Disneyland Dream

joannaben

My two children aged 9 and 11 were due to go to Disney Florida last year with their dad (my ex) and all his family so in total about 7 adults and 8 kids. Obviously they were very excited. 8 weeks before departure my ex announced that despite the holiday still going ahead, he and our two kids would no longer be going as he couldn't afford it. This has broken my heart for my two children and it's my lifes aim to make it up to them and take them to Florida myself. I'm prepared to live a basic life to make this happen (no new clothes no social life etc) as soon as possible. I'm aiming for 2014.
So basically as a complete Disney novice I need help for all aspects. I dont know whether to go room only or self catering etc Which areas are safest as a girl on her own with two children. In addition I don't drive. Every where Ive looked is approx £1500 per person. Is it cheaper not to go via a package holiday? Any help is greatly appreciated. I also have no clue as to which parks are a must bearing in mind I'll be on a strict budget. I'm super excited but feel like I'm in way over my head with trying to plan it :eek:

emslovesmickey

Depends on how long you want to go for, and what time of year. I'd advise International Drive - most hotels on there have shuttles to all of the major theme parks. I've been there a couple of times and found the cheapest time was to go at the end of November/beginning of December. It's also relatively quiet which means less queueing. You could save some money by restricting which parks you go to - the tickets are expensive. Get the unlimited Disney ticket - 4 theme parks, 2 waterparks, and possibly the Universal 2 park ticket as well so they can go to both Universal parks, which are literally within walking distance.

claire16c

Sometimes there are cheap deals with the package companies or on Expedia, you should be able to pay a lot less than £1500 each but if you were looking in August then that's probably about right! So choose a cheaper time although dont know how it will work with school. But August is disgustingly hot in Florida I'd never go at that time again. Maybe Easter or October half term.

If you don't drive just check out what shuttles the hotel operates. We did this when we were under 25 & so unable to rent one. We stayed in a motel & they normally have a free breakfast. Then we got the shuttle each day to a park. If we wanted to go somewhere that the shuttle didn't go to directly, we'd get the shuttle to the closest place possible then get a taxi!

joannaben

I would like to go for 3 weeks to really make the most of it and also because this is the only time I'll ever be able to do it while theyre still children. I suppose due to schooling I have no option but to go in the school holidays so was thinking of going the last week of July. I know it'll be super hot but if we want to go for three weeks theres no other time we can. Unless the school allows them time out. I'm not sure what the law is with that these days.
Is it a stupid question to ask if they allow you in and out of the park with your tickets, or is it literally one visit per park?

meer53

If you're going for three weeks in the 6 weeks holidays it will probably be double the price of any other time.

I took my daughter out of school when she was 9 for 3 weeks to go to Florida. It wasn't authorised by the school but i took her out anyway. I've never taken her out before or since. We went in June, it saved me about £1500.

We're going this July for 2 weeks. We booked last September, the flights were £890 each but have since gone up to £1300 each (inc all taxes etc) We're staying in a villa and have rented a car. Book early !

A package would probably work out cheapest for you though. You'll need Park Hopper tickets if you want to do more than 1 park a day. If you're going for 3 weeks, i'd stick to 1 park each day, especially if you're not hiring a car, it's very tiring in July, the humidity drains you completely.

The Universal parks are next door to each other so you could probably do these in 1 day, but there is an awful lot to see and do.

Mr_Wang

Find flights at ITAmatrix

Book them through Expedia

Book the Howard Johnson, or Motel 6 at Maingate East (Kissimmee)

Get your car from Carhire 3000 or Travelsupermarket.

I priced up 1 adult and 1 kid for about £700 all in earlier in the month.

Spend whilst there - $50 per day easy, just shop for breakfast and lunch at walmart.

meer53

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Find flights at ITAmatrix

Book them through Expedia

Book the Howard Johnson, or Motel 6 at Maingate East (Kissimmee)

Get your car from Carhire 3000 or Travelsupermarket.

I priced up 1 adult and 1 kid for about £700 all in earlier in the month.

Spend whilst there - $50 per day easy, just shop for breakfast and lunch at walmart.

OP doesn't drive. She needs to buy park tickets too.

npreece

Orlando doesn't have great public transport links so you won't be helped much there unfortunately, but LYNX transport buses operate limited services into Walt Disney World from select locations in Orlando. There is a great article on Tripadvisor which contains a lot of good information on the LYNX service. Once you are on Disney property you can use their free transport between all of the parks. If staying on Disney property is an option, you would also benefit from free Magical Express transfers from Orlando Int'l.

I would recommend sticking to either the Disney parks (which I would recommend for your party) or the I-Drive parks (Sea World, Aquatica, Universal) if you are on a budget as then you will not need two sets of tickets.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me, I have planned many trips to Florida so I can help! :j

jackieblack

Lots of useful info, and lots of very helpful people on the Orlando/Disney World thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1820085

Rowan1946

Hi,

we are of to Disneyland this july for our honeymoon,,

Dont say to a cast member in the magic kingdom that your so excited to be in Disneyland,, they take offence to that as its Walt Disney World (WDW) in Florida & there castle is much larger than californias, lol

shykins

check out the dibb website for lots of info

also compare cost of a basic disney hotel. u are in the middle of the action, they have films in the evening and games round the pools. all the buses to the parks go from there all day so u can come and go as u please rather than being held to a timetable

they also have a system where u pay around $15 for a larger beaker and thats your drinks for the whole stay, it saved us a fortune!!!!

we actually found the extra £100 or so was more than worth it for the benefits.
hth