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

Edinburghlass_2

I agree halloweenqueen regarding meeting people to chat to on the resort buses, shuttle buses and the local buses. We had lots of fun resort hopping in Disney using boats, ferries, monorail and the buses. We stayed near DownTown Disney and would jump on the first resort bus that came then go from there to the parks after nosing about some of the resorts.

The Boardwalk is good to eat at and then jump on a water bus to either Epcot or MGM for the fireworks.

If you are using the monorail don't forget to ask if you can sit with the driver up front. You may need to wait a bit but its fun to do both through the day and especially at night if you catch the fireworks at MK as you approach.

tech

Hi. Holiday now booked for end of September. As my kids will be 15 and 11 I thought Universal Studios with a 5 park flexticket would be better than Disney, however I and my wife are big kids at heart and if Disney is more rides along the lines of Jaws (I know that's not at Disney) or T3D instead of monster rollercoasters that I'd hurl on then maybe Disney's best.

Anyone with experience to give me any pointers?

Also, the link for the Theme Park tickets doesn't work and although there are plenty of messages in this thread relating to the best park ticket deals some of them are from 2004 and may no longer be the cheapest.

Therefore does anyone know of the current best deals for the Flextickets or Disney tickets once I decide which one?

Thanks muchly.

Edinburghlass_2

When I was checking for tickets I Googled Disney tickets then just went through each website writing down the price of the tickets I wanted and compared the prices that way. Most websites will supply all the tickets you need but some might be cheaper on Disney and another cheaper on the other parks.

Some websites will also price match and check if they add a cc surcharge or postal costs. If you are looking for Disney package tickets I reckon they are definately cheaper bought from a UK site rather than a US site.

One to start you off...

http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/

Orlando_Virgin

Hi all,

Please bare with this long post!!

First of all thank you to all the contributors on this thread for your invaluable info my girlfriend and I have already found so useful when we go on our first holiday to Kissimmee in September this year for 14 nights.

As it is our first time in Florida (and the USA) I wonder if you could offer any more advice. I am 22 now, 23 when we fly and my girlfriend is of a similar age and we were wondering what is the best way to tackle the holiday... (excuse the northern dialect, lol)


*I am aware that everyone is different and does there own thing but have people found that it is best to have a schedule? (We are looking to do all the parks we can while we are there (including waterparks) and will be buying a 5 park flex ticket and 14 day ultimate disney thingy soon!! (Again thanks to the excellent advice received from this forum)

*I have rented a car (cheers guys ) however this I am really worried about. I only passed my test in October 06 and I'm a young driver and although my travel agent has Assured me that I will be OK, everything is paid and there will be no hidden costs I can’t help but think as I am young and not been driving long they may put in additional charges when I arrive? Is driving over there as nightmarish as it sounds???

*Places to eat, is there anywhere special we should try. We love steakhouses and infact any other kind of food!! I recently went to Toronto and they had a steakhouse brand called "The Keg" there! Does anyone know if this exists in Florida???

And any other usueful info you can think of for a young couple spending their first holiday in Orlando,

Thanks,

Adam

Chaufeurse1956

Orlando_Virgin wrote:

Hi all,

Please bare with this long post!!

First of all thank you to all the contributors on this thread for your invaluable info my girlfriend and I have already found so useful when we go on our first holiday to Kissimmee in September this year for 14 nights.

As it is our first time in Florida (and the USA) I wonder if you could offer any more advice. I am 22 now, 23 when we fly and my girlfriend is of a similar age and we were wondering what is the best way to tackle the holiday... (excuse the northern dialect, lol)


*I am aware that everyone is different and does there own thing but have people found that it is best to have a schedule? (We are looking to do all the parks we can while we are there (including waterparks) and will be buying a 5 park flex ticket and 14 day ultimate disney thingy soon!! (Again thanks to the excellent advice received from this forum)

*I have rented a car (cheers guys ) however this I am really worried about. I only passed my test in October 06 and I'm a young driver and although my travel agent has Assured me that I will be OK, everything is paid and there will be no hidden costs I can’t help but think as I am young and not been driving long they may put in additional charges when I arrive? Is driving over there as nightmarish as it sounds???

