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

jnd

bj,

I'd say it's cheaper to buy from the gate than get your tickets from a Disney Store in the UK. Other UK ticket brokers for whatever reason don't sell the full range of ticket options that Disney provides. To purchase these you would generally have to buy them from a US ticket broker such as one of the ones either myself or Poppy9 mentioned. There you are able to buy the exact tickets for your needs rather than a top level ticket.

I have spoken to many people who have purchased a top level ticket only to find they either spent practically their entire holiday in Disney, to ensure they got it's worth, or they went home, tickets expired with some days and options they never used.

Here's a link to http://www.orlandotripplanner.com/wdw/tickets.htm which shows the gate prices.

Poppy9

Sanford Airport - absolutely fine we literally flew through with no hassle. Did you know on your return flight you can book your luggage in at the airport in the morning. So if you are not flying till late afternoon or evening you can be luggage free for the day. Rumour has it there is a great outlet mall by Sanford - sadly we haven't found it yet

The Daily Mail stated cheaper to buy tickets at the gate but some of the US suppliers that you can buy from overhere may be cheaper or better value as they may give you free extras. I agree you should go for geniune Disney tickets that never expire. That way if you are ill or just Disneyed out you haven't lost anything as you could use them in 10/20/30 years if you return. Also the Disney tickets let you park hop as often as you like. There was a gentleman on the holidaytruths forum who searched for me and emailed me the cheapest/best value tickets at the time. Just a little hobby of his it seems. He was called Alex???. I just posted on the Disney Ticket forum and the kind man looked for me - great as I couldn't really be arsed once I had found one site cheaper than Travelcitydirect:D

I liked the look of Mercury holidays. Next time I go I want a villa to chill out more

Edinburghlass_2

One thing to note is the Disney Ticket packages changed on 2 January 2005 and there is still a lot of confusion regarding this especially if you read about what tickets people bought last year compared to what is available this year.

I read the piece in the Daily Mail and wondered if they were quoting the new ticket prices for Florida residents (seems fair that they get a reduction) with a one day pass that is established to be dearer than a several day pass.

bj, what I did was decide which "pass" I wanted to buy then checked out all the sites and jot down the prices to compare. Then you need to make the decision as to buy now or hope for a reduction if you hold off

Elljay_2

jnd wrote:

Elljay, how old is your neice? Would she be too old for dining at Cinderella's Royal Table on her birthday?

Hi jnd, Thanks for all the info!!! My niece is 15 so I think she might be too old for the Cinderellas Royal Tabel. Although she has never been abroad before or on a plane so she is bound to find anything we do magical. What do you think? Have you done it?

jnd

Hi Elljay,

I'm like a big kid every time I go to Disney but it's not for everyone. IMHO the Royal Table is great. It's one of the more popular restaurants inside MK as you eat in Cinderella's Castle. It can be difficult to get seating during busy periods.

For something older what about a meal at the California Grill on the top of the Contemporary Resort hotel. Excellent food and if you time the meal right you can watch the fireworks go off over MK. You would need to check Disney's MK park schedule for that day and call ahead to get Priority Seating. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage

Here's a list of all the WDW restaurants with the most recent menus. The list is a bit daunting. Regardless of your choice you should call ahead to make PS arrangements so you're not disappointed. http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/menus.html

Liz19

Elljay, we dined with Shamu at Seaworld when we were in Florida in October and our kids (13 and 10) loved it.

lesley2004

Does anyone have any experience of hiring a limo in Florida.

We are travelling to florida in a couple of weeks, and for a birthday celebration I would like to hire a limo to take us to and from epcot.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

jnd

Hi Lesley,

Their websites crap but these guys come highly recommended from people I know who have used them.

http://www.pcctransportation.com/main.htm

***RETRACTING THIS AS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE ORIGINAL OWNERS SOLD THE BUSINESS AND THE NEW OWNERS ARE A DISASTER***

janeymates

Hi, we've just reserved a car with dollar.com online, you get a res. no and don't have to pay until you arrive. We were quoted appx £213 for 2 weeks compact car (you nearly always get upgraded, especially if you get to the back of the queue!). Be careful to use the U.S site, when i clicked on the U.K site, the same vehicle was coming out at £330! and the $ is good at the moment. hope that helps

jnd

Janeymates,

That's a good price. Just make sure it includes adequate insurance. Compare the cost and coverage against what http://www.yescarhire.com quote.

US car rental sites are cheaper than the UK ones because most US residents car insurance policies cover them for driving a rental car as well therefore the US sites don't usually quote for it.

Cheers.