Disneyland, Florida, 2013

meer53

florida2008 wrote: »

I would definitely agree with villa every time. Tried staying on I-drive, never again. Usually stay in Kissimmee area and have been lucky with the standard of the villas. We have always booked through a travel agent but have been pricing for June 2013 for 3 weeks and so far seems pretty expensive. Cheapest so far is Travel City Direct at £4916 staying in premier villas for family of 5. Thought this was still a bit pricey as it's a lot more than we've paid in the past. Would appreciate any tips and advice on this. We would even consider bypassing the travel agent if we could get a good deal.

Thanks

We've been to Florida for 3 weeks in June before and paid a lot less than that. I book through https://www.floridabees.co.uk. Speak to Sue and she will give you a quote, the last time we went we saved nearly £2000 on Travel Citys price. Lovely villas too !

valan1

Hi again I have also been looking for this year and so far the best has been holiday genie. Travel agents have been quoting 4500 to 5000 for a 3 bed villa. Thats for Virgin flights (direct) and a 3 bed villa. The holidaygenie.com:money: has been giving 3200 for fly and villa car is suv booked seperate for 480 for the 3 weeks. Go for the villa and flights as you are buying a package so therefore insured but buy the car sepaerate. Try :money:uscarhire.co.uk or:money: skyscanner.net they mainly do flights but the cars are really well priced.
So far for 3 weeks from August 22nd direct flights I have got it to £3600:j a big saving from the first two main travel agents who quoted me 5200 or 4500 with no car:mad:.

sammcg

for three of us to go with thomas cook
is £2500 from glagow, flights and hotel

for virgin is £2600. glasgow/flights and hotel.

to include disney passes is £3800

yet.. passes are £1400 so okay a wee discount but you are tied to disney

Zoetoes

I'm looking to book for next year and at the moment unsure whether to book 2 weeks or 3, I was toying with the idea of 3 weeks so we can have some rest days by the pool etc, are we likely to need to?

Also, tickets - what are the things we shouldn't miss? I will get Disney tickets and Universal Studios, and probably Sea World, but will probably leave Busche Gardens.

If we stay on Int Drive is it easy enough to get about without a car? I really don't fancy driving there! Are there plenty of shuttle buses etc? And do they run late at night?

It only works out about £600 more for the extra week including tickets so if it's really a better idea then I don't mind paying it but if 2 weeks is enough then the £600 odd can go towards spends.

Any advice appreciated.

meer53

Zoetoes wrote: »

I'm looking to book for next year and at the moment unsure whether to book 2 weeks or 3, I was toying with the idea of 3 weeks so we can have some rest days by the pool etc, are we likely to need to?

Also, tickets - what are the things we shouldn't miss? I will get Disney tickets and Universal Studios, and probably Sea World, but will probably leave Busche Gardens.

If we stay on Int Drive is it easy enough to get about without a car? I really don't fancy driving there! Are there plenty of shuttle buses etc? And do they run late at night?

It only works out about £600 more for the extra week including tickets so if it's really a better idea then I don't mind paying it but if 2 weeks is enough then the £600 odd can go towards spends.

Any advice appreciated.

We've been for 2 and 3 weeks. 3 weeks is better !!

The extra week gives you the chance to relax between days out and we enjoyed that. 2 weeks is fine but you need a holiday when you get back if you want to do all the parks and spend some time shopping too.

Never stayed on I Drive, we've always had villas as we like the freedom a car and having your own pool gives you. Plus, parts of I Drive are very tacky now, choose carefully if you are staying there. It suits a lot of people but it's not for me i'm afraid. Someone will be along soon with info about the shuttle buses, we've never used them. I find driving there easier and less stressful than driving here !

If you get Disney, Universal and Seaworld tickets you'll see most things. We usually get the ticket for Universal that includes Seaworld, think it's call a Flexticket. We did Busch Gardens but haven't wanted to go back again since. I know a lot of people who really like it though, so a personal choice really, my kids were small when we went and the rides were just too big for them and all the animlas were asleep. We saw more at Animal Kingdom.

I can't tell you what not to miss, you need to see it all !! The highlight for me is always the Spectromagic parade and fireworks at Magic Kingdom, closely followed by Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.

Bonnie_dog

we are staying at the Floridays on I drive, lt looks like apartments but you can still get the itrolley about and shuttles provided, 3 weeks to go

Zoetoes

A villa sounds nice but I'm too scared to drive I think. Are the cars mostly automatic?

I will have to have a good think. I'm booking it online so want to make sure I get it right.

Zoetoes

Oh I don't know now!

Just looking at Lake Buena Vista, and it looks close to Disney?

I will have to look at all options.

VALM

Zoetoes wrote: »

Oh I don't know now!

Just looking at Lake Buena Vista, and it looks close to Disney?

I will have to look at all options.

Lake Bueana Vista is a lot closer to Disney. We stay there each time we visit now. Have stayed on I Drive in the past (1997 was the last time) and whilst it was good to stay on then I think it's gone a lot shabbier over the years. I think that the parks are accessible from anywhere via the bus service though. We saw plenty of buses near us when we were driving around. Have you had a look at the hotels right near Disney as I know they offer free shuittle buses. I think this area is now called Hotel Plaza - it used to be called the Disney Village. It is the road way that lead up to Downtown Disney. I think they probably are more costly than the ones on I Drive though.

meer53

Zoetoes wrote: »

A villa sounds nice but I'm too scared to drive I think. Are the cars mostly automatic?

I will have to have a good think. I'm booking it online so want to make sure I get it right.

Hire cars are all automatic, you soon get to grips with driving there.

First time i went, i was on my own with 3 kids, collected the car at the airport and all 3 kids promptly fell asleep whilst i was trying to find the villa ! I found that after the first few hours, you just adapt to it. The roads are much bigger and no roundabouts to worry about !

There doesn't seem to be the mad rush to get to places that there is here, the parks are really easy to get to, parking is a doddle. The main problem for us was finding the car in the car park when we were coming back ! We learned eventually and tied a piece of ribbon to the aerial so we could find it !