Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

jeanniebeanie_2

rossireps wrote: »

hi
im going to orlando in november first time anywhere on my own so if anyone can advise id be so grateful
going for a week and have sorted hotel,flight,transfers and park ticket.
im on a really tight budget so if anyone can help with food spending money tips id be really grateful. i may only be able to take about 400 with me but will mainly be on roller costers lol
thankyou

Mousesavers

http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-meal-snack-drink-discounts-coupons/

has some useful moneysaving tips and guides to best value. One of my favourites is that all counter service restaurants in Disney will give you a free cup of iced water if asked. Bottled water is expensive in the parks, it's cumbersome to carry your own (and hard to keep cool) and not everyone likes to use water fountains.

ETA It is far cheaper to eat your main meal at lunchtime at the park table service restaurants and most people with normal sized appetites don't get value out of all you can eat buffets (in the parks). if you are not terribly hungry, don't be afraid to order a child's meal at a counter service restaurant or just an appetiser in a table service. If you are going early November, the Food and Wine Festival will be on in Epcot (until 11th) where countries have low priced taster booths and you can 'eat and drink your way around the World' for a song!

For one person for one week, after tickets, your budget sounds pretty healthy to me unless you intend bringing loads back!

Nan63

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

If you are going early November, the Food and Wine Festival will be on in Epcot (until 11th) where countries have low priced taster booths and you can 'eat and drink your way around the World' for a song!

For one person for one week, after tickets, your budget sounds pretty healthy to me unless you intend bringing loads back!

Oh I love going for the Food and Wine Festival! Nothing nicer than wandering round 'Mexico' with a margherita in one hand and a tasty snack in the other! The last few times we have gone we've used the snack tokens from the Dining Plan, fantastic value especially if the Dining Plan was free!

Now keep the noise down please, I'm just off to have a little daydream about sitting in the sun with said margherita and snack! :rotfl:

rossireps

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Mousesavers

http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-meal-snack-drink-discounts-coupons/

has some useful moneysaving tips and guides to best value. One of my favourites is that all counter service restaurants in Disney will give you a free cup of iced water if asked. Bottled water is expensive in the parks, it's cumbersome to carry your own (and hard to keep cool) and not everyone likes to use water fountains.

ETA It is far cheaper to eat your main meal at lunchtime at the park table service restaurants and most people with normal sized appetites don't get value out of all you can eat buffets (in the parks). if you are not terribly hungry, don't be afraid to order a child's meal at a counter service restaurant or just an appetiser in a table service. If you are going early November, the Food and Wine Festival will be on in Epcot (until 11th) where countries have low priced taster booths and you can 'eat and drink your way around the World' for a song!

For one person for one week, after tickets, your budget sounds pretty healthy to me unless you intend bringing loads back!

thanks very much
nope im not gonna bring much back so its just food and any little extras

jeanniebeanie_2

Nan63 wrote: »

Oh I love going for the Food and Wine Festival! Nothing nicer than wandering round 'Mexico' with a margherita in one hand and a tasty snack in the other! :

I love La Cava del Tequila

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2009/08/new_la_cava_del_tequila_serves.html (for Rossireps)

followed by the Tacos de Carne with Pico de Gallo from La Hacienda

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/09/la_hacienda_de_san_angel_la_ca.html when the food festival isn't on.

I will be in Florida in 3 weeks, but not the parks this trip. Looking forward to some fresh Gulf Coast Seafood! Yum! :T :beer:

rossireps

i go on the 12th nov,lol

toadhall

we have finally booked for next August (2014), 3 nights in Orlando Rosen Inn, 7 nights cruise then 4 nights back in Orlando, really excited
Thank you for all the advice and I will be dipping in and out for the next year and a half.

ijrussell

We have decided that as next year the kids will be old enough to fully enjoy Florida that we will make what will probably be our one and only trip so want to make it a good one, so have some questions for the helpful people on here if I may:

1. We are thinking of going with Virgin Holidays. Wise? We want a package for ease. How soon should we book for August 2014?

2. Park passes (2 weeks). Buy them here online or when we get there? What are the best websites if we get them online?

3. My son has cerebral palsy and while not bad enough to require a chair or frame he does struggle to stand for long periods. Do the parks provide support for this like timed entry into rides so he doesn't have to stand in line for long periods?

Thank you!

vivatifosi

ijrussell wrote: »

3. My son has cerebral palsy and while not bad enough to require a chair or frame he does struggle to stand for long periods. Do the parks provide support for this like timed entry into rides so he doesn't have to stand in line for long periods?

Disneyworld has a scheme called the Guest Assistance Card that you pick up when you get to the parks and it helps you shorten the lines. It may be ideal for your son. Here's a bit of info:

http://www.orlandoinformer.com/2012/walt-disney-world-guest-assistance-card/

Disney also has booklets for guests with disabilities that cover each of their theme parks. You'll be able to get these from guest services on entry or possibly from the concierge at your hotel.

Lines in the park are shorter first thing in the morning. At Epcot and the Magic Kingdom there are walls your son will be able to sit on prior to park opening if you cannot get in straight away (I truly don't know how Disney handle this, only that you can get a pass once in, but it will help on any day to get there before opening).

It's probably also worth searching the big Disney forums such as the DISboards, Dibb, etc, as there are bound to be people with family members with CP who can answer questions based on personal experience.

Snowy389

We have a teenage son with special needs and have used the guest assistance cards at Disney on previous visits. They have made our holidays so much more enjoyable. Disney issue your family a card which allows much quicker entrances to most rides or in some cases special discreet entrances to different rides - it is similar to a fast pass although not exactly the same. Disney staff couldn't be more helpful. You show the pass at the entrance to each ride and then the Disney staff direct you to the appropriate way in. You should take a letter from your doctor / health visitor which explains the condition to the customer service desk at any of the parks and the pass is issued for the duration of your stay.

ijrussell wrote: »

We have decided that as next year the kids will be old enough to fully enjoy Florida that we will make what will probably be our one and only trip so want to make it a good one, so have some questions for the helpful people on here if I may:

1. We are thinking of going with Virgin Holidays. Wise? We want a package for ease. How soon should we book for August 2014?

2. Park passes (2 weeks). Buy them here online or when we get there? What are the best websites if we get them online?

3. My son has cerebral palsy and while not bad enough to require a chair or frame he does struggle to stand for long periods. Do the parks provide support for this like timed entry into rides so he doesn't have to stand in line for long periods?

Thank you!

trello

Hi

I am looking at going to Florida in September and have a few questions-if anyone can help me :beer:

I have found the Loews Royal Pacific for £608 for 7 nights but the website says it doesn't include resort fees and local city taxes but includes hotel fees and taxes-is this a good price and does anyone know how much the extra fees are?

Has anyone used any websites to book a DIY cruise from Orlando that they wouldn't mind sharing?

Many thanks:j