Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

TraceB

will be booking a holiday to florida for january time - the last time me and oh went was for our honeymoon 8 years ago! will be taking the kids this time! last time we didn't bother with a car and we're thinking of not bothering again but wanted some advice!

we will be staying on international drive so can use the i drive for that area, but what is the best way to get to the disney parks? are shuttle buses expensive?

if we did hire a car am i right in thinking that hotels and the theme parks charge for parking?

just trying to weigh up all the costs!

tia
trace

stan747

TraceB wrote: »

will be booking a holiday to florida for january time - the last time me and oh went was for our honeymoon 8 years ago! will be taking the kids this time! last time we didn't bother with a car and we're thinking of not bothering again but wanted some advice!

we will be staying on international drive so can use the i drive for that area, but what is the best way to get to the disney parks? are shuttle buses expensive?

if we did hire a car am i right in thinking that hotels and the theme parks charge for parking?

just trying to weigh up all the costs!

tia
trace

Hi, you'll find that the i-ride trolley serves i-drive and it's a dollar each way or you can get inexpensive passes form some shops (you can't buy the passes on the bus) it takes you between the outlets at either end of i-drive and to seaworld. you have to switch to a lynx bus at seaworld for disney and at the other end, it is a 10-15 minute walk to universal form the stop.
most hotels have regular shuttle buses to the parks so it might be worth checking.
i don't know of any hotels on i-drive that charge for parking but most parks do.

jetskidia

I'm looking for a 2 bed suite at Lake Buena Vista next year complete with (ideally) free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi and a washer/dryer in the suite.

Anyone know of such a place, and the best place to book it?
Thanks

stan747

jetskidia wrote: »

I'm looking for a 2 bed suite at Lake Buena Vista next year complete with (ideally) free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi and a washer/dryer in the suite.

Anyone know of such a place, and the best place to book it?
Thanks

gad a quick search and found this
http://www.hotels.co.uk/pageDetails.do?&destinationId=4FF23C22-E4FF-4834-91BD-08BAD605FE8C&hotelId=206003&arrivalDate=30/11/2007&departureDate=02/12/2007&numberOfRooms=2&adultsPerRoom=2,1&childrenPerRoom=0,0


twin room for £59 quid a night, doesn't include breakfast but has cooking facilities and a resuarant, free wi-fi and a washer and dryer.

KarenG

jetskidia wrote: »

I'm looking for a 2 bed suite at Lake Buena Vista next year complete with (ideally) free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi and a washer/dryer in the suite.

Anyone know of such a place, and the best place to book it?
Thanks

Cypress Pointe in LBV should fit the bill. We stayed in a HUGE 3 bed condo here in August for £33 / night - basically it's a timeshare so you don't get daily maid service but you don't get hassled to buy either. We had a big open plan living room / dining area / kitchen, bathroom with bedroom and two single beds, washer /dryer, microwave, fridge freezer, master suite with huge bathroom including walk in shower and jacuzzi bath. We also had a separate studio lock off which we didn't acually use. We booked through www.hotelopia.com

There was a reasonable weekly charge for internet access and free parking. Only two minutes' drive to the Crossroads entrance of WDW.

No breakfast there though everything else meets what you want?

stan747

KarenG wrote: »

Cypress Pointe in LBV should fit the bill. We stayed in a HUGE 3 bed condo here in August for £33 / night - basically it's a timeshare so you don't get daily maid service but you don't get hassled to buy either. We had a big open plan living room / dining area / kitchen, bathroom with bedroom and two single beds, washer /dryer, microwave, fridge freezer, master suite with huge bathroom including walk in shower and jacuzzi bath. We also had a separate studio lock off which we didn't acually use. We booked through www.hotelopia.com

There was a reasonable weekly charge for internet access and free parking. Only two minutes' drive to the Crossroads entrance of WDW.

No breakfast there though everything else meets what you want?

10% off code for hotelopia, 358422, valid on all bookings made until 1/1/09

vivatifosi

To -1-,

Disneyworld is great without kids. I enjoy all the rides and shows and go twice a year. There are some fantastic daytime shows (the best is probably the Lion King at Animal Kingdom), thrill rides (Rock and Roller Coaster is my favourite) and some simply fabulous attractions that are best appreciated by adults (Soaring at Epcot to name but one). Also make sure you see the evening spectaculars, especially Illuminations at Epcot and Fantasmic at Disney MGM.

Here's some other great things that we enjoy doing as we don't have kids either:

1. Visit Kennedy Space Center. If you were born before man landed on the moon, seeing this monument to how they got there and what they've done since is truly spectacular. If you weren't its still better as adult entertainment.

2. See Cirque de Soleil's La Nouba: two shows an evening, at Downtown Disney. I've seen other Cirque shows that I preferred, but this is still spectacular.

3. Like Music? Check out who's playing at the Hard Rock Live Orlando (Universal CityWalk), House of Blues (Downtown Disney) or the Amway arena (in Central Orlando).

