Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

jackieblack

jaffacat wrote: »

Hi
I did check virgin site to see how much flights are and they are nearly as expensive as the holiday. Are there other ways to do it DIY ? Thanks Lisa

Does it have to be Virgin flights?
If you give us a bit more information (dates, departure airport, accommodation, does it include a car?) someone may be able to suggest some options.
If not, you'll be reassured that you've found the best deal.

pelirocco

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

Please help, its so confusing...

We (husband and I) have booked Orlando for Easter. Have 3 daughters (15, 13, 12) and wanted to do the parks. We wanted also to do everglades and Kennedy space centre. Main "to do" on kids list is Harry Potter, I fancy Busch Gardens and Aquatica. I have been trying to buy a bit at a time, so this months "money" is the park tickets. Have seen the orlando flex ticket plus on Floridatix at £1,089. Is this my best option please?
Have never been before.. decided to go for it as the ages of the girls makes me think need to do now or never. Really excited.

Next month will be car hire (Airport is stanford) so any suggestions there would also be gratefully received.
Was thinking of trying to upgrade my TomTom to use in America, would this work please?

You can pick up a sat nav pretty cheaply in Walmart over there , not sure what an upgrade costs but we bought a Garmin from there a couple of weeks ago for around $60

The everglades is a bit of a hike from Orlando, and you see more wildlife in the 'dry season' ..which is now , not sure what easter will be like . We were tripping over alligators last week lol

vivatifosi

Quick update for anyone travelling to Disney in the coming weeks. Fast-pass machines have now been withdrawn from the parks and the queues can be dreadful.

If you are staying at a Disney resort make sure you get your Fastpass + allocations sorted, preferably before leaving home.

If you are staying off property, check out options asap on arrival so you don't miss out. FP+ lines just get longer and longer through the day.

More than ever, stick to the golden rule... the earlier you get to the theme parks, the more you get to ride with light queues as the parks fill, so get there before they open.

Update... Hollywood Studios went live today. It actually wasn't too bad. Lots of additional people in the parks with IPads, short lines for FP+. There is hope for the MK yet. EPCOT due to change this Thurs.


Here's an article for further reading 're pros and cons..
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201401/3852/

BournemouthHan

Hi everyone,

Me and the other half are off to orlando in May for 14 days. Just wanted to ask a few questions if anyone knows the answers.

1. Are the 14 day ultimate passes plastic or paper? (Random I know, but I wanted to know if they got wet on a ride, if they would disintegrate like at Alton towers/Thorpe park!)

2. Do they include any rights to use fastpass or is the only way to get fastpass access to upgrade our tickets?

3. We are taking about $2500 for the whole time. Everything apart from food and souvenirs (and petrol top ups!) is included in the holiday price so does this sound about enough?

Thanks in advance

vivatifosi

Quick answers to your questions...

1. I don't know,but Disney customer svs is really good, so if for any reason it did disintegrate, I'd take it to the booth and ask for a replacement saying it isn't up to the task... though I have to ask, what on earth did you do to your Alton Towers pass?

2. No payment. If you are staying at Disney, you can start planning Fastpass + experiences 90 days out. If not, you can book when you get to the parks. If you get there early though, sometimes it's better to take advantage of the rides without lines and then get your Fastpass later.

3. We often spend less than that, so sounds plenty. However, if you want to buy lots of souvenirs or have lots of expensive meals, they add up. Parking at Disney is also an expense you need to factor in if staying off property, currently $15 per day.

I think you are over during the EPCOT flower festival, so it's worth checking if there are any concerts you would like to attend.. included in park admission.

AdamBrunt

Hi all,

We are busy planning our first trip to Orlando (as a treat for kids and mainly for after our eldest has finished her Year 6 SATS in May 2015).

Planning a two-centre break including Universal (not Disney or, at least, not the 'princess castle bits' as my son calls them) Parks and then R&R in the Quays or Clearwater.

1) We currently have 4 choices of time to go: Feb half term, Easter, May and August. Any recommendations in terms of cost and/or temperature (our son is not good in hot conditions) ?

2) How many days is enough for the parks ?

3) We currently have a quote of £6K for 2 adults and 2 children, mid-May, for 10 nights at the Loews Royal Pacific and then 7 nights at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. This comes with unlimited Universal express and early hours entry but is room only in both hotels. Does that about right or can it be done a lot cheaper ? Replacing the Loews RP with Westgate Palace brings the quote down to £4700. Both options include flights with Virgin.

3) Has anyone stayed at the Drury Inn - seems to get a very good rating on tripadvisor and inc free breakfast, buffer dinner and shuttle service to Universal studios ?

4) The same agent is quoting £210pp for Orlando 5 park combo tickets (Universal Studios, Islands of adventure, Aquatica, Sea World and Busch Gardens) but doesn't say how many days this ticket is valid for. Again, is that about right ?

5) On top of the the, possible, £6k we would also need money for food. What is the best way of doing this ? Meal 'packs' (or whatever they're called) or just winging it in off-site restaurants ?

Thanks in advance for any help

mariebar1970

Hi Everyone

We are off to Orlando (3rd time) at easter for 14 nights family of 5 4 adults & 1 child. I scoured the internet for Diy hols, but just couldn't match Thomas cooks price of £580 each inc hotel & breakfast. We are doing 11 parks inc water parks, so apart from a drive out to the space coast, and also clearwater, not much room for anything else.

We have splurged on discovery cove, but feel it will be well worth it. Having spent so much on parks etc, We are sort of on a budget for meals etc, and apparently some of the buffet restaurants are not that good these days. Does anyone of any recommendations on good places to eat that won't break the bank?

Also in response to the above, Disney have 4 parks, plus 2 water parks, it's not all about the castle and princesses LOL . They have an amazing fireworks show at magic kingdom, take a look on you tube.

vivatifosi

Hi Adam, can't answer a lot of those but will take the one on heat. I have an issue with heat too. I've been treated for melanoma so tend to cover up more than most and have had heat stroke a couple of times.

I would not go in Summer. May will also be warm, peaking in 90s, so may be too hot also, it is for me. That leaves Feb and Easter. Easter will be the busiest, which is another consideration. I'd go Feb, but take a sweatshirt or jumper as you can also get cold days.

ETA... with regard to eating, try to get a room with a fridge. That way you can have breakfast in the room (big time saver as much as money). It will also keep ingredients for lunch cool. Take your own drinks to the parks, they are much cheaper at Wal-Mart etc. You can then budget about $10 per day per person for a meal in the parks. Fast food outside of the parks is very cheap.

stir_crazy

Thanks meer and jackieblack. We'll definitely be hiring a car to get around, as on the non-park days we dont want to be confined to the hotel or public transport.

delwynshd

So many people travelling to Florida but nobody seems to use the beat my quote thread

Post your quotes guys

Thanks
Del