Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

kle87

A Warning!

I returned from my 2 weeks in florida yesterday. Weather was amazing 80' everyday! During a visit to Animal Kingdom my park tickets fell out of their holder between the safari and everest. After walking the route many times we were told by a cast member disney would replace them no problem just go to guest relations which we did. To cut a very long and traumatic story short as we booked our tickets through Charter Travel they had no reference of our booking and would not replace the tickets. We pleaded showed them email confirmation, scanned credit cards, rang the company who confirmed we bought 14 day ultimate but that wasnt good enough because there was no ticket number. Both my children were crying as we only went to do Disney and they were prepared to crush their dreams so much for the 'where dreams come true' slogan. We identified which turn style we used to enter the park, the exact time as id had pictures taken with characters before entering the park but nothing was good enough. Just when we had given up all hope they were handed in thankfully.

The point of the story is if you dont book direct through disney they will not replace lost tickets. However, thats all Disney need to replace tickets bought through the third company is a photocopy of the back of the ticket. Everyone make sure you do it to save yourself some tears!

dazzer68

kle87 wrote: »

A Warning!

I returned from my 2 weeks in florida yesterday. Weather was amazing 80' everyday! During a visit to Animal Kingdom my park tickets fell out of their holder between the safari and everest. After walking the route many times we were told by a cast member disney would replace them no problem just go to guest relations which we did. To cut a very long and traumatic story short as we booked our tickets through Charter Travel they had no reference of our booking and would not replace the tickets. We pleaded showed them email confirmation, scanned credit cards, rang the company who confirmed we bought 14 day ultimate but that wasnt good enough because there was no ticket number. Both my children were crying as we only went to do Disney and they were prepared to crush their dreams so much for the 'where dreams come true' slogan. We identified which turn style we used to enter the park, the exact time as id had pictures taken with characters before entering the park but nothing was good enough. Just when we had given up all hope they were handed in thankfully.

The point of the story is if you dont book direct through disney they will not replace lost tickets. However, thats all Disney need to replace tickets bought through the third company is a photocopy of the back of the ticket. Everyone make sure you do it to save yourself some tears!

thats a good tip, i do always do this, but good idea to pass it on.
photo copy your tickets and keep them seperate from the originals as disney will replace them if you have proof.
and jumping in and out rides getting wet etc, they do take some bashing and get lost or damaged

jadsima

disney_cjd wrote: »

also as for the dated interniors - we were shocked at the styles when we were furnishing our place. Now there is an Ikea in Orlando there is no excuse but at the time is was flora prints and palm trees everywhere!!

And for some reason the Americans do not put handles on kitchen cupboards, that one always baffles me LOL

Cheers Craig.

I have seen one I really like in Bella Vida so I hope that is not too far from Disney.
An agent told me quite a few villa owners have seen their homes repossesed due to this global recession and that several holidaymakers had lost their accomodation with no refunds as they had booked directly with villa owners so I'm loathe to do the same as insurance will probably not cover that kind of loss so I've been trying agencies.
The DIY route is looking quite reasonable at the mo with flights into Tampa at very affordable £1300 for a family of four and accomodation for a 6 bed villa coming in at under two grand.
Thanks for all the advice, please let me know about the Bellavida location.

kezza12

sitcom123 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. We will be staying just off Highway 27 I have been told its about 20mins ride from Disney. We will be there for 2 weeks. I dont even know how many parks there are that is how clueless I am on it all!!! I know we want to go to Seaworld, Magic Kingdom, little one is really into Superheroes etc and dinosaurs so something for him. I am going to write down this week the things we really want to do and try and make some kind of plan. Are the parks all pretty near each other?? or are they miles apart?? Hubby doesnt like shopping much but I have been told we really should try out some shopping, also looking to find good eating places around our villa area that does good food with maybe child discounts.:j

hi sitcom come across to the dibb we're a bit Disney crazy (and twilight crazy but that's a different story) there's even an itinerary planner over there that will help you along a lot and you will get lots of advice, reviews, and recomendations:D

PJB

kle87 wrote: »

A Warning!

