Help with Orlando Parks and car hire

Gav_E

I'm travelling to Orlando for the 1st time with my family in May this year for 2 weeks and I'm getting stressed before its began. I've got good deals on flights and a villa but finding the pre-booking of the parks really confusing. Out of 14 days I would guess 10 of those would be doing theme parks. I want to do Disney and Universal but cannot find flexi tickets for both these parks. Whats the best way and cheapest to do this. Its for 2 adults, two kids (5 & 12) and one senior citizen.
Also any advice on car hire for sufficient for my needs would be most gratefull aswell, cheapest obviously !!

Thanks for any help

Incapuppy

Start with the info/links on the first page of this thread:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1820085

valiant23

Gav.

The links (and Orlando threads) are a superb resource. We first went to Orlando 2 years ago, did it D-I-Y and this forum (and The Dibb) was excellent.

I can't help about Disney as we have no intention of visiting, but Universal do an Unlimited 7 day ticket for about £65. I was the same as you in not wanting to live in the parks but the beauty of having this ticket means that you can 'pop in' for half a day here or there. Universal Studios also host TNA Wrestling which may not be everyones cup of tea but its a very entertaining evening, although when we went we had to queue for 2hrs beforehand.

Regarding car hire, we used USrentacar and got a Dodge Durango for the 2 weeks for less than £300 (total) although Mrs V says that car hire has gone up a lot. Also, the car hire company (in America will require a credit card so that they can take an imprint as a deposit). We didn't have one at the time but accepted a pre paid one no problem.

We're going in 40 days (yes I'm counting every day :j) and are there for a month.

If you're there at the right time (ie same as us) can I suggest taking time out to see the shuttle launch, and the NASA Up Close and Personal Tour is superb.

This may be your first time, but I promise it won't be your last.

Any other help you can always PM me.

madmumof2

I would definitely look at http://attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk they are the cheapest (they price match), real tickets not vouchers, and they are very very helpful. You can get extras as well.

I'd also check out http://carhire3000.com

wanye

car hire in october 2008 was ~£170 for two weeks, so far all the quotes i've had back for oct 2010 are in the region of £250 for the basic car.

check out easycar.com. i used them last time, and got quidco cashback on the booking. they used alamo, who were based at sanford airport for the pickup. i checked in, did all the paperwork for the "basic" car, and got 'upgraded' by the guy who takes you to your car to a rather nice chevrolet hhr (their version of the pt cruiser)... thought it was hella ugly at first, but by the end of the trip, i was considering buying one! it was really easy to drive, and had loads of room. was very impressed with it.

hth

merlinormartin

Back in January 7 days car hire with Dollar(via carhire 3000) cost £120.60.