July 2005

[Scottish Mouse]

Hi

It's been ages since I last posted on here - probably just after my October 2003 trip. This year we went to Sunny California - infact we only got back last Saturday.

Anyway we've decided to go to Florida again next year. Had trouble getting booked for the dates I wanted with both Virgin and BA. Finally got booked with BA yesterday flying into Tampa.

Couple of questions:

Has anyone used the BA Flights to Tampa. What is the service like and how long does it take to travel to Orlando?

I recall reading here before about "bounce back" tickets - which are useful if you only want a couple of days in the parks (which we do this time). Can anyone give me more details?

Has anyone stayed at the Residence Inn Sea World? Any views? - the tripadvisor website rates this place highly....

We also plan on splitting our time and spending a week on the coast. I have booked a tropical view room in the Tradewinds Grand Island resort. Has anyone any information on this room type?

On last question (for now) what will the weather be like in July - looks like that's a time for heavy rainfall??

 

[GarryK]

Hi there. Don't know if I can answer many of your questions but I thought I'd post a reply anyway !

When are you going in July ? I know what you mean about trouble in getting seats booked. We booked our trip for 2005, leaving 30 June, at the end of April and initially couldn't get seats on the outward BA flight - 14 months before the flight ! However, BA had the upgrade offer so we got a free upgrade to WT Plus for booking 7 nights @ Residence Inn Seaworld. I've also seen the favourable reports so here's hoping......

It takes about 1 hr to get from Busch to Orlando so I'd guess the trip from Tampa airport might take a max of 1.5 hours ???

As for the weather.....we'd been twice in October (2000 and 2001) but DD now at High school so went in July in 2003. We were wary of rain but, to be honest, it was nowhere near as bad as I'd feared. Rained a bit but it didn't hold us back.

When are you going ? We're at the Res Inn Seaworld from 30 June for 7 nights !

Garry

 

[Scottish Mouse]

I can't belive it (in the words of Victor Meldrew). We also fly out on 30 June for 7 nights at Residence Inn and then on to the Tradewinds Grand for 7 nights. I am waiting on BA to confirm availability for the Residence Inn as all their existing room allocation had gone - they didn't think it would be a problem though.

So what are you doing after your 7 nights at Residence Inn?

Lynn

 

[Red-Snapper]

In July its very hot and humid.

It will probably start to cloud over mid afternoon and then thunder/rain usually most days but not usually for very long.

 

[Scottish Mouse]

Thanks for the weather tips. At least living in Scotland, we're all well used to the rain (lol)

 

[we*luv*orlando!!]

Hello Scottish Mouse!

we are thinking of going to California next year for a change. What was your trip like, weather etc, and can you compare it to Florida? Any info you can give will be greatly accepted!

Best wishes

Toni

 

[UKDEB]

As Garry says, you'll be looking at 1.5 hours tops to drive from Tampa to Orlando.

One thing I've learned after 10 trips to Florida is that the weather is as unpredictable as it is here! Statistically there's no getting away from the fact that July is a month of heavy rainfall and high temperatures. The first time I visited, I was told that there would be showers "on the hour, every hour". That's never been my experience. Ditto the afternoon storms theory.

During one July/August trip, the last 3 days of our holiday were wiped out by continuous heavy rain. Another year, the rain would set in at about 4pm-5pm and not clear until the following morning.

We've just returned from a 3 week trip. We had occasional rain (at differing times of day) and one long weekend of overcast weather and sporadic rain, but nothing that prevented us from doing anything. The rest of the time it was just very, very hot.

 

[tartangirl]

Originally posted by Scottish Mouse
Thanks for the weather tips. At least living in Scotland, we're all well used to the rain (lol)

Somehow the rain seems better in 90 degrees

We have gone as soon as the scottish schools break up 30th June next year for us too.

For the last 4 years we've had almost exactly the same weather. Almost every morning is hot and dry (we dont even bother carrying our ponchos).

Early afternoon is very hot the rain hits around 4pm and the sky is lit up with lightning. We didn't get rain every afternoon but I'd expect it. The rain was normally cleared by 7pm but sometimes went on longer.

I was always amused by the American TV channels being obsessed with weather (every 10 mins has a weather update) but it's the same every day - again, a bit like Scotland

 

[Scottish Mouse]

Thanks for all the tips on the weather. At least we know not to try and predict anything.... (LOL)

Toni - you asked about California....

I've been to California several times as my sis lives out there but this was the first time we had gone in July. weather was fab tho some days overcast. Always very very hot. It's extremely unlikely to rain in July.

Are you going to Disneyland? We did and stayed at the Disneyland hotel. That was a good experience. What are your plans, where are you hoping to go and I'll see what else I can help with....

Lynn