Best way to do Florida?

SameOldRoundabout

Having had our holiday to Mexico cancelled for the 4th time due to Covid we are looking at possibly booking a Florida holiday for next October, probably with some extended family too. 

I’m thinking the easiest and cheapest way to do this may be to book the separate parts individually, villa, flights and parks etc. But….I guess this leaves us in a sticky position of covid interferes next year? 

Does anyone have any recommendations for doing Florida well, but on a budget? We’re a family of 6 so it’s going to be quite expensive even at a base level! 

Florida tips and recommendations really appreciated. 

SweetPotatoPie

Hi, 
it all depends on what you are looking for? 

Villa - then it’s better to do DIY. Flights won’t be out just yet for next October unless you’re looking at packages such as TUI, Virgin.
Look at the DIBB - the forums have lots of useful info on as villa owners. 

Park tickets are going to be a huge cost for 6 people. Are you planning on just Disney? Or all parks?
The way I do it is - I usually book 20 nights on Disney property and then 4 nights at Universal. Theme park hotels have perks such as early entry and with Disney, transport to and from parks.
I can’t help on villas as I’ve never stayed in one but as I said, have a look at the Dibb.
I avoid Virgin as their prices areridiculous these days. Why don’t you price up a package on TUI for a ballpark figure? Then estimate a DIY cost based on this years prices? 

SweetPotatoPie

10 nights, not 20 🤦🏽‍♀️. 

SameOldRoundabout

Thanks. I’d mainly do Disney I think, but ideally Universal too. I assumed a villa would be the best option for us as there’ll be probably 6 adults and 5 kids overall. Opting for a Disney hotel for the 6 in my household was £12k plus all food. Ouch. (Well, there was a promotion for a $500 food card but I assume that’d last about 35 seconds on Disney property 😂)

I guess ideally we’d do a supermarket shop and self cater for 2 meals a day and eat out for one. Do you use Tui when you go? I’ve only ever done a package before so I am a little nervous at the logistics of breaking it down tbh!

SweetPotatoPie

Have a look at Staysure insurance and what they cover - I usually book with TUI/Thomas Cook and I haven’t booked with Virgin since around 2013.
we have actually booked California for next year to do Disneyland, avoiding Florida as it’s the 50th Anniversary and thought the crowds would be higher than usual.
so if there is more than 10 of you then a villa makes total sense. Disney - around 400 each for a 2 week pass and Universal around 300 each for tickets. Seaworld is around 80 dollars but some people prefer not to do.
Breakfast is cheap if you have a car - Denny’s/IHOP are fab and cheap (think little chef) - you could also eat in villa. 

Quick service meals at Disney (burger, fries etc) are around 17 dollars per person but it’s the snacks that massively add up. Park days you will be better eating in parks as it will be a bit of a slog to leave and come back for the sake of food. 

People on the Dibb do DIY all of the time and swear by it, I’ve never done it because there is only 2 of us that go so it is never any cheaper.
People on DIBB will give you loads of helpful advice for villas/cars. I never drive over there and this is another reason I like to stay on site.

Universal is honestly a must do, especially if anyone in the party likes rides!! I’d do 3 days there to get round everything as there are 2 parks and Harry Potter is amazing (and I’m not even a Harry Potter fan). 

izzitme

Take a look on The DIBB  https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/

Lots of good advice