*Places to eat, is there anywhere special we should try. We love steakhouses and infact any other kind of food!! I recently went to Toronto and they had a steakhouse brand called "The Keg" there! Does anyone know if this exists in Florida???

And any other usueful info you can think of for a young couple spending their first holiday in Orlando,

Thanks,

Adam

Hiya Adam,

I notice your worry about the car hire situation. I travel to Florida about 3 times a year and only just discovered that car hire companies like Alamo and Dollar etc do not include coverage for damage to wheels, tyres, windscreen etc in the insurance - I use holidayautos now and then buy the very reasonably priced coverage for the wheels etc from http://www.atlasdirect.net/excess_reimbursement.asp - I have had an argument with a few car hire agencies here in the UK who seem to charge for this reimbursement when it actually is not covered by the major rental companies! Hence holidayautos who don't automatically charge you for excess reimbursement and leave it down to you to either buy their coverage separately or find coverage yourself. Driving in the USA is fine - just take your time and remember to keep your passenger to the kerb! Oh, do try to remember drive on the left when you come home to - hahaha!

I also read Poppy's remarks about trying to get a holiday as cheap as possible. There are so many rental homes available in Orlando now that many people advertise their homes on https://www.ebay.co.uk (search for Florida). You will be surprised at the price you can pay for a villa with private pool in Orlando now. It is very nice to have your own home and pool.

Have a great holiday,

Chris

steviesrightfoot

Hi Guys

Off to Florida early Feb for 3 weeks with the family.
Just bought from attraction tickets Disney ultimate 14 days for adults £156 and child £136
and then the 5 park flexi 14 day £122 adult and £102 child
Hope that helps someone

We`ve got a villa / pool in the Hampton Lakes area, anyone know whats it like.
Never been to Florida really excited

tech

Orlando_Virgin wrote:

Hi all,

Please bare with this long post!!

First of all thank you to all the contributors on this thread for your invaluable info my girlfriend and I have already found so useful when we go on our first holiday to Kissimmee in September this year for 14 nights.

As it is our first time in Florida (and the USA) I wonder if you could offer any more advice. I am 22 now, 23 when we fly and my girlfriend is of a similar age and we were wondering what is the best way to tackle the holiday... (excuse the northern dialect, lol)


*I am aware that everyone is different and does there own thing but have people found that it is best to have a schedule? (We are looking to do all the parks we can while we are there (including waterparks) and will be buying a 5 park flex ticket and 14 day ultimate disney thingy soon!! (Again thanks to the excellent advice received from this forum)

*I have rented a car (cheers guys ) however this I am really worried about. I only passed my test in October 06 and I'm a young driver and although my travel agent has Assured me that I will be OK, everything is paid and there will be no hidden costs I can’t help but think as I am young and not been driving long they may put in additional charges when I arrive? Is driving over there as nightmarish as it sounds???

*Places to eat, is there anywhere special we should try. We love steakhouses and infact any other kind of food!! I recently went to Toronto and they had a steakhouse brand called "The Keg" there! Does anyone know if this exists in Florida???

And any other usueful info you can think of for a young couple spending their first holiday in Orlando,

Thanks,

Adam

---

Although I've never been either, I'm aware that there are loads of places to eat and usually very affordable. Quite a few do all you can eat buffets and I'm sure you'd find what you're after. I'd suggest a big evening meal and the lunchtime could just be a sandwich, although the food in the parks is always expensive so if you have a self catering villa or apartment you could buy some ingredients for making these up on the day - but only if you have a fridge. Take plenty of water - although a gallon of water from one of the parks is more expenive than a gallon of petrol so again buy it elsewhere and store it.

