Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

jodie7784

GemJar wrote: »

Just booked my first ever florida holiday, going with my oh on 21st feb- 6th march, paid for visa thingy, insurance, hotel and flights, came to around 1150 for that flying with Virgin from Manchester to Orlando International and staying on International Drive- Best Western. Although, we clicked best western we've had a confirmation through for EconoLodge?! Low cost holidays said they're looking into it and will call me back.

A few quick questions, does anybody know the cheapest place to book tickets from? We're thinking about 5 days at the disney parks (non hopper), 3 days at Universal/Sea World.

Also, does anybody know which would be the best card to use? I found Martin's guide a bit confusing, basically we wan't to take around £750 cash, £750 on a card, its a card we probably won't use much afterwards, will be withdrawing largeish amounts maybe 3/4 times during the stay and won't really be paying for things on in the shop. We also want to be able to have a second (spare) card in case we lose one and end up stuck, does anybody know if this is possible?

Finally, me and the bf are big foodies- if anybody has any good resteraunt suggestions then get in contact!

We took a thomsons money card, just load it with $ and you use it like a credit card. It's free to use in shops but charges $3 when using ATM however much you take out so not that bad if taking maximum.

You must try the outback steak house (the bottom of idrive) the cheesecake factory (near Macy's) and we loved UNOs steak house on idrive.

blue_monkey_2

jodie7784 wrote: »

We took a thomsons money card, just load it with $ and you use it like a credit card. It's free to use in shops but charges $3 when using ATM however much you take out so not that bad if taking maximum.

You must try the outback steak house (the bottom of idrive) the cheesecake factory (near Macy's) and we loved UNOs steak house on idrive.

Noticed that Virgin offer one of the currency cards now.

You can also get one at Tesco stores in the currency booth but (if you have one) you can use Tesco Credit Card for a 'cash advance' and get clubcard points at the same time.

It is called Travelex, you'll need ID to set the card up and you can have 2 cards on the same 'account'. You load money on and if you do not use it you can take the money back out when you get home. It costs $2 for getting cash out at an ATM and it is the best option we found. You buy currency at the store rate and you the money goes onto the card in $$, when you pay in $$ you obviously do not have a transaction charge or get charged a silly amount.

I also have the Santander Zero card as back up.

blue_monkey_2

Well, with 14 weeks to go thought I'd pop back in an update our travel plans - which seem to have changed quite a bit since we first booked. The time seems to have flown and we booked well over a year ago now. Scary where the time goes.

Now flying in Easter Sunday instead of going in June, and staying for 14 nights.

We found the flights for £1700 M&M so we changed our VH Fly Drive to an accomodation and ticket package instead.

Nights 1-5 we are staying in the new Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside on QSDP, they look amazing: http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Disneys-Port-Orleans-Riverside/News/17Jun2011-PHOTOS---A-look-inside-the-new-Port-Orleans-Riverside-%27Royal-Rooms%27.htm so no DVC for us this time as these were too amazing to miss. It was a toss up between these and the Pirate Rooms but hey, now we have another reason to go back.

Then we are staying at our timeshare resort for a week - we figured we was paying for it, we might as well use it, so it's a week in a town house at Encantada at Kissimmee.

Then we are staying the last 2 nights at BLT on DDP. We did this so we can just spend the last day at MK so having breakfast next door at Chef Mickey's with just a walk to and from the park instead of messing around with transport and Downtown Disney check in. We are going to get the Magical Express and check in at the airport this time and make the most of the last day.

So the time creeps ever closer and it's time to start planning again. Just need to work out our excursions now and also book the car, but these are all minor things really and can be done over the next few weeks. We have bought all of our theme park tickets as well and have saved a nice little pot of spending money so we are pretty much ready to go!!

KarenG

eye_spy wrote: »

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew where to get the cheapest flights to Orlando? We managed to get a hotel in a sale for a good price therefore just need to sort out the flights etc. Also how much is a 10 day ticket to the parks or all attractions?

Much appreciates

That could be a very high risk strategy! If you want to travel in August school holidays you are going to have to be patient and hope to pick up a flight bargain, which is not guaranteed in school summer holidays.

Personally I would never book a hotel before being sure of the flight costs (there are exceptions to this), because any potential savings on hotels could be wiped out by the flight costs. There are thousands of hotels in Orlando and you can normally pick up great accommodation deals.

What's your budget for flights? Is your hotel deal cancellable or can you move dates?

Best advice I can give is to sign up to Kayak alerts, be prepared to fly indirect, midweek ... And hope you get lucky. You're going to have a much better chance if you are planning on the last week of August, as the prices drop dramatically in line with the school term restarting.

KarenG

blue_monkey wrote: »

Nights 1-5 we are staying in the new Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside on QSDP, they look amazing: http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Disneys-Port-Orleans-Riverside/News/17Jun2011-PHOTOS---A-look-inside-the-new-Port-Orleans-Riverside-%27Royal-Rooms%27.htm so no DVC for us this time as these were too amazing to miss. It was a toss up between these and the Pirate Rooms but hey, now we have another reason to go back.

