Holiday to America adivce?

duchy

For a first visit I'd stick to just Florida or you'll try and pack too much in -end up exhausted and ratty especially as the parks WILL be busy-our kids are still in school but the US schools break from June to mid August.
A villa is a great idea-check out the dibb as mentioned before for a lot of info about what to look for in a villa and how to book it seperately. Yes you'll absolutely need a car .

I agree with the split the day up idea -we've often done this at Disney in Florida and did it a few weeks back in California too. The parks are open late and it's still very warm . If you choose a villa within easy drive sometimes it pays to hit the parks early -retire for the afternoon and go back to a park (not always the same one if you buy the right pass) late afternoon or ealy evening.
The other thing we've done is a park and then a day off then another park the following day pattern. "Off days are for making use of the villa's pool, shopping and generally chilling out .

Nothing sad about planning-loads of people miss out on stuff because they don't do stuff in the right order and waste time criss-crossing the parks-I always have a plan of what I want to achieve at a park but if I get diverted that's fine too
Oh a word of warning about TheDib -it's addictive

Pinklepurr

Planning your days for a Disney holiday is not sad at all. IMHO, it is essential to get the most out of your holiday. Some people plan the smallest detail, right down to which order to attempt the rides, but for us, we just had a plan of which park to visit on each day. Days off for shopping (and there are some great shopping malls which can't be missed) a whole day at the end of our holiday where we would re visit whichever park turned out to be our favourite.

We read up on the Disney restaurants and booked some of those ahead of time. This is recommended, especially at peak times and if for example you want to do a character meal. You don't need to be staying at a Disney hotel, anyone can do this.

Don't forget there are other things apart from Disney. Kennedy Space Center is a brill day out, maybe an airboat ride, waterparks and of course there is Universal.

We went to Orlando thinking it would be a "once in a lifetime" trip. Be warned, you'll definitely want to go back!

pelirocco

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, but i have been to Florida enough times to know what i'm talking about.

If you do a day planner so many things can go wrong. Weather, being too tired, money, all sorts.

I'm not one for planning what to do each day, but sometimes its good toplan what not to do on certain days ,ie take into account busy park days etc . Spend a night or 2 at one of the Universal Studios hotel, you get front of line passes and it saves on the faff of driving there . OP you mentioned the Everglades , they are a bit of a hike from Orlando ,I echo the posters who suggested https://www.thedibb.co.uk we have visited Orlando 7 times and there is still loads I dont know , do your research and you will get so much more out of your holiday

ferf1223

Remember that the OP said...

alm721 wrote: »

This will probably be a one off for us as we generally can't afford the expense so I want to try and get the most out of it if you see what I mean.

That's why, IMHO, a few days in NYC isn't too much of a stretch.

It's also why I think an element of planning would be a good idea...While I thought the Unofficial Guide went a bit overboard with near military prescision in its planning, it did have a lot of good tips in terms of order to do things to get the most out of your time. It will be crowded as duchy says US schools are out already...it will also be very hot and humid which may mean that everyone tires more easily than they would otherwise...so planning ahead a bit would ensure that they cover as much of what they want to do during their special trip.

A lot of those who have answered (myself included) are lucky enough to go to the US regularly...but if we weren't, I suspect we would be OK with cramming as much in as we could, while still being mindful that it's meant to be relaxing and fun.

dmg24

ferf1223 wrote: »

Remember that the OP said...



That's why, IMHO, a few days in NYC isn't too much of a stretch.

It's also why I think an element of planning would be a good idea...While I thought the Unofficial Guide went a bit overboard with near military prescision in its planning, it did have a lot of good tips in terms of order to do things to get the most out of your time. It will be crowded as duchy says US schools are out already...it will also be very hot and humid which may mean that everyone tires more easily than they would otherwise...so planning ahead a bit would ensure that they cover as much of what they want to do during their special trip,

A lot of those who have answered (myself included) are lucky enough to go to the US regularly...but if we weren't, I suspect we would be OK with cramming as much in as we could, while still being mindful that it's meant to be relaxing and fun.

Agreed, if the likelihood of a repeat visit is very low, you need to plan ahead. Otherwise you could easily get to day fourteen and still have half of your list to do. I've done the 'no planning' approach to NYC twice now ... and still haven't covered nearly all of my must sees!

FluffyFiFi

If it was me I would rent a villa in Orlando as they are cheaper than anywhere else in Florida, you also have all the comforts of home and can spend time chilling when it all gets a bit much. Sorry, but I would say forget New York, with two children it will be too much.

Orlando will put you near the Disney parks, but you are still only a couple of hours drive from the beaches of the Gulf, or you can get to the Space Centre on the Atlantic side if this is something you are interested in - if not Daytona is also an option.

Last time we went we only went to two theme parks as they are very tiring and expensive. Also, our children really enjoyed spending time in the villa as they had their own pool, PlayStation and Games Room, not to mention TV's in their own bedrooms.

The shopping, restaurants and entertainment in Orlando is great value, far better than the Gulf Coast where there isn't the same amount of competition so the value is not the same.

It might be better to have a family discussion about what you all want from the trip, I know you want this to be a suprise but something like this is more fun when you can all plan it together.

ferf1223

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

I don't disagree and in essence is exactly what i said. The other poster was talking about doing a daily planner which for NYC is fine, but not for Orlando.

I don't think that we agree. I think that Orlando needs more planning than NYC myself...which is why I mentioned the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World which gives many ideas of ways to maximize your time...from regimented schedules which seem way over-the-top to me, to more loosely based plans that put you on the right path to see more than you would if left to your own devices.

luci

I think it's good to have a loose plan of what you want to do and see. It doesn't have to be set in stone and there can be a few blank to allow flexibility.

If you have no plan whatsoever then you could get to Day 12 and realise that there are still a dozen places or things you want to do.

If you have a rough outline written down then you can shuffle things around to suit, but they will still be there to prompt you.

We've been to Orlando 5 times and Vegas 10 times and I still make a rough planner which has proved invaluable. It means I don't go home thinking, "D'oh I meant to go here or there".

Incapuppy

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

The one im saying i dont agree with is:

Monday
9am - Drive to Magic Kingdom
12 - Pecos Bills for Lunch
4pm - Leave the park, drive to Premium Outlets
8pm - Planet Hollywood and shopping at DTD

.... You get the idea...

Do people really do that?

Blimey, sounds more like a military exercise than a holiday! :rotfl:

jeanniebeanie_2

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

I disagree with planning. Every time ive gone to Florida i find what works best is knowing what you want to do, what you'd like to do and then just doing it as and when.

I think the fact some people have 'timetables' and day planners etc... Quite sad really.

If you are going to disagree then it may be an idea to read what it is you are disagreeing with!

At no point did I mention 'timetables and day planners' and if you have never been to Florida before how does 'knowing what you want to do and just doing it' work exactly without a little initial research and planning????????