Florida/Disney
Discussion
I know this has most probably been asked in the past. We are planning to go to Florida in summer 2024 as my son will have left his school and my daughter will have sat her GCSEs, so it will most probably our last family holiday together.
We would like to go to Florida and spend some time in Disney World. I would also like to visit Cape Canaveral. My daughter would like to see or get up close with dolphins or turtles.
Now would it be better to book something though a travel agent for flights, accommodation and hire car, or is doing it all separately less expensive? Which airlines are the best? Is Airbnb a good option? What do we do for Disney tickets?
We would prefer a villa with a pool rather than a hotel as it gives us more space and freedom.
Please excuse my ignorance, but having never done anything like this before. We normally pop across the Channel for a week and I don't want to mess it up. Any advice, hints, tips, must sees, must avoids, etc will be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
We would like to go to Florida and spend some time in Disney World. I would also like to visit Cape Canaveral. My daughter would like to see or get up close with dolphins or turtles.
Now would it be better to book something though a travel agent for flights, accommodation and hire car, or is doing it all separately less expensive? Which airlines are the best? Is Airbnb a good option? What do we do for Disney tickets?
We would prefer a villa with a pool rather than a hotel as it gives us more space and freedom.
Please excuse my ignorance, but having never done anything like this before. We normally pop across the Channel for a week and I don't want to mess it up. Any advice, hints, tips, must sees, must avoids, etc will be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
Personally, I'd avoid any Sea Life centre places. They're ethically dodgy in my opinion. Keeping dolphins or killer whales in captivity is not a good look.
Loads of villas to rent, and Skyscanner for your flights. Car hire shouldn't be hard either. A lot of advice here is to take out Collisikn Damage Waiver insurance before you hire, independent of the hire company. Apparently they love to nickel and dime the hire costs.
Loads of villas to rent, and Skyscanner for your flights. Car hire shouldn't be hard either. A lot of advice here is to take out Collisikn Damage Waiver insurance before you hire, independent of the hire company. Apparently they love to nickel and dime the hire costs.
Tyre Smoke said:
Car hire shouldn't be hard either.
In theory no, in practice there are a lot of hire car scams going on. Chief among them is persuading bleary-eyed travellers that the car they have ordered is too small for the party and luggage. Alamo did it to us; Barclaycard refunded upon return.In fact, there are numerous scams going on generally around Disney. I was discussing it with a taxi driver who tried to overcharge us. Once he was rumbled we had a good chat about what goes on. "Everyone it at it" was the gist and he offered advice that has stuck in my mind, "don't be the virgin page", meaning - look streetwise and they'll leave you alone.
Louis Balfour said:
In theory no, in practice there are a lot of hire car scams going on. Chief among them is persuading bleary-eyed travellers that the car they have ordered is too small for the party and luggage. Alamo did it to us; Barclaycard refunded upon return.
In fact, there are numerous scams going on generally around Disney. I was discussing it with a taxi driver who tried to overcharge us. Once he was rumbled we had a good chat about what goes on. "Everyone it at it" was the gist and he offered advice that has stuck in my mind, "don't be the virgin page", meaning - look streetwise and they'll leave you alone.
Say what? You got upsold a bigger car by a reputable hire firm and Barclaycard footed the bill? That is not a scam. In fact, there are numerous scams going on generally around Disney. I was discussing it with a taxi driver who tried to overcharge us. Once he was rumbled we had a good chat about what goes on. "Everyone it at it" was the gist and he offered advice that has stuck in my mind, "don't be the virgin page", meaning - look streetwise and they'll leave you alone.
Hire from the UK includes $0 liability I've always stuck with the big companies though Alamo,sixt,hertz,national at the moment for me Alamo with brits guide is the cheapest for a 7 seat Tahoe or similar at the moment same price as with virgin but you get 3 additional drivers that will cost a s
tload more than with virgin. Also car prices are all over the place at the moment
On the animals in captivity thing I dont mind discovery cove I have done the dolphin swim twice but didn't enjoy it particularly.
IMHO if you go early enough in the year then cristal river and swim with manatees is a much much better experience lasts longer and much better value.
tload more than with virgin. Also car prices are all over the place at the momentOn the animals in captivity thing I dont mind discovery cove I have done the dolphin swim twice but didn't enjoy it particularly.
IMHO if you go early enough in the year then cristal river and swim with manatees is a much much better experience lasts longer and much better value.
2 GKC said:
Louis Balfour said:
In theory no, in practice there are a lot of hire car scams going on. Chief among them is persuading bleary-eyed travellers that the car they have ordered is too small for the party and luggage. Alamo did it to us; Barclaycard refunded upon return.
