Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

lala9 wrote: »

I'm off to Florida end July for 3 weeks, haven't booked my flights as yet, what do you think my chances are of flight prices coming down over the next few months, they are currently £800 ish :-(

I'd say unlikely - you never know though! Problem is, that's the school summer holidays. Did you miss out on the very cheap Delta flights? They were under £500 each.

RaFires

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to book a last minute trip to Orlando at the end of April/beginning of May. The prices are coming in around the same for hotels in Lake Buena Vista and I. Drive. Are there any major disadvantages/costs of either location? I've read a lot about both places, and know I. Drive is closer to parks and lots of eating places nearby etc. Planning to spend a couple of days at the park, and a couple driving around Florida.

Any help would be massively appreciated

jackieblack

RaFires wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to book a last minute trip to Orlando at the end of April/beginning of May. The prices are coming in around the same for hotels in Lake Buena Vista and I. Drive. Are there any major disadvantages/costs of either location? I've read a lot about both places, and know I. Drive is closer to parks and lots of eating places nearby etc. Planning to spend a couple of days at the park, and a couple driving around Florida.

Any help would be massively appreciated

Depends which park/s you're referring to (and which hotels TBH) and whether you'll have a car.

If focusing on Disney I'd do LBV, if Universal/Seaworld, maybe ID, although TBH I'd probably pick LBV over ID anyway.

RaFires

jackieblack wrote: »

Depends which park/s you're referring to (and which hotels TBH) and whether you'll have a car.

If focusing on Disney I'd do LBV, if Universal/Seaworld, maybe ID, although TBH I'd probably pick LBV over ID anyway.

Thanks for your response. Sorry, I was referring to the Universal Studios etc theme-parks, and yes we will have a car. We don't intend to go to Disney, just Universal/Seaworld. Sound like you highly recommend LBV however, are there good places to eat etc there? You don't feel like you are missing out being further away from Universal Citywalk etc if based at LBV?

KarenG

RaFires wrote: »

Thanks for your response. Sorry, I was referring to the Universal Studios etc theme-parks, and yes we will have a car. We don't intend to go to Disney, just Universal/Seaworld. Sound like you highly recommend LBV however, are there good places to eat etc there? You don't feel like you are missing out being further away from Universal Citywalk etc if based at LBV?

Like Jackie, I prefer LBV but it does depend on which end of I Drive you are looking at. It's quite touristy towards the north end, which is closest to Universal's parks. That might be perfectly fine for you though.

If you aren't taking a car, I'd go with I Drive, as you can use the trolley to get all the way up and down - its a very very long road, I want to say 13(??) miles long from Kissimmee.

jackieblack

RaFires wrote: »

Thanks for your response. Sorry, I was referring to the Universal Studios etc theme-parks, and yes we will have a car. We don't intend to go to Disney, just Universal/Seaworld. Sound like you highly recommend LBV however, are there good places to eat etc there? You don't feel like you are missing out being further away from Universal Citywalk etc if based at LBV?

Plenty of restaurants in the LBV area and, of course, if you have a car you're not limited only to those within walking distance anyway.

I've heard alot of reports recently from people who've found parts of I-Drive have become quite run down and dirty. I just think LBV is a nicer area generally although, if you're concentrating your time at Universal / Seaworld, LBV probably isn't going to be as convenient.
I guess it just depends if you'll be happy with the trade-off.

purplemusky

RaFires wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to book a last minute trip to Orlando at the end of April/beginning of May. The prices are coming in around the same for hotels in Lake Buena Vista and I. Drive. Are there any major disadvantages/costs of either location? I've read a lot about both places, and know I. Drive is closer to parks and lots of eating places nearby etc. Planning to spend a couple of days at the park, and a couple driving around Florida.

Any help would be massively appreciated

Another vote for the LBV area, it is much nicer and there are plenty of nice restaurants to eat at.

Like others have said depends on which end you want to be and if you are hiring a car, could not fault the LBV area though.

charlie2120

After years of Disney World being nothing more than a pipe dream we are finally in a position to make it a reality. (excited much!!) My kids are mostly grown up and next year will probably be our last chance to holiday all together so might as well make it a one to remember. So the research begins

There will be 4 adults and 1 child and we are planning on staying in Orlando for 3 weeks in July 2014, so we have plenty of time to save and organise. I will be getting a quote from a travel agent to get what is probably a top end price. But what Im thinking we will need to budget for is.

Flights
A villa
Car hire/insurance/fuel
Park tickets (probably annual passes to cover the 3 weeks???) Want to go to disney obviously. Bigguns will want to go go Busch gardens. Harry potter world is also a must see.
money for food/spends (was thinking around 3k, older kids will have their own spending money)

Is there anything I have missed? Any insights or organisational tips would be appreciated.

Buzby

Annual passes require proof of residency and a US social security number. Villas and car rental are easy to research and often cheaper than the package deals. Consider opting for an MPV like the 7 seater Dodge Caravan which is big enough but not too pricey.

TravellerTed

charlie2120 wrote: »

After years of Disney World being nothing more than a pipe dream we are finally in a position to make it a reality. (excited much!!) My kids are mostly grown up and next year will probably be our last chance to holiday all together so might as well make it a one to remember. So the research begins

There will be 4 adults and 1 child and we are planning on staying in Orlando for 3 weeks in July 2014, so we have plenty of time to save and organise. I will be getting a quote from a travel agent to get what is probably a top end price. But what Im thinking we will need to budget for is.

Flights
A villa
Car hire/insurance/fuel
Park tickets (probably annual passes to cover the 3 weeks???) Want to go to disney obviously. Bigguns will want to go go Busch gardens. Harry potter world is also a must see.
money for food/spends (was thinking around 3k, older kids will have their own spending money)

Is there anything I have missed? Any insights or organisational tips would be appreciated.

Have you thought about Kennedy Space Centre? If science is your thing then that should be on the list. One of the shuttles will be fully on display later this year. About £70 each gets you into all areas, plus lunch with a real, live astronaut! KSC is about 45 mins east of Orlando.
You can always leave the boys to do this whilst you go shopping!

Also consider a ride on a fan boat in one of the creeks. Probably get to see Aligators in the wild if you do this. About $250 should cover the family for 90 minutes ride.
Have fun!