I returned from my 2 weeks in florida yesterday. Weather was amazing 80' everyday! During a visit to Animal Kingdom my park tickets fell out of their holder between the safari and everest. After walking the route many times we were told by a cast member disney would replace them no problem just go to guest relations which we did. To cut a very long and traumatic story short as we booked our tickets through Charter Travel they had no reference of our booking and would not replace the tickets. We pleaded showed them email confirmation, scanned credit cards, rang the company who confirmed we bought 14 day ultimate but that wasnt good enough because there was no ticket number. Both my children were crying as we only went to do Disney and they were prepared to crush their dreams so much for the 'where dreams come true' slogan. We identified which turn style we used to enter the park, the exact time as id had pictures taken with characters before entering the park but nothing was good enough. Just when we had given up all hope they were handed in thankfully.

The point of the story is if you dont book direct through disney they will not replace lost tickets. However, thats all Disney need to replace tickets bought through the third company is a photocopy of the back of the ticket. Everyone make sure you do it to save yourself some tears!

Also take photos of them on your phones and cameras.
Another tip is to write your contact details and take a photo of that so there is a chance they will look at them and hopefully send your phone and/or camera and other otems lost home!

nicolajb1982

We go to florida on 30 April 09 for 3 weeks, while we are there its my husbands 30th birthday.

I want to do something special like a surprise experience.

I just stuck on what to do, we have been 6 times and we love it there.

Any ideas would be helpful and as cheap as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Lan

Wonder if someone can give me some advice for which car will be big enough for 4 big suitcases? We are also taking 4 wheelie on flight ones too.
Normally we get a Dodge caravan, but tbh there are only 2ad + 2ch (teenagers), and money is a bit tight this year (as for everyone I know).
Please can anyone help?
Thanks in advance!

aitch-aitch

We go at end of Aug this year and am sooooo excited (2 adults + 12,10 & 6 year old). Went in 2001 before the 6 year old was born so can't wait to see his face.

Have subscribed to this thread and then just read the new postings every day for hints and tips. Have then written down the pages I need to go back to for car hire, ticket buying links etc. I have also bought the Brit Guide to Orlando which I am now reading through.

Thanks to all of you on this thread - esp Disney CJD who seems v knowledgable.

Have just one quick question - what is Disney Extra Magic Hours all about?

aitch-aitch

Lan wrote: »

Wonder if someone can give me some advice for which car will be big enough for 4 big suitcases? We are also taking 4 wheelie on flight ones too.
Normally we get a Dodge caravan, but tbh there are only 4 of us, and money is a bit tight this year (as for everyone I know).
Please can anyone help?
Thanks in advance!

If you are only going to be transporting the suitcases at the beginning and end of your hols you may be able to get away with a smaller car and have the smaller bags in the back of the car on those two days as you will be leaving your suitcases at your apartment / hotel the rest of the time.

Would be interested in the response to this as we are wondering which size car to get for 2+3 of us. We are staying in same place for 2 weeks so will only be transporting suitcases twice. Think we will probably take 4 cases + 5 carry on bags

gem1979_2

Hi

We did the same for my husband's 30th last year. We went with a group of 7 adults and had a brilliant time. On his birthday we went for an airboat ride at Boggy Creek which was great. We saw crocs and various other stuff but the ride was brilliant. In the evening we went to Medieval Times which is hilarious. It's very cheesy but you get to wear crowns and cheer on your knight. The horses and riders are fantastic and everybody gets into it cheering and shouting. The food is supposed to be Medieval themed - soup to start with then roast chicken and ribs which you eat with your hands of course with jacket potatoes and other things. Beer is topped up as and when you want it which is included in the price. Other drinks are available too. It's a really good laugh especially if you're with a few people and kids love it too. You can book in advance for better seats and they do special packages for birthdays though we didn't bother with that. Think it's more for kids unless you want your husband knighted by the king? Look for special offers on their website before you go as think we got the birthday boy free.

We did the usual parks. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are amazing and Busch Gardens is definitely worth the trip out. Hollywood Studios was probably our least favourite. Think the Disney parks are better if you have kids although I love Epcot and we did do a girls only day out to Magic Kingdom - think the men would have hated it. If you go to a park a lot of them do birthday badges at the customer relations which is great for embarrasing your other half as everywhere you go they get a big cheesy 'Happy Birthday!'.

If you don't fancy parks then Daytona Beach was really good fun. You drive onto the beach and park up then there's swimming and bodyboards for hire. Think there were jetskis and stuff as well. It was quite busy but it's a huge beach so not too crowded.

Hope you have a great time!