My Itinerary for you Travel Mum, and anyone else - feel free to make suggestions!

[battymum]

Battymum, when you get off FOS and pick up your hire car, are you keeping it throughout your stay at the Hardrock Hotel? We will have a car too once we are staying offsite WDW and intend to keep it until we drop it off at Port Canaveral just before the cruise. So, since I'm now looking into staying onsite whilst at Universal at least for on night, I'm disappointed to see that they charge for car-parking at the hotels.

I am not sure if we will keep the car or not, we probably wont need it while at US but it is cheaper and easier for us than a shuttle from the port, and we can use it to do some shopping that day. I would like to hire just a sedan, but I am worried about luggage space, a station wagon would be good but cant seem to see them on any car hire sites.
I think you pay for a full days hire anyway but we will probably drop it straight back. We will use some sort of car service to get to the airport.

 

[Travel Mum]

I've just booked 3 nights at Loew's Royal Pacific before we head over to Cape Canaveral to do KSS and the cruise. As I have a feeling we will be reluctant to move from the spacious 2-bedroom accommodation (not sure where yet) where we will only have been for 4 nights since POR, I might reduce it down to 2 or even 1 night closer to the time. The main thing I want is 2 days to do the 2 parks and have Express passes while we do them. Also, early entry to WWHP will be great.

However, if we do stay for the 3 nights onsite, that's 3 days of US$15 per day of car-parking to pay which does seem a waste since we will be in the parks. I do wonder though, would it give us the freedom to drive offsite for dinner in order to reduce the cost? I don't like the thought of being locked into resort dining prices (except when on free dining like we will be at WDW ). Does anyone know if there are lots of fast food places and restaurants offsite around the Universal area? Otherwise, we could drop off the car and then pick up a new one on the morning we check out and drive to Cape Canaveral. I expect two separate car hires will be more pricey though

 

[Travel Mum]

I booked the cruise before I fell pregnant, so one little baby doubled the cost of the cruise.

QUOTE]

We should start a protest forum on "FAMILIES CAN BE MORE THAN 4 PEOPLE"

Yes, it's almost as though we should rename this thread as Families-of-five travelling to Disney!!

 

[DVCAustralia]

Originally posted by battymum
I am not sure if we will keep the car or not, we probably wont need it while at US but it is cheaper and easier for us than a shuttle from the port, and we can use it to do some shopping that day. I would like to hire just a sedan, but I am worried about luggage space, a station wagon would be good but cant seem to see them on any car hire sites.

The best option is a minivan, in particular the Dodge Grand Caravan (the standard minivan for National/Alamo). You are right to be worried about luggage space in a sedan.

Originally posted by Travel Mum
if we do stay for the 3 nights onsite, that's 3 days of US$15 per day of car-parking to pay which does seem a waste since we will be in the parks. I do wonder though, would it give us the freedom to drive offsite for dinner in order to reduce the cost? I don't like the thought of being locked into resort dining prices (except when on free dining like we will be at WDW ). Does anyone know if there are lots of fast food places and restaurants offsite around the Universal area? Otherwise, we could drop off the car and then pick up a new one on the morning we check out and drive to Cape Canaveral. I expect two separate car hires will be more pricey though

Whilst the US hotel parking rate is ridiculous that US$15 per day will allow you freedom not only to eat off-site as stated but also visit the outlets very close to Universal that are generally open later than US parks (park by day and shop by night ).
Car hire is generally best value as a week as the weekly price is typically about the price for five days. The next best value is for a day or two either separately or added to a week. As such this may also help off-set the parking charge

 

[Travel Mum]

Whilst the US hotel parking rate is ridiculous that US$15 per day will allow you freedom not only to eat off-site as stated but also visit the outlets very close to Universal that are generally open later than US parks (park by day and shop by night ).
Car hire is generally best value as a week as the weekly price is typically about the price for five days. The next best value is for a day or two either separately or added to a week. As such this may also help off-set the parking charge

Oh yes, shopping at night , very good point. I think that once we pick up the car when we leave WDW, we will love the freedom it gives us and won't want to give it up so I'd better just accept the parking rates.

