Advice for 1st timers from Edinburgh

[disneyangel]

I'm just looking for some general advice

We are big Disney fans and have had annual passes for the last two years for DLRP and since my DD (5) is a bit older we are now considering a trip to WDW.(DH , DD and myself)

My plan was to wait until this August in case the free dining offer is on again and book for the following August (2009).

We have timeshare points in Diamond resorts and I had thought we might use these for a week to stay at Cypress Pointe (Nr Lake Buena Vista) - Has anyone ever stayed there before ? Did they like it ? Then spend a week or so at a Disney resort

We're also open to staying offsite elsewhere for our second week and buying tickets separately . Where would you recommend buying them ?

We live in Central Scotland so would be looking to fly from Edi or Glasgow with as few connections as possible. Anyone have any experience of flying from Scotland and who they thought was best ?

However a friend has advised that it is blisteringly hot at that time of year and i may want to reconsider the timing (given our usual climate - heat is not something we cope with very well )but now we're stuck with school holiday's I'm not sure what the best option is . I'm guessing Easter will be really busy and the only other time DD gets a reasonable time off school is at Christmas , which again I assume will be really busy.

Is it really so hot in August ? Would early July be any better ?

Now I'm really

Looking forward to getting some advice from all you experts

 

[redz]

Hi Disneyangel,
i cant comment on the accomodations you speak about, we allways stay onsite, but i can comment on the weather, being from even further north than you are, we too are un used to heat, my wife and daughter went to WDW without me this past summer, they went late july to coincide with school holidays, and it was so hot they only managed a few hours at a time in the parks, then back to the hotel to sit ontop of the airconditioner for for the next few hours, and repeated that routine for 10 days, maybe best to avoid july/august totally, its a real energy sapper!
we have been in december time too, but it was so busy around the rides we went on next to nothing, because bah humbug here (my daughters nickname for me on that trip) refused to stand in line for 2 hours to get on anything, hope it helps, though not a very positive post was it??? lol.
We always use BA for flights flying Aberdeen via gatwick to orlando, good connection times and no real hanging around for hours on end, though due to the wifes flight being fogbound in aberdeen in july and missing her connection to orlando, BA booked her onto Virgin, the wife claims it was a much nicer plane and flight! might try them next time.
REDZ

 

[Cyrano]

October comes highly recommended from a number of regulars

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Also cant comment on the accommodation as we are in a villa.

Flights wise.

American flights via EDI or GLA with a one stop via new york (usually)
Continental, Delta.
Globespan via GLA direct but you have to be quick to make this worthwhile money wise.

One stop via Gatwick, BA, virgin a good few others once you are in London.

Consider EDI to Man and Virgin as a one stop option.
BMI and Continental also go from there but it is a 2 stop option and unless the price is so good I'd be reluctant but worth checking.

Newcastle is another drive-able option, did JMC flights a few years back so consider Newcastle.
Personally I think this is just about the limit for driving on the way back, tried MAN one year and vowed never again.

To be honest I don't see much difference between the economy seats.
Seat back entertainment is good for the kids and should be considered, maybe online checkin, otherwise go for the price and flight times.

Heat wise, it's manageable, plenty do, no problem with a little planning.
Get to the parks early is my advice, avoid the crowds and highest temps, back to the pool in the afternoon, parks again in the evening if you want.
Plan a good few days away from the parks.

Not a great difference between July and August temp wise, we go late july/ early aug to break up the long break.

If you can narrow down the dates then there are folk who can help find you flights.

 

[BRobson]

We travel from Scotland and have flown from Glasgow with Airtours etc many years ago so cannot comment on the service and costs now. We have used BA for the last 10 years and have never had any problems We fly into Gatwick then out to MCO.

As far as when to go it is a problem when you have to fit in with school holidays We have tried Easter and October and this year we are going in July for 3 weeks. All these times will be busy but I suppose it is the heat that is the problem for many - it rarely bothers us

I am not being much help am I


Have fun planning

 

[irenep]

I like October best - 2 weeks school break here and the crowds/temperatures are good.
Having said that, we are going in JULY ! But thats because we bought in to DVC last year and can manage 2 trips (also going October).
It will be HOT and busy in July but our plan is to get up and out early, then back to the hotel for a few hours rest/swim and out again later.

As for the flights - not much help there but I think Virgin have a direct flight from Glasgow to Orlando and you could book just a flydrive if your accomodation is sorted.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I have been in August - & yes it was hot - but we enjoyed it. Went towards end of August when some americans have gone back to school. We did stay onsite & some days went back for a pool break.

we have also been in October (last year) - we had to take DD out of school as we tagged a week onto the half term. Weather was lovely & wasn't too crowded.

Sorry I can't help with the flights.

Off site we have stayed at Windsor hills (twice now) & really like it as it is so near to WDW.

Samantha

 

[GarryK]

Hi

As you'll see from the left, we're from the same area and have been twice in October and twice in July. TBH, we prefer July for the longer hours but there is a significant difference in heat & humidity (and rain !).

We used to take the girls out of school for a week in October when at Primary School and combined this with the school break for a 2 week holiday. The school had no problem with this and I think this would be your best course of action to avoid the crowds and heat.

October is fantastic with lower crowds and little rain.

Now the girls are doing highers and standard grades it's July for us (again this year).

Garry

 

[disneyangel]

Thanks for all your replies

I hadn't thought of the Oct option as I thought the local authority / goverment were stamping down on term time holidays . But as DD is only 5 I'm sure it wouldn't be the end of the world for her to miss a week at school.
(in fact I think it might only be 4 days as I think we get a week and a day)

That might just be a plan

 

[BRobson]

Thanks for all your replies

I hadn't thought of the Oct option as I thought the local authority / goverment were stamping down on term time holidays . But as DD is only 5 I'm sure it wouldn't be the end of the world for her to miss a week at school.
(in fact I think it might only be 4 days as I think we get a week and a day)

That might just be a plan

Do you only get a week in October? I live in the NE of Scotland and we get two weeks

 

[disneyangel]

All the Scottish authorities seem to have differences . Edinburgh and Lanarkshire next to us in West Lothian have different Easter holidays

 

[scottishsue]

We are also going in October. We are flying Aberdeen to Manchester, then on to Orlando.

We have always gone in October and find it not too hot and not too crowded.
I think you might find more flights going from Glasgow, rather than Edinburgh though.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[tink too]

If you do not fair well with really hot weather I'd avoid July and August - last time DH and I were there in July it was 104 degrees and 100% humidity. Although this time of year has longer hours, we didn't utilise them much as we were exhausted from the heat!

We've visited Florida during every month from June - December and also January. We prefer October because it's still nice and hot, not so humid and generally doesn't get so much rain as the summer months.

Christmas time is lovely at WDW - yes, it is crowded but the parks are open longer hours at this time too.