Hello, and just booked!

[luke]

Hi everyone,

First post here, normally hang around the DLRP board as my GF and I tend to go to Paris twice a year, but have taken the plunge and gone for our first holiday to Florida together!!

Going on the 9th June - 23rd June, staying in the Radisson Resort Orlando (the one by Celebration) and although i've read very mixed reviews about the hotel, cant wait!!

Hope to pick up some good tips from you guys here as i havent been to WDW for over 10 years!!!



Luke

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Congratulations!

I take it you have a car? Its worth a visit to Celebration.

You will be amazed at the size of WDW compared to paris, rather like a Smart car and a Range Rover!

Prepared to be amazed, and don't forget to post a trip report

Who are you flying with?

 

[luke]

Yeah we've got a car, flying with Virgin, well, booked the whole thing with Virgin actually!!

Slightly apprehensive about driving over there still, and would probably be up for taking the free shuttles from the hotel to the theme parks, but then i guess that would depend on their timings (having always stayed on-site in Paris so never having to worry about leaving the parks before a show or event!!)

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yeah we've got a car, flying with Virgin, well, booked the whole thing with Virgin actually!!

Slightly apprehensive about driving over there still, and would probably be up for taking the free shuttles from the hotel to the theme parks, but then i guess that would depend on their timings (having always stayed on-site in Paris so never having to worry about leaving the parks before a show or event!!)

Luke,
Driving over there is a piece of you-know-what
The only thing you really need to remember is that as the driver, the centre line should be outside your window, NOT the passengers!
Autos are easy and uncomplicated, and the roads are very well signposted and wide.
You will be amazed (not the first or last on this trip!) at the size of the car parks at EACH park, also you have to take the car just to try the car park shuttle

As its your first time, get a window seat on the plane, (left hand side if possible) as its exciting as you come in over the coast right above Cape Canaveral and you can see the shuttle if it is out on the launch pad.

From arriving at Orlando international to departing, its going to be a holiday of amazement and wonder, and I am sure that others will agree that I am not going over the top.

The Entrance to Magic Kingdom knocks spots off the MK entrance in Paris, take the lake boat for your first time, its great for seeing the MK and Cindys castle come into view.

P.s. Join Virgins Flying Club (you can join on the Virgin atlantic web site) as you will get miles for your trip, and believe me, we have all said " Once in a Lifetime" and this will be our only trip IT'S A LIE! once you have gone once, you are trapped, do you hear me, TRAPPED

Have a great time!

 

[luke]

Cheers for all the advice, you certainly know your stuff!!

I used to live in Spain so am not too phased by the "other-side-of-the-road" thing, more just the getting around and parking stuff (dare i begrudge paying for parking at a place where the only thing i could possibly be doing is visiting somewhere where i'm going to give them more money? Well, i do at Alton Towers haha!!).

I can vaguely remember stuff about MK to be honest (still think DLRP has the best Magic Kingdom tho - well, it's very close to mine and my girlfriend's hearts anyway - was the first holiday we ever took together!!) and am majorly looking forward to Splash Mountain (one thing i definitely wish they had over in France!!).

Anywho i look forward to frequenting this board in the lead up to take off (then no doubt disappear again - i always find myself on the DLRP board as soon as i book a trip, then don't return again til i have another planned - i guess i just can't take the jealousy that builds up seeing other people about to go lol!!)

 

[wayneg]

Welcome, we stayed in the hotel you are going to but it was a few years ago now(in my list below) we had no problems. The big pool with slide does not have heating so quite cold but you get used to it. smaller pool heated. We did not use the transport but heard it wa not good, this could have changed now. Whatever it is like I would use the car.
Driving is so easy over there, I have more problems adjusting back to UK driving than I do when I arrive in Orlando.

 

[UKDEB]

Welcome to UKTP, Luke. Looking forward to helping you with your planning.

 

[luke]

Cheers guys. can feel the excitement building up already!!!

 

[Goofysmate]

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome Luke.

 

[luke]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, i've even added my ticker to get even more excited about it all!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

Woo hoo Luke! You'll have great fun planning, everyone's just as friendly on here as on the DLP board!

BTW, I never stop planning ~ I'm already planning my next WDW trip!

 

[luke]

Woo hoo Luke! You'll have great fun planning, everyone's just as friendly on here as on the DLP board!

excellent to hear it

Any idea on how busy the parks will be on the dates that we're there (9-23rd July).

I know it's two weeks before English school holidays (the beauty of being only a supply teacher at the moment means that i can still take time off when i want )?

 

[Cyrano]

Woo hoo Luke! You'll have great fun planning, everyone's just as friendly on here as on the DLP board!

Ditto

Nice to see you on the other side Luke

 

[Disney owl]

great news for you & your GF have a wonderful holiday

 

[poohmadmum]

Hi Luke : I'm usually on the other side too but currently on both. Last year was our second trip to the World and the first time we had a car. DH wasn't looking forward to driving an automatic but eased into it very quickly. We stayed onsite so used the Disney transport a lot of the time. Have a great time - we're off at the end of August and expecting it to be HOT HOT HOT and I suspect it will be just as HOT when you're there.

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome Luke!

Have fun planning your trip.

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