Lucky you :T These look amazing! I love POR anyway but these new rooms do look fab. Are they in the Parterre Place buildings? Have you stayed at POR before?

lolabugx

Hi, we are a family of 4 looking to go to Orlando for the first time. We have found some good flights and now want to build accommodation into it. NB we have not booked the flights yet.
Essentially we are absolutely bamboozled with the choice!
We are aware that there seems to be International DR which appears to be good for shopping, public transport links to the parks and also lively with a good choice of restaurants on your doorstep.
Then there is Kissammee which is good for Villa's
Also Lake Buena Vista?
Disney resort area (downtown)?
Universal Resort?

Can anyone fill in the gaps on areas as we are really not fussed about hotel or Villa accom. Not even sure if we will hire a car at this stage.
p.s. we will be travelling in 8 weeks time, so quite last minute.

Also we will be there for 10 days, and would like to incorporate Disney, Universal, Seaworld, Busch garden and wet and wild Oh and Harry Potter. Two boys aged 7 and 10. Do you think that we will capture the magic!

All seasoned Disney Orlando advice welcome.

aprilshower

Hi Everybody

Looking to go to Florida on 18th July 2012 for 2 adults and one child.

Had a look and can book flights with Virgin for £1998. Can anybody recommend any other places they have booked flights with.


Also can anybody recommend a good rental agent to book a villa as there seems to be so many and I really do not know the good from the bad.

Thanks in advance

Aprilshower

Ms-Money-Penny

aprilshower wrote: »

Hi Everybody

Looking to go to Florida on 18th July 2012 for 2 adults and one child.

Had a look and can book flights with Virgin for £1998. Can anybody recommend any other places they have booked flights with.


Also can anybody recommend a good rental agent to book a villa as there seems to be so many and I really do not know the good from the bad.

Thanks in advance

Aprilshower

You might want to take a look at The Dibb, very good website with lots of information

blue_monkey_2

KarenG wrote: »

Lucky you :T These look amazing! I love POR anyway but these new rooms do look fab. Are they in the Parterre Place buildings? Have you stayed at POR before?

Hi Karen, Good to see you - sorry I missed your post earlier. We have not stayed POR before but are really looking forward to it, it looks a nice relaxed resort with things to do and there was not a huge amount at OKW so we decided to change. I am not sure which one we will get, they do not start the refurb til next month with Oak Manor first, followed by Paterre Place. Not sure whether they will be full phase by the time we arrive so we have not even been able to choose our view as those rooms might not be done. Or we might be one of the very first people in - which would be amazing!!

The one thing I have found is that having been so many times I am in the place of 'will not bother with that, or that, or that' and it feels like we are going to be 'done' in such little time. Kind of strange feeling I have to admit.

blue_monkey_2

lolabugx wrote: »

Hi, we are a family of 4 looking to go to Orlando for the first time. We have found some good flights and now want to build accommodation into it. NB we have not booked the flights yet.
Essentially we are absolutely bamboozled with the choice!
We are aware that there seems to be International DR which appears to be good for shopping, public transport links to the parks and also lively with a good choice of restaurants on your doorstep.
Then there is Kissammee which is good for Villa's
Also Lake Buena Vista?
Disney resort area (downtown)?
Universal Resort?

Can anyone fill in the gaps on areas as we are really not fussed about hotel or Villa accom. Not even sure if we will hire a car at this stage.
p.s. we will be travelling in 8 weeks time, so quite last minute.

Also we will be there for 10 days, and would like to incorporate Disney, Universal, Seaworld, Busch garden and wet and wild Oh and Harry Potter. Two boys aged 7 and 10. Do you think that we will capture the magic!

All seasoned Disney Orlando advice welcome.

What is it you want from your holiday?
Do you want to hire a car? If you are in a villa then this is essential as there will be no PT.

Can I suggest that you do a week on site in Disney so you can do all of the parks on their transport system, and then a week near Universal so you are near all of that.

Your budget would be something that determines where you stay in Disney.

We found some nice apartments at http://www.thepointorlando.com/ This is pretty much on top of Universal, SeaWorld (free bus from there for BG), Wet & Wild, Aquatica, shopping, the i-ride trolley and bus links.

If you stay at Disney you can get a bus to/from the airport so it might be worth doing what we are doing. 4/5 nights Disney hotel, 7 nights in an apartment near Universal, 2/3 nights at Disney - this way you can get the free shuttle bus to and from the airport - called Disney's Magical Express, but this does need to be booked 24 hours before you need it (you can do it online). Then when at your apartment/condo/villa you will have a washer/drier can do your washing so you do not need to take so many clothes with you. When you leave one hotel you can check in early at the next one and leave your luggage at the next hotel and go off and do your day as usual, then go to your room later in the day when it is ready or just chill by the pool. You just get a cab between hotels.

If you are not going to have a car, these people offer tours with transport: http://floridadolphintours.com/packages

It is perfectly do-able without a car and this year will be the first time we ever have one.