In fact, there are numerous scams going on generally around Disney. I was discussing it with a taxi driver who tried to overcharge us. Once he was rumbled we had a good chat about what goes on. "Everyone it at it" was the gist and he offered advice that has stuck in my mind, "don't be the virgin page", meaning - look streetwise and they'll leave you alone.
Say what? You got upsold a bigger car by a reputable hire firm and Barclaycard footed the bill? That is not a scam. In fact, there are numerous scams going on generally around Disney. I was discussing it with a taxi driver who tried to overcharge us. Once he was rumbled we had a good chat about what goes on. "Everyone it at it" was the gist and he offered advice that has stuck in my mind, "don't be the virgin page", meaning - look streetwise and they'll leave you alone.
We've always booked separately ourselves.
BA flydrive deal.
Then stayed at Regal Oaks or Encantada in Kissimmee.
Its almost like staying at a hotel (Pool, gym, restaurants, club house, kids entertainment etc) but with the benefit of your own villa and hot tub.
Kissimmee is a great place to base yourself. The old town is good at the weekends, and its close to most of the parks.
Given the age of your kids, Universal would be my first choice. Sea world is good, as is a trip over to Busch gardens.
BA flydrive deal.
Then stayed at Regal Oaks or Encantada in Kissimmee.
Its almost like staying at a hotel (Pool, gym, restaurants, club house, kids entertainment etc) but with the benefit of your own villa and hot tub.
Kissimmee is a great place to base yourself. The old town is good at the weekends, and its close to most of the parks.
Given the age of your kids, Universal would be my first choice. Sea world is good, as is a trip over to Busch gardens.
Busch has the best rides followed by SeaWorld then ioa then Disney stuff then universal studios
Ioa has had investment, studios is at times 3 maybe 4 hours worth of stuff if crowds are right
Obviously priority's are different for different ages
We are booking literally at this minute to go back again end of Jan but will be avoiding Disney like the plague after out last visit in March
Ioa has had investment, studios is at times 3 maybe 4 hours worth of stuff if crowds are right
Obviously priority's are different for different ages
We are booking literally at this minute to go back again end of Jan but will be avoiding Disney like the plague after out last visit in March
It's a bit mumsnet, but get on 'thedibb' for some useful info on all things Orlando and the area - and they also have villa owners advertising for rent which might seem a bit risky but you can check out reviews etc - I have always had great experiences, including pool and huge accomodation for cheap. Unless staying on a hotel onsite at Disney etc (v expensive) I would say a car is neccessary. It's 5 years since I've been but previously many many times before and have always done accomodation / flights (Skyscanner/kayak) / car separately (usrentacar), usually for very good prices.
We have just done virgin man to MCO club classic 14 nights holiday inn lake Buena Vista for 2136 it's 30 min walk to Disney springs or 10 min drive. Loads of restaurants close by walkable to south outlets too.
Thankfully we have points and upgrade vouchers
So total is costing us 900 ish for the above and premium upgrade both ways bargain
Thankfully we have points and upgrade vouchers
So total is costing us 900 ish for the above and premium upgrade both ways bargain
rix said:
It's a bit mumsnet, but get on 'thedibb' for some useful info on all things Orlando and the area - and they also have villa owners advertising for rent which might seem a bit risky but you can check out reviews etc - I have always had great experiences, including pool and huge accomodation for cheap. Unless staying on a hotel onsite at Disney etc (v expensive) I would say a car is neccessary. It's 5 years since I've been but previously many many times before and have always done accomodation / flights (Skyscanner/kayak) / car separately (usrentacar), usually for very good prices.
'The Dibb' is THE place to find out all you need to about Florida/ Disney. Absolute wealth of information and offers etc.
I once stayed at a villa just off the western end of the 192, which was a pretty good location for disney things, I didn't book it but I am pretty sure it was found on the dibb and hired directly from the owner.
The good thing about a villa is having your own space and its not crowded with English holidaymakers, the downside is for most that I've seen you're hopping in the car for anything. The main drag of hotels is along in international drive - further away from most disney parks (but closer to other attractions) , you can easily walk to numerous restaraunts but so are what seems like half of the rest of england.. and thats not necessarily a good thing...
If you were determined, you could do it without a car from International drive as there is a tram (I-trolley) that runs up and down and coaches to all the parks.
For parks you can buy a multi day pass that will give you entry to a stack of different parks, used to be better to buy before you go but I'd consult the dibb and see if its still the case. Take a good look at the non disney parks too, as your kids seem a bit older they might be more suited, especially if you want rollercoasters etc.
The main disney park does a light/fireworks show every night that ends as 12, you'll probably want to do that - just be prepared for exiting which involves a short boat ride to get back to your car, as it all stops then there's a bit of mass exodus so lots of tired, hot people. If you're doing this have a lazy start and go out to the park in the afternoon.