 

[Jade+3]

I second the minivan. We had one last year - but I also had 3 kids all in car seats. What we are doing this trip is hiring a minivan from Miami to drive to Orlando. When we get to WDW we will swap to a full size sedan as we won't be needing the extra luggage space.

We are going to have a car while at WDW, to give DH the freedom to escape before Disney sends him insane. I am also going to put our empty suitcases in the boot to save cluttering our hotel room.

Have you looked at hire car yet? I have found Alamo and National to be the best. Make sure you change the country of residence on the car rental website, and the rate quoted will include all insurances.

Last year National was the cheapest, but I am getting cheaper rates from Alamo for next year. When we did our cruise, we left the car at the port. It worked out cheaper to pay for parking and car rental than get transfers for the 5 of us. I was also able to leave one suitcase in the car so we did not have to take all of our luggage onboard.

 

[battymum]

Do those minivans have much luggage space? Sometimes all the room is taken with seats?

The other thing is we will be travelling to and from the airport here in Sydney with our own car, (sedan) (another problem for families of 5, noone can drop us at the airport!!) so we are going to have to fit in a normal sedan.
I can picture us all crowded in carrying bags on our laps and under our feet on the way home.

Maybe its a good thing we havent got too much time for shopping!

 

[DVCAustralia]

Originally posted by battymum
Do those minivans have much luggage space? Sometimes all the room is taken with seats?

That is the great thing about the Grand Caravan, the third row seats all fold flat into the floor so there is room for eight large suitcases plus smaller bags behind the second row. Further, under the second row of seats is large under floor storage.

 

[Jade+3]

Do those minivans have much luggage space? Sometimes all the room is taken with seats?

The other thing is we will be travelling to and from the airport here in Sydney with our own car, (sedan) (another problem for families of 5, noone can drop us at the airport!!) so we are going to have to fit in a normal sedan.
I can picture us all crowded in carrying bags on our laps and under our feet on the way home.

Maybe its a good thing we havent got too much time for shopping!

We had 4 cases, 1 sit n stand pram, 1 stroller, 2 carry on small suitcases, laptop bag, camera bag, nappy bag and a backpack. It was a tight squeeze but we got it all in (just). It would have been much easier without the prams!

We live close to the airport so are able to get a maxi taxi.

 

[cola]

Does anyone know if there are lots of fast food places and restaurants offsite around the Universal area?

There are LOTS of food options on International Drive, one end of International Drive is close to Universal. Most of them are around the middle of International Drive, closer to the Convention Center. There are also quite a few near the Mall at Millenia, which is quite close and it has Nordstrom Rack near it too. The biggest problem will be deciding which place to eat, not finding somewhere to eat.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I-Drive is also home to one of the reputed BIGGEST McDonald's. And you know what? The menu options in this McDonald's almost have to be seen to be believed. I went there in 2005...so it may have changed a bit. But back then, this McD made cook to order eggs, omelettes and fresh made waffles. The lunch menu even had pasta and steaks!

We ordered and were given a beeper/buzzer (at McD???!). There were at least 3 floors for seating and the top floor had a games arcade at the back.

 

[Travel Mum]

The biggest problem will be deciding which place to eat, not finding somewhere to eat.

Perfect, I like the sound of that!

 

[Travel Mum]

I-Drive is also home to one of the reputed BIGGEST McDonald's. And you know what? The menu options in this McDonald's almost have to be seen to be believed. I went there in 2005...so it may have changed a bit. But back then, this McD made cook to order eggs, omelettes and fresh made waffles. The lunch menu even had pasta and steaks!

We ordered and were given a beeper/buzzer (at McD???!). There were at least 3 floors for seating and the top floor had a games arcade at the back.

