Orlando & Florida - Questions & Answers (Part 1) *CLOSED*

jordylass

Jay_Cee_Ooh wrote:

SNIP Has anyone gone to Dolphin Plus, down in Key Largo? Seems a bit more "natural" than Discovery Cove. Just wondered if anyone had been through the same thought process, and which one won (DC or Dolphin Plus)?

Which Parks, what flights, what villas? A winter searching on the net awaits for me!!! And I'm sure, a lot more questions.

Thanks all,

Hi, we did Dolphins Plus on our first visit 2001 before Discovery Cove was opened, a couple of years later my sister went to Discovery Cove. I haven't been so I can't outright compare the two. If there was very little difference in price I would go for Dolphins Plus and do it towards the end of your holiday as it is very relaxing.
The hotel was nice and clean and right on the sea with its own pool, there was a barbecue there on the evening, and the guys that ran DP were great, and English. The side trip to the Everglades was also fantastic.

Get your cheapest flights and car hire (https://www.airline-network.co.uk), there are loads of links to search from on this thread.

The most comprehensive villa search IMHO is https://www.lastminutevillas.net you put in what and when you want and the owners contact you with a price. There are some fantastic bargains to be had as many villa owners are struggling to fill their homes. Price isn't everything though, unless you are going to be out and about 24/7, you want to be comfortable in the villa, the important things to me are that there is no new build near the villa, the deck around the pool is oversized, and that the villa is not too near a noisy road.

smashed

Hi. I am trying to find tickets for a few parks, but cant work out the cheapest way of getting where I want to go
I would like to go (with the girlfriend) to:
Disney Animal Kingdom
Disney Typhoon Lagoon

Sea World
Universal Studios

Happy to go to:
Busch Gardens

Would if needs be:
Magic Kingdom

Any ideas please?

Bobsworlduk

smashed wrote:

Hi. I am trying to find tickets for a few parks, but cant work out the cheapest way of getting where I want to go
I would like to go (with the girlfriend) to:
Disney Animal Kingdom
Disney Typhoon Lagoon

Sea World
Universal Studios

Happy to go to:
Busch Gardens

Would if needs be:
Magic Kingdom

Any ideas please?

Hi,
If you only want to do Animal Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon at Disney I would pay at the gate $70 and $40 ish. If you are doing Magic Kingdom as well I would go for a 2 or 3 day hopper instead.

For the other parks your best bet would be a five park flex ticket at around £130.

Have you been to Orlando before?

smashed

Yes, I went around 12 years ago but the girlfriend hasnt been. We are going down to the keys etc first, so only in Orlando for 8days. We both enjoy the outdoors and animals etc, so I am more excited by the everglades, dolphin encounter down the keys etc than the parks in Orlando.

So with 8days in Orlando I can only see us hitting 5 parks. I am happy to pay at the gate if its cheapest for Disney.. but the other parks seem to hit you with the flex ticket, so £200 is quite a lot for 5 parks maximum (although I am sure its really good value). I take it Sea World and Universal dont do good gate prices??

Also, are there any gate price offers anywhere? ie.. on internet or that can be picked up in Orlando?

Cheers again

Cheers

ckerrd

We did the everglades (stayed in Flamingo) about 10 years ago in October.
Got eaten alive by mossies, but would not have missed it for the world.
The Wildlife was superb, bit scary being only a few feet away from a croc (or was it an alligator) in a wee boat (only the two of us in it - me driving)
There was a sign which warned us not to go within 15 feet of the crocs (or was it alligators) but sadly these big !!!!!!s cant read.

smashed

When we went last time I was up in Ocala forest in a canoe. Had already been on an alligator talk and remembered that they wont attack unless you go near their babies. A massive alligator was blocking the route and all the canoes had stopped. My mum and myself just canoed straight past it (1metre away from its tail), but it didnt move. No other canoes followed us though

2 more questions... sorry.

1) What is the best way to take money? I usually take cash, but my girlfriend said American Express card (I said no, and will probably take over 2 weeks to apply). Travellers cheque??

and

2) I have the passport, so I guess the only other thing I need to do is fill out a form on a plane? ( I dont need a VISA or anything do I?)

Thanks.. again

Rik_S

smashed wrote:

When we went last time I was up in Ocala forest in a canoe. Had already been on an alligator talk and remembered that they wont attack unless you go near their babies. A massive alligator was blocking the route and all the canoes had stopped. My mum and myself just canoed straight past it (1metre away from its tail), but it didnt move. No other canoes followed us though

2 more questions... sorry.

1) What is the best way to take money? I usually take cash, but my girlfriend said American Express card (I said no, and will probably take over 2 weeks to apply). Travellers cheque??

and

2) I have the passport, so I guess the only other thing I need to do is fill out a form on a plane? ( I dont need a VISA or anything do I?)

Thanks.. again

I`ll try & keep this brief...

1. Some dollars for tipping and small purchases etc. You will require a credit card, doubt if you can get by without one. Used as ID & deposits. Nationwide do a very good card for travelling abroad.

2. (from the UK) You fill in a immigration card on the flight, I think you will need at least six months on your passport from the date of departure.

Hope this helps

smashed

Thanks mate.

I do have a credit card already.. just wasnt sure what was the best 1 for the USA. I looked at nationwide flex account, but would have to transfer all my income. I will look at the nationwide credit card then and see if that gives any good options

Col_in_LB

smashed wrote:

Thanks mate.

I do have a credit card already.. just wasnt sure what was the best 1 for the USA. I looked at nationwide flex account, but would have to transfer all my income. I will look at the nationwide credit card then and see if that gives any good options

I've used the American Express Travellers Cheque Card quite a few times....convenience of a card for payments (& ATM withdrawls) but the security, safety & backup of AMEX.

cheers
Col

ckerrd

I seem to recall that Amex wasn't as widely accepted as I would have thought.
At the time I had a fistful or cards but have cut most of them up since......