Florida for the 1st time next Easter - Help!

[BPTP]

We've visited DLP about 7 times and have loved it but have always dreamed of 'doing it properly'! So next Easter we'd like to go to Florida (we're sticking with the UK school holidays unfortunately!). Chilren will be 8 & 11. I've loved the tips and have posted many myself on the DLP section but am feeling very daunted about planning a trip to FLorida! I'm not even sure I'm on the right section! I'm going to go to a high street travel agent next week for a bit of an overview but wont be booking anything. We've done easy jet and booked our own hotels for years in France/Majorca etc not sure where to start here (and I feel I'm waffling!). Any pointers would be welcome! (even someone telling me whihc bit of the disboards I should be on!)
Thanks

 

[Ware Bears]

You're definitely on the right part of the DIS! Everyone is very friendly on here and will help you plan.

As you've booked it DIY for DLRP you'll have no problem doing that for WDW although price it as a package as well to compare. Even though we've always done DLRP as a DIY we've always found it cheaper to do WDW as a package, probably because we go in school holidays. We were planning on doing it all ourselves this Christmas but even though my eldest DD is now 17 we still found a package was cheaper.

We've been twice at Easter and although it's busy we managed fine ~ it's a lovely time of year to go, especially if the Flower and Garden Festival is on at Epcot.

Have you decided if you want to stay on-site or off-site?

 

[Pegasus928]

I would say you have come to the right place.

Lots of people on here have been to the World numerous times each and there is a good cross section of those who like to stay on-site, those who prefer villas off-site, those who like to dine Disney and those who prefer to get out and try the restaurants away from the parks, those who like hiring a car and those who utilise Disney and public transport. The list goes on.

I would start by asking myself the following questions:

How long do you plan on going for.
Where do you want to fly from/to.
Will you be staying in a Disney hotel, I-Drive hotel, villa etc.
What parks will you want to visit, so you can get an idea of what tickets to buy.
Will you want to hire a car.
What else would you like to do other than the main theme parks.

I wouldn't worry about booking DIY. We have done that each time we have gone and have never had any problems.
Everyone on here will be more than happy to help, so any questions just go ahead and ask.

 

[BPTP]

Thanks folks, I think we may stay off site to try and keep the cost down a bit, although I realise we dont get the extra hours in the park if we do this. Can anyone recommend a book to buy as I havent a clue about the different parks and although the net is fab, I still like a book to read as well! Our children like fast rides, water parks and animals I suppose and also we'd want a bit of 'Disney Magic' (the magic kingdom?) Not really sure what the other parks focus on! I nmeed to do a LOT of research!

 

[Howellsy]

Thanks folks, I think we may stay off site to try and keep the cost down a bit, although I realise we dont get the extra hours in the park if we do this. Can anyone recommend a book to buy as I havent a clue about the different parks and although the net is fab, I still like a book to read as well! Our children like fast rides, water parks and animals I suppose and also we'd want a bit of 'Disney Magic' (the magic kingdom?) Not really sure what the other parks focus on! I nmeed to do a LOT of research!

Two books we always get are The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World and the Brit's Guide to Orlando. The latter gives a more brief view of all the parks in Orlando whilst the former provides you with great in depth information on the Disney parks, as well as Universal, Busch Gardens and Seaworld. Another thing you could do to get more information is order the Disney Vacation Planning pack from the Disney website

Contrary to what you might think, it is possible to stay onsite for just as cheap as offsite, when booking one of the Value resorts or if you went in late August (not sure if Easter is the only holidays you can do?) when Free Dining is usually offered. If your dates aren't set in stone, then it may be worth considering August which can be slightly quieter than Easter, but a lot hotter. Others might be able to give you more information on dates though

Happy planning!!

 

[Rosie]

TBH I think you will be lucky to get any direct flights for Easter - friends of mine have just started looking and haven't found anything under £800 each.
Indirect flights or packages are possibly your best bet and do make sure you sort out travel first as there is always lots of accomodation in Orlando.
I do hope somebody here can point you in the direction of a good deal.

 

[BPTP]

Thanks Howellsy, have ordered the pack from the disney website. Will also look out for the books, thanks again everyone

 

[Ware Bears]

My favourite book is The Complete Walt Disney World.

