Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

JustWonderful

amylouv wrote: »

My boyfriend and I came back from a 4 day trip to Disneyland Paris last week and as much as we love it there we'd quite like to go to WDW and a few other parks in Orlando.

My problem is that I am completely clueless as to where to begin looking and, being a 19 y/o on minimum wage I was wondering if it would be possible to do on a lower budget? We'd be wanting to go for 2 weeks flying from Newcastle (unsure of which time of year would be best) so any advice on where to begin would be much appreciated!

By no means an expert, but just put my two pennies in. I went to Orlando for a week with my brother back in 2008; we stayed in a hotel on International Drive and paid £184 for the week including breakfast! Okay, so the hotel was not the best, but it was clean, had a pool and was air conditioned.

Not sure if you can get those sort of deals in Disney itself, but at 19 years old, isn't Universal/SeaWorld/Wet n Wild the better parks?

Going to WDW myself next week, staying at Old Key West- anybody stayed there before? Has good reviews but we are worried about the lack of counter service meals, we stayed at Port Orleans last time and had so much choice!

Where is best to get some groceries? We were going to use Garden Grocer but it looks very expensive...We won't have a car.

maemaesmummy

get a bus or taxi to goodings, it's not as cheap as Walmart or publix but will be very close to your hotel in comparison without a car

babymoneyblagger

amylouv wrote: »

My boyfriend and I came back from a 4 day trip to Disneyland Paris last week and as much as we love it there we'd quite like to go to WDW and a few other parks in Orlando.

My problem is that I am completely clueless as to where to begin looking and, being a 19 y/o on minimum wage I was wondering if it would be possible to do on a lower budget? We'd be wanting to go for 2 weeks flying from Newcastle (unsure of which time of year would be best) so any advice on where to begin would be much appreciated!

Also check on age limits for rooms - some you have to be over 21 (not sure if bf is over 21 or not) - I read something somewhere about this it may have been for all girls sharing etc but just check for peace of mind if you are both under 21.

vivatifosi

JustWonderful wrote: »

Going to WDW myself next week, staying at Old Key West- anybody stayed there before? Has good reviews but we are worried about the lack of counter service meals, we stayed at Port Orleans last time and had so much choice!

Where is best to get some groceries? We were going to use Garden Grocer but it looks very expensive...We won't have a car.

We're members at Old Key West so will try and answer your questions. Feel free to PM me if there's anything else you want answered.

* Counter service meals: there is a lack of counter service meals at OKW but don't forget you have the ferry service to Downtown Disney and the options there. You can also get food snacks at Goods Food to Go and at the small cafe/bar at the Turtle Pond pool.

* If you don't have a car for groceries, I'd do as maemaesmummy suggests. You can get a boat to Downtown Disney and then walk the 1 mile along Hotel Plaza Blvd to Crossroads and get a shop in at Goodings, then just get a taxi back. You can also get groceries at the store at OKW, but they tend to be expensive.

Hope you have a lovely stay!

JustWonderful

vivatifosi wrote: »

We're members at Old Key West so will try and answer your questions. Feel free to PM me if there's anything else you want answered.

* Counter service meals: there is a lack of counter service meals at OKW but don't forget you have the ferry service to Downtown Disney and the options there. You can also get food snacks at Goods Food to Go and at the small cafe/bar at the Turtle Pond pool.

* If you don't have a car for groceries, I'd do as maemaesmummy suggests. You can get a boat to Downtown Disney and then walk the 1 mile along Hotel Plaza Blvd to Crossroads and get a shop in at Goodings, then just get a taxi back. You can also get groceries at the store at OKW, but they tend to be expensive.

Hope you have a lovely stay!

Thanks for this. Our main concern is counter service breakfasts, that is why we are going to get groceries though, so hopefully that problem will be solved.

Thanks for the tip about Goodings, it is me and my Dad doing that trip (the others are off to SeaWorld, somewhere we are really not keen on going to), so will be a good exploring trip.

Any others inside tips for OKW? Best villas etc? How are the pools?

KarenG

JustWonderful wrote: »

Thanks for this. Our main concern is counter service breakfasts, that is why we are going to get groceries though, so hopefully that problem will be solved.

Thanks for the tip about Goodings, it is me and my Dad doing that trip (the others are off to SeaWorld, somewhere we are really not keen on going to), so will be a good exploring trip.

Any others inside tips for OKW? Best villas etc? How are the pools?

Another option to get groceries could be to use a company that will do your shop for you (you choose what you want online) and deliver to your resort. I've never done this personally as we usually have a car, but if you google Garden Grocer that should take you there.

The selection for CS breakfast at OKW is, IMO, extremely poor. CS in general isn't great, but breakfast especially not! I definitely suggest cereal, Pop Tart, toast, fruit, yogurt in your room or just buy a snack in whatever park you are in. I'm guessing you are on the Dining Plan? In which case a breakfast CS at OKW is a real waste of a credit.

There are several quiet pools around the resort as well as the main feature pool which has a nice sandcastle slide, and a play area themed from oversized beach toys - its really cute. There is a larger version of a quiet pool in the Turtle Pond area which also has a snack bar and small play area (most quiet pools are just the pool and washing facilities, perhaps a BBQ also).

You should always ask for a room that is higher than the ground floor (called first floor in USA) because OKW can have overhanging foliage which makes the downstairs units dark. Try to avoid rooms that are on the side of Bonnet Creek Parkway as ou may experience road noise.

