Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

blue_monkey_2

Last time we took the kids out of school we found out that the class has no teacher for a week and was left with teaching assistants and parent helpers.

Illness/holidays. Is there REALLY a difference. Some kids in my son's class have had 3-4 weeks off this year in illness as they are 'sicky' kids - yet mine have not had a single day off. Does it really make a difference that we have a week off to spend time together as a family?

All that will happen if the Government place this restriction on is that kids will be 'sick' for a fortnight instead. I could call today and say my son has got Scarlet Fever or something, they never ask for a sick note. Of course, we could just be honest.

My kids are being taken out for a week following half term and I have told the school why, they actually told me to lie and put on the letter that we had a family wedding to go to overseas. And this is at a church school. I said no, I was not comfortable with lying about it and I'll be telling the truth. We have a no holiday rule too - it's not going to make one iota of difference what the Government as unless they stop ALL reasons for absence. All it will encourage children and parents to do is lie about why they are going or that they are sick.

I could be visiting my parents 300 miles away and get struck down with vertigo and not be able to drive home for 10 days.......

nuttyp

We will be flyong out exctly 1 week after the kids go back to school in september, youngest will be starting 6th form too. I have to work my holidays around an office of 6 people. It doesnt really matter about a few days off school, mine have had to do so to get a holiday due to the increase in holiday prices. We work hard all year, do loads of overtime and use it to enjoy 2 weeks in the magical land of disney......

tori.k

tylerlewis wrote: »

I can completely understand everyone's point raised here but while the government refuse to do anything about the cost of holidays in the school holidays, then people taking their kids out of school will continue to happen. Surely this is what needs to be banned.
Plus not everyone can work their holidays around the school hols.

We're going with my parents this year and trying to find a time where we can all have the same time off has been a nightmare.

I personally feel that family holidays do alot for kids and my family and helps my son appriciate one of the reasons why I work so hard.

How can a goverment ban peak rate holidays? they have to make a profit to subsidise off peak times or a every hotel would go bust in months.

the goverment are missing a trick with staggering the school breaks more consistant work in tourist area's would mean more employment, consistant turnover reduce peak times (tho weather would have it's place ) and parents annual leave would be more availble so less children out of school, it's common sense but then common sense has no place in politic's

Idiophreak

blue_monkey wrote: »

Illness/holidays. Is there REALLY a difference. Some kids in my son's class have had 3-4 weeks off this year in illness as they are 'sicky' kids - yet mine have not had a single day off. Does it really make a difference that we have a week off to spend time together as a family?

There's no difference in the sense that it disrupts the child's formal education, you're right. But one's entirely avoidable and one is not.

Anyway, as tori pointed out, this isn't the place for this discussion. I was simply trying to encourage people to think about the reasons you're asked to take holidays out of term time in the first place.

I see day after day the amount of extra work my wife has to do to try and get children caught up following illness and unauthorised absenses. The idea that, whilst she spends her evening ploughing through planning and paperwork, people are sat enjoying time with their children going "well, it didn't hurt little Jonny at all to take him out of school" is just a little galling.

Sammy_Girl

Hello. Just dipping into this vast thread to see if there are any experiences (good and bad) of the Old Key West resort? We're DVC members and this is our first trip back to WDW since we purchased. Looking at the map, it looks like we are able to walk to Downtown Disney, is this right? Or do we need to take a shuttle? Many thanks.

Sammy_Girl

Also, we are looking at travelling in September this year and will have our then 18 month old DD with us. Any advice on longhaul flying with an 18 month old DD?? Do BA or Virgin do those infant type seats and are they guaranteed? Do these type of things need to be booked over the phone? Many thanks.

KarenG

Sammy_Girl wrote: »

Hello. Just dipping into this vast thread to see if there are any experiences (good and bad) of the Old Key West resort? We're DVC members and this is our first trip back to WDW since we purchased. Looking at the map, it looks like we are able to walk to Downtown Disney, is this right? Or do we need to take a shuttle? Many thanks.

Hi Sammy Girl,

Which resort did you purchase?

If you asked the question on many US forums, they would tell you that OKW to DTD is not walkable, but I wouldn't agree.

It's a walk of just over one mile, completely flat, and it goes along the golf course so it is a nice walk. There's very little shade, and you do have to watch out for the odd flying golf ball! It takes you past the edge of a different DVC resort, Saratoga Springs, so might be nice to have a nosey in case you want to stay there one day. I don't think the path is lit, and it is not recommended after dark. The end of the walk brings you down at West Side, near the big Cirque du Soleil building.

Alternatively there is a boat which goes from the main area of OKW (Hospitality House) to DTD every 20/30 minutes (I forget which).

