Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

bargainboy

bargainboy wrote: »

Hi folks,

I have done all i can using this site, but i am after some more advice.

I can get a villa in a variety of places for @ 600 pounds for 12 nights stay, i would like to know peoples opinion on different locations.
I also need to know I am in the forces and i know i get special treatment over there but what does that consist of apart from que jumping.
I am looking at the whole holiday costing approx 2500 pounds ( villa,car hire, flights )
can anyone advise if this is good for 2 kids 2 adults, 30th Aug to 11 sept.

oops i would love too know who you booked with.

junpit

whatusername wrote: »

I always take what i can afford. On average i budget £2000 our money for 14 days thats for 3 of us (me the mrs and a 13 year old) whatever that changes into currency then so be it thats what we have. I always buy park tickets here and pay any upgrades here, that £2000 is for spending there on food, drinks, clothes, activities etc etc etc.

Take what you can afford and im sure you'll have a ball regardless, you don't need to spend big bucks in Florida. I know i can go and have a ball and spend less than my budget very easily.

There are 4 of us (me, wife, 2 girls aged 9 and 4) and I'm off for 3 weeks. we normally stay off-disney and can get by on £1500 (on a 1.5 rate). We eat a kids eat free all you can eat breakfast buffet, some lunch/dinner in the park (sometimes mid afternoon) and sometimes a meal in the park at night in cosmic rays for example. If we don't do that we may do wings/pizza in the hotel when we get back over a few beers.

We normally eat 2 or 3 times at a disney restaurant. Our favourite is whispering canyon at the fort wilderness resort and the kids love the crystal palace. When you look at paying $4 for a chicken meal for the kids each in the land, you can see you don't need to spend loads.

I'm off for the 6th time in May for 3 weeks and the dollar rate is frightening. I took £1500 2 years ago when it was 1.94 to the pound and bought money back. This time I think I'll need about £1700.

I hope that helps.

-Darren

jonomassey

I went with my wife 3 years ago on our Honeymoon and we took £2500 worth of spending money and the exchange rate was around 1.95 and we brought back £1200 and that included having a week on Miami South Beach.

We are going again in June for my Wife's 30th and taking our little girl who will be 2, I was thinking that around £1200 would be enough. We are stopping at the Marriott Fairfield Inn in lake buena vista so get free breakfast. Do you think £1200 is enough for eating out, petrol and buying a few clothes? We have already got Park tickets etc.

mikeouk

im trying to plan a trip to florida, flying into orlando and driving upto panama city. My sister lives there and i wont need a car while im staying with her. Does anyone know if the hire car companies offer one way hire?

whatusername

KarenG wrote: »

No, unless you are staying at one of the MK resorts, and even then you have to catch a boat or the monorail (unless you are staying at the $$$ Contemporary and then you can walk).

The idea Walt Disney had was to "build up" the excitement of reaching the MK by the anticipation of being able to see the castle from across the Seven Seas Lagoon (the big lake in front of MK). This was something he regretted he was unable to do at Disneyland.

Maybe my wording wasn't very clever, i've been to MK and know the set up. I should have told the full story. There are 9 of us going to Orlando, 1 family of 3 have been to MK last year therefor don't wat to go again but the problem lies with us only having a 12 seater van hired. So in essence what im asking is can the group going to MK be dropped off and the other party do their own thing.

disney_cjd

whatusername wrote: »

Maybe my wording wasn't very clever, i've been to MK and know the set up. I should have told the full story. There are 9 of us going to Orlando, 1 family of 3 have been to MK last year therefor don't wat to go again but the problem lies with us only having a 12 seater van hired. So in essence what im asking is can the group going to MK be dropped off and the other party do their own thing.

Yes you can. As you approach the ticket booth at the car park just tell them you are dropping off and they will route you to the drop off zone.

No worries

disney_cjd

mikeouk wrote: »

im trying to plan a trip to florida, flying into orlando and driving upto panama city. My sister lives there and i wont need a car while im staying with her. Does anyone know if the hire car companies offer one way hire?

Hi

yes they all do. Just tell them where you want to pick it up from and drop it off too. They can be different places.

See https://www.usrentacar.com or https://www.yescarhire.com

vivatifosi

mikeouk wrote: »

im trying to plan a trip to florida, flying into orlando and driving upto panama city. My sister lives there and i wont need a car while im staying with her. Does anyone know if the hire car companies offer one way hire?

I've picked a car up in Orlando and dropped it off in Tampa before now without any problems. Can't remember fully, but think I had to book by phone rather than internet due to the variables, but its certainly possible. Didn't cost extra either.

disney_cjd

leachy wrote: »

Hi disney cjd
So you dont get a card you get a pin number do you print it out etc.I have registered with the site but I am a little uneasy about buying one just yet.They seem great !!
It just looks a bit complicated for me if you wouldnt mind letting me know in laymans terms how easy it really is that would be great cheers Leachy

Hi and not a problem at all

OK so I have been using them for about five years or so and never a problem. What you can do is enter where you are calling from i.e. the US and where you are calling too, i.e. the UK and it will list all the best calling cards to use.

To cut through that stage, just pick the Bizon card. The reason is there is no weekly fee or anything. You just load it up with ten bucks and you are away.

The non printing thing - i did not mean to worry any one. All that happens is that there is card, you just print it yourself. What you get is a toll (free phone number) and a an pin number.

So you call the toll free number which I think is 1 800 blah blah from any payphone be it in the hotel lobby or your room and then you enter your PIN. Once this has been entered it asks you to enter the number to call so you enter 011 44 1245 123456 etc. It will then tell you how long you can talk for so at 2c a min it will be a long long time.

When you have finished the call you can either hang up or press # three times and enter another number.

HTH
Craig

disney_cjd

MollyJoe wrote: »

Hi,

I am hoping someone could help me.
I was hoping to take my son to disney but i am slightly concerned as to what he will be able to ride / take part in.

He is 4 years old this month and 42 inches high.

I wanted to take him while he still believes in "magic".

My DH and I are differing on everything it would seem, main points being
a) is he too young
b) should we go to a value resort or moderate - i say moderate as we do not want to go into the parks everryday, may be a day at the pool,
c) a direct 9 1/2 hour flight or indirect changing planes?

any opinions gladly received.

You have had lots of good views on this but here are mine....

we have been taken our two now 7 and 4 many times a year since they were 11 months. They love it and are never too young (or old). There really is no age limit for Disney at all and you will find lots for him to do. For example, hows about a nice lunch withthe Little Enstiends at the Hollywood and Vine and Playhouse Disney Live on Stage or taking a ride in Dumbo the flying elephant etc?

So much to do.

As for hotels, it comes down to what you can afford. I wont lie to you but the moderates are nicer but thats why they cost more. For me the Port Orleans Riverside is the best but they are all good. If you go value then you should look at the Pop Century. However you know you could always rent a Disney Vacation club place like Saratoga Springs? Look at https://www.dvcrentals.com. The DVC is Disneys timeshare and many people rent thier weeks out.

Witha wee one I woudl suggest a direct flight so from london that would be Virgin or BA and from Manchester Virgin. However do not discount flying into Tampa on BA also. Its only 30 mins drive further away and a lot easier to navigate through and being honest the Virgin flights are always late anyways

HTH
C