Florida - May 2012
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Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Wednesday 28th September 2011
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I was originally going to take the girlfriend to the Caribbean as a christmas/birthday present however I have had a change of heart and decided on Florida.

I have been to the states several times about 10 years ago so am quite naive on the subject.

Can anyone give me any tips? Basic requirements are as follows -

14 nights probably in May
Ideally a villa with pool
Probaby going to fly with Virgin (GF has always wanted to fly with them)
Budget of around £2200 for villa and flights (and car if needed) however
Will also need a pass for all the parks

I suppose my questions are -

What is the best 'ultimate pass' to get us into all the parks in Orlando?

What is the weather like in mid May?

How much spending money should we take between us? I will be 25, she will be 23.

Is a car handy to have?

Any other tips or advice will be greatly received smile

I really hope she doesn't read my PH posts otherwise that's the surprise down the shoot...

Crafty_

14,187 posts

230 months

Wednesday 28th September 2011
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I think budget is tight but not impossible, maybe switch flights to someone cheaper.

A villa will almost certainly have a pool, so no worries but quite alot of the villas are pretty big for two people. Take a look at Glenbrook in Clermont, stayed in a villa there there last month - pretty much everything on hand on the 192, no need to go up to international drive area really (this is a good thing). With regards to size ours was a 4 bed 3 bath place - you'd get lost with only two people in it!
Although I have done in the past I wouldn't stay on international drive now, just seems really busy all the time. At the western end of the 192 you will find everything that you'd find on International drive but its quieter. Quite a few hotels down there, downside is you are maybe 30 mins+ from Universal parks etc.

Car definitely "handy", in fact I'd say its a pain in the arse getting around without one. If your girlfriend wants to drive the rental cost will go up quite a bit as shes under 25.

Far as passes go I'd look at an orlando flexticket - gives you access to the two Universal parks, Seaworld, Wet n Wild and Aquatica. The Universal parks are the rollcoaster/scream your heads off, Seaworld is ok I guess - the killer whale show is nowhere as good as it used to be (they aren't allowed in the water now). Never been to the other two.
Unless you want to do disney parks specifically I don't think they have that much to offer you really.

It might be better to just get tickets for the universal parks and skip Seaworld. I think they are something like $85 for a day ticket bought on the gate for each park, but you can get tickets in advance which might save you money.
Don't have much experience of the water parks but Typhoon Lagoon is good and only about $40 and free car parking.

Think about heading to the Gulf coast for a week or a long weekend to escape Orlando. I like Clearwater , but its all pretty good over that way I think ? There have been quite a few threads recently for Florida so take a look around.

For more detailed info on prices, tickets etc take a look at www.thedibb.com, there is a section on there somewhere for people offering villas for rent.

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Wednesday 28th September 2011
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Thanks for the tips, reading through the Dibb forum now as it happens!


craige

29 posts

197 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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Have a look at www.orlandovillas.com for a villa and there is a great forum at http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/ which will keep you entertained for days!

It's been about 5 years since I went but you definitely need a car. Shop around for this if you're under 25 as you can get decent deals without the big excesses. Should all be on the forum.

badgerade

713 posts

228 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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We were there from mid - end of May this year.

Weather was great.. high 20's to mid 30's with the odd thunderstorm to calm things down a bit. I'm not sure if this is typical though.

I would say a car is essential. Everything is well spread out and if you want to eat out, visit parks, go to the 'malls' etc etc then I think you'd struggle without. Petrol is cheap enough to offset the stupid MPG that you'll get!

I'd sort of agree on the idea of missing out the Disney parks. If we didn't have the kids with us then I'm not sure they can offer anything that the Universal parks do not. They are much cleaner and appear to be better managed but in terms of rides not so good. I thought Seaworld was really good - nice mix of rides and other 'stuff'. Busch Gardens will have the new Cheetah Run ride which they were testing when we were out there - looked very very good.

Whichever park you go to, I'd make sure you get there early before the crowds and then escape when it's busy! Perfect time to relax by the pool.

