Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

mickeynut

Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated! I'm sure I've got a 101 questions about OKW, I've just got to think of them! Will PM when I've had my thinking cap on if that's ok! Thanks again!

robsonru

bisto44 wrote: »

Hi
just wondered when you were thinking of going we booked port orleans for sept/oct about a month ago. french q was fully booked and we had to get a waterview for riverside so I think they may get very booked up they both look fantastic will be able to tell you more after we go if you want?

Thanks bisto44
going next october its a long time away i know but we'll finally be able to afford a nice holiday then would love to hear about port orleans when you get back but were going to have to book it really soon because we think weve found a deal that suits still cant decide french quarter or riverside but either way think we'll all enjoy it

robsonru

wanna-b-rich wrote: »

I'm far from an expert, but this site helped me to decide which resort to stay on.

great site!!!!

vivatifosi

robsonru wrote: »

Thanks bisto44
going next october its a long time away i know but we'll finally be able to afford a nice holiday then would love to hear about port orleans when you get back but were going to have to book it really soon because we think weve found a deal that suits still cant decide french quarter or riverside but either way think we'll all enjoy it

When trying to decide between French Quarter and Riverside, you may find it helpful to think of it as three themed areas and two resort centres. Obviously you have the New Orleans French Quarter style buildings in one side, but Riverside has two separate themes, the antebellum style rooms in buildings such as Magnolia Bend and the bayou style buildings in Alligator Bayou. I love the antebellum rooms, I think the buildings are beautiful, especially if you can get a dual aspect corner room (same goes for POFQ) and this is my favourite part of the resort, but I detest the bayou style buildings, the swamp theme just looks horrid to me. As there's a path between French Quarter and Riverside, plus transport links, there's no problem staying in one part of the resort and using the facilities in the other.

KarenG

Thriftkitten wrote: »

I just got a quote for 1 adult flight, 14 nights in 3* champion world resort 3 miles from Disney as a late deal, valid for travel between Aug 22- 26th Sept, could possibly do this as a last minute thing, price was £439. would you say that was a good deal?It is based on 4 sharing, but whaddaya think.

I think I've stayed at the Champions World Resort, that's if it's the hotel on the 192 near Lindfields that used to be the Howard Johnson Maingate West.

I wouldn't touch it without a car. The location is OK with a car, but without one you are going to be totally stuck for getting to the parks (unless they have a good shuttle service, I don't know about that). Also as importantly there is not a good range of eating places within walking distance. There is a (not very nice) Chinese next door and what looks like a short walk away McDonalds. The McDonalds took a lot longer to walk than it looked, along a dodgy grass verge with cars whizzing by - not recommended

I really think, if you are happy to go in November, you would be unlucky not to get a deal as good as the one you've seen..... it's not the most popular time to go (nowehere near school holidays) and the weather will be more manageable than August.

HTH

KarenG

For mickeynut:

I have stayed at Old Key West & Saratoga Springs (I used to be a DVC member here) and here are my thoughts:

Both are big sprawling resorts but there are pools dotted throughout so you will never be far from one. Both have nice themed pools with waterslides.

Both have a sit down, full service restaurant. SSR is better for casual dining with a lovely range of flatbreads and more snacky type meals. There is a snack bar or two at OKW with hotdogs, chicken nuggets etc but nothing more on top of the sit down restaurant.

SSR is mostly an easy walk to Downtown Disney (DTD) which has a great range of every type of eaterie you could want (depending on which bit of SSR you are staying in). OKW -you can walk to DTD but it is much much further and most people would get the bus.

Bus service is pretty good to all theme parks / water parks and there is a lovely boat service to DTD.

If you have booked a studio the the OKW one is slightly bigger than SSR. If you've booked a one bedroom the OKW is massive compared to SSR.

