Advice please possible trip to Florida

sandsy

We did 13 nights when our kids were 11 and 9. We did a 8 nights onsite at a Disney resort. Visited all 6 parks using the water parks for our down time! Then picked up a car and moved offsite. From there we did Universal for 2.5 days, a day at Discovery Cove, a day at Kennedy and had a shopping day. Also went to Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney.

We booked flights direct with the airline. Booked Disney direct including accommodation and park tickets and had a meal plan thrown in. Onsite has advantages for booking restaurants and some rides in advance, before offsite visitors. Booked car direct with Avis. Booked a Universal package that included park access and our accommodation, and a couple of breakfasts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It was a great mix of activities and we have many happy memories.

steve1500

agray2812 wrote: »

Some great tips guys thankyou.

I am a teacher so unfortunately tied to school holidays, was thinking end of July next year, so Star Wars should be up and running by then.

?

The single biggest saving you could make is on the flights if you can get reward flight availability

We have used Virgin & Aer Lingus ex Dublin, in the past. always in August.


www.headforpoints.com gives loads of tips on collecting miles

To put it into perspective using Aer Lingus for three of us it cost £500 in August & a load of Avios. Virgin out of Manchester about £800

waamo

I preferred Clearwater to Miami it was quieter and more laid back. Parking in Miami is a nightmare and expensive.

The roads between cities I found ok but it could get busy around the central areas. Junctions were badly signed I found. The signs tended to be right on top of the turning.

Apart from that I loved Florida.

agray2812

Again lots of great advice, thank you all.
I think I’d like to do 9-10 days Disney, 7 in medium hotel, 3 in safari lodges. 3 days at universal and then maybe a day at coast?

I’m really interested in saving on flights. Should I check other forums or can anyone advise if using a virgin credit card for miles is worth it?

Lastly, book park, flights, etc separately, or through an agent?

I’m guessing Tui, etc may not be very flexible?
TIA.

meer53

I would forget staying in expensive accommodation like safari lodges. Yes, they're nice but you only need a bed and a shower, you're obviously planning on being out all day at the parks etc, we've rented villas before in Kissimmee which work out cheaper and give you more flexibility. You have your own pool when you get back from a very tiring day out and you can either cook yourself or order takeaways ! You could get a villa for about £500 a week in July/August, you would need a car too but it's worth considering, especially if you're wanting to do Kennedy and Miami (personally I wouldn't go to Miami, loooong drive and expensive) Kennedy is well worth visiting though, as are Clearwater and St Petes.

I also agree that 10 days isn't long enough ! Fitting everything in in 2 weeks is a struggle, the weather in July and August is draining, 3 weeks gives you the chance to chill out more.

We use Undercover Tourist for park tickets, usually buy tickets for both Disney and Universal as we love all the parks and really get our moneys worth from them.

You will love it, we've been 5 times and there is always something new to see when we go back !

Check out Charter Travel, we've used them before and their prices were very good.

steve1500

agray2812 wrote: »

I’m really interested in saving on flights. Should I check other forums or can anyone advise if using a virgin credit card for miles is worth it?

TIA.

www.headforpoints.com is really good for tips on collecting miles

Virgin CC are currently doing a very good sign up bonus, ends 30th June

To put the miles into perspective 45,000 virgin miles + £246.00 will get you Manchester to Orlando 14 Aug - 28 Aug. Cash Price £1033

https://rewardflightfinder.com/ is really good for finding reward flight availability

Murphy_The_Cat

agray2812 wrote: »

Maybe getting a windfall later this year.


Anyone have any tips, or advice from experiences in Florida?

Many thanks,

Maybe, possibly, probably shouldn't you be firming up on your potential windfall before you do a lot of planning, or even worse make a financial commitment that you're unable to fulfil.

agray2812

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Maybe, possibly, probably shouldn't you be firming up on your potential windfall before you do a lot of planning, or even worse make a financial commitment that you're unable to fulfil.

Money is in the bank!

Not sure that the savings made by booking off park accommodation make up for the money you save getting meal,plans and 14 days park ticket for the price of 7 days?

Everynamestaken

We went last year (me and my fianc!e) and we stayed on international drive. We used the hotel shuttle but used lyfts and Uber’s most of the time. My fianc!e was sceptical at first and didn’t like the idea but by the end she conceded that it was a great idea compared to hiring a car and paying for parking everyday etc
We used packed lunches almost everyday and that saved us a small fortune. We did treat ourselves twice to food in the park but I couldn’t imagine doing that everyday.
We did every park imaginable (and some more than once) in 14 days and tbh if we go back, we would definitely not cram as much in as it was far from relaxing.
One last mention about hotels, I ventured in a couple of the Disney ones and was not too impressed. It is obviously supply and demand but i feel for money you would spend, the hotels don’t represent great value. For example one of the lodges that looked quite basic was the same price as the mandarin oriental in Singapore. Obviously, horses for courses.

I’m sure you will have a great time, and if you are like me, plan everything to detail so there’s no nasty surprises.

Murphy_The_Cat

agray2812 wrote: »

Money is in the bank!

Then Happy Days and get on wth the planning:beer:
I can offer no advice for anything Disney related, as I've never done anything Disney.
Florida is a big old state with lots to see and do and Disney is a tiny part of what the Sate has to offer



Enjoy yourself !