Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

ceebeeby

cspu03 wrote: »

Hi all,

Kids are aged 12, 10 and 5.

Check your 5 year olds height and manage expectations early. There will be a lot of rides they won't be able to ride on. Be prepared for one of you to wait with the 5 year old.

Flights and villa already booked

Who with? If with Virgin, you might be able to get some deals on tickets.

Which parks should I visit (WDW and/or Universal etc) ?

I didn't particularly rate Universal IoA, nor did the kids (15 and 10), it wasn't girly enough for them, whereas Disney oozes magic constantly. Universal Studios was fab. Water parks as above, they're included in an Ultimate pass as should both be open by then (Typhoo Lagoon currently shut for refurb, once that's done, then Blizzard Beach is shutting for refurb). We loved the Anheuser-Bushch parks (Sea World, Busch Gardens etc.)

What ticket(s) should I buy and from where please ?

Probably WDW Ultimate (available only in the UK), best price we found was Virgin, but there's really only a couple of £'s between them all. Don't put off buying them early, as the closer it gets the more you want to keep your money for spends!! (What about the tickets as kids Xmas present??), plus whatever other parks you choose. Be prepared for about £800 ish on tickets!!!

Car Hire - any tips (eg what size car for 4 persons, booster seat required, total damage waiver etc) and links on where to hire ?

We hired via a link on this site from CDJ - uscarhire.com. We had an intermediate car Gold Package for about £300 for three weeks. If you get the Gold Package you're fully covered. Remember to take your own Sat Nav. I second on the booster seat, especially with a 5 year old. Either take one yourself, or stop at the first Wal-Mart you come to and get one.

Can you recommend any places to eat

There are so many, you won't have any problems finding anywhere. For very budget there are the buffet style restaurants (remember to ask for a free Kids Eat Free pass when you buy your tickets). For more expensive, there's Downtown Disney and Universal City Walk. There are some very very nice restaurants mentioned on this site, that need booked 6 months in advance, but they're quite costly.

Places other than Disney to visit (eg Clearwater or Daytona)

DEFINITELY KENNEDY SPACE CENTRE!!! One of the highlights of our visit. Check their website to see if there's any rocket launches scheduled whilst you're there. You're unlikely to see a shuttle launch though (although, if it keeps getting postponed you might!!). If you've a wee bit extra money do the Up Close NASA tour - the kids loved it!

Night Life - any suggestions ?

With 3 children, probably fairly limited. Disney Quest at Islands of Adventure is included in your ultimate ticket. There's a couple of Disney Crazy Golf Pitches which is good fun (one near Blizzard Beach, the other near Epcot). If you use both you get the second half price. Don't miss the evening fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Fantasia at Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios stays open till midnight one day per week.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to MSE!!

love2save

cspu03 wrote: »

I'm extremely grateful, thank very much.
As a single parent dad its hard to find time to do all the searching, hence the reason I posted my thread on here I was just hoping that seasoned epxerts would come to my rescue and help with good solid advice.
The holiday is for the kids not me, I just want them to have the best time possible.
Thanks once again.

Glad I could be of some help. People are so good on here. Whatever you do the kids will have a fabulous time

I had forgotten to mention Seaworld...apart from Disney it is our favourite place. My daughters are 8 and 23 and both love Orlando, you will run out of time so don't buy too many tickets.

Anyway, waffling now...meant to say...get the kids to search the forums it will make it more exciting for them and may help you too. This is the other one we use and there is a huge amount of info on there:
http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/


Good Luck

cspu03

ceebeeby wrote: »

Welcome to MSE!!

Thank you Ceebeeby, appreciate you taking the time to post so much detail.
The flight is booked with Virgin so will contact the travel agent and make enquiries re tickets.

ceebeeby

It's actually your holiday rep rather than ticket sales that will do the best deal, they can give you 'discretionary' discounts! Ours met us at the airport with Mickey and Minnie teddy's for each of the girls as well!!

