Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

clarabella23

hi everyone, got a mega deal for florida through jetsave, actually was cheaper going into Thomsons (who i got the jetsave brochure from) and getting them to ring through for me using their ABTA number, 2 adults 1 child for 17 nights staying on international drive with Virgin flights and airport transfers for £1600. how cheap is that?!the only downside is we just picked the Travelodge at Universal Orlando, thinking that as its quite a big name it would be ok-basic but close to the parks, but looking after its had some not so great reviews. has anybody been there who could set my mind to rest? not looking for much from the hotel just somewhere to rest on an evening and possibly have breakfast in.

izzitme

clarabella23 wrote: »

hi everyone, got a mega deal for florida through jetsave, actually was cheaper going into Thomsons (who i got the jetsave brochure from) and getting them to ring through for me using their ABTA number, 2 adults 1 child for 17 nights staying on international drive with Virgin flights and airport transfers for £1600. how cheap is that?!the only downside is we just picked the Travelodge at Universal Orlando, thinking that as its quite a big name it would be ok-basic but close to the parks, but looking after its had some not so great reviews. has anybody been there who could set my mind to rest? not looking for much from the hotel just somewhere to rest on an evening and possibly have breakfast in.

We stayed at the Travelodge on American Way (I think this is the one you have booked). We were there in May 2006. It was scruffy but the staff were always helpful, & it is really only somewhere to sleep.

I think it has been refurbished since, but somebody else might know different. It is well located around 5 minutes walk from Wet 'n' Wild. Also plenty of restaurants in the area such as Dennys, IHOP, KFC & Ponderosa.

We didn't do it, but we were told that Universal was a 15 minute walk away.
The only real complaint we had was that our room faced onto either I 4 or a road leading from it. It was quite noiosy from early morning to late night.

HTH

angelheart

Hi Gruffalo

If you can I would highly recommend staying on site at disney. I went with my 9yr son two years ago and stayed at All Stars Music. It was fabulous and he loved the 'diney magic' of the hotel. The hotel pool was excellant and as a single mum I felt so safe, never had any problems or concerns, I didn't feel like i stood out because I was on my own. The transport was excellant and it was easy to go back to the hotel when he was tired.
The extra magic hours in the morning were superb, we were at magic kingdom on the first day at 6.50am, it was brilliant, we got some fabulous photo's with the characters.
I would also recommend the Ohana character breakfast, we both absoulutey loved it.
I don't think he stopped smiling from the minute we entered the hotel to the moment we had to go home, even the journey on the magical express back to the airport was an experience!!
The food hall was ok for what we needed and we did eat in the parks sometimes. Downtown Disney is a great place to go in the evening, lots to do and do go to the Rainforest Cafe, we went a few times, it was quietest in the day time.
I have just booked to go back in December to Port Orleans and both of us are really excited.:j

Buy some guides they are really helpful in planning your days. I planned every day, planning what route we would take around the parks for the rides that best suited us and this was a wonderful time saver and saved a lot of stress of how to fit everything in. I found that going to the park early is the best as it was the quietest and that my son just want to play in the pool in the evening or go to Downtown Disney.

For Universal studios, two days is enough, we did one side a day. We used Mears transport, a minibus type of service, very reasonable.

Hope this has been some help

Kim :A

GRUFFALO

thanks angelheart i completely forgot about the extra magic hour.

Richardn

Hello.

Looking to plan our first trip to Florida.

The people that stayed in the Disney hotels can you let me know who you booked through ????

Cheers

disney_cjd

PAUL7331 wrote: »

Just booked my flights for November 6th-20th next year from Manchester with Virgin, paid £681 total, not too bad I thought for 2x adults, anybody agree?
Now for finding accomadation. Ideally we want1 week round the parks and the second week a bit more chilled out, but with the occasional park visit/s. Can anybody recommend anywhere that match my needs?

Hi Paul

not a bad price at all considering what they charge other times of the year.

You do not really mention budgets so I will assume a decent budget and a closer one.

WHAT IS WOULD SAY AND SORRY FOR SHOUTING BUT ITS IMPORTANT IS THE 19th WILL EB THANKSGIVING. You will probably not want to be at the partks that week, it will be very busy.

Also you do not say whether you are wanting to stay around Orlando or maybe pop over to Clearwater or Tampa maybe? Its only an hour and 40 mins away but totally different side of Florida.

So for the week at the parks. I would, if you can afford it, go a Disney hotel. The cheaper ones (and the best value one I have stayed in ) is the PoP Century. If you can afford a little better then try a moderate and I would go fot eh Port Orelans Riverside. At that time of year and if you are not going in thanksgiving week then I woudl call teh hotels directly. If you want a cheap way to call the USA for a penny a min google cherry call USA or go to https://www.1899.com.

The Pop Century is 001 407 939 7639. The Port Orleans is 001 (407) 934-6000

If you want somewhere other than Disney for the parks week i would suggest somewher in the Lake Buena Vista area. The Marriotts at little Lake Byran are great as is the Comfort Inn LBV. All of these you can get from palces like Hotels.com. I would not really reconmend the International drive area but if thats somewhere you liek then the Floridays is probably the best that way.

As for the non parks week A really nice hotel in Orlando (with the BNEST pool) is the MArriott World Center. Again all depends on price. If you got to Clearwater then the Hiolton on teh Beach is nice.

As for price for the non thanksgiving weeks you could get Disney value rooms for aroun 70 dollars night. Also try Annette at MouseFan Travel. They are really good and an American travel agent but will help you if you do not want to call teh US.

Let me know if this along the right lines for you.

Cheers
Craig

disney_cjd

juju81 wrote: »

hi ive been looking to book for next xmas any good deals about i was wanting to stay at rennaisance near seaworld can only sea it on virgin

Virgina re having trouble shifitng seats and BA has a sale on. T ry those websites and pop the dates in.

disney_cjd

sturll wrote: »

Just about to head to the airport to jet off for New Year in Orlando tomorrow morning, think of me hitting the parks, sunbathing in Clearwater and getting legless in Miami

Happy New year all see you in a couple of weeks

:beer:

git

Have a great time

disney_cjd

GRUFFALO wrote: »

thanks for all the info . how did you daughter managed with all the walking ? and would taking a scooter be a good idea

i have a four year old and a six year old and they have been very lucky and go to the parks many times a year since they were babies.

its tiring especially when they insist on being there ALL DAY and i mean from 9 am until fireworks!!!

We do still take one buggy with us, Even the 6 year old will have a nap in it later in the day.

If you do not want to take a buggy then you cna always do this. Haev a normal day int eh parks and later in teh afternoon pop back tot eh stroller (buggy) rental place and wait for someone to return their buggy. This will happens all day so you will not have to wait for long. Then offer them their 2 dollar deposit and they will let you have their stroller and you do not have to pay the 20 buck hire price.

Doen this a few times too and many many peopel do.

Have a great time

disney_cjd

Richardn wrote: »

Hello.

Looking to plan our first trip to Florida.

The people that stayed in the Disney hotels can you let me know who you booked through ????

Cheers

Hi there.

i always book directly witht he hotel. Can be daunting for a first timer.

So I woudl suggest you try either a UK holiday company liek Virgin Holidays or now even their TCD brand. Or you can book directly with Disney via th4 web (i tend to call teh US though as I always got a better deal). Or you can use https://www.mousefantravel.com which is a US based travel agent and really helpful

HTH
Craig