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

funkmaster_2

Hi

Finally getting married next April 8th and going to go on honeymoon in Orlando. Unfortunately this coincides with the most expensive time to go to Orlando it would seem, and because we've only just planned for this we've missed all the free child deals and the likes. Have worked my way through all 51 pages of this thread, but have two questions if someone could help me please.

We have decided to go for two weeks. I've been before but my fiancee and daughter (6) haven't so we need to do the dash-round-all-the-theme-parks-type-of-holiday (Disney, Busch, Universal, Sea World, Kennedy SC) and with a few days of rest and a day of (gulp) shopping.

I'm thinking of just putting my faith in Virgin holidays. Direct flights from Manchester at a good time, transfers, tickets sorted. Would it be wrong just to send them the money and let it be sorted for me?

Secondly, staying in a Disney hotel or not? If so, which one? Are the value ones still as magical as the deluxe? For a young family like ours I'm not looking for luxury. Moneysaving would dictate not to stay at Disney I guess, but because it's our honeymoon should I do it? If not, where to stay?

I guess what I'm asking is, if you wanted a lovely honeymoon what would you do? Currently I'm thinking Virgin holidays staying in a Disney resort. What would you change?

Thanks in advance

Poppy9

It has been mentioned before but as this is such a long thread worth mentioning again:

Hotel and apartments often get leaflets for dial up Pizza etc delivered to your room. Do not ring and pay by credit card as you will not see any food but they have your card number. Some hotels have warning notices but many do not.

A friend also advised to give your credit card company your mobile number when abroad so they can ring you if unusual activity. Don't know whether many CC are interested though!

divadee

funkmaster wrote:

I guess what I'm asking is, if you wanted a lovely honeymoon what would you do? Currently I'm thinking Virgin holidays staying in a Disney resort. What would you change?

I personally think you are trying to do way to much in 2 weeks. We went for 2 weeks 2 years ago and only managed to do disney.

Dont forget that busch gardens is about a 2 hour drive from orlando so that makes it a very long day there. And you can get all 'parked' out doing it all day every day. We took it easy and relaxed (which you want to do on your honeymoon!!) and had a great time I couldnt imagine trying to fit all the theme parks into one 2 week holiday.

Also have you looked at travel city direct? they work out very cheap (we have booked with them to go in feb 06) and it might give you more spending money to go out there with. Virgin our better flights but as its only 9 hours out of a 2 week holiday i would rather save the money. We upgraded to first class with travel city and it was still cheaper than virgin economy.

Anything else just ask

funkmaster_2

divadee THANKYOU! This is music to me ears. Having been many times before I knew it was too short a time to be there for, but have been met with a barrage of "Two weeks is long enough" from friends, family and fiancee! Your comments have hardened my resolve to go for three weeks.

What advice would you have for a hotel? Do I push for the Disney hotel? I can't make my mind up. I'd love to stay at Disney, but would sacrifice it to save a few pounds as long as it didn't leave me thinking "I wish...".

I'll doubtless be in touch again for more help, thanks for replying!

divadee

funkmaster wrote:

divadee THANKYOU! This is music to me ears. Having been many times before I knew it was too short a time to be there for, but have been met with a barrage of "Two weeks is long enough" from friends, family and fiancee! Your comments have hardened my resolve to go for three weeks.

What advice would you have for a hotel? Do I push for the Disney hotel? I can't make my mind up. I'd love to stay at Disney, but would sacrifice it to save a few pounds as long as it didn't leave me thinking "I wish...".

I'll doubtless be in touch again for more help, thanks for replying!

I have never personally stayed in a disney hotel. We have always stayed in a villa. That way its like a home away from home. With a private pool for relaxing days when your feet cant take anymore theme parks!!

As I said we are going in Feb next year they will be 5 of us travelling via first class with travel city with car hire (people carrier) and private villa with pool heat and that is costing us £4k which we thought was a bargain. Virigin quoted us that for just flights and car hire!!! :eek:

3 weeks would still be pushing it to fit everything in. We are only going to do disney again this time as there was so much we didnt see last time. But 3 weeks you would be able to disney and unioversal and seaworld comfortably. Perhaps not space centre and busch gardens. Also I dont know if your daughter would be able to go on much at busch gardens as its an older theme park more for teenagers i think.

I think disney hotels are magical and you get your theme park tickets included for the length of stay. Have a shop around and see the price differences. Sometimes for us it was nice to be able to cook a proper meal at home instead of eating out/take aways every night. We even had a roast dinner one night!!!

Edinburghlass_2

Sorry Divadee its no longer the case where you get park tickets included when booking a Disney hotel.

We stayed in Pop Century in July and loved it, I would think it would ideal for a six year old to make friends at the pools. You do gain the extra hours at the Disney parks if resident in their hotels and as we were there high season it meant that some parks, MK and Epcot were open until 1.00 am.

This meant that we could "do" Seaworld say through the day and then go to a Disney park in the evening and still come back to loads of kids in the pool at midnight

The value resorts are not luxurious but everything is there for you and to be honest we hardly spent any time in the room anyway.

divadee

Edinburghlass wrote:

Sorry Divadee its no longer the case where you get park tickets included when booking a Disney hotel.

oh i thought they always did . When did they change that?

AirCooledHeaven

funkmaster wrote:

What advice would you have for a hotel? Do I push for the Disney hotel? I can't make my mind up. I'd love to stay at Disney, but would sacrifice it to save a few pounds as long as it didn't leave me thinking "I wish...".

I'll doubtless be in touch again for more help, thanks for replying!

I would definitely get a private villa with a pool rather than stay at a disney hotel. The novelty of having breakfast while Mickey Mouse wanders around wears off REAL FAST!

There is plenty of late availabilty on villas, just type 'florida villa rental' into google. Also ask the owner for late booking discount, they would rather have some rental income than have their villa stand empty.

Look for a villa in a gated or walled 'community'. These often have community pools where your daughter could meet other children.

Finally, buy your attraction tickets in florida from Walmart, best prices I found including UK websites.

gizmos

I suppose one of the main things to ask is if you are going to be driving - and htat will probably help determine wher eyou stay. disney if not driving and if you are definitely a villa.

We managed to do all of Disney & Universal in two weeks but that was in low season. if you are going for near enough three weeks how about spending two and half in Orlando and half a week on the gulf coast to relax at the end of your honeymoon. that way you could also go to Busch Gardens.

There's some lovely beaches down near sarasota and reasonable accommodation at that time of year. that way the youngsters would get to play on the beach and sample some of the alternative life of florida as opposed to all the theme parks.

Just a suggestion

Col_in_LB

Hope you got my message Funkmaster!

I'd certainly agree with the other comments about a villa - so nice to get a break from the Disneyfication!!!

Also agree that you seem to be trying to squeeze in a lot in a fortnight - do limit yourself and also plan in some rest days.

cheers ;-)
Col