1st Ever Timer! Do we Don't we?

[craileon]

Hi I am new to this site and thought after seeing many sites this was the best one.
I really need help deciding. We stay in Scotland and in the beginning of April this year we went to Alicante in Spain where my beautiful daughter fell down an old disused canal lock gate that was left uncovered. SHe fell 12ft down into 2ft of water and we nearly lost her. Many people came but in the end only my wonderful husband and I manage to pull her out. 90% him and 10% me. Anyhow we have been offered £300 to tell our story, which appeared front page of the local newspaper, to a magazine. We have decided this is her money for her next holiday and she could choose where to go in October and she has picked WDW. We have never been as the length of the flight with the kids as toddlers wasn't a very happy thought. Now they are 10 and 5 and are desperate to go only problem is we have had many people say stay in Kissimmee or stay on I drive. Visit this park that park. We as a family love being in the center of things. My son is 10 and is scared of anything scary. We went to a halloween based theme park in SPain and he had nightmares for years. I know October probably not the best time close to halloween but I am sure Disney don't go all zombie on us.We going for 2 weeks can anyone suggest best places to stay what parks to do or tickets to buy were looking at flexi ticket. We also have the option of staying in my uncles condo in Bradenton but I think this is a bit far away from things. Thank you

 

[bombhead444]

Hello welcome,we went to disney florida in 1999 and have never looked back since,it really is a fantastic place to go.

We always stay in Kissimmee as it is quiet, the hotels are great and if you want to and have a car you can always go into Kissimmee to find plenty of restaurants,shops,in only a few mins drive.
Were you thinking of going for two weeks? there are different tickets to suit what you want to do,there are 5 day,7 day,14 etc we use onlineflorida they have pretty good prices.

We have done Disney halloween and its great to see all the characters dressed up and you get to go trick or treating!!
I didnt find it scary but you should be able to find videos on You Tube so you have an idea of what to expect.

 

[Claire L]

Disney halloween is all very mild and actually very pretty, plus the trick or treating for candy is great fun For horror the only place is Universal on their HHN nights and that is a special ticket only event that is aimed at teenagers upwards.

As for where to stay as you like to be in the action a value resort would be fine for you.

Claire

 

[Macl1uk]

I have sent you a personal message of our email address so that I can email you my Disney notes. Also included my name and address for you to send me a stamped address envelope and I will send you maps for Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Island of Adventure, City Walk, Orlando Mall and Premium Outlets.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The majority of people who stay in Kissimmee stay in rented villas, it isn't the best location for a good choice of hotels but is a good central point for all the attractions, supermarkets and restaurants.
If choosing this you would definitely need a car - hotels there are 1000s from the likes of International Drive/Lake Buena Vista/Walt Disney World and more.
It just comes down to personal choice and budget to a degree.

I-drive gets mixed reviews, some parts are nice others not as popular.
On-site at WDW is popular, but can be expensive depending on where you stay, prices vary.

Bradenton is at least 90 minutes away from Orlando and central Florida.

 

[VailaTigger]

As posted on another forum, I've stayed both on and off-site for WDW, and much prefer staying on-site even though it's more expensive.

If you like being in the middle of things, I think you'd like it, the value hotels are great, I've not stayed in anything else!

First time, we took a package with Virgin (just for ease really), but it was great. We're doing the same this time, as they do direct flights from Glasgow for the peak times, and it's just so much easier than faffing about on our own with the two kids. Maybe once they've been once, and want to go again, we'll look into cheaper options

Going back April 2010, and taking my new man, and his 2 boys who'll be 12 and 8 by then, and I know they will LOVE it. They're both a bit "woosey" (as a Scot you'll know what I mean by that) when it comes to heights / rides / anything like that, but I know they will be fine when they get there. It's very un-Disney-like to do anything too scary.

I've not been in October, so can't comment on the Halloween themed stuff, but from what other folks say, it's just as magical as any other time!

Sorry to hear you had such a terrible time with your daughter on the last holiday, and hope all is well with you all.

 

[scottish mum]

WDW do separate halloween parties but they are not scary. The parks are decorated with pumpkins etc and characters dressed up but not scary. My dd is 4 and frightened of everything but she was fine with it all.

If you want to be near the action I would stay in WDW and the value hotels are great for kids. Big characters and lots of fun.

My kids have been several times and the youngest we took them was 22 months, yes the flights are tricky but as long as you go prepared you will be fine, just bring plenty of things to keep them occupied.

If you go near the start of october the crowds will be less as well, us scots are lucky as our holidays are before everyone elses.

Hope your DD is fully recovered and that you can have a great holiday.

 

[team harris]

Hello and welcome to the DIS!

Our first visit to WDW with our children was in Oct. 2003. Our youngest celebrated his 7th birthday out there. He did not "do" characters of any description at all ------- up until then!

We stayed off site on I-Drive then and visited the Disney parks and Universal. We also did Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which we all loved. There were moments when he hid behind me, but he loved it really and did not suffer any adverse affects afterwards. (he had nightmares after watching Disney's Black Cauldron years ago)

Went back in August 2007 and stayed at POP Century, which made life so much easier. We had a car which sat in the car park for most of the holiday, although was a God send for getting to Kennedy Space Centre and Universal.

Going back this August and staying at Old Key West. We will be hiring a car in the middle of the holiday so that we can do Universal and the beach. Staying on-site is more magical for us it does not suit everybody, I know, but works well for our family. It is more expensive, but to be honest the free DDP is our deciding factor.

 

[virginatlantic]

Well your due a nice time, and WDW will do that for sure

I have been a dozen times in all and twice around Haloween time, although they advertise special Haloween nights at some parks, thats about it.

Unless you go too the special Haloween nights there is no scary stuff happening

If you do stay at a villa in Kissimee (which are nice) or International drive (which is a little tacky IMO), I personally think you will miss out a little, being a few miles from the magic and will need a car for sure.

I would stay at any of the Disney on site hotels because of the atmosphere and the fact you can use the free buses to Disney parks.
You also need to take into account that Universal/Sea World is 30 mins from Disney area, so a car is best for that reason.

The All Stars and POP Century are ideal for young ones with the larger than life themes.

As for tickets, if you are going for 14 days you will have loads too do, a 7 day Disney with the entries to the water parks included would be best.
A 2 Day Universal and a 1 day Sea World or a combo ticket for both Universal and Sea World is best.

You cant go 100% flat out all day every day at the parks, as you will be way too tired, so you dont really need 14 days of park entry if you are staying for 14 days.

Hope these few comments are helpful

 

[starrysky]

Hi

I replied on your other post. You will get loads of good advice from everyone on either the UK part or the more US part. Although people do post on either.