Florida tips and car hire

[JustOne]

Initial thoughts are that you'll struggle to find a convertible that will hold all the stuff needed for you and the Mrs plus kids of that age. I'm off in a months time and am hiring a SUV, boring but practical.

As for villas then I'm staying at http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/kissimmee/discv/hoteldetail stayed there before and everything you need really. Golf courses on site and near to all the parks. We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa and it was excellent, very large and I got one next to the 5th green on the Legends golf course. Also there's a massive pool and big supermarket on site so you can just chill out for a day or two in the resort if you want.

As for the parks then Disney of course, probably worth at least a couple of days there. I really enjoyed Sea World and Epcot was great. Also Discovery Cove is great for some parental R&R.

Stoopid question but how much does your holiday there cost in total with flights and all..... need to book something for next year or the wife is gonna leave me....

 

[Hacker Khan]

Stoopid question but how much does your holiday there cost in total with flights and all..... need to book something for next year or the wife is gonna leave me....

I have separately booked the flights, accommodation and car hire as we are also styaying with some friends for a couple of days and going to Clearwater. So flights will be whatever deal you can get. For the accommodation there I booked it through Travelbag and am paying just over £560 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom villa in April this year. First time we went there we booked it through TravelRepublic for roughly the same price. The prices do vary quite a lot depending on which web site you go to so you probably need to shop around. Not sure how many there are of you but the 2 bedroom villas were very big and easily sleep 4.

It is a massive place and is a timeshare resort. So when you get there they will hassle you at check in to attend a talk, offering you all sorts of enticements to go to one. Also there are stories of people getting rung up every day to attend one. All I did at check in was walk the other way when they directed me to another desk to talk to the resort representative, and then unplugged the phone in the villa. And hey presto, no hassle at all.

Tripadvisor was full of people bitching about the time share talk going on for too long, pressure tactics etc etc (well 'dur'). But it is really not that difficult to say no, and if you desperately want a comped meal or cheap park tickets in return for attending a talk then that's your lookout, just go along and suck it up. If I was in the market for a timeshare I would seriously consider this place. But I wasn't and was not prepared to waste half a day of my holiday listening to one just for a cheap meal.

HawkeyeMS is off there the same time as me and it sounds as if his family has a time share there so he may have some more insight.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

I love these threads where people go out of their way to offer tips and advice based on experience and it is totally ignored.

They drive on the right hand side of the road in America

 

[Val]

Stoopid question but how much does your holiday there cost in total with flights and all..... need to book something for next year or the wife is gonna leave me....

If you are happy looking elsewhere and dont need to go during school holidays you'll get a flights, car and a 2 week townhouse rental for around £2k give or take.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Don't be afraid to look for connecting flights. We flew Manchester to Atlanta and then on to Orlando. Saved a lot of money and the waiting time was only a few hours. Atlanta is a big hub in the US and as you go through customs there it means you sail through Orlando. The other move some make is to go from Dublin. For whatever reason that seems to save quite a bit as well. Basically, have an open mind and you may save a chunk.

 

[NWJocko]

If you are happy looking elsewhere and dont need to go during school holidays you'll get a flights, car and a 2 week townhouse rental for around £2k give or take.

If only I could get away with not going in school holidays mate ......

Seriously looking at this for half term this year as prices of Euro holidays at the same time mean it is only marginally more expensive and kids are still into all things Disney.

Looking at 10 days, I know we won't be able to do everything but we'll be back I'm sure and not sure my older daughter could cope with 2 weeks first time there....

Kids will be (very nearly) 8 and 5 when we go so I've been reading this with interest.

Looking at Virgin holidays and, from what I can see on a quick search, their prices seem pretty reasonable? Has anyone used anyone else and/or booked all elements individually?

Also, if we stay in a Disney hotel will the wife and I go bonkers by the time we leave? Plenty of options for accommodation, think it would be good for the kids but might drive me insane?

If we go I may be back on here asking some more questions so apologies in advance although I noted the reference to the Dibb forum so will be scouring that later :thup:

 

[Val]

Disney is a bit special, it will suck you in. There is tonnes there to keep the full family, adults included, entertained.

10 days will let you get a taster for Disney but it's not even close to being enough though but pick and chose wisely. I'll drop you an email tomorrow with some good info.

 

[davemc1]

I went for 10 days last August. Of course you miss out on loads, but you can fit the headline acts in. We stayed in the all star resorts. We got a magic band, its acts as your room key, park tickets - which gives you an hour early entrance and 3 fast passes a day, it scans for your food, and all the photos you get taken are on it, for you to download.

Loved every minute and couldnt recommend it enough.

The free coaches that run every 15-20 mins to all the disney parks are a God send. But on the downside, youre in a Disney complex and it aint cheap.

Universal should be a priority. At least a day in each park

The 1 regret I had, they have a salon in the castle at Magic Kingdom. Would of loved to get my lil one booked in had I known about it.

Its boss!

 

[NWJocko]

Disney is a bit special, it will suck you in. There is tonnes there to keep the full family, adults included, entertained.

10 days will let you get a taster for Disney but it's not even close to being enough though but pick and chose wisely. I'll drop you an email tomorrow with some good info.

Cheers mate, looks like we'll definitely be going so any advice/tips/info gratefully received :thup:

 

[NWJocko]

I went for 10 days last August. Of course you miss out on loads, but you can fit the headline acts in. We stayed in the all star resorts. We got a magic band, its acts as your room key, park tickets - which gives you an hour early entrance and 3 fast passes a day, it scans for your food, and all the photos you get taken are on it, for you to download.

Loved every minute and couldnt recommend it enough.

The free coaches that run every 15-20 mins to all the disney parks are a God send. But on the downside, youre in a Disney complex and it aint cheap.

Universal should be a priority. At least a day in each park

The 1 regret I had, they have a salon in the castle at Magic Kingdom. Would of loved to get my lil one booked in had I known about it.

Its boss!

Cheers Davie la, that's one of the places the Mrs is looking at...... Still not sure if I can cope with a Disney hotel on top of all the other Disney parks!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

We stayed in a villa not far from Champions Gate. Loads available, huge, lovely, not expensive. They allow you to escape the intensity of the parks. The parks are great but leaving them behind at the end of the day keeps you sane. Driving is ridiculously easy so don't let that put you off.

We did one day park, next day something else. Let's you recover. Don't try to be in a park all day. You'll be tired, your kids will get fractious. The parks are full of tearful kids come tea time. Don't flog yourself.

Best holiday we have ever had and only money is stopping us going back this year. Brilliant place, you'll love it.

 

[davemc1]

There not Disney in the slighest mate, not a character in site. Ours was music themed, but theres a sports hotel one side and the movie themed one the other.

Theres a mcdonalds just off site, but thats the only shop or resturant for miles

 

[clubchamp98]

Golden Florida based in UK
we stay in Bella Piazza on US27 next door to Highlands Reserve GC
the condos are great big pool and clubhouse games room and gym and five mins walk to some nice bars eateries and a publix for your food.
we use Dollar rental but join as a member for free you don't have to que for registration just go to the car park and they sort it there.
get the platinum package it's best deal.
forget the convertible you get frazzled in that heat and you will be glad of the air con in a suv.

if you get the chance play Southern Dunes GC it's 30 mins away best course for miles. Get a coupon for 10% off.

 

[williamalex1]

Make sure you get a few Dollars worth of quarters BEFORE you leave the airport !!!. Just in case you end up on a toll road , easily done ..