First time to Orlando

[thefoxes]

Hello Everyone,

This is our first time to the USA, for many years we have wanted to go but never got round to it or even afforded it !!

We are going to Orlando for 2-weeks flying on the 12th July-03 (not long to go now). We have 2-kids, one 17 (m) and 15 (f).

There are probably one-hundred and one questions i could ask....so i will not ask them all.

One thing that i must admit was an essintial for this trip, was buying the book "Brits guide to Orlando" - its given us a head start on what to expect

Driving on the RHS looks intersting.....and daunting

We've got a fly drive with My Travel (airtours), and a villa in Kissimmee.

I think we are getting a 4-park flexi ticket to Universal, and 4-day hopper to WDW. I also want to go to KSC. - Does this sound right for a 2-week trip ??

One question i do have related to the flight is: We fly from Birmingham Saturday morning at 09:15, expected to land in Orlando 13:30 (local time) - how many on board flight meals will you get ?
Has anyone flown with My Travel to Orlando - how good is the service and leg room ??

Well i think thats it for now, but i will most likely have some more questions nearer the time.

 

[Sian]

Hello and welcome. My only comment would be that I don't think a 4 day hopper is enough Disney! If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip (and we've all said that) then I can see that you would want to pack everything in. But my personal view is that Disney has much more to offer than the other parks that I would view them as an extra rather than a substitute. The possible exception might be Universal's Islands of Adventure which your teens will enjoy for the thrill rides. You can't really do Epcot or Magic Kingdom in a day and I would rather have a relaxed 6 days in Disney and give Busch and Kennedy a miss on this occasion. Just my view.

 

[jwhiting]

One piece of advice, don't get worked up about driving on the right hand side of the road, especially in Orlando.

Orlando's roads are very easy to navigate and you won't have too many problems.

Now if you were going to LA.........!!!!

Regards

Julian

 

[vernon]

Given the price difference between the Orlando flex ticket and what Disney charges, plus the ages of your kids I think that there is a good chance the way you're looking may work OK for you. I would say check SeaWorld's website http://www.seaworld.com . You could look at the "funcard"for SW and BG combined at $98 (good for use up to end of Dec. BUT DEAL ENDS MAY 31st!!) or the Silver pass for both parks at $129 which is good for 12 months (granted not much difference if you're not going back) but it does include parking ($8 per day) and discounts on purchases in the park and I'm pretty sure fish to feed the dolphins as well. You could get one silver pass and 3 fun passes as you only need one silver for the free parking and discounts. These, plus a 2 day pass to USF/IOA, may work out better value and cover your needs. It may be a personal thing, but I don't visit WetnWild as IMHO the Disney waterparks are FAR superior, therefore the 4 park ticket ( for me) isn't such a great deal.

With your kids being older, you can cover a lot more of the parks than people with younger ones. It will also be likely that there are a lot of the Disney rides and shows that your kids are not going to be too bothered with. With mid to late teens I think it would be a shame to miss BG as this has some of the best rollercoasters in Fl. The Disney ticket I would probably go for either a 4 or 5 day "hopper plus" that gives you the waterpark option. KSC is definately a worthwhile day, but I have a feeling that parts of it are still closed for security purposes, I can understand why, historically/culturally, this would be a "must do" but you might find the kids would prefer a day at Disney Quest instead, presuming they are "into" video games.

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by jwhiting
Orlando's roads are very easy to

Do you mean drive or navigate ? The road signs are awful unless you've got a decent map.

 

[thefoxes]

thanxs for the quick replys.

If your not careful, it can get quite confusing.....!!

I think i shall get the tickets i origonaly planned to buy:- 4-Park flexi tickets and 4-day hopper. If we want to go to BG we can get a day pass, saying that we might not have enought time in the day !

We are on a "tight" budget and so i want to be sure to get the best deals - where would you recommend to purchase the tickets from ? I intend to buy before we fly.


Can anyone answer my question about the flight with My Travel ?

Thanks

 

[Goofyish]

Welcome to the DIS - are you from Leicester by any chance?

Hope you have a great time

 

[thefoxes]

yes i am with a user name like this !!

