First Time Orlando

[Jigsaw]

I have been to Disneyland many times and I've always wanted to go to Disneyworld. I was looking into it and it seems like the price is lower than Disneyland. I had a few questions on the hotels and getting around.

First question is: So far I'm looking at the movie hotel (which is about $80) I saw that they had campgrounds for $40. I don't really like spending a lot on hotels because I'm basically there to sleep and store my stuff. I was wondering if you do the camp ground do you have to bring your own tent? I assume the tent area is like a normal campground without electric and what not. My main concern would be an outlet to charge my phone. Are there some there?

How far is Universal Studios from Disneyworld? I tried to look up transportation but I can't seem to find any sort of bus that goes between the two. Is there a way other than renting a car to get between the two places?

any other info would be helpful. thanks

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Yes, you'd have to bring your own tent and equiipment to camp at Fort Wilderness. They do have cabins available, but they are more expensive than the Value resort rooms. I would recommend staying at one of the Value Resorts. I think you'll be much more comfortable.

Universal is quite a distance from Disney World - I think about 45 minutes. There may be a way to take one of the Orlando transit buses from the Transportation Center. Ask on the Transportation Board.

 

[POOHsie]

You would have to bring your own tent. There would be electric at the site. You haven't mentioned how you feel about no A/C for your tent. I think you would be beyond miserable in the Florida heat. You could arrange a small RV rental for the week, but this would not be economical. You could stay off-site for less, but you wouldn't have Magical Express from/to the airport, and off-site shuttles to WDW are way less than desirable. Sometimes they just drop you off at the TTC (MK parking lot) and you have to bus/monorail from there to the park you want to go to, and sometimes the shuttles only run 1-2 times am and pm.

I would stick with your plan for the ASMovies resort. How about someone to go with you, to split expenses? WDW is a fabulous, memorable place, well worth the visit for a friend, sibling, or parent to come along. I know it's hard to explain in an internet post, but you will be very satisfied with your decision to stay on Disney property. There is high value there that can't be explained easily. Just trust posters here - it's the way to go!

 

[sue_gowin]

I would have to agree with all the pp's and say go for the All-Star Movie resort, especially since it's your first WDW visit. You'll be mush more comfortable! As for Universal, we use a great service by "destinations in florida". I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post their website on here, so I'll send you a PM. They're very reliable, and they have a package deal where you can incorporate either a 1- or 2- park-to-park ticket and transportation from any WDW resort!!!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Regarding transportation between Disney and Universal - there is an entire thread dedicated to just that - you can find it here --> http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2494908

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

Another vote for staying at an All-Star resort. I think you'd be much more comfortable which makes for a happier vacation. As far as US, it's about 15 miles away from Disney. We took a cab that cost us about $30 each way. There is also MEARS that offers service to US. They charge per person.

 

[QuinnS87]

Another vote for staying at an All-Star resort. I think you'd be much more comfortable which makes for a happier vacation. As far as US, it's about 15 miles away from Disney. We took a cab that cost us about $30 each way. There is also MEARS that offers service to US. They charge per person.

Thanks a lot for this great idea..

Can you please tell us where is this location exactly?

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

Not sure what you mean by location? Mears runs a transport service. They charge per person. You schedule your pick-up with them and then also your pick-up time to bring you back to the resort. Taxis generally are cheaper if you have 3 or more people in your party and are always available at the resorts or can be called for you. Hope that answered your question.

 

[Karabee]

I would stick with the Values and keep on looking for deals so it might be even cheaper than what it's showing now!

As for the trip to Universal, we did this last fall and in the end just decided it was easier to rent a car. It was actually the same price as the Mears Shuttle. I'm not a Universal fan but really wanted to see Harry Potter so we knew we would only be there for about 2-3 hours. Something to keep in mind if driving is you will have to pay the fee to park. For us though, to avoid the hassel of calling a shuttle and waiting for it, it was easier. There are also multiple rental car locations around Disney World.

 

[Jigsaw]

thank you everyone! very helpful tips! I think I will go with the value resorts.

 

[Jigsaw]

You would have to bring your own tent. There would be electric at the site. You haven't mentioned how you feel about no A/C for your tent. I think you would be beyond miserable in the Florida heat. QUOTE]

I'm from AZ so I'm used to the heat. How hot does it get in Florida?

 

[Lynne M]

It's not so much the heat as the humidity, which can be extreme from June through the end of September. I've been there in late June, when it's been high 90's, with 95% humidity. It's suffocating, and you could not pay me to sleep in a tent in FL in the summer or early fall.

By all means, go with the values.

 

[mickeystoontown]

You would have to bring your own tent. There would be electric at the site. You haven't mentioned how you feel about no A/C for your tent. I think you would be beyond miserable in the Florida heat. QUOTE]

I'm from AZ so I'm used to the heat. How hot does it get in Florida?

The humidity is what's going to get to you, not necessarily the heat.

 

[POOHsie]

I'm from AZ so I'm used to the heat. How hot does it get in Florida?

I think AZ beats FL on high heat, but FL has high humidity, which makes the air dense (hard to breathe) and makes you sweat and feel icky. Plus some seasons there is a short daily rain, and in a camping situation, with a tent on the ground at a wooded campground, all your stuff tends to get wet or feel wet. The wet/hot/humid environment is a mecca for lots of insects and small rodents, etc. I wouldn't want to be so exposed to outdoors, sleep so close to the ground, in Central FL.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been to Disneyland many times and I've always wanted to go to Disneyworld. I was looking into it and it seems like the price is lower than Disneyland. I had a few questions on the hotels and getting around.

First question is: So far I'm looking at the movie hotel (which is about $80) I saw that they had campgrounds for $40. I don't really like spending a lot on hotels because I'm basically there to sleep and store my stuff. I was wondering if you do the camp ground do you have to bring your own tent? I assume the tent area is like a normal campground without electric and what not. My main concern would be an outlet to charge my phone. Are there some there?

How far is Universal Studios from Disneyworld? I tried to look up transportation but I can't seem to find any sort of bus that goes between the two. Is there a way other than renting a car to get between the two places?

any other info would be helpful. thanks

Stick with a value resort...much better idea. You can book a towncar service to get you to US/IoA for the day, but it will run about $80 if I remember correctly. You can also book the Mears shuttle service...about $20 r/t, pp. You can call them, from your resort, the day before you want to head to US/IoA and figure out times.



Not so much the heat, but the humidity!! Let's just asy that when it's between May and October, you will be totally soaked about 15 mins after you leave your a/c'ed room!!! And the months of July and August??? Not even worth talking about.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

And besides the humidity, it will rain probably almost every day from June-Sept at some point. Sometimes downpours, sometimes sprinkles, but I wouldn't want to be in a tent during a thunderstorm!