Booking Florida Disneyland. Help!

[davemc1]

I've always said I'd take my lil one, but the cost has always put me off. However she's not so little anymore, So its a case of now or never.

Before I look at the obvious sites, any recommendations?

Looking at 10 days in one of the more 'ecomical' Disney hotels. Flying from Manchester. Late July/August. Just me and her.

I had a quick look on the Disney site, 10 days in the all star music resort, food and tickets included £3859.

Is that about right or worth shopping around?

All tips appreciated, thanks

 

[pbrown7582]

That seems about right the only way we priced it up cheaper was to stay on international drive.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Go to a website called The Dibb. So much helpful information on there for everything relating to a Florida Disney holiday.

My own view, don't stay in a Disney Hotel as you get Disney overload. You need to escape at times. My recommendation is to hire one of the many villas that are available about 10-15 mins away. We stayed in one near Champions Gate and that was about 15 minutes away from Disney and 20 from Universal. All reached by free flowing motorways and you arrive at enormous and well organised car parks. Get a nice villa in a nice location. They are not expensive and you will appreciate escaping the madness that is the parks.

 

[Crazyface]

Go to a website called The Dibb. So much helpful information on there for everything relating to a Florida Disney holiday.

My own view, don't stay in a Disney Hotel as you get Disney overload. You need to escape at times. My recommendation is to hire one of the many villas that are available about 10-15 mins away. We stayed in one near Champions Gate and that was about 15 minutes away from Disney and 20 from Universal. All reached by free flowing motorways and you arrive at enormous and well organised car parks. Get a nice villa in a nice location. They are not expensive and you will appreciate escaping the madness that is the parks.

x 2 for this. + if you dare to go against the schools, book in early November but check the kids are all at school in the USA. Weather perfect (about 22 - 28 deg C) Queues minimal.

 

[pbrown7582]

x 2 for this. + if you dare to go against the schools, book in early November but check the kids are all at school in the USA. Weather perfect (about 22 - 28 deg C) Queues minimal.

and risk a fine heading your way.

 

[Val]

One vital thing you need to get right is the name though, it's Disney WORLD

 

[Val]

Go to a website called The Dibb. So much helpful information on there for everything relating to a Florida Disney holiday.

100% this, bags of info and bags of hints and tips.

 

[Hacker Khan]

The parks are expensive, but you gets your moneys worth as they are on a spectacular scale. I know it sounds obvious but it will be hot/humid that time of year there, and that combined with jet lag and over excited children means it can get a bit much at the start of the holiday. So pace yourself and don't try and fit in a park on every day as you'll probably need at least a day just chilling out if you can.

Don't know how old your kid is but the main Disney park is a Disney lovers dream. I enjoyed Sea World so that's worth a visit, as is Epcot. Didn't do the Universal studios last time I went but are doing them next year as daughter is a bit older and will appreciate them more now I think. Discovery Cove is also great. It's a bit more exclusive in that they only let in so many people a day. It's basically a massive man made lagoon/reef and beach where you can chill out, go swimming/snorkeling and swim with dolphins, which my daughter absolutely loved.

We stayed at The Orange Lake Resort and will be doing next year http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubva...tail?cm_sp=OSMAM-CV-US-EN-EPD-AIX-MHR-Orlando it's a massive resort/time share place with 3 golf courses on site. It's great as you can chill out there at the pool/slides if you want to but it's very close to Disney. We booked through Travel Bag and got it a lot cheaper than anywhere else. But other accommodation is available.

 

[GB72]

x 2 for this. + if you dare to go against the schools, book in early November but check the kids are all at school in the USA. Weather perfect (about 22 - 28 deg C) Queues minimal.

If you can do it I agree with the November suggestion. I went the week before thanksgiving, weather was perfect and not a queue in sight. Managed to walk on to any ride at any time.