Oh we will have to pay a visit to that McDonalds!

 

[shushh]

I-Drive is also home to one of the reputed BIGGEST McDonald's. And you know what? The menu options in this McDonald's almost have to be seen to be believed. I went there in 2005...so it may have changed a bit. But back then, this McD made cook to order eggs, omelettes and fresh made waffles. The lunch menu even had pasta and steaks!

We ordered and were given a beeper/buzzer (at McD???!). There were at least 3 floors for seating and the top floor had a games arcade at the back.

How could I have not heard about this... Where have I been?!?!?!?

 

[Busy Busy]

We saw the shuttle Columbia launch in March 1997. The planning that went into that trip was unbelievable - including all of our flights and accommodation being changed 2 months before we left because the launch had been put back a week!!

We applied for our car pass and got it in the mail about a month before we left, then on the day we grabbed food & drinks from the local Orlando supermarket and then headed out to the causeway where we stood with 50,000 other fanantics to watch the launch!!

It was truly one of the most amazing things that I have EVER seen!! None of us will ever forget how the ground shook and the crackling sound at lift off - and we were 6 miles away from the launch pad!!

Try to get there if you can - it was FABULOUS!!

 

[Travel Mum]

We saw the shuttle Columbia launch in March 1997. The planning that went into that trip was unbelievable - including all of our flights and accommodation being changed 2 months before we left because the launch had been put back a week!!

We applied for our car pass and got it in the mail about a month before we left, then on the day we grabbed food & drinks from the local Orlando supermarket and then headed out to the causeway where we stood with 50,000 other fanantics to watch the launch!!

It was truly one of the most amazing things that I have EVER seen!! None of us will ever forget how the ground shook and the crackling sound at lift off - and we were 6 miles away from the launch pad!!

Try to get there if you can - it was FABULOUS!!

Wow, that sounds fantastic!!! I wish there would at least be a rocket launch when we will be there but there are none scheduled at the moment

 

[battymum]

At the moment there is a rocket launch scheduled for 23rd September 2011, although these schedules change quite a bit - you could get lucky travelmum!

Does anyone know if a rocket launch is as hectic as a shuttle? If there is one going when we are there, we are going to have to try and see it - that truly is once in a lifetime event for us.

 

[Travel Mum]

At the moment there is a rocket launch scheduled for 23rd September 2011, although these schedules change quite a bit - you could get lucky travelmum!

Does anyone know if a rocket launch is as hectic as a shuttle? If there is one going when we are there, we are going to have to try and see it - that truly is once in a lifetime event for us.

Yes, I'll wish for delays and no matter how hectic it would be, I think we'd try to go and see it with our own eyes because, as you say, it would be a once in a lifetime event for us from downunder!

 

[Jade+3]

There was a shuttle launch when we were there in 1997. We had been to KSC a few days before and got to see the shuttle from a distance. On launch day there were people outside our hotel, and all along the street waiting to see the shuttle. It was so hot, so we went back to our hotel room, and were watching the 'live' report on CNN. When it got close to launch time, we headed outside to our viewing spot, only to see the faint flicker of the shuttle in the sky. So much for a live TV report!

 

[Busy Busy]

It's funny that you mentioned the once in a lifetime thing.....

In our group there were 7 adults, 6 months of planning and then a HUGE re-schedule when the shuttle changed launch dates - but it didn't matter - we had only one aim - to see it happen!

On the morning of the launch my husband & I drove to the supermarket and at the checkout I had a chat to the guy packing the groceries. I told him how excited I was to be heading out to watch the launch and he said "oh, is that thing going up again???!!!" I said yes, and we've come from the other side of the world to watch it!! He looked at us like we had 2 heads!!

Later that day we all watched as Columbia launched and none of us will ever forget it - and another thing that I will never forget is that guy at the checkout.....different strokes for different folks!!