Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

oxters

disney_cjd wrote: »

its ahrd to tell. The seat has to be approved in the US. I am not sure if the poly blocks are to be honest. I will see what I can find out. I will call the vehicle licence centre we get our licence renewed from and find out tomorrow.

Cheers
Craig

Many thanks Craig. Poly one unlikely to be approved - if in doubt will take proper child seats after checking flight restrictions

disney_cjd

oxters wrote: »

Many thanks Craig. Poly one unlikely to be approved - if in doubt will take proper child seats after checking flight restrictions

no worries

I just tried them now but they are closed Many carriers like virgin will carry them for free if that helps?

jackieblack

jetskidia wrote: »

The shuttle launch is still scheduled for Oct 8th.

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

This has now been postponed. New launch date is currently targeted for October 14th.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

disney_cjd

jackieblack wrote: »

This has now been postponed. New launch date is currently targeted for October 14th.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

i hope for my sake its postponed a little more to at least 21st

bloaty

BrownyP wrote: »

We are looking to go on 1st October for 2 weeks, i believe i need 2 adults and 2 children tickets as our youngest is 2 so she would be free. The Thomas cook travel agents quoted £400 each for tickets.

Can someone please help

we looking to go to theme parks and sea world etc

many thanks

Hi

That sounds expensive.

Depending where you want to go I have seen the following on Onlineflorida.co.uk (part of Travel Republic):

14 day ultimate WDW Adult ticket £173. Child £149
Disney's Ultimate Ticket, valid for 2 Weeks (2008)Disney's Ultimate Ticket, perfect for a 2-week holiday.

14 days of unlimited admission with the freedom to visit more than one theme park or attraction on the same day.

For ALL of the following:

• Magic Kingdom Park
• Epcot
• Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park*
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park*
• Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course
• Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex**
• DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park†

Disney's Ultimate Ticket expires 14 days from first day of use.

Gives you the freedom to visit more than one Theme Park or attraction on the same day.

Discovery Cove®
Ultimate Package
(Non-Swim Ticket) £116 Adult or Child ticket
(2-Nov-08 to 20-Dec-08)Welcome to our exquisite tropical island paradise. If you're between the ages of 3 and 5 or would prefer to watch your party swim with the dolphins, you can still experience all Discovery Cove has to offer, except for the dolphin swim. Snorkel amongst tropical fish, glide with our rays and relax on white sand beaches. As a reservation only experience, which is limited to a capacity of about 1000 guests a day, it’s a rare opportunity to set your own pace. Hand feed exotic birds in the colourful aviary, paddle along the crystal clear tropical river and soak up every moment of this blissful day. Put away your watch, kick off your shoes, and enjoy our indulgent experience to the full. Offered on an all-inclusive basis with breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks included nothing is going to tax you…

Life is good! It’s all about a day of wonderful discovery and a lifetime of memories.

Coral Reef
The colourful Coral Reef provides an ideal setting to snorkel amongst thousands of tropical fish and even come close to sharks and barracuda! (Safely housed behind glass partitions!). Take as much time as you like to explore the sunken shipwreck, stunning coral and marine life.

Ray Lagoon
Come and learn more about our mysterious Southern and Cownose rays in the Ray Lagoon, as they glide beneath your fingers, with some growing up to 4 feet in diameter!

Free-Flight Aviary
Just beyond a spectacular waterfall, you’ll find a series of towering Free-Flight Aviaries. Here, you can soak in all of the sights and sounds as you encounter hundreds of tropical birds nose-to-beak while they feed right out of your hand.

Tropical River
Discover what lies ahead along the deep blues and lush greens of this Tropical River. Here you’ll find cascading waterfalls, a secluded lagoon, hidden grottos, and a pathway to the Free-Flight Aviary.

Resort Pool
Relax in the refreshingly warm waters of this oversized freshwater pool. Whether you head deeper for a swim or take your time relaxing on one of the white sand beaches, is up to you.

Laguna Grill®
Take full advantage of our all-inclusive package and dine at Laguna Grill®. This is the place to come and enjoy a leisurely continental breakfast and our sumptuous buffet lunch, come in and eat light or dive right in!

