Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

Lynneth

I can recommend Emerald Island resort for sure. We (3 families - 5 adults and 4 children) stayed in a 6-bed villa at Emerald Island in 2006 and all of us thought it was a really nice villa in a great location. I had been to Orlando a number of years earlier with a couple of friends and we stayed in a hotel - I would go with a villa every time!

In fact, we thought it was so great that we're going back again this year! Staying at Emerald Island again, but in a different villa. As we are going in August again I have made sure our villa has a lanai so that we can still sit outside even when it starts to rain and the kids can therefore stay in the pool (unless there's lightning at which point it's ":eek:EVERYBODY OUT!:eek:" :rotfl: I don't know if we are over-reacting to the lightning as I'm sure it would probably hit the mesh cover thingy rather than the pool but you can't be too careful!!)

Only 116 days to go :jCan't wait!

We're flying with Thomas Cook this year which concerns me a little as I haven't flown on a charter flight for years... Has anyone flown with them to Orlando recently? I know they have got decent seat pitch but how was the overall flight experience? Hubby and I (no kids lol) have upgraded to PE but the rest of the group are in cattle. Any info gratefully received.:beer:

disney_cjd

themaccas wrote: »

Would you upgrade the dining plan before you go or in resort?

and...would you recommend Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter or another moderate resort? Trip Advisor reviews are all pretty much the same and at the moment am leaning to Riverside..we would like good kids pools for 12 and 7 year olds, nice food and clean and modern accomodation.

Many thanks

Hi

Well I have stayed at both and prefer FQ. The reason, its smaller. The Riverside used to be the old Dixie Landings hotel and was rebranded a good few years ago.

I take what trip advisor says with a pinch of salt. Not that I dont trust it but people tend to exaggerate on there both ways. Take a look at this site which is dedicated to the PO resorts and also has a great FAQ on who to chose which one! http://www.portorleans.org/

Cheers
Craig

disney_cjd

Lynneth wrote: »

In fact, we thought it was so great that we're going back again this year! Staying at Emerald Island again, but in a different villa. As we are going in August again I have made sure our villa has a lanai so that we can still sit outside even when it starts to rain and the kids can therefore stay in the pool (unless there's lightning at which point it's ":eek:EVERYBODY OUT!:eek:" :rotfl: I don't know if we are over-reacting to the lightning as I'm sure it would probably hit the mesh cover thingy rather than the pool but you can't be too careful!!)

Hi

The Lanai wont stop the rain coming through. In fact when it rains it tends to bring dirt off the roof down with it (well ours does). What it does do though is stop the bugs and gators getting into your pool! As for lightning you will be safe in the pool All modern lanais and I am sure EI has these, have lightning conductors and earth grounding cables so it should be fine if it takes a hit.

HTH

We're flying with Thomas Cook this year which concerns me a little as I haven't flown on a charter flight for years... Has anyone flown with them to Orlando recently? I know they have got decent seat pitch but how was the overall flight experience? Hubby and I (no kids lol) have upgraded to PE but the rest of the group are in cattle. Any info gratefully received.:beer:

Have a quick nose at https://www.seatguru.com to see what it says on their. I have not flown with them and I presume its into Sanford which is no bad thing. I know many on here have and will be in touch with some comments soon

Cheers

disney_cjd

themaccas wrote: »

Thanks disney_cjd, I've never stayed at a disney resort but I think the kids would love it!

You bet they will, even the big kids!

And you can buy a refillable mug and its free soda from then on for the length of your stay!

Lynneth

disney_cjd wrote: »

Hi

The Lanai wont stop the rain coming through. In fact when it rains it tends to bring dirt off the roof down with it (well ours does).

Cheers

Sorry, meant to say covered Lanai :cool: - the villa has an extended roof bit out the back which means we can sit in shelter from the rain!

Thanks for the tip re seatguru though - I have looked on there but not much info for Thomas Cook Airlines unfortunately. I'm sure it will be fine...

disney_cjd

Lynneth wrote: »

Sorry, meant to say covered Lanai :cool: - the villa has an extended roof bit out the back which means we can sit in shelter from the rain!

Thanks for the tip re seatguru though - I have looked on there but not much info for Thomas Cook Airlines unfortunately. I'm sure it will be fine...

very cool. Yes, those are the best

Blink_Eden

One comment on spending money:

Consider taking a Credit Card, I applied for a Nationwide card a month before we went away, and I did a lot of my purchasing on that (esp essentials like food), you get the VISA exchange rate, which is better than the retail one, and I also got 3 months interest free, so I am able to spread out repaying it a bit. Save up the money as you would do, but instead of converting it to dollars, leave it in the bank collecting interest and then use it to pay off the cc bill. You will still need to take some cash with you, but not as much.

Just keep a track of what you are spending so you don't overdo it. (Being a nerd, I had a laptop with me and made an excel spreadsheet that I used)

*Nationwide have now stopped doing free foreign transactions outside Europe, but I think the Post Office one will
** Also note that if the Exchange rate falls, you may be better off getting cash (I wish I had changed more when it was at $1.65

jackieblack

Blink_Eden wrote: »

** Also note that if the Exchange rate falls, you may be better off getting cash (I wish I had changed more when it was at $1.65

I wish I'd changed more when it was $2 !

Edinburghlass_2

Cheap flights in May from Thomsons, read this thread...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=21040571#post21040571

atro1

Lynneth
Quote:
We're flying with Thomas Cook this year which concerns me a little as I haven't flown on a charter flight for years... Has anyone flown with them to Orlando recently? I know they have got decent seat pitch but how was the overall flight experience? Hubby and I (no kids lol) have upgraded to PE but the rest of the group are in cattle. Any info gratefully received.


We are over here at the moment and we flew with Thomson/First Choice I was truly amazed at the service we received.
First time we have travelled charter in many years The legroom was brilliant the food better than both Virgin and BA who we flew with last year.
The crew seeemed to enjoy serving you whereas nowadays Virgin crews certainly do not.
Going into Sanford is a dream compared to MCO no long walks we even had an immigration man that smiled!! We was out and through in 19 minutes! I am sure TC's will match TUI aircraft and it will be a very pleasurable experience.