 

[Cyrano]

My favourite book is The Complete Walt Disney World.

For detail of the rides, attractions this book is the best. Tower of Terror takes up 3 pages

My favourite for planning our 1st trip to WDW was the Unofficial Guide. It is a monster but offers a candid review of what is good and what is not so good.
The co-author has a great website in touringplans.com

 

[VailaTigger]

I echo what they all say!

Great bunch of people.

We'll be there Easter next year too - I've been before, but my first time at Easter, and my first time with 2 kids (who will be 8 and 12 then). We've booked a package (Virgin) for flights, car and hotel, and are staying onsite, just because it's easier when it's their first time on a long haul flight. I think DIY would have been a little cheaper, but it's what works best for you. I will be buying park tickets and attraction things DIY though.

The Unofficial Guide, and The Brit's Guide are the best books around.

Happy Planning!!

 

[Kath2003]

You will have a great time! I'm not as 'experienced' as some of the guys on this board but I'm more of a Universal/Sea World fan than Disney. We always stay on I-Drive and use the buses rather than renting a car so if you need any advice on that, let me know We're doing 9 nights at in the Easter holidays all-in for £1000 per adult (that even includes the train to the UK airport!).

 

[BPTP]

So...been to travel agent today, told me that on her system virgin had no flights, but that thomas cook 'first class' (or something like that) would be as good, sounded fine, big leather seats, lots of legroom etc. quoted about £4200 for 2 adults & 2 children return flights from manchester, s/c accomodation on international drive & transfers from airport. Have checked various sights tonight and see ebookers seem to have a virgin flight from manchester for £2774.80 for 4 of us and thats std/economy class. I assume that class is ok on virgin? Cheers folks

 

[Macl1uk]

BPTP

I have sent you a personal message including my email address, if you respond I can send you my Disney notes as an attachment, there are 15 pages.

I have also included my name and address as to where to send a stamped address envelope and I will send you my last remaining Disney and Universal maps

Enjoy planning.

 

[Sapper383]

We are going this September, had a great deal with Virgin, 2 adults dd4 and ds10, 14 nights at Port Orleans Riverside, 14 day disney tickets and free dining all under £3000.

I would keep checking Virgin Online, you can find some good deals. I checked the prices almost daily before I got such a good price.

You'll have a great time, this will be our 3rd time and can't wait for Sep.

 

[VailaTigger]

We're going economy class with Virgin at Easter next year, with no worries about the standard of the cabin or being looked after.

Unfortunately the school holidays HIKE up the prices, as we're paying a fortune to take 2 adults and 2 kids compared to other times of the year.

 

[Kath2003]

We are doing 9 nights in the Easter school holidays next April. We got return flights, 3* hotel on I-Drive (room only) and transfers for £1103 TOTAL (2 adults).

Which hotel are they quoting you for? I-Drive has a lot of decent hotels but it also has a lot I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

 

[igk]

So...been to travel agent today, told me that on her system virgin had no flights, but that thomas cook 'first class' (or something like that) would be as good, sounded fine, big leather seats, lots of legroom etc. quoted about £4200 for 2 adults & 2 children return flights from manchester, s/c accomodation on international drive & transfers from airport. Have checked various sights tonight and see ebookers seem to have a virgin flight from manchester for £2774.80 for 4 of us and thats std/economy class. I assume that class is ok on virgin? Cheers folks

Those flights look expensive. Some things could make them cheaper:

• 
  Do you have to fly from Manchester? There is a lot more choice from London
  

• Are your dates flexible? I don't know when you're flying but if you need to go at Easter then it will be expensive, but sometimes if school holidays allow you can try to go just after Easter and that helps. Otherwise consider another time of year. Mid - late Aug gets much cheaper (and will be not so busy at WDW). Downside to Aug is heat/humidity...

• 
  (I nearly didn't put this one but just in case) Consider flying to Miami and driving. We always do this as flights are cheaper. Might not be such a good ide for a first-timer to Florida, but if you're used to driving abroad it might be something to think about.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Flights really are the big problem aren't they? If it helps anyone flyglobespan are supposed to be releasng their 2010 flights any day now. We are waiting to see which days and rates they have before we book. In the meantime I am checking my free dining OKW deal every day to make sure it is still there. I just want to be booked!

OP this board is really, really helpful!!!