Wife's 40th: Oh no, not Orlando! Planning for 2016

ERICS_MUM

As said earlier, you can't do better than join us on the Dibb, a forum made up of Disney and Florida frequent-flyers with lots of knowledge and newbies with lots of questions, doubts and fears. Some members own villas which they rent via the Dibb. It's not just Disney, not just Florida but we are all fans !

Personally I think you will be able to put together a fab holiday for all 3 of you. I'd also suggest a few days at the beach - the gulf coast sea is warmer than the Atlantic.

https://www.thedibb.co.uk

Doreeny

We have been many times to Orlando over past 30 yrs. Our boys were 8 & 10 yrs first time we took them which was a good age for them to remember. Don't try and fit too much in for your 1st visit as you will go back! Everglades is a long way from theme parks especially for a 4 year old. There are airboat rides in central Florida. Disneyworld has 4 theme parks and cheaper if you buy a multiticket, I would think a 4 year old would appreciate the attractions here over Universal.
We went Christmas last year and it was so busy with lots of upset/tired little ones. Even if she doesn't have one here get a stroller for the parks so she can sleep whenever she's tired - buy one from a supermarket $20 cheaper than hiring. If you go at the end of October it will be decorated for Halloween and Christmas decorations go up in some parks and resorts from 6/7th November. We are doing that this year. Also it's Epcot food & wine festival October so your daughter could sleep in stroller while you have some adult time & wake her up for fireworks.

Doreeny

You won't be the designated bag holder once you've been sprinkled with pixie dust. A villa is a good idea so you can have a day off with more space and it often works out as cheap as a hotel room. It is a long way to go for 7 days and you have to weigh up twice as long for same airflight - extra week's car hire. You can always economize with a few packups or subways instead of buying food in the parks. Sharing more meals gives time to take breaks as does planning shows or sit down rides regularly.

duchy

If you want to be able to cook in the evening then a hotel room probably won't work.

I quite like Homewood Suites at Lake Buena Vista as it has a full kitchen and you can get a one bedroom suite with two double beds - but also have an entirely seperate lounge so once little one is asleep you can relax with the TV, glass of wine etc. For nights you are too shattered from the parks to cook or go out to eat then most local places will deliver. We used a delivery service who would pick up from anywhere so one night we had a full meal from TGIs for example.

The property is close enough to return for a lunchtime swim /nap and go back to the parks later if you want (most villas are much further out)

Embassy suites at Down Town Disney have the same room set up too.

lellyo

Hi check out the DIBB website, we've booked for next year and theres load of info on there. Its a Minefield of information
Hth

lellyo

lellyo wrote: »

Hi check out the DIBB website, we've booked for next year and theres load of info on there. Its a Minefield of information
Hth

Oops sorry just realised it has already been suggested!!

duchy

Ha ha Love "It's a minefield of information"

I'm sure the poster meant mine of information but yes it can be a minefield too as it is darn addictive

kangoora

It's not immediately apparent from your post but if your wife is a roller-coaster fan then definitely consider a trip to Busch Gardens at Tampa Bay - IIRC there are 7 roller-coaster in that park, plus I'm sure the little one will like the animals.

The biggest disadvantage to a weeks stay for me is you're only just really getting over jetlag fully and then you're coming home.

I would never go to Orlando for just a week, too much to see and do.

Skye1611

Further to all the suggestions, i think if you plan the trip then your 4 years old will enjoy it too. We first took our son aged 2 years and he enjoyed the age appropriate stuff.
We have been a few times over the years and are going back this Christmas for the first time over the festive season for 19 days.
My son will be 13 and the oldest 20. I will celebrate my 50th birthday on Christmas Day. Apart from the parks does anyone have any ideas as to where we can go for and Christmas/birthday brunch lunch option? or any other ideas that might be a bit different?
Really appreciate your help.

Hope the trip goes well next year and if i find any useful tips for my 50th will let you know.

myloaf

Hi All,

I thought I'd resurrect this thread because I've a few things preying on mind. Firstly, the good news: I booked the holiday, accomodation, tickets and car hire. We leave in early Oct 16 (about 3 and a bit weeks away). Now the bad news: My mind is scrambled by the car hire and in a tizz about if have I got everything, insurance-wise covered. On top of that, I'm as nervous as hell about driving over there. I've driven in America before (about 10 years ago), but this time I've got my daughter in tow (4 years old) and I'm slightly less gung-ho than I was. Could I ask a few questions to help put my mind at ease....?

I've booked the car through Net Flights and the hire company is Alamo. My inclusions and exclusions on the hire are as follows (verbatim from the rental conditions):

Inclusions

-Unlimited Mileage
-Collision Damage Waiver
-Loss Damage Waiver
-Theft Protection Insurance
-Local & State Taxes
-Supplemental Liability Ins.
-Airport Surcharge
-Zero Excess
-24 Hour Mechanical Breakdown Assistance

Exclusions

-Young/Senior Driver Surcharge
-Toll Charges, Fines And Violations
-All Additional Items (Paid Locally And Subject To Local Taxes)

It's the last bit under exclusions that bothers me - "Additional Items" - I don't know if I've got all the bases covered. I've looked at the Brit Guide book and it mentions LDW (covered); CDW (covered); Supplemental Liability Insurance (covered). But then I look at Martin's guide to car hire and there's reference to Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), covering tyres, roof, windscreen, which I don't think is on the list of inclusions. Is this needed? If so, I would rather get this independently as I've heard the car hire companies charge this at a premium.

Also, a few other things, I've never used Alamo before but they offer a couple of benefits - Save Time Service and Toll Pass - that may be useful. The first seems a no-brainer, anything to speed up the process of getting the hire car at the airport(especially with a sleepy and therefore grumpy 4 year old) can only help. And then there's the Toll Pass, it's $3.95 a day to have the toll costs charged directly to credit card, I don't know if the cost spent is equal to the hassle saved, so I would be interested to know the views of anyone who has experienced this.

In fact, I would be grateful for any car hire / driving in the US tips that you can share - anything to bring down my stress would be just what I need!