Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

meer53 wrote: »

We're off in July for 2 weeks (2 adults and 2 kids - 13 and 15) we got our park tickets from Florida Escapes. 14 Day Disney Ultimate ticket is £252 each and 14 day Universal 2 park ticket is £102 each. We're giving Seaworld a miss this year as done it a lot previously but would recommend it if you've not been before. Doing every park in 2 weeks is very tiring, (August is unbelievably hot and humid, plus you get downpours most days which affect some of the rides if there's a storm) you could cut costs by deciding which parks are a must for you and just buying those.

Totally agree :T

Another option could be to buy Disney's Magic Your Way tickets which would give you X days of entry rather than 14. It can be cheaper if you decide that (say) 5 Disney days are enough for you.

JodieG2011

Thanks for all the tips so far after looking into the parks a little more, we think Disney and Seaworld are definite for us, which costs £341 on floridatix instead. What are your opinions on skipping Universal studios?

meer53

JodieG2011 wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips so far after looking into the parks a little more, we think Disney and Seaworld are definite for us, which costs £341 on floridatix instead. What are your opinions on skipping Universal studios?

For me, i wouldn't skip Universal, we love both Universal parks. Your brother will love it, more of a "boys" park really, have a look at the rides there, a lot are indoor simulator type rides, plus Harry Potter is now at Universal. We're big Disney fans but we have 2 girls so Disney a must for us. Don't think i could go and not go to Universal ! This will be our 5th visit, there's always something new to see.

JodieG2011

meer53 wrote: »

For me, i wouldn't skip Universal, we love both Universal parks. Your brother will love it, more of a "boys" park really, have a look at the rides there, a lot are indoor simulator type rides, plus Harry Potter is now at Universal. We're big Disney fans but we have 2 girls so Disney a must for us. Don't think i could go and not go to Universal ! This will be our 5th visit, there's always something new to see.

Thanks very much I do think my brother would enjoy Universal particularly, I think I would too as well. It's so difficult deciding what to do, whether it's within our budgets. We would love to see it all, especially as if we were to go it would be the only time we would go as a family.

meer53

JodieG2011 wrote: »

Thanks very much I do think my brother would enjoy Universal particularly, I think I would too as well. It's so difficult deciding what to do, whether it's within our budgets. We would love to see it all, especially as if we were to go it would be the only time we would go as a family.

I really look forward to visiting Universal. CityWalk is really good, the shops are all independent, at Disney all you get is Disney ! The restaurants are good too. You can feel a bit brainwashed after a few days with Mickey and his pals. It's lovely though and we wouldn't miss it

We always make sure we go to :
Magic Kingdom, the fireworks are spectacular
Epcot, a good full day and evening there
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom, having a baby Giraffe less than 12 inches from your face is something my kids still talk about !
Downtown Disney on an evening for food and live entertainment
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and Citywalk

Done Busch Gardens but wouldn't want to go back, Seaworld for the Dolphins and Shamu show. That has changed since we last went though as one of the trainers was drowned by one of the whales, so as far as i'm aware, the trainers don't get in the pool with them any more, still worth seeing though i suppose. They used to serve free beer too but that has now stopped, shame ! Kennedy Space Centre is worth a visit but quite a way from the parks, about an hour and a half drive, we always hire a car though.

Google all the parks and make a list of what you really want to do, Orlando is all about planning to make the most of your time there. The parks are huge, one of the tram drivers at Magic Kingdom once told us that the Disney parks cover an area the same size as Manchester ! (You park your car, take a tram to the Transportation Centre then get either the Steamboat or the Monorail into Magic Kingdom, you can't just park your car and walk straight in !)

Hope you do go, you really will have a good time

KarenG

I would choose Universal over Seaworld, any day of the week - but we are all different!

What most excites you - scary rides? Immersive rides? Shows? Animal interaction?

meer53

KarenG wrote: »

I would choose Universal over Seaworld, any day of the week - but we are all different!