Re the parks themselves, although you have 14 days to get around everything, if you have something like a Flexticket then you should space your days out. You might want a fun packed day one day which might wipe you out and relax by your hotel/villa's pool the next, or go to somewhere like Seaworld where you take the day a bit more leisurely - and if you're lucky you get to see one of the killer whales eat the dumb human who makes it do tricks! If you've got a car, use it for more than just a shuttle to the parks - take it down to Kennedy space center or to one of the malls for a walk around as another way to rest between hectic parklife. That will build your driving confidence. If you have time and space, when picking the car up ask them if they have a large car park area that you can practice in as the controls may be 'stick shift' i.e. the gears are on the steering wheel. If they don't have space ask if they'd be prepared to accomany you to the car and go through the controls and lights with you. If they can't or won't then sit in the car park and go through the controls with your partner watching for the lights. Sounds daft but you're sure to get pulled over for driving without them and fumbling about in the dark looking for the lights isn't the safest option. Remember the speed limits over there are about 50 for the highways and that the sign colours aren't the same as ours - you get green and brown signs instead of white with red borders. Hope this helps.

Amys

Orlando_Virgin wrote:

Hi all,

Please bare with this long post!!

First of all thank you to all the contributors on this thread for your invaluable info my girlfriend and I have already found so useful when we go on our first holiday to Kissimmee in September this year for 14 nights.

As it is our first time in Florida (and the USA) I wonder if you could offer any more advice. I am 22 now, 23 when we fly and my girlfriend is of a similar age and we were wondering what is the best way to tackle the holiday... (excuse the northern dialect, lol)


*I am aware that everyone is different and does there own thing but have people found that it is best to have a schedule? (We are looking to do all the parks we can while we are there (including waterparks) and will be buying a 5 park flex ticket and 14 day ultimate disney thingy soon!! (Again thanks to the excellent advice received from this forum)

*I have rented a car (cheers guys ) however this I am really worried about. I only passed my test in October 06 and I'm a young driver and although my travel agent has Assured me that I will be OK, everything is paid and there will be no hidden costs I can’t help but think as I am young and not been driving long they may put in additional charges when I arrive? Is driving over there as nightmarish as it sounds???

*Places to eat, is there anywhere special we should try. We love steakhouses and infact any other kind of food!! I recently went to Toronto and they had a steakhouse brand called "The Keg" there! Does anyone know if this exists in Florida???

And any other usueful info you can think of for a young couple spending their first holiday in Orlando,

Thanks,

Adam

No Keg in Orlando as far as a know, but loads of places. Great steaks at a lot of restaruants, Golden Corral is an all you can eat steak buffet, also places like Outback Steak House, Chilli's, for BBQ try Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, there are soo many resturants, you will be spoiled for choice.


Don't worry about driving over there, its much easier than over here when you get used to it, just take it gentaly and keep some change in your pockets for the tolls.

A good place to start planning is also https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums

Orlando_Virgin

Thanks a lot guys all that info is really helpful!! I'm sure I'll be fine looks like one of the first things I'll be doing is flicking switches on and off in the car park to get used to it, haha!! After that I'll be driving to Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ by the sounds of it!! thanks to Amys, Chauf and Stevie's for your advice, appreciate it. The rest days to the mall and what have you sound like a very decent idea as well and I'm sure the better half will enjoy it.

Murphy_The_Cat

Orlando Virgin

Driving in America / Florida is an absolute doddle and is a MUCH nicer experience than driving in Britain. Do a bit of research into how the traffic laws vary (turn right on red ETC) and be aware that when you are driving in the US, the junction spur that you are going to leave your road from could be on the left OR the right.

One thing that has just popped into my mind is your age - AFAIK, driver under 25, or driver with little driving experience get screwed over by the car hire companies - a quick serach shows that a driver aged under 25 will pay a $25 per day surcharge on the hire costs and that this will need to be paid LOCALLY, i.e in Florida !!! It sounds like a direct question to your travel agent about this could save you some disappointment when you get there.

MTC

p.s. did I mention that driving in America is a doddle !!!! :rotfl: & whilst in the Orlando are, make sure that you do go out and explore Florida -- there is ssssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more to see over there than the theme parks.