First time trip to Florida

I_am_mad

Thank you everyone you have all been so helpful, I am having so much fun researching everything. I really want to go to Island of Adventure, were not fussed on Disney as I went when I was 10 so I have experienced it and other half isnt a huge Disney fan plus its way to expensive for both. Has anyone seen any good deals for IOA and universal?

merlinormartin

Last year we purchased a "Fab 4" ticket from FloridaTix £183:
http://www.floridatix.co.uk/fab-4-package.aspx

14 consecutive days unlimited admission to:
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios
SeaWorld
Aquatica
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (including coach transport)

Ticket prices vary, so it pays to shop around.

I_am_mad

HAs anyone seen this offer around and is it good? I dont really want to spend that much though so maybe just got for the universal one which is this one http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/Attractions/ProductDetail.aspx?PI=1198 which I think is the same as the one you posted Merlinormartin except it includes wet and wild, which I dont know is worth going to?

Poppy9

When I booked Discovery cove I booked direct on line with them as the price was the same as other sites.

When we arrived at Discovery cove for our day they informed us they had changed their price structure and as a result we had over paid so they refunded us the difference. If we had booked with a third party we wouldn't have had this money back.

Publix supermarket have a fab. bakery, better than Walmart. We used to buy fresh pastries in the morning and put then in our apartment to enjoy with a cup of tea when we came home exhausted from parking (as in theme parks not car parking);).

Buy a cheap poly ice box from Walmart and fill with ice to keep water/drinks cool in the car. Especially useful on long drives.

Buy a lanyard and take in your own water bottle to parks. You can then refill from water fountains in the park as the water is fine. We'e never been stopped taking in water.

Take CDs for the car with good driving music

Don't park everyday - build in rest/pool days

p.s. any room in your suitcase for me!

I_am_mad

Thanks Poppy 9 I am taking a spare suitcase lol you can fit in there!

Poppy9

oh meant to add make sure when you book you can both drive, even if one of you doesn't intend. It only costs an extra few quid and in case of accident/illness as least you can both then drive the hire car.

OH twisted his ankle in one of the Theme park and couldn't drive back but I could as I was insured as well

yellowmonkey

Great advice already given above :T

Mine is Enjoy it all, take in what you can and go back several times to do what you have missed ;o)

Try to go every 2 years if I can and Love it

I_am_mad

Poppy9 wrote: »

oh meant to add make sure when you book you can both drive, even if one of you doesn't intend. It only costs an extra few quid and in case of accident/illness as least you can both then drive the hire car.

OH twisted his ankle in one of the Theme park and couldn't drive back but I could as I was insured as well

We are booking our car through BA when we book our flights as it seems to be the cheapest, does anyone know if I can put both of us on hire care this way?

Poppy9

I_am_mad wrote: »

We are booking our car through BA when we book our flights as it seems to be the cheapest, does anyone know if I can put both of us on hire care this way?

Yes it's possible as it has an offer for "free additional driver" with AVOIS on the BA website.

yellowmonkey

I_am_mad wrote: »

We are booking our car through BA when we book our flights as it seems to be the cheapest, does anyone know if I can put both of us on hire care this way?

You will need to check your insurance cover

Went last year with Travel City Direct and had Platinum insurance and me and OH were both covered. If I had got Full insurance it would only have been me. Also be carefull if the person doing the holiday booking is not a driver as some companies will name that person as the driver for the hire car and you will have to ring to get it changed