It's also worth taking some time out of the parks.. Kennedy space centre is a couple of hours away and deffo worth a visit if you've got any interest in that kind of thing. We also did an airboat tour around one of the lakes - 'Wild Willys' I think it was called - got very close to a lot of wildlife (Gators etc).

We flew with Virgin and I'm not sure it's something I'd do again (on that route anyway!). If you're flying into Orlando then it's 99% british tourists, most of which seemed to treat the plane as some kind of flying bin.. Service wasn't great but I think that was because of the level of effort the crew were having to put in to keep things ticking over. I'm not sure it's worth paying extra for the Virgin experience, and if your OH has always wanted to fly with them I don't think the UK -> Orlando route is representative of the norm.

Eat out as often as you can - It's cheap, and the food is great. Alcohol was not that cheap though.

To be honest, I was not looking forward to the experience but after the first day I was hooked.. one of the best holidays I've ever been on.

Sorry - bit of a long post but was thinking/typing! Any other questions ask away..

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
quotequote all
I've been speaking to a company called Ocean Florida - www.ocean-florida.co.uk who seem pretty good.

As it stands before negotiations I've got a 3 bed villa with private pool and hot tub, flights with Thomas Cook, half decent car and tickets to every single park for 14 days for a shade over £3000.

Is that good?

I am going to try and get it to just under £3000 with free Kennedy Space Centre pickets thrown in.

Is that a good deal? From my limited research so far it seems pretty good!

What are Thomas Cook like to fly with?

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
quotequote all
badgerade said:
We were there from mid - end of May this year.

Weather was great.. high 20's to mid 30's with the odd thunderstorm to calm things down a bit. I'm not sure if this is typical though.

I would say a car is essential. Everything is well spread out and if you want to eat out, visit parks, go to the 'malls' etc etc then I think you'd struggle without. Petrol is cheap enough to offset the stupid MPG that you'll get!

I'd sort of agree on the idea of missing out the Disney parks. If we didn't have the kids with us then I'm not sure they can offer anything that the Universal parks do not. They are much cleaner and appear to be better managed but in terms of rides not so good. I thought Seaworld was really good - nice mix of rides and other 'stuff'. Busch Gardens will have the new Cheetah Run ride which they were testing when we were out there - looked very very good.

Whichever park you go to, I'd make sure you get there early before the crowds and then escape when it's busy! Perfect time to relax by the pool.

It's also worth taking some time out of the parks.. Kennedy space centre is a couple of hours away and deffo worth a visit if you've got any interest in that kind of thing. We also did an airboat tour around one of the lakes - 'Wild Willys' I think it was called - got very close to a lot of wildlife (Gators etc).

We flew with Virgin and I'm not sure it's something I'd do again (on that route anyway!). If you're flying into Orlando then it's 99% british tourists, most of which seemed to treat the plane as some kind of flying bin.. Service wasn't great but I think that was because of the level of effort the crew were having to put in to keep things ticking over. I'm not sure it's worth paying extra for the Virgin experience, and if your OH has always wanted to fly with them I don't think the UK -> Orlando route is representative of the norm.

Eat out as often as you can - It's cheap, and the food is great. Alcohol was not that cheap though.

To be honest, I was not looking forward to the experience but after the first day I was hooked.. one of the best holidays I've ever been on.

Sorry - bit of a long post but was thinking/typing! Any other questions ask away..
Thank you!

I've read Virgin use the old tatty planes for the Orlando route, I flew with Virgin to San Francisco about 10 years ago and thought it was great but I was only about 14!

What are Thomas Cook like to fly with?

Gow3r

2,571 posts

185 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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Hey

Was in Florida this April just gone.


Weather for us was low 30's so expect something similar if not hotter.

A car is essential. Everything is so spread out you cannot get by without one.

In terms of Parks we got the flexi ticket with 2 week unlimited access to Universal/Sea World/Busch Gardens- Well worth doing.
Both Universal @ Universal Islands of Adventure are fantastic, Sea World is great! IF you want to do the discovery cove and swim with dolphins have a look at booking now! Busch Gardens is in Tampa so quite a way but a good day out all the same.