 

[pbrown7582]

The parks are expensive, but you gets your moneys worth as they are on a spectacular scale. I know it sounds obvious but it will be hot/humid that time of year there, and that combined with jet lag and over excited children means it can get a bit much at the start of the holiday. So pace yourself and don't try and fit in a park on every day as you'll probably need at least a day just chilling out if you can.

Don't know how old your kid is but the main Disney park is a Disney lovers dream. I enjoyed Sea World so that's worth a visit, as is Epcot. Didn't do the Universal studios last time I went but are doing them next year as daughter is a bit older and will appreciate them more now I think. Discovery Cove is also great. It's a bit more exclusive in that they only let in so many people a day. It's basically a massive man made lagoon/reef and beach where you can chill out, go swimming/snorkeling and swim with dolphins, which my daughter absolutely loved.

We stayed at The Orange Lake Resort and will be doing next year http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubva...tail?cm_sp=OSMAM-CV-US-EN-EPD-AIX-MHR-Orlando it's a massive resort/time share place with 3 golf courses on site. It's great as you can chill out there at the pool/slides if you want to but it's very close to Disney. We booked through Travel Bag and got it a lot cheaper than anywhere else. But other accommodation is available.

if you can do Discovery cove you and your lil one wont be disappointed deffo should be on the to do list.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Another tip for you. The fireworks shows are spectacular, the main Disney park in particular. Don't flog yourself all day and run out of steam before they come on. Go in late that day or have a ticket that allows you to pop in and out. Either way make sure you are fresh for them as they are great to watch. Don't worry about getting a prime spot two hours beforehand. Enjoy your time and then 30 minutes before the start speak to one of the many very helpful workers and they will show you a good place to see the show wherever you are in the park. The displays are designed to be seen all over the park so wasting two hours sat in one place to grab a good view is daft. The workers are so helpful, honestly they see it as their absolute mission in life to make sure you have a good time. Enjoy the smiles and the have a nice days and roll with it.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

When we have been, the first time we had a villa, the subsequent times we were in a hotel that included breakfast in the cost. This made a big difference to money spent on food when out as well as less time spent queing up for said food.

 

[Tashyboy]

Went to Florida in the Nov after 9/11.
anyway a friend who had been there half a dozen times, told me about building up your holiday.
the first day we were there we were shattered and started off at Sea world. The interaction with the animals will blow your daughter away. It was a relaxing way to start our holiday. We had one day at the theme parks and the next in the water parks. It worked really well.
re staying in the Disney parks I don't know. It would work out expensive as against staying in other hotels on 192 or international drive. We spent every morning having breakfast in Ponderosa and loved it.
everyone associates Florida with Disney, but there are other theme parks as good as Disney alla Universal studios.
come what may am sure you will have a fantastic time.

 

[Val]

Dave, PM me your email address and I'll send you tonnes of info

 

[Golfmmad]

I've always said I'd take my lil one, but the cost has always put me off. However she's not so little anymore, So its a case of now or never.

Before I look at the obvious sites, any recommendations?

Looking at 10 days in one of the more 'ecomical' Disney hotels. Flying from Manchester. Late July/August. Just me and her.

I had a quick look on the Disney site, 10 days in the all star music resort, food and tickets included £3859.

Is that about right or worth shopping around?

All tips appreciated, thanks

Was out there in September just gone, and definitely worth considering staying on a Disney resort for the free transport to and from any Disney park. They run every 20 mins. all day long. Ok you will have to queue a bit coming back, but you have the dedicated coach stops which are no trouble to find.

As well as the fantastic firework show, there's also the electric parade and that is spectacular, your lil one will love that. Which is at Magic Kingdom.
The Americans really know how to put a show on and the rides are something else too!

We flew with Virgin Atlantic who were excellent. We had a late pm - early eve return flight and was able to drop all our luggage off at Downtown Disney, where it was then transported to the airport by Virgin. That really took the hassle out of the last day and our homeward journey.

Have fun! :thup: