New trip never been - please help (Thank you)

[Dave_uk]

Hi every one,

I am new to this forum but have been looking for some time and posted a little in the Paris forum. I have been to DLP a couple of time and now really want to go to Florida!
Where is the best place to get the best deal from?
I would like to do every thing WDW and all the rest what is the best option?
Been looking at hotels and like the look of the animal kingdom hotel what’s your thoughts on that one?

Thanks every one

 

[maleficent_man]

Hi Dave - welcome!

There are many good deals to be had out there - my best advice is to search around. I know with the exchange rate it was cheaper for me to book through Disney UK than with them in the US.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is amazing and certainly worth visiting!

Many others here will be able to give some cool advice on everything from car hire, tickets, hotels, flights......

Have fun planning!

 

[wayneg]

Hi, Welcome
So many choices to make for a trip to Florida.
Do you want to do a package? probably pay more but usually the easiest option.
Are you willing to book everything yourself? more than likely save money and its more flexible.
Will you only accept direct flights or willing to change planes? direct can be upto double indirect but not always.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a very nice resort, stayed there myself last August for 3 nights but it is very expensive.
Best thing to do to start decide on your dates, then look at packages with Virgin, Thomas Cook, Thomson & Travel City Direct. Then come back and post what you find and you will get opinions and what you have found and we can advise on other options.

 

[Dave_uk]

Hi thanks all so far for your reply..

Just thinking out loud … thinking we might try and just book a cheaper hotel as I don’t think we will spend that much time it in and it would help save money. Any recommendations would like to stay on site then you get all the added benefits like EMA. On another idea what’s it like getting a villa there is only 2 of us so would it work out more expensive?

I am more of a package person like to have it all sorted for me but then also like to get the best deal. I got some brushers from Thomas Cook the other day and going to pop in and have a little chat and see what they can do.

How far away are all the other attractions bush gardens, universal studios, sea world. Would we need to hirer a car? Looking at spending ½ the time in Disney and then the rest split between the other parks n shopping n beaches but don’t know if we should go for 2 or 3 weeks. How easy is it to drive over there?

Sorry so many questions so excited all ready. Looking at going Sep 2010, is that a good time to go?

Thanks again every one!!!

 

[Cyrano]

Dave I can relate to the bewildering array of choices for Orlando.
With help frrom the folks here we explored off-site versus on-site options.
DIY or package.
As a family of 5 we were limited with the choices both suitable or available.

In the end we booked through Virgin Holidays staying off-site in a condo.
I then booked 2 nights separately for Hard Rock Hotel Universal since that gives FOTL access. This is USF equivalent to fass pass

 

[Cochise]

Hi thanks all so far for your reply..

Just thinking out loud … thinking we might try and just book a cheaper hotel as I don’t think we will spend that much time it in and it would help save money. Any recommendations would like to stay on site then you get all the added benefits like EMA. On another idea what’s it like getting a villa there is only 2 of us so would it work out more expensive?

I am more of a package person like to have it all sorted for me but then also like to get the best deal. I got some brushers from Thomas Cook the other day and going to pop in and have a little chat and see what they can do.

How far away are all the other attractions bush gardens, universal studios, sea world. Would we need to hirer a car? Looking at spending ½ the time in Disney and then the rest split between the other parks n shopping n beaches but don’t know if we should go for 2 or 3 weeks. How easy is it to drive over there?

Sorry so many questions so excited all ready. Looking at going Sep 2010, is that a good time to go?

Thanks again every one!!!

A villa would be expensive compared to hotel cost for just two, they start coming into their own if you have a bigger budget and there are a few more travelling. We love going for 3 weeks, it is just such a perfect amount of time to go, 2 weeks is a struggle to appreciate everything on your 1st visit.
I cant help you with staying on site but if you do decide to stay off site there are bundles and bundles of hotels and areas to look at, I Drive, Lake Buena Vista and the 192 area are the main ones. Start by looking at what area you want 1st then looking at the hotels as you will mash your brain looking at every area's individual places. You can feasibly get away without a vehicle if you split staying on Disney then say I drive due to the Trolley they have there BUT I we tried the trolley to Sea World once and getting back home on it turned out to be such a free for all we got a cab back to the drive. We love having the freedom of a vehicle and cant imagine not getting one even if we stayed 3 weeks on Disney. As far as time to parks, I Drive (Sand Lake or south of) and LBV are the best central areas although the 192 is close to Disney. Busch Gdns is between 1hr and 90 mins depending on where you plump on staying.