I have to disagree with the other two I am afraid when it comes to Disney. I am 24 went and took my mrs for the first time in April and she loved Disney. Magic Kingdom is a bit rubbish mainly because its for kids I think, but the other parks are superb, loved Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, & Epcot made a welcome change to everything else in Orlando.

Besides the Parks in Orlando (been twice) I find it a bit of a dive, so if your not going to the parks I wouldn't stay in Orlando!
The Villas are massive, I agree with other posters just two of you will get lost, our villa could sleep 8 and was massive!

Other things to do: You could do a Swamp ride on an airboat that was good, seeing the real florida! Also went to NASA 11 Years ago for the 1st trip- enjoyed that back then too but we did not go on our most recent trips.

Water Parks: The best water parks are undoubtedly the disney ones, Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon- much better than Aquatica or W&W IMO!

The disney ticket we got was the 2week unlimited pass, but do note you have to pay car parking for each place (As if the tickets were not expensive enough outright)

Hope this is helpful



We flew Delta by the way, less than £1000 for two people and it was pretty good! I thought it would be shocking! After all its what you do when you get there that counts! Its only the journey after all smile

Edited by Gow3r on Thursday 29th September 11:16

justin220

5,751 posts

234 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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I never bothered with a car, we used the iTrolley which was great!


badgerade

713 posts

228 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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Gow3r said:
Hey

I have to disagree with the other two I am afraid when it comes to Disney. I am 24 went and took my mrs for the first time in April and she loved Disney. Magic Kingdom is a bit rubbish mainly because its for kids I think, but the other parks are superb, loved Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, & Epcot made a welcome change to everything else in Orlando.
Hmm thinking about it a bit more, I think I was basing my negative comments around Magic kingdom. Hollywood studios was good, and as you say Epcot was a very nice change. Wasn't as keen on Animal Kingdom but could well have been having a bad day!!

OP - I think some of the Virgin planes on this route have been recently upgraded.. The 747's we were given had certainly seen better days!

craige

29 posts

197 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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We flew in to Miami with Virgin and it was a great flight, but I guess that could be because it wasn't full of Brits! It's quite a nice drive up to Orlando, especially if you go west coast and stop off somewhere like Naples for the night.

LuS1fer

43,543 posts

275 months

Thursday 29th September 2011
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We've been twice in May and had great weather both time though the "love-bugs" can mess the front of the car up.

We hired a villa through an American guy called Glen Mort and it was much cheaper in dollars so might be worth a Google to see what properties he now has. The one we used he seems to have sold.

Parks-wise, we did the4 Disney parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal and MGM - personally I liked the MK best and it has an evening firework spectacular not to be missed.
Animal Kingdom is a bit banal but "Everest" is a great ride though the "Safari" is pretty naff. they do little extracts from their Disney musicals there.
MGM was OK - they do a car stunt show which is worth a look
Epcot was boring for me but you may like it. Long queues for the hang-glider simulator which is pretty good.

We also did the two Universal Parks - better than Disney IMHO

We did a fan-boat ride on an alligator lake south of Orlando.

We did Seaworld which is the usual dolphins, killer whales and beluga whales. Very good.

We also did a water park - Aqualandia or something. Quite good but the pavements burn your feet.

Have done Discovery Cove in the past. It's good but not worth the £175 per person IMHO though others disagree. It's all very fake.

Needless to say Old Town car shows in Kissimmee every Friday and Saturday are a must for an eye-watering display of classic machinery, muscle cars, hot rods and others too. That's free but has two different fairgrounds/rides either side. A highlight regardless of the other parks.

WWESTY

2,690 posts

268 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
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Couple of points which may help:

1. April/May is the ideal time to visit Florida in our opinion. If you can avoid the Easter holidays (which equate to USA spring break) then you will benefit from places being quieter and queues being shorter. But the climate is about the best - feels hot, but not tooo humid.

2. Virgin out of LGW to MCO is being upgraded in 2012 with new interiors and/or planes so should improve matters.

3. Miami is a good alternative in that it gives more choice and usually cheaper flights. But the airport is v.big and v.busy so be prepared for delays. Its also the only place where we've been bumped off a flight, but thats another story...

