: »

I have looked through a lot of threads, and spoken to a few friends too and I am just getting so confused!!!! We are planningn our first trip to Florida for 2 weeks at Easter. Have booked flights and car hire. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, then 3 kids-14,13 (birthday whilst we are there), 9).

I apologise in advance - I am sure a lot of what I am going to ask has already been answered, but I am getting myself in a bit of a tizz!!

Firstly, I want to book Discovery Cove - I notice the tickets come with Seaworld. Which is fine. We want to do both. Then there is another package where you can tag on Busch Gardens and Aquatica. A couple of friends said Aquatica is rubbish, and don't bother wasting time there....esp as we have 2 teenage boys who love water parks - they say Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach miles better. But I notice some on here say it is fantastic and worth doing. Some say BG worth doing because of the roller coasters. Others say don't bother because it's further away and there are plenty of roller coaster rides elsewhere. So, just wondered, in your expert opinions, is it worth paying the extra on the upgraded tickets for BG and Aquatica too?

Secondly - how on earth do you work out what ticket packages are best???! Blimey - I have a headache!!! I have written down all the parks we would like to go to. Def want to do Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. WDW - all those parks. Universal and IofA. Would think about Kennedy Space Centre if we had time. And umming and ahhing about Busch Gardens. I def want to hop between parks.

One friend has said do separate DC/Seaworld (add on the BG and Aquatica upgrade if we decide we want to do that). She said 4 days at WDW enough (you can get 5 days for price of 4??). Then Universal and IofA she said get 2 day pass. But I see there are base tickets, hopper tickets, premium tickets, ultimate tickets, flex tickets.....what am I looking for?! Another friend bought DC tickets over here, and then all other park tickets he got when he was out there. I'm not sure I want to do that - I think I'd rather have it all booked before we go?? Will it be cheaper that way? I see some packages are only available if you buy in the UK?

Finally - will be looking at villa hire shortly and will check out the advice on these threads. Friends of ours have used homeaway.com and they seem ok. Some seem to say don't hire villas on International Drive?? Is Kissimee the best location? Another friend says Southern Dunes good. They all seem much the same - is there a location better than the others do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help. I want to make it special, esp as it is middle son's 13th birthday out there. But I have a headache thinking about it all. I'm sure it will all fall into place when we are there......(I hope!!)

xx

maemaesmummy

Have to say we have just visited Busch Gardens (August) and it was our 8th trip in 5 years to Orlando...never had enough time before....we loved it so quiet compared to the Disney parks and US/IOA. We actually went 3 times it took us just over 1 hour from our villa on the 27. We enjoyed it so much we have opted for Annual Passes to BG and SW and are back off to Orlando in 12 weeks!

blue_monkey_2

millyfrancrisp wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion Phoolgrrrl, but she's already done a dolphin swim.

Meer53 - Florida Dolphin Tours has some great days out thanks & I like the look of the character breakfast with the limo pick up.

Hot air balloon ride? http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt

Helicopter tour: http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt

Blue man group?

More to do here: http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tshw 12% back with Quidco too.

steve2584

Hi, Im looking to fly out to Orlando at the end of October and the flight that I am looking at has a connection in Washington of 1hour 20 mins. I am just wondering if this is enough time to clear imigration and get my bag rechecked in and onto to my connecting flight in time?