3 things : rain , laptops and ATMs

[buryboy]

Hi all

Hope you can help a novice

1) What are the best places - either in or out of theme parks - to visit when rain is forecast ?

2) Is there any benefit to buying a laptop in Florida - if so , which stores are recommended and what extra gear will I need to make it work OK in the UK.

3) Are there plentiful ATMs in Orlando / theme park areas , and are they generally free to use ? If not generally free, are there any in the main touristy spots where the local provider does not charge a fee for taking out cash ?

Many thanks

 

[Soprano]

1.) What time of the year are you going usually depends on what type of weather you get. Rain can be like a moonsoon at times, but generally doesn't last very long. At a guess, EPCOT would be the best park as there are so many attractions inside.

2.) Not too sure about the laptop. The £ Vs $ is very good right now, Don't rule out Walmart. They may not have a full range, but may be worth popping in to see what they have on offer. Best Buy would be a place I would check out.

3.) I have never used an ATM over there just in case my card got swallowed up! I do take plenty of cash and stick it in the hotel safe and just take a bit every day.

 

[wayneg]

We never let rain stop us doing anything, even sat thru Fantasmic at Xmas in drizzley weather. Some people go to places like DisneyQuest when it rains but I wouldn't because its overcrowed and not enjoyable. Had a massive 1 hour downpour 1 year in Universal, we just did E.T. 10 times (not been on it since) then into the shop until it the rain slowed.

Some people buy electrical goods in US but I have never found it worthwhile. Just get a good deal here. Do your research and prices are not much more then US.
Problems buying abroad, you need a UK power cable or a adapter, can have problems with warrenty and you should pay import taxes and VAT when you return to UK. Also prices you see over there don't include local tax.
I bought 1 at Xmas (Toshiba) first glance looked about £200 cheaper in US. But after adding tax, and locating a cheaper supplier here (also found a 10% voucher on a cash rebate site) it worked out about £10 dearer than US. retailed at £749 I paid £550 delivered.

Only ATM's I have used is Downtown Disney and Epcot, if I remember rightly it was a $2 fee. Just get a Nationwide credit card and don't bother with cash, you get full interbank rate and no charges (about $1.95 today). I use mine for everything even a $2.95 Mickey bar

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

i have looked at laptops before from the US.
Two things,
1) the keyboard is a US keyboard so is different to a UK keyboard. this may or may not be a problem to you depending on how many times you use the £ key for example.
2) I have never found the savings on lappys to be worth it, especially with some of the deals around in the UK

there is no shortage of ATM's all of which will take Visa, Mastercard or Cirrus cards.