What most excites you - scary rides? Immersive rides? Shows? Animal interaction?

Me too !

swingaloo

Its a long time since I went to Florida, the last time was 10 years ago and that was just an adult holiday so Im out of touch with prices etc.

I have never booked a package, always flight and car and found hotels once there apart from the first night.

I now want very much to take my niece and nephew who will be 10 and 12 years old next year before they are too old (I know you never are but I want them to experience it as children).

Ive done loads of research and emailed some villa owners for prices. Flights I cant price yet as I dont want to go till Aug 2014.

I was just wondering if someone who has been perhaps July- August last year (2 adult, 2 children) could give me a rough ballmark figure as to how much they needed to take 2 weeks there. I would want to do about 5 of the parks and have a hire car. Don't want to stay in prestige accommodation just a comfortable standard and either self cater or eat in the Denny type places.

Has anyone been in the last 12 months on a comparable holiday. including flights, accomodation, car, theme parks and eating (plus all the little extras- car parking, drinks, souvenirs etc) just roughly what did you spend?

I don't want to get them exited and then think its not possible:o

KarenG

swingaloo wrote: »

Its a long time since I went to Florida, the last time was 10 years ago and that was just an adult holiday so Im out of touch with prices etc.

I have never booked a package, always flight and car and found hotels once there apart from the first night.

I now want very much to take my niece and nephew who will be 10 and 12 years old next year before they are too old (I know you never are but I want them to experience it as children).

Ive done loads of research and emailed some villa owners for prices. Flights I cant price yet as I dont want to go till Aug 2014.

I was just wondering if someone who has been perhaps July- August last year (2 adult, 2 children) could give me a rough ballmark figure as to how much they needed to take 2 weeks there. I would want to do about 5 of the parks and have a hire car. Don't want to stay in prestige accommodation just a comfortable standard and either self cater or eat in the Denny type places.

Has anyone been in the last 12 months on a comparable holiday. including flights, accomodation, car, theme parks and eating (plus all the little extras- car parking, drinks, souvenirs etc) just roughly what did you spend?

I don't want to get them exited and then think its not possible:o

Are you happy to fly indirect, midweek? Be flexible with dates? Be ready to book as soon as a cheap flight pops up? If yes see my post of only a couple of days ago and others which gives you specifics. Any further questions, please ask.

What budget do you have in mind?

If you want to fly direct the Virgin flights at the moment (fly drive) are coming out at well over £1k per person. Many people will be happy to pay that. I wouldn't.

meer53

swingaloo wrote: »

Its a long time since I went to Florida, the last time was 10 years ago and that was just an adult holiday so Im out of touch with prices etc.

I have never booked a package, always flight and car and found hotels once there apart from the first night.

I now want very much to take my niece and nephew who will be 10 and 12 years old next year before they are too old (I know you never are but I want them to experience it as children).

Ive done loads of research and emailed some villa owners for prices. Flights I cant price yet as I dont want to go till Aug 2014.

I was just wondering if someone who has been perhaps July- August last year (2 adult, 2 children) could give me a rough ballmark figure as to how much they needed to take 2 weeks there. I would want to do about 5 of the parks and have a hire car. Don't want to stay in prestige accommodation just a comfortable standard and either self cater or eat in the Denny type places.

Has anyone been in the last 12 months on a comparable holiday. including flights, accomodation, car, theme parks and eating (plus all the little extras- car parking, drinks, souvenirs etc) just roughly what did you spend?

I don't want to get them exited and then think its not possible:o

We're going this July (school holidays) 2 adults and 2 children aged 13 and 15 so similar to yours as they'll be charged adult prices.

Virgin flights, car and villa for 2 weeks, £4820.
Disney and Universal 14 day tickets total £1412 for 4.
I'd take about £1500 spending money to cover food and souvenirs etc.

The villa is at West Haven, we've been there before and liked it.

We booked last July. If we were booking now, the flights alone would be over £6k so book early if you want school holidays and direct flights !