The drive from Miami to Orlando is either 3 boring hours or you can spend longer and see more. Naples as mentioned is a nice stop off.

4. I also don't agree with the negative Disney comments....

5. Aquatica is a good modern water park - part of SeaWorld operation so some added live attractions.

6. In general, when visiting the parks, plan to stagger your visits from one day to the next i.e. arrive at opening time one day, lunchtime the next. Also dont be surprised to feel the need for a day off when you start felling "parked out"!!

hth
Have fun!

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the tips!

Can't wait now...

Been doing some research on The Dibb forum but it seems to be full of lunatic (overweight) women. Are there any other up to date forums specific to Orlando? I'm looking through Trip Advisor forums but there doesn't seem to be too many good topics.

I am also out there for my 25 birthday, any cool ideas on what to do on the day/evening?

Mazdarese

21,375 posts

217 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
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Original Poster said:
Thanks for the tips!

Can't wait now...

Been doing some research on The Dibb forum but it seems to be full of lunatic (overweight) women. Are there any other up to date forums specific to Orlando? I'm looking through Trip Advisor forums but there doesn't seem to be too many good topics.

I am also out there for my 25 birthday, any cool ideas on what to do on the day/evening?
We flew with Virgin from Manchester to Orlando a few weeks ago and it was a nice Airbus, certainly not tatty. The rest of the clientele however were pretty much awful. So, unless you are prepared to pay silly money to go Premium Economy, be ready for a 'not great' 12 hours. That said, the in-flight entertainment is excellent, so you'll have plenty of new films to keep you occupied.

We didn't visit any parks, just toured around the whole state. If you can get away from Orlando for a few days (which I doubt you will if you've paid for a villa), Marco Island is a nice place.

Car Hire 3000 is a good website for cheap car hire. We ended up with a Jeep Cherokee from Dollar, which was a bit tired to be honest. The previous year we had an Escalade in California from Hertz, and it was immaculate. But, Dollar was much cheaper.

Enjoy your trip. Hospitality in the US is excellent and could teach the UK a thing or two!

getitupya

181 posts

225 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
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Crafty_ said:
A villa will almost certainly have a pool, so no worries but quite alot of the villas are pretty big for two people. Take a look at Glenbrook in Clermont, stayed in a villa there there last month - pretty much everything on hand on the 192, no need to go up to international drive area really (this is a good thing). With regards to size ours was a 4 bed 3 bath place - you'd get lost with only two people in it!
Sorry I picked up on this thread quite late, I have a 3 bed / 2 bath villa in Glenbrook which is availabale in May. I agree with what Crafty says, good area. Car is essential in Florida, unless your staying on International drive. I can give you good rate if your interested.

PM if you want more details

http://thetraveldirectory.com/property/us/fl/lake_...

Here is the link

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
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I've already sorted accommodation but thanks anyway.

I think I'm going to change my hire car and very tempted with a Mustang Convertible, where is the best place? Most places seem to be around £375 for the 2 weeks which is fine but if I can pay less then great!

Mazdarese

21,375 posts

217 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
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Original Poster said:
I've already sorted accommodation but thanks anyway.

I think I'm going to change my hire car and very tempted with a Mustang Convertible, where is the best place? Most places seem to be around £375 for the 2 weeks which is fine but if I can pay less then great!
Have you tried Car Hire 3000? Also be aware that unless you specify, you'll end up with a crummy V6 which will possibly disappoint you.

Stretch to a 'vette?

Original Poster

Original Poster:

5,429 posts

206 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
How much would I be looking at for a Corvette roughly speaking?

I did try Car Hire 3000, came out very expensive!

Mazdarese

21,375 posts

217 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
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Original Poster said:
How much would I be looking at for a Corvette roughly speaking?

I did try Car Hire 3000, came out very expensive!
I'm surprised at that, they were the cheapest for us.

We had a Corvette a couple of years ago and I think it cost about £100 for two days. Worth every penny.