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

Orlando_Virgin

MTC,

yeah the flight and accomodation are both sorted and like your idea about the 7 days car hire rather than 14. I must admit I suggested the same to the Mrs. however were also thinkin about just getting the OT in stopping the whinin and goin for it!!

Murphy_The_Cat

Orlando_Virgin wrote:

MTC,

yeah the flight and accomodation are both sorted and like your idea about the 7 days car hire rather than 14. I must admit I suggested the same to the Mrs. however were also thinkin about just getting the OT in stopping the whinin and goin for it!!

Hi O_V

it's not very MSE advice, but I wouldn't be peeing about over a £200 charge on a several thousand pound holiday either. £200 over a years savings is less than £2 per week each !!

For me, theres no way that I would submit myself to using public transport, courtesy buses etc, etc for such a trifling amount.

MTC

Mike_J

tech wrote:

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.

At the ages stated Universal is better then Disney. Just had week in Orlando and the kids didnt want to touch Disney. The advantage of the 5 park flexticket is it also covers Busch gardens in Tampa. With this ticket you can use the free Orlando-Busch gardens shuttle bus.

Pointers on Flextickets parks
Get there early. We went on new years eve when the park opened and the longest queue for the big rides was only 15minutes. By lunch-time this had grown to over 1 hour.

If staying all day consider getting a 2 park meal deal pass and sipper cup. This allows you to get free burgers/chicken (should be with fries but most outlets would let you get onion rings etc instead) etc at at least 3 outlets in IofA and UStudios BUT if there are 4 of you just pay for 2. Simply get two meals then go back in a different queue and get two more. Not striclty allowed but they are likley to be too busy to notice. Sipper cups give you free drinks refils all day. Worth it if weather is hot.

Universal stuidos have fewer "rides" then IofA but thye gte very busy, very quickly. probably best to leave til end of day when the crowds have started to go home.

Sea World shoudlnt be too bad in September (crowd wise). At a rush it can be done in a day but with Flex. I would consider a couple of visits. Watch the Shamu show durign the day and at night. Although basically the same show, the atmosphere is different. If not driving that day, take ID as Busch have a hospitality suite where you can get free beer!!! Although an added cost i would serious think about booking the Adventure Express tour. It costs about £50 each but you get a guided tour, best seats for two shows (including Shamu), behind the scenes area, excellent buffet lunch and walk straight onto the three rides (Kraken/atlantis/wild artic) and food to feed dolphins/rays etc. WELL WORTH IT!!! (and that from a tight fisted....)
HINT - If you ring the Discovery Cove freephone reservation number and asked to be put throught to "seaworld orlando educational tours reservations" you get to ring America for free and speak direct to the park in Florida. Just tell them Seaworld sent you email to do this if asked. Works for pre-booking any of the tours they do

With a FLEX.. ticket a trip to Busch Gardens is well worth it but again get there early before the crowds. We walked straight on a couple of roller coasters with no wueue at all. Go on rapid ride but be warned you WILL!!!!!! get wet. Although the brochures say 1hour from Orlando I would say its about 1hour and 1/2 unless you push it. Look at maps before hand to get idea of route back as traffic management around BG means you will not leave on the same road you arrived.

Relaxing day can be spent at Wet'n'Wild. Note that with the Flex ticket, car park tickets at one park can be used at the other on the same day. Parking varies from $8 per day (wet 'n'wild) to $11 9Universal).

Any further info or if anbody wants tips on Orlando (especially I Drive/Universal/Seaa world at xmas/newyear) PM me. Have generally used Virgin Hol with Dolar car rental so any assistance/comment/advice gladly offered as well.

(going to give my figures a rest now!!!)

OrlandoMan

Just to add to Mike's excellent advice,
If you have the flex ticket and want to visit Busch gardens but don't feel like driving over to the West, the Flex ticket gives you a free return shuttle ride to Busch that you can pick up from a few places on International Drive or from the Seaworld Car Park.

urbanlegend11

im off to florida next week and was thinking of buying an ipod video 30gb due to the great currency rate.will it be compitable for the uk?is it true that if i buy it from a walmart store i can return it to an asda store over here if i have any faults under the warranty?

Amys

I can say that yes it is true you can take stuff back to Asda as long as you have the orginal Wal-Mart reciept.

Poppy9

I've just had the most recent mousesavers newsletter. If you want a copy PM me and I will email it to you. or you can subscribe at www.mousesavers.com


Summary of offers/news in it.