There are different areas each with their own pros and cons - near Hospitality House is your boat to Downtown Disney, main pool, CS, bar, TS, reception and concierge, shop etc. There is Millers Road which is the next closest to that area. Then there is the Turtle Pond area which has the larger quiet pool and is a nice location, but quieter, but still close to facilities. South Point was my least favourite as it was furthest away from the main area, but has a nice quiet pool and is closest for the walk to Downtown Disney via the gorgeous golf courses. Most people don't walk but it's only a mile and really pleasant. The path is a bit hidden but it is marked on maps if you fancied that.

We were at OKW last month and I really miss it - I love the theme and the laid back atmosphere.

JustWonderful

KarenG wrote: »

Another option to get groceries could be to use a company that will do your shop for you (you choose what you want online) and deliver to your resort. I've never done this personally as we usually have a car, but if you google Garden Grocer that should take you there.

The selection for CS breakfast at OKW is, IMO, extremely poor. CS in general isn't great, but breakfast especially not! I definitely suggest cereal, Pop Tart, toast, fruit, yogurt in your room or just buy a snack in whatever park you are in. I'm guessing you are on the Dining Plan? In which case a breakfast CS at OKW is a real waste of a credit.

There are several quiet pools around the resort as well as the main feature pool which has a nice sandcastle slide, and a play area themed from oversized beach toys - its really cute. There is a larger version of a quiet pool in the Turtle Pond area which also has a snack bar and small play area (most quiet pools are just the pool and washing facilities, perhaps a BBQ also).

You should always ask for a room that is higher than the ground floor (called first floor in USA) because OKW can have overhanging foliage which makes the downstairs units dark. Try to avoid rooms that are on the side of Bonnet Creek Parkway as ou may experience road noise.

There are different areas each with their own pros and cons - near Hospitality House is your boat to Downtown Disney, main pool, CS, bar, TS, reception and concierge, shop etc. There is Millers Road which is the next closest to that area. Then there is the Turtle Pond area which has the larger quiet pool and is a nice location, but quieter, but still close to facilities. South Point was my least favourite as it was furthest away from the main area, but has a nice quiet pool and is closest for the walk to Downtown Disney via the gorgeous golf courses. Most people don't walk but it's only a mile and really pleasant. The path is a bit hidden but it is marked on maps if you fancied that.

We were at OKW last month and I really miss it - I love the theme and the laid back atmosphere.

Thanks for all the info- we looked at using Garden Grocer but it just seemed very expensive. I think we will just go to the supermarket on day 2, having 2 breakfasts at OKW is probably the limit going on what you say, and what we have read elsewhere!!

I like the idea of the Turtle Pond area when it comes to which villa; I am travelling with my 6 year old sister, our parents and one set of grandparents, so it should be quieter as it is away from the main hubbub but not so far away that we are walking miles...is that about right?

Is Olivia's a nice restaurant? We have planned to go there once (you're right- we are on the DDP) but were slightly put off when we saw the picture of the restaurant!!

Thanks again :T

KarenG

JustWonderful wrote: »

Thanks for all the info- we looked at using Garden Grocer but it just seemed very expensive. I think we will just go to the supermarket on day 2, having 2 breakfasts at OKW is probably the limit going on what you say, and what we have read elsewhere!!

I like the idea of the Turtle Pond area when it comes to which villa; I am travelling with my 6 year old sister, our parents and one set of grandparents, so it should be quieter as it is away from the main hubbub but not so far away that we are walking miles...is that about right?

Is Olivia's a nice restaurant? We have planned to go there once (you're right- we are on the DDP) but were slightly put off when we saw the picture of the restaurant!!

Thanks again :T

We like Olivia's. It's a nice relaxed place, service usually great and the food is nice. We've had dinner twice and breakfast once and never been disappointed.

From memory, it took us about ten mins to get to the main area from Turtle Point (Vivatifosi will know, she's the font of knowledge for OKW :A ) on foot. You can always catch a bus if you're feeling lazy, but I think that could take just as long by the time it's wound around the resort.

I guess the GG call is one of pure convenience vs the hassle of the taxi. I suppose I'd be loathe to spend one of my first few days trekking to Goodingd and getting a taxi back, if it was my first trip - though visiting an American supermarket is fun in and of itself and if you've never done it, it's nice to to do!

HTH

JustWonderful

KarenG wrote: »

We like Olivia's. It's a nice relaxed place, service usually great and the food is nice. We've had dinner twice and breakfast once and never been disappointed.

From memory, it took us about ten mins to get to the main area from Turtle Point (Vivatifosi will know, she's the font of knowledge for OKW :A ) on foot. You can always catch a bus if you're feeling lazy, but I think that could take just as long by the time it's wound around the resort.

I guess the GG call is one of pure convenience vs the hassle of the taxi. I suppose I'd be loathe to spend one of my first few days trekking to Goodingd and getting a taxi back, if it was my first trip - though visiting an American supermarket is fun in and of itself and if you've never done it, it's nice to to do!

HTH

Hmm 10 minute walk might be a bit too much for grandparents...though the idea of having a villa right next to the main area doesn't overly appeal as i can imagine it is rather loud...

I love American supermarkets I have been to America loads and always love visiting them to stock up on all things American! The rest of the group will be up early to go to SeaWorld, so I figure my Dad and I can get to the supermarket and back by about 11 and then have the day to do what we want with...

chocolatepennyfarthing

Can anyone help with the following:

Looking for 10/14 days from end July 2013, one adult and one 15 year old. Woud like to do the parks that have the biggest/scariest rides (no idea which ones these are ).
Do we book independently or who is the best tour operator to use? What do we have to buy on top of any brochure price, not sure if any package deals include park passes at all.
Would not want to do any driving there so interested to hear how you get on if you do not have car hire.
Thanks - sure there is loads more I will think of.