Brit's Guide up-date

[neilybealy]

thanks for a detailed update

we go on 21 sept and are getting very excited already

 

[UKDEB]

Thanks, Simon. I guess it must be causing you major re-write headaches for the next guide. I'll be interested to hear what you've got to say in August, particularly as the latest edition won't be published until after our trip!

 

[Dimplenose]

Is I4 a problem between WDW and Universal Studios - should we find a different route? We went via International Drive in '98 and it took forever, I was going to go I4 this time.

Libby

 

[MalcolmC]

I'd stick with I4 if I were you!

It may get a bit congested but it keeps on moving, albeit slowly. I Drive just grinds to a halt. Several times I've turned around or gone down side roads just to go somewhere, anywhere away from bumper to bumper traffic.!

 

[SimonV]

Dimplenose, it depends what time you're travelling. That section can get very congested at the moment in the morning rush hour, and is often fairly slow in the afternoon.

 

[Janice]

Wow Simon - I got out of breath just reading and I admire your stamina to fit all that into 8 days, especially with the heat we were experiencing.

Terrific info and just so many reasons to go back......dont ya think?

 

[kazzie]

Simon,,

Some great info there.
I laughed at MCO revamping their restaurants,I thought the only one was Burger King?!

I've always thought what a massive opportunity they were missing at MCO shop wise.If they had a sort of Ron Jon's type shop selling clothes I think how much more money my teens would want to spend at the airport if they had more chioce than just Disney shops.

 

[SimonV]

Hi there Kazzie. The one real 'casualty' from my pespective of the great revamp will be the loss of the Shipyard Brewport bar and restaurant, which offered genuinely decent beer (brewed there with imported British hops!). Instead, there will now be a big new food court in that central area with a massive McDonald's (ugh - as if we need another one!) as the centrepiece. I think the Chili's Too bar/grill is also due to go, but the Starbuck's will stay. The good news is that they are looking at a complete new range of shops and the fact that there is a (small) Ron Jon's at Orlando-Sanford Airport now might suggest they will look at one here too.

Simon

 

[Claire Chatts]

Fantastic Update! Have just finished reading the book (page for page!). Booked to go to Radisson Orlando in Sept but now fancy changing booking to the new Universal hotel, does anyone know if this can be doen with just an admin charge?

 

[SimonV]

Claire, it will really depend who you booked with, both in terms of the agent and the operator. If you have booked independently, i.e. directly with the hotel, you shouldn't have a problem. If you have booked with a travel agent, you should check with them first. Either way, both hotels are very good, but I think you will find the new Royal Pacific is a bit special, particularly in its early months.

 

[DisneyAli]

if you have booked with virgin, there is a £20.00 per person admin charge, we upgraded from the days inn maingate west to the fourpoints sheraton lakeside. didnt like the write up reviews about the days inn and as we are there for 3 weeks we thought it was worth the extra.

 

[Claire Chatts]

Thanks for the info, we changed it this morning which was the last possible day as we pay it Saturday!!!

We've booked with Virgin and they didn't charge the admin fee as we are paying more. It's quite a bit more actually but the pool looks amazing, we'll save money on the Universal tickets and also on transport as we intend on spending quite a bit of time in Citiwalk.

The fact that we get priority queing helped change our minds too as I like all the big rides but there 's no way I'll get my husband on some of them (the virtical drop for example!!) so he won't have to wait as long for me.

Thanks again guys,

Claire

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

"Still don’t rate the Rose & Crown at Epcot (mediocre, over-priced menu, and the most average service of the whole trip"

So they're portraying English service quite well then


I've ust found this site in the last couple of days as we're considering a DVC purchase, reading your update was really useful and has made me even more desperate to get back there, will definately be buying your book.

 

[Beejayjay]

Terrific amount of useful info there Simon ! Especially like the sound of the Millenia Mall being a big time shopper !

I'm interested in TravelCity, sounds like they could potentially save me a lot of money on my next trip. One thing I was particularly wondering is which airline they use. I always fly Virgin when I go to the States and am wondering whether, if they dont use Virgin among their usual airlines, a surcharge can be paid to fly with them.

If anyone can tell me their experience of dealing with TravelCity, I'd appreciate that too.

Thanks !

 

[Olaf]

Wow Simon, when do you sleep! Impressive.

I second your recommendation of the new IMAX-3D film at the Kennedy Space Center. I find rockets and such rather boring, but I really liked this one.

Must be nice to be able to write off your trips as business. Do they allow you guys to do that over there. Pretty cool if you can.

 

[Julia Ann]

Have just bought Brit Guide 2002 - next trip 24 August 2003 (couldn't wait for 2003 guide, too excited!!!!) Have previously bought Unofficial guide to Disney (Schneider?) which has been great for theme park strategy but geared more to the USA folk, and just theme parks. Your guide is great and especially for those who have been before and want to do a bit more than the parks (have been 1995 and 2001).
The driving section is especially helpful - should have read this the first time we went!!

Thank for update.
Julia

 

[SimonV]

You're welcome, Julia. Have a great trip next year - although I think you will have a fair bit of time to plan everything several times!