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* Save on Luggage
* Everyone Plays for the Kids' Price Package Special at Disneyland (California)
* Discounts on Disneyland California Tickets
* Great Offer from the Howard Johnson Hotel in Anaheim
* Refurbishment/Closure/Update Schedule at Disneyland in California
* Red Hot Chili Peppers Spice up Disneyland Resort
* Refurbishment/Closure/Update Schedule at Walt Disney World
* Love is in the Air at Walt Disney World
* The Land at Epcot Mixes Science with Entertainment Inside Experimental Greenhouses to Grow One-of-a-Kind Plants
* It's a Boy! The First Baby of the Year at Disney's Animal Kingdom
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Penny-Pincher!!

Can anyone give me an idea of price for a Florida holiday ATM? We have been a number of times before but looking at prices now, they seem to be much dearer

I need a price to include the following:

3 weeks between then end of November to New Year
2 adults and 1 child of 12-will be 13-so full price on most things:rolleyes:
Car Rental(normally go with dollar) and need 7 seater for my wheelchair
Looking for a 2 bed villa with pool-near Walmart would be great


We only fly with Virgin and normally upgrade to Premium-this seems to be where the prices have hiked up so much. In 2004 we were able to be upgraded for a total of £500 per seat not on top-they are coming up at £800+ each and we need 3:eek: :eek: :eek:

Normally go with Mercury Travel but was told recently that they may not be doing holiday packages anymore, but will call them to ask for definite. I hope they still are as I have a premium card with them, giving me free insurance and 5% off attraction tickets.

Any advice? I am coming up at around £4100. This includes flights (virgin premium), car hire (dollar 7 seater), insurance, 3 weeks rental of villa and pool, 1 night at Disneys Animal Kingdom Hotel (DD really wants to stay there), 1 night in hotel near Busch gardens, 3 adult 5 park flex tickets and 3 disney 21 day tickets. Is this about correct?

It probably was the same price but being more of a money saver now, it just seems alot.

Thanks

PP
xx

t-elle

Originally Posted by 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.

Don't forget since you are going at the end of September to go to Universal's website to check the the opening times. They close much earlier after the summer. http://www.universalorlando.com/calendar.html?month=10&calendar=uo_park_hours&template=uo_park_hours.html&year=2006&month=9&year=2006

And with the age of your children, Universal/Flexi-ticket is loads of fun and good value. Have a great time.

Pudders

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

Can anyone give me an idea of price for a Florida holiday ATM? We have been a number of times before but looking at prices now, they seem to be much dearer

I need a price to include the following:

3 weeks between then end of November to New Year
2 adults and 1 child of 12-will be 13-so full price on most things:rolleyes:
Car Rental(normally go with dollar) and need 7 seater for my wheelchair
Looking for a 2 bed villa with pool-near Walmart would be great


We only fly with Virgin and normally upgrade to Premium-this seems to be where the prices have hiked up so much. In 2004 we were able to be upgraded for a total of £500 per seat not on top-they are coming up at £800+ each and we need 3:eek: :eek: :eek:

Normally go with Mercury Travel but was told recently that they may not be doing holiday packages anymore, but will call them to ask for definite. I hope they still are as I have a premium card with them, giving me free insurance and 5% off attraction tickets.

Any advice? I am coming up at around £4100. This includes flights (virgin premium), car hire (dollar 7 seater), insurance, 3 weeks rental of villa and pool, 1 night at Disneys Animal Kingdom Hotel (DD really wants to stay there), 1 night in hotel near Busch gardens, 3 adult 5 park flex tickets and 3 disney 21 day tickets. Is this about correct?

It probably was the same price but being more of a money saver now, it just seems alot.

Thanks

PP
xx

Hi - Penny

We have been out to Orlando/Kissimmee 5 times now and always rent a villa as it is much better than a motel. Last year we were hunting around and found an excellent 3 bed villa for my family (2 adults & 1 child) in kissimmee just off the 192 highway near Medieval Times and 1 minute drive from the Wall Mart SuperStore.

The site is called http://www.orlandovillas.co.uk and is run by the person we rented their home from (Les & Jill). Cost was cheap and Les & Jill were great to deal with. We had never used them before and really hoped we wouldn't get ripped off but couldnt have hoped for anything better.

The house we rented was "Tropical Beauty" which is featured on the home page.

Hope this is of use.

Pudders