I've never been ....

[LauraBeckett]

No. We first have to get over the shock

That is incredible. How long do are you staying there for?

He says we can have it as along as well like but I was looking over what everyone said and decided I would keep it to 2 weeks and just try and fit in everything that we feel is important to us in those 2 weeks so that would be the 8th to the 22nd

 

[LauraBeckett]

I presume that you all have passports. If it was me the next thing that I would be looing at dpoing is booking flights. have you decided whether you want to fly direct or indirect?

Yes, we all have passports I got them at the beginning of summer when we started taking about going - Anyway, I would rather direct but it looks like I'm going to have to go with the Aberdeen to London and then London to Gatwick flights ... I just wondered what times would be better ... during the night or during the day?

 

[dawnpisces]

Whoa! well done for you!
best you stay off here and get some flights booked!

 

[catherine]

Yes, we all have passports I got them at the beginning of summer when we started taking about going - Anyway, I would rather direct but it looks like I'm going to have to go with the Aberdeen to London and then London to Gatwick flights ... I just wondered what times would be better ... during the night or during the day?

I've just had a look on VA and Virgin Holidays and there are no available flights with them. Had a look on Expedia they are showing the cheapest flight from Gatwick with BA £4750. Departs London at 11.20 and arrives at MCO at 15.35.

 

[2Tiggies]

You need to complete your ESTAs (online visa waiver) which you have to do at the very latest before 72 hours prior to departure. There is a sticky at the top of the UK trip planning page. Use the link in there. It is FREE so if you get to a site which tries to charge you, you are on the wrong site.

You need park tickets - probably 14 day ultimates if you are spending most of your days at Disney

Remember your travel insurance.

Just off the top of my head so far. We will all add to the list. I think you are set for a busy week!

 

[skelfbsfb]

Hi ans welcome to the Dis.

Cant really add to what has already been said, so enjoy the planning thats the fun part.I come from Glasgow, ususally flew with FGS but have use TC which was very good, price was reasonable but have noticed that they have put the prices up for next year.

 

[LauraBeckett]

I've just had a look on VA and Virgin Holidays and there are no available flights with them. Had a look on Expedia they are showing the cheapest flight from Gatwick with BA £4750. Departs London at 11.20 and arrives at MCO at 15.35.

Does it really only take 4 hours to get to Orlando?

 

[2Tiggies]

Does it really only take 4 hours to get to Orlando?

No, it takes a little over 9 hours. It is GMT (UK time) when you leave here. The arrival time is local EST, which is 5 hours behind us, so technically it's 8.35 pm here by the time you get there.

 

[LauraBeckett]

No, it takes a little over 9 hours. It is GMT (UK time) when you leave here. The arrival time is local EST, which is 5 hours behind us, so technically it's 8.35 pm here by the time you get there.

Perfect Forget my husband, I love you !!! I just booked a flight flying from Edinburgh to London (Gatwick) and then straight on to Orlando ...

Leave Edinburgh: 06:25
Arrive London (Gatwick): 08:00

Leave London (Gatwick): 11:20
Arrive Orlando: 15:35 (EST = 22:35)

On the way back

Leave Orlando: 17:35
Arrive London (Gatwick) = 06:45

Leave London (Gatwick) = 08:00
Arrive Edinburgh = 09:25

Does anyone have any idea if these are good times for flying with the kids (I hope so considering I've already booked them)

 

[darthtatty]

wow that was quick
I hope you find some flights suitable

obviously youll need to sort tickets and insurance next....oh and your dollars as some places need to order them in.
I know its your once in a lifetime trip but you may just go again

As suggested before it may be worth seeing if you can get any ADR's (advanced dining reservations) these are for the Disney sit down restaurants at the hotels and parks. As its so late there probably arent any but you may just be lucky. heres a link
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/listing
it lists the restaurants so you can see what type of food they provide. you dont always need an ADR for a restaurant but you may not get in if you dont, although its always worth a try as sometimes people dont show up.
Im sure youll probably have to eat at a lot of the 'fast food places' a lot of them do offer great food, not just the basic burger and fries

There is so much in Florida and you can do the basics easily in 2 weeks.
The Disney parks-
Magic kingdom
Epcot
Disney hollywood studios
Animal kingdom
plus the water parks-Typhoon lagoon, Blizzard beach

universal studios & Islands of Adventure- I think your kids may be a bit young for a lot of the stuff. Their height restrictions are higher than Disney. I know when our son was 5 he couldnt go on much.