This all-inclusive experience includes unlimited access to:

The Coral Reef
Ray Lagoon
Free-Flight Aviary
Resort Pool and Tropical River

Along with use of a mask, snorkel, wetsuit/vest, towels, lockers, beach umbrellas, sun loungers and hammocks, all day self parking, a continental breakfast, sumptuos buffet lunch and all drinks and snacks are included throughout the day.

You'll also receive a pass to Aquatica®, Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay and SeaWorld® Orlando, which is valid for 14 consecutive days admission before or after (or during!)your visit to Discovery Cove.

Guests of all ages are welcome at Discovery Cove, although you must be at least 6 years old to swim with the dolphins. Those aged between 3-5 can book a Non-Swim Package. Children under the age of 3 are free, but must still be noted on the reservation.

Includes free bus transportation to Busch Gardens on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express.
This service departs from SeaWorld Orlando and various locations on International Drive and in Kissimmee. Reservations are a must. The service can be pre-booked by calling 1-800-221-1339. This service is subject to change.

The only major attraction not included in this for children of your age is Universal Studios. A 3 day 2 park Adult ticket for Universale will cost you approx £60 Adult, £55 Child or you could purchase the:

Orlando FlexTicket™PlusEnjoy unlimited access to 6 great Florida theme parks with one great ticket. Adult £144, Ch £121

The Orlando FlexTicket Plus has everything you need to get the most out of your Florida holiday.

With the Orlando FlexTicket Plus, enjoy 14 days of unlimited admission to:

Universal's Islands of Adventure®
Universal Studios®
SeaWorld® Orlando
Wet 'n Wild® Orlando
Aquatica® (Florida’s newest water park)
and
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay

Your adventure doesn’t have to end once the parks have closed. You’ll also get complimentary entrance to Universal CityWalk®, Orlando’s hottest entertainment and dining venue*.

And there’s more. You’ll also receive: FREE coach transportation to Busch Gardens on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express when you purchase the Orlando FlexTicket Plus**.

FREE parking. Only pay for parking once if you visit more than one park on the same day.

Flexibility, variety and great value for money. The Orlando FlexTickets have it all.

* Your CityWalk pass is valid for the same period of time as your Orlando FlexTicket. These days start from the first day you enter an Orlando FlexTicket park or CityWalk. Some special events at CityWalk are separately ticketed and may incur an additional charge. Some CityWalk venues have an age limit of 21 years or older.

** This service departs from SeaWorld Orlando and various locations in the International Drive and Kissimmee areas. Service may be subject to change.

Tickets valid from first day of admission for 14 days.

Plenty of information on the ticket attraction sites, you just need to decide which attractions you want to visit and I am sure you will see this will none of these options will cost you £400 pp and you will more days to spend in the park than you have available!

Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

disney_cjd

disney_cjd wrote: »

Hi there

I remember this place, its south of i4 on the 27 isn't it, between Davenport and Haines City just past the new mall?

Well, good restaurants, that's a really hard one. It depends on budget. let me mention a few for you

1) The V&A - this is a wonderful restaurant situated within the Grand Floridian hotel. Probably the most expensive one in Disney but I have to say well worth it! See menu at http://allears.net/menu/menu_va.htm

2) The Californian Grill at the Contemporary hotel - one of Floridas best, a little cheaper thant he V&A. See menu at http://allears.net/menu/menu_cg.htm

3) The Flying Fish a tthe Boardwalk - again menu at http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm#bw

4) Yachtsman steakhouse - a lovely place and REAl meat menu at http://allears.net/menu/menu_ys.htm

The above all obviously Disney resturants within Disney hotels the plus side of this is that you can book them in advance (see my post above witht eh phone number and ways to call teh USA also). The down side is they cost a little more.

For resturants around your area.....

1) Manny's chop house. Nothing special to look at from the outside or in but the food is second to none and GREAT value for money. It shocked me when iw as there last the amount of people celebrating anniversays there.

2) Carabbas - a slightly more upmarket Italian resturant. I still prefer teh food in teh Olive garden but Carabbas is better for me thatn say Macaroni Grill.