There's another good website: mousesavers.com that does a monthly newsletter, and quite often comes up with some hints / tips on things to see and do, and good discounts on places.

disney_cjd

traleegirl wrote: »

I started a thread on the 'Grab It' forum about this deal. I submitted it, read it and when I went to check for any replies ten minutes later it had been pulled!
I have no idea why and I didn't get a message telling me why either

thanks fro trying

you are a star

MEMBER02

Whats the cheapest way to call home from florida?any phone cards worth getting?

sturll

love2save wrote: »

Glad I could be of some help. People are so good on here. Whatever you do the kids will have a fabulous time

I had forgotten to mention Seaworld...apart from Disney it is our favourite place. My daughters are 8 and 23 and both love Orlando, you will run out of time so don't buy too many tickets.

Anyway, waffling now...meant to say...get the kids to search the forums it will make it more exciting for them and may help you too. This is the other one we use and there is a huge amount of info on there:
http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/


Good Luck

I think your post is very good and informative but for me it highlights the the way people view the parks differently.

Let me elaborate, i have 3 children but one is a baby so a 4 year old and a 7 year old. We have been 3 years running and will be going again in Jan.

Disney is good. The shows are excellent but it really excells in regards to their waterparks imo. In fact if my mother wasnt travelling with us (her first time) this time then i would just get tickets for the waterparks and not even bother with Disney. The kids love the place but for me they are not the best places in Florida.

Magic Kingdom in my opinion is small. Perhaps it the vision you have of it but i think its a bit snide to be honest. No really amazing rides - nothing special imo.

Animal Kingdom - the best of the disney parks id say, my children sboslutely loved the petting zoo, the safari, the bug show etc.. Really do enjoy AK and am looking forward to returning.

The studio place which always seems to change its name is ok. But once you have seen Little Mermaid it kind of falls by the way side. Maybe its because i compare it to Universal in Hollywood but its not that good.

Epcot - The first time i went my kids hated it, i wondered what the whole point of it was. However went last year and the kids loved it, i loved it. Certainly a highlight.

Universal Studios - A bit rubbish to be honest - although the ET ride is great (which they dont have in Hollywood) but the backlot tour is snide compared to HW (where i went down Wysteria Lane)

IOA - The single best park in Florida imo. My son loved it, i mean absolutely loved it. I loved it, my daughter loved it. If you like Spiderman, Batman Dr Zeus its a great place to be.

SeaWorld - The biggest single waste of a day i have ever spent. You have to pay for things once you have already paid in. If watching animals in captivity do tricks for their food is your thing then by all means go. Me - I hated the place and got a refund.

Wet N Wild - I wont even waste my time.

Aquatica - See above

Outside of Orlando

Clearwater - One of the greatest places in the US. The beach is fantastic, go on one of the many boat tours and get to see the following:



Or head off down to the Keys via Miami and the everglades.

I have hundreds of photos from every single nook and cranny in Florida and if anyone needs convincing just ask and ill post whatever up i have. The point im trying to make is with Florida you have to think outside the box.
Too many people i know have said "Florida is a bit crap" and i say "well did you go to so and so, and here and there" and they say "No, just Disney"

vivatifosi

Wow what a lovely picture, thanks Sturll. That's got me in the mood. One week on Wednesday and I'm off!

ceebeeby

sturll wrote: »

The point im trying to make is with Florida you have to think outside the box.
Too many people i know have said "Florida is a bit crap" and i say "well did you go to so and so, and here and there" and they say "No, just Disney"

Brilliant point!! It's each to their own, and I guess we can just post our thoughts on what we found good or not.

I'm so looking forward to going back, and exploring more of Florida.

I LOVE your photo! That's amazing!!!!

sturll

Thank you for your comments. That photo is one of loads i have, basically you get to Clearwater and go on the boat out to sea (about $15 each i think). The Captain then floors it and about 6 Dolphins were just (he called it dancing) but were literally jumping out of the sea along with the boat it was so surreal and special - even now.

It really does touch you seeing how free they are and what beautiful and intelligent animals they are - and in the wild too. A highlight and memory my children an i will cherish forever - and it didnt include a mouse with big ears