 

[juliebro]

Hi Dave - welcome to the DIS.

Arranging the first trip can be overwhelming with the number of options. We found that a good guide book helped us to make some of the decisions.

I can recommend the Brit's Guide to Orlando & WDW by Simon & Susan Venness who also happen to be contributors to these forums.

We have always stayed off-site - and it has suited us fine. Now that our son no longers comes with us, we still like the space that a townhouse offers. We have been able to find a very nice one (UK owners) for £300 per week.

We always travel indirect, which is cheaper than direct, as Wayne says.

Just one word of warning, it's unlikely that you will be able to do everything on your first trip. WDW is the size of Greater Manchester, and covering all the Disney parks, water parks, the Universal parks, Seaworld, Busch Gardens, shopping and the beaches will be difficult in 3 weeks, never mind 2.

We went on our first trip thinking it would be our 'holiday of a lifetime' and tried to do everything. After a few days you can run out of steam. We nearly did.

Like many of the others who post on this forum, we got 'the bug' after that first trip and, as you can see in my signature below, have been back a few times since then!

So - don't worry if you don't get to do everything the first time, you will almost definitely go back!

 

[VailaTigger]

You can just about appreciate all that Disney has to offer in 2 weeks. If you plan to do some of the other parks too, I'd say 3.

I've seen most of it, but in 3 different trips!

September is a good time to go, it's cheaper, still warm, and the parks are quiet enough that you probably won't have to queue much, if at all. Just one thing - it may rain in the late afternoon - but that soon dries up again! (It's still warm enough to dry things up in an hour or so)

I did a package with Virgin the 1st time, and stayed on site at Disney, and didn't go anywhere else. Worked fine for my 1st visit. Next visit hired a car, stayed offsite, and did the non-Disney things. 3rd time, back on-site at Disney! (Just love it)

Now planning trip no4, this time with a bit more of an extended family. Staying on-site in Disney again, but with a hire car to do a couple of off-site things like the Air Boats etc.

We found a package easier the 1st time until we got to know the place a bit. The "Brits Guide" was well used every year we went! It's well worth it, it's the Florida Bible.

 

[gemmybear83]

Welcome! I am sure you will get great advice from this board!

Just to add September 2010 is a great time to go as the free dining off is available if you stay a moderate or dleuxe disney hotel If you look on www.waltdisneyworld.co.uk it will give you all the details

 

[Dave_uk]

A big big thank you to every one!!!

If any one has any more input then please let me know going to talk it over with the girl friend then ill let you know what we come up with. Also going to talk to the Thomas cook lady next week so I will let you know what she says.

Thanks for all your help so far every one

 

[torsie24]

I'd say two weeks should be plenty to see Disney, but if you want to do all Univrsal and Sea World too, I'd say if you can take a 3 weeks break then go for it!

My fiance and I are going for our frist trip (well, I went once when I was 7) in October.

We are going for 2 weeks and staying at AKL (which I am SO excited for and having researched loads I must say it looks gorgeous!!! So go for it if you can!)

We got the best deal by booking through Disney UK for hotel and tickts and then getting our flights direct (£280 each flying with NWA via Detroit)

We are only going to spend one day at universal and then the rest will be at disney. We really dont want to rush ourselves or tire ourselves out, so are planning most days to be half days, but if you guys are happy to be on the go alot, then you could get a lot more done in 2 weeks than we are planning on!

We have pretty stressful jobs so want to come home feeling rested (unlike the way we felt after 4 days of 8am-midnight at DLRP last summer!)

 

[Dave_uk]

I (unlike the way we felt after 4 days of 8am-midnight at DLRP last summer!)

Tell me about it we went in March was a brill time but needed some sleep!