I agree with vivatifosi that there is little benefit in splitting your stay at OKW & SSR as they are next door to each other, and all you're really gaining is having to move (though I do think it's nice to try different resorts I wouldn't do SSR & OKW in the same holiday personally).

Both resorts have lovely, though different themes.

KarenG

Mickeynut again:

Regarding character meals, there are loads! What are your daughter's favourite characters, as we can give you ideas of where to go based on that?

If you want to dine with the Disney princesses you could do Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, which is inside the castle. It's very expensive (even by Disney standards) as they "include" a photo in the price However, it is very special to eat in the castle. The food is OK but not fantastic. The other option for princesses is at Epcot in "Norway" at Restaurant Akershus. Breakfast is standard US fare with lunch & dinner including some Norwegian options, though there is certainly choice for less adventurous eaters too

If she likes Winnie the Pooh & friends I highly recommend Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom - lovely setting, good food (buffet), great chacter interaction.

My other favourite is Cape May Cafe (in the Beach Club, at the back of Epcot). Breakfast only for characters but Minnie & friends are dressed up in swimming costumes and it's very sweet. They have paper tablecloths and my DDs love to draw on these (they give you crayons), and often the characters will sit down and draw with the children too. Food is good, buffet.

If she likes Lilo & Stich you must go to 'Ohana (characters at breakfast only) at the Polynesian resort (near Magic Kingdom). Food is brought to your table so no choice but standard US fare, and they will keep bringing it until you are full

Finally the perennial experience is at the Contemporary, next to the Magic Kingdom: Chef Mickey's. It's very loud, but most kids love it - buffet food.

HTH

jackieblack

vivatifosi wrote: »

That's the thing about Disney, very subjective. What would you cut?

ooh, that's so difficult!
We love everything at MK, although have never been on the AstroOrbiter and Carousel of Progress has been closed the last couple of visits, but we wouldn't have bothered with it if it had been open so would happily let that go.

My favourite ride at MK was closed years ago .... the Captain Nemo, 20000 leagues under the sea thing - anyone else remember it? Went on it on my first visit in 1988 - was gutted to find it gone the next time we went.

Also love EPCOT and Hollywood Studios - the one I've never really 'got' is the Animal Kingdom - I've tried, we've been a couple of times, DD loves the Lion King show & DH loves Expedition Everest, but thats about it for us. We've decided it's probably not worth a whole day for next time we go, if we bother going (to AK) at all.

sturll

jackieblack wrote: »

ooh, that's so difficult!
We love everything at MK, although have never been on the AstroOrbiter and Carousel of Progress has been closed the last couple of visits, but we wouldn't have bothered with it if it had been open so would happily let that go.

My favourite ride at MK was closed years ago .... the Captain Nemo, 20000 leagues under the sea thing - anyone else remember it? Went on it on my first visit in 1988 - was gutted to find it gone the next time we went.

Also love EPCOT and Hollywood Studios - the one I've never really 'got' is the Animal Kingdom - I've tried, we've been a couple of times, DD loves the Lion King show & DH loves Expedition Everest, but thats about it for us. We've decided it's probably not worth a whole day for next time we go, if we bother going (to AK) at all.

For anyone with Kids you need to completely ignore the comments re Animal Kingdom. My kids loved the place, it was their favourite park by a mile.
For me Epcot is boring and probably more suited to Teens, but for young kids AK is brilliant.
If you do go to Epcot then avoid the Honey i Shrunk the Audience - The single biggest waste of time in the whole of Disney World. Absolute tosh.
In terms of Magic Kingdom the only ride i say isn't worth bothering with is Lilo and Stitch.
Disney Hollywood studios is great for all ages, and both waterparks are superb, although Blizzard Beach is more suited for younger kids and Typhoon Lagoon for older.

Ashok_2

Can anyone tell me here roughly what a taxi would cost from Sanford International Airport to International Drive for a family of 5 (3 adults, 2 children)?

I'm trying to work out the price to see if it's more worthwhile to rent a car.