Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

atro1

chocolateteddy!! Everything about your post screams 'private villa' for what you will pay for two rooms at a hotel you will spend on a 5 bed villa,
You are having a car, you will probably drive 40 miles a day--but its wide open roads, distance just seems so different in Florida. Disney Main Gate Drive is 6 miles long [I have never checked] Universal you will drive 2 miles in the car park.
The only draw back to a villa is the kids will only have each other to play with most of the time, but it is only for the odd day as you will be out and about.:beer:

chocolateteddy

atro1 wrote: »

chocolateteddy!! Everything about your post screams 'private villa' for what you will pay for two rooms at a hotel you will spend on a 5 bed villa,
You are having a car, you will probably drive 40 miles a day--but its wide open roads, distance just seems so different in Florida. Disney Main Gate Drive is 6 miles long [I have never checked] Universal you will drive 2 miles in the car park.
The only draw back to a villa is the kids will only have each other to play with most of the time, but it is only for the odd day as you will be out and about.:beer:

Thanks we are not intending to get two rooms all the above apart from po riverside are 3 bedroom apartments/condos so giving us space but also a pool where kids can meet others hopefully, I was just wondering if any body had stayed at above ones to get some idea of what they are like.

no.1swimmum

We are of the Florida again in August and I have accomodation in Orlando sorted but as we got a fantastic flight deal through hubbies work (£325 each return to Miami with BA) I as the only driver will need to drive from Miami to Orlando not a problem have done it before but last time we got off the plane and drove all the way, the kids slept but I was exhausted, so we have decided to drive for approx an hour and then stay the night and continue the journey in the morning when we are awake early. My problem is that i don't know how to find hotels on the route, I don't mind a small detour from route, so any ideas or recommendations would be recommended. Thanks

jeanniebeanie_2

chocolateteddy wrote: »

Thanks we are not intending to get two rooms all the above apart from po riverside are 3 bedroom apartments/condos so giving us space but also a pool where kids can meet others hopefully, I was just wondering if any body had stayed at above ones to get some idea of what they are like.

We stayed at Bahama Bay a couple of years ago. This was the only time we elected for a resort instead of a villa because we were taking my parents who thought they would want to stay behind on some of our theme park days and they neither wanted to drive or feel stranded. Once they got there they never stayed behind once though and LOVED everything!

Anyway, Bahama Bay was very nice. Pretty quiet (not quite finished, but we were not near construction) quite a way out, but we don't mind that. The accommodation was lovely- a top floor 'penthouse', lovely pools and landscaping and a nice dock/beach area with loungers and fishing. Great to stroll around- we were quite a distance from the dock. Staff were helpful.

For me though it just didn't come close to a villa (agree atro1) and I would not be tempted to do any resort again. We found that although the blocks are well spaced, noise really travelled and sitting on our balcony we could clearly hear others so far away we could barely see them and you really can't beat a private pool and games room! So, if it's a resort you want, then I think its's pretty good- just not for me. Hope that helps.

jeanniebeanie_2

no.1swimmum wrote: »

We are of the Florida again in August and I have accomodation in Orlando sorted but as we got a fantastic flight deal through hubbies work (£325 each return to Miami with BA) I as the only driver will need to drive from Miami to Orlando not a problem have done it before but last time we got off the plane and drove all the way, the kids slept but I was exhausted, so we have decided to drive for approx an hour and then stay the night and continue the journey in the morning when we are awake early. My problem is that i don't know how to find hotels on the route, I don't mind a small detour from route, so any ideas or recommendations would be recommended. Thanks

Almost every exit on your route will have signs showing hotels, gas stations and restaurants, so it is easy to find accommodation, especially chain hotels just to lay your head- dont be afraid to ask to see a room. Also every Dennys (and airport) has free tourist maps with chain hotels marked.

slewis1972

Hi All

Just planning - well, just booked the flighst to orlando for next May via Virgin.

Staying at Tuscana in Davenport hopefully - just seeing the best prices.

Anyway - car hire. I would like one with all the insurance. Reading online, is Alamo good as I have used dollar before but there prices are not online yet for May.

In ref to tickets I will be getting seaworld, kennedy space centre plus a 6 Day Disney ticket inc water parks. Should keep us busy so if anyone knows any deals on getting the lowest prices, please let me know. With the Dollar dropping now, I am thinking I should wait till it recovers - hopefully.

Any advice on above appreciated.

Sott

jeanniebeanie_2

slewis1972 wrote: »

Hi All

Just planning - well, just booked the flighst to orlando for next May via Virgin.

Staying at Tuscana in Davenport hopefully - just seeing the best prices.

Anyway - car hire. I would like one with all the insurance. Reading online, is Alamo good as I have used dollar before but there prices are not online yet for May.

We are on a Virgin flight to Orlando in May too (Manchester)! Got a good price through USrentacar (will be Dollar). we used them before and had no probs. We just paid £50 deposit- balance 8 weeks before travel. Good cancellation policy too- two years ago we had to cancel 3 weeks before and got a full refund no questions.

KarenG

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Almost every exit on your route will have signs showing hotels, gas stations and restaurants, so it is easy to find accommodation, especially chain hotels just to lay your head- dont be afraid to ask to see a room. Also every Dennys (and airport) has free tourist maps with chain hotels marked.

Happy to stand corrected on this but don't you have to provide the address of the place where you intend to spend your first night on the I-94 form? I don't think this will work, OP needs to have decided where to stay for the night.

I'd be tempted just to choose somewhere around the Fort Lauderdale area perhaps? This isn't quite as far north as an hour though.

jeanniebeanie_2

KarenG wrote: »

Happy to stand corrected on this but don't you have to provide the address of the place where you intend to spend your first night on the I-94 form? I don't think this will work, OP needs to have decided where to stay for the night.

I'd be tempted just to choose somewhere around the Fort Lauderdale area perhaps? This isn't quite as far north as an hour though.

You are absolutely right of course, but on the assumption she will be able to give a legitimate Florida address (where she will be staying in Orlando) there will not be a problem.

JonStubberfield

FYI

Virgin Atlantic and Continental airlines have both released specials for 2010.

Flights are available up until close of business today from London or Manchester to Orlando International starting from £150 plus taxes for departures between 1st January and 30th June depending on availability.

After today, they are still running a special but it'll be £197 plus taxes - still pretty good... again it depends on availability.

Continental running a special for all dates in 2010, again availability permitting - don't forget these will be indirect flights via Newark or Houston.


Hopefully I haven't broken any rules, just want to offer some good advice and need to do it quickly as one of the specials expires today!


Merry Christmas.