4. Go grown up shopping at £1=$2 at the gorgeous Mall of the Millennia.

5. Check the entertainment schedules at Epcot for free concerts. These happen throughout the year. In spring and autumn they coincide with the flower and food and wine festivals. From now to Christmas they have Candlelight Processionals.

6. Got plenty of time to book in advance and feel romantic? Hire the Breathless cruiser (with skipper) and watch the Illuminations fireworks at Epcot from a beautiful boat.

7. Catch an 18 rated film before it comes out in the UK.

8. Go to Pleasure Island (better at weekends, or Thursday for unofficial gay night) in Disney and try out the clubs, Irish pub and comedy.

9. Like sport? Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing pretty well this year, easy to get to (need to get tix in advance), or if there's still games on, the Orlando Magic.

10. Play sport? Plenty of golf, tennis and running tracks around Disney, good gyms in lots of hotels... I'm not a golfer, so for me there are a few fun crazy golf places around. I like long walks and hardly ever come across anyone on the walking trails as its such a car culture.

Hope this is helpful.

RJG_3

Florida Rental Villas. Are you getting the best price?

Before you visit your local travel agent, or begin your Internet search for a holiday broker in readiness for your 2008 holiday in Florida, take a moment to consider who is the best equipped to give you what you want at a price that is right for you.
If you are one of the many thousands of visitors to the Sunshine State, who prefer the luxury of renting your very own Florida villa for the duration of your holiday, and book through a tour operator, you may not be getting the best deal on your accommodation.
Many of the major tour operator’s sub let private rental properties, which are actually owned by people like you and me. Obviously this increases the cost o the accommodation, which ultimately is transferred onto the holidaymaker. The property owner however receives less income as a result of the tour operator taking their commission.
So how do you find out if you are getting the best deal for you? Well in an effort to show the merits of spending a little bit of time at the computer before parting with your hard-earned money, I have made some comparisons of my own. The following illustrations are based on a family of four, consisting of two adults and two children aged 10 and 12 years traveling to Florida during high season in 2008. All prices shown are genuine as of 2nd October 2007, and include all taxes.

3 bedroom apartment in, Kissimmee.

Thomson: £1820


Direct from the owner: £931.84 (click here)


3 bedroom 2 Bathroom Courtyard Villa at Tuscan Hills.

Travel City Direct: £1231.50


Direct from the Owner: £950.00 (click here)


4-bedroom 2/3 bathroom Villa located in the golfing community of Highlands Reserve.

Virgin Florida; £1330 (click here)
Direct from the owner; £1260 (click here)


3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa with pool, close to the major attractions.

Cosmos; £910(click here)
Direct from owner; £750(click here)

Other benefits of booking direct with the owner include 24/7 support from a local property management company, who in the unlikely event of any issues arising during your stay will provide an efficient response, without having to first contact the tour operator’s representative. You will be provided with the management company contact details, prior to your arrival, which will also be more direct, as there will be no requirement for any detour to collect the keys and directions to your villa.
Prior to your arrival in Florida, you will know exactly where you are staying, relative to the places you wish to visit, as well as the whereabouts of local shops and restaurants. This allows you the time to plan your holiday, thereby negating the need to attend the tour operator’s welcome meeting, and the customary selling of tours and tickets.
Dealing direct with the owner puts you in control of your chosen accommodation. So if you want a villa, which has a south facing pool, spa and views over a conservation area, then that is exactly what you will get, or perhaps you prefer a games room for the children, you choose.
Owners will tell you what is provided in their villa, so all those towels, which are ready to be packed in your suitcases, may not be necessary. If you have a young child, you will know what facilities are available, and what you need to take with you.
You may be traveling as part of a large group, in which case you want suitable accommodation, that will suite your needs, such as a villa which has two master suites for the parents.
There are just some of the benefits of renting your next Florida villa direct from the owner, an owner who has a vested interest in ensuring that their villa is prepared, maintained and contains everything which you and your traveling party require to have a memorable holiday in Florida.
To ensure that this article does not breach the forum rules, all links have been removed. I can confirm however that each price quoted above is genuine and originates from a either a tour operators site or a particular rental site which allows bookings to be made direct from the property owner, hence the saving and enhanced holiday experience.

MEMBER02

Going to florida dec 2008,anyone know how to obtain the cheapest ticket deals,eg we want a 4 park pass for 14 days to universal parks, and a 7 day pass for disney worlds,never been before so very amatuer here.

stikiuk

Hi guys am after some advice plz.
We are going to use timeshare for an apartment for the 2 weeks, for 2 adults and 2 children.We can get these for around £160 per week. Anyone recomend any quality apts around intl dr.
Also whats the best way / time to book flights. Just did a search and the cheapest came out at £844 :eek: each from manchester with first choice. We are quite flexible with regards to dates, just wanna be there for xmas and new year.
This will be our first time in florida so really havn't got a clue, but i thought if we booked early we'd get the best deal !
Thanks in advance x