For your daughter discovery cove do "swim with dolphins" experiences, friends have done it, they enjoyed it but its not particularly cheap from what I recall.
Consider a few days/long weekend over at Clearwater / St Petes as a contrast to the hustle in Orlando.
As above Old Town on a Saturday night it worth a look, there's a car cruise there so some muscle cars, the odd 80s buold hot rod etc.
Not sure you'll be able to book flights for 2024 yet, they only ever used to appear 12 months in advance.
Weather is like here at the moment, but hotter and even more humid. Expect an absolute downpour more or less every day that lasts 15-30 minutes, all evidence of which will disappear in another 30 minutes or so. If it rains you will be kicked out of any pool or the water at a waterpark in case of lightening.
The good thing about a villa is having your own space and its not crowded with English holidaymakers, the downside is for most that I've seen you're hopping in the car for anything. The main drag of hotels is along in international drive - further away from most disney parks (but closer to other attractions) , you can easily walk to numerous restaraunts but so are what seems like half of the rest of england.. and thats not necessarily a good thing...
If you were determined, you could do it without a car from International drive as there is a tram (I-trolley) that runs up and down and coaches to all the parks.
For parks you can buy a multi day pass that will give you entry to a stack of different parks, used to be better to buy before you go but I'd consult the dibb and see if its still the case. Take a good look at the non disney parks too, as your kids seem a bit older they might be more suited, especially if you want rollercoasters etc.
The main disney park does a light/fireworks show every night that ends as 12, you'll probably want to do that - just be prepared for exiting which involves a short boat ride to get back to your car, as it all stops then there's a bit of mass exodus so lots of tired, hot people. If you're doing this have a lazy start and go out to the park in the afternoon.
For your daughter discovery cove do "swim with dolphins" experiences, friends have done it, they enjoyed it but its not particularly cheap from what I recall.
Consider a few days/long weekend over at Clearwater / St Petes as a contrast to the hustle in Orlando.
As above Old Town on a Saturday night it worth a look, there's a car cruise there so some muscle cars, the odd 80s buold hot rod etc.
Not sure you'll be able to book flights for 2024 yet, they only ever used to appear 12 months in advance.
Weather is like here at the moment, but hotter and even more humid. Expect an absolute downpour more or less every day that lasts 15-30 minutes, all evidence of which will disappear in another 30 minutes or so. If it rains you will be kicked out of any pool or the water at a waterpark in case of lightening.
Edited by Crafty_ on Saturday 23 July 19:23
Just come back and wouldn't be hurrying back tbh, rides (apart from harry potter) are pretty similar and the new ones are just variations on the spiderman one from many years ago, T2 was better than most of the new stuff.
Crazy busy everywhere in orlando, parks, roads, restaurants, airport, shops etc just queue after queue everywhere you go.
Universal islands of adventure we booked 3 weeks in advance with unlimited express passes = $600 for the day for 2 (inc. Admission) universal studios we booked 3 days before whilst out there and that was $860 with the admission ticket
If you didnt express ticket then the queues were 1:30 for each ride, even the older lesser ones.
Best time we had was a $200 for two shooting experience at shooting world, finishing off with a fully automatic rifle and a 50 caliber sniper riffle
2nd best was an evening at the local drag strip where i took the hire car up there and that was only $100 inc. The helmet deposit.
Ft. Laudadale supercar show was unbelievable and happens every month, by far the best car show we’ve ever been to.
Miami was quieter and the Caribbean vibe much nicer, if you like posh then ‘Miami beach edition’ bungalows are fantastic and right on the beach.
Think someone said Melbourne? Airport was a far better option to fly into and i can well believe it, orlando has no business class provisos if thats how you fly, not a problem on the way in but certainly is on the way out!
Crazy busy everywhere in orlando, parks, roads, restaurants, airport, shops etc just queue after queue everywhere you go.
Universal islands of adventure we booked 3 weeks in advance with unlimited express passes = $600 for the day for 2 (inc. Admission) universal studios we booked 3 days before whilst out there and that was $860 with the admission ticket
If you didnt express ticket then the queues were 1:30 for each ride, even the older lesser ones.
Best time we had was a $200 for two shooting experience at shooting world, finishing off with a fully automatic rifle and a 50 caliber sniper riffle
2nd best was an evening at the local drag strip where i took the hire car up there and that was only $100 inc. The helmet deposit.
Ft. Laudadale supercar show was unbelievable and happens every month, by far the best car show we’ve ever been to.
Miami was quieter and the Caribbean vibe much nicer, if you like posh then ‘Miami beach edition’ bungalows are fantastic and right on the beach.
Think someone said Melbourne? Airport was a far better option to fly into and i can well believe it, orlando has no business class provisos if thats how you fly, not a problem on the way in but certainly is on the way out!
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