Seaworld


I know someone mentioned the child swap area but another tip is Disneys fastpass system. Some of the popular attractions have fastpass machines nearby. What you do is instead of joining the regular Q you put your park tickets into the machine (it doesnt cost extra)- it issues you with a ticket at a time to go back to the ride. you return within that time and are then allowed to enter through a fast pass Q. you may still have a short Q but its usually nowhere near as long as the regular Q.

youre going to have a great time whatever you do. I know the 1st time we went and we didnt paln anything and it was probably the best.

good luck and get packing.........................

 

[LauraBeckett]

Alright guys, I have the villa and I have the flights sorted so can someone please give me a checklist of what else I need before we go?

 

[skelfbsfb]

Wow Laura you are a fast worker, well done on getting on done so fast. Now just get those park tickets and away you go. Mind dont forget car hire.

 

[LauraBeckett]

Wow Laura you are a fast worker, well done on getting on done so fast. Now just get those park tickets and away you go. Mind dont forget car hire.

What can I say, I work better under pressure Anyway thanks for reminding me about the car hire ... Does anyone know what I do about car seats, I never thought ... Can I take my own ones with me on the plane or ... what?

 

[catherine]

I presume that you'll be hiring a car. So you'll need to get that booked. Don't forget about car seats. It's a long time since we've needed them but I think that you can book them with the car.

 

[2Tiggies]

You couldn't wish for better flight times with kids. They are even better than my direct flight times from Glasgow to MCO.

One advantage of doing it so quickly is you won't have time to stress. The norm around here is to spend 6 months asking questions and then another three trying to find the right accommodation, flights, etc .... you are certainly an exception here. You also don't have time to second guess yourself. Trust me, that is a GOOD thing.

Need a hand with ADRs for a character meal or two?

 

[LauraBeckett]

You couldn't wish for better flight times with kids. They are even better than my direct flight times from Glasgow to MCO.

One advantage of doing it so quickly is you won't have time to stress. The norm around here is to spend 6 months asking questions and then another three trying to find the right accommodation, flights, etc .... you are certainly an exception here. You also don't have time to second guess yourself. Trust me, that is a GOOD thing.

Need a hand with ADRs for a character meal or two?

I don't even know what character meals are, so yeah I guess so Should I make up a basic plan for the holiday, do you think? Not a minute by minute but like what park on which day or where we're going to eat that night?

 

[scojos]

wow, iwent to have my nails done, come back and your sorted

my advice- get onto the gardengrocer.com website, order groceries (nappies etc) for when you arrive, thats not worth stressing about

pack (try my sad ocd trick of using ziplock bags so everything is all together, the you just give the kids a bag to dress from.
esta...good advice Lee.
make sure you know where paper part of driving license is...you ll need that.
get onto tomtom and upload the florida map.
make sure you have enough medications (if anyone takes any) for trip.
sort travel insurance.
research restuarants off site to make sure your kids will eat
buy a kids eat free card (will be worth it with your family)

i would suggest golden corral, mannys, perkins, ihop style places good for kids...dennys too

you are going (if you have any sense) to be spending alot of time researching) so get nanny over to watch kids

any more questions?
tracy

 

[scojos]

I don't even know what character meals are, so yeah I guess so Should I make up a basic plan for the holiday, do you think? Not a minute by minute but like what park on which day or where we're going to eat that night?

yes deff..thats totally why i would suggest tourguide mike, he ll tell you what where and when

 

[LauraBeckett]

I presume that you'll be hiring a car. So you'll need to get that booked. Don't forget about car seats. It's a long time since we've needed them but I think that you can book them with the car.

Thanks Does anyone know a company I can hire a car big enough for my lot to be picked up from the airport?

 

[PJB71]

Hi Laura

We have stayed in Westridge several times and love that area

What dates did you actually book in the end?

You need to get your car hire, insurance, and park tickets sorted. All of these can be booked online and usually you can print your own details etc so your not waiting on thre post

I wouldnt worry too much about clothes, toiletries etc as there is a publix 5min away (were you can get all your groceries etc) and a Walmart 10mins away were you can get EVERYTHING

Only other thing I can think of is $$$$$$

You can make the holiday as cheap or as expensive as you like i.e. you could eat out all the time, eat in the parks etc, or if your budget is limited you can eat in the villa, take your own drinks/snacks out with you (this option saves loads of $$$) there are plenty of options.

Only other thing I can think of is to makesure that you have got things to keep the kids occupied on the flight, and snacks incase they dont like the airline food

Cant wait to hear more about your trip