After speaking to a friend who has been I am think of saving some money staying at a cheaper hotel on international Drive and going 4 free weeks.

from Thomson with 7 day disney would want at least 14 but it did not have them on the internet

Flight + Hotel: £1,930.00 2 x Single Trip Insurance: £116.00 2 x Theme Park Tickets: £488.00 2 x World Care Fund: £2.00 Sub-Total: £2,536.00 Online Saving: -£248.00 Total: £2,288.00

Flights

Leaving:
Depart:
London Gatwick
02-Sep-1010:30
Arrive:
Sanford, FL
02-Sep-1015:05
Carrier:
Thomson Airways
TOM048
Returning:
Depart:
Sanford, FL
23-Sep-1017:05
Arrive:
London Gatwick
24-Sep-1006:35
Carrier:
Thomson Airways
TOM049

Accommodation

Quality Inn International
Country:United States Of AmericaDestination:FloridaResort:International DriveDuration: 21 nights Board Basis: Room Only

--How good is this dinning plan would it work out better staying at disney just to get it how much would it save you--

 

[torsie24]

Careful with flying into sanford.

If you aren't renting a car it can be tricky getting to the hotels. (so i've heard)

 

[wayneg]

Flight + Hotel: £1,930.00 2 x Single Trip Insurance: £116.00 2 x Theme Park Tickets: £488.00 2 x World Care Fund: £2.00 Sub-Total: £2,536.00 Online Saving: -£248.00 Total: £2,288.00

Accommodation

Quality Inn International
Country:United States Of AmericaDestination:FloridaResort:International DriveDuration: 21 nights Board Basis: Room Only

--How good is this dinning plan would it work out better staying at disney just to get it how much would it save you--

To give you an idea of price doing DIY compared to your package.
Priced up similar for this Sept
2x Flights indirect £572 (Heathrow) 3rd -24 Sept 09
21 nights Quality Inn Int £400.00
Insure&go from £60.21
21 day dis tix £486 (7 days £414)
Total £1518.21 with 21 day tix.

£841.79 cheaper (with 7 day tix) but means changing planes.

You could get 2x Virgin flights direct from Gat for £852, still save you about £560 on package price.

Not looked at onsite with DDP option, too late tonight but gives you idea what you should be paying offsite

 

[Dave_uk]

Wow that is so so much cheaper!

How easy is a diy trip?

Where is the best place to fly in to?

Thanks again everyone

 

[torsie24]

DIY trip is just as easy as any other trip. You just have to do your flights and hotel separate.

If you are staying in a Disney Hotel and fly into Orlando International (MCO) there is a free bus service that takes you to your hotel. As we aren't renting a car this really sold it to us (as did the free disney transport for our whole stay).

 

[wayneg]

To me DIY is as easy as a package but been doing this way for years. The key is booking at the right time. Don't book as soon as the flights are available, wait for the right price. Sept is low season indirect you should be looking at no more than £300pp for a bargain or £350pp max. But you will have to be patient, many people just want to book and get it done with, then a package is probably better.
Just had a quick look for 3 week onsite Sept 2-23rd 2010 Port Orleans French Quarter(Moderate resort) with 21 day tix and upgrading to free regular dining plan. £2,492.00 + flights and insurance so total approx £3,100-3,200
A lot more than offsite but includes a way better hotel, free transport to and from airport, extra magic hours in the park, anything you buy in Disney can be sent to your room, If you rent a car free parking, plus the 21 days free food(worth over £1,000)

 

[Dave_uk]

DIY does sound good the only problem is I can not afford it all at once. Booking through some where like Thomas cook can pay a deposit then the rest later.

Thanks every one

 

[torsie24]

DIY does sound good the only problem is I can not afford it all at once. Booking through some where like Thomas cook can pay a deposit then the rest later.

Thanks every one

With Disney UK you pay £100 when you book and then the total is due a few weeks before you leave. So the only thing you have to pay up front for is the flights which will only be £600 or so.

 

[Dave_uk]

Went to Thomson the other day this is what they quoted me…
2 People
21 Nights
Econo-Lodge on I drive
Manchester to SFB
The one Ticket (14 days)
Discovery Cove ultimate
£3357.97
Going to Thomas cook tomorrow going to see what they can do and also have a look what I can do with a DIY. Still thinking about staying with Disney tho.