Also, a bus goes, in the same way that buses go to all the main Disney theme parks. Sometimes the boat is stopped due to bad weather and you'd rely on the bus in that instance.

What I love about Old Key West:
Great tropical laid back atmosphere
Super main pool area and very nice quiet pools
Cute beach themed play park near the main pool
One bed villas are massive!
Balconies are nice and big, generally best to avoid ground (first) floor ones as they can be a bit obstructed due to foliage
I've always had good bus service here
A world away from the parks (can be a negative)
Can park outside your room
Quite spread out (can be a negative so consider your location - are you booked in one of the villas near Hospitality House)
Recently refurbished
Olivias is a nice, laid back, dining spot
Quick to get to offsite locations
Like using the back road to MK
The lovely Cast Members


What I dislike
Poor Quick Service Dining options
Very spread out which could bother some - I don't mind the walk

Really, you need Vivatifosi to see this, as she owns there and has loads of wisdom :T

I've only stayed once and am looking forward to eight nights this August. Sorry to say we didn't use our DVC points as it was far cheaper to book the room and get the free dining, and massive discounted room. Actually, that's sort of a negative for many owners at OKW and Saratoga, some of whom consider this sales approach has effectively devalued their DVC home.

KarenG

Sammy_Girl wrote: »

Also, we are looking at travelling in September this year and will have our then 18 month old DD with us. Any advice on longhaul flying with an 18 month old DD?? Do BA or Virgin do those infant type seats and are they guaranteed? Do these type of things need to be booked over the phone? Many thanks.

Has she got her own seat?

Monkeeboy

I am looking to stay in the Gulf Coast area (possibly Treasure Island / Clearwater area) for a few days in late August. I would like a two bed apartment style property if possible. Does anyone have any recent experience of good properties worth looking at. I have a max budget of £600 for three nights.

cheers:beer:

Sammy_Girl

KarenG wrote: »

Hi Sammy Girl,

Which resort did you purchase?

If you asked the question on many US forums, they would tell you that OKW to DTD is not walkable, but I wouldn't agree.

It's a walk of just over one mile, completely flat, and it goes along the golf course so it is a nice walk. There's very little shade, and you do have to watch out for the odd flying golf ball! It takes you past the edge of a different DVC resort, Saratoga Springs, so might be nice to have a nosey in case you want to stay there one day. I don't think the path is lit, and it is not recommended after dark. The end of the walk brings you down at West Side, near the big Cirque du Soleil building.

Alternatively there is a boat which goes from the main area of OKW (Hospitality House) to DTD every 20/30 minutes (I forget which).

Also, a bus goes, in the same way that buses go to all the main Disney theme parks. Sometimes the boat is stopped due to bad weather and you'd rely on the bus in that instance.

What I love about Old Key West:
Great tropical laid back atmosphere
Super main pool area and very nice quiet pools
Cute beach themed play park near the main pool
One bed villas are massive!
Balconies are nice and big, generally best to avoid ground (first) floor ones as they can be a bit obstructed due to foliage
I've always had good bus service here
A world away from the parks (can be a negative)
Can park outside your room
Quite spread out (can be a negative so consider your location - are you booked in one of the villas near Hospitality House)
Recently refurbished
Olivias is a nice, laid back, dining spot
Quick to get to offsite locations
Like using the back road to MK
The lovely Cast Members


What I dislike
Poor Quick Service Dining options
Very spread out which could bother some - I don't mind the walk

Really, you need Vivatifosi to see this, as she owns there and has loads of wisdom :T

I've only stayed once and am looking forward to eight nights this August. Sorry to say we didn't use our DVC points as it was far cheaper to book the room and get the free dining, and massive discounted room. Actually, that's sort of a negative for many owners at OKW and Saratoga, some of whom consider this sales approach has effectively devalued their DVC home.

Wow, that is great. Thanks so much

Our home resort is the Grand Californian in LA. We've stayed there once and it was fabulous! Had the best view from our room.

I haven't booked OKW yet, we're looking to go on the 3 Sep, so just waiting for the 6 month booking window to open up. We'd actually be looking for the 1 bed appt, so good to hear that they are big. Walking doesn't bother me or DH but we will have our DD and pushchair, so will need to factor that in. Athough tbh, I like to maximise my points, and bar Animal Kingdom (which is a bit too far away for my liking for my DD's age), OKW was the least amount of points for a 1 bed.

KarenG wrote: »

Has she got her own seat?

We haven't booked the flights yet. Waiting to get our accommodation sorted first. It's likely that we won't book her a seat, kinda hoping that the flight won't be full!!