3) Charleys Steak House - again quite nice and not Disney prices.

Its quite a hard thing to advise on really. You could check trip advisor but they will go from the Sizzler (no thanks at all) ro the Victoria and Albert (V&A).

How many in your party, age range? fac type of foodd, budget all come into play
Cheers
Craig

another place that may well be good is

Champions Gate Golf Club. I know it well and the food is excellent. It is in a great location right next to the Omni Hotel at Champions Gate.

A sample menu is

Soup or Salad

Roasted Butternut & Spaghetti Squash Soup
~ or ~
Winter Wedge Salad
Iceburg lettuce with bleu cheese, Apples, Raisins & Pears,
Candid pecans & Walnut-Raspberry Vinaigrette

Entree Selection

Carved Roasted Turkey Breast
With Herb Stuffing & Garlic Mashed Potatoes,
Green Bean Almandine & Honey Glazed Carrots
~or ~
Calvados Pork Loin
With Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes
Onion Tart & Asparagus
~ or ~
Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon
Sauce Maltaise
With Rice Timbale, Roasted Peppers & Zucchini
~ or~
Vegetarian Pasta Primavera
Grilled and Steamed Vegetables

Desert

Rich, Creamy New York Style Cheesecake
With Cinnamon Whipped Cream
~ or ~
Warm Cherry Bread Pudding
Irish Whiskey Creme Anglaise

Special entrees for children
Chicken Fingers
Burgers
Pizzas
$12

Assorted coffees, Teas and Soft Drinks

The cost per head is likely to be $40 max inclusive of service charges and tax.

disney_cjd

[quote=Originally_Posted_by_BrownyP
We are looking to go on 1st October for 2 weeks, i believe i need 2 adults and 2 children tickets as our youngest is 2 so she would be free. The Thomas cook travel agents quoted £400 each for tickets.

Can someone please help

we looking to go to theme parks and sea world etc

many thanks
/quote]

I think the 400 was for flights was it not? I think thats a super price when you consider taxes and bstard surcharges can be up to 300 quid now per ticket on BA!

Also for the your little one you will still need to have a ticket issues they usually charged 10% so you may have to pay 40 quid for them.

vivatifosi

disney_cjd wrote: »

If you have had good service in a resturant then you simply double the tax. Each bill in lFlorida list sales tax as a seperate item. All the yanks in my US office agree that they just double the tax and thats the tip.

You should tip your maid a buck aday too but many dont bother.

.....

The maisn one are waitress who get paid len all and barmen (a buck or two a round is fine).
Craig

The point regarding wait staff getting very little money is an important one. The way minimum wage is structured in Florida is very different to here. Workers who are not expected to get tips should be paid $6.79 per hour minimum, those who do receive tips get just $3.02 per hour, with the rest made up by tips. This is why the issue of tipping wait staff appropriately is such a hot one. Though having been there so many times it does annoy me when they hear an English accent and assume I'm not going to give them anything and draw things on the bills!

markelock

disney_cjd wrote: »

PeteB

Depends on her size.

The fact that the septics are the worse drivers on this planet and they all drive stupid sized cars we still put ouir 6 year old in a gracco car seat boaster with back. Same for our four year old. These were 45 bucks from Walmart.

As a lawyer I always check the law and here it is

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/Sec613.HTM

[SIZE=-1]316.613 Child restraint requirements.-- [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1](1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Show that to the b'stard hire company when they try and over charge you![/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]CHeers[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Craig[/SIZE]

Perhaps I'm reading this incorrectly, but it says that a 5 year old must be in a separate child restraint, then at the end, a 5 year old can just have a seatbelt?

oxters

markelock wrote: »

Perhaps I'm reading this incorrectly, but it says that a 5 year old must be in a separate child restraint, then at the end, a 5 year old can just have a seatbelt?

Yes we were thinking the same so we'll probably just take the polystyrene ones and wing it!! They are considered safe here. Suppose if they don't let you out of the hire co, you can hire their seat for a day and bring it back!!!

(MSE tip)