Australia to Orlando one time only

[croca mame]

First things first.
I have to admit I have been a lurker for some time. Mostly reading some of the exciting and unique trip reports. What inspired me to consider WDW as a vacation destination? My cousin who will be making her 3rd trip next year, this time to disneyland.

So who am I... I was a full time working mum untill a month ago when I was made redundant. Down side I have plenty of time and no foreseeable employment untill after Christmas.

Upside I have a nice redundancy payout and more free time to spend with my DD who by the way is 2 and has just rubbed yogurt all thru her hair.
She has not had a nap today and is out of her normal routine Courtesy of me being home.

So what have I planned .... nothing, but I have free time so I need to attempt to plan.
I guess you could call it stumped there are so many choices.
on or off property... when to go??

I know my biggest expense it going to be the fights 2 adults 1 child brisbane - orlando $7000 later ouch we made it.
So the best time of year for flights is Feb, Aug, Sep and Nov.

Are any of these good times to visit WDW? Please give me the pros and cons We live in Queensland about half an hour away from the Gold Coast so we are fairly used to hot humid weather.

Second situation, we would really like to see other attractions in orlando, particularly universal studios, seaworld and the kennedy space centre.

So these are the options I have for accommodation.
1. Stay at a value resort 2 weeks hire a car for one week
2. Stay at a mediocre hotel 2 weeks hire a car 2 weeks
3. Stay at a condo 2 weeks hire a car 2 weeks

Because we are only three people we are not expecting a lot of space
but as I think this is our one and only trip to WDW I want to experience as much as possible without selling my soul.

Any advice on accommodation would be appreciated as im really confused as to what option would be the most convenient and economical.

 

[warpdarkmatter]

welcome to the dis i would recomend going in sept or the begining of nov due to lower crowd levels. i think staying on property would be a big benefit to you. staying off site you would have to pay $11 dollers a day parking at wdw so i would go with a value and rent a car for your last week i would also recomend staying at the pop century resort hope you have a great trip

 

[ToddyLu]

I would also recommend Pop over the other value resorts. There is only one bus stop and the decor is awesome. We have stayed a ASMo and prefer Pop. The last few years we have gone in Dec., before that we went in Oct and then once in April. April was crowded and busy due to spring break over here. Feb is busy around Mardi Gras time and I think around President's Day. Also there is a Jersey Week when New Jersey children are out of school and the state heads south for vacation. I think that is in Nov. but make sure. I would go in Nov because summer months are horrible in the heat. Even if you are used to it--We live on the Gulf Coast here. There is not a lot of shade without ducking into a store. I would definitely stay on site. Just for the ease of it and rent a car. Nice pools, and since we only sleep in our room it is very nice for our needs. Also when you purchase something if you are on site they deliver it back to your room for free and you don't have to carry it around.

Have you considered purchasing during the 4night/3free nights special?

Also I would register for the free subscription to Allearsnet. They send you an email newsletter each Tuesday and it includes rehabs and closings with lots of planning info. Have a great time and let us know what you decide. We get to go in a little over 2 weeks!!!!

 

[croca mame]

Hi

Thankyou for replying.
DD and myself had a hot sticky sleep last night, not becase of the yogurt but the weather.
However, today we have to wash the yogurt out of her hair

I think im leaning towards sepember or november mostly because DD bday is september and how cool would it be to spend it at Disney .

So I had a look at the Pop it looks so fun im sure DD will love the kiddies pool.

Thanks so much I did sign up at allears and mousesavers. These sites have lots of helpful tips.

Unfortunately we cannt book the 4night/3nights special as the australian dollar is so low US$1= AU $.50.

So we are going to wait and see how the dollar fares but I will continue to plan so when the dollar is up I can book asap.

ToddyLu good luck with the trip how exciting

Anyway I have to go and get DD ashd and dressed I wantto take her to the coast for breakfast . This will be the last weekend we can before all the tourists arrive for schoolies.

Schoolies are high school leaves ...it is kinda like your spring break.

 

[ToddyLu]

Have a wonderful breakfast on the Coast. I need to pull out an Atlas to see where you are and if you want to show your DD where I am--- Find New Orleans, Louisiana on the Northern Gulf of Mexico . Go east. I live on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi at the Alabama state line, in a town named Pascagoula. Have a great day!!

