Lots of advice needed!

[Vickitav]

Hi everyone

I've just joined and you all seem vastly knowledgeable so please can you help me out.

My family (me, DH & 2 boys aged 7 & 9) have decided to go for a 2 week Orlando holiday next April in the school Easter hols (5-19 April), we are assuming that since UK school hols aren't around the actual Easter break this year that it won't be mobbed with spring breakers, and also that in April it will be warm enough to swim etc but not stiflingly hot. Please correct me if I'm wrong with any of this!

Since it's 6 years since the last time we went (and in fact 6 years since we've done anything other than camping holidays) we'd like to do it in style rather than cheap and cheerful.

Our plan, then, is to spend a week somewhere near Universal and/ or Sea World and a week on site in Disney.

We would prefer to have a seperate bedroom for the boys, and possibly a living area / kitchen, although I'm also quite interested in the Disney dining plan. Ideally I'd like to stay at one of the Universal hotels, then one of the posh Disney hotels, or alternatively one of the Disney vacation village villas.

Any general advice gratefully received, plus specific questions:


Where should I look for the best rates - a package co or book it all seperately?

As a non-meat eater (do eat fish & seafood) how suitable would the Disney dining plan be for me?

Universal - is the only way to get fast pass to the rides by staying in the hotels or can you pay seperately?

Please help me it's all so complicated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

I can comment on a few of your questions, personally we prefer to book a fly-drive and then book all our accomodation, theme park tickets etc seperatley.

We are going 14th March for three weeks so just missing your dates, however if you go early April and miss Easter holidays then it's a great time to go for ideal weather and manageable crowds.

As far as I am aware the only Disney resorts with cooking facilities are the DVC type, these come in the form of either studio/1 bedroom/2 bedroom accomodation. Staying at them isn't cheap, renting points off an owner is the best way (there is a seperate section on the DIS that covers DVC).

For us a split stay of resort/private villa suits us fine and is becoming more and more popular as many look for alternatives to hotels.

The Express pass system at Universal is available either if you are staying at one of the resort hotels or you pay extra for it. To be honest if you plan your days you don't really need them, getting to the parks early will mean you can beat the worst of the crowds and in addition if it's not a peak time of the year anyway that also helps.

 

[Vickitav]

Thanks for the info Johnny

Any advice on the best flights? We can go from any London airport or Birmingham. Would prefer to do premium economy if not too riduculously expensive.

Vicki

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the info Johnny

Any advice on the best flights? We can go from any London airport or Birmingham. Would prefer to do premium economy if not too riduculously expensive.

Vicki

Hi Vicki.

We go Premium Economy with Virgin from Manchester, they run a service from Gatwick also.
Fly-drive details and prices are below:

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/florida/info/flydrive/costs/

Our PE upgrades are costing us £275 for adult and £184 for child, just under £1500 in total for both ways, not sure if it's cheaper on your dates.

 

[T16GEM]

Thanks for the info Johnny

Any advice on the best flights? We can go from any London airport or Birmingham. Would prefer to do premium economy if not too riduculously expensive.

Vicki

Hi,
We are flying from Birmingham with Continental, I know they do an upper class service, but not sure how much it is - you would have to connect at Newark but flights are in to Orlando International which I think is a good bonus, HTH
Gems

 

[mark&sue]

This link shows you all the disney hotels including DVC

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/resortmain.htm

If you are interested in DVC we are thinking about renting our points out next year. Have a look on the DVC boards to get an idea of the going rate.

Good luck


Susan

 

[disneyholic family]

regarding the disney dining plan and non-meat eaters --

i've never been on the dining plan, but it does seem like a good value....even for vegetarians....

i've eaten in many many many onsite restaurants - they always have at least one fish and at least one vegetarian dish (ususally pasta of some sort) on the menu and usually more than that...and the vegie food is always excellent...
i almost always order the salmon (though usually they have other fish on the menu as well).....it was universally outstanding at every restaurant i tried it...
though the absolute best was at citricos at the GF.....probably the best salmon i've ever had in my life (and i eat it often)....but even the 50's prime time cafe, which no one really goes to for the food, had well prepared salmon...

my daughter usually goes for the pasta vegetarian dishes and always cleans her plate...(though she too had the salmon at citricos and thought she'd died and gone to heaven)...

 

[diberry]

Fort Wilderness Resort has log cabins where you can do your own cooking and has 2 sleeping areas. Would be ideal place for your 2 boys with loads of outdoor activities. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...WildernessCampgroundResortLandingPage&count=1

We've been twice at Easter and it was hot hot hot!!!