Need your help with planning

[K8T]

Hi

Yesterday I paid the final balance on our 10 night trip to Disney. I now need to put some plan into place and sort out dining (we have dining plan).

We have booked 7 nights at BC and have 3 left, which we are not sure where to base ourselves, whether we go up to Universal or go further afield i.e. Busch Gardens area or Tampa.

I need your advice and experience please.

Will we need a car? Last time we went we hardly used it, but were not particuarly adventurous. How easy is it to get around everywhere?

How do we arrange Magical Express from the airport?, is there a charge?

Are there buses from BC to Universal?, the same to Busch Gardens?, can we get to International Drive easily without a car?

Anyone know any good or interesting hotels in Tampa?, can we get there easily if we didn't have a car (we could just get one for the last few days maybe?

Can you buy 'Fast Pass' tickets at Disney, or are there only the ones in the parks?

Any help/suggestions, gratefully received!

 

[lmbcdb]

Can't answer all your questions, but see below for a few answers.

Hi

Yesterday I paid the final balance on our 10 night trip to Disney. I now need to put some plan into place and sort out dining (we have dining plan).

We have booked 7 nights at BC and have 3 left, which we are not sure where to base ourselves, whether we go up to Universal or go further afield i.e. Busch Gardens area or Tampa.

I need your advice and experience please.

Will we need a car? Last time we went we hardly used it, but were not particuarly adventurous. How easy is it to get around everywhere?

How do we arrange Magical Express from the airport?, is there a charge?

ME is through Disney. You give them a call, and tell them you need to use it. They will ask you for your airline and flight numbers. I'm surprised they didn't ask you if you wanted it when you booked the resort. Or did you have a travel agent do it? If so, you'll need to call them.

Are there buses from BC to Universal?, No, but cabs are available. the same to Busch Gardens?, No, but cabs are available. can we get to International Drive easily without a car?

Anyone know any good or interesting hotels in Tampa?, can we get there easily if we didn't have a car (we could just get one for the last few days maybe?

Can you buy 'Fast Pass' tickets at Disney, or are there only the ones in the parks? Fast Passes are free. You get them at the ride you want to use them on. So, if you want to use the FP on Space Mountain, you go there and a machine will give you one. (you use your park ticket to get it) Then the ticket will tell you what time to come back and use the FP line.

Any help/suggestions, gratefully received!

 

[tinks86]

Hi, if you're thinking of heading up to universal for a few days after Disney then it would probably be easier & cheaper to get a taxi up from BC and then from universal to the airport. Universal is great especially if you haven't been since the new Harry Potter world at IOA!

Getting to Tampa could be more tricky without a car, I'm not aware of any easy public transport?

Getting around I drive would be easier from a base in universal than Disney as the I drive trolley stops in that area which runs up and down the main I drive area!

Hope that helps!

 

[DisFanJen]

My turn!

Hi

Yesterday I paid the final balance on our 10 night trip to Disney. I now need to put some plan into place and sort out dining (we have dining plan).

We have booked 7 nights at BC and have 3 left, which we are not sure where to base ourselves, whether we go up to Universal or go further afield i.e. Busch Gardens area or Tampa.

If you are going to visit Universal you should definitely stay at least one night in a Universal Hotel as this will give you Express Pass access to loads of rides and it isn't limited like the Express Pass that you pay for. Staying in a Universal Hotel one night gives you two days of Express Pass access.

I need your advice and experience please.

Will we need a car? Last time we went we hardly used it, but were not particularly adventurous. How easy is it to get around everywhere?

Need? No, but personally I wouldn't be without one, especially if you intend to go 'off property' to I Drive or further afield to Tampa.

What you could do is rent a car for only part of your stay, there are at least two Rental car agencies on property. One at the Car care centre in the MK car park (Alamo) and one at either the Swan or Dolphin hotels I think. You can also rent to drop off at a different location than you pick up. E.G: Pick up at the MK Car Car centre and drop off at Tampa Bay.

How do we arrange Magical Express from the airport?, is there a charge?

Already covered by a PP.

Are there buses from BC to Universal?, the same to Busch Gardens?, can we get to International Drive easily without a car?

Other's have already aswered this one but I will add that I think you can get the 'I Ride' trolly from the TTC over to I drive. So that should be doable without a rental car.

Anyone know any good or interesting hotels in Tampa?, can we get there easily if we didn't have a car (we could just get one for the last few days maybe?

Tampa wouldn't be an easy one to get to using public transport and a cab would cost a bomb given the distance. I'd definitely use a car.

See above for Car Rental info.

Can you buy 'Fast Pass' tickets at Disney, or are there only the ones in the parks?

Already covered by a PP.

Any help/suggestions, gratefully received!

Hope some of that was useful!

 

[chmurf]

if you're only going to tampa for busch gardens, all regular one day ticket include free shuttle transportation from orlando and back.

if you intend to spend one night or more, definitely get a car.

 

[DisFanJen]

if you're only going to tampa for busch gardens, all regular one day ticket include free shuttle transportation from orlando and back.

if you intend to spend one night or more, definitely get a car.

You learn something new every day. I didn't know about the shuttle as I've got an annual passport.