 

[connie1042]

I would say go in Sept, and hope for free dinning. Stay at a value. I would also say stay at a Universal resort for a couple of night , so you can get front of the line passes for those parks. I love Sea World. Anytime you go, you will have a great time. We are booked for Sept 19-26 with free dinning, from the bounce back offer. Already planning our restaurants. Planning is half the fun.

 

[NemoFansMommy]

September can be a great time, but it's also hurricane season. Our one September trip was a complete rain out, the entire week. We had a tropical storm that stalled off the coast of FL which equaled rain, all day, every day. We have also have friends that traveled in September and had wonderful weather. I will say, we just threw our ponchos on and made the most of it, but I don't think it would all that rain would be much fun for your daughter.

Our November trip was much more enjoyable!! The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cool. We were able to enjoy swimming and were able to tour the parks without sweating our bums off, something else we did in September. The crowds were a little more than we expected, we learned that the New Jersey school system is closed the first full week of November, but crowds weren't horrible. Our dd was also 2 at the time and she had a wonderful time!!!

We've never stayed at Pop Century, but it is definitely one that I want to try!!! Good luck and enjoy yourselves when you make it!!!

 

[bound2travel]

Hi there,
I must agree that POP is a great place to stay. As far as when to go, it all depends on what weeks you are looking at. September can be somewhat quiet but there are the rains to consider. November also has the food and wine festival at Epcot the first week - then Christmas decorations begin to come out at MK for MVMCP - Thanksgiving week is busy but slows down the next week. February is busy President's day week (third week). August is hot hot hot - miserably hot. I live in Florida and refuse to go in August if I can help it.
BTW - I was in Australia in June on a tour. We spent a few days in Surfer's Paradise, Frasier Island and then one night in Brisbane before we flew to NZ. I really enjoyed the visit - but not the flights. Hope you have a great time when you come. Florida is also known as "The Sunshine State" so you should feel right at home.

 

[croca mame]

Hi all,

So yeterda we were are ready and rearng to go out for our fabulous breakfast when the phne rings
I answer the phone and its my brother he never calls, my brother asks me how job hunting is going....pretty slow.

Then he starts talkning about work and how they all had a meeting to tell everyne there jobs are secure even with the economic climate.
I kndly listen and reply undestanding his sympathy and how difficult it is for him to gain respect the workplace wth his peers and customers in there 40-50My brother is in his twenties and manages eftpost systems fo some large banks.

When all of a sudden he blurts out he is engaged.....
Oh my what a shock he then outlines in detail how he did it.

On the weekend he took his gf to the Sofitel and Surfers Paradise. He had booked the pearl package. No expense spared
Actually a few wk earlier he went ring shoppng with our dad and picked the ring very old fashioned. My dad asked what if she says no..., my brother goes she wont.

Pretty cocky but they are high school sweethearts, I knew they would but I thought they were waiting.

Sorry back to the story , they booked in the softel and were taken to the top floor where champagne the real stuff and flowers are waiting

My brother casually points out the balcony and the make there way. The view was breathtaking I told. My brother proceeds to kneel on the balcony and propose. What a little romantic - he does not get that from my father.

She says ye of course
Then the bell rings are who should be there but room service with imported bite size desserts. They linger over there sweet sippng moet and basking in the ambience.... his words.

Of course dinner is room service again this time with the pearl. They discuss what she wuld like it made into a necklace or bracelet perhaps. Lucky girl two pieces of jewelery in one night.

The next morning involves more room service, I love room service.

Anyway by the time he finishes hs tail over 2 hours.. my daughter and husband are restless. Then the phone rings again.
I tell hubby to give DD a yogurt... this might take a while.

My sister wants to know if I have had a call yet ooh so casually
I tell her I know our brother has finally proposed, she then goes on about how romantic our brother is and her husband isnt
How her boys are wild animals and she is losing another epic.

Gees the family likes to go on. Mind you this is a large post. What can I say it runs in the family.

I finally get of the phone and yell "we gotta go" by then everyone is starving so my idea of a beautiful breaky at the coast dissapears in favour of Mcdonalds