 

[Goofyish]

It's nice to have some more Leicestershire folks on board

I'm more of a Tigers fan though

On most flights you get a main meal and then a snack/tea type meal. I would recommend taking some crisps (Walkers ) etc. in case the airline food isn't that edible
Also a good idea to take some bottled water (good against DVT).

For Flextickets etc. try these people:

http://www.ticketmania.com/

As for driving - if you can handle driving in Leicester, then Florida will be a doddle
I would guess that you are flying into Sanford Airport, so you have two options to get down to Kissimee - the Interstate 4 (I-4) or the Florida Greenway toll road. The I-4 can get very busy, so I would go for the toll road. If you get a bit lost ask at one of the toll booths for directions - they are quite helpful.

 

[reflex2806]

Hi Andy & Allison,

I have also tried to find out info about this flight but unfortunately have not been able to yet. We go after you so i would really be greatful if you would tell me about it on your return.
We brought the Disney 10 day world tickets on special offer (£199) at the Disney Store (and other places)
I also brought Universal 5 park flexi pass from http://www.keithprowsetickets.co.uk/ £150.
Have a great time,

Darron,Kay & Boys
Come on the Villa!!

 

[Kimkie]

Driving in Orlando is actually very easy as the roads are so wide and people drive slow. We didn't see anyone breaking speed limits, unlike over here! The Disney transportation map is good for around the Disney area and so is the Fodors map, from their Orlando Guide. The car hire people should also provide you with a map. Work out where you are heading and keep looking out for signs, they come just before junctions so you have to be on the ball! We have driven round LA and believe me Orlando is a walk in the park compared to that!! I was really worried about picking up the car from the airport after the long flight and then trying to find our hotel. The exit from the airport is clearly marked and I didn't need to wory at all. (I'm the navigator so I think it's worse for me than the one driving!!) Have a great trip, once is never enough!

 

[Sue & Co.]

Hi we've just bought tickets for our forthcoming trip and found www.sunstyle were cheaper than either ticketmania or keith prowse. Once you have found the website you actually have to phone them to order the tickets. I think that perhaps you should conisder a 5 day park hopper rather than four day to give you the flexibility to go back to one of the parks if you want to. However I think you will want to spend more than one day each at US and IoA given the ages of your children.

Sue

 

[thefoxes]

hello again

Sue, the web site you quote www.sunsystle i cannot get to, do you have their phone number ?

 

[thefoxes]

forget that i found it www.........co.uk !!

 

[Goofyish]

Try this:

http://www.sunstyle.co.uk/attractions.htm

(the .co.uk was missing)

 

[thefoxes]

thanks Tim !

yes i follow the tigers aswell !

 

[Aceman88888]

RE: Mytravel flights

You will get 2 meals on both flights, 2nd one being a snack. I would eat before flying judging by the 'mush' we were presented with!

I hope you don't get a DC-10, as the Manchester route uses this. They are very old, with poor screens for films etc, and legroom is painful if you are above 6ft. I was unlucky enough to get DC10 flights both ways a few weeks ago.

I think most Mytravel flights to Orlando use the new Airbus models which give you seat back screens amongst other luxuries.


One good point is their on flight duty free for which cigarettes are nearly 30% cheaper than alpha retail at the airports with some good additional deals. (e.g. Superkings onflight were 8 pounds cheaper for 400)

Hope this helps

 

[marlouwrig]

We flew with My Travel last year - from Gatwick though not from
Birmingham but I expect the food etc is roughly the same. Typcial airline food.

We had one 'dinner' type meal which we chose in advance from a menu of about six different adult choices and a couple for the children.

Also a sandwich type snack with a piece of cake.


Apart from tea and coffee with the meals no drinks included apart from a special complimentary drink on the return flight because we were delayed for about five hours.

We were in economy and the seat pitch isn't great - I think its 29" but couldn't swear to it. I am 5' 9" and no lightweight and I found it just about tolerable for ten hours.

Apart from the delay which was due to something dropping of the aircraft on the flight over we felt it was a reasonable service at a reasonable price