Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

lola34

Oh Ordep -we've just got back its definately worth it!!!!

I never lock my case going to the US and have never had any problems - we've been back a week now and I think I've got the post Orlando blues!!!!

Stew68

Ordep wrote: »

I'd love to take my daughter & her two children (3&8) to Disney but it appears so complicated, I'm not sure I'll bother.

Don't give up already.

Yes, it can be complicated but take it a step at a time, break into chunks.

Start with the flights, then the accomodation, then theme park tickets. You might then want to decide whether you want to hire a car.

Ask a question at a time, i'm sure we'll all be happy to help.

KarenG

Ordep wrote: »

I'd love to take my daughter & her two children (3&8) to Disney but it appears so complicated, I'm not sure I'll bother.

Only if you make it complicated.

The thing with Orlando holidays is that the more planning you do in advance, the more you can get out of it. However I know loads of people that don't plan at all, just book a package and go with the flow. They still have a great time.

jackieblack

Ordep wrote: »

I'd love to take my daughter & her two children (3&8) to Disney but it appears so complicated, I'm not sure I'll bother.

I echo all of the above!

Just take a big breath and dive in - it'll be SO worth it. You will ALL have a fantastic time and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Ordep

Thanks for all your encouragement and tips people.
Were do I start, how about the best time to visit. I seem to remember reading on here some were to avoid the American holiday period, and the really hot summer months.

vivatifosi

ailuro2 wrote: »

Make sure you have a means of cutting off the cable ties where you are going - you're not allowed scissors / nail clippers etc. in your hand luggage, so would need to use something from the place you're staying in.;)

Fair point ailuro2. Where we go we have a fully equipped kitchen, so its not a problem for us.

Incidentally, I thought its worth mentioning why my DH uses cable ties. If a thief wants to get into your luggage, they will do so, whether you use a cable tie or a lock. What a cable tie does is gives you an instant indication that your bag has been tampered with. So whereas you'd get home, go through your bag and notice something is missing, but have to prove that your lock is picked, this way you raise attention to the issue before you pass customs. If the TSA open a bag they leave a note inside saying that they did so. I've also found over many flights that we have been much more likely to have our bags searched by the TSA at Tampa than Orlando (it has happened to us all but 1 time out of Tampa, yet only once out of Orlando, we fly 2 or 3 times a year at least).

Also, regarding hard sides, I ditched mine when the luggage allowance switched from 32kgs per item to 23kgs in favour of a lighter weight soft side wheelie. My hard side took up 6kgs of my allowance. Next time I go to Florida the piece system will have been cut to 1 item of luggage from the previous standard of two - this is with BA, I think Virgin has already changed too - so may again need to look at my wheelie as DH's one only weighs just over a kilo. These issues are all worth considering when buying cases and luggage limits are getting more and more stingy.

Stew68

Ordep wrote: »

Thanks for all your encouragement and tips people.
Were do I start, how about the best time to visit. I seem to remember reading on here some were to avoid the American holiday period, and the really hot summer months.

Hi,

Well as I said that people will help I better jump in with my suggestions.

I've visited September, November and early December, out of all of them I guess i'd suggest early December, the weather is nice enough for us Brits, the parks are reasonably quiet and of course all the Christmas decorations/parades etc are all up and running.

I've just come back from a November trip and the parks were fairly quiet (I didn't do Disney so I can't comment about them) and the weather was gorgeous. September is hurricane season right through to the end of October.

Please keep asking questions, nobody minds.

jackieblack

Ordep wrote: »

Thanks for all your encouragement and tips people.
Were do I start, how about the best time to visit. I seem to remember reading on here some were to avoid the American holiday period, and the really hot summer months.

We like the Spring.
Weather warm but not too hot, can be crowded during Spring Break , but will be quieter outside those weeks. If your daughter can take the children out of school, end April/beginning of May would be good.

KarenG

Ordep wrote: »

Thanks for all your encouragement and tips people.
Were do I start, how about the best time to visit. I seem to remember reading on here some were to avoid the American holiday period, and the really hot summer months.

Spring and late autumn will give lovely hot but not scorching weather (generally). Avoid busy times such as Spring Break, Easter and Xmas.

If you can go say March (avoiding Easter) or October (avoiding half term) you should get low prices, low crowds and nice weather

vivatifosi

KarenG wrote: »

Spring and late autumn will give lovely hot but not scorching weather (generally). Avoid busy times such as Spring Break, Easter and Xmas.

If you can go say March (avoiding Easter) or October (avoiding half term) you should get low prices, low crowds and nice weather

Good advice Karen.

I don't know if anyone else does the same, but we have a bit of a nosey around what else is on when we are there before booking up. Basically any time across autumn to spring (but avoiding big holidays) is nice. We have a look to see what other things are on. For example, would you fancy: Osborne Family lights at Hollywood Studios (Nov/Dec, check for dates), or the Food and Wine festival with free Eat to the Beat concerts at Epcot (Sept through early Nov), or the flower festival at Epcot (May I think), or a shuttle/rocket launch (check Kennedy Space Center website for details of forthcoming launches - there aren't many left), an American Football game (college games in Orlando area or NFL at Tampa: season broadly Sept-early Jan (NFL)), Orlando Magic basketball game, a concert at the Amway arena....

If you find something that you like you can make it something you can plan into your trip that gives you a reason to be there. Disney is going to be there year round, providing the weather is pleasant and the crowds are reasonable it will be great, why not pair the trip up with another experience?