Another Disney Thread - OverWhelmed!

Not_The_Momma_2

Hello

I have tried to start to go thru the Disney sticky thread but there is so much of it and i am a bit overwhelmed by it all.

We are planning to visit Disney Florida next year. We will be 2 adults and 4 children ages at times will be 3 years - 14 years old. We may also take my 17 yr old son if he would like to come. This will be for last 2 - 3 weeks of August maybe first week of Septmeber depending of school dates.

We would like to visit the theme parks and this will be our main part of the holiday but i would also like to visit Cape Canaveral. My wife cannot drive and i do not think i will be able due to a severe foot injury which doesnt look like i will not be able to drive again.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for flights, places to stay near the theme parks which could sleep upto 7 of us (we do not want to be in seperate hotel rooms, with good local transport so we can get around to everything and anything else that you could advise.

Also recommendations on places to book flights, accomodations, tickets etc thru too.

We are not experienced travellers and have only been to Spain a handful of times so any advice, tips, do's and donts would be really appreciated.

Incapuppy

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=6608920#post6608920

hellokittygal

I don't think you will get a hotel foom to sleep 7 of you, you would be best looking for a villa perhaps?
There are shuttles which take you into the parks, eliminating the need to drive.
You may be able to arrange the trip to Cape Canaveral through the holiday company and get a coach there.

With you not being able to drive you may have to rely on the shuttles and taxis to get to other places.
There is so much to explore out in Florida, but you need a car o enjoy it all.

Can't help much with flights, sorry.

cannp123165

Maybe you could look at suite hotels for a group of 7 - or Disney have Disney Vacation Club resort with 2 and 3 bedroom villas which would be perfect. When we go we do not rent a car. In 2008 we stayed one week on International Drive (to do SeaWorld and shopping etc) then a week at Disney, where the transportation is excellent to their parks. There are some good local tour companies which may offer day trips - we went on one to Kennedy Space Center which was excellent.

heather8

If you haven't been to Florida before, then you need to read a book called the Brits guide to Orlando.

Also check out a website called the DIBB.

I have been 5 times now and still find loads of interesting info on these sites.

A good place to stay without a car would be either in Lake Buena Vista, have a look at Shearton Vistana Resort, they have two bed condo's. Also Hawtorn Suites is nice, as they do a free breakfast.

Orange Lake resort in Kissimee also have two bed condo's too.

If you are going in August, look at the prices for staying on site (dinsey hotels), as they are currently offering free dining, which will save you loads of money. You have to buy a 14 day park ticket each though to get this offer

Both are in VH broucher.

It is cheaper to DIY, rather than a package, but for a first timer, you may feel more secure with package.

You will be better with a car, driving is easy in Orlando, if you have a good map (see Map man orlando), or a Sat Nav.

There is a good bus service, google lynx, but for this you would be better off staying on International Drive, which personally I don't like, but lots of others do.

Not_The_Momma_2

Fantastic advice thank you all. We have been looking on the Dibb website/forum and will invest in the book. Still fidning it all very confusing even just looking at what tickets we want for the different parks Luckily we have got a while to read up and research before we book. :rolleyes: I think as we are so confused it may be better in our case to do a package from a travel agent rather then DIY like we usually do.

cabbage

Hi

I know what you mean. There is so much info out there that it gets confusing. I've booked for Aug 2010. Like you I am quite competent to book myself but there are so many options that I got a travel agent to do it.

I visited a few and when I got a price, I went onto the Beat My Quote section of this website and got a better price.

As for the tickets. It took me a while to realise that even staying on Disney you still have to buy entrance tickets. Then there are tickets to other such as Seaworld, Universal, Busch Gardens. These are packaged so you can in effect buy a ticket to use at different parks over several days. It really depends on what you want to see. It may be unrealistic to try to cram it all in and can be quite tiring.

Transport shouldn't be a problem as alot the excursions can be booked with a transport option and like the other posters say, if you stay on International Drive you can get the local bus to Disney.

Disney meals plan - this finished in November if you book direct with disney but is still available though some tour operators. there are various options from a quick counter meal twice a day plus a snack or the more expensive Disney Dining Plan which includes a sit down meal with a waiter. There is another option but one of my friends says its not worth it as the Dining Plan is adequate for most people. I think the Quick Counter deal is free with a small supplement for the Disney Dining Plan. It should save you a fortune in meals.

My advice is to get some brochures and read through them and then sit down with several travel agents and get some prices. I would always shop around